Public Funding for Flare Bright Ltd

Flare Bright is a world-leading aerospace drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) software company developing a Machine Learning (ML) boosted software ecosystem using advanced Digital Twins (DT) that will enable safe, reliable, autonomous Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) flight. Flare Bright's core ML-DT software ecosystem is leading to two commercially important products, both with huge potential markets and identified as critical enablers to drone technology achieving the economic growth predicted. Firstly, Flare Bright has developed a high resolution 'sensorless' wind measurement capability that uses the drone itself as the sensor. Other solutions, such as pitot probes, are less accurate, slower in response and not practical from a size and weight perspective. This unique capability has been demonstrated at Cardiff Airport, within UKRI's Future Flight project SafeZone, and the accuracy achieved has been scrutinised in an ICAS 2022 technical paper. The accuracy and resolution of this measurement capability makes it a key enabler in safer flight, allowing more responsive flight control tunes and generating wind data that would enable safe operating limits to be defined in urban or complex flow environments where wind conditions experienced by aircraft are significantly different from averaged forecast data that is currently available. Secondly, Flare Bright has developed an ML-boosted Inertial Navigation System (INS) that provides accurate short-term navigation when GPS is denied or corrupted using existing, small and inexpensive, on-aircraft sensors. Existing high accuracy INS are large, heavy and consume lots of power, making them unsuitable for drones and electric aircraft of the future, where weight and power are critical. Our capability is therefore key to BVLOS as GPS drop-outs already regularly hinder operation, and, in future, are likely to occur more frequently due to electromagnetic interference from increased technology use and deliberate jamming disrupting signals. This project aims to address a challenge underpinning both these products. Flare Bright has developed a patent pending technique that enables airflow over the aircraft to be estimated using an embedded DT, from which either wind speed can be estimated if ground velocity is known or vice versa. However, when applied across a wide flight envelope, this technique is hindered by a complex "one-to-many" problem with multiple potential solutions. Using cutting edge mathematical techniques, this project aims to identify if a single solution may be ascertained or calculated to be more likely than the others, thereby significantly increasing the impact and viability of both Flare Bright's core products.

Based at Kirkwall Airport in the Orkney Islands, the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) is the UK's first low-carbon aviation test centre embedded at a commercial airport. SATE brings together an international consortium of industry partners, public sector bodies and academia who will work with a range of regional businesses and stakeholders to apply state-of-the-art aviation technology to deliver targeted economic growth. SATE's overarching objectives include: * Demonstrating the next generation of air services * Ensuring airports operations are ready to support sustainable aviation requirements * Improving regional connectivity * Supporting Scottish Government's ambition for a Highlands and Islands Net Zero Aviation region by 2040 SATE has already established itself at the forefront of future aviation. Recent successes include Ampaire demonstrating the first hybrid-electric flights in Scotland and Windracers trialling autonomous flights for delivering Royal Mail cargo between Kirkwall and North Ronaldsay. These practical outcomes have raised the profile of SATE, putting the project on the global stage. SATE will now expand to create the UK Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Regional Aviation Systems, enabling pre-commercial demonstrations of novel aviation technologies with proven use cases to commercialise clean innovation in a real-world environment. Use cases will include: * Scheduled airline routes * Offshore energy services * National Health Service activities * Island / remote region deliveries * Environmental survey and inspection Implementation of these will require advances in technology, regulation, and policy. These are reflected in the cross-cutting activities which include: * Establishing a dedicated test environment airspace * Matchmaking technology to community and business needs * Accelerating technology innovation * Mapping out the future Highlands and Islands aviation system Kirkwall Airport is one of eleven airports operated by HIAL and an ideal test environment location due to the variety of operated routes (including short hops to inter-island airfields operated by Orkney Islands Council). The wider project team includes leading technology developers ZeroAvia, Windracers and FlareBright. EMEC brings expertise in green-hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, and HITRANS will lead on connectivity into the wider transport system. The socio-economic impact of a new regional-aviation system will be supported by UHI, Connected Places Catapult (CPC) and Aracadis. This project will also stimulate inward investment and supply chain growth which is a key responsibility for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Project highlights will include working with the CAA to approve a regional sandbox airspace, establishment of a UAV hub-and-spoke delivery network, a first hydrogen-propelled regional-aircraft flight and an international demonstration flight to Norway.

