WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized another pair of companies to operate drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The agency announced on 6 September 2023 that UPS Flight Forward, operating its Matternet M2 quad-copter style delivery drone, can conduct small package deliveries, and uAvionix can operate its Rapace can use the Vantis Network to test its detect and avoid technology.
uAvionix states that the Rapace UAS is a combination of an air vehicle, ground control station (GCS), and command and control (C2) system. uAvionix, based in Bigfork, Montana, says its Rapace UAS is capable of vertical takeoff, hover, and forward flight using a combination of four vertical lift motors and one rear-facing pusher motor.
On August 24 the agency authorized Phoenix Air Unmanned to operate SwissDrones SVO 50 V2 drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) for aerial work, aerial photography, survey and powerline and pipeline patrol and inspection.
The FAA issued the approvals after asking for public input on four BVLOS requests. The agency is reviewing one additional request. Data collected from these operations will inform the FAA’s ongoing policy and rulemaking activities. Learn more here and here.
The FAA says it is focused on developing standard rules to make BVLOS operations routine, scalable and economically viable. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on 9 June 2021 to provide safety recommendations to the FAA.
The FAA says its long-term goal is to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System rather than set aside separate airspace exclusively for drones. This approach is fits within the framework of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. The 2016 Act directed the FAA, in conjunction with NASA, to continue developing a plan for Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM), which will assist in integration efforts.
