KLASS-UAVE

The operational debut of the Prion Mk3 was in 2008. Since then we have been consistently operating the Prion Mk3 in the UK and internationally. The aircraft conducted its first commercial survey for mineral exploration purposes in 2011. In 2017 we adapted the platform to support client ISR demands to provide an ‘eye in the sky’ for day and night operations.

Incorporated in 2013 to continue the commercialisation of the Prion Mk3, UAVE Ltd has created a full cycle business comprising design, manufacturing, servicing, pilot training and surveying using Prion Mk3.

Our goal is to lead in key fixed wing UAV capability of ISR, delivery and flying science instruments where the key criteria is a long flight endurance autonomous aircraft platform.

We have an ambitious plan and a vision to become a global leading manufacturer and a service provider in the rapidly growing large fixed wing UAV market place.

Prion Mk3 taking off from a pneumatic launcher at West Wales Airport

Prion Mk3 has been deployed and tested in a wide range of applications. Our focus is continuing to offer the existing services plus develop additional commercial applications:

• On/offshore law enforcement, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – ISR
• Offshore wind farm surveys
• Aeromagnetic surveying oil & gas and minerals
• Wildlife conservancy poaching deterrence
• Humanitarian aid air drops into disaster areas
• Front line resupply
• LIDAR surveying
• Meteorological/scientific instrumentation surveys
• High resolution aerial photography

We are constantly testing the aircraft in new applications and with new payloads. Our office and manufacturing facility is in close proximity to West Wales Airport, a dedicated airspace for testing drones. This allows us to carry out development test flights and client demonstration flights on a regular basis.

Phillip Slater, Managing Director
UAVE Limited is focussed on the continued commercialisation of the Prion Mk3 aircraft. This UAV is the culmination of a wholly industry funded research project commencing in 2006 under the guidance of Phillip as the Managing Director of Magsurvey UK Limited which was responsible for the initial systems development. Phillip is a career Geologist who has founded a number of technology companies across various industries since first graduating in 1989 with an honours degree in Geography and Geology, and subsequently a Master of Science degree in a Geological discipline. Phillip was appointed MD of UAVE Limited in 2015 enabling the company to continue to benefit from his commercial guidance as the emerging global markets for large UAVs > 20kg further develops.

Jerry Dominguez, Accountant
Jerry is a certified chartered accountant with over 25 years of experience in a range of industries including travel, the Lloyd’s insurance market, the public sector, charities and retail. Formerly Finance Director at a college of further education, he currently provides accounting support to small and developing businesses as a financial consultant.

Kusum Biyani, Contracts Admin
Kusum has held a number of administrative roles, most recently as a Contracts Analyst with Nexen Petroleum UK Limited. Kusum is the UAVE Ltd Corporate Compliance Officer and Company Secretary in addition to her other technical business administration duties.

Grahame Grover, Business Development
With our international reach into India, Middle East, Africa, Europe and close to home in the UK our business development function is lead by Grahame Grover, supported by other technical and management staff as needed. Grahame has progressed our contracts with new FTSE 100 clients in 2020 and continues to support those with whom we have contracted in 2016 and still active to the present day. Grahame’s early career was working with ground water solutions in Africa before switching to the oil and gas business initially in a technical capacity which developed into business development reflecting is great person to person skills. Working with UAVE Limited since 2016 Grahame leads our initiatives at trade shows, production of marketing literature and fields all the many enquiries we receive directly through our website. Grahame is supported by our Contract Administrator Kusum Biyani and our Managing Director, Phillip Slater.

John Potter, Projects Manager
Following a successful 22 year career as a Mechanical Aircraft Technician with the Royal Air Force, John is utilising his vast technical and managerial experience, coupled with a BSc (Hons) in Engineering Management (First Class), to spearhead technical development, trials and handover of the Prion MK3 aircraft. His goal is to ensure the aircraft are produced and delivered on time, and to exacting industry standards to meet the highest levels of flight safety. As a seasoned engineering trainer with eight years’ training design and delivery experience, John also holds responsibility to ensure staff personal development matches the demands of aviation working practices and standards.

