| Unmanned aircraft systems test sites | - Test Sites |
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Above: the InView takes off from a test site in the English countryside. |
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Peter La Franchi from Flight International, 13-19 September, 2005 Finns propose common UAV training at Kemijarvi DATE: 01 DEC 06 SOURCE: Flightglobal.com The Finland-based Robonic Arctic Test UAV Flight Centre, is proposing the development of a common European unmanned air vehicle flight training centre, around its UAV flight test centre at Kemijärvi, on the edge of the Arctic Circle. The concept mirrors European air force proposals for a single common fast-jet pilot training centre but would pursue both civil and military markets. Robonic wants to develop an international consortium to establish the centre, with this potentially including acquisition and operation of a fleet of training UAVs. “There is the potential for the proposed new venture to become a common European facility, reducing the requirement for national specific UAV training capabilities for both military and civil users,” says Robonic managing director Juha Moisio. He says that the establishment of common international standards for UAV pilot and operator training is now likely within the next two to three years. “That emerging regulatory environment will demand the development of a comprehensive approach to UAV pilot training, raising a near-term opportunity that is not currently being offered within either the European or international aviation environments.” There are few airspace regions available within Europe, to support training and qualification, Moisio says, with this also strengthening the case for development of a centralised approach to meeting expected market requirements. “Reactions have been positive there has been clear interest in it.” He adds: “The growth of the UAV market is dependent on the safe sharing of airspace by UAVs with other aviation types, meaning the training of UAV pilots to an appropriate skills level must be a primary objective to ensure aviation safety standards are maintained.” The proposed training centre would follow a phased approach to implementation, potentially mirroring manned aircraft training regimes in its initial phases, says Moisio. “We have to come up with a regime that will provide the readiness for pilots, with minimal changes to existing safe operating practices. We have to start from the presumption of compliance, rather than dramatic change.” Acquisition of the centre’s own UAVs could involve a tiered approach, ranging from basic trainers, to more advanced types but final decisions remain dependent on feasibility study outcomes and likely customer requirements. Similar consideration is being given to simulation based training systems.
Above and below from presentation by Juha Moisio and Petri Eravaara on " Recent experience and plans for the future" at the UAV 2007 Conference in Paris.
from http://www.neat.se documents
NEAT - the concept
An increase in the interest of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for civilian and
military use has emerged over the last decade. Many new applications in which
UAVs play a major role is planned by different commercial and non-commercial
organisations, among others the telecommunication industry.
One of the problems with these new ideas is the difficulty of testing the vehicles in a safe way. Air traffic increases each year and it is, simply put, difficult to find areas where companies and organisations can test their ideas. Most parts of the world are too densely populated, or have air-traffic flying over them. The north part of Sweden has a very low population, at least compared to other parts of Europe. In some areas there is less than 1 person per square kilometre. In this region two independent ranges have developed in the 50's and 60's. At Esrange, scientific rockets have been launched and at Vidsel tests of missiles and munitions have taken place. Thanks to their geographical position both ranges have developed over the years and the fact that safety has been high due to low population has also been beneficial. The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) have now joined forces to give companies and organisations a possibility to conduct aerospace tests over the north part of Sweden, establishing the North European Aerospace Test range - NEAT . NEAT services
from NEAT_v5.0.pdf
Parc Aberporth UAV centre, adjacent to West Wales airport, with Cardigan Bay in the background, from Parc Aberporth UAV Centre brochure.
from CD produced and distributed by staff from White Sands Missile Range
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