For the first time in the Netherlands, a civilian drone took off from Den Helder Airport, flying out of the pilot's sight, over public airspace, and out to sea. The destination: a future wind farm more than 50 kilometers offshore.
The unmanned flight was carried out with a 150-kilogram fixed-wing drone. It followed a predetermined route to the Ecowende wind farm near IJmuiden. The drone departed from the controlled area of De Kooy airfield.
Along the way, the aircraft captured seabirds and marine mammals with a special camera system. This allows researchers to monitor marine life without manned flights and without disruption.
Den Helder Airport calls it a national first. Never before has a civil drone flight been conducted in the Netherlands over international waters that took place completely out of the operator's sight.
The technology enables long-term and safe measurements at sea. The drone can fly for up to 15 hours and emits 84 percent less CO₂ than an aircraft.
The flight demonstrates the technical capabilities of Den Helder. An unmanned drone, completely out of sight, took off from De Kooy towards the open sea. This proves Den Helder's position as a launchpad for smart air operations over the North Sea..
