A first-of-its-kind trial, led by Wisk Aero and including a series of test flights aimed at evaluating the operational integration of uncrewed aircraft flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) into controlled airspace, has been successfully completed. The flights took...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
A first-of-its-kind trial, led by Wisk Aero and including a series of test flights aimed at evaluating the operational integration of uncrewed aircraft flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) into controlled airspace, has been successfully completed.
The flights took place at the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete in New Zealand, involving take-offs, landings, and uncontrolled and controlled airspace navigation.
The successful completion of the trial test flights demonstrates that safe, uncrewed flight operations are possible, today, in controlled airspace among other piloted aircraft. Through the trial program, the partnership has established a safe process for uncrewed aircraft to access controlled airspace and created a significant new understanding and capability for commercial autonomous flight operations.
Led by Wisk Aero, the trials included the New Zealand Government and industry partners, including Insitu Pacific as the approved Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operator, the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) as the regulatory observer and Part 102 approver, Airways New Zealand as the air navigation service provider alongside Airways International’s uncrewed traffic management (UTM) system AirShare, and indigenous-led aerospace venture, Tāwhaki, providing the flight testing site.
The latest test flights were part of Wisk’s multi-phased testing programme under the New Zealand Government’s Airspace Integration Trial Programme (AITP). This latest phase of testing involved multiple flights that took place between Nov. 17 and Dec. 1, 2023, which demonstrated that a RPA can be operated under instrument flight rules (IFR) in controlled airspace and integrated with regular crewed traffic.
“The successful completion of this phase of testing demonstrates that it is possible to safely integrate autonomous aircraft into controlled airspace that is shared with piloted aircraft,” said Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s Vice President of APAC and Air Operations. “The processes, data, and learnings from these trial flights will help shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and the broader aviation industry.”
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, has confirmed an order for 20 additional Airbus A330-900 aircraft,…
Indonesia is reportedly preparing to purchase up to 24 additional Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, according to La Tribune,…
Air France–KLM announced on Friday that it is initiating proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS. The group currently…
AGlaze International Ltd. and Gryphon Aviation Partners (UK) Ltd. have announced that Maldivian, operated by Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL),…
Ethiopian Airlines has introduced a fifth weekly direct flight between Addis Ababa and Singapore, expanding its services on the route…
Thailand’s long-delayed plan to procure a Chinese-built S26T submarine has received formal approval from Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister…
Aselsan, Türkiye’s leading defense company, has successfully completed the test of YILDIRIM 100 Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) System, deflecting live…
A handover ceremony for the KRI Brawijaya (320), a Multipurpose Combat Ship (MPCS/PPA), was held on 3 July at Fincantieri’s…
The Board of Directors of Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A. has appointed Giovanni Tomassini as Chief Executive Officer. Tomassini had been…
Clarion Events Defence and Security has announced the appointment of Colonel (ret) Bernd Kögel as Managing Director of DSEI Germany,…
Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), the U.S. subsidiary of Italy’s Fincantieri, has appointed George A. Moutafis as its new Chief Executive…
Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has announced the launch of new services to three destinations: Da Nang and…
More European countries are expected to acquire the Elbit PULS system in the years to come. Important industrial partnerships, operational…
Fokker Services Group (FSG), an aircraft maintenance, modifications, completions, and conversions company, has installed a Supervisory Board, effective July 1.…
Spanish defence technology company EM&E Group has completed the delivery of two aunav.NEO HD robots to the Indonesian Marine Corps’…
TEST-FUCHS Aerospace Systems GmbH and Deutsche Aircraft have begun prototype testing of the D328eco regional turboprop's fuel system, including trials…
The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed the successful launch of Sentinel-4, an air quality monitoring instrument developed by Airbus,…
XTEND Reality Inc., a developer of human-guided autonomous drone systems, has opened a new headquarters and manufacturing site in Tampa,…
Philippine's Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has reiterated that the country’s planned Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) programme must be pursued as…
The European defense sector has taken a significant step forward with the launch of the Project MARTE (Main ARmoured Tank…
Embraer is now accepting applications for the new edition of the Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering Program, a career…
TEST-FUCHS Aerospace Systems and Deutsche Aircraft have announced a significant achievement in the development of the D328eco, a next-generation regional…
The Romanian ministry of defence has selected the Rafael Spyder air defence system. The contract is valued at about €1.9…
Sentrycs, specializing in Protocol Manipulation-based counter-drone technology—commonly known as Cyber over RF—has announced the integration of its solution into Rafael’s…
Blueberry Aviation, global aircraft sales specialist, has appointed Gwenola Robert as Vice President Contracts. Robert will work alongside the Commercial…
AL TAIF, a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider under UAE-based defence group EDGE, has signed a Memorandum of…
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has signed an agreement to purchase 45 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with options for 10 more. The deal…
Blueberry Aviation has announced the appointment of Gwenola Robert as Vice President Contracts, effective immediately. She will be based in…
Boeing has named Stephen (Steve) Parker as the new president and chief executive officer of its Defense, Space & Security…
Embraer has delivered the first four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to the Paraguayan Air Force (FAP) as part of a…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.