The UK’s Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) consortium has conducted a flight trial with ARC Aerosystems’ C-600 uncrewed air vehicle (UAV). Working with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. (HIAL), the manufacturer conducted a tethered flight test at Wick John O’Groats Airport in the north of Scotland.

The SATE project is based in the nearby Orkney Islands and is focused on how UAVs and other electric aircraft could improve transportation between rural communities in an environmentally sustainable way. Based at Kirkwall Airport, it is the UK’s first low-carbon aviation test center at a commercial airport.

According to ARC Aerosystems, the C-600 is the largest VTOL UAV in Europe, with a wingspan of over eight meters (26 feet), a payload of 100 kilograms (220 pounds), and a range of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles). The company envisages applications such as mail deliveries and support for commercial fishing and wind farms.

According to ARC’s founder and CEO, Seyed Moheseni, the company is planning to start beyond-visual line-of-sight tests as it prepares to bring the C-600 to market. The SATE project has received financial support from Innovate UK.

SATE’s manager, Jayne Golding, said that the ARC team had met groups of local stakeholders in Scotland, including high school and college students with an interest in STEM studies. “One of our ambitions is that successful trials mean our partners can use the trial data to help showcase aircraft and technology, allowing them to develop a case for commercial use,” she commented. “HIAL’s remote airports are ideal for testing such flights and showing how rural connectivity is vital. With thanks to UKRI and the CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] for supporting us and our partners.”

Scotland's "Living Laboratory" for Drones

According to the SATE team, the Highlands and Islands region of Scotland is an ideal “living laboratory” for emerging aviation technologies that could improve connectivity and create jobs. During phase two of the project, the partners will seek to establish a hub-and-spoke UAV delivery network and conduct a drone demonstration flight between Scotland and Norway. They will also conduct geospatial analysis and socioeconomic modeling for a possible route network.

Use cases are also being considered in the Shetland Islands, the Western Isles, and various Highland communities. These might include support flights for the National Health Service, NatureScot, Orkney Food and Drink, Streamline Shipping, and the Royal Mail.

In 2021, Ampaire conducted flight tests starting in Scotland with its Electric EEL hybrid-electric technology demonstrator aircraft. ZeroAvia has been working with airport partners in Scotland to prepare for commercial flights with hydrogen-powered aircraft. 

C-600 flight trials involved a team from ARC Aerosystems and Highlands and Islands Airport. (Image: ARC Aerosystems)