FAA Grants BVLOS Authorization to Choctaw Nation’s Beyond Program

uAvionix has announced that the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Beyond Program has successfully obtained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This approval utilizes uAvionix’s SkyLine Managed Command & Control (C2) and Detect & Avoid (DAA) systems at the Emerging Aviation Technology Center UAS Test Range.

Significance of the approval

This recent waiver marks the second time in two months that the FAA has authorized the combination of uAvionix’s SkyLine software and SkyLink hardware. It allows drone operators at the CNO range to utilize only an Electronic Observer, ensuring they maintain a safe distance from manned aircraft while the unmanned vehicles operate beyond the pilot’s visual range.

Safety and compliance Standards

The granted waiver indicates that uAvionix and the CNO have successfully demonstrated to the FAA that their aircraft’s detect and avoid systems, operational procedures, and control networks meet the necessary safety standards for integration into the national airspace.

Core Components of the System

Essential elements of the system implemented at the UAS Test Range include the uAvionix SkyLine C2 management platform and the pingStation3 dual-mode ADS-B receivers. The SkyLine C2 platform is integrated with the DeTect Harrier radar, forming a extensive surveillance layer that manages multiple eVTOL aircraft owned by both CNO and uAvionix through the muLTElink and SkyLink series of C2 radios.

Statements from Leadership

Christian Ramsey, President of uAvionix, expressed pride in their partnership with the Choctaw Nation, stating, “This is our second waiver in just two weeks, showcasing the effectiveness of our SkyLine and SkyLink technology along with DAA sensor integration. This capability at CNO allows our clients to conduct testing and demonstrations in Oklahoma, paving the way for future operational applications.”

Marcus Hartman, Aviation Operations Manager for CNO, emphasized the importance of demonstrating safe BVLOS operations, noting, “This is crucial to meet the increasing demand for drone applications, from package delivery to search and rescue missions. Our collaboration with uAvionix positions the Advanced Technology Center and the FAA Beyond program as leaders in this vital area.”

James Grimsley, Executive Director of Advanced Technology initiatives for the Choctaw Nation, remarked, “This approval represents a critically important achievement for our Emerging Aviation Technology Center. It allows us to facilitate BVLOS test flights for our partners and clients, utilizing the permanently installed hardware and software from uAvionix.”

innovative Technology Integration

The SkyLine C2 ecosystem, along with its advanced muLTElink radio—a compact, low-SWaP avionic device—enables the dynamic selection of optimal radio links among LTE, ISM, aviation-protected C Band, and SATCOM. This system provides users with real-time monitoring of operational health and visualizations of various integrated DAA sensors.