In the early days of November, unmanned flights have begun at the Atlas Experimental Flight Centre (Air Traffic Laboratory for Advanced Systems), located in Villacarrillo (Jaén). These tests are part of the programme to test the main runway, as well as the activation of the associated segregated airspace and its correct utilisation.
The facilities at this experimental centre are expected to be completed before the end of 2013 and will become operational in the first quarter of 2014. They will be Spain's first facilities dedicated entirely, and specifically, to the experimentation of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies and systems.
This is an initiative driven by the Advanced Centre for Aerospace Technologies (Catec). Its main objective is for UAS manufacturing and operating companies, regulatory authorities, official bodies, and universities and technological centres to have an aerodrome equipped with excellent facilities and a suitable airspace for research and development with this type of aircraft, considered key for the future of the aeronautical sector.
The location of these facilities in Southern Europe makes them especially attractive and competitive by offering not only facilities specifically designed for this type of vessel, but also a climate well-suited for intensive use in development and testing programmes.
The consulting and engineering company AERTEC Solutions has been involved in the development of this project through all its phases: feasibility and implementation study, preliminary design, basic design, detailed design, and site supervision.
The facilities will include a small airfield with a main runway for take-off and landing, a flying field, and a three-storey building of 640 square metres for mission monitoring (control tower with radar, communications and associated facilities) and services (offices, study rooms, meeting rooms), as well as several separate hangars with space for maintenance and repair workshops, and other infrastructure intended for the logistical-technical support of the centre.
Key details of the centre:
- Location: Villacarrillo (Jaén, Spain)
- Investment: €2,000,000 PEM
- Plot: 12 Hectares
- Track: 600 m length / 18 m width
- Platform: 1,700 m2
- Development: 22 cars / 5 coaches
- Maintenance hangar: 4 UAV bays. 840 m2
- Control Building: 4 floors / 620 m2
Para ver vídeo sobre los primeros vuelos en el Centro ATLAS, haga click aquí click here.