Drone delivery - ARPAS UK

SAM IS ....

SYPAQ and Tanglewood Group Partner for Global ‘Corvo’ PPDS UAS Delivery

Partnership formed to support global roll-out of innovative drone solutions

SYPAQ Systems (Australia) and Tanglewood Group (UK) announce today that they have entered into a strategic partnership that will support ongoing global sales of the successful SYPAQ Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) uncrewed aerial system (UAS). On the back of successful delivery of over 500 PPDS autonomous systems to the Ukraine Defence force, SYPAQ and Tanglewood have teamed to support further sales, support and distribution throughout Europe and Middle East.

SYPAQ Systems General Manager Michael Partridge stated “We are very pleased to have Richard and the team at Tanglewood collaborate with us to expand sales of our successful Corvo PPDS autonomous system through Defence and Commercial markets in Europe and the Middle East. Having Tanglewood in closer proximity to these markets will provide more timely and effective support to customers who are looking for world-leading attritable, military-grade autonomous capabilities. We’ve proven this with our Corvo PPDS performance in Ukraine and look to expand this in markets across the globe.”

The Corvo PPDS disposable UAS, now distributed by Tanglewood Group in Europe and Middle East, has been celebrated for its performance in the Ukrainian conflict zone, and continues to be a world-leading, flexible mission, fixed-wing UAS.

SYPAQ’s Corvo PPDS UAS is a low-cost, highly capable fixed-wing autonomous system which can covertly deliver payloads with a high level of accuracy and reliability. Delivered as a flat pack kit to reduce logistic burden and made almost entirely from waxed foamboard, they are easily assembled and operated. The Corvo PPDS has a payload capacity of up to 3kg, has a range of over 100km and can autonomously transit to a specific location and land unassisted. It has been designed and operationally proven as an affordable and adaptable, autonomous UAS providing the end user the ability to innovate during operations.

Tanglewood Co-Founder and Director Richard Glyn-Jones mentioned “We are excited to be working with the Team at SYPAQ and being able to use Tanglewood’s extensive market reach in Europe and the Middle East, together with experience in autonomous systems and sensors, to support the expansion of Corvo PPDS operations. We see the PPDS as key to future military operations as well as being used for Search & Rescue, Law enforcement and humanitarian aid delivery amongst others and the partnership with SYPAQ allows us to develop future technology integrations to expand the use cases. We are looking forward to introducing the PPDS and working closely with the SYPAQ team.”

The Corvo PPDS disposable UAS has been celebrated for its performance in the Ukrainian conflict zone, and continues to be a world-leading, flexible-mission, fixed-wing UAS. For further information PPDS and other SYPAQ Systems UAS products contact [email protected].

For more information go to:

www.corvo-unmanned.com.au

www.sypaq.com.au www.tanglewoodgroup.co.uk/products

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Aerofirm & ARPAS-UK successful in Future Flight: Closing the Skills Gap Funding Bid

Aerofirm and ARPAS-UK are delighted to announce they have been awarded funding as part of the Future Flight Challenge: Closing the Skills Gap competition.

The project concerns the quantification of risks within complex drone operations, where there is currently a skills gap within the industry. Whilst this approach is used in other sectors, such as traditional manned aviation, its application is very domain specific and it is not yet widely used for drones.

The course will cover the fundamentals of risk quantification then take a deep dive into the specific aspects associated with drone operation such as platform, air and ground risks, human factors and target levels of safety. These topics will be underpinned by case studies and worked examples showing how the techniques are applied to real world situations.

The ultimate output will be a training course that supports the generation of both complex and scalable BVLOS safety cases. It will provide not only the tools needed to achieve this, but develop a mindset which needs to be embodied in any current and future organisation, as the responsibility of the operation is not just in the hands of the author but of all the staff in a company. The course will pull the UK drone industry back to the front of the queue, bringing jobs, investment and unlocking the skies.

Dr Owen McAree, Director of Aerofirm, said: “With this course we aim to help upskill the UK drone industry in the quantification of the risks associated with scalable BVLOS operation. This approach is fundamental in transitioning the industry from todays small scale trials to widespread commercially viable operations, whilst also highlighting the areas of technology development needed to unlock future scalability”

Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of ARPAS-UK, said: “This project will create a course to underpin scalable BVLOS operations. Training operators to understand risk and how to put a number to each element will help to enable safe rollout of BVLOS in the UK. This is fundamental to expanding the drone industry in the UK.”

