Australian drone manufacturer and solutions provider, Carbonix, has obtained BVLOS approval in Riverstone, Greater Sydney, using its Australian built VTOL/fixed wing aircraft in the 25 kg category.
The approval from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is reportedly one of the first given to a long range aerial data capture aircraft, paving the way for Carbonix to complete BVLOS testing and missions with sophisticated payloads including surveying LiDar scanners and photogrammetry cameras.
Under the new approval, Carbonix uncrewed aircraft are cleared to fly inside airspace controlled by the RAAF Richmond base, with collaboration and coordination from the Australian Air Force.
Carbonix says it will initially be using the airspace to unlock the full capabilities of its Volanti aircraft including its 160 km range and the strength of its remote communication links and pre-programmed emergency actions.
“This is an exciting milestone for Carbonix. It's the culmination of years of testing and precision engineering validating the risk profile of our aircraft and our procedures,” Carbonix CEO, Philip van der Burg said of the approval.
“BVLoS is the last element of unlocking disruptive aerial data capture that will shed our reliance on more hazardous and less environmentally-friendly helicopter fleets. Having approval to carry out missions with our aircraft and procedures means we can unlock the full capabilities of our solutions and continue to develop world class UAV systems.”
In 2022, the company scaled up production after inking a deal with aerospace manufacturer Quickstep as well as partnering with a range of organisations to support their aerial surveying programs including SA Power Networks, The ACT Rural Fire Service and Geo-data specialist Fugro.
Operations are scheduled to begin in March this year.