SenseFly and IN-FLIGHT Data recently completed what they are calling North America’s first urban beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS project in a major city.
Conducted in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the project’s goal was to collect mapping data to support the development of a new graveyard site, which will be the first new cemetery in the city since 1940.
Using a senseFly eBee Plus fixed-wing UAS, the IN-FLIGHT Data team mapped the area by conducting a total of 257 miles’ worth of BVLOS operations at an average distance of 1.46 miles from the pilot.
BVLOS
BVLOS
PAE ISR and NASA to conduct UAS demo in National Airspace System in 2020
PAE ISR has signed a cooperative agreement with NASA to conduct a UAS demonstration in the National Airspace System (NAS) in 2020, and work toward the full integration of this technology into the NAS.
“NASA's Systems Integration and Operationalization Demo program is a great opportunity to validate integration of larger UAS in the NAS,” says Beth Beach, vice president of business development.
Drone Rescue Systems GmbH to present parachute system for UAS during Intergeo 2018
During Intergeo 2018, Austria’s Drone Rescue Systems GmbH will present the parachute system DRS-10 for the first time.
The company has also developed the parachute system DRS-M600 specifically for the DJI Matrice 600 (M600) UAS.
The parachute system DRS-10 is designed for multicopters with a total weight of five to 20 kilograms, making it well suited to be adapted to the DJI M600.
“The M600 is the workhorse of the drone fleet for many service providers,” says Andreas Ploier, CEO and co-founder of Drone Rescue Systems GmbH.
“Many different cameras and gimbals are compatible and fully integrable, which makes the M600 very versatile. For this reason it is all the more important, that the aircraft as well as the payload are protected from crashes.”
Southern Company partners with Skyward to expand UAS program
In an effort to expand its UAS program, Southern Company has partnered with Skyward, a Verizon company that is advancing UAS fleet management technologies and research and development.
Along with its affiliates, Southern Company was one of the first energy companies to use UAS as part of its operations for a variety of tasks, including remote inspection, wire transport and damage recovery assessments.
“Southern Company is leading the energy industry in deploying state-of-the-art drone operations technology and innovating their processes,” says Mariah Scott, Skyward President.
“Skyward is proud to help Southern Company fly in more ways and in more places and looks forward to continuing R&D work.”
Global UAV's wholly owned subsidiary receives authorization to conduct BVLOS operations
Global UAV Technologies Ltd. has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Pioneer Aerial Surveys Ltd., has received authorization from Transport Canada to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations with the NOVAerial Procyon 800E UAS at the UAS test range in Foremost, Alberta.
Transport Canada issued a Special Flight Operating Certificate (SFOC) to Pioneer Aerial, allowing for BVLOS flights at the Foremost UAS Range in Alberta, Canada. With the SFOC, Pioneer Aerial can demonstrate delivery of payloads with the Procyon 800E, and it can also conduct research and development flights, such as radio signal strength testing.
Xcel Energy makes history with BVLOS UAS flights
Xcel Energy has become the first U.S. utility company to fly UAS beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) for ongoing inspections.
The BVLOS flights are a part of Xcel Energy's inspections of transmission lines near Denver.
“Today’s flight takes us a step closer to fully integrating unmanned aircraft into our operations,” says Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO, Xcel Energy.
“This innovative technology is revolutionizing our work by improving the safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness of maintaining and protecting the grid for our customers.”
Drone Delivery Canada completes BVLOS UAS test flights in Alma, Quebec
Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) recently completed its beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) trials in Alma, Quebec.
Conducted from August 13 to 17, the test flights, which took place under both day and night conditions, were the first phase of DDC’s Remote Communities Project.
The goal of the test flights was to stress test DDC’s proprietary FLYTE management system, the Sparrow cargo delivery drone, and DDC’s crews and procedures.
“We are developing a very valuable piece of technology that will enable a drone to safely integrate into Canadian skies for parcel delivery,” says Tony Di Benedetto, CEO.
Echodyne receives FCC certification for its EchoFlight radar for UAS
Echodyne has received FCC certification for its EchoFlight radar, which is an airborne detect and avoid radar designed to be integrated into a wide-variety of UAS platforms, and also provides “unprecedented combination of C-SWaP, range, and accuracy.”
According to Echodyne, the EchoFlight radar is a “significant step forward for UAS mission safety,” especially for organizations seeking authorization to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) or autonomously.
“Echodyne is excited to receive authorization from the FCC and to make EchoFlight available to the many interested UAS partners in the US,” says Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne.
In-Flight Data and senseFly partnering on Canada's largest BVLOS UAS Operations trial to date
In-Flight Data has announced that starting this week, it is embarking on Canada's largest BVLOS UAS Operations trial to date.
With support from senseFly, this project will seek to “demonstrate that BVLOS UAS flights can be conducted safely and efficiently, to the benefit of all Canadians, while providing cost reductions and/or operational efficiencies for the different use-cases involved.”
“We are truly excited to get the go ahead for this ambitious project,” says Chris Healy, the owner of In-Flight Data.
U.S. Department of the Interior awards contract to four companies for small UAS services
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has awarded a “Call When Needed” contract to Bridger Aerospace, Insitu, Pathways2Solutions and Precision Integrated for small UAS services.
Described as a first of its kind for DOI, the contract will allow DOI to obtain “fully contractor-operated and maintained” small UAS that are ready when needed to support a variety of operations, including wildland fire operations, search and rescue, emergency management and other resource missions in the Contiguous 48 States and Alaska.