P68 Observer Series - Airborne Technologies GmbH

P68 Observer Series 

“The aircraft for Sea and Land monitoring, 

controlling and surveillance” 

All reasonable care has been taken by VULCANAIR to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the present document. However, the material presented is provided to acquaint 

you with the general characteristics of our products; it is not an offer and does not constitute a commitment, a warranty, or a representation. 

No liability is accepted for inaccuracies or omissions or any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages, or other damages whatsoever resulting from the use of any information 

contained in this document. Duplication of such document is authorised for private and informational purposes only, and any other duplication or use thereof is expressly prohibited.

The P68 Observer Series 

Derived from the successful Partenavia P68 Series, the Vulcanair P 68 

Observer Series is a six seater, twin engine, high wing, fixed landing 

gear airplane for observation, light transport and air taxi. 

The main characteristic of the aircraft is its excellent helicopter-like 

visibility, obtained by manufacturing the whole front fuselage in 

plexiglas. This feature enables it to perform patrol and observation roles 

with high performance and operating costs much lower than those of a 

helicopter. 

Extreme structural simplicity, absence of complicated systems, ruggedness, 

accessibility to servicing points reduce maintenance costs and put the 

Observer in a position of outstanding advantage with respect to 

helicopters whenever vertical take-off and landing in the operative area is 

not necessary. 

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Three View 

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General Layout 

This view shows the standard 1+5 seat interior layout of the 

P68 Observer 2 including the arrangement of the cockpit 

crew, passenger cabin and baggage compartment with 

the large aft RH Cargo door and the LH Passenger 

Entrance door. 

In addition, through the quickly removable seats, the large 

cabin volume begins available for the carriage of goods of 

all kinds: 

� Bulky items loaded through the generous Cargo door 

� Stretchers for aerial ambulance duties 

� Systems and other equipment for patrol, observation and 

surveillance duties. 

Finally, the aircraft features a standard predisposition a 2.1 x 

1.5 ft. hatch (63 x 46 cm.) 

All these qualities along with its stable flight characteristics 

make the Observer a very flexible and easily 

customisable platform for aerial photography, 

reconnaissance and emergency missions. 

Frame No 2 

1.451 m 

4.760 ft 

1.780 m 

5.840 ft 

0.820 m 

2.690 ft 

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0.816 m 

2.677 ft 

0.802 m 

2.631 ft 

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Interior Configuration 

An interior configuration with accommodation for 1 pilot and 5 passengers is proposed. 

Other features of the cabin are the large number of windows, ensuring that passengers have 

excellent visibility, plus the large amount of baggage space available in the aft baggage 

compartment or, in the whole cabin through the quick removal of the seats. 

INTERNAL DIMENSIONS 

COCKPIT AREA 

Cabin length 1.451 m 4.760 ft 

Cabin width 1.160 m 3.806 ft 

Ave. Cabin height 1.150 m 3.773 ft 

PASSENGER CABIN 

Cabin length 1.780 m 5.840 ft 

Cabin width 1.160 m 3.806 ft 

Ave. Cabin height 1.150 m 3.937 ft 

Total Volume 2.374 m 3 83.83 cu. ft 

CARGO COMPARTMENT 

PAX CONFIGURATION CARGO CONFIGURATION 

Length 0.816 m 2.677 ft 2.596 m 8.507 ft 

Ave. width 1.010 m 3.300 ft 1.100 m 3.609 ft 

Ave. height 1.000 m 3.281 ft 1.120 m 3.674 ft 

Total Volume 0.824 m 3 28.98 cu. ft 3.198 m 3 112.9 cu. ft 

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Main Characteristics 

Weights and Loadings 

Maximum Ramp Weight 2100 kg 4630 lbs 

Maximum Take-Off Weight 2084 kg 4594 lbs 

Maximum Landing Weight 1980 kg 4365 lbs 

Typical. Std. Empty Weight 1420 kg 3130 lbs 

Maximum Zero-Fuel Weight 1890 kg 4167 lbs 

Typical Max Useful Load 680 kg 1499 lbs 

Maximum Fuel Load (usable) 670 Lt 177 US Gal 

Powerplant Engine Manufacturer Textron Lycoming 

Engine Designation: IO-360-A1B6 (normally Aspirated) installed on P68 Observer 2 

or 

TIO-360-C1A6D (turbo-charged) installed on P68 TC Observer 

Engine Type 4-cylinder, 361 inch, 3 horizontal, direct drive, air cooled, fuel injected. 

