Register for a range of sessions:
Drone Deliveries – Latest Milestones and Ongoing Challenges
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM ET
This session will feature a panel of UAS operators who conduct drone deliveries. While an operator is pursuing Part 135 certification, Part 107 offers a pathway for operators to perform scalable drone operations, which was once thought to be a hopeless endeavor. Although maximum ROI can be realized only through operating BVLOS, these panelists are proving that Part 107 and/or preliminary test operations can allow UAS operators to provide value to brick and mortar retailers, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and other businesses through the FAA’s existing UAS-specific framework. This session will also focus on the remaining challenges with drone deliveries and the issues an operator must consider, whether operating under Part 107 or Part 135. Finally, this session will highlight how automation is set to further enhance drone delivery capabilities and increase scalability of delivery operations.
eVTOL Impacts for Transportation Integration
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM ET
Transportation has historically been compartmentalized between surface and air, without any need to consider the intersection or dynamic interaction of these two very different modes of moving around. However, with the advent of ruggedized commercial delivery drones and the prospect of vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for moving people, whether automated or human-piloted, has introduced new ways to think about the intersection between surface and air transportation, and what the challenges and opportunities are for implementing cooperative automation within and between them.
A Single UAS Network for Multiple Users
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM ET
A single network can redefine how we integrate UAS into the NAS. Our country’s road infrastructure is set up for multiple users to have access. Manned aviation uses shared airports and navigation systems to fly across the country. But for UAS, each user has to build their own network. By permanently installing remote infrastructure such as command and control (C2), surveillance, and a backhaul network that feeds into a mission and network operations center, UAS users will be able to fly advanced operations such as beyond visual line of sight on a single shared network. Having a shared network will lower the barrier of entry for UAS operators and will also help scale operations across the county. With the onset of certified UAS meeting type certification, there needs to be a network they can fly on that meets the same FAA rigor for streamlined approvals.
