Our Services
Output ranges from initial aviation site reports, and ad hoc consultancy through to provision of expert witness evidence at planning inquiries based on at least 30 years operational or technical experience for each of our senior staff. Throughout our history starting with Wind Farm Aviation Consultants Ltd and DBS Consultants we have been providing advice to clients around the globe and, within our main market within the UK, we have been successful in negotiating with the MOD, NATS and civil airports to enable objections to wind, solar and development projects to be removed. We are established professionals in our area and are seen by both MOD and NATS as being credible experts and we are currently engaged in writing the aviation chapters of a number of Environmental Impact Statements for both on and offshore proposals across Europe and beyond.
Wind Power
Utilising bespoke radar modelling software to determine the technical impact of wind turbines on radar, our unrivalled experience in both on and offshore operations, airspace management and air traffic control regulatory issues, combined with up to date and extensive knowledge of the latest radar mitigation techniques, means that we are well positioned to provide support to developers in any wind farm operating environment.
From the very outset of any proposal through to design freeze we can help developers to determine the optimal turbine positions by modelling either fixed positions or providing a radar coverage layer over a larger area.
From initial radar and aviation assessments to Scoping Opinion Reports through to completion of Environmental Impact Assessments and providing evidence at Planning Inquiries we are ideally placed to support developers throughout the planning application process in respect of aviation.
Physical Safeguarding
Flight operations at an aerodrome and within the vicinity of an aerodrome, can be affected by obstacles inside and outside the aerodrome’s boundary. Physical safeguarding is the protection of the aerodrome against vertical development which could have an effect of flying in the vicinity of the aerodrome or on the aerodrome procedures.
Airspace Regulators issue guidance on how aerodromes should manage operations in relation to obstacles and the licensing of an aerodrome depends on the extent to which these areas are free from current or new obstacles.
Developments in the vicinity of airspace surrounding an aerodrome need to be assessed to determine the effects and significance of proposed obstacles. Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) are determined according to the classification of the aerodrome and its runway length and these safeguarded areas are represented by a number of complex planes around the aerodrome. The absence of obstacles is fundamental to the safety of both visual and instrument-based flight operations in the vicinity of an aerodrome.
Our consultants have in-depth, extensive experience in assessing such proposals as safeguarding authorities for both airfields and airspace whether in the vicinity or aerodromes or within Danger Areas and the low flying system in the UK.
Solar Power
Within solar energy we have written numerous reports on possible glint and glare assessments and, whilst we use industry accepted and commercially available software, we bring extensive experience from both an air traffic management and aircrew perspectives; we consider that collective understanding allows us to bring a uniquely informed approach to such assessments.
