National Airspace System Voice Switch

FAA Taps Loft Dynamics' VR Flight Simulators to Advance Aviation Goals

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 17, 2023

ZURICH and ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., July 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Loft Dynamics (formerly VRM Switzerland), a leader in virtual reality (VR) flight simulation devices for pilots worldwide, announced an unprecedented partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Loft Dynamics' simulators – the first and only VR flight simulators with regulatory approval in Europe – are now undergoing U.S. evaluation by the FAA. The FAA has selected Loft Dynamics' Airbus H125 and Robinson R22 simulators to explore, for the first time, the use of VR flight simulation technology to train pilots. Both simulators have been installed at the William J. Hughes Technical Center (WHTC), the FAA's innovation hub, where they will be used to advance national aviation safety, efficiency, capacity, and environmental sustainability goals, and to drive the evolution of the National Airspace System (NAS) toward the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).

Key Points: 
  • Loft Dynamics' simulators – the first and only VR flight simulators with regulatory approval in Europe – are now undergoing U.S. evaluation by the FAA.
  • The FAA has selected Loft Dynamics' Airbus H125 and Robinson R22 simulators to explore, for the first time, the use of VR flight simulation technology to train pilots.
  • "The adoption of VR flight simulators by international safety agencies like EASA and FAA is crucial given the current landscape.
  • The unique features and capabilities of Loft Dynamics' simulators allow the FAA to perform the research and development required to enhance vertical flight safety, pursue qualification under 14 CFR part 60, and advance NextGen goals.

Percepto Receives Ground-Breaking FAA Waiver to Scale Shielded Beyond Visual Line of Sight Commercial Drone Operations Nationwide

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 8, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas, May 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Percepto, an industry-leading autonomous inspection and monitoring solutions provider, today announced receipt of an unprecedented waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The significant approval allows the company to operate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in shielded airspace, without humans onsite, and without expensive and cumbersome ground-based or airborne detect and avoid (DAA) systems, for inspection and monitoring operations at critical and non-critical infrastructure sites nationwide.

Key Points: 
  • Under the waiver, low risk "shielded" BVLOS operations are authorized 200 feet above and around assets located on critical infrastructure sites.
  • At non-critical infrastructure sites, shielded BVLOS operations are permitted 50 feet higher than the tallest obstruction located within a half-mile of the site.
  • The operations authorized under this approval build upon recommendations made by the UAS BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) chartered by the FAA.
  • "Percepto is very grateful to the FAA staff for their engagement and consideration of our application for this important waiver," said Neta Gliksman, Percepto VP of Policy and Government Affairs.

Percepto Receives Ground-Breaking FAA Waiver to Scale Shielded Beyond Visual Line of Sight Commercial Drone Operations Nationwide

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 8, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas, May 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Percepto, an industry-leading autonomous inspection and monitoring solutions provider, today announced receipt of an unprecedented waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The significant approval allows the company to operate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in shielded airspace, without humans onsite, and without expensive and cumbersome ground-based or airborne detect and avoid (DAA) systems, for inspection and monitoring operations at critical and non-critical infrastructure sites nationwide.

Key Points: 
  • Under the waiver, low risk "shielded" BVLOS operations are authorized 200 feet above and around assets located on critical infrastructure sites.
  • At non-critical infrastructure sites, shielded BVLOS operations are permitted 50 feet higher than the tallest obstruction located within a half-mile of the site.
  • The operations authorized under this approval build upon recommendations made by the UAS BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) chartered by the FAA.
  • "Percepto is very grateful to the FAA staff for their engagement and consideration of our application for this important waiver," said Neta Gliksman, Percepto VP of Policy and Government Affairs.

Verizon Public Sector wins Federal Aviation Administration Enterprise Network Services (FENS) Contract

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 31, 2023

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Public Sector today announced a 15-year critical infrastructure contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worth over $2 billion to design, build, operate and maintain the FAA’s next-generation communications platform.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Public Sector today announced a 15-year critical infrastructure contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worth over $2 billion to design, build, operate and maintain the FAA’s next-generation communications platform.
  • Verizon also will provide an extensive set of support services including program management, network engineering, configuration management, test and evaluation (T&E), service ordering and provisioning, network and security management and operations.
  • Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services.
  • The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

PAN AM FLIGHT ACADEMY LAUNCHES MULTI CREW COOPERATION COURSE

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 15, 2023

MIAMI, March 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pan Am Flight Academy, a facility that specializes in training aviation professionals from around the world, has announced the addition of a new course to its curriculum. The new, Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) program is offered to international customers and complies with the requirements of South American and European regulations. Upon completion of the course, pilots will be proficient in multi-crew operations with a focus on operating safely in the National Airspace System under instrument flight rules.

