austerity wrote:I have been told that these drones cannot operate in IMC, darkness or rain. The West Of Scotland does not appear to be a suitable location to attempt to provide a vital service in this manner rather than using the BN Islander at Oban.
I don't know who told you this.
I've sight of an email from the Regulatory and Policy Associate at SkyPorts (perhaps you also have sight of this?). Extracted from the email trail :
Question:
Can you ask him if his drones can fly in IMC, dark and rain and what would happen is sea fog is encountered.
Answer:
We would be able to fly in the conditions described inside our TDA.
There is also no technical limitation for us to operate inside that environment.
In an earlier trail they say they are planning on daylight hours only.
There are a number of discussions going on with members of West of Scotland LAA Strut and others - they have said they are looking at a few amendments to alleviate concerns, including changing routings.
It appears they had looked at the Glenforsa website and taken the hotel closing until date and assumed then they wouldn't interfere (not realising the airfield has separate times and is likely to be open for normal ops on 1st April).
In saying that - they haven't yet promised to make changes (etc) and Strut members are advised to submit their objections as stakeholders rather than rely on a single response from LAA.
