At the Netherlands RPAS Test Centre (NRTC), military and civilian industrial users can perform experiments and test flights with Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The NRTC can facilitate testing in operational conditions well beyond the restrictions applicable for operations under a default RPAS Operator Certificate (ROC). Special requests can be discussed and the NRTC can assist in obtaining possibly required extra exemption(s) from the Civil and/or Military Aviation Authorities. Test equipment for various test, such as for EMI/EMC test, is available on site. In addition, NRTC can provide (restricted) airspace to RPAS users to allow them to gain more proficiency in piloting RPAS.
NRTC serves the following target groups:
• National and international RPAS manufacturers (including start-ups) wishing to test or demonstrate their systems
• RPAS manufacturers or operators requiring certification, qualification or assessment of their systems
• Sensor manufacturers and users wishing to test, qualify or demonstrate their systems
• RPAS operators requiring modification of their system(s) for their (special) operations
• RPAS operators and pilots requiring training
The NLR’s Flevoland site is a designated airport and NLR has been authorized by the Civil Aviation Authorities in The Netherlands (CAA-NL) to fly RPAS, including experimental RPAS. To ensure safe performance of RPAS flight testing, a 4 square NM restricted airspace has been designated to NRTC.
NLR is accredited by the CAA-NL as an RPAS Qualified Entity to perform RPAS technical assessments as well as a Registered Training Facility (RTF) for RPAS flight training. In mutual consultation, training sessions and (test) flights at the NLR site may also be carried out by third parties. The secure test site allows all RPAS activities to be performed exclusively and in isolation if necessary.
Due to the fact that the NRTC is co-located with NLR and the German Dutch wind tunnels we offer test capabilities within a high end aviation environment with the availability of enthusiastic experts in all aviation related domains. This is further supported by the availability of a wide variety of specialised testing facilities and equipment (such as EMI/EMC, material strength, antenna testing, Non-destructive testing and inspection, acoustic testing, wind tunnel testing and many more).
MISSION
It is NRTC’s mission to increase the operational capabilities, performance, sustainability, safety and efficiency of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.
AMBITION
NRTC aims to be a trusted partner to government and the private sector for the performance of test and trial flights for and by parties involved in RPAS development and operation. To that end, national and international cooperation with stakeholders in the RPAS sector will be strengthened.
ABOUT NLR
The Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) has several decades’ worth of research and development experience in the field of unmanned and remotely piloted aircraft, and almost a century of experience in research into manned flight operations. This enables NLR to offer independent consultancy and research & development services to all stakeholders in the field of unmanned aviation.