Llanbedr Airfield open for testing
Above: Aerial shot of Llanbedr Airfield.
The announcement comes following the completion of infrastructure refurbishment, supported by the Welsh Government, and the successful development and integration of processed and procedures for air traffic management and airfield services as required by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations.
Flying is scheduled to start in early 2015, subject to a 90 day notice period for establishing the segregated airspace required to re-link Llanbedr Airfield to the existing test range over Cardigan Bay. A draft proposal for establishing this airspace for RPAS operations from Llanbedr Airfield has already been through consultation and will expand the Wales RPAS Environment capability, already Europe’s pre-eminent instrumented RPAS air/sea/land test range.
The airfield has a 7500ft runway enabling the operation of all classes and sizes of RPAS, augmenting the current capability for small/medium RPAS testing at Aberporth, South Wales. The newly expanded Welsh RPAS environment will ensure that the UK maintains a leading role in the development of RPAS in Europe. The development also strengthens Llanbedr Airfield's position as a prime candidate for hosting the UK Spaceport.
Paul Hearn, Business Development Director for the air business at QinetiQ said, “This is an important moment for QinetiQ and Llanbedr Airfield. We have worked hard with the support of the Department for Transport and Wales Government to get the airfield open for business. As leaders in the test and evaluation of RPAS and expertise in creating segregated airspace, we believe that Llanbedr is the ideal location to undertake testing.”
Llanbedr Airfield Estates spokesperson said, "We are delighted that following months of planning and refurbishment works, we are now in a position to formally "open" the airfield for business with specific focus on the future development and testing of RPAS. With the support of the Welsh Government and QinetiQ we have been able to significantly expand and enhance the already unique environment available in Wales for RPAS testing and evaluation and this now provides a stage to compete internationally within this growing sector.
“RPAS and the unique environment within which this operates has significant synergies with those required for the UK Spaceport and we would hope the works we have done to date and those further planned over the coming months will give us a distinct advantage over the other short-listed sites selected for the UK Spaceport."
Welcoming the news, Economy Minister for the Welsh Government, Edwina Hart, said: “This complements the environment in West Wales for remotely piloted air systems and supports the long-term strategic vision for Llanbedr linked to the sector. Developments at the airfield - a key site within Snowdonia Enterprise Zone - are supporting employment opportunities for the region and also demonstrating that Wales is at the forefront of emerging autonomous technologies.”
The news comes on the back of a teaming agreement between QinetiQ and Llanbedr Airfield announced at DSEi show in September 2013.
