Comments on: Emlyn included in planned new test zone for unmanned warplanes

By: Mason

Mason — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:06:21 +0000

“Permission is being sought to set up a permanent segregated airspace around Parc Aberporth so that frequent testing of unmanned aircraft can take place over land”

Does the word permanent mean there’s already flying of UAV’s around ParcAberporth?

Mason.

By: Dafydd Ladd

Dafydd Ladd — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:59:14 +0000

Make sure you contact the CAA and bombard them with questions and protests. Point out the lack of safety that UAVs have and the fact that it could destroy the tourism market.

Contact your local A.M. – although she will reply that it is jobs for the locality – at the cost of civilian lives in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine – these are not very accurate despite what they claim.

If you don’t let the sell out politicians know what your feelings are they will repeat the mantra that no one has complained!

It only takes a couple of minutes.

By: Jeremy Clulow

Jeremy Clulow — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:03:36 +0000

Ian M posted a comment but it was not included because a false email address was supplied.

By: Mike Godsell

Mike Godsell — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:43:14 +0000

The use and development of UAVs is hugely controversial. As weapons they are used with deadly effect by the Israelis. These offensive UAVs are flown with great accuracy by a pilot on the ground, who sees the target through a high definition video on a computer screen. The UAV has an autopilot which enables it to avoid bumping into buildings or fly through clouds, whilst still obeying its pilots commands. However the military uses of UAVs are limited, and Boeing & others would like to be able to make lots of money by developing them for civil use. The problem is that UAVs would have to fly safely in the same airspace as airliners, light aeroplanes, and helicopters. The litigation costs to Boeing would be enormous if a UAV brought down an airliner!

So there is a need to develop systems to ensure that UAVs can see and avoid all other aircraft by night and day and in all kinds of weather. To do that, an area of airspace completely free of any non participating aeroplanes is needed. At the moment it is proposed to set up an airway between Aberporth and the army range at Crickhowell, but no doubt more airspace will be needed.