Project Lima accepted into CAA Sandbox
The team behind the initiative have been working together to develop their concept of ‘Shared Airspace Zones’ – permanent areas of airspace where both manned and unmanned traffic can integrate safely, and where commercial drone operations can be conducted beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
Led by respected professor Jim Scanlan (as part of Solent Transport’s ‘Future Transport Zones’ – Drones project), the team is comprised of Neuron Innovations, who have developed a ground based detect and avoid network; Windracers, whose ULTRA UAV’s are being used in humanitarian aid worldwide; and Distributed Avionics who specialise in flight control systems. The team believe that this work will help create a blueprint for how BVLOS drone operations could be rolled out across the UK.
The team have been working towards this goal for some time, and Neuron are particularly excited to now be able to work closely with the regulator to show how ground-based detect-and-avoid capability could be a part of the solution to unlocking our skies to large-scale commercial drone operations beyond visual line of sight.
- Professor Jim Scanlan of University of Southampton teams up with Neuron Innovations, Windracers and Distributed Avionics to work within the CAA Sandbox
- The CAA Sandbox will provide the team with the capability to test and trial their innovative solution with regulatory support
- Shared Airspace Zones could be the UK’s answer to unlocking commercial drone flight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
“The safe sharing of airspace by remotely piloted aircraft and traditional aviation is key to unlocking the huge potential of beyond visual line of sight flying for drones. We’re excited to be working with the Project Lima team to help explore how we safely progress this work.”
Frederic LaugereCAA Innovation Services Lead
Working within the regulatory Sandbox is an opportunity for the team to maximise their readiness for any future regulatory changes, address any future risks to safety and security, and ultimately to carry out engagement and demonstrations which will support the changing future of our skies, including the possibility of successfully gaining new permissions for Shared Airspace Zones
