Within the framework of the Strategic Innovation Plan and under Aena’s Program “Efficient Use of Resources”, CANARD Drones has carried out the verification and calibration service of PAPI systems (Precision Approach Trajectory Indicator) and the inspection of runway lights and approach landing system of the runway 18L at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. It is the first time that this inspection has been carried out at this airport using drones (RPAs).
With this action, Aena wants to demonstrate the viability of using drones for this type of verification, with the aim of generating operational efficiencies by reducing inspection and calibration times, increasing their reliability, generating greater cost efficiency and operating in a more efficient and sustainable way.
This initiative by Aena, together with CANARD, has been carried out at night within a very short period of time, with the aim of making the RPA flight compatible with the daily activity of the airport. The flight of the RPA has been supervised from the control tower by ENAIRE, provider of air traffic services at the Madrid airport.
The tests comply with the safety requirements demanded by AESA, the State Aviation Safety Agency, for the operation of an unmanned aircraft flight in controlled airspace.
The use of the solution with unmanned aircraft or RPAS of CANARD Drones, as well as other innovative ideas that Aena is deploying, constitute an emerging asset for the organization, whose objective is to promote the use of technological solutions that make processes and application services more efficient in the airport environment.
