Transport Canada Drone Infrastructure Testing Goes to Phase 2

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Key Takeaways:

  • Transport Canada and NAV Canada have launched a Phase 2 trial for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Traffic Management (RTM), selecting a consortium led by AeroVision Canada.
  • The trial aims to refine and evaluate requirements for RTM services, enabling the safe integration and commercial operations of RPAS, including Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), in suburban environments.
  • Building on a successful Phase 1, this effort will provide crucial experiential learning for establishing Canada's RTM system, with initial focus on the Halifax region.
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Transport Canada, the Canadian aviation authority, and NAV Canada, which provides air navigation services, have selected a consortium to deliver a Phase 2 trial of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Traffic Management (RTM). The consortium is led by AeroVision Canada, with principal partners ANRA Technologies and ClearSky Connect.

The Phase 2 effort will refine and evaluate requirements for RTM services enabling operations for future commercial RPAS aircraft in suburban environments. The new testing follows up on Phase 1, which was completed in 2022, and “provided many observations to advance RTM in Canada and inform the aims of future RTM activities.”

Trevor Bergman, CEO of AeroVision Canada, said, “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. 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.”

Alan Chapman, co-chair of the Trials Executive Steering Committee (TESC) and Director of RPAS Traffic Management at NAV Canada, said, “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. Integrating third-party services and capabilities with NAV Canada’s centralized services will ensure airspace safety while collaboratively advancing new use cases, including those that require Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.”

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.
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