Aviation

Royal Mail UK’s first to launch cargo drone test flight

Royal Mail UK’s first to launch cargo drone test flight: Royal Mail is testing the use of a drone to deliver personal protective equipment, Covid-19 test kits, and other mail from the UK mainland to the Scilly Isles.

The firm claims it will be the country’s first parcel carrier to carry mail to a UK island using an autonomous flight that will fly out of reach of every operator for the entire 70-mile trip.

A smaller drone capable of vertical takeoff and landing would transport packages between the islands off the coast of Cornwall for distribution to their intended recipients.

The government is funding a month-long trial of scheduled flights from the mainland to isolated areas on the islands, which includes the University of Southampton and many drone firms.

Packages will be transported from the mainland to the islands’ airport in St Mary’s using a massive, twin-engine uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured in the UK by Windracers Limited.

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was created to provide supplies to people in rural areas and can operate in a variety of weather conditions, including fog. It has the capacity to accommodate 100kg in the mail of all shapes and sizes, which is roughly equal to a standard delivery round.

The trial will mostly deliver PPE and Covid test kits from the mainland, but the drones will also transport other packages, such as online orders from retailers.

If it proves to be a success, Royal Mail says it would start implementing the technology through its postal network to assist with delivery to more rural areas of the region.

“There are some really remote areas on these islands, and this is a terrific way to help us reach them,” Amy Richards, a local postwoman for the Isles of Scilly, said she was excited to be a part of the initiative.

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Last December, Royal Mail sent a delivery to a remote lighthouse on Scotland’s Isle of Mull using a drone for the first time. In the coming months, the organization plans to launch a consultation with island residents on the use of drones to carry mail.

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Related Topics:drone isle of scilly royal mail uk uk mainland

Aviation

China Eastern Receives Its Ninth C919 Aircraft, Marking a New Milestone

China Eastern Airlines (CEA) has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of its ninth COMAC C919 aircraft, continuing its lead as the launch customer for China’s domestic narrow-body airliner.

On Thursday, the airline received the latest addition to its fleet, registered as B-657T, marking another step in China’s ambitious efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global aerospace market.

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This delivery is part of a major achievement for COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China), which has now delivered a total of 10 comac c919 in 2024 alone, a remarkable increase from just three jets delivered by the end of 2023.

The C919 program represents China’s entry into the competitive market for commercial aircraft, aiming to rival the dominance of manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing in the narrow-body sector.

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One standout feature of the c919 is its innovative in-flight technology, particularly its Wi-Fi system. Developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), this system allows passengers to connect to the “CEAIR-WIFI” wireless hotspot, providing seamless access to in-flight entertainment.

Through the website www.muflyer.com, travelers can enjoy a range of features including “Air Cinema” and “Air Games,” which enhance the flying experience.

Looking ahead, COMAC’s ambitions are not limited to narrow-body aircraft. At the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, c919 aircraft price made waves with the announcement of over 100 new aircraft orders.

A significant highlight was a high-profile agreement with Air China for the development of the C929, a widebody aircraft set to compete c919 vs a320 and c919 vs 737 with these models.