As the drone industry is rapidly growing and the challenge of mixed use of Airspace is becoming more and more relevant, Den Helder Airport yesterday tested a drone BVLOS flight in the Dutch skies...
The successful test flight to wind turbines underscores the leading role that the airport intends to take in supporting the offshore sector utilising unmanned vehicles over the North Sea.
"What makes this first flight special is that it is the first flight to take place in the Netherlands in public airspace above the sea. During such a flight, the drone is Beyond the operator's Visual Line Of Sight. We are making our facilities available for these kinds of high-tech operations and are thus fulfilling a pioneering role in the development of drone flights for offshore applications.", said Conny van den Hoff, DHA Managing Director.
The UAV utilised, a Primoco One 150 light UAV (operated by Czech drone company Primoco UAV SE), equipped with special cameras and HiDef video system, departed from DHA and flew a pre-programmed pattern over the area where the Ecowende Hollandse Kust West wind farm is being built, approximately 53 kilometers off the coast of IJmuiden. A drone emits significantly less CO2 compared to conventional aircraft or helicopters, thus making its exploitation more appealing. It also reduces risks for technicians and allows both the wind farms and the marine eco-system to be monitored without disturbing the environment and animals.
Read the Noordhollands Dagblad article (in Dutch): Den Helder Airport pioniert met drones bovenNoordzee