New Digital System Reduces Drone Flight Approval Times from 21 Days to 5, Enhancing Efficiency and Safety in the Airport’s Flight Restricted Zone
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb
UK-based Unified Traffic Management (UTM) technology provider Altitude Angel recently announced that Cambridge City Airport has begun using their Approval Services platform, allowing drone operators to request and pay for operations within the airport’s airspace digitally.
Used mostly for business jets and the general aviation market, Cambridge City airport is situated just outside of the Greater London area, near the ancient university town’s historic city center and business district. Because their FRZ (flight restricted zone) covers nearly the entire extent of the city’s limits, the airport has faced increasing demand for drone flights and services. Altitude Angel’s platform allows users to digitally submit their flight plans within the FRZ via the Drone Assist app or via http://dronesafetymap.com/, streamlining a previously complex and occasionally lengthy process. According to Altitude Angel’s press release, the new app and website integration will reduce approval times from approximately 21 days to 5, while also reducing the administrative costs associated with UAV operations.
On the deployment of Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform, David Rowe, Cambridge City Airport, Manager of Airport Operations , said: “ The Airport Operations Team are excited to use the system which will allow us to manage applications efficiently and provide an overview of UAV activity within our FRZ”
Chris Forster, Altitude Angel, Chief Operating Officer, added: “As a busy commercial airport, but one which is also responsible for the airspace above one the UK’s most famous and picturesque cities, we are excited to be able to help enable more drone operations within the Cambridge FRZ, giving all airspace users the opportunity to experience the skies, safely and securely.”
This news follows Altitude Angel’s recently announced expansion of their sensor network, allowing for a more comprehensive monitoring of the drone airspace across the UK.
More information about Altitude Angel and their Approval Services platform is available here.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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