SkyTec's Unmanned Aircraft Working For Ireland

UAVs can be deployed in situations where it is not always safe or cost-effective to utilise workmen.

Local Company Commences Training Academy Unmanned Aircraft, more commonly known as UAV’s, have traditionally been associated with military operations. However, this technology has considerable potential for civilian and commercial applications. As a result, UAVs will soon be a common sight in our skies. A Cork based start-up, SkyTec UAS Ireland, is one of the first companies in Ireland to be licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to operate unmanned aircraft in Irish Airspace. Operating with this IAA license SkyTec Ireland’s customers can be assured of high standards of operation and professionalism. UAVs can be deployed in situations where it is not always safe or cost-effective to utilise workmen. Surveying tall structures such as large industrial buildings, chimneys, pylons, refineries, pharmaceutical plants and other hard to get at places is a perfect use of these machines. Benefiting from academic and technical development for military use, the unmanned aircraft operated by SkyTec Ireland are very sophisticated and rigorously tested to ensure public safety. Last week the IAA approved the SkyTec UAS Academy to train others to operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This is a first for Ireland. The two Company founders, Steve Slade, Operations Director and Mike Griew, Technical Director, have drawn on their vast wealth of experience as commercial helicopters pilots and instructors to commence the only approved Registered Training Facility for Unmanned Aircraft in the country. The SkyTec UAS Academy will operate from the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), on the IMERC Campus in Ringaskiddy. The National Maritime College of Ireland, already a world class training establishment, offers unique facilities for the unmanned aircraft industry with associated research and development opportunities rapidly being established. According to Mr. Slade “SkyTec Ireland are working with the Irish Naval Service and others to seek solutions for the deployment of UAVs in the marine environment. With support from IMERC SkyTec Ireland has become Ireland’s leading Unmanned Aircraft Company”. With these recent developments, Ireland is well positioned to become the first European country to conduct specialist operational training of unmanned systems and not just for regulatory licensing requirements. Mr. Slade also cautioned about illegal UAV operators. He said that “it is unfortunate that there are others entering the market and advertising their services without training or an IAA Approval. It is an illegal act to operate an unmanned aircraft system in Irish airspace without written permission from the IAA. Those who do so are either ignorant of the law or are just being irresponsible and endangering the public”. Related links for this article  SkyTec Ireland website