Trial will integrate with local logistics providers including Streamline Shipping Group
Windracers, the maker of low-cost self-flying cargo aircraft the ULTRA™, is trialling a cargo drone delivery service in Orkney which could bring faster, more convenient and more reliable delivery services to residents and businesses on the remote islands.
Windracers is operating a scheduled service over a period of 90 days, with its ULTRA self-flying cargo aircraft – a robust, twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft with a 10-metre wingspan – moving autonomously between the islands of Eday, Westray and North Ronaldsay in Orkney a number of times each week. It expects to complete 2,000 kilometres of autonomous flights over the course of the trial and will integrate its flight schedule with the existing logistics network including Streamline Shipping Group, which handles over 90% of last-mile deliveries to the Scottish islands of Orkney and Shetland.
The trial is part of the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) programme and is part-funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council. Its aim is to demonstrate readiness to operate a commercial drone service that can transport meaningful payloads reliably, cost-effectively and sustainably for the benefit of communities in remote locations, such as the Highlands and Islands.
Windracers’ ULTRA will operate in segregated airspace, with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) allowing it to fly autonomously within a number of temporary danger areas (TDAs) for the 90-day period. Longer-term, the company is looking towards non-segregated operations with the set-up of Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZs), which would enable the system to see, and be seen by, other air traffic.
“We are delighted to have secured regulatory approval to operate our low-cost platform in UK airspace for this scheduled service trial. It is testament to our robust technology, processes and training procedures,” comments Simon Muderack, CEO at Windracers. “We have worked extensively with the CAA and we see a clear pathway to operating a full commercial service in Orkney.”
Will Rodger, service manager at Streamline Shipping Group, comments: “As part of our path to net zero, we are running a number of trials including drone-based deliveries, unmanned seafaring vessels, and hydrogen HGVs. Drones present an opportunity to make more regular deliveries to and collections of locally-produced goods from the island communities we have supported for over 40 years – potentially increasing twice-weekly routes to become daily, which would have a massive impact on residents and businesses.”
Windracers’ ULTRA – which can carry 100 kg up to 1000 km – is able to take off, fly and land safely without the need of a remote pilot thanks to its proprietary Masterless™ autopilot technology. Its systems are dual or triple redundant to ensure it can fly safely in the event of a hardware or software failure.
Windracers will be exhibiting its ULTRA self-flying aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow later this month.
For more information on The Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE), the UK’s first operationally based low-carbon aviation test centre, based at Kirkwall Airport on Orkney, visit https://sate.scot/