UK-first for HAPS regulation as UK Civil Aviation Authority certifies that Zephyr manufacturer and operator AALTO has capabilities to design an aircraft
DOA is a crucial milestone in the roadmap to secure Type Certification for Zephyr, ahead of a targeted entry-into-service globally in 2026
Regulatory milestone follows $100m investment in AALTO by Japanese Consortium in June 2024, as the Company prepares for flight programme from Zephyr’s first launch and landing site in Kenya
FARNBOROUGH, UK, July 2024 – AALTO HAPS Ltd. (“AALTO” or “the Company”), which designs, manufactures and operates the stratospheric, solar-powered Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), today announces that it has secured its Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. This is the first DOA to be issued to a HAPS company in the UK, marking AALTO and the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s leadership in the development and regulation of HAPS technology.
Today’s announcement made at the Farnborough International Air Show follows several months of engagement between AALTO and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, as the Company progresses the process for a Type Certification of its latest Zephyr Z8 aircraft. UK-based companies must be granted a DOA before securing a Type Certification, an airworthiness standard that will help facilitate the commercial activation and roll-out of AALTO’s services globally.
As part of the DOA, the UK Civil Aviation Authority led an initial review of AALTO encompassing the Company’s procedures, facilities and competency of its design team. The DOA certifies AALTO is an organisation with capabilities to design aircraft to the highest standards. AALTO is now working closely with the UK Civil Aviation Authority on the Type Certification of Zephyr ahead of a targeted entry-into-service in 2026.
With a current flight-time record of over 64 days in the stratosphere, Zephyr is a world-leading HAPS that will be transformative for mobile connectivity and earth observation. As a payload agnostic platform, Zephyr can deliver several applications, including low-latency 5G direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and high-quality earth observation services.
Samer Halawi, Chief Executive Officer of AALTO, said: “This is a significant milestone for the industrial and commercial roadmap of Zephyr. Following a landmark investment in our business and the beginning of our comprehensive flight season, this approval underscores the regulatory confidence in HAPS as we demonstrate the potential of providing cutting-edge services from the stratosphere. The UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to show its global leadership as an enabler of sustainable technology such as Zephyr, which remains at the forefront of solar-powered innovation.”
Pierre-Antoine Aubourg, Chief Technology Officer of AALTO, added: “This validation from a world-leading aviation authority is testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams at AALTO. Our technical and engineering departments continue to be driven by setting the highest possible standards, alongside the UK Civil Aviation Authority, whose support and insight has been vital in our certification journey.
“As we focus on securing a Type Certification for Zephyr, we look forward to working closely with the UK Civil Aviation Authority over the coming months. With their ongoing support, I am confident we will continue to break new ground in the regulation of Zephyr and HAPS technology.”
Garry Lathey, Design and Certification Manager at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We are committed to working as the regulator with innovative companies like AALTO to play our role in realising their ideas in a safe, sustainable way. The granting of Design Organisation Approval to AALTO brings closer a future with certified RPAS, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring the UK stays at the forefront of global aviation innovation. We will continue to work with regulatory bodies around the world to protect consumers and enable the innovation of certified RPAS.”
About AALTO
AALTO, a subsidiary of Airbus, is a global leader in connectivity and earth observation services from the stratosphere. Based in Farnborough, UK, the Company designs, manufactures and offers services using its record-breaking Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). Powered by solar energy and operating above 60,000+ feet, Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight-time record is over 64 days in the stratosphere. As a payload agnostic platform, Zephyr can deliver several applications, including low-latency 5G direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity and high-quality earth observation services. Those solutions will deliver for several markets including mobile greenfield connectivity, disaster management, border protection, and precision agriculture. For further information, please visit www.aaltohaps.com.
About the UK Civil Aviation Authority
The UK Civil Aviation Authority is the UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator. It works to protect people and enable aerospace so that the aviation industry meets the highest safety standards and consumers have choice, value for money, are protected and treated fairly when they fly.
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