- 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 an important milestone within the roadmap to safe Kind 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), right this moment proclaims 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 growth 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 Kind Certification of its newest Zephyr Z8 plane. UK-based firms have to be granted a DOA earlier than securing a Kind Certification, an airworthiness normal that can assist facilitate the industrial activation and roll-out of AALTO’s providers globally.
As a part of the DOA, the UK Civil Aviation Authority led an preliminary evaluate of AALTO encompassing the Firm’s procedures, amenities and competency of its design group. 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 Kind 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 can be transformative for cellular connectivity and earth remark. 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 remark providers.
Samer Halawi, Chief Govt Officer of AALTO, mentioned: “This can be a important milestone for the commercial and industrial 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 providers from the stratosphere. The UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to point out its world management as an enabler of sustainable expertise corresponding to 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 Kind 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’ll 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 progressive firms like AALTO to play our position in realising their concepts in a protected, sustainable manner. 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 world 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 worldwide chief in connectivity and earth remark providers from the stratosphere. Primarily based in Farnborough, UK, the Firm designs, manufactures and presents providers utilizing its record-breaking Zephyr Excessive Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). Powered by photo voltaic vitality and working above 60,000+ ft, 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 remark providers. 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 folks and allow aerospace in order that the aviation business meets the very best security requirements and shoppers have alternative, worth for cash, are protected and handled pretty after they fly.
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