Windracers becomes the first operator to secure UK CAA and Norwegian aviation authority approval for cross-border civil drone operations
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) company Windracers to conduct the UK’s first civil unmanned aerial system (UAS) international operation.
London-based Windracers has been given approval by the CAA and Luftfartstilsynet (Civil Aviation Authority Norway) to fly its dual-use heavy-lift drone, Windracers ULTRA, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) from Tingwall Airport in the Shetlands to Haugesund Airport in Norway.
This is the first time a long-distance drone has been approved to fly for civil purposes between UK airspace and the adjoining airspace of another state. The approval was enabled by the creation of temporary danger areas, providing a controlled corridor to facilitate the flight.
The airspace will cover a distance of 378 km (235 miles) from Shetland, over the North Sea, and across the Scottish/Polaris Flight Information Region (FIR) boundary into Norwegian airspace.
Simon Muderack, chief executive at Windracers, said: “This airspace approval is a major landmark for both Windracers and the wider UAS sector, and shows how the UK and Norway CAAs are acting as enabling regulators supporting the future of aviation.
“Windracers ULTRA is already flying real-world missions today. We can now prove those capabilities across international airspace - opening new possibilities for how we connect remote communities and deliver essential services.
“Many assume the autonomous air cargo industry is still years away, something in the future. Windracers, with the support of the UK and Norway CAAs, is affirming that it is here today.”
The approval process focused on how current-day regulations could be used and how best to overcome a range of challenges, including safety, liability, international obligations and environmental mitigations around the planned flight.
Windracers ULTRA has a useful load of up to 150 kg and a range of up to 1,000 km. The UAV has a 10-metre wingspan, integrated proprietary autopilot systems and mission control software.
Windracers ULTRA offers an optional 3-door drop bay floor to safely and accurately parachute aid and supplies if required.
In June, Windracers said it had taken steps to establish an operational hub at Kasungu Airfield in the central region of Malawi to demonstrate how the Windracers ULTRA UAV can help in humanitarian air cargo missions.
