DSEi 2011: UAV training offered for civilian applications

14th September 2011 - 17:18 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Sky-Futures is taking a new approach to UAV training by using military operators and equipment to provide training to pilots for civil applications.

Speaking to Shephard at DSEi in London on 14 September, directors of the company, James Harrison and Chris Blackford, explained how they see a market for civilian system training and are bridging the gap between this and military use.

Pilots with military experience in operating unmanned systems are contracted to train individuals who have purchased a UAV for applications such as agriculture and construction, and this training can be done in between 2-3 days and two weeks.

Alongside training, the company also purchases and sells UAVs - primarily focusing on micro and mini rotary systems at present because of the ease of use in terms of landing the platform.

'We look for very good products with solid futures that can be used properly,' Harrison explained.

'Lots of micro and mini UAVs are being developed, but not for civil applications.'

The company is working alongside the CAA to develop an offering that is complaint with civil aviation standards, yet would move towards other areas of the unmanned market, such as UGVs, if the opportunity came about.

Sky-Futures purchases the UAVs from two undisclosed manufacturers at present, one in Europe and the other in the US, and has received 'huge interest' internationally.