Skylark has been invited to join the Cumbria Airspace Users Forum by Carlisle Airport
Skylark will be able to take part and co ordinate with other users to make sure that Cumbria’s Airspace continues to be a safe place to operate commercial licensed drones and no infringements occur with other users. Our guest for the evening will be CAA Director of UK Airprox Board.
The forum represents all users of Cumbria’s Air Space from RAF, Air Ambulance, Commercial Operators, Light Aircraft, RC Models, Virgin Hot Air Balloons, Microlight Aircraft, Paragliders, to Police Drone Division.
There will be a presentation from the new Cumbria Police Drone unit as they are keen to coordinate their actions with other airspace users.
Skylark has worked closely with Carlisle Airport already having been commissioned to take aerial photographs of the airport in June this year. The airport was not closed whilst the drones were deployed instead ATC (Air Traffic Control) worked with Skylark via radio (Skylark is licensed to communicate with ATC and other air traffic, and also hold a valid fixed wing pilots licence). The drones fitted in with other users at the airport including onto approaches to the active runway. Simon the owner and operator of Skylark said it was strange to be flying the drones from the helipad next to the tower and speaking with ATC only meters away yet flying the drone in the circuit pattern with other air traffic. This was a first for Carlisle Airport having an unmanned drones flying in the ATZ (air traffic zone).
Another first was the trailing on runway inspection with the drones, fitting in with other air traffic Skylark drones inspected the runways for debris and damage. The assessment is still continuing if this is a viable option at major airports for runway inspections.
Carlisle ATC insisted that the drone operator must have a flying background and knowledge of circuit procedures and radio phraseology before been allowed to fly commercial drones in the ATZ.
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