We talked to Kenneth Chircop, DRONAMICS Director of the Global Network Operations Centre, about his vision on the industry challenges and DRONAMICS involvement in GUTMA
‘In order to surmount the regulatory and operational challenges facing the global drone industry, it is essential that all stakeholders are involved in the decision-making processes in order to create truly harmonised skies.’
What is DRONAMICS and what is its role and involvement within GUTMA?
DRONAMICS is the world’s leading developer and operator of large, long-range cargo drones.
As a fast-growing technology company on the path to net-zero, DRONAMICS is looking to change the status quo in the cargo mobility sector.
Its proprietary Black Swan drone can carry 350 kg of cargo at a distance of up to 2,500 km, powered by clean and energy efficient technologies.
Operating at up to 80% lower cost than any aircraft in existence, the Black Swan enables same-day shipping over very long distances for e-commerce, pharma, perishables, and time-critical deliveries.
DRONAMICS recognises the excellent work conducted by GUTMA and its member organisations in creating an ecosystem which facilitates the growth of the drone services industry, operating within existing airspace architectures and co-existing with crewed aviation. And of course, upholding the utmost standards of safety, expediency, cost-efficiency, and environmental footprint of the air traffic management system.
As an innovator in aerospace technology, DRONAMICS is committed to contributing to the work performed by GUTMA to support it in achieving its mission.
According to you, what are the biggest industry challenges at the moment?
The drone industry is one in which the technology developed much faster than the legislative framework in which it needs to operate. This is creating a major challenge for global operators, whereby, operating in different countries/regions means operating under different rules and regulations.
Another major challenge is the integration of drones in controlled airspace. The industry should move in the direction of creating an environment whereby crewed and uncrewed air vehicles can share the airspace seamlessly without compromising the safety, expediency, cost-efficiency, and environmental footprint of the air traffic management system. This can only be achieved if drones flying in controlled airspace behave and interact with ATC in the same way as crewed aircraft.
A word about the need to be working along the full ecosystem/value-chain?
To surmount these challenges facing the global drone industry, it is essential that all stakeholders are involved in the decision-making processes to create truly harmonised skies.
ABOUT KENNETH CHIRCOP
Kenneth Chircop was born in 1982. He studied Electrical Engineering and started his professional career researching avionics systems at Cranfield University, UK, followed by more than three years at Hunt Engineering UK where he developed high-speed electronic systems for a range of industrial applications. In 2008, Kenneth returned to Malta to join the Department of Electronics Systems Engineering at the University of Malta, during which time he obtained his Ph.D. in aircraft trajectory optimisation techniques and worked towards the setting up of the Institute of Aerospace Technologies within the same university. In May 2016, Kenneth moved back to the industry to take up the position of Chief Executive Officer of Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS), Malta’s Air Navigation Services Provider, where he completed two three-year terms and successfully lead the Company through its most turbulent times resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. In February 2022, Kenneth joined Dronamics as Director of the Global Network Operations Centre, which is based in Malta.
Kenneth lives in the small village of Ħaż-Żebbug, a few minutes away from Malta International Airport, with his wife and their two children.
ABOUT DRONAMICS
DRONAMICS is the world’s leading developer and operator of large, long-range cargo drones.
As a fast-growing technology company on the path to net-zero, DRONAMICS is looking to change the status quo in the cargo mobility sector.
Its proprietary Black Swan drone is able to carry 350 kg of cargo at a distance of up to 2,500 km, powered by clean and energy efficient technologies.
Operating at up to 80% lower cost than any aircraft in existence, the Black Swan enables same-day shipping over very long distances for e-commerce, pharma, perishables and time-critical deliveries.
Visit DRONAMICS and follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.