Manchester Barton latest aerodrome to deploy Approval Services

Altitude Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, has today announced Manchester Barton is the latest aerodrome to deploy its Approval Services platform which allows drone operators, and in the future eVTOL pilots, the ability to request and pay for operations within the airport or aerodrome’s airspace digitally and at the touch of a button.

Home to the North West Air Ambulance, Manchester Heliport, multiple fixed and rotary operators, as well as a thriving GA community, Manchester Barton is one of the busiest aerodromes in the north west of England with over 40,000 movements a year.

In addition, it is not unusual for Barton to host visits from the British armed forces with CH-47 Chinook, Merlin, Wildcat and Gazelle helicopters frequenting the airport for fuel throughout the year.

As well as the aerodrome, the Barton FRZ also covers Trafford Park, the UK’s third largest retail park as well as several trading estates and large residential areas to the west of Manchester. 

Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform, described on its launch by [then] Aviation Minister Baroness Vere, as ‘a key step to [the UK] achieving its ambitious outcomes we are setting through the Future of Flight Industry Group’, allows drone operators to submit flight plans, which take place wholly or in part, within an airport’s FRZ, quickly and securely, as well as facilitating any charges the airport have in place when a flight is approved.

On the deployment of Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform, Liam Chadbond, Aerodrome Manager, Manchester Barton Aerodrome, said: “We have seen a continuing rise in requests to conduct drone operations within the Barton FRZ, with our team processing over 250 requests in 2023”.

“As a busy aerodrome, as well as being home to the North West Air Ambulance and NPAS Barton, having a clear and accurate understanding of what operations are taking place within the airspace we manage is paramount, especially when emergency helicopter flights can operate and land anywhere within the Barton FRZ at extremely short notice. The Approval Services platform greatly reduces admin time for both parties and provides a user friendly, standard platform for processing and recording drone requests.”

Chris Forster, Altitude Angel, Chief Operating Officer, added: “As a busy commercial airfield, we are excited to be able to help enable more drone operations within the FRZ, giving both the aerodrome and its existing users an understanding of the airspace and who is operating within it, so everyone can fly safely and securely.”