Advancements in UAS: Iridium Communications’ Flight Trial Insights
Iridium Communications Inc. has unveiled the findings from a recent UAS flight trial that emphasizes Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities within the National airspace System (NAS). This initiative is detailed in their newly released whitepaper titled Monitored BVLOS: A New Model for UAS Integration in the National airspace System.
Addressing UAS Integration Challenges
The whitepaper addresses critical challenges in the safe and efficient integration of UAS into the NAS, notably focusing on maintaining safe distances between aircraft and identifying available Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS) avionics that can support these operations.
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Flight Trial Highlights
During the trial, a Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) operated a drone equipped with Iridium connected COTS avionics. The RPIC successfully detected an approaching aircraft at a distance of 5 nautical miles (NM) with a closure speed of 300 knots. An evasive maneuver was executed in under 18 seconds, ensuring a safe separation of two NM despite challenging conditions.
Conducted in collaboration with American Aerospace Technologies Inc., the trial demonstrated that a streamlined Minimum Equipment List (MEL) could empower an RPIC to effectively oversee missions, communicate with air traffic control, and maintain safe Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) separation from other aircraft.
Optimal Conditions for BVLOS Operations
The findings indicate that BVLOS operations are particularly suitable for Class E airspace, where the risk of encountering crewed Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft is considerably lower. This analysis followed a flight involving a 220-pound,medium-altitude fixed-wing aircraft,the airanger,over agricultural areas near Bakersfield,California.
The trial yielded valuable insights into how RPIC operations influence decision-making, the duration of maneuvers via BVLOS communication links, and the ability to maintain safe separations. Consequently, the whitepaper proposes a simplified Federal Aviation Management (FAA) BVLOS waiver process that incorporates the recommended MEL and offers a template for future consideration.
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Industry Perspectives
“A standardized and simplified BVLOS waiver process could significantly benefit the drone industry by leveraging the recommended MEL,” stated John Peterson, Executive Director of Aviation at iridium. “Implementing a BVLOS MEL in Class E airspace, particularly in low-density or remote areas, would greatly enhance innovation and operational efficiency.”
David Yoel, Founder and CEO of American Aerospace, added, “The Iridium network facilitates numerous new applications for UAS that can be remotely controlled from distant command centers.”
Communication Reliability and Future Prospects
Throughout the test flight, the team evaluated latency, ADS-B distribution, and the continuity of communications across satellite, LTE, and 900 MHz Line-of-Sight (LOS) radio links. Results indicated that at an altitude of 1,500 feet,Iridium satellite communication proved more reliable than the LTE link,with the RPIC favoring satellite communication for aircraft command responses over the 900 MHz LOS radio.
Expanding this flight trial to include a wider array of equipment and scenarios could enhance the MEL and streamline the waiver submission process, offering certification agencies and operators a scalable pathway for monitored BVLOS operations.
The outcomes of this test flight suggest that a segment of the drone market could effectively scale linear inspections using fixed-wing aircraft in rural and remote areas, fostering rapid technological advancements and improved efficiency across various industries.
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