This course will be developed alongside the soon to be launched ARPAS-UK BVLOS Technical Special Interest Group, which is the companion group which will help to supply the data needed to support BVLOS operations. It is also aligned with the NATS BVLOS Forum which contains the UK’s premier drone operators who will be the ones to write the safety case.

To express interest in the ARPAS BVLOS Technical SIG:

Contact:

[email protected]

About Aerofirm:

Aerofirm Ltd are experts in the technical aspects of commercial drone operations with a focus on safety engineering. Director, Dr Owen McAree, previously worked as a researcher and Head of Flight Operations at a number of top UK universities where he oversaw drone operations around the world and published over 40 peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to risk quantification. During this time he gained experience in developing and delivering course material for students from a diverse academic background.

For more information visit: www.linkedin.com/company/aerofirm/about/

About ARPAS-UK:

Founded in 2013, ARPAS-UK’s objective is to collectively achieve the benefits of using drones for its members, the UK economy and wider society. ARPAS-UK is the only non-commercial professional body, solely representing the drone community in the UK.

As well as promoting Best Practice, the Association also encourages a culture of collaboration and information sharing so that members are better informed and better prepared to make the most from market opportunities. Promoting our members and the standards we set, enables end users to easily identify the best and most appropriate operators to hire for their specific needs.

For more information about us: About Us – ARPAS UK

For more information on joining: Joining Info – ARPAS UK

The Future Flight Challenge

The Future Flight challenge at UK Research and Innovation and delivered by Innovate UK, has over the past few years invested £125 million in funding to develop and show integrated aviation systems and new vehicle technologies. The Skills Gap is part of this funding and will invest up to £500,000 into projects that can create and deliver course content and materials to support skills, talent and training across the future flight sector.

For more about the Future Flight Challenge: UKRI Challenge Fund – UKRI

Mohammed Hasan

SAM IS ....

CAA Consultation: Shape the Future of Remote Pilot Competency

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have announced an essential consultation regarding the future of remote pilot competency. This consultation presents a significant chance for our industry to shape the regulatory landscape and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for remote pilots and operators.

Overview of the Consultation

The CAA have released a proposal that covers various aspects of RPAS policy work, including rulemaking, medical standards, and competency frameworks for remote pilots. They are seeking input from all UAS industry stakeholders, including Recognised Assessment Entities (RAEs), remote pilots, and operators. This consultation aims to gather diverse views and opinions early in the policy development process to understand the potential impact on RAEs and the broader UAS industry.

Why Your Participation Matters

Your views and feedback are crucial to shaping the future of remote pilot competency regulations in the specific category. By participating in this consultation, you have the opportunity to influence the development of policies and frameworks that directly impact your operations. Your valuable insights can help ensure that the regulations are practical, effective, and reflective of the industry’s needs. This is an occasion for you to make your voice heard and contribute to the growth and advancement of the UAS sector.

How to Get Involved

Click Here to read more on the CAA website.

Closing Date: 23 August 2023

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CAA: https://consultations.caa.co.uk/rpas/remote-pilot-competency-rpcwg/

Mohammed Hasan

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BT Group and SkyLift Achieve Milestones in UK Drone Operations: Advanced Communication and Safety Systems for Scalable BVLOS Missions

BT Group and, esteemed ARPAS-UK member SkyLift, recently achieved significant milestones in the field of drone operations in the UK. They successfully conducted demonstration flights utilising fellow ARPAS-UK Member, uAvionix’s SkyLine cloud-based command and control (C2) system, which communicated over C-Band and LTE. These flights accomplished two firsts for the UK’s unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations.

Firstly, the demonstration involved operational Command and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) C2 systems using C-Band and LTE via BT’s Drone SIM. This demonstrated the viability of assured CNPC C2 communications for UAS, meeting the proposed Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS EC standard by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It offers a reliable and integrated airspace solution for safe BVLOS missions.

Secondly, the demonstration involved the transmission of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) OUT on 978 MHz, enabling detect and avoid (DAA) operations. By utilising uAvionix’s technology, the drone could effectively detect and avoid potential obstacles, enhancing the safety of the operations.

