This activity have been part of a test campaign to check the centre’s main runway, as well as the activation of the associated airspace with the new facilities
The Experimental Flight Centre ATLAS, an initiative that is being promoted by FADA-CATEC and is the first center in Spain devoted entirely to testing of new technologies related to light unmanned systems (UAS or Unmanned Aircraft System), has held the first test flights with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). This activity have been as part of a test campaign to check the main runway for landing and taking off, as well as the activation of the segregated airspace and its correct use. Construction works are progressing at a good pace and are expected to be finished by the end of the year, so the Centre will become fully operational in the first quarter of 2014.
The project was launched last October 21 the President of the Council of Jaén, Francisco Reyes, by our General manager, Juan Pedro Vela, and the manager of the ATLAS Center, Anastasio Sanchez. At the meeting, the leaders of both organizations discussed the positive impact that this research and experimentation center with UAV’s will bring for the province of Jaén, and more specifically in the town of Villacarrillo and around. Vela also noted that there are several companies and organizations that are interested as potential customers of ATLAS, and even installed near the airport for testing with UAV.
ATLAS is located in within the town of Villacarrillo (Jaen) and will have a aerodrome equipped with a main runaway of 600 meters length and an auxiliary grass runway of 400 meters, a platform and a building to monitor the missions and general services, and several hangars for UAV and other infrastructure to logistical and technical support center. In addition, ATLAS also will have a reserve of segregate airspace of over 900km2 and will have capacity to hold up to four aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles with a wingspan of 15 meters maximum.
