Over 1.500 hours of flights planned in the next 14months
In a significant milestone for the Irish drone industry, A-techSYN, Ireland’s premier developer and manufacturer of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), was selected as the successful bidder for the EU tender of PARQUE TECNOLÓGICO DE FUERTEVENTURA SAMP (PTFSA) for “Deployment of low and/ or medium altitude unmanned platforms (UAS), with on-board sensors and data transmission systems to the ISSEC center for the development of the RETECH4CAN project”, with file number 254/2024.
A-techSYN entered the bidding in a consortium with Aerial Works SL, a spanish company wich has a wide experience in complex operations with UAS of different types, requests of operational approvals and pilot training for customers around the world. This company will dedicate its efforts to the coordination of activities and training of remote pilots.
The contract asks A-techSYN to perform 5 different kinds of BVLOS operations which are expected to result in 1.500- 2.000 hours of flights, using the CGT50 VTOL and CTOL versions, several payloads such as gimbals, Hyperspectral Cameras and LIDARs. The base of operation will be the Strataport at the PTFSA in Fuertoventura and all information gathered will be in real time deployed to the GIC center.
This achievement marks another successful step in the company’s journey, demonstrating its commitment to innovation, safety, and expanding its test, evaluation, and trialling capabilities.
“For the last decade, A-techSYN has been pioneering the integration and implementation of specific category UAS. We believe that there is a huge need for this size of UAS but there also is a lack of POCs. Individual applications and flights are not sufficient to validate and prove the feasibility of using these systems.
The ISSEC center is also trying to validate the use of HAPS and UAS for certain types of applications in the RETECH4CAN project focusing on protection of forestry.
The center not only evaluated our technology but also our maturity level and flight operations experience as well as acquiring authorisations to fly. We believe that the concept of being an end-to-end solution provider has enabled our selection as the successful bidder. said Gokhan CELIK, CEO of A-techSYN.
“The first step is to apply for and get permissions to fly in Fuerteventura” said Ángel Diego Del Real SÁNCHEZ, who is the accountable manager of the ATAW, an UTE between A-techSYN and Aerial Works. “We have a step by step plan in action and have already prepared the documents for the first application. The combined experience of our companies in this area allows us to transfer the know-how gained in Ireland to the Spanish domain. We hope that with the support od AESA, we will start flying in SAIL II from Fuerteventura this Spring.”
“The plan is that we will start performing flights as soon as we get the permissions using our Irish flight teams. While this is going on, we will also select and train local flight teams in Fuerteventura. This will ensure the continuity of operation. We hope to expand our services to local authorities and emergency services and hope to continue performing flights with local teams and equipment for years to come.” said Umit Gurkan, the project coordinator for ATAW.
“We are immensely grateful to the IAA’s UAS Division and Airspace/U-space Department as well as AirNav for their unwavering support and professionalism over the past year. Our previous authorisations in Ireland had a huge effect in us being approved as a candidate for this tender.” said Gokhan CELIK. “The operations to be performed are very similar to what we already perform and we hope that we will operate in SAIL-II.
As part of this project, a comprehensive service will be provided, including UAS platform deployment and operations, data transmission, platform maintenance, sensor and payload integration, obtaining operational authorizations from aviation authorities for BVLOS and other complex operations, and training activities.
UAS platforms will be deployed in designated areas and operated in compliance with operational requirements. Data collected from onboard sensors will be transmitted in real time to the operations center, and regular maintenance and technical support will be ensured to sustain continuous operations. Additionally, sensor and payload integration will be conducted for environmental monitoring and modeling applications.
All operations will be carried out in accordance with the safety and risk mitigation standards set by aviation authorities, and the necessary authorization processes for BVLOS flights and other complex operations will be completed. The project will also provide trained personnel, including pilots, technicians and operators ensuring seamless execution of operations.
A fleet of 6 UAVs, along with additional UAVs supporting sensor and payload integration, will be deployed at the designated base to ensure the effective execution of these services. A range of EO/IR-capable gimbals, multi-spectral cameras, and LIDAR sensors will be integrated to enhance operational capabilities and support mission objectives.
The flight services will consist of multiple phases and stages, with a total of 445 flight blocks requested within the scope of the project. These blocks may be allocated as needed throughout the project. It is estimated that the total flight hours required for the project will range between 1,500 and 2,000 hours.
This project is a comprehensive operation requiring high operational capacity and advanced technology integration. Precise planning, robust technical infrastructure, and expert personnel coordination are critical to ensuring efficient and uninterrupted flight operations. This 14-month intensive project involves a continuous data flow, dynamic mission management, and ongoing operational optimization, demanding meticulous execution at every stage. Each phase will be managed with a strong emphasis on safety and mission success.