Power 200 shp (Aspirated), 210 shp (Turbo-charged) 

Propeller Manuf./Design Hartzell, 2 blades FC 7666A model 

Propeller Type: Constant speed, full feathering, non reversible, hydraulically operated 

Doors 

1. Entrance door wide 0.820 m 2.690 ft 

2. Cargo door size 0.802 x 0.835 m 2.631 x 2.739 ft 

3. Emergency escape window 

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Universally acclaimed as the most 

cost-effective airplane for 

observation and patrol roles. 

Designed to provide an alternate 

and more economic solution in a 

field were the helicopter has until 

now dominated. 

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No other aircraft in the light general aviation category offers the same 

features 

� High Wing 

� Twin Engine 

� Plexiglas Nose 

� Six Passenger Capability 

� Airborne Surveillance Ready 

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90 

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10 

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P68 Deliveries 

More than 450 aircraft all over the world 

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Government Entities Currently Operating Our Aircraft 

� Italian State Police 

� 12 U.S.A. States for Law Enforcement and Wildlife 

Conservation Agencies 

� U.S. Department of the Interior 

� International Private and Government Operators 

� Oil companies for pipeline patrol 

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Homeland Security Applications 

The P68 Series is a proven, effective tool for many 

homeland security applications: 

� Helicopter-like visibility through the plexiglas 

cockpit 

� Twin engine redundancy for SAFE low altitude 

flying 

� Standard provision for camera hatch 

� Low operating costs 

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Airborne Video Surveillance 

Maritime Patrol : 

� Airborne Surveillance 

� Search And Rescue (SAR) 

� Patrolling 

� Immigration Control 

� Pollution Control 

Special Missions 

� Airborne Protection 

� Fishing control 

� Water Pollution Control 

� Drug and Illegal Substances Enforcement 

� Flying Control Centre 

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Special Missions Equipment 

P 68 OBSERVER 2 WITH OPTIONAL SLAR 

The extreme versatility of the aircraft even allows it to be equipped with a SLAR 

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Airborne Video Surveillance System 

Allows remote real-time transmission of TV pictures. 

� The camera is installed in the camera hatch, and is electrically controlled by an 

operator. Images are simultaneously transmitted to the on-board monitor and, 

via a microwave link or satellite, to the ground station or can be stored on a 

video recorder. 

� The system is very suitable for surveillance, patrol and reconnaissance tasks 

or whenever it is necessary to have a complete view of ground anomalies, to 

ascertain the damage after natural calamities or during dangerous situations to 

be controlled. 

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L-3 Wescam 

Certified Installation 

Wescam DS14 

Wescam MX 15 

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Example of L-3 

Wescam 12 

Field Approved 

In the U.S.A. 

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Airborne video surveillance system 

L-3 WESCAM 

FLIR 

GALILEO 

and others 

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Aero Photogrammetric Hatch 

A 63x46 cm hatch is provided in the fuselage bottom and 

is designed for the installation of the most updated 

photogrammetric cameras. 

The hatch is located in the centre right of the fuselage 

and can be used for Mapping, Cameras like Wild RC 

Series, or for L-3 Wescam and FLIR equipment. 

The hatch can also be used during SAR missions to drop 

emergency equipment for rescue missions. 

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Homeland Security Missions 

� Riot and Crowd Control 

� COIN operations 

� Broadcast to a land station or vehicle. 

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Auxiliary Equipments 

The P68 Observer 2 can be fitted with two 14" under wing standard NATO pylons able to 

hold up to 200 Lbs (90.7 Kg.) each 

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� Electrical utilities line 

patrol 

� Pipeline patrol 


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Long range 

Patrol 

Day and 

Night.. 

