- UK-first for HAPS regulation as UK Civil Aviation Authority certifies that Zephyr producer and operator AALTO has capabilities to design an plane
- DOA is a vital milestone within the roadmap to safe Kind Certification for Zephyr, forward of a focused entry-into-service globally in 2026
- Regulatory milestone follows $100m funding in AALTO by Japanese Consortium in June 2024, because the Firm prepares for flight programme from Zephyr’s first launch and touchdown web site in Kenya
FARNBOROUGH, UK, July 2024 – AALTO HAPS Ltd. (“AALTO” or “the Firm”), which designs, manufactures and operates the stratospheric, solar-powered Zephyr Excessive Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), in the present day pronounces that it has secured its Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. That is the primary DOA to be issued to a HAPS firm within the UK, marking AALTO and the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s management within the improvement and regulation of HAPS expertise.
Right this moment’s announcement made on the Farnborough Worldwide Air Present follows a number of months of engagement between AALTO and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, because the Firm progresses the method for a Kind Certification of its newest Zephyr Z8 plane. UK-based corporations have to be granted a DOA earlier than securing a Kind Certification, an airworthiness customary that may assist facilitate the industrial activation and roll-out of AALTO’s providers globally.
As a part of the DOA, the UK Civil Aviation Authority led an preliminary assessment of AALTO encompassing the Firm’s procedures, services and competency of its design crew. The DOA certifies AALTO is an organisation with capabilities to design plane to the best requirements. AALTO is now working intently with the UK Civil Aviation Authority on the Kind Certification of Zephyr forward of a focused entry-into-service in 2026.
With a present flight-time file of over 64 days within the stratosphere, Zephyr is a world-leading HAPS that shall be transformative for cell connectivity and earth commentary. As a payload agnostic platform, Zephyr can ship a number of functions, together with low-latency 5G direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and high-quality earth commentary providers.
Samer Halawi, Chief Govt Officer of AALTO, mentioned: “It is a important milestone for the economic and industrial roadmap of Zephyr. Following a landmark funding in our enterprise and the start of our complete flight season, this approval underscores the regulatory confidence in HAPS as we display the potential of offering cutting-edge providers from the stratosphere. The UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to point out its international management as an enabler of sustainable expertise corresponding to Zephyr, which stays on the forefront of solar-powered innovation.”
Pierre-Antoine Aubourg, Chief Know-how Officer of AALTO, added: “This validation from a world-leading aviation authority is testomony to the dedication and experience of our groups at AALTO. Our technical and engineering departments proceed to be pushed by setting the best doable requirements, alongside the UK Civil Aviation Authority, whose help and perception has been important in our certification journey.
“As we deal with securing a Kind Certification for Zephyr, we stay up for working intently with the UK Civil Aviation Authority over the approaching months. With their ongoing help, I’m assured we are going to proceed to interrupt new floor within the regulation of Zephyr and HAPS expertise.”
Garry Lathey, Design and Certification Supervisor on the UK Civil Aviation Authority, mentioned: “We’re dedicated to working because the regulator with modern corporations like AALTO to play our function in realising their concepts in a secure, sustainable approach. The granting of Design Organisation Approval to AALTO brings nearer a future with licensed RPAS, demonstrating our dedication to making sure the UK stays on the forefront of worldwide aviation innovation. We are going to proceed to work with regulatory our bodies all over the world to guard customers and allow the innovation of licensed RPAS.”
About AALTO
AALTO, a subsidiary of Airbus, is a worldwide chief in connectivity and earth commentary providers from the stratosphere. Based mostly in Farnborough, UK, the Firm designs, manufactures and gives providers utilizing its record-breaking Zephyr Excessive Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). Powered by photo voltaic vitality and working above 60,000+ ft, Zephyr’s persistence permits steady flight for months at a time. Its present flight-time file is over 64 days within the stratosphere. As a payload agnostic platform, Zephyr can ship a number of functions, together with low-latency 5G direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and high-quality earth commentary providers. These options will ship for a number of markets together with cell greenfield connectivity, catastrophe administration, border safety, and precision agriculture. For additional info, please go to www.aaltohaps.com.
Concerning the UK Civil Aviation Authority
The UK Civil Aviation Authority is the UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator. It really works to guard folks and allow aerospace in order that the aviation business meets the best security requirements and customers have selection, worth for cash, are protected and handled pretty after they fly.
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