Important information
Malloy Aeronautics Ltd (MA) is an Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) manufacturing and development company focused on heavy lift aircraft for last mile logistical challenges for defence and civil customers.
MA Aircraft
MA aircraft are substantial in size with models ranging from 60kg in mass to approaching half a tonne. They frequently operate low level but may be operating up to 400ft AGL, placing them firmly in the same airspace as crewed aviation. Collision with an MA aircraft, due to their size, would be catastrophic even for large aircraft, presenting a risk equal to a Mid Air Collision (MAC) with another crewed platform. This presents a particular threat to Rotary Wing craft operating low level.
Most MA types are ‘multicopters’ with 4 arms, each with two contra-rotating rotors. All MA aircraft are fitted with white strobe (nav) lights and port / starboard (red / green) light clusters on each arm with a wide Field of View and high luminosity to help people spot them quickly.
MA Operating Areas
MA conducts production test flights, Remote Pilot Training and Research & Development flying in 4 locally agreed Operating Areas approved by the airfield manager / landowner. These are denoted by the grey polygons on the image below and are named after the closest runway threshold. The outer bounds of these areas are structured to remain:
• 150m from Congested areas or Danger Areas (unless otherwise mitigated)
• 150m from the active runway
• 50m from Uninvolved Persons
• 50m from the airfield permitter track
The GPS points for these operating areas can be found here:
Areas are declared ‘IN’ (Safe to Use) or ‘OUT’ (Unsafe to Use) based on the runway in use:
| Active Rwy | Areas ‘IN’ | Areas ‘OUT’ |
| 03 / 21 | Areas 11 and 29 | Areas 03 and 25 |
| 29 / 11 | Areas 03 and 25 | Areas 11 and 29 |
| 07 / 25 | Areas 03 and 29 | Areas 11 and 25 |
Geofences:
MA uses ‘Geofences’ which places a 3D virtual box around the operating area. If the UAS hits this virtual fence, it is programmed to Return To Launch and will fly itself back to its take off point. MA normally set this ‘Geofence’ to match the boundary of the Operating Area, meaning MA aircraft can be operating anywhere within the designated area.
Procedures:
MA aircraft can be operating at any point within the bounds of these operating areas up to 400ft. Visiting aircraft must familiarise themselves with the operating areas. The EGLM ground station advisory service will announce when drone operations are active and when they finish. If notified that drones are active on the airfield, operators are strongly advised to remain clear of the Operating Areas. Operators must remain clear until they have visual contact with the drone. MA crews listen out and transmit on the local airfield frequency and can report position of their craft to aid visual identification. MA crews will aim to land on if they see a potential conflict with crewed aviation but other pilots must remain alert.
WARNING to RW: Hover taxiing through a live ‘Geofence’ where drones are operating, and at speed, both breaches airfield procedures, and presents an enormous risk to pilots. If you cannot see the drone, stay clear of the Operating Area.