A pioneering drone delivery flight has paved the way for a new lifeline connection with the idyllic yet remote Isles of Scilly - and opened up the prospect of drone operations between airports across the UK.
The successful return flight from Land’s End Airport, in West Cornwall, to St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly was the first freight drone flight between two UK commercial airports.
Specially sanctioned by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), it broke new ground in helping to establish rules for drones to operate along an existing and well-used commercial air corridor, across two Air Traffic Control areas.
While only 30 miles in distance each way, the flight took the unmanned aircraft over some of the UK’s most rugged scenery and over the Atlantic, carrying an NHS supply box on the outward leg, and returning with a selection of produce from the islands, including flowers and artisan gin.
The project is a collaboration between the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which for more than 100 years has provided transportation to the islands, and Hampshire-based UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) company Flylogix, experts in full-service over horizon operations.
They have entered a two-year partnership to develop with the local community what could be the UK’s first scheduled freight delivery service by drone, including plans to develop a larger, purpose-built UAV to meet islanders’ needs. The project is being supported by Cornwall Development Company’s AeroSpace Cornwall programme.
The Isles of Scilly have a population of about 2,200 people who rely entirely on air and sea links for supplies. Tourism accounts for about 85% of the economy, with 100,000 visitors every year, lured by the islands’ natural environment, mild climate and relaxed pace of life.
Stuart Reid, chief executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which owns Land’s End Airport, said: “When a group of islanders formed the Steamship Company all those years ago they scarcely could have imagined today’s amazing milestone, delivering goods using an unmanned aircraft.
“We’ve shown a drone freight service is not only technically feasible but that there is demand for its potential to deliver time-sensitive and high value items for the island community, using aircraft that have 98% fewer emission than a manned equivalent.”
There are now plans to introduce a daily drone freight service between the mainland and Scilly next summer for a three-month trial period, and work towards a full commercial operation using a bespoke freight UAV within two years.
Charles Tavner, executive chairman of Flylogix, said: “This is a very significant test flight because it paves the way for us to work with the community on Scilly towards a scheduled commercial drone service and breaks new ground in the UK for the integration of unmanned aircraft with manned commercial flights.
“Truly valuable services must be informed by what a community really needs so we are delighted to partner with the Steamship Company to build this new service together.”