Microdrones has announced that it has completed a series of test flights with its md4-1000 UAS (unmanned aerial system) that extended further than the operator could see – or, as it is referred to in the aviation industry, beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS). These flights were completed with a standard configuration of RC, telemetry and batteries, meaning that the md4-1000 aircraft in its current form is ready for BVLOS.
BVLOS flights are a significant achievement in the commercial drone industry, being legal only with special permission. Companies who fly BVLOS make an important contribution to advancing the industry by demonstrating the capabilities of these systems to perform tasks that require distance, such as delivery, corridor mapping, and infrastructure inspection.
The first set of tests Microdrones completed were long-range tests over the airport runway in Alma, Quebec. The longest of these was three kilometers back and forth. The md4-1000 aircraft made the six-kilometer trip with battery life to spare.
The second set of tests consisted of altitude flight testing in which the drone climbed to a height of 850 meters.
“We are very excited about the results,” said Jocelyne Bois, Microdrones’ Flight Operations Manager. “All flights went well and we easily exceeded our intended flight lengths. Our goal was to test the remote control, telemetry and battery endurance for those distances. Both performed beautifully.”
Transport Canada granted permission for and attended Microdrones’ testing at the Unmanned Aerial System Centre for Excellence (UAS CE) in Alma. Last month, Microdrones’ md4-1000 UAV was added to TC’s exclusive list of Compliant Unmanned Air Vehicles. Only seven other companies worldwide currently have this distinction.
A Microdrones UAV, flying with a custom configuration, has previously flown more than 12-kilometers to cross the North Sea. This flight was repeated 32 times, with 2 different md4-1000 aircraft, establishing it as a viable option for delivering urgent medicines and other badly needed supplies in emergency situations.