Based at Kirkwall Airport in the Orkney Islands, the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) is the UK's first low-carbon aviation test centre embedded at a commercial airport. SATE brings together an international consortium of industry partners, public sector bodies and academia who will work with a range of regional businesses and stakeholders to apply state-of-the-art aviation technology to deliver targeted economic growth. SATE's overarching objectives include: * Demonstrating the next generation of air services * Ensuring airports operations are ready to support sustainable aviation requirements * Improving regional connectivity * Supporting Scottish Government's ambition for a Highlands and Islands Net Zero Aviation region by 2040 SATE has already established itself at the forefront of future aviation. Recent successes include Ampaire demonstrating the first hybrid-electric flights in Scotland and Windracers trialling autonomous flights for delivering Royal Mail cargo between Kirkwall and North Ronaldsay. These practical outcomes have raised the profile of SATE, putting the project on the global stage. SATE will now expand to create the UK Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Regional Aviation Systems, enabling pre-commercial demonstrations of novel aviation technologies with proven use cases to commercialise clean innovation in a real-world environment. Use cases will include: * Scheduled airline routes * Offshore energy services * National Health Service activities * Island / remote region deliveries * Environmental survey and inspection Implementation of these will require advances in technology, regulation, and policy. These are reflected in the cross-cutting activities which include: * Establishing a dedicated test environment airspace * Matchmaking technology to community and business needs * Accelerating technology innovation * Mapping out the future Highlands and Islands aviation system Kirkwall Airport is one of eleven airports operated by HIAL and an ideal test environment location due to the variety of operated routes (including short hops to inter-island airfields operated by Orkney Islands Council). The wider project team includes leading technology developers ZeroAvia, Windracers and FlareBright. EMEC brings expertise in green-hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, and HITRANS will lead on connectivity into the wider transport system. The socio-economic impact of a new regional-aviation system will be supported by UHI, Connected Places Catapult (CPC) and Aracadis. This project will also stimulate inward investment and supply chain growth which is a key responsibility for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Project highlights will include working with the CAA to approve a regional sandbox airspace, establishment of a UAV hub-and-spoke delivery network, a first hydrogen-propelled regional-aircraft flight and an international demonstration flight to Norway.

Wind modelling of urban and airport sites is a crucial element in the new landscape of UAV operation and data systems. SafeZone Phase 3 (SZP3) builds on the success of the Phase 2 SafeZone project partnership between UK SMEs Zenotech and FlareBright adding Cardiff Airport and Cranfield University as full project partners. Zenotech is specialist in large-scale high-fidelity computer-based aerodynamic modelling, with software products zCFD (hybrid finite volume and high order finite element computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver designed for use at scale on modern many-core hardware and GPUs), EPIC (platform allowing easy and secure access to numerous high performance and cloud computing resources) and AIRSIGHT - an integrated online service delivering large airspace model datasets on-demand. FlareBright has developed the SnapShot nanodrone that accurately measures wind vectors at exceptionally high update rates (100s of Hertz) and high fidelity, and has previously received CAA approval to fly airside at Cardiff Airport. SnapShot can reach areas where anemometers can't and is significantly cheaper and provides more accurate data than LIDAR. Cranfield University joins the consortium to generalise the aerodynamic risk characterisation with mitigation strategies. Cardiff Airport is directly involved in the project - both as a facilities provider with the support of its operations team, and as an end user for the autonomous inspection drones enabled by the project. In Phase 2, live flight trials using SnapShot at Cardiff Airport were used to validate the aerodynamic data service, including the detection and quantification of detailed aerodynamic features (vortices) in addition to gross features (airflow around the buildings) using the SnapShot flight controller as a mobile anemometer. The Phase 2 project successes have been disseminated via local media, conference presentations (RAeS, Smart Cities). The team has also provided large open datasets to support KTN Industrial Maths Virtual Study Group on data analysis and compression. SZP3 will further develop the technical and regulatory requirements with the CAA for the safe operation of drones. Social acceptance of drone flights in proximity to buildings will be promoted via public communications and dissemination.SZP3 will produce large amounts of wind field data, available on-demand via the AIRSIGHT platform. In addition to the project datasets, we will provide all other Phase 3 projects with free access to an online AIRSIGHT dataset for a neutral site.

