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A UAV craft on the runway

Windracers chooses Cornwall for UAV test flight

Joe Bevan
Authored by Joe Bevan
Posted: Thursday, November 18, 2021 - 15:30

With funding from Cornwall Development Company, Windracers Ltd ran a trial of their twin engine, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), named ULTRA from 13th to 15th November at St Merryn Airfield in North Cornwall.

Windracers is a non-profit organisation that provides transport services to the humanitarian aid, research and environmental protection communities using UAV’s.

The AeroSpace R&D programme at Cornwall Development Company, funded by the ERDF, supported Windracers’ £168,000 upgrade of the ULTRA UAV and flight trials at St Merryn Airfield with a £78,000 grant. During the project, Windracers engaged with Isles of Scilly Council, 700X Naval Squadron from RNAS Culdrose, the CAA and the Cornwall Airport Newquay air traffic control team.

Charles Scales, CEO of Windracers, said: “Windracers is very excited to continue partnering with Cornwall on our R&D project, which will open up major opportunities for us in the region.”

The partnership between Windracers and Cornwall Development Company has been a big step forward for Cornwall’s UAV programme and lays a foundation for other businesses to follow. The support on offer to Windracers and is still ongoing, with both sides looking forward to running trials to the Isles of Scilly.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly supports disruptive technology and is building its research, development and innovation capability to accelerate projects which have the potential to solve global challenges.

If you’re looking for support for an R&D project, or business expansion, get in touch with the R&D AeroSpace Cornwall Programme at Cornwall Development Company.

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