Project Summary
Demonstrating the ability to create ‘pop-up’ airfields using grid reference or what3words locations, supporting the ability to safely manage flight intentions to last mile delivery and collection locations. The project will also show how drone flights can interact with a ‘pop-up’ destination to be approved for flight and receive a briefing and in-flight communication. Finally the project will demonstrate the logging of post flight details by the airfield in a format acceptable to the CAA.
Project Achievements
The aim of the project was to demonstrate processes for digitally creating a “”pop-up”” airfield and managing two-way, real-time communication between drone movements into and out of the new airfield. There are three achievements that underpin this goal: 1. The project has demonstrated the ability to create “”pop-up”” airfields using grid reference or what3words locations, supporting the ability to safely manage flights to last-mile delivery and collection locations. 2. We have shown how drone flights can interact with a “”pop-up”” destination to be approved for flight (similar to the General Aviation PPR process) and receive a briefing and in-flight communication. 3. Finally, the project has demonstrated the logging of post-flight details by the pop-up airfield in a format acceptable to the CAA. These outcomes will enable a cooperative ecosystem in which drone operators and service providers can communicate intentions in real time to facilitate safe operations in on-demand locations.
Conclusions
The basic functionality to create an ad hoc airfield already existed within the SmartSkies platform as an enabler for onboarding new General Aviation airfield users; however, we have extended this concept to drone movements. By utilising what3words locations to create destinations that can approve/decline and manage movements digitally, we have demonstrated that governed landing pad capability can be applied to every 3m square of the UK, enabling the safe management of flight intentions to last-mile delivery and collection locations. The project team continue to believe that establishing the right technology foundations for scaled drone adoption will involve a number of complementary solutions for both GA and UAS use cases, including digital communication and permissioning, flight planning, conspicuity and avoidance, and regulatory guardrails and reporting. We see the SmartSkies platform and the new pop-up capabilities as key components in those technology foundations.
Next Steps
TwelveTechnology has an exploitation plan for 26/27 in place which targets General Aviation users including helicopter and fixed wing schools, airfields and pilots. The company is currently raising capital through an EIS scheme to expand operations and build critical mass at UK airfields. The exploitation strategy for drones is evolving but focuses on three distinct conversations: 1. We will continue to work with synergistic partners , including those identified through TRIG participation, to target grant funding to iterate on our 2025 project. 2. We are actively seeking retail and distribution opportunities to develop pop-up airfields linked to distribution hubs. 3. We are looking to establish regulatory conversations to build commitment to our “permission to land” approach and digital communication solutions, Our primary funding target through EIS would accelerate all of these plans, expanding sales, increasing tech headcount and profitability, as well as drone development, and strategic alliances with aviation partners.
