From November 12 to December 12, Bordeaux Airport conducted a real-world experiment, unprecedented in France, of automated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights over the airport area.
The objective was to integrate routine flight operations of automated drones into the airport’s daily operations. In partnership with Azur Drones, and benefiting from a Specific category operating authorisation issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Directorate, the initiative is part of the airport’s innovation strategy aimed at creating a permanent test zone in a complex urban setting.
For the BVLOS flights, a Skeyetech drone from Azur Drones secured a strategic 400-metre test zone located in the main access to the airport. Over 31 flights covering 25 km, the drone validated several observation and security actions.
Jointly supported by the airport’s Innovation Department and the Azur Drones Operations Services Department, Bordeaux Airport says this experiment opens up new perspectives for the use of drones in airport environments.
“This experiment allowed us to test a new technology, understand drone regulations and their impacts on our organisation and prepare our future projects with government services,” said Pierre Dejean, Head of Innovation at Bordeaux Airport.
The airport notes that the potential applications for drones in the airspace include track inspection, such as identification of wear or detection of foreign objects; perimeter surveillance and securing sensitive areas; and vehicle control in parking lots via flow management and surveillance.
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