Canada Advances Drone Traffic Management with Phase 2 Trials
A consortium led by AeroVision Canada, Inc., along with principal partners ANRA Technologies and ClearSky Connect, has been selected by Transport Canada and NAV CANADA to deliver Phase 2 trials of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Traffic Management (RTM).
Phase 1 Insights and Phase 2 Goals
The first phase of Canadian drone traffic management trials concluded in 2022, providing valuable insights to advance RTM in Canada. These observations will inform the goals of future RTM activities. The Phase 2 effort will refine and evaluate the requirements for RTM services for future commercial operations in suburban areas.
AeroVision Canada will lead the project and conduct trial operations in the Halifax area. These trials will involve various use cases, including RPAS package delivery using RTM services. “We assembled a team that will provide technologies to advance the development of performance and safety assurance requirements identified in the Transport Canada and NAV CANADA Concept of Operations,” said Trevor Bergman, CEO of AeroVision Canada. “Our team will deliver services that are key to establishing an RTM system for Canada, starting in the Halifax region, and has the support of local government.”
Objectives and Technological Integration
This trial aims to prove theoretical concepts for developing an RTM system and provide Transport Canada with data to inform performance level requirements for RTM service provisions. Ryan Coates, Executive Director of the RPAS Task Force at Transport Canada, highlighted the importance of evolving air traffic management for RPAS integration: “As advancements in drone technology continue to redefine aviation, air traffic management must also evolve for the safe and successful integration of RPAS into Canadian airspace.”
Alan Chapman, co-chair of the Trials Executive Steering Committee and Director of RPAS Traffic Management at NAV CANADA, emphasized the learning opportunities from the second phase of trials: “The second phase of trials will offer crucial experiential learning for the development of the Canadian RPAS Traffic Management system, enhancing the safe integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.”
Key Partners and Their Roles
ANRA Technologies will serve as the lead RTM Service Provider, utilizing its international experience and ability to integrate its traffic management system with its Flight Information Management Service (rFIMS). Amit Ganjoo, Founder and CEO of ANRA, expressed pride in their role: “ANRA was there at the beginning when RPAS traffic management research started in 2015. Today, we are finally seeing the first indications of a move towards commercialization.”
ClearSky Connect, a Supplemental Data Service Provider, will contribute command and control (C2) technology for longer-distance flight operations. Other technology providers include OneSky as the second RTM Service Provider and TruWeather for weather services.
About the Companies
AeroVision Canada is a leader in the Canadian RPAS industry, known for innovative solutions and pushing the boundaries of Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations for drones under 25kg. They operate from headquarters in Halifax, NS, with additional offices in Burlington, ON, and San Diego, CA.
ANRA Technologies provides end-to-end drone operations and traffic management solutions for uncrewed aerial systems. They specialize in scalable software platforms that ensure safe and efficient integration of uncrewed systems.
ClearSky Connect offers communication services for the RPAS market in Canada, providing advanced software, data, and communication services for pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight connectivity.
This Phase 2 trial represents a significant step towards integrating RPAS into Canadian airspace, with the potential to shape the future of drone operations and air traffic management in Canada.
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