Ross Hulbert, head of engagement at Spaceport Cornwall with Dan Stembridge, chief executive of Wholeship (Image: Spaceport Cornwall)

Spaceport Cornwall signed a new MoU with the intention of positioning the UK as a world leading location for both crewed and uncrewed flight technology. Alongside Cornwall Airport Newquay, it has signed an MoU with Wholeship aiming to create a unique operational environment for the future of flight in Cornwall. Wholeship operates the National Drone Hub at Predannack, near Helston. The collaboration was announced Tuesday.

The proposed collaboration supports the spaceport’s ambitions to make Cornwall Europe’s leading Future Air and Space solution, enabling the combined and coordinated use of facilities and expertise across all three sites to create what it sees as a unique future air and space offer in Cornwall, from testing through to operations. A key focus of the consortium is to position the UK as a world leading location for both crewed and uncrewed technology, working with partners such as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Department for Transport (DfT) to influence future airspace regulation.

With access to over 5500 square kilometers of segregated airspace, the partnership will provide the opportunity for UK flight trials of sub-scale air systems and test operating procedures to be conducted at the National Drone Hub, enabling Spaceport Cornwall to gather evidence in support of future operational flights from Newquay.

“The collaboration between Spaceport Cornwall and Wholeship is an exciting opportunity that provides the facilities, skills and operational functions needed for Cornwall to be the driving force in the future of flight in Europe,” Ross Hulbert, Head of Engagement, Spaceport Cornwall, said in a statement.