The P68 Observer can help in keeping them safe with prevention… 

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Fish Spotting/ Fishing Activities Control and Enforcement 

Thanks to its twin engine safe for flying over the water, exceptional range and helicopter-like visibility, 

the P68 Observer Series has been operated for years in many different countries for fish spotting, 

more particularly in the tuna fishing greatly improving the fishing efficiency of professional fishing 

boats by locating fish populated areas. 

The aircraft is also used to spot illegal fishing and to enforce fishing Licenses and permits in various 

countries. 

Open Water Pollution Control and 

Environmental Protection 

Thanks to its twin engine safe for flying over the water, 

exceptional range and helicopter-like visibility, the P68 

Observer Series can be operated for pollution early detection 

and to coordinate emergency vessels in the interested areas, 

therefore reducing reaction times and overall operational 

efficiency. 

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Cloud Seeding Missions 

The P68 Observer Series also has a cloud seeding variant 

Whereby the aircraft installs special sprayers under the wing for Silver iodide 

spraying in the air. 

Cloud seeding introduces silver 

iodide and other agents that mimic 

the structure of ice and serve as a 

template or nucleus for crystal 

formation. 

� Operator Console (SRCU System) 

� Plume Generator (for silver iodide mixture or hydrogenate salts) 

� Flare Dispenser 

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Equipments 

The aircraft basic equipment can be completed adding other systems which increase the 

operational capability and extends the range of possible roles. 

Some of the further equipments are listed below: 

Microwave Radiometer (MVR) 

� The MWR is used to establish the amount of oil dispersed by measuring its area 

extension and thickness. It is quite common, in case of larger oil spills, that more than 90 

percent of the oil is confined in a compact region comprising less than 10 percent of the 

visible slick area. The MVR can therefore be an useful tool in assisting oil combating 

vessels in the clean-up operation by pointing out the biggest oil concentration within the 

spill area. 

Data Down Link (DDL) 

� The data acquired by the various sensors can be transmitted to surface receiving 

station. At receiving stations, data are collected by a directional antenna, stored on 

magnetic tape and converted into images in near real-time. The DDL is a VHF system 

which requires "line of sight". however, if the aircraft and receiving unit (s) are not within 

line of sight during data acquisition, it is possible to transmit data from the tape recorder 

at the next opportunity. 

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Observer or Helicopter ? 

� The P68 Observer has been specifically designed to reduce airborne surveillance costs. 

� Very often Airborne Surveillance is done with Helicopters even when their specific 

characteristics are unnecessary (vertical take-off and landing). 

� Below a comparison with entry level helicopters available today which in any case cost 

more than the P68 Observer 2 

• Slower than 

• Noisier and less sturdy 

•Single engine 

• Much shorter range 

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Operating Considerations 

� The maximum range of the aircraft is of 10 hours 

without refuelling. 

� Extra safety is insured by the twin engine 

configuration insuring the safe return of the crew 

from any mission including night missions, over 

water missions and low flying missions. 

The P68 Observer operating costs are 

approximately 1/5 of a single turbine 

helicopter. The speed of the P68 Observer is 

25% higher relative to an helicopter allowing 

a faster coverage of the search area. 

� Fuel consumption = 60 Litres /16.6 USG 

/Hour @ 55% power. 

� Thanks to uncomplicated systems and the 

general sturdiness of the aircraft the aircraft 

requires less than 0.35 hours of 

maintenance per flight hour. 

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S 

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MISSION 

� Pollution reconnaissance 

� Search and rescue 

� Illegal trafficking enforcement 

� Border patrol 

� Scientific platform for data acquisition 

� Fire detection 

� Aero-photogrammetry 

PERFORMANCE 

� Speed 150 KTS 

� RECCE Speed 100 KTS 

� Altitude 5000 Ft 

� Fuel reserves 45 min. 

� Flight time 10 Hr 24 m 

MISSION 

� Visual reconnaissance 

� Area monitoring 


� Flying intelligence unit 

� Fire surveillance 

� Crowd or riot control 

PERFORMANCE 

� Speed 135 KTS 

� Altitude Sea Level 

� Fuel reserves 45 min. 

