Purpose of this change

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).

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Step 6a : Implement

This step has been started

During the Implement Step, the change sponsor implements the approved change, working with air navigation service providers as necessary.

CAA response to Step 6a

31/05/2024: This ACP was implemented under AIC Y 087/2024, effective from 30 May 24.

24/06/2024: The CAA is satisfied that approval conditions 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, as detailed in section C.2.1 of the Stage 5 Decision Log have been met. Approval conditions 4, 6 and 8 remain outstanding.

01/08/2024: The CAA is satisfied that approval condition 4, as detailed in section C.2.1 of the Stage 5 Decision Log have been met. Approval conditions 6 and 8 remain outstanding.

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Documents for this proposal (18 documents)

Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) Y 0872024 (427.2kB PDF)

Step 6a - Other

Date added: 03 June 2024

Stage 5 Decision Log - With Conditions (1.8MB PDF)

Step 5 - Final Regulatory Decision

Date added: 03 June 2024

Stage 5 ATM Safety Review CAA Letter of Acceptance (141.6kB PDF)

Step 5 - Safety Review

Date added: 03 June 2024

Stage 5 Targeted Engagement Assessment (1.7MB PDF)

Step 5 - Engagement Evidence

Date added: 03 June 2024

Stage 5 Environmental Assessment (1.9MB PDF)

Step 5 - Environmental Assessment

Date added: 03 June 2024

Stage 5 Operational Assessment (3.0MB PDF)

Step 5 - Operational Assessment

Date added: 03 June 2024

Summary of Stakeholder Engagement v7.1 (9.9MB PDF)

Step 4 - Engagement Evidence

Date added: 03 June 2024

Timeline Agreement February 2024 (295.5kB PDF)

Step 4 - Timeline Agreement

Date added: 03 June 2024

Summary of Stakeholder Engagement (7.3MB PDF)

Decide Gateway - Engagement Evidence

Date added: 31 October 2023

Final Design Proposal (284.8kB PDF)

Decide Gateway - Other

Date added: 31 October 2023

CAA Regulatory Decision with Conditions (156.7kB PDF)

Step 5 - Final Regulatory Decision

Date added: 31 October 2023

Indicative Timeline - August 2023 (200.2kB PDF)

Step 4 - Timeline Agreement

Date added: 29 August 2023

Summary of Stakeholder Engagement (7.1MB PDF)

Step 4 - Airspace Change Proposal

Date added: 06 July 2023

Indicative Timeline - June 2023 (204.7kB PDF)

Step 4 - Airspace Change Proposal

Date added: 19 June 2023

Initial Assessment Meeting Minutes (143.8kB PDF)

Step 1 - Assessment Meeting Minutes

Date added: 21 March 2023

Initial Assessment Meeting Presentation (1.0MB PDF)

Step 1 - Other

Date added: 23 November 2022

Initial Assessment Meeting Agenda (45.1kB PDF)

Step 1 - Assessment Meeting Agenda

Date added: 22 November 2022

Statement of Need (86.2kB PDF)

Step 1 - Statement of Need

Date added: 02 September 2022

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Potentially affected area

This is the area which may be affected by this airspace change depending on its development. This area may change as the proposal is developed.

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