FLY SMART, FLY SAFE
In recent years, the use of drones in emergency response has revolutionized the way first responders handle critical situations. Among the cutting-edge technologies enabling this transformation is uAvionix’s Casia G. As a key component of Drone as a First Responder (DFR) programs, Casia G detects aircraft flying around drone operations, allowing potential collisions to be avoided. To support the growth of these public safety programs, uAvionix is excited to announce a significant development: the Casia G will soon support nighttime operations, broadening its utility and effectiveness for emergency services.
The applications of Casia G are diverse, including supporting inspections of construction sites and critical infrastructure, as well as monitoring rail yards and solar farms. However, its most impactful use is in DFR programs. When an emergency call is made, having a drone on the scene first provides invaluable situational awareness to police, fire, and emergency services, ensuring a more efficient and safer response.
Casia G is foundational to the enablement of DFR programs, facilitating rapid deployment of drones to emergency scenes. The system alerts operators to nearby aircraft and allows them to safely operate drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without the need for human visual observers. This means that drone pilots can rapidly launch and control the aircraft from remote locations prior to responders arriving on the scene with full approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Casia G has become a critical piece of infrastructure, enabling organizations to fly BVLOS without human visual observers,” explains Jason Hardy-Smith, VP of Product at uAvionix. “This allows DFR drone pilots to be remote from the UAS during flight and expedites the time from when an emergency call comes in to when a drone is on-site and providing better situational awareness to emergency responders.”
Currently, Casia G operates effectively from half an hour after sunrise to half an hour before sunset. However, recognizing that many emergencies occur at night, uAvionix has prioritized the development of nighttime capability. Drew Swift of the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office elaborates, “Crime doesn’t stop when it gets dark. In fact, a very high percentage of serious crime occurs after the sun sets. UAS are a critical tool in our arsenal to react in an efficient and timely manner to 911 calls, providing us the situational awareness to protect both the public and officers. As such, having DAA [Detect and Avoid] capabilities 24/7 is absolutely necessary.”
The upcoming nighttime functionality, slated for release in October 2024, is an exciting advancement. The existing hardware and cameras will be used, leveraging built-in GPS to determine the precise time of dusk at each location. As darkness falls, Casia G will automatically switch to night mode, adjusting camera settings and utilizing a new algorithm designed to detect navigation and anti-collision lights on an aircraft.
As seen in the following video, the algorithm has demonstrated impressive capabilities, with initial performance reports indicating that the detection range at night will be equal to or even surpass that of daytime operations. “All in all, it’s a really exciting development. We found that we’re able to use the same hardware and cameras as our daytime solution,” Hardy-Smith notes. “With just a software update, we’ll be able to bring nighttime detection of aircraft to Casia G customers, and we’ll be delivering it this October.”
The introduction of nighttime operations for Casia G will significantly enhance the effectiveness of DFR programs, ensuring that drones can provide critical situational awareness regardless of the time of day. This development underscores uAvionix’s commitment to advancing drone technology to meet the evolving needs of emergency services, making communities safer and response times faster.
As we approach the launch of this groundbreaking feature, uAvionix continues to lead the way in integrating innovative solutions into public safety operations. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to October 2024, and witness firsthand how Casia G is transforming DFR programs across the nation.
The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority is looking to facilitate the development of safe and useful RPAS and AAM test sites, where market entrants can test and evaluate their products.
This document is the summary of the key findings of the consultation exercise conducted to understand innovators’ key requirements of test facilities for their novel products.
The CAA aims to support rapid aviation innovation by understanding and addressing the needs of operators and manufacturers during testing. A survey conducted in June 2023 highlighted diverse needs and regulatory barriers faced by the industry.
The CAA has established a Test and Evaluation team, issued new policies for RPAS modifications, and begun collaborating with the Ministry of Defence.
Future Plans: The CAA plans to develop a Pre-defined Risk Assessment for RPAS testing, create a list of test sites, and support hydrogen test sites.
15 August 2024
Project Skyway is part of Phase 3 of Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge Programme, exploring a drone superhighway for BVLOS flights.
Connected Places Catapult‘s role was to engage with various stakeholders to understand perceptions, expectations, and concerns about drones and BVLOS usage. Stakeholders see benefits like promoting UK innovation and enhancing sustainability but have concerns about the superhighway’s resilience and logistics.
