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from www.neat.se
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.
New concepts for RLVs have also emerged on the market. Several companies are
viewing ideas of new vehicles that could expand the space market, thanks to
lower costs.
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
- Two individual air restriction areas (more than 5000 sq. km each) that temporarily can be linked together, forming a 360 by 100 km area (comparable to the length of Denmark) for tests and operations.
- 1650 sq. km restricted land area (can be extended to 3000 sq. km during certain periods) for safe tests of vehicles and systems.
- An area with low density commercial air traffic.
- Favourable subarctic climate enabling tests during the whole year.
- Cine-theodolites, radars and optical tracking stations to verify tests.
- Telemetry systems.
- Kiruna and Vidsel airfields with 2500 m and 2300 m runways respectively. The Vidsel base is a military GCA airfield with hangars, workshops, offices and technical facilities.
- Arena Arctica at Kiruna airport - 5000 sq. m in size, capable of housing a Boeing 747.
- Capability to launch stratospheric balloons for space system drop tests as well as other tests.
- Chase aircraft for verification. Can also be used for the recording of video and for photography.
- Experienced personnel to help preparing and performing tests and operations.
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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