Drone tests a success at active airport

March 19, 2018
by Inside Logistics Online Staff

The drone takes flight in New York. (Photo: Screenshot from DDC video.)

TORONTO – Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) completed a series of successful test flights during the week of March 5, 2018 at the Griffiss International Airport located in Rome, New York.

“Testing at Griffiss was a natural extension for continued progress with our platform in a BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Site) non-segregated airspace environment,” said Paul Di Benedetto, chief technology officer of Drone Delivery Canada. “An active runway with large aircraft, helicopters, and general aviation aircraft is the latest advancement to our operations team airspace integration efforts and a progression from the knowledge learned during DDC’s Moosonee operations, which remain ongoing. We are pleased to report 100 percent success rate with all our test fights and look forward to our expansion into the USA which has now begun in earnest.”

The Griffiss International Airport, located approximately 500 KM from the company’s Canadian facilities, is one of seven FAA  designated UAS Test Sites that provides BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Site) Research and Development capabilities and long-distance testing corridors within active airspace.

Tests were conducted utilizing the Company’s Transport Canada compliant Sparrow Drone that has a lifting capacity of 5kg.

The mission control system allows for secure landing and takeoff and monitors key variables like weight and balance. (Photo: DDC video.)

Testing also included DDC’s mission control operations, the Company’s proprietary FLYTE management system as well as DDC’s proprietary DroneSpot Technology which provides secure and controlled take off and landing area for users to interact with. The real time data provided by the DroneSpot includes localized weather, surrounding aircraft awareness, weight and balance monitoring among other data points integral for safe public operations.

“Testing at Griffiss was a significant milestone for DDC and the beginning of our USA expansion program,” said DDC’s Mark Wuennenberg, vice-president regulatory affairs. “In addition to our continued advancements in Canada, we look forward to continued success in the U.S. and are pleased to report the team has been working very hard working alongside key stakeholders including the federal regulator.”

As DDC continues to test and operate in multiple, complex and diverse environments, the Company’s drone delivery solution continues to strengthen as it better integrates with existing air operators and complies with airspace policies and procedures all while putting public safety at the forefront as the company rapidly approaches commercialization.