This proposal is for a Temporary change to the notified airspace design, for which a scaled airspace change process applies and a change level is not applicable.
The Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) will create the UK's first operationally based low-carbon, aviation test centre in Scotland. Partly funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, the SATE consortium aims to bring together technologies in electrification, aviation systems and autonomy to create new modes of air travel and capability. The SATE will be a UK first and it is hoped will test and showcase new technology that can be adopted for island and wider use, with the aim to create social benefit and economic prosperity. Within this project, Windracers will demonstrate the use of ULTRA Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for delivering on-demand supplies to remote communities that currently suffer from mistimed or limited logistics. Preliminary trials and engagement with key local stakeholders have confirmed the priority for medical supplies to remote health care service providers, transport of mail to island communities and logistic support to the supply chain of island industries. Under the current regulatory and technological conditions, it is necessary to establish structures of segregated airspace that enable the intended Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations. This airspace change proposal aims to set up a complex Temporary Danger Areas that enable the demonstration of these operations in the Orkney Islands. These airspace structures will be activated during short periods of time, separately or in combination to allow the intended itinerary, whilst minimising the impact over other aviation activities. It is anticipated that the implementation of this ACP will last no longer than 8 weeks. Participation of Air Traffic Services will be sought to provide the TDA complex with information or crossing services during operation. ULTRA UAS is a 10 m wingspan, 350 kg MTOW fixed-wing remotely piloted aircraft that features multiple redundancy of critical subsystems, on-board electronic conspicuity (ADS-B and Mode S transponder) and standard visual conspicuity aids (navigation and position lights).