� Flight time 10 Hr 24 m 

TYPICAL MISSIONS 

CREW 

� 1 Pilot, 1 Operator 

Distance from airport to 

operation area: 

100 Km (54NM) 

PATTERN 

� Width 10 NM 

� Fingers 0.5 NM 

� Length 110 NM 

R 

E 

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CREW 

� 1 Pilot, 1 Operator 

RANGE 

� 100 Km (54NM) 

Transit Base - Area 

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Area Reconnaissance 

� Crew : 1 Pilot And 1 Operator 

� Distance from airport to operation area : 

100 Km - 54 nm. 

� Cruise Speed : 150 Kts 

� RECCE Speed : 100 Kts 

� RECCE Altitude : Sea Level 

� Reserve : 45' 

� Total Flight Time : 10 Hrs 24 Min 

� Covered Area : 5.4 nm. X 47 nm. 

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Crew: 1 Pilot and 1 Operator 

Spot Surveillance 

Kind of Mission 

� Ship- Wreck 

� Visual reconnaissance 

� Area monitoring 


� Flying intelligence unit 

� Fire surveillance 

� Crowd or riot control 

Speed : 135 Kts 

Distance from airport to operation area: 100 Km (54 N.M.) 

Altitude : S.L. 

Reserve: 45’ 

Total Flight Time: 

� Without aux tanks: 7 Hrs 24 Min 

� With aux tanks : 10 Hrs 24 Min 

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Performance 

Aspirated engine Turbo-charged engine 

Max Range Cruise Speed 301 km/h 160 Kts 315 km/h 170 Kts 

(@ 75% & 7500 ft) 

Rate of Climb (2 Engines S.L. @ MTOW) 6.0 m/s 1100 fpm 7.6 m/s 1500 fpm 

Rate of Climb (1 Engine S.L. @ MTOW) 1.0 m/s 200 fpm 1.1 m/s 220 fpm 

Stall Speed (full flaps) 106 km/h 57 Kts 106 km/h 57 Kts 

Service Ceiling (2 engines) 5490 m 18000 ft 6100 m 20000 ft 

Service Ceiling (1 engine) 1520 m 5000 ft 3350 m 11000 ft 

Max Range (best economy @ 7000 ft) 2960 km 1598 nm 2280 km 1230 nm 

T.O. Distance Over 50 ft (*) 400 m 1312 ft 390 m 1279 ft 

T.O. Distance (*) 240 m 787 ft 230 m 755 ft 

Landing Dist. Over 50 ft (*) 600 m 1969 ft 520 m 1706 ft 

Landing Distance (*) 200 m 656 ft 200 m 656 ft 

(*) ISA, S.L, MLW, no wind 

Load Factor + 3,74g - 1,50 g + 3,80g - 1,52 g 

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Hi-Visibility State-Of-The-Art Cockpit 

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Hi-Visibility State-Of-The-Art Cockpit 

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Heavy Duty Performance 

Easy Take Off & Landing on Unprepared Strips 

The Vulcanair P68 Observer Series has been designed to fulfil 

missions previously only possible with an helicopter and can take-off 

and land in extremely rough and short runways without problems. 

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Conclusion 

P68 Observer Series aircraft features several outstanding advantages over 

its competitors thanks to its clever design and construction simplicity: 

Among others we note: 

� Low maintenance 

� Excellent performance 

� Ease of operation in terms of flying characteristics resulting in low 

training/transition time for pilots. 

� Low Direct Operating Costs 

� High durability and repairability in time thanks to its corrosion proof 

aluminium construction 

Moreover, with its helicopter-like visibility, thanks to the high wing configuration 

and other important features like the floor hatch that permit the quick installation of 

a variety of equipment and to perform special operations as the dropping of survival 

goods the Observer results in a unique machine ready to be adapted to every kind 

of mission, from patrol, observation, surveillance and emergency, to simply 

passenger or freight transport duties. 

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Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General 

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Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General 

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Contact Information 

Vulcanair S.p.A. 

Via G. Pascoli 7 

Casoria (NA) Italy 

80026 

Tel. +390815918111 

Fax. +390815918172 

Internet: www.vulcanair.com 

E-mail aircraft sales: sales@vulcanair.com 

E-mail general inquiries: marketing@vulcanair.com 

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P68 Observer Series - Airborne Technologies GmbH

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