“Today’s successful operations at Bentwaters Park represent a significant milestone necessary for scaling BVLOS operations to meet desired business objectives,” said Toby Moores, SkyLift CEO. “Use of SkyLine with BT’s Drone SIM and aviation C-Band for Command and Control coupled with ADS-B OUT for Electronic Conspicuity and the SkyFleet Ground Control System provided our operators continuous, assured control of the aircraft and unparalleled situational awareness throughout all the flights. The technology was easily integrated into our aircraft and ground control system and deployed through a process that we can quickly replicate for businesses seeking to achieve scalable BVLOS operations.”

The SkyLift team operated its fixed wing UAS from Bentwaters Park, an ex-Royal Air Force/USAF airfield two hours from London utilizing their SkyFleet Ground Control System. Nearby Adastral Park, home of BT Group’s innovation labs, served as the location for a fixed, remote ground radio station (GRS) approximately 12 kilometers southwest. There are multiple BT LTE towers in the area and two mobile GRS with LTE backhaul connectivity were also deployed.

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“At Etc., the incubation team within BT Group’s Digital unit, we are keenly focused on the UK becoming a leader for commercial drone operations. Achieving these two firsts in one afternoon is significant and demonstrates how quickly we can integrate and deploy our technology for BVLOS missions,” said Ed Hunter, Senior Product Manager – Drones at Etc. “Collaborating with SkyLift and uAvionix brought together two cloud-based systems powered by EE’s advanced LTE connectivity and purpose-built Drone SIM, which is currently being trialed across the UK to deliver ultra reliable communications that can be scaled across many industries, from drone-enabled medical deliveries to power line inspections and search and rescue.”

Two flights were conducted to independently verify the BT Drone SIM connection and the uAvionix aviation C-Band data links. The third and final flight demonstrated the optimized use of both the BT Drone SIM and aviation C-Band datalinks for fully operational CNPC C2. Successful link management and make-before-break connections between the two datalinks were achieved using the uAvionix SkyLine UAS BVLOS cloud-based service and hardware including a SkyStation5060POE GRS, two SkyStation5060LTE mobile GRS, a muLTElink5060 airborne radio system with the BT Drone SIM, and a uAvionix truFYX GPS installed on the aircraft. In concert, the flight also demonstrated the use of ADS-B OUT transmission from the aircraft on 978 MHz for Electronic Conspicuity. The signal was provided by a uAvionix microUAT device.

Callum Holland, Transformation Lead for Future Safety & Innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said, “The CAA is committed to enabling the adoption of new technologies and standards to facilitate the wider integration of RPAS into UK airspace. We’re proud to have supported the UK’s first RPAS integration of ADS-B Out, operating on 978MHz, as well as a Command Link operating simultaneously over 4G LTE and in the C-Band protected aviation spectrum. This demonstration represents both our commitment to delivering the Electronic Conspicuity vision, as outlined within the Airspace Modernisation Strategy, and facilitating the adoption of high assurance datalinks for RPAS command and control.”

The achievements at Bentwaters Park underline the progress made in the field of drone communication and safety systems, providing a foundation for the expansion of infrastructure across the country. With continued collaboration and technological advancements, the UK is positioned to lead the way in commercial drone operations.

Enjoyed the Article? Follow the links below to read more:

uAvionix: www.uavionix.com

Skylift: https://www.skyliftuav.co.uk/

BT group: www.bt.com/about

Ect. : https://www.linkedin.com/company/etcatbtgroup/about/

The contents of this article were inspired by and based on information sourced from an article by uAvionix. We acknowledge and appreciate their valuable insights and contributions to the field of drone operations and communication systems.

Mohammed Hasan

SAM IS ....

Capturing the Majestic Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway from Above

Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, the renowned preserved railway line, has recently unveiled a captivating perspective of its historic tracks. For the first time in its 134-year history, the railway has been captured from the air, thanks to the advanced drone technology provided by Networx3 UAV. The award-winning Matrice M30T and DJI Avata drones, operated by skilled pilot Olivia Cambridge, have produced a mesmerizing short film showcasing the scenic beauty of the railway and its iconic locomotive, Beatrice. This groundbreaking aerial footage offers viewers a unique bird’s eye view of this volunteer-run railway and presents an exciting glimpse into its rich heritage.

