Jim Gavin
Chief Operations Officer, Irish Aviation Authority
Over its history, aviation has evolved into one world’s safest and most innovative industries. Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) is no exception.
The term IAM covers both new electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. Through integration with the existing aviation infrastructure, it is set to revolutionise the aviation industry.
Drones expand aviation applications
Drones, not simply a means of transport, significantly expand the scope of traditional aviation. Drone Industry Insights identify 264 different applications in 17 industries, such as agriculture, arts, entertainment, energy, healthcare, telecoms and security to name just a few.
Ireland is one of the leading States in embracing this sector. Some examples currently operational in Ireland include Wing and Apian in South Dublin, transporting blood, medication and small medical devices between hospitals, pharmacies and labs in minutes. Manna Drones also deliver goods in minutes to the consumer in and over Dublin’s suburbs, avoiding traffic jams and saving the city from CO2 emission.
Ireland’s size offers an
ideal environment for
airborne taxis and other IAM.
Enhancing surveillance and transport
Shannon-based A-techSYN manufactures long-range drones that can vertically take off and land while remaining airborne for up to six hours. These are by the Navel Service in Drug Interdiction to extend their surveillance range and can be used to help the operators of linear infrastructure (railways, highways, high voltage wires, gas pipelines, etc.) to provide unprecedentedly effective monitoring of these structures.
Dutch company Kitepower is testing tethered kites in Co. Mayo, as part of Mayo County Council’s MegaAWE project, to generate airborne wind energy. It’s a cost-effective alternative to existing wind turbines.
Additionally, eVTOLs are making their way to our skies, with Dublin-based Avolon, one of the world’s leading aviation leasing companies, placing a pre-order of 500 from Vertical Aerospace. Ireland’s size offers an ideal environment for airborne taxis and other IAM.
To help prepare for the widening spread of drones and IAM, the Authority has partnered with Lero, Dublin City Council and Maynooth University in a two-year Drone Innovation Partnership. It provides examples of good regulatory practices to make the above list of innovations and applications even longer but, most importantly, safe.
