Successful 16th consortium partner meeting: insights and outlook

On 15 April 2025, the first consortium partner meeting of the year was held online. In addition to exciting project presentations, the focus was also on the further development of the AIRlabs test areas. A face-to-face meeting is already being planned for the summer.

‘UAS-NoiseCheck’: Measuring noise emissions from drones for greater regulatory certainty

Martin Blass from JOANNEUM RESEARCH / DIGITAL presented the results of the ‘UAS-NoiseCheck’ project to date, which is being carried out in collaboration with strong partners: AIRlabs Austria GmbH, Austro Control, twins GmbH, VOLARE GmbH, ViewCopter e.U. and AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH.

The aim is to develop a system for the objective, automated measurement of drone noise emissions – a key step towards future certification and approval procedures. The project combines acoustic, optical, GNSS-based and meteorological measurement data and is based on EASA recommendations. Initial measurements in Stocking showed promising results and provide valuable information for the further development of the measurement methods.

Real measurement campaigns provide important insights, especially in light of the complex and currently very difficult-to-implement EASA recommendations for noise emission measurement: They help to better evaluate the framework conditions and develop practical approaches for future certification procedures.

In addition, it is becoming apparent that psychoacoustic effects – in other words, how noise is perceived subjectively – could play a greater role in the future alongside classic measurement parameters such as the sound pressure level. AIRlabs Austria therefore supports approaches that incorporate the diversity of relevant measured variables into the further development of noise limits in order to ensure effective protection of natural and recreational environments.

Particularly relevant: In sensitive natural areas, such as our ‘Steinalpl’ test area, different interests come together: hikers, wildlife and research-based drone activities must be harmonised responsibly. We know from experience in daily operations that ‘noise from drones can be perceived as disturbing, especially in quiet natural areas.’ This is why AIRlabs Austria attaches particular importance to this issue in order to ensure that drone operations are compatible with nature.

Voices from the field: How the drone community contributes to shaping the future of our test areas

Kristóf Gombás (AIRlabs Austria) presented the results of an extensive survey on the further development of test areas. Over 30 organisations from several European countries contributed their expertise.

A clear trend: the integration of artificial intelligence, the interaction between manned and unmanned aviation and medical drone transport are at the top of the future agenda. There are also clear signals in terms of infrastructure: while many requirements have already been met – such as the use of alpine areas and drone radar availability – topics such as technical infrastructure and proximity to major cities offer potential for development.
It is encouraging to note that over 75% of respondents rated the test areas as highly relevant for the further development of drone technology.

New Hochkar test area: flying at high altitude in the Alps

Tom Bruchmann (technical project manager at AIRlabs Austria) presented the new LO-R 12 Hochkar test area. Covering around 53 square kilometres, it offers ideal conditions for high-altitude and icing tests, thanks in part to its secluded launch sites and low environmental risks. Roswitha Wiedenhofer-Bornemann: ‘The Hochkar is particularly exciting for safety-critical tests and environmental monitoring.’

The future of drone safety: ‘Sense & Avoid’ and ‘IFIRE’ projects

Robin Deutsch (AIRlabs Austria) presented two pioneering projects:

• Sense & Avoid: Here, together with Infineon, AIT and FH JOANNEUM, a roadmap for systems designed to avoid collisions between manned and unmanned aviation is being developed.
• IFIRE – Icing Forecast in Real Environment: The IFIRE project is developing an operational concept for flight tests under natural icing conditions – supplemented by the Austrian Icing Map as a decision-making aid for drone pilots.
  ❄️ Icing as a risk in drone operations? The IFIRE project is creating a new data set for safe operations under critical operating conditions in cold and damp conditions. Further information can be found at ifire.airlabs.at

AIRlabs Austria: Infrastructure and research at the interface

In conclusion, Roswitha Wiedenhofer-Bornemann (AIRlabs Austria) made it clear: AIRlabs positions itself as a provider of UAV infrastructure and as a partner at the interface between research, industry, authorities and universities.

We at AIRlabs Austria therefore invite all interested parties to continue to actively participate in the joint development of the future of drone technology – in our test areas and beyond.