Networx3 UAV, renowned for its expertise in roof surveys, wind turbine inspections, and safety work in gas pipelines, demonstrated the versatility of their drones by capturing stunning and atmospheric footage of the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. Equipped with high-definition cameras capable of capturing minute details even from a kilometer away, the drones’ capabilities provided a truly immersive experience. Olivia Cambridge, the skilled drone pilot, skillfully maneuvered the drones to follow Beatrice as it traversed the snow-covered Yorkshire Dales, presenting viewers with breath-taking shots of the picturesque landscape.

The short film takes viewers on an enchanting journey through the heart of the railway. The video showcases the restored locomotive Beatrice, puffing through plumes of steam, and arriving at the historic Embsay Station, which boasts beautifully preserved Victorian features. The film’s immersive perspective offers a glimpse into the powerful magic of this majestic steam engine, highlighting the dedication of the volunteers and the historic significance of the railway.

Collaboration for a Greener Future

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In addition to capturing the railway’s beauty, Networx3 UAV has joined forces with Squirrel Energy, experts in green energy solutions. As part of their collaboration, Networx3 UAV’s commercial drone pilots conducted detailed roof inspections on the railway’s engine sheds. While their primary objective was to assist with the installation of solar panels to address the railway’s soaring electricity bill, they creatively harnessed their professional skills to produce a short promotional video for the railway.

Networx3 UAV’s ground breaking aerial film of the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway showcases the beauty and historical significance of this preserved line. From its scenic surroundings to the meticulously restored locomotive Beatrice, the short film offers a fresh perspective on the railway’s enchanting atmosphere. Through their collaboration with Squirrel Energy, Networx3 UAV demonstrates their commitment to sustainability while capturing the timeless allure of this volunteer-run railway.

If you enjoyed this article check out the following links for more information:

Networx3 UAV: www.networx3uav.co.uk.

Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway: https://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/

Squirrel Energy: https://squirrel.energy/

Mohammed Hasan

SAM IS ....

Transforming Aviation Together: launching the Future Flight Community Integration Group

Innovate UK is pleased to announce the establishment of the Future Flight Community Integration Group, a collaborative initiative driven by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge.

The Future Flight Community Integration Group comprises a diverse range of members, including representatives from central and local government, industry, academia, end users, and an accessibility charity. ARPAS-UK is delighted to be involved and will draw on our own organisations and networks to bring input from others and ensure diverse voices are heard.

Kerissa Khan, Innovation Lead for UKRI’s Future Flight challenge and Co-Chair of the Community Integration Group, said:

The future of aviation is at a pivotal point. Advanced air mobility and drones are transforming the aviation sector, unlocking opportunities to better serve people and places with future flight. To secure the socio-economic benefits, we need to trailblaze pragmatic pathways to seamlessly integrate these new technologies and services into society. The variety of complexities we must tackle demands a collaborative approach drawing insights from across industry, government, and many different communities. I am pleased to launch the Future Flight Community Integration Group and am looking forward to bringing together diverse expertise, providing a forum for knowledge sharing and working together with a shared ambition to make future flight a reality across the UK.

Aleks Kowalski, ARPAS-UK Director, and its representative on the Community Integration Group, said:

ARPAS is pleased to have a seat on the Future Flight Community Integration Group as we recognise that drones have the potential to revolutionise how we connect people, transport goods, and deliver services in urban, rural, and remote areas, offering transformative opportunities for the aviation industry. By understanding and addressing legitimate community concerns we can design services that also bring significant social and economic benefits to society and highlight the positive opportunities that future flight services can bring, demonstrating the potential for enhanced connectivity, improved transportation, and expanded service delivery.
We look forward to supporting networking and collaboration opportunities among stakeholders, fostering partnerships, knowledge sharing, and innovative initiatives that drive progress in the aviation industry and beyond to deliver outputs such as plans, roadmaps, policy insights, and recommendations to guide the integration of drone services into local communities and regions to create a sustainable aviation ecosystem by considering environmental factors, community needs, and long-term viability in the deployment of future flight technologies.

For more information, follow this link.

2 June 2023

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Unmanned Aircraft Uses in Agriculture, inc Spraying and Spreading: WATCH AGAIN

A session exploring the use cases of how drones can work within the agricultural sector, including spraying and spreading from drones.

