Windracers, the maker of the Ultra self-flying cargo aircraft is trialling a drone delivery service in the Orkney islands in Scotland. It will run a scheduled service over 90 days in July and August with the twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft between Eday, Westray and North Ronaldsay a number of times each week.
The flight schedule will be integrated with the network pof Streamline Shipping Group, which handles over 90% of last-mile deliveries to the islands.
The trial is part of the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) programme and is part-funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge. Its aim is to demonstrate that drones can transport meaningful payloads reliably, cost-effectively and sustainably in remote areas.
Windracers’ ULTRA will operate in segregated airspace, with the Civil Aviation Authority allowing it to fly autonomously within a number of temporary danger areas for the 90-day period. Longer-term, the company is looking towards non-segregated operations using Transponder Mandatory Zones, which would enable the system to ‘see’ and be seen by other air traffic.
Will Rodger, service manager at Streamline Shipping Group said: “As part of our path to net zero, we are running a number of trials including drone-based deliveries, unmanned seafaring vessels, and hydrogen HGVs. Drones present an opportunity to make more regular deliveries and collections – potentially increasing twice-weekly routes to become daily, which would have a massive impact on residents and businesses.”
The drones can carry 100 kg up to 1000 km and take off, fly and land safely without the need of a remote pilot thanks to autopilot technology. Its systems are dual or triple redundant to ensure it can fly safely in the event of a hardware or software failure.
Jayne Golding, SATE manager at the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership added: “We’re delighted to reach this milestone for Windracers to trial the Ultra in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. These trials are essential for the programme and for our technical partners, demonstrating capabilities and indeed the opportunities. We look forward to engaging the community and wider stakeholders in the activity.”
Windracers is planning a further trial later in the year between Orkney and the Shetland islands, about 100 miles to the north.