Surveillance & Enforcement Services
Airtask Group has considerable skills, experience and knowledge in the low-level maritime environment, with crews directly involved in enforcing UK policy through accurate monitoring, logging and reporting of marine activity. In fully utilising the expertise and experience acquired through over 35,000 hours in providing UK Maritime Surveillance, Airtask Group can provide a tried and tested approach to providing services thus ensuring quality of service and value for money operations.
The Group primarily utilises the Cessna F406 aircraft for this role, the aircraft is highly suited and well equipped for the maritime surveillance role, carrying a number of sensors and associated equipment for day-night operations. Having been operated in this role for many years, the aircraft have demonstrated their capability when flown by experienced suitably qualified crews with long established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) maximising flexibility and positive results.
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The specification of requirements of the Scottish Ministers and Marine Management Organisation required the appointment of a suitably qualified Company/Operator with appropriate approvals, certification, experience, knowledge and resources to meet with the requirements of the aerial surveillance task and any subsequent evidential information. This includes an appropriately qualified and approved management infrastructure. In addition, the operator has to demonstrate the capability to provide suitably trained and tested pilots and system operators conversant with the operational requirements, regulatory framework, role equipment, and with the knowledge and experience of operating the Cessna F406 in the fishery surveillance role.
The company also demonstrates an approved engineering capability suitably resourced to properly maintain the aircraft and its specialist role equipment and to ensure an ongoing programme of aircraft husbandry. Such capabilities and resources are underpinned by robust and approved Quality Control and Health and Safety Systems.
In 2005 Directflight undertook range safety case trials with other potential commercial providers and an RAF Nimrod. The trial assessed the ability of the platforms to identify various sized targets, in sea state 5/6, in order to provide a qualitative assessment of their ability to guarantee a safe range environment. The trial demonstrated the efficiency of Airtask Group's MPAs and the operational competence of its crews.
Since being appointed, Airtask Group has delivered Hebrides range clearance services on over 40 separate occasions on behalf of both QinetiQ and MoD. The Group is therefore able to demonstrate a proven capability to deliver the required standards for ensuring compliant and safe range operations.
Airtask Group regularly rotates crews on Hebrides Range Surveillance flights carried out to ensure that all crew members are familiar with the range surveillance procedures and requirements. Operating surveillance contracts on behalf of Marine Scotland gives Airtask Group crews further familiarity with the area associated with the range and particularly with the typical shipping and fishing activities working extensively also with the range controllers at Aberporth and Plymouth.
