A BAE Systems Jetstream (see Aviation Newt September 2012, p18) became the first aircrafl to fly 'unmanned' across UK shared airspace during April. As a safety back-up, two pilots were on board to handle the take-off from the company's facility at Warton, Lancashire, and the landing at Inverness, but en-route the specially adapted aircraft was controlled by a ground-based pilot at Warton, instructed by air traffic controllers. The Jetstream contains on-board sensors and robotics to identify and avoid hazards.
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