AutoSpray Systems has the equipment in the UK, and are currently undertaking other testing and seeding/ spraying within traditional agricultural settings. They have the Operational Authorisation from the UK CAA to use Unmanned Aircraft for this use case. Their staff are also a UK CAA Approved Recognised Assessment Entity with over 5 years’ experience and wrote the Operational Safety Case for the CAA, which they accepted and ultimately approved their Operational Authorisation based on this documentation. This is the first authorisation of its kind in the UK.

They have a proven track record of developing a product and developing new marketplaces for these products.

Speaker Info:

Andrew Sproson, Co-owner of AutoSpray Systems

Andrew has a Professional background in the Emergency Services, involving Critical Incident Planning, Search and Rescue Operations and Resource Management.
Andrew has been an Unmanned Aircraft Pilot for over 7 years, and his company has been a CAA Approved Recognised Assessment Entity since 2018.

Andrew is also a qualified Counter Drone Operative and deployed this technology in the field.
Andrew has created Unmanned Aircraft departments in over 300 Organisations and instilled a very high standard of safety.
In 2020, Andrew co-founded AutoSpray Systems and developed the methodologies and risk assessments associated with obtaining an authorisation to spray chemicals with a drone that is over 25Kgs and for Agricultural / Horticultural and Forestry uses.
Andrew has further developed a bespoke training package for Remote Pilots, to adopt these skills and utilise the technology in farming.
Andrew co-wrote the LANTRA approved Chemical Drone Spraying Qualification.

SAM IS ....

Integration of UAVs and remote sensing into Ecological Consultancy – WATCH AGAIN

Assessment of issues facing ecologists and how UAVs can assist.
Use case examples: invasive species mapping, peatland restoration, forestry in the context of new planting assessments, complex building assessments for bats
Plus general day-to-day use of aerial imagery for improved services across the board

Speaker Info:

James has over 15 years ecological experience working within both the academic and consultancy sectors working on a wide range of research and development projects requiring high quality ecological surveys. His skills focus on protected species surveys, Ecological Impact Assessments, Ecological Clerk of Works and GIS.

Tracks Ecology also offers a variety of aerial imagery, surveying and videography services through the use of professional grade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

As a CAA qualified pilot operating under a Permit for Commercial Operation with full insurance, we can service a variety of aerial survey needs while working within the ARPAS-UK Code of Conduct.

James works within the CIEEM Code of Conduct and produces clear and concise reports suitable for a wide array of clients, which provide unbiased advice through a strong evidence-based approach. The CIEEM is The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, which promotes the highest standards of practice for the benefit of nature and society.

SAM IS ....

Getting closer to urban and BVLOS operations –reflections from recent flight testing at Cardiff and Heathrow airports – WATCH AGAIN

Flare Bright has undertaken several trials under the UKRI Future Flight programme and the Connected Places Catapult Future of Air Mobility Accelerator. This webinar explains some of the learnings from flying its software-enhanced IMUs (giving GPS-free capability and redundancy) in various UK locations; and validating wind measurement predictions using its nanodrone. Flight tests have been undertaken both landside and airside at Heathrow and Cardiff Airports to measure wind. We will briefly talk about the results on understanding differences in wind measurements using our drone and anemometers, which we presented to the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences meeting in Stockholm in September last year.

Speakers Info:

Chris Daniels, CCO, Flare Bright
Carl Sequeira, Head of Engineering, Flare Bright

Chris Daniels

CCO, Flare Bright

Chris Daniels is a strategic advisor on commercializing start-ups and scale-ups, focused on aerospace & defence and Machine Learning and Big Data Tech.

Carl Sequeira is a Chartered Engineer with
the IMechE since 2015. He is a multi-disciplinary engineer with commercial and academic research expertise spanning aerodynamics, modeling and simulation, design and testing, and device performance.

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Distant Clouds – Drone Flying on a Remote UK Overseas Territory – WATCH AGAIN

Flying a drone in a remote South Atlantic island has its challenges. Ben Sansom will give a talk about the use of drones on the UK Overseas Territory of St Helena and how they are being used to make decisions and to help save the island’s unique habitat.

Speaker:

Ben Sansom

Director, Arctium Ltd

Ben Sansom is a water resource consultant with over 25 years experience and has been using drones for environment projects since 2016.
He is currently working in Kenya, Barbuda and St Helena with colleagues from the RSPB, UK Met Office, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, FCDO and the Governments of St Helena and Antigua and Barbuda.