British UTM provider Altitude Angel is taking flight with the Netherlands’ air traffic control authority after winning a contract to provide a unmanned traffic management system.
LVNL awarded the three-year contract in December. Altitude Angel will provide a full UTM platform, clearing the way for commercial drone use.
This week, the company announced the completion of the contract’s first stage to include deployment of the GoDrone mobile app and web platform. The company recently won a similar contract earlier this year in Norway.
The app will provide users with comprehensive airspace data critical to safe drone operations. Data will include Notice to Airmen, ground hazards, terrain and current weather conditions displayed on an interactive map with detailed area reports.
The mobile app and web platform rely on Altitude Angel’s GuardianUTM O/S as the foundation technology. The platform includes multi-language support (English and Dutch), Netherlands-specific information via local datasets, such as from Waterways and “Natura 2000” parks, as well as a custom set of map layers, indicating ground elevation.
The next phase will create a pre-approval for drone flights in controlled airspace as part of the procedural and collaborative interface with ATC through U-space.
“I’m excited about this milestone,” said Michiel van Dorst, CEO of LVNL. “The launch of the GoDrone mobile and web apps is the first step in enabling LVNL to build the Netherlands the infrastructure it needs to open Dutch airspace for special flight operations, to commercial drone use and ultimately BVLOS flight.”
Van Dorst added:
“With Altitude Angel we have built a qualitative app in short time. We are looking forward to our cooperation for the coming phases, to further develop the GoDrone web and mobile app to create value for the drone industry in the Netherlands.”
Richard Parker, Altitude Angel, CEO and founder said: “We’re pleased to have delivered GoDrone for LVNL and in just a few months from signature. It’s testament to the great work from both the teams at LVNL and Altitude Angel. GoDrone will be a solid, reliable foundation stone on which LVNL and the Netherlands’ can build to enable and expand the emerging UAM and drone industries.
Jason is a longstanding contributor to DroneLife with an avid interest in all things tech. He focuses on anti-drone technologies and the public safety sector; police, fire, and search and rescue.
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