NATS Services has introduced a digital flight approval service to assist drone operators in accessing the airspace around Aberdeen International Airport, UK. Drone pilots wanting to fly in or through the Flight Restriction Zone around the airport can submit flight plans online or via the Altitude Angel Drone Assist app, which are then reviewed, approved or amended by the air traffic control team in as little as a few minutes. The service replaces a manual process that could sometimes take 14 days or more.
NATS Services hopes this will deliver both greater speed and certainty for drone operators and help to better process their requests, while maintaining safety and situational awareness of what’s in the airspace.
The introduction of the digital flight Approval Services platform at Aberdeen is the first at an airport where NATS Services also provides the air traffic service. NATS Services expects to be able to extend the service to other airports where it provides the air traffic service in the coming months.
The new paid for service is aimed primarily at commercial drone operators who need speed and certainty to support their businesses. Commercial flights will be charged GBP35 per approval for Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations. Beyond VLOS (BVLOS) and higher volume operations will be by separate agreement. More information about the digital flight approval services is available at NATS. A free service for hobbyist drone pilots who are willing to wait 14 days or more for their flight plan to be processed, will also be available.
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Image: Aberdeen International Airport
