London's renowned heliport has adopted Altitude Angel's Approval Services platform, streamlining the process for drone operators and prospective eVTOL pilots to digitally request and compensate for operations within the heliport's designated airspace.
Effective immediately, the Approval Services platform, previously endorsed by Aviation Minister Baroness Vere as a crucial step toward the goals set by the Future of Flight Industry Group, empowers drone operators to swiftly and securely submit flight plans within The London Heliport's Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ). Furthermore, it simplifies the process of settling any charges imposed by the heliport upon approval of a flight.
Before this incorporation, Altitude Angel supplied The London Heliport with an integrated perspective of the airspace around its FRZ. This collaboration facilitated digital acceptance or denial of operations proposals from drone enterprises and individual operators via Altitude Angel's established digital authorization and flight management technology.
The London Heliport boasts a significant aviation history, having commenced its operations in 1959. Currently, it stands as London's sole CAA licensed heliport and plays a vital role, offering services to the business sector and local emergency units, including the London Air Ambulance (HEMS).
Reflecting on this collaboration, Chris Forster, Chief Operating Officer at Altitude Angel, remarked on the iconic stature of The London Heliport in aviation history, expressing pride in being associated with its ongoing evolution. He noted the potential of the heliport's strategic central London location for the emerging drone and urban air mobility sectors.
Matthew Rice, Operations Manager at The London Heliport, emphasized the strategic positioning of the heliport, which witnesses over 500 authorized drone flights annually within its FRZ. He stressed the challenges of managing these flight applications and the necessity of a clear daily operational view, highlighting the significance of their partnership with Altitude Angel. He added that the newly-implemented "Situational Awareness" capability enables their Air Traffic Control to be better informed about the day's approved activities within the FRZ, ensuring the safety of all helicopters operating in the vicinity of the heliport.
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