Improving & Certifying Remote Pilot skills for Drone Operations in the Engineering Construction Industry and Beyond: WATCH AGAIN
The ECITB is developing a suite of remote pilot certifications and advanced skills tests in order to benchmark pilot skills for operations in complex industrial environments. Elements of development have taken place in collaboration with Innovate UK and industry stakeholders as part of the Future Flight “Closing the Skills Gap” programme. This presentation will introduce the certifications and explain why they were developed and who for, as well as the structure of the courses and how they can be accessed.
Speaker Biographies:
Elliott Corke is Technical Director of Global Drone Training and has been operating RPAS commercially since 2012. He has a specialism in training and assessment of remote pilots.
Reg Rudd is a Product Development Manager working for the ECITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board). His role is to develop training products for the ECI which will improve efficiency, effectiveness and safety. He has been working in the ECI environment for over 15 years, working on most nuclear and thermal power plants in the UK and a nuclear plant in the Middle East. He has also worked in further education for 10 years as a lecturer and centre manager. He brings education and training knowledge to merge with his engineering experience to make products that have an impact. Drones is one of his current projects he is developing solutions to encourage adoption of this technology.
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Cambridge Sensoriis wins NATEP grant to deliver an onboard Detection & Avoidance Radar Tracking technology
Cambridge Sensoriis Ltd, an ARPAS-UK member with deep expertise in radar technology, has been awarded a NATEP (National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme) grant to deliver an ultra-lightweight onboard Detection and Avoidance Radar Tracking (oDART) avionics system. oDART leverages micro radar technologies that have been specifically developed for low altitude flight onboard Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and shall adapt and introduce these into crewed aircraft.
Our edge-cutting radar technology will support navigation, collision avoidance, and airspace deconfliction, during the critical take-off and landing phases of flight. Few competing micro–Air-To-Air Radar (ATAR) exist, and those that do have been designed for light-aircraft obstacle detection at high altitudes and are often ineffective at lower altitudes.
Dr. Steve Clark, Founder and CEO of Cambridge Sensoriis
High frequency radar provides excellent all weather object detection performance but has traditionally been large and expensive. Cambridge Sensoriis has designed a low Size, Weight, Power, and cost (SWaPc) radar, suitable for object detection. Other technologies have limited ability to distinguish between low flying small aircraft and ground-based structures like cranes, larger antenna, or electricity pylons. oDART supports reduced crew operation – part of the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Advanced Systems stream – by providing greater and relevant situational awareness of flying and ground-based obstructions. Resilient pilot supporting systems are essential, especially within congested urban airspace.
Project oDART falls within the ATI strategy of accelerating the introduction of novel aircraft platforms to establish the UK as a global leader for Net Zero aerospace. I am delighted to be supporting Cambridge Sensoriis and I am just as enthusiastic as them to help develop their product and see it being brought to market.
Dave Howells, NATEP Technology Manager, who has supported project oDART since its application was submitted
Novel aircraft include battery powered eVTOLs (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft) – these are an integral part of the route towards zero carbon aviation which is a further ATI strategic objective. Safe and certified eVTOL flight will require advanced supporting avionics systems, such as those proposed within the oDART program.
Cambridge Sensoriis is the project lead of this 18-month project which launched in June 2023, and they will be supported by other funded project partners, including ARPAS-UK members Across Safety DevelopmentandTEKTowr. Across Safety Development are specialists in safety management and regulatory affairs, providing expertise across all aspects of the aviation industry, and have facilitated CAA approvals for numerous projects in the UK and abroad.
Bringing certified UAS, motors, and components to market will be a game changer and will establish leading positions for forward thinking developers. With our experience in regulatory affairs, and our understanding of current and proposed regulations, we can help manufacturers such as Cambridge Sensoriis with the planning and implementation of a workable certification strategy.
Anthony Venetz, Managing Director of Across Safety Development
TEKTowr is an engineering solutions company bringing innovative products and services to market within safety-critical, security-critical software environments. Matt Banham and his engineers have decades experience in high-integrity software engineering.
More about Cambridge Sensoriis Cambridge Sensoriis is a UK company with deep domain expertise in radar technology, whose mission has been to develop radar solutions in a micro form that are suitable for deployment on Uncrewed Aerial Systems, to support collision avoidance, and autonomous landing.
More about The National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) The Aerospace Growth Partnershipdeveloped the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) aimed at small and medium sized suppliers to help them develop their own innovative technologies to enhance their capabilities and increase their ability to win new business with higher tier companies anywhere in the world.
11 December 2023
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BSI Operational Design Domain webinar: 24 January 2024 at 12noon
Hosted by The Future Flight Standards Hub Community.
This webinar is a unique opportunity for our community members to delve into the technical intricacies of Operational Design Domains (ODD), BSI Flex 1904 and its practical applications.
Whether you are a seasoned drone operator, vertiport developer, or part of an organization involved in RPAS or UAS, this event is designed to inform and educate on the theory and the practice of ODDs.
