As we continue to develop, we are taking the next big step: Third Element Aviation is joining forces with HHLA Sky to form a leading company in the European drone industry!

We have been partners and friends with the Hamburg-based company for a long time and the merger was the logical next step. Here, HHLA Sky’s award-winning and leading software solution for mobile robot management meets 3EA’s innovative and integrated drone systems and know-how in the field of permits and legal requirements.

The merger makes it possible to bring these complementary competencies together and from now on to advance the drone industry from Germany even further in the field of automation.

We will continue to be represented in the heart of OWL, united both entrepreneurially and by name in HHLA Sky. Matthias Gronstedt will continue to be responsible for the management of the company and will be supported by Wiebke Kropp-Büttner as the second Managing Director for the strategic and commercial development of the company. Benjamin Wiens and Marius Schröder will of course remain in positions of responsibility, as will our entire team.

Together, we are more than excited about the future and our motto remains:

#TheFutureIsAirborne

More info: https://hhla-sky.de/news/hhla-sky-and-third-element-aviation-merge-to-lead-european-drone-technology
Photo: Lisa Knauer

#ThirdElementAviation #HHLASky #3EA #Drone #UAV #UAS #DroneMarket 

The Auriol in the special “Rudolf” Christmas edition: the best solution for getting presents delivered under the tree on time. But unfortunately there is only this one special edition…

So while reindeer continue to pull the sleigh, we wish all our employees, friends, partners and customers happy and peaceful holidays. We would like to thank everyone who was a part of this eventful 2024 and wish everyone a happy new year 2025!

#ThirdElementAviation #3EA #TheFutureIsAirborne #Drone #UAV #UAS #happyholidays

Whenever we talk about the possibility of drone logistics, this term comes up again and again: SAIL III. But what is it actually and why is it so important?

First of all: SAIL III is a permit class for the operation of drones. In other words, it is not about certifying a terminal device, but rather the planned flight operations and the organization behind them are examined as a whole and approved for implementation.

SAIL III is one of several categories of the SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment), which determines the risk of the planned operation and defines requirements. Of course, this also includes the appropriate hardware with corresponding precautions for emergencies, but also a precisely regulated process flow and, of course, appropriately trained personnel.

If all this is in place, a delivery operation by drone, for example, can be approved, which can then not only be highly automated and take place out of sight of pilots, but can also fly over residential and industrial areas.

Incidentally, we are one of the first authorities in Germany to have successfully completed this process together with partners. And, of course, we are now making the expert knowledge we have gained available to our customers. We go through the entire process with them – from the initial idea through the entire approval process to the successful take-off.

#ThirdElementAviation #3EA #TheFutureIsAirborne #Drone #UAV #UAS #Innovation #Logistics

Benjamin Wiens is, together with Marius Schröder, the founder and CEO of Third Element Aviation. His enthusiasm for model making led him in a roundabout way to turn his hobby into a profession. In this interview, he talks about his path to his own company and what he would have liked to have given his younger self beforehand.

Benjamin, how did you get into drones?

I started out as a mechatronics engineer, that was my apprenticeship. And I’m actually a bit of a maverick and a person who always likes change. I shortened my training back then and after I took over as workshop manager, I was asked if I would like to retrain as a salesperson and was very successful. Then came the automotive crisis and I looked around the market and then set up a prototype workshop for furniture for the care sector, i.e. nursing homes and hospitals.

At the same time, I had been building models on the side since I was young. I simply had a lot of fun building these models. Especially helicopters with all the mechanical and electronic components and all the configuring and adjusting until it flies perfectly.

I then met someone at the model airfield who had a drone company in Bielefeld and he brought a drone for me to fly. I spent a total of three years doing part-time painting work for this company before he offered me a job as production and development manager. And that’s how my hobby became my profession.

And when it ended there, it was clear that it couldn’t be the end?

We believed in it and Marius and I were already convinced at the time that the mass market had no future, i.e. a simple drone that only has a camera, can do nothing else and is flown manually. And we realized that you can’t compete with “Made in Germany” when it comes to pricing.

But there were already inquiries about automated systems back then and we saw a niche where we could build a decent company.

I remember that we were sitting in my living room with a few others from the team. We talked about whether they would like to join us and after a few meetings it quickly became clear that they all wanted to join us. At some point, Marius and I looked at each other and after a bit of back and forth, we said that together as managing directors we thought it was realistic and we finally started Third Element.

And drones continue to inspire you?

First and foremost, it’s always an ongoing challenge because we’re venturing into areas where there’s no technology that you can simply buy. New things are constantly being created. I also believe that the use of drones has a great future. Drones are a tool for increasing efficiency, for example in logistics, especially when parcels are urgently needed. Nobody waits until the trunk is full and then drives off. So sustainability is also an important aspect and within the bounds of what is feasible.

And we have currently focused on this transport use case, but that is just one of hundreds.

And what has particularly stuck with you from all your time at 3EA?

There are a few things. What was a really great moment for all of us was when we made the first flight with the ConVecDro after a record development time. We really celebrated it with champagne and brought everyone out onto the field.

You could just see: this thing flies! It’s not perfect yet, but the basis is there and we can get started. We can start building the system like this. That was a great moment.

And an exit strategy was never an issue for you?

Definitely not the classic exit thinking. This: we build the thing here and then sell it and the founders go home with two suitcases full of money. That was never my interest because I don’t think that’s sustainable. At the very beginning, we took part in a start-up camp where other founders presented their plan, for example that they wanted to sell their app after three to five years for six million. And Marius and I sat there and listened to it and agreed that we didn’t want that. We still want to be sitting there shouting at each other in 30 years’ time.

And would you start a company again? What advice would you give your younger self today?

Yes, definitely!

I would wish for more experience – but of course you can’t have that beforehand if you suddenly become a founder. So look for advisors who will really challenge you. Not just a nice companion who goes along with you and supports you. But someone who will really put chunks in front of you that you have to get down before you can move on.

And I would definitely say that it’s the team that counts! That’s the most valuable thing you have. That’s something I would really give a founder who wants to become active in the tech industry: make sure you get a good team together and nurture it!

#ThirdElementAviation #3EA #TheFutureIsAirborne #Drone #UAV #UAS

“You make drones? There’s something like that in Bielefeld? What’s the name of the company?”

We’ve heard these sentences before. So we thought we’d briefly introduce ourselves again:

Hi! We are Third Element Aviation and in the heart of OWL, in beautiful Bielefeld, we develop, build and market industrial drone solutions.

Of course, it’s hard to imagine what that means – so we thought we’d just take you on a tour of an (almost) normal day at 3EA.

#ThirdElementAviation #3EA #TheFutureIsAirborne #Drone #UAV #UAS