Christian Thomas, Snr Remote Pilot
After a decade in retail management Christian joined UAVE Limited to fulfil his ambition of developing his life long passion for fixed wing aircraft flying and forging his piloting skills in to a new career. Christian holds a BMFA B certificate and has flown large fixed wing RC aircraft for two decades. Joining the company in 2016 Christian has been promoted to the role of Chief Pilot and works with our other contract pilots to ensure our flight operations are safely conducted. Given his professional management training in retail and great organisational skill, Christian is also our appointed QA Officer.

Felix Buchannan, Ground Station Operator
Having joined UAVE Limited in 2016 direct from studying computing at college Felix has now operates the autonomous aspects of our flight operations. Felix is also qualified as a PfCO through our own pilot training program and forms a cornerstone of our field crew operational capability for the Prion MK3.

William Morgan, Data Analyst
William graduated in 2019 from Swansea University with a first class honours degree in Physics. At UAVE he has addressed a number of initial tasks to familiarise himself with the on board systems utilised by the Prion Mk3 and is currently exploring simulation and modelling opportunities in order that we continue to improve the automated flight character of the Prion Mk3.

Tobias Jackson, Chief Engineer’
Toby is a time-served electronic engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the field. After completing his apprenticeship in electronic engineering at the Ministry of Defence he went on to study for an MEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Bristol University before working for a number of blue chip companies. During his career he has won multiple national awards for both engineering and team management and has represented companies such as QinetiQ in national competitions showcasing engineering excellence. His experience with electrical systems design, PCB design, systems implementation and testing has enabled us to develop and manufacture our in-house avionic systems. Toby is spearheading the development of successful solutions resulting in improved reliability, reduction in weight and increased confidence in our overall system.

Thomas Rees,, Design Engineer
Graduating from the University of South Wales in 2019 with a BSc (Hons) in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (First Class), he is currently studying to complete his Part 66 B1 Engineering Licence modules. He holds a Private Pilot Licence and enjoys flying in his spare time, ensuring he continually develops and practices his instrument flying techniques, aspiring to move onto different multi-engine aircraft in the future. Thomas is an integral component with the design and modification aspects of the Prion Mk3 aircraft, including devising a range of aircraft technical manuals to support the commercialisation and standardisation of the maintenance practices and documentation currently employed at UAVE.

Jordan Furness, Jnr Systems
Jordan joined UAVE Limited in 2017 after completing a college course in computing. Jordan now works as an electronics engineer building our very high specification on board systems wiring and PCB solutions within our engineering group. Jordan also has a great eye for detail and so assist with our social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

Ricardo Bencatel, Snr Systems
Ricardo Bencatel is a Control Systems Engineer with more than 10 year of experience working with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. His experience includes the design, integration, test, operation, and piloting of an assortment of UAVs, including fixed-wing, VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing), and multi-rotor vehicles. His PhD degree in Electrical and Computers Engineering at the University of Porto and postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan focused on design of flight controllers, with a special emphasis on methods to extend the flight endurance of UAVs. He has consulted for institutions such as the Portuguese Air Force, training their UAV operators and leading the technical team tasked with integration and testing of UAVs. He has also operated and piloted UAVs in maritime environments in cooperation with the Portuguese Navy and sailing teams. Ricardo has been working with the Prion Mk3 aircraft development since 2007 and continues with embracing leading edge solutions to deliver end user client functionality.

Jeremy Wilkinson, Course Leader
Jeremy has authored and teaches our commercial PfCO training course. The course commenced in 2018 using both our head office in west Wales and our marketing suite at Stansted Airport as the two permanent venues for the taught course element. Course can be operated from bespoke locations to suit students and can combine theory with flown practical operations instruction and pilot skills development. Our specialisation is in business to business pilot training. Each course can be tailored to cover the detail the client wishes to emphasise to fulfil their specific objectives.