Industry Perceptions: Industry stakeholders see potential benefits in sustainability, time-saving, and safety but have concerns about regulations, system resilience, and operational complexity
Report recommendations: The report concludes with recommendations on emphasizing transparent communication, independent regulation, and comprehensive risk mitigation to ensure successful implementation and public acceptance.
2 August 2024
Disclaimer: All jobs posted here are from LinkedIn and other job sites including member and non-member organizations.
ISS Aerospace is looking to recruit a UvX Software Systems Engineer.
Skyports are recruiting for several roles.
Skanska is looking to recruit an Engineering Surveyor Technician – Drone Pilot
Welsh Water are looking to recruit a UAV Drone Pilot
Panton McLeod is looking to recruit to their Graduate Programme, including working with drones
The CAA is looking to recruit an Airspace Modernisation Oversight – Associate
Archangel Imaging is looking to recruit an Embedded Software Engineer (AI for Drones)
Midwich are looking to recruit two roles:
Menapia are looking to recruit 4 roles:
QuadRotor Services Ltd is looking to recruit a Drone Pilot
Ajuno are looking to recruit a Lead Project Manager – Robotic Technologies
SORA Aviation are looking to recruit for three roles:
1) Senior/Principal Design Engineer – Propeller Hub & Dynamics
2) Senior/Principal Stress Engineer – Loads & Aeroelastics
3) Senior/Principal Engineer – Flight Dynamics & Simulation
Lincolnshire Police are looking to recruit a Deputy Chief Drone Pilot
National Grid are looking to recruit a UAS Operations Lead
BAE Systems are looking to recruit a UAS Pilot
Sees.ai are looking to recruit a UAS Pilot Technician
Sonomatic are looking to recruit a Job: Senior UAV Operator / Project Manager.
uAvionix, a leader in avionics technology for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), today announced that the ping200XR Mode S ADS-B transponder with integral aviation GPS, has received Technical Standard Order (TSO) certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This milestone is the latest major TSO certification for uAvionix and offers the lowest certified Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) solution for worldwide airspace compliance.
The ping200XR TSO has received TSO-C112e and TSO-C166b for transponder and ADS-B functionality, TSO-C88b for its internal pressure altimeter, and TSO-C145e for the integral aviation GPS. Weighing only 52 grams and measuring 47 x 72 x 10mm, the ping200XR offers everything required for airspace access or for certified aircraft in a single enclosure. The ping200XR TSO ensures the aircraft can be detected by Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR), Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS), and ADS-B IN receivers, facilitating seamless integration into national and international airspace.
“Receiving TSO certification for the ping200XR represents a significant achievement for uAvionix and underscores our commitment to advancing UAS technology in a way that prioritizes safety and compliance,” said Christian Ramsey, Chief Commercial Officer for uAvionix. “This approval from the FAA is a testament to the reliability and safety our products bring to the skies, enabling broader access and acceptance by regulators and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) worldwide.”
In its uncertified format, the ping200XR has been particularly popular with high altitude aircraft and balloons which must operate in Class A and above airspace. These certifications open the ping200XR TSO to markets which require certifications such as Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, the ping200XR TSO is particularly advantageous for aircraft seeking type certification such as future eVTOL/AAM platforms.
ping200XR TSO will begin shipping in September 2024.
Since its inception in 2015, uAvionix has been at the forefront of avionics for crewed and uncrewed aircraft, developing a suite of products that address the unique challenges of integrating uncrewed systems into the global airspace infrastructure. Each TSO-certified product from uAvionix not only paves the way for safer skies but also supports the expanding utility of UAS across commercial, government, and recreational sectors.
12 August 2024
The UKRI’s Future Flight Challenge (FFC) aims to position the UK as a leader in aviation by funding research and development of new flight technologies. A public dialogue was conducted to understand public views on Future Flight technologies, including non-passenger-carrying drones, eVTOLs, and electric/hydrogen Regional Air Mobility (RAM).
Alongside a wider programme of social science research funded by the Challenge, UKRI/Innovate UK commissioned this dialogue, which was led by the Future Flight Challenge Social Science Research Director and team based at the University of Birmingham. The dialogue was supported by UKRI’s Sciencewise programme and delivered by Thinks Insight & Strategy.