Wind modelling of urban and airport sites is a crucial element in the new landscape of UAV operation and data systems. SafeZone Phase 3 (SZP3) builds on the success of the Phase 2 SafeZone project partnership between UK SMEs Zenotech and FlareBright adding Cardiff Airport and Cranfield University as full project partners. Zenotech is specialist in large-scale high-fidelity computer-based aerodynamic modelling, with software products zCFD (hybrid finite volume and high order finite element computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver designed for use at scale on modern many-core hardware and GPUs), EPIC (platform allowing easy and secure access to numerous high performance and cloud computing resources) and AIRSIGHT - an integrated online service delivering large airspace model datasets on-demand. FlareBright has developed the SnapShot nanodrone that accurately measures wind vectors at exceptionally high update rates (100s of Hertz) and high fidelity, and has previously received CAA approval to fly airside at Cardiff Airport. SnapShot can reach areas where anemometers can't and is significantly cheaper and provides more accurate data than LIDAR. Cranfield University joins the consortium to generalise the aerodynamic risk characterisation with mitigation strategies. Cardiff Airport is directly involved in the project - both as a facilities provider with the support of its operations team, and as an end user for the autonomous inspection drones enabled by the project. In Phase 2, live flight trials using SnapShot at Cardiff Airport were used to validate the aerodynamic data service, including the detection and quantification of detailed aerodynamic features (vortices) in addition to gross features (airflow around the buildings) using the SnapShot flight controller as a mobile anemometer. The Phase 2 project successes have been disseminated via local media, conference presentations (RAeS, Smart Cities). The team has also provided large open datasets to support KTN Industrial Maths Virtual Study Group on data analysis and compression. SZP3 will further develop the technical and regulatory requirements with the CAA for the safe operation of drones. Social acceptance of drone flights in proximity to buildings will be promoted via public communications and dissemination.SZP3 will produce large amounts of wind field data, available on-demand via the AIRSIGHT platform. In addition to the project datasets, we will provide all other Phase 3 projects with free access to an online AIRSIGHT dataset for a neutral site.

High-tech SMEs Zenotech and FlareBright are working to deliver safer and more effective UAVs for use in urban environments via a new aerodynamic data service. SafeZone combines high fidelity air flow simulation for the built environment from Zenotech, with in-situ validation from the FlareBright nano drone SnapShot. This world-first project is supported by Innovate UK as part of the Future Flight programme, as well as the Welsh Government via the direct involvement of Cardiff Airport and Saint Athan Airport as live test sites for the project demonstration campaigns. Heathrow Airport have also confirmed interest in the technology development programme. Zenotech develops cloud high-performance computing and computational fluid dynamics technology for the aerospace, automotive, civil and renewable energy sectors. Zenotech delivers simulation securely at scale for organisations of all sizes offering faster, more accurate and cost-effective solutions by exploiting the latest hardware for power and efficiency. From acoustics capacity and noise reduction in aircraft to the optimisation of wind turbines, Zenotech's tools and technical consultancy are designed to enhance business performance and improve sustainability. SafeZone makes use of two of Zenotech's existing products: zCFD is a cost-effective, efficient, scalable computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver bridging the gap between commercial and open source. This innovative, pay-on demand tool delivers high fidelity, unlimited CFD, offering an easier route to coupling multi-disciplinary capabilities and integrating third-party data sources. EPIC connects end users to a global range of cloud high performance computing resources from multiple back-end suppliers. EPIC enables access to unlimited resources on a pay as you go model without capital expenditure. EPIC can initiate and scale jobs anywhere in minutes, as a simple submission interface to specialist supercomputing resources or a tool to quickly and easily launch HPC clusters in the cloud. FlareBright is a UK-based Small Business who were winners of Phase 1 of Future Flight, and have been an active participant in Future Flight and aerospace forums. The company has six employees, and all are leading experts in their fields with decades of experience, supported by numerous advisors and supporters. FlareBright has raised over £100,000 of equity funding during the height of the Covid-19 crisis in April and May 2020, which complements £350,000 the founders have invested in this business. FlareBright has created machine learning, fully autonomous, flight-control software, with implementation in small fixed wing gliding drones. The software autonomously controls flight without utilising GPS or any electromagnetic (radio / microwave etc) communications. Four products / projects stem from the same machine learning software base: 1. An image capture nano drone, SnapShot 2. A precision-guided aerial delivery drone 3. A fail-safe emergency drone guidance system when GPS and any other communication links fail 4. Simulation expertise, manifesting as consultancy and Test and Evaluation products SnapShot is an image capture nano drone (85 grams weight) which autonomously returns to its user following a 100m altitude loop flight at the single touch of a button, which this project is adapting for use as a wind data sensor and collector. The customer need is for the simplest, smallest, lightest and most cost-effective way of obtaining this data set, so the idea is that anyone can have this in their pocket for immediate deployment and in a safe and controlled manner during a 10 to 20 second flight. SnapShot has been tested in winds of over 30 knots and is expected to perform well in even stronger winds. FlareBright has excellent market traction as demonstrated by competitions won, letters of support and interest from leading Tier 1 aerospace and defence companies. The partners are delighted to be working together on advanced data service systems for next-generation Future Flight.