Agenda overview: Core concept of ODDs from Matt Osborne Connected and automated mobility ODD perspective by Siddartha Khastgir BSI Flex 1904 overview and its practical applications with Matt Osborne Dynamic Q&A session and closing remarks by Chris Gee
Why attend?
Insights: Develop your understanding of ODDs and the BSI Flex 1904.
Networking: Connect with industry experts and fellow community members during the live Q&A session.
Community Engagement: Contribute your valuable insights, feedback, and questions to shape the conversation and future standards.
How to join: RSVP now on the event page to secure your spot. Please note, if you or your colleagues are not yet hub members, they will need to sign up to the community first.
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Westminster eForum: Priorities & Next Steps for the Drone Industry. AL Scaillierez, ARPAS-UK CEO and D. Pankhurst, BT as speakers
Date: 16 January 2024
Location: Virtual
Chaired by: Henry SmithMP, Chair, Future of Aviation APPG
Dave Pankhurst, Director of Drones, BT, Professor James Scanlan, Professor of Aerospace Design, University of Southampton, Robert Garbett, Chief Executive, Drone Major Group, Simon Phippard, Bird & Bird; and Anne-Lise Scaillierez, The Drone Office and ARPAS-UK
This conference, taking place on Tuesday, 16th January 2024, will focus on the future of the UK drone industry, and priorities for supporting innovation and growth.
It will be an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss next steps for policy and regulation, as well as action by the drone sector and its partners, following recommendations in the HM Treasury Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review.
Delegates will look at how best to unlock commercial potential for drones, looking at use cases across industries, consumer engagement, and models of funding for research and development in the sector, especially for newer entrants to the market.
Further sessions look at the way for forward for developing collaborative frameworks for industry stakeholders, including UTMs and drone developers, agreements and the steps needed to enhance connectivity and airspace integration to support growth in the sector.
Expect discussion on UKRI’s Future Flight Challenge, its outcomes so far and next steps for 2024 and beyond, as well as the CAA’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy and international case studies on best practice for drone regulation and policy.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
Policy and regulation: frameworks for collaboration between government, regulators and industry – providing support and certainty for new entrants and smaller industry players
Commercialisation: priorities for drone market development – latest use cases and strategies for realising the potential of commercial drone use – consumer engagement
Innovation: what is needed across industry and government to foster innovation – next steps for funding and investment for research and development – infrastructure priorities
Collaboration: opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and frameworks for industry and UTMs – practical, legal, technological and commercial considerations for harmonisation of airspace
Safety and security: prospects for airspace integration – BVLOS regulation – security and safety for UAVs – operating standards – building public trust
International markets: key commercial trends and opportunities – lessons for the UK drone sector – opportunities for collaboration – the UK’s potential leadership role
BryceTech was commissioned by the Department for Transport to assess the Advanced Air Mobility market readiness.
The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has published a comprehensive review on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) titled “Advanced Air Mobility Evidence Review.” Released on December 5, 2023, and updated on December 7, 2023, this independent report, produced by BryceTech on behalf of the DfT, marks a crucial step in understanding and shaping the future of air travel.
The review meticulously addresses evidence gaps identified in DfT’s research areas, providing an in-depth overview of the current status and expected future trajectory of both the UK and global AAM industry. This includes a detailed examination of the development level and market entry timelines for various vehicles and enabling technologies, pivotal in shaping the industry’s future.
One of the key aspects of the review is its focus on the size and potential growth of the current UK and global markets for advanced air mobility. By assessing future market outlooks, the report highlights significant opportunities for industry players and policymakers. Importantly, the review identifies key market drivers and barriers, offering insights into potential government interventions that could facilitate the growth of the UK AAM market.
The AAM market is characterized by a high level of uncertainty due to its emergent nature. To address this, the review draws from a broad spectrum of literature and expertise, including contributions from a steering group comprising representatives from the DfT, Civil Aviation Authority, Future Flight Challenge, Connected Places Catapult, and various academic institutions. This comprehensive approach ensures a balanced and well-informed perspective on the subject.
The review is not just an academic exercise; it is a vital resource for stakeholders across the aviation sector, including manufacturers, service providers, policy makers, and regulators. It sets the stage for informed decision-making and strategic planning, essential for navigating the complexities and leveraging the opportunities in the rapidly evolving world of advanced air mobility.
In conclusion, the “Advanced Air Mobility Evidence Review” by the UK Department for Transport is a landmark report that offers a clear vision of the future of aviation. It is a testament to the UK’s commitment to leading in the development and deployment of innovative aviation technologies. As the industry stands on the brink of a new era, this report will undoubtedly serve as a key reference point for shaping the future of air travel, both in the UK and globally.
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When Crewed meets Uncrewed Aircraft
One of the major challenges in integrating uncrewed aircraft into the same skies as crewed aircraft is that they communicate using different languages, in essence verbal vs data.
