U-AVES announces commencement of innovative test flights in Doonbeg
The U-AVES (Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles for Ecological Surveys) project commenced innovative test flights for ecological surveys off the coast of Doonbeg in County Clare. This project is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
A significant milestone in the U-AVES project has been achieved on the commencement of test flights using VTOL UAVs for ecological surveillance of the area surrounding Doonbeg.
Initial test flights, made possible through the partnership of A-techSYN, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), BlueWise Marine, and Energia Renewables, are the first step in the U-AVES project that aims to revolutionise ecological surveys in Ireland and abroad through the use of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
The U-AVES project will utilise cameras and sensors deployed on a long endurance VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) fixed wing UAV to capture imagery of seabirds and marine mammals in the area.
Taking off from the picturesque coastal area of Doonbeg, Co. Clare, the flights are testing different cameras and sensors to determine the best configuration and optimal sensor configuration for data validation. The visuals collected from these flights are then meticulously analysed to evaluate the capability of the system to identify and count abundance of seabirds and marine mammals.
Following the initial test flights, Mark Early, Head of Aviation and Safety, at A-techSYN reported:
“The integration of advanced sensor technologies significantly enhances the precision and reliability of data collection for the U-AVES project. Our flagship CGT-50 VTOL UAV is equipped with state-of-the-art imaging and environmental sensors, that are designed to withstand harsh marine conditions, ensuring consistent and high-quality data capture. This collaborative effort not only pushes the boundaries of current ecological monitoring techniques but also sets new benchmarks for future environmental and offshore renewable energy surveys, globally.”
Despite unforeseen circumstances resulting in the change of location from Newcastle to Doonbeg, A-techSYN and the wider U-AVES team have worked closely with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to get the test flights off the ground. A Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) has been issued by the IAA for the Co. Clare coastline from Monday, July 8, 2024, until Friday, October 4, 2024.
John Breslin, Managing Director at BlueWise Marine said:
“Obtaining the TRA is a major milestone for the U-AVES Project, demonstrating that the system and procedures comply with national aviation regulations having achieved the necessary authorisation from the IAA. Having a safe and regulated airspace for use by the project for almost 3 months, allows the project team to focus on undertaking flights to collect images of seabirds and mammals without external air traffic concerns, allowing more efficient and effective use of time and resources.”
TRA’s are a critical tool used to temporarily protect airspace, allowing specified procedures to take place in a safe and secure manner without interference from other aircrafts. This TRA permits use of the airspace adjacent to the Doonbeg site for the purpose of gathering imagery and video footage through the U-AVES project. This not only enhances the efficiency and reliability of the tests but also provides assurance to stakeholders about the safety and regulatory compliance of the operations.
This project has been supported by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2022, Grant number 22/RDD/851.