This Orkney Island -based, innovative project will create the UK's first low-carbon aviation test environment, based at a licenced island airport with all year round scheduled air service operations to UK, and regular off-shore oil and gas helicopter traffic. The Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) will be a UK first and, should one or more of the new aviation technologies be adopted for island use, it will also help improve the quality of life of the communities it serves (through job creation, improved access to education and healthcare, etc.). The SATE will place the UK at the vanguard of the adoption of next-generation aircraft, and spearheading aviation's response to climate change. The continued demand for aviation services (air passenger numbers on the 11 HIAL airport network have increased by 33% in the last 10 years) , is at odds with the effects of an international climate emergency. We need to rapidly decarbonise the aviation sector to reconcile these competing imperatives and to reduce the carbon footprint of air travellers. Indeed, if aviation is to be used as a means to improve the quality of life and maintain or grow the population of remote and rural communities, then the options for the appropriate sustainable aviation technologies must be explored. The options include the following: * aircraft (with electric, hydrogen, or synthetic fuel replacing conventional fossil fuels), * changes to the physical airport infrastructure to support the adopted technologies, and transport to the airport * green energy supply for terminal buildings and ground operations, * necessary digital networks for resilient communication between airport and aircraft (particularly UAVs). Kirkwall Airport is one of an 11-airport, regional airport group, operated by **HIAL** - who are project lead -, and is particularly suited as a test environment location due to the variety of routes it offers which include: short hops to the inter- islands airfields, eg Westray - best known for being one of the two airports joined by the shortest scheduled flight in the world -, and operated by **Orkney Island Council.** In addition there are regular air services to Aberdeen, Edinburgh & Glasgow, with a summer service to Norway. The project team includes technology developers who will be test ready during the 18 months of this project phase: **Ampaire**, **ZeroAvia**, **Windracers**, **Flarebright** and **Loganair**. Orkney provides options to fly over water, in a challenging environment & climate, for real-world application testing of the technologies. Decarbonisation of the airport, as part of this project, is important to the Orkney community, which is an exemplar early-adopter for other low-carbon technology, and are leaders in decarbonisation, lead by one of the SATE project members, Orkney-based **EMEC**. This test environment offers a number of integrated energy-system opportunities providing significant wider impacts for potential adoption at other regional airports, which is a focus of team member **HITRANS**. The supply chain and future business opportunity interests are represented by Caithness-based battery manufacturers - **Denchi Group** and Orkney-based **Cloudnet ,**specialists in providing digital services for poorly served rural communities. The people skills necessary to support the development, testing and maintenance of the new technologies are of interest to project team members - **Air Training Services** and the **UHI**. If successful, this project should stimulate inward investment and local supply chain business opportunities in this remote part of the UK, a key responsibility for **Highlands & Islands Enterprise.** Local community acceptance of new aircraft technology, especially on lifeline services, and the potential impact on their local economy and wellbeing will also be measured, and a local community engagement programme is key to this projects success.