#dronesforgood - ARPAS UK

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 ....

PwC’s Inspiring Insights for opportunities within the UK Drone Industry

PwC: Building Trust in Commercial Drones

“Only 43% think industry is using commercial drones effectively”. Recently, PwC UK published Trust in Commercial Drones, an assessment of how industry attitudes to drones have changed over the past three years and the implications for actions to grow the UK drone economy. PwC stated “It was our pleasure to work with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology team on this project”.

The 2022 Skies Without Limits v2.0 (PwC) report showed the considerable potential for drones to positively impact the UK economy. The report noted that, to achieve this potential, there were several barriers to overcome. These included perception, (manner of drone) implementation, technology, regulation and skills.

In late 2022, PwC refreshed the 2019 “Building Trust in Drones” market research to assess how business attitudes towards drones have changed over the last 3 years. They went further than the 2019 work and tested the market research findings with selected drone industry players who either purchased drone services or provided drone services.

Selected findings:

72% feel positive about commercial drones…

Drones expected to deliver benefits:
– Time savings (88%)
– Carbon reduction (87%)
– Safety (86%)
– Cost reduction (86%)
– Productivity (84%)

Use cases strongly supported:
– Search and Rescue (88%)
– Infrastructure inspection (87%)
– Monitoring emergencies (86%)
– Agriculture (85%)
– Tracking criminals (83%)

…but only 43% think industry is using commercial drones effectively.

Issues include drone service provider credibility, clarity of drone benefits, lack of industry-specific qualifications and restrictive regulations.

The drone industry thinks action is needed on :
– Regulation
– Publicity
– Funding
– Qualifications
– Business case

Focussing regulatory efforts in market segments with compelling use cases may accelerate drone adoption.

Graham Brown, Chairman of ARPAS-UK, commented that the article is “an interesting read.” Additionally, Craig Lippett, Head of Technical Services at Eagle Eye Innovations Ltd, commented “…a fascinating and encouraging read…” Their positive feedback further emphasises the value and significance of the insights provided by PwC in their analysis of the UK drone economy.

Read the full report at:

https://www.pwc.co.uk/issues/emerging-technologies/drones/building-trust-commercial-drones.html

This article has been adapted from an original LinkedIn post by Craig Roberts, Head of Drones at PWC. PWC are an ARPAS-UK Member.

16 June 2023

SAM IS ....

Professor Iain Gray CBE appointed Knight Batchelor

Professor Iain Gray CBE, Director of Aerospace at Cranfield University, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2023, appointed Knight Batchelor for services to the aerospace industry.

Iain spent his industry career at the highest levels in aerospace with roles at BAE Systems and Airbus. He became Director of Engineering, then Managing Director at Airbus UK and was the first Chief Executive of Innovate UK following its establishment in 2007.

Iain joined Cranfield University in 2015 as Director of Aerospace, continuing the university’s strong heritage in applied research and teaching for the aviation sector, and leading strategic relationships with the world’s major aerospace industry organisations.

He holds a number of NED positions, was previously a Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and is currently a Chair of the Board of Trustees for Aerospace Bristol. He was awarded a CBE in 2014 for his services towards innovation and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Arts. He is also a member of the UK Jet Zero Council

Iain also chairs the Drone Industry Action Group. We are delighted to see that his accomplishments and capabilities have been recognised in this way.

Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng said:

On behalf of everyone at Cranfield University I want to send the warmest congratulations to Iain on this honour. Iain is widely respected not just by his colleagues and students, but by those in industry, government and in international partnerships. His remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the world of aerospace and I know will continue to inspire future generations.

Professor Gray said: “I feel extremely honoured to be recognised in this way. I discovered my passion for aerospace and aviation at an early age through Concorde and it was after I completed my Engineering degree at Aberdeen University that I decided to pursue a career in aerospace.

“I feel enormously lucky to have had such a fulfilling career in this sector with the highlight being involved in the development of the Airbus A380. I have worked with some amazing people and thank all the talented and dedicated colleagues across industry, government and academia who have played such an important part in my career. In my current role at Cranfield it is a privilege to see the huge potential of the next generation coming through into the world of aviation and aerospace.