Key Points: 
  • MIAMI, March 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pan Am Flight Academy, a facility that specializes in training aviation professionals from around the world, has announced the addition of a new course to its curriculum.
  • The new, Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) program is offered to international customers and complies with the requirements of South American and European regulations.
  • The Multi-Crew Cooperation Course consists of 45 hours of training, including 25 hours of instructor led ground training, and 20 hours of training in a Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD).
  • "The aviation industry continues to demand more pilots," said Jeff Portanova, President of Pan Am Flight Academy.

Federated Wireless Partners with AURA Network Systems to Advance Autonomous Aviation with Spectrum Management in the 450 MHz Band

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 24, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. and MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Federated Wireless, Inc. , a shared spectrum and private wireless leader, today announced that AURA Network Systems has selected Federated Wireless to jointly develop a spectrum management system for AURA’s nationwide aviation network.

Key Points: 
  • ARLINGTON, Va. and MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Federated Wireless, Inc. , a shared spectrum and private wireless leader, today announced that AURA Network Systems has selected Federated Wireless to jointly develop a spectrum management system for AURA’s nationwide aviation network.
  • This also enables communications between autonomous and traditional aviation on a specialized, reliable, and secure private network.
  • “We selected Federated Wireless as our spectrum management partner because of its expertise in building reliable, high-performance management systems at scale.
  • “We are deeply proud to be selected to bring our spectrum management expertise to AURA’s innovative aviation network,” said Iyad Tarazi, CEO for Federated Wireless.

Supernal Hires Former FAA UAS Executive Director Jay Merkle

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 23, 2023

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Supernal today announced the appointment of Jay Merkle as senior director of regulatory affairs. Merkle previously spent 30 years at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), most recently as executive director of the agency's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Supernal today announced the appointment of Jay Merkle as senior director of regulatory affairs.
  • Merkle previously spent 30 years at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), most recently as executive director of the agency's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office.
  • "Jay Merkle has tremendous depth and breadth in the industry, with a track record that emphasizes his bold vision for airspace safety and compliance.
  • At the FAA, Merkle led the safe integration of drones into the National Airspace System and ensured all UAS integration activities and efforts were aligned with the agency's overarching mission.

RDARS Adds Mesh Mod V1.0 Networking to Eagle Watch Platform

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 1, 2022

The new functionality of the Mesh Mod Eagle Watch provides the operator the option to have the Eagle Watch Platform automatically decide which Eagle Eye Drone or Eagle Nest Station respondsin a given situation, and arranges the timing of take-offs and landings for a more continuous coverage.

Key Points: 
  • The new functionality of the Mesh Mod Eagle Watch provides the operator the option to have the Eagle Watch Platform automatically decide which Eagle Eye Drone or Eagle Nest Station respondsin a given situation, and arranges the timing of take-offs and landings for a more continuous coverage.
  • Additionally, each Eagle Nest stationacts as an uplink for any other Eagle Nest drone in its vicinity, offering redundancy for enhanced command and controlled reliability.
  • From UAS to UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicles), Eagle Watch has a critical mission for a fault tolerant platform, ready for global deployment.
  • Founded in 2019, RDARS is an originator in its innovative equipment manufacturer of its flagship product, the Eagle Watch Platform comprising of Eagle Eye, a drone, Eagle Nest, a drone station, Eagle Rover, an indoor robotic system, and Eagle Watch Command & Control Software.

AURA Secures $75 Million in New Funding Round

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 14, 2022

The latest funding is a major milestone for our company and an accelerant as we head into 2023, said AURA CEO Bill Tolpegin.

Key Points: 
  • The latest funding is a major milestone for our company and an accelerant as we head into 2023, said AURA CEO Bill Tolpegin.
  • The financing enables AURA to continue our core development work while providing us with the financial runway to launch commercial services.
  • Last July, AURA raised $30.9 million in an equity financing, including $30 million from Mudrick Capital Management and Tracker Capital Management, as well as nearly $1 million from company management.
  • AURA is on a mission to deliver an FAA-compliant nationwide network utilizing unique, licensed aviation spectrum to accelerate advanced levels of autonomy in the National Airspace System.

DroneUp Named to Fast Company's Second Annual List of the Next Big Things in Tech

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DroneUp, LLC, a leading autonomous drone delivery platform and drone services provider, today announced that it has been named to Fast Company's second annual Next Big Things in Tech list, honoring technology breakthroughs that promise to shape the future of industries—from agriculture and environment to productivity and artificial intelligence.

Key Points: 
  • DroneUp is creating a world where drone flight is good for business, for people, and for the planet.
  • The latest DroneUp numbers include: 27,000+ network pilots; 101,000+ hours flown; 80 waivers; 10 patents; and 0 reportable safety incidents.
  • "It's an honor to be recognized by Fast Company and we wholeheartedly agree that drones are the next big thing in tech.
  • In 2021, DroneUp received a significant investment from the #1 retailer in the world, Walmart, Inc. DroneUp was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia.