Now where have I heard mentioned the year 2012 before?

[tnowak]

From the latest Flight International:

"Virtual UK UAV airspace integration testing success

A three-day virtual unmanned air vehicle exercise that saw aircraft successfully avoided in the synthetic airspace environment has been completed for the UK Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment (ASTRAEA) programme's £32 million ($50.6 million) first phase.

Taking place in late October at ParcAberporth in west Wales, the ASTRAEA industry participants - Cobham, BAE Systems, AOS, Qinetiq, Rolls-Royce, Thales and EADS - brought together various strands of related technology they had each developed for the first phase and its virtual exercise.

The exercise involved two virtual flights, the first of which simulated a UAV flying from ParcAberporth on a search and rescue mission and landing on the Isle of Anglesey in north Wales.

The second had the virtual UAV fly from ParcAberporth to Sumburgh in Scotland's Shetland islands, avoiding aircraft en route. After the two flights ASTRAEA's autonomous technologies ability to cope with bird strikes and fuel starvation was also tested.

"UAV flight in non-segregated airspace by 2012 is feasible," says the programme. As well as technology development ASTRAEA's partners have been discussing applicable regulations with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

The exercise also included non-technical issues and examined emergency planning. A £40 million ASTRAEA second phase is being planned to start next year that might see a UAV fly in non-segregated airspace in 2012."

Tony Nowak

[Mike Fawdrey]

If the gtovernment want to fly uavs in uncontrolled air space they should pay for mode S or insist that the UAV developers find a way around uavs running into people going about their lawful business.
Perhaps the LAA should be chasing CAA over this item

[Nigel Hitchman]

I agree Mike.

sounds like a really thorough evaluation to prove that they can fly UAVs in unsegregated airspace! Two simulated flights, they must be joking and not exactly in the busiest airspace in the country! And how did they know they were avoiding all the aircraft, there is no radar in a lot of that route, so no one knows what was flying!!! complete farce! but no doubt the politician and the CAA will belive it, if they want to.

[J.C.]

See my erlier thread "more scary stuff".
Some of the wealthiest companies in the world have billions invested in making this happen.
At the AGM Peter said that UAV,s in his opinion were the greatest threat to our flying.I have already voiced the same opinion.
The big hitters in the UAV industry have already stated that the only thing stopping progress in the UAV fleet is people like us using THEIR airspace.

[steveneale]

Marketing hype apart it's worth another trip to Aberporth to find out from John in the tower what has really been going on lately. He is very knowledgeable. If we get a good day I 'll go find out. From our last visit in the summer I didn't get the impression they were anywhere near ready for open FIR work. Lack of primary radar is an obvious problem in the commercial stuff anyway.

Steve

[Bob F]

Interesting article in this weeks Flight International, P29. It says a UK sponsored unmanned aircraft development programme has concluded that UAV flight in non-segregated airspace is "feasible" by 2012! Here is a list of some of the "Interested Parties" in this:
AOS, BAE Systems, Cobham, EADS, Qinetiq, Rolls Royce & Thales. When you see this lot involved you can believe it probably will happen.

Bob F

[tnowak]

Although I am not involved in UAVs in any way I do read the most popular national and international aviation "trade" magazines which frequently contain articles about UAV developments. You can be sure that UAVs ARE coming. It isn't a case of "if" but "when". Sure, there is still lots of work to be done regarding robust avoidance technology for UAVs flying in unsegregated airspace but that research is well underway.
Obviously the first issue to tackle is all those annoying GA aircraft which will need to be avoided. A good baseline to start from is to get them all fitted with Mode S transponders..................
Tony Nowak

[Bill McCarthy]

Must apply for a mod to fit an Enfield .303 methinks

[steveneale]

I tend to agree with the above that if LAAs ability to influence any decision were on a scale of 1 to 10, This is probably a 1. There are far more important matters for our lobbyists to put effort into than play King Canute.

[Mike Fawdrey]

Perhaps we should advertise for the few remaining WOP/AGs to show us how to use a Browning 303