- 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 Sort 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 website 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), at present 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.
At the 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 Sort Certification of its newest Zephyr Z8 plane. UK-based corporations have to be granted a DOA earlier than securing a Sort Certification, an airworthiness customary that can assist facilitate the business activation and roll-out of AALTO’s companies globally.
As a part of the DOA, the UK Civil Aviation Authority led an preliminary overview of AALTO encompassing the Firm’s procedures, amenities and competency of its design staff. The DOA certifies AALTO is an organisation with capabilities to design plane to the very best requirements. AALTO is now working intently with the UK Civil Aviation Authority on the Sort 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 will probably be transformative for cellular connectivity and earth commentary. As a payload agnostic platform, Zephyr can ship a number of purposes, together with low-latency 5G direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and high-quality earth commentary companies.
Samer Halawi, Chief Govt Officer of AALTO, mentioned: “This can be a important milestone for the commercial and business 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 companies from the stratosphere. The UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to indicate its world management as an enabler of sustainable expertise resembling 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 very best attainable requirements, alongside the UK Civil Aviation Authority, whose help and perception has been important in our certification journey.
“As we concentrate on securing a Sort Certification for Zephyr, we look ahead to 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 revolutionary corporations like AALTO to play our position 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’ll proceed to work with regulatory our bodies all over the world to guard shoppers and allow the innovation of licensed RPAS.”
About AALTO
AALTO, a subsidiary of Airbus, is a world chief in connectivity and earth commentary companies from the stratosphere. Based mostly in Farnborough, UK, the Firm designs, manufactures and gives companies utilizing its record-breaking Zephyr Excessive Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). Powered by photo voltaic vitality and working above 60,000+ toes, Zephyr’s persistence allows 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 purposes, together with low-latency 5G direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and high-quality earth commentary companies. These options will ship for a number of markets together with cellular greenfield connectivity, catastrophe administration, border safety, and precision agriculture. For additional data, 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 individuals and allow aerospace in order that the aviation trade meets the very best security requirements and shoppers have alternative, worth for cash, are protected and handled pretty once they fly.
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