UTM Archives - Unmanned Systems Source

FAA Approves Nine New LAANC Service Providers

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced nine new partners to its Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) initiative. LAANC is an innovative collaboration between the FAA and the drone industry. The initiative provides near real-time processing of airspace authorizations for Part 107 drone operators nationwide who fly in controlled airspace.

LAANC Expands

Following the FAA’s successful prototype, the initiative was simultaneously opened to additional air traffic control facilities and to new industry partners. The five-month on-boarding process that began in April resulted in nine new LAANC partners. Those partners include: Aeronyde, Airbus, AiRXOS, Altitude Angel, Converge, DJI, KittyHawk, UASidekick and Unifly. The nine joined five companies – AirMap, Harris Corp., Project Wing, Skyward and Thales Group. All met the technical and legal requirements to provide LAANC Services.

How it Works

LAANC uses airspace data, including UAS facility maps, which shows the maximum altitude around airports where the FAA may authorize operations under Part 107 in controlled airspace. Drone operators can interact with industry developed applications and obtain near real-time authorization from the FAA. LAANC, a foundation for developing the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management System (UTM),is now available at nearly 300 FAA air traffic facilities across the country, covering approximately 500 airports. Next year, from January 7 to February 8 and from July 8 to August 9, the FAA will accept applications from parties interested in becoming LAANC service providers. This is not a standard government acquisition; there is no Screening Information Request (SIR) or Request for Proposal (RFP) related to this effort. Interested parties can find information on the application process here.

Altavian Announces Work with NASA at UAS Test Site

Altavian, recently announced that it is working with Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS). The reason? Altavian is helping to test NASA's Unmanned aircraft systems Traffic Management (UTM) system. Altavian and NPUASTS are developing technology related to UTM. Additionally, a third partner, iSight RPV Services, is providing flight test services on the Nova F7200 sUAS.

UTM History

In recent years, NASA has worked with technology leaders in the sUAS industry to develop a UTM system which safely integrates drones into the national air space. A UTM is integral to regulating drones on a national level, as well as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

Developing UTM Technology

Altavian is hard at work developing dual communication systems for the Nova F7200. Point-to-point radio frequency communication is the most common method for sUAS-to-operator communication. Currently, nearly every drone uses point-to-point. This technology is optimal for high-rate aircraft telemetry or payload links, such as HD video. However, it has limitations when the sUAS is flown further away from the operator. By implementing a satellite link, the sUAS can send low-rate telemetry messages back and forth to the operator anywhere in the world. As such, the sUAS's range is no longer limited by local radio frequency. In parallel to this, Altavian is updating its Ground Control Station software, Flare, to communicate with the updated UTM system. Previously, Altavian and NPUASTS conducted flight tests with Technical Capability Level 1 in early 2016. The upcoming tests are the third iteration of the UTM system. By integrating Flare with the new UTM system, NASA is able to see where Altavian aircraft are at all times during testing. This developing technology could prove invaluable to preparing Altavian sUAS for future BVLOS operations. The project will continue into April 2018. Shop Altavian's line of vehicles at Unmanned Systems Source.

About Altavian, Inc.

Altavian designs and manufactures high quality drones to carry the best sensors into the toughest environments. Our drones feature modular systems to carry custom and integrated payloads to specialize any drone for any type of data. Our focus is on systems that collect data with the highest integrity and accuracy.

Tag - UTM