Airbus UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) has announced that DroneDeploy, the drone software company, will integrate with Airbus UTM to offer airspace authorization and flight briefings for commercial drone pilots.
The integration is an important milestone in Airbus UTM’s charter to provide digital traffic services for the evolving aviation ecosystem. Airbus UTM will integrate its flight briefing service and Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) authorization service with DroneDeploy, providing a more seamless experience for commercial drone pilots to plan, review, conduct their flights, and unlock controlled airspace near airports.
The integration with DroneDeploy, which leverages five decades of Airbus’ air traffic management experience and operational data, signifies a step forward for commercial drone airspace solutions and the establishment of rules to operate safely.
Chief among the benefits of the integration are the speed at which DroneDeploy pilots can now secure digital flight authorization and an ensured level of safety. Pilots have historically relied on a manual approach to obtain flight approval, current weather reports, and knowledge of relevant regulations. Now, pilots leveraging Airbus’ streamlined flight briefing and LAANC authorization services will have access to that data and more, including their pre-flight Airbus safety briefing, via DroneDeploy.
The integration is being tested in private beta with some of DroneDeploy’s enterprise customers. It will be publicly available as a web application, and as a mobile application in DroneDeploy’s App Market. A full release will arrive in Q1 2020.
“DroneDeploy and Airbus UTM believe that our skies should be accessible and efficient for all. We are excited to partner with Airbus UTM to offer airspace evaluation and LAANC authorization to our users. DroneDeploy pilots will be able to plan and schedule flight operations ahead of time and apply for LAANC authorization with Airbus UTM,” said Eric Hauser, VP of Engineering, DroneDeploy.
“Our integration with DroneDeploy streamlines the flight authorization process for DroneDeploy commercial pilots, while laying the foundation for new services and safe cooperation of drones in the airspace,” said Joe Polastre, Head of UTM Products, Airbus. “For low-altitude operations and beyond, Airbus UTM’s aim is to provide our customers the ability to scale and safely integrate into the new airspace ecosystem, while continuing UTM’s broader role of setting the industry standard for a safe future in the air.”
Source: Press Release