Belle sounds a new chapter in flight

A 10-year-old Southside girl has conducted the first IAA-approved parcel delivery drop by a drone in Ireland.

The flight was organised by Belle Moore, a student of Alexandra College Junior School, Milltown, as part of her research for a project on drones for the Intel Mini Scientist Competition.

The historic flight took place on Saturday, January 28 at 5pm in Dun Laoghaire.

It took just two minutes to complete, from take-off to parcel drop, with the drone taking the parcel, weighing 250 grams, from the shoreline to a boat almost 200 metres away at sea.

The parcel contained medical supplies including an emergency thermal blanket, an Epi-pen, bandages, plasters, thermometer, first aid leaflet, gloves, wipes and burn dressings.

It also contained food and a drink in the form of a high-energy bar, and water. The supplies were attached to the underside of the drone in a waterproof container.

The IAA helped Belle with her research by providing her with details on the safety regulations for drone flight in Ireland.

 “I am thrilled to have been part of today’s new record flight,” Belle said. “I am very grateful to all of the Pony Express clients who completed my survey, the staff of Pony Express Couriers, First Direct Medical Couriers, FDS Worldwide, Ralph James and Niall Cummins of the IAA, Captain Gearóid O’Briain of FlyRyte and everyone else who have been so generous with their time and information.”

She also received advice from Matthew Sweeny, the CEO and Co-Founder of Flirtey, the company that performed the first FAA approved parcel delivery by drone in America.

“We’re delighted with the success of the first official parcel delivery in Ireland via drone,” said Ralph James, the IAA’s Director of Safety Regulation.

“This was carried out under controlled conditions which met all regulatory requirements.

“The application of drone technology is vast and the IAA will continue to foster, promote and encourage its use with the emphasis, as always, on safety.”

Mr James added: “A significant amount of research is taking place all over the world to design systems that will enable drones to safely integrate with manned aviation. Drone delivery systems is one such application. Whatever procedures are introduced in the future must guarantee the safety of manned aviation and the safety of people on the ground in urban areas.

“We’d like to congratulate Belle on her great achievement and say well done to all in involved.”

Also helping Belle with her research and the flight were FlyRyte Drone Academy who train commercial drone pilots in Ireland.

Gearóid Ó Briain, Head of Training at FlyRyte, helped Belle by controlling the delivery drone.

Ireland was the first country in the world to introduce mandatory registration for all drones over 1kg. There are now over 6,000 drones and model aircraft registered with the IAA and the number continues to grow.

Dublin’s largest courier company, Pony Express Couriers, helped with the logistics of the flight and have been helping Belle with her research by providing data on current parcel delivery methods in Dublin.

Though Pony Express Couriers, who were the first courier company in Ireland, are not planning on offering a drone parcel delivery service in Dublin any time soon, they are keen to be at the leading edge of all new developments in the sector.

 “We were delighted to be involved in Ireland’s first drone parcel delivery,” said Audrey Browne, Operations Manager of Pony Express.

“And we’re proud that we, as an Irish company, are trialling the technology.

“We enjoyed working alongside Belle, giving her advice and learning from her at the same time. We wish her the best of luck in the Intel Mini Scientist Competition.”

Belle presented her report ‘Using Drones to Deliver Parcels in Dublin: A Feasibility Study’, at the Grand Finals of the Intel Mini Scientist Competition in the Helix in DCU last Friday.