Drones will be used to deliver coronavirus tests and medical supplies to remote regions under plans that allow for safe ‘air corridors’ to be set up for them to fly in
- Operators are currently banned from flying drones outside their sight line
- The Civil Aviation Authority will relax measures to ensure contactless deliveries
- Drones will be used to deliver medical supplies and PPE to hospitals
- In remote regions, this will speed up the transport of essential goods
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Drones will be given ‘air corridors’ to deliver goods to remote communities during the lockdown period as a ban on the machines is lifted.
Operators are currently banned from flying drones outside their sight line but the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says it will relax these restrictions.
Drone companies say the aerial machines can be used for both medical and commercial supplies including coronavirus tests and will help minimise the spread of the virus due to the lack of human contact.
Drones will be given ‘air corridors’ to deliver goods during the lockdown period as a ban on the machines is lifted. Pictured: a test flight of a drone in Hampshire
One drone flying medical supplies to the Isle of Wight has already been approved while another machine will drop off medical equipment, tests and samples to remote islands in west Scotland, The Telegraph reported.
COMING SOON TO AIR CORRIDOR NEAR YOU
Drone being trialled Windracers ULTRA (Unmanned Low cost TRansport Aircraft)
Design Fixed-wing aircraft
Maximum payload 220lbs
Weight when fully loaded 770lbs
Maximum range 600-650 miles
Fuel Twin gas-powered engines
Created by University of Southampton
Spec UK’s largest civilian unmanned aircraft
Construction Fabric-covered aluminium
In the 23-page plan by the CAA, the drones will fly is designated ‘zones’ if the operators meet safety standards, showing they can fly and land the craft without fault even if out of their eyeline.
The easing of restrictions will offer a cheaper, quicker and more hygienic way of deliveries.
The CAA said applications from NHS, hospital, Government, police, fire or ambulance operators would be prioritised, but others will be considered.
The measures would be limited to 90 days in the specified air corridors known as ‘Temporary Danger Areas’, where drones fly separately to aircraft.
Due to the reduced aircraft in the skies at the moment, the aviation authority believes it will be easy to implement the measures during the pandemic.
One air corridor between Southampton and the Isle of Wight has been approved, which would see a drone making a 10-minute flight four times a day with medical supplies to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, on the island.
Drone companies say the aerial machines can be used for both medical and commercial supplies and will help minimise the spread of coronavirus
The machines will start by ferrying PPE but could also be used for blood and organ transport.
UK-based firm Skyports, approved by the CAA, says its plans in west Scotland will cut delivery times for supplies that otherwise have to travel by road and ferry.
Duncan Walker, founder and chief executive of the company, said: ‘We have been working on the technology for some time, going through the safety case and proofs.
‘Coronavirus has heightened the importance of the use and put some turbocharge behind the process.’
The CAA says drones must ‘meet at least the same safety and operational standards as manned aircraft’.
Next, companies must develop reliable technology which will allow drones to fly freely when they meet other aircraft.
Skyports say such a drone is only weeks away.