Cambridge Airport (CBG/EGSC) is partnering with Altitude Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, to deploy an Approval Services Platform (ASP) for drone users wishing to operate within the airport’s Flight Restricton Zone (FRZ).
Drone laws in the UK mean that operators cannot fly within a 2 or 2.5-nautical-mile radius boundary without permission from the airport operator or air traffic service and traditionally applying to an airport to operate within that zone has required multiple phone calls and paperwork.
Altitude Angels ASP now means that remote pilots can apply to the airport for permission and submit their flight plans via the Drone Assist App or by visiting dronesafetymap.com which then go directly to Cambridge Airport for approval.
This new process can cut the waiting time for approval from 21 days to just five and the airport is also reducing its processing fees as a result. Commercial Users will now pay just £35 for approval rather than £70.
David Rowe, Cambridge City Airport, Manager of Airport Operations, said: “The Airport Operations Team are excited to use the system which will allow us to manage applications efficiently and provide an overview of UAV activity within our FRZ”
Chris Forster, Altitude Angel’s chief Operating Officer, added: “As a busy commercial airport, but one which is also responsible for the airspace above one the UK’s most famous and picturesque cities, we are excited to be able to help enable more drone operations within the Cambridge FRZ, giving all airspace users the opportunity to experience the skies, safely and securely.”
The deployment will help foster communication and partnership between commercial & recreational drone users and Cambridge Airport to create a safer operating environment and help to reduce instances of illegal drone operations around the airport.
