Interesting discussion with Apian last night at Wansbeck hospital, with representation from a range of private flyers, model aircraft clubs, the glider guys from Currock Hill and a UAS operator from Hexham. Apian had a former military ATC leading and a doctor, and Zipline had no less than four people over from the US (including a former RAF Squadron Leader with plenty of drone experience...). Also the head of ATC from Newcastle was present
They tried to give the impression that it was not as done a deal as we might think,. They had been doing the rounds earlier - think they said they'd been to Hexham, Spadeadam and Eshott. Maybe others. They suggested that there maybe solutions for Stanton and Hexham by 'geofencing' them so they become no fly zones for the drones, but clearly much more needs to be done. This seems to be the answer for the model flying clubs, but of course far smaller areas involved.
From the private flyers angle, they were keen to know as much as possible about the impact - they weren't aware for example of the use of the coastal route or the importance of the Tyne Valley for routing East/West. It was made clear that the TDA's had the potential to block routes south and west except in good weather and that this needed to be addressed
Much discussion about 'the regulator'. Apian said that TDA's weren't their preferred solution, but that was all that was available. One of the purpose of the trial will be to to prove the effectiveness of the drones and that they can operate safely so that the TDA isn't needed (differerent concept of drone being used so the evidence from the first trial doesn't count!)