July 2024
In February 2023, uAvionix began testing the first versions of Starlink’s antennas and connectivity, exploring the possibilities for advanced LEO-satellite-based command and control (C2) communications for small UAS. The Starlink results were encouraging, and we have continued our efforts throughout this past year.
As a leading provider of Command, Navigation, and Surveillance technologies for small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS), we have consistently promoted multi-modal connectivity solutions to support both assured C2 and high-bandwidth payload communications. By integrating various connectivity methods, we provide path and frequency diversity, ensuring reliable operation everywhere.
Today, uAvionix is pleased to highlight a significant step forward in their integration efforts with the successful completion of test flights using Starlink and uAvionix’s muLTElink airborne radio. The integration work continues their commitment to offering the best possible connectivity solutions for small UAS, and the recent flight tests demonstrated unprecedented connectivity for both C2 and payload communications, delivering data rates in the megabits per second with latencies below 100 milliseconds.
This milestone is an extension of our integration with L-band satellite connectivity solutions that have been implemented across various platforms to ensure assured C2 communications. By introducing Starlink to our connectivity suite, we will enhance our capability to provide both assured C2 and high-bandwidth payload communications, such as streaming video or ISR data, back to the operator. This integration further underscores our dedication to multi-modal solutions that combine path and frequency diversity, a principle we have long championed.
The achievement highlights the potential of Starlink to revolutionize UAS C2 communications and payload backhaul solutions, promising a new era of connectivity for uncrewed aerial systems.
Stay tuned for more updates as we delve into the technical details and comparative performance of the varying connectivity options for sUAS communications. This forthcoming analysis will offer deeper insights into the relative strengths and weaknesses of each connectivity type.
7 August 2024
Yesterday was a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the Drone as First Responder concept in partnership with Norfolk Constabulary which is leading one of the trials this year to see how this innovative technology can boost operational policing.
A drone in a rooftop box was deployed remotely from a mobile control room in a search for a simulated report of a missing person. The drone arrived at the location in seconds, giving a clear ‘eye in the sky’ view of the scene and supporting in the search.
The imagery is then available for subsequent investigation and the drone initially deployed can team with neighbouring DFR drones to effect handovers when battery levels mean the on-scene drone needs to return to base. At the end of the task, they will return to their boxes and re-charge to prepare for the next deployment.
Superintendent Taryn Evans is strategic lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council Drones team. She said: “Each trial enables us to test how DFR could work in different environments and support different operational purposes, enhancing both public and officer safety.”
Drones can be used effectively alongside traditional air support to provide a blended response which is fast and can reduce environmental impact.
The Norfolk trial is part of four DFR trials across the country, the first led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police at the Isle of Wight Festival where a simulated DFR capability was deployed alongside the force’s routine police drones resource. This will be replicated in further trials at a range of events throughout the summer.
An additional trial is also in planning with West Midlands Police later in 2024 so watch this space for further news.
Thanks go to the University of East Anglia for providing the ideal location and support for the continuing trials.
“The Norfolk trial is an important showcase of just how effective DFR can be at supporting our response to 999 calls, arriving on scene quickly and giving invaluable ‘eyes in the sky’.
DFR is part of a larger NPCC Drones programme, which is establishing robust governance, standardisation and sharing of expertise across the UK’s wide network of police drone operators. The work to date has focused on improvements to the way the 400 drones already flown by UK police officers are operated within visual line of sight (VLOS). This aims to increase confidence in police drone operations by the regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, which should in turn facilitate an easier transition to beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and DFR operations in the future.
National Police Chiefs Council
6 August 2024
There is currently a strong industry demand for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operation of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) within the UK, and while forecast estimates vary, they consistently show a large increase in the sector over the next 10+ years. Perhaps the most significant barrier to the growth of this sector is the mid-air collision risk associated with Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s vision for the BVLOS RPAS operation within the UK is set out in the Airspace Modernisation Strategy, which describes a transition from the use of segregated airspace to integrated operations, supported by the use of Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZs). In support of this vision, the CAA are now consulting on the proposed policy concept for the assurance of Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems.
ARPAS-UK Reg SIG will meet at the end of August to discuss this. If you are not in REG SIG or BVLOS SIG and have any comments, please contact membership@arpas.uk Thank you!
Consultation opens: 25 July 2024
Consultation closes: 19 September 2024