“It has been quite special to be part of the team at Cranfield building the next generation of capability and facilities under the banner of Cranfield Global Research Airport.”

Outstanding lifetime achievement honour

Iain was also recently appointed Companion of The Air League, a hugely prestigious industry honour in recognition of his outstanding lifetime achievements in the aerospace industry. He was presented with this award by Sir Chris Harper, President of The Air League’s on 14 June at Westminster Palace.

The Air League is the UK’s leading aviation, aerospace, and space charity. Companionship of the Air League is the League’s highest order for an individual and is the most appropriate form of recognition following outstanding achievements within aviation and aerospace over a lifetime.

Acknowledgments have flooded in to him from across industry:

Professor Graham Braithwaite: “Whenever I am at an event with him, I am reminded of his rockstar gravitas across the industry, but at the same time, he couldn’t be more humble. His wide-eyed enthusiasm for everything aerospace is absolutely electrifying – his love for the sector translates effortlessly into his optimism and creativity for what lies ahead.”

Sameer Samani: “Genuinely, I struggle to think of an aerospace and aviation champion who deserves this more. Many congratulations, Sir Ian – an amazing honour for a wonderful ambassador for our industry.”

Kevin Maher: “Congratulations Sir Iain! The influence you have goes even beyond the monumental work your have done for Aerospace in the UK. A lot of us under your “wing” went on to Automotive, the toy industry and others, your leadership style has influenced many for a lifetime. Hugely derserved honour.”

17 June 2023

SAM IS ....

CAA test site requirements consultation: 15 June 2023 3.30-4.30pm

The CAA is holding an innovations test site requirements consultation which is an online briefing event.

The CAA is looking to facilitate the safe development of new RPAS and AAM concepts in the United Kingdom, as part of the Government’s ambition to make Britain a world leader for new forms of aviation. A key enabler of this ambition is the establishment of safe and useful test sites, where market entrants can test and evaluate their products.

To achieve this they need the views of the aviation community, to ensure that sites have the characteristics that enable research aims to be achieved, and for them to learn about the technologies they will need to certify.

They have set up this online briefing session to give more details on the aims of this exercise and to launch an accompanying survey, which they would really appreciate you to complete.

SAM IS ....

CAA: A Guide to Airspace Modernisation Strategy

The CAA has published a new, quick-read guide on Airspace Modernisation Strategy, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable aviation.

Discover how their strategy will shape the skies of the future, and deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys.

For more information: CAP 2547

The document covers the following areas:

What is Airspace Modernisation
Why do we need Airspace Modernisation
What are the objectives of the AMS
AMS Parts 1-3
AMS Delivery Elements
Towards Net Zero & Other Benefits
Modernised Lower Airspace in the UK
Where can I find out more

7 June 2023

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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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CHIRP – New Telephone Number

CHIRP’s aviation programme improves safety in the air by providing a totally independent confidential reporting system for all individuals involved in aviation in UK airspace.

CHIRP has recently changed its telephone contact number to 020 4534 2881. The preferred method of submitting a report remains the website portal but telephone contact provides a means of liaising directly with the CHIRP team if necessary.

2 June 2023

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GEOBusiness & Digital Construction Week 2023

We are thrilled to announce that ARPAS-UK will be exhibiting at GeoBusiness, colocated with Digital Construction, on May 17th and 18th at Stand G650. This event brings together professionals and innovators from the geospatial and construction industries to explore the latest advancements, technologies, and solutions.

We have curated a series of captivating talks and presentations focused on the incredible potential of drones in various applications. These talks, delivered by some of our esteemed members, promise to provide valuable insights and highlight the transformative power of drone technology. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:

GeoBusiness:

1. Aerial excellence: Showcasing the finest projects employing drones for cutting-edge photogrammetry and lidar applications
Speaker: Erick Razon, Richard Dunlop
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:00 – 10:30 am
Location: Surveying & Mapping Stage
Description: Explore notable global projects that highlight the use of photogrammetry and LiDAR in drone surveying. Discover diverse drone solutions and tactics employed to generate robust geospatial outputs like digital twins, georeferenced point clouds, 3D meshes, and 2D orthophotos.

2. Creating a digital twin with UAV-collected data
Speaker: David McKittrick
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:30 – 11:00 am
Location: Built Environment Stage
Description: Drones equipped with lidar or cameras enable the creation of digital twins, detailed 3D models of real-world areas. Through photogrammetric processing, GIS analysts can collect data and generate image, point cloud, and mesh layers. Further analysis involves terrain modeling, feature extraction, and overlaying additional data for a comprehensive 3D rendering.

3. Introduction into drones and payload capabilities
Speaker: Adrian Fowler, Brian Critchley
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:30 – 11:00 am
Location: Surveying & Mapping Stage
Description: This talk provides an overview of drones and their applications for surveying and mapping. It focuses on three drone products: Atmos Marlyn for topographic surveys, Tersus MetaVerse Painter LiDAR for landform monitoring, and Sniffer-4D for air pollutant mapping. Each product is supported by relevant case studies.

4. Infrastructure digital twin & the value of reality modeling
Speaker: Dr. Benoit Fredericque
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 2:00 – 2:30 pm
Location: Infrastructure Stage
Description: Infrastructure Digital Twins have revolutionized the way we design, build, and operate infrastructure by breaking information silos and enabling collaboration. This presentation explores the integration of various data sources and discusses the feasibility and benefits of reality modeling techniques through real-world implementation examples.

5. CAA Drone Regulations – What you need to know!
Speaker: James Ixer
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 3:30 – 4:00 pm
Location: Surveying & Mapping Stage
Description: This session provides an overview of the updated drone regulations in 2023 and their implications for the geospatial industry. Experts will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussions on drone-related topics.

6. Dr-SUIT – Drone Swarm for unmanned inspection of wind turbines
Speaker: Alex Fraess-Ehrfeld, Victor Becerra
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: Infrastructure Stage
Description: The Dr-SUIT project, a collaboration between Airborne Robotics, Ocean Infinity, Bentley Telecom, and the University of Portsmouth, focuses on using a swarm of drones carried by an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to inspect offshore wind turbines. The project incorporates real-time scheduling, 5G/satellite communications, and autonomous operations to enhance efficiency and precision in turbine inspection and maintenance.

7. Remote Survey in High Risk Heritage Environments
Speaker: Gary Young, Jon Bedford
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: Built Environment Stage
Description: In this session, Gary and Jon from Historic England will discuss their geospatial work and the integration of semi-autonomous robots and drones into their workflow for accessing hazardous environments. They will highlight the benefits, challenges, and showcase case studies of projects that have utilized these tools.

8. How machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are delivering national scale geospatial data and insight for insurers, government, and business
Speaker: Dr. Emma White, Tom Timms
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 11:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Built Environment Stage
Description: This presentation discusses the use of Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and advanced analytical techniques for capturing and processing geographic data at a national scale. It addresses the challenges and provides real-world examples of their application in delivering solutions and services to government and the insurance industry.

9. Airborne bathymetry: Surveyors’ insights
Speaker: Andrei Șueran, Maxim Baklykov, Roman Kirsanov
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 3:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Land & Natural Resources Stage
Description: Airborne bathymetry is a new surveying method that can provide bathyorographic maps for reservoirs, rivers, and seas. It allows for large-scale studies with a small team using a drone and offers comparable data accuracy to traditional methods. This method is particularly useful for areas where boat-based surveys are restricted or dangerous. A debate will be held to discuss surveying experiences and techniques.

10. Enhanced insight for environment and security: The cube4envsec initiative
Speaker: Prof. Peter Baumann
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 3:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Main Stage
Description: The NATO SPS project Cube4EnvSec focuses on datacube services for security and climate impact assessment. Demonstrators highlight the integration of satellite, drone, and weather data for applications like aviation safety. The talk provides an overview and live demos of the project’s objectives and achievements.

Digital Construction Week:

1. Deploying drones to support construction teams
Speaker: James Bishop, Varun Sarwal
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:00 – 10:30 am
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: This session explores the practical applications of drone surveying and the integration of drone software into project team workflows. The focus is on improved site works tracking, cost analysis, and validation of early/enabling works using the user-friendly Hammer Missions platform.

2. Building the World’s First Industrial Safetytech Regulatory Sandbox
Speaker: Dr. Helen Balmforth, Seb Corby, Steven Naylor
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:00 – 10:30 am
Location: Innovation Stage
Description: Discovering Safety, in collaboration with the Safetytech Accelerator and construction industry partners, is establishing the world’s first regulatory sandbox for Industrial Safetytech. This initiative aims to evaluate and test innovative technologies such as AI, visual analytics, drones, and wearables in a simulated environment to promote successful solutions and overcome barriers to adoption in health and safety management.

3. Digital solution for construction – From data acquisition to data analysis using photogrammetry
Speaker: Dimitrios Kalamakis
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 10:30 – 11:00 am
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: Pix4D offers innovative data capture solutions for construction, including mobile scanning with PIX4Dcatch and an RTK rover for subsurface engineering utilities, as well as drone imagery and the CraneCamera for aerial perspectives. These solutions enhance site management, communication, and cost-saving measures through improved documentation, progress tracking, and BIM model generation.

4. Virtual inspection introduces new approach to operation and maintenance of large structures
Speaker: Dr. Chris Hoy, Richard Jenkins, Sara Peng
Date and Time: 17th May 2023 | 12:30 – 1:00 pm
Location: Asset Management Stage
Description: By leveraging digital technologies like drones, reality capture, and 3D modeling, the transition from manual to virtual inspection of large structures improves their operation, maintenance, and decision-making processes. Complete and geo-referenced structural overviews enable efficient inspection and facilitate informed decision-making through a flexible digital portal.

5. Post-disaster management in smart cities
Speaker: Damla Akyüz, Ezgi Şendil
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 10:30 – 11:00 am
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: Explore how technology is transforming disaster response in urban areas and how smart cities can utilize advanced technologies to enhance post-disaster management. Gain practical insights for improving disaster response in your community.

6. Taking construction to new heights: The revolutionary impact of drones on UK and global construction companies
Speaker: Ben Sangster, Erick Razon
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 11:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: Discover how construction firms are embracing drone technology to enhance efficiency, safety, and transparency in their operations. Explore real-world case studies from industry leaders to learn about successful drone integration in construction digitization.

7. Cintoo Cloud the multimodal as built platform for your static, mobile and drone data that plugs into your digital twin
Speaker: Simon Shaw
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 2:00 – 2:15 pm
Location: Tech Stage
Description: Cintoo Cloud is a platform used by leading companies in the AEC and Industry 4.0 sectors to store, manage, and distribute terrestrial, mobile, and drone point cloud data. It enables comparisons between laser scans and 3D models to identify discrepancies, reducing costs and errors. The platform offers benefits such as minimizing site visits, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and integrating with other digital twin platforms.

8. Bridging the gap between drone surveying and site management
Speaker: Craig Mallard
Date and Time: 18th May 2023 | 3:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Geospatial Theatre
Description: This session explores the use of drone data in construction, emphasizing the importance of accurate site progress tracking. By combining drones with data analytics platforms, teams can visualize and manage worksites effectively, improving productivity and reducing risks of data silos.

We invite you to visit Stand G650 at GeoBusiness and Digital Construction & to attend these enlightening talks and engage with these experts. Our team will be available throughout the event to discuss our drone-related services, share success stories, and answer any questions you may have.

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the geospatial and construction industries. We look forward to seeing you at GeoBusiness and Digital Construction on May 17th and 18th!

The ARPAS-UK Team

SAM IS ....

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 ....

Emergency Drone Responder E-Magazine #2

March 2023 saw the launch of the new Emergency Drone Responder E-Magazine. It is packed full of information for those in the Emergency Services, with articles, thought-pieces, advice and product information.

ARPAS-UK is delighted that Graham Brown, Chair of ARPAS-UK, and Phil Hicks of Pravo Consulting were involved in this first issue. Check out page 15: Cleared for Action

https://emergencydroneresponder.com/issues/march-2023/

1 March 2023