As experts in trialling advanced communications technology alongside their specialised aviation tasking, Draken Europe has been hard at work recently with their partners Volant Autonomy, supporting trials in the Agile Integrated Airspace System programme (aka ALIAS).
Last week, the ALIAS partners successfully completed their first flight trial using Draken’s crewed Diamond DA42 aircraft in proximate airspace with SkyLift’s uncrewed platform. This is the first of multiple flight trials in which Volant will be building team situation awareness, culminating in uncrewed SkyDrones, SkyLift and SkyPorts being able to operate safely and confidently in the same proximate airspace as Draken’s crewed aircraft.
Anthony (Tony) O’Connor, Draken’s Director of Strategic Bid Programmes, is leading the development of Draken’s #RPAS capability. He explained the role Draken is currently delivering in the ALIAS trials:
“We recognise there is considerable opportunity for us in building teaming capability to conduct safe UAV operations in challenging and congested airspace. Our investment in this goal is reflected in the contribution we bring to the ALIAS Project, part of Phase 3 of the Innovate UK Future Flight Challenge. The ALIAS project will deliver huge benefits in technological capability. The addition of Draken’s extensive operational experience will, we hope, result in commercial benefits for the whole consortium.”
5 December 2023
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Lincolnshire Prepares for Emergencies with Drones and Digital Twins
Geospatial and drone technology from ARPAS-UK member Esri UK supports more effective response to floods, power cuts and severe weather.
Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF) has gone live with new geospatial and drone technology from Esri UK to help it better prepare for emergencies across the county, including flooding, loss of critical infrastructure, pandemics or severe weather. Image recognition and drone software are among new applications helping to create real-time intelligence and an improved understanding of potential catastrophes.
Covering over 2,000 square miles and a population of more than 750,000, the LRF’s objective is to save and protect human life, relieve suffering and contain emergencies, limiting their escalation by ensuring comprehensive readiness. One of 38 Local Resilience Forums in England, the multi-agency partnership consists of over 30 category 1 and 2 responders, including local authorities, government agencies, emergency services, NHS and health bodies, utilities and transport providers.
New systems are being used to identify unknown caravans using drone and satellite imagery, to gain a more accurate understanding of where residents need to be evacuated from in the event of a major flood. Preparing for tidal inundation is a top priority for the LRF due to Lincolnshire having one of the largest single landmasses in the country at risk of such an event, along with Europe’s highest density of static caravans at more than 34,000.
Esri drone software is making aerial data capture faster and more accurate to create 3D digital twins of potential higher risk zones, supporting better understanding of access and evacuation points in relation to homes and other properties. The new deployment means the LRF can create digital twins more quickly, particularly for Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) locations, which involve dangerous substances such as gas and oil refineries.
Responding to large emergencies – particularly flooding but also major transport incidents or the loss of critical infrastructure – is a crucial role of public services. With the climate crisis comes more extreme weather events, which means community resilience is even more important.
Lincolnshire is a large county with no motorways and few dual carriageways so response and evacuation planning is critical. These new innovations are enabling emergency planners to model risks affecting the county to maximise response, improve communication and coordination and reduce, as practicably as possible, the impacts on the wider communities of the county. Creating the new caravan dataset in particular will dramatically improve intelligence.
Steve Eason-Harris, Emergency Planning Officer at Lincolnshire County Council, who is the lead officer for GIS and Resilient Communities for the LRF.
Identifying static caravans is traditionally difficult due to licensing regulations, land ownership and registry data. Now with new deep learning tools available, the LRF is exploring and developing ways of employing drone and satellite imagery and GIS to identify previously unknown caravans. Tourism is the lifeblood of many coastal regions in the country but this can increase risks to coastal populations residing in caravans when holiday seasons lengthen into storm periods. In Lincolnshire, this traditionally runs from October to March.
We’re aiming to solve a huge challenge and having the latest geospatial technology means the LRF can respond more effectively. Constant innovation is critical at the LRF, the objective being to use new systems to ensure we get the right resources to the right people at the right time
continued Eason-Harris.
At the core of the solution lies an Esri real-time mapping dashboard, providing a common operating picture, which went live in summer 2022 and was used extensively during Storm Babet in October 2023. Available online, on mobile devices and giant touch screens in the County Emergency Centre, it integrates data from over 30 agencies to allow rapid decision making. The system provides a faster and more advanced method of showing partners what the situation is before, during and after an emergency, compared to paper maps and spreadsheets.
Other new GIS projects at LRF include developing a workforce application for deploying, tracking and communicating with volunteers in the field to support vulnerable people who need assistance the most. The system will update the control centre via a mobile app when volunteer tasks have been completed and alert the team with any requests for medical intervention or transport assistance. Data from the app will also feed directly into the mapping dashboard in the control centre.
5 December 2023
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December 01 2023 Drone Related Jobs
Disclaimer: All jobs posted here are from LinkedIn and other job sites including member and non-member organizations.
