Westavia has launched a new development project focused on establishing an unmanned aviation test environment, enabled through special government development funding often referred to as the “Christmas present funding”. The project aims to create a nationally significant testing, development, and piloting environment for drones and unmanned aviation technologies serving companies, authorities, research organizations, and educational institutions.
Petri Luhtala has started as Project Manager for the initiative. He brings extensive expertise in aviation, drone technologies, mechatronics, and strategic technology management.
Building a Safe and Scalable Test Environment
The objective of the project is to create a safe and scalable operational environment particularly for BVLOS operations (Beyond Visual Line of Sight), drone logistics, and emerging autonomous aviation solutions. At the same time, the project will strengthen collaboration networks between authorities, businesses, educational institutions, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
Concrete activities within the project include:
- developing the administrative and operational model for the test environment
- building airspace operation procedures in cooperation with authorities
- designing a drone logistics testing network and related technical solutions
- developing safety and data management practices
- creating services that support business piloting and product development activities
The long-term goal is to strengthen the region’s position as a leading environment for unmanned aviation development while creating new opportunities for technology business, education, and international cooperation.
Introducing West avia’s Project Manager, Petri Luhtala
Petri Luhtala, Project Manager at West Avia, brings a powerful combination of strategic technology management, practical mechatronics engineering, and deep aviation and drone industry expertise to the project. Petri holds a Master’s degree in Technology Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering, and is also a certified Aircraft Maintenance Technician.
Petri divides his working hours between West Avia and vocational education, currently spending half of his time working as a drone instructor. He also has extensive experience as a professional educator specializing in ICT, electronics, and electrical engineering. His robust technical expertise is further grounded in a lifelong passion for model aircraft and drones, alongside his background as a part-time aerial photography entrepreneur.
This versatile combination of hands-on experience and pedagogical expertise provides an exceptional foundation for his role at West Avia. As Project Manager, Petri’s primary responsibilities include building the administrative and operational model for the new test environment and designing the drone logistics test network. In practice, this involves close collaboration with authorities to develop airspace and technical solutions, as well as coordinating stakeholder and ecosystem development.
Petri Luhtala in action
Elisabet Kivimäki
Asiakkuuspäällikkö, Into Seinäjoki
