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The Northern Plains UAS Test Site, a state agency in North Dakota, announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has formally accepted Vantis as a safety measure for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations. This important milestone reflects a shift towards systemic risk management rather than relying solely on operational restrictions.
Jeff Richards, an expert in air traffic management from Thales, a technology partner of Vantis, commented on this development: “This comprehensive approach emphasizes the need for a robust support system, which Vantis provides as an operational backbone. It gives operators substantial safety assurances that can be directly referenced when managing risk in commercial BVLOS flights.”
Vantis, established in 2019 with a substantial investment of $28 million from the state, is designed as a comprehensive network to facilitate BVLOS operations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The initiative brings together key players from aviation, telecommunications, and government to drive innovation and create a unified framework for safe UAV operations. Based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Vantis aims to construct a complete infrastructure landscape that serves as a “one-stop, turnkey network” for the growth of unmanned aircraft technologies.
Vantis aims to eliminate obstacles for UAV operators
The founders of Vantis highlight the importance of support systems in aviation safety, paralleling the extensive infrastructure available to manned aviation. They assert that UAV operators should similarly benefit from comprehensive support, including air traffic control and radar oversight.
The services provided by Vantis allow for complete BVLOS flights, enabling drones to operate beyond visual line of sight and reach challenging environments that would otherwise be deemed unsafe or unfeasible due to various risks or lack of direct support.
Erin Roesler, deputy executive director of Vantis, pointed out that the traditional requirement for commercial UAV operators to construct their own infrastructure is often prohibitively expensive and logistically complex. “Vantis offers a shared suite of services that promotes scalable and efficient UAV operations,” she stated.
The organizational framework of Vantis encompasses various components, including:
- Remote infrastructure featuring surveillance sensors and command and control radios
- A scalable, high-reliability, low-latency backhaul data network
- A ground-control station integrated with an aircraft
- A mission and network operations center responsible for data correlation, maintenance monitoring, and system testing
FAA exemption sets the stage for BVLOS drone operations
In the U.S. context, obtaining an exemption from the FAA facilitates a quicker and more reliable pathway toward BVLOS flight operations, as it establishes a framework from which future approvals can be secured. According to Vantis, the letter of acceptance (LOA) they received endorses drone operations under this exemption.
This acceptance allows commercial drone operators to utilize Vantis’ services, such as collision avoidance systems, which can significantly streamline the process of obtaining necessary waivers. Operators can reference the LOA when seeking permission for similar operations in the future.
Furthermore, while the LOA supports various operational configurations, it may necessitate additional assessments or demonstrations. Although it does not guarantee automatic approval for all future requests, the FAA may take it into consideration during evaluations related to other exemption applications.
Doug McDonald, general manager of ISight Drone Services, expressed enthusiasm about the new opportunities enabled by the LOA: “It enhances our operational abilities and allows us to deliver greater value to our customers by performing BVLOS flights within the Vantis service areas.”
Source
www.therobotreport.com