Xpedition New Horizons update: from Oranjewoud to Copenhagen

Dress rehearsal for drone flight Antea Group to Copenhagen

Engineering and consulting firm Antea Group is almost finished preparing for Xpedition New Horizons: the drone flight from Oranjewoud, Friesland, to Copenhagen. After an earlier test flight in Nijmegen, the dress rehearsal is taking place today at the Heerenveen office on the first part of the route of the 750-kilometer drone flight across three countries. That flight is scheduled between June 30 and July 4.

Making a flight of this distance through the airspace of three different countries raises the necessary questions in advance, says Coert Ruseler, business line director Environment, Safety and Health. "Think about safety, the number of observers you need during the flight, different circumstances to take into account, but also the applicable European laws and regulations. For us it's definitely a learning curve."

Extended Visual Line of Sight

The new European laws and regulations provide opportunities for a pre-programmed drone to fly a route without much human involvement. However, the Netherlands is not yet ready to implement the new legislation. Therefore, Antea Group is forced to fly the drone "EVLOS," which stands for Extended Visual Line of Sight. With EVLOS, the drone pilot is in constant communication with observers on the ground along the route.

Relay of observers on the ground

During the dress rehearsal, 18 observers are involved in the flight. Equipped with binoculars, walkie-talkie and cell phone, they are one and a half kilometers away from each other. If an observer spots the drone, he reports it. As soon as the drone has passed and is in sight of the next observer, the first observer moves to the next position. In this way, the drone is followed non-stop in relay during the test flight, which, at 52 kilometers, is immediately the longest drone flight made in the Netherlands.

International flight optimally prepared

There are quite a few things to consider during the mapped flight. Ruseler: "The drone will cross a highway several times, but also high-voltage cables, nature reserves and railroad lines. This will be taken into account as much as possible when determining the route and positioning the observers. All factors that will be tested today so that we will be optimally prepared during the international flight." 

Purpose of drone flight

Antea Group has been investing for several years in drone technology. For example, the engineering and consulting firm deploys drones (including robot dog Spot) to inspect structures, industrial sites and monitor traffic situations. "With this drone flight, among other things, we want to show what drones can be safely used for in the near future and what valuable information this can provide for making our living environment more sustainable," Ruseler states.