May 09, 2017 | AATC, General

A world-first: integration of drones within daily airport operations

Edmonton International Airport to incorporate Robird and integrated drone solutions

Clear Flight Solutions and AERIUM Analytics providing full-service drone package under Alberta Aerospace & Technology Center

(DALLAS, TEXAS). Edmonton International Airport (“EIA”) will be the first ever airport in the world to integrate a full suite of unmanned aerial system (“UAS”) services into their daily airport operations. Starting in Q2 of 2017, Clear Flight Solutions (“CFS”) and AERIUM Analytics (“AERIUM”) will focus on safely integrating UAS technology at EIA. The primary focus will be on enhancing EIA’s Wildlife Management Plan while supporting continued growth of the Edmonton Metro Region’s aerotropolis.

The Wildlife Management Plan will integrate CFS’s Robird™ technology to guide birds safely away from air traffic, while discouraging nesting near airside operations and glide paths. The Robird has been proven around the globe to be an effective, ecologically-friendly method of bird control. The high-tech Robird mimics the flight of an actual falcon in realistic fashion, making its flight behavior so indistinguishable from its natural counterpart that other birds believe that their natural enemy is present in the area.

“This is truly a historic moment for our company but especially for the entire aviation industry”, says Nico Nijenhuis, CEO of Clear Flight Solutions. “We currently operate our Robirds in a variety of places, but taking the step towards full integration within daily operations at an airport is huge. For years, there has been a lot of interest from airports. To now officially start integrating our operations at a major Canadian airport is absolutely fantastic.”

“Front runner in innovation”

As part of the integrated suite of services, CFS AERIUM will be providing UAS mapping and inspections services to support EIA’s maintenance programs and future economic development efforts. These operations will continue from the flight missions that have been diligently conducted prior to this release. The missions were completed to satisfy Safety and Hazard Identification Risk Assessments requirements in addition to demonstrating competency. UAS missions have been conducted under tight supervision within 400m of active runways. CFS AERIUM will continue working towards full integration into airside operations in a professional, safe, and effective manner.

“The Robird was the missing link in our integrated service model”, says Jordan Cicoria of AERIUM. “Our relationship with Clear Flight Solutions has created an opportunity to have a positive ecologically-friendly impact on local industries at and surrounding the airport. In a world so focused on innovation Edmonton International Airport is an industry front runner and we are proud to have a partnership with Clear Flight Solutions that allows us to actually translate innovation into value”, says Tim Bibby of AERIUM.

Edmonton International Airport

Edmonton International Airport is Canada’s fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic and the largest major Canadian airport by land area. It is a self-funded, not-for-profit corporation whose mandate is to drive economic prosperity for the Edmonton Metro Region. Historically, EIA has been an early-adopter of promising technologies that can add economic value. It has always taken great care to ensure that technology is implemented strategically and safely. “EIA is excited to trial this new technology. We will ensure that all of the airports regulatory requirements are met as part of our Safety Management System, including risk assessments etc. to ensure that the testing is completed in a safe manner,” says Steve Rumley, VP of Infrastructure at EIA.

EIA also houses the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Center (“AATC”). Since 2015, the AATC has been focused on the development and attraction of Aerospace and Technology companies to Alberta. In 2016, the AATC joined up with AERIUM to focus on the growth and development of UAV technologies in Alberta. “The partnership between AERIUM Analytics and Clear Flight Solutions is exactly the types of companies and solutions we look to foster under the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Center. We look forward to supporting and promoting this incredible integration of UAS services into airport operations around North America.” said Myron Keehn, VP of Commercial Development at EIA.

Note to the editor

About Clear Flight Solutions

Clear Flight Solutions is a Dutch company combining expert knowledge of unmanned aerial vehicles with extensive expertise in the ecological domain. Whether the situation requires a robotic bird of prey or a stable multicopter, the Company provides a working solution. With the Robirds, flying on unique patented flapping wing technology, the Company offers unmatched effectiveness in the field of bird control. Clear Flight Solutions also offers unique platforms for wildlife observation and protection, safety and surveillance, and surveying and mapping.

After winning the UVS International Innovation Award in 2011, the Company was founded in 2012 as a spin-off of the University of Twente. Clear Flight Solutions has obtained a $1.7 million investment from the Cottonwood Euro Technology Fund early 2015. The Company was elected Startup of the Year in the Twente region in 2015 and has recently been awarded with the euRobotics Technology Transfer Award, the ASME Young Technology Award, as well as the first ever EU Drone Award for best drone-based solution.

For further information:

Media Relations Contact:

Wessel Straatman

w.straatman@clearflightsolutions.com / press@clearflightsolutions.com

+31 6 393 00 747

For further information about our services please visit

http://www.clearflightsolutions.com

About AERIUM Analytics

AERIUM Analytics (AERIUM) is a Canadian ‘UAV-As-A-Service’ provider with a strong focus on data. AERIUM’s value lies in its ability to build an integrated service model offering UAV flight services, data processing, and enhanced data visualization. This model creates an alignment with clients and builds value from exploring UAV technology. As the world embraces UAV technology, AERIUM will be at the forefront of this next technological wave. Our mission is to inspire innovation, transform data, and realize opportunity in the world around us.

For further information:

Media Relations Contact:

Jordan Cicoria

jcicoria@aeriumanalytics.com

+1 403 690 6137

For further information about our services please visit

http://www.aeriumanalytics.com

About Edmonton International Airport

EIA offers non-stop connections to 60 destinations across Canada, the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. EIA is a major economic driver, with an economic output of over $2.2 billion, supporting over 12,600 jobs.

For further information:

Media Relations Contact:

Chris Chodan

cchodan@flyeia.com

+1 780 700 3596

For further information about Edminton International Airport please visit

http://www.flyeia.com

About Alberta Aerospace and Technology Center

The AATC is a joint venture founded by Canadian Helicopters (an HNZ company), Canadian North, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), the Government of Alberta and EIA. As part of AATC, Canadian North operates a 737 training simulator in the airport’s Cargo Village, HNZ Topflight operates a helicopter training simulator in the main terminal building and the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) will begin construction of a new educational facility in the north part of EIA.