FAA Accepts Vantis for Safety Mitigation for Recurring BVLOS Drone Operations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has signed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for the use of Vantis as a safety mitigation for beyond-visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations. This move is set to accelerate the path to recurring BVLOS flights for all drone operators. The LOA, issued to the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS), a North Dakota state agency, allows commercial drone operators to use Vantis services to fast-track the waiver process.

Vantis: A Game-Changer for BVLOS Operations

Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide unmanned aircraft system (UAS) BVLOS system, is the first of its kind in the nation. It provides turnkey support to commercial and public UAS operators through infrastructure and regulatory approvals. The LOA acknowledges Vantis’ role in industry-wide systemic risk management, moving away from relying solely on operational restrictions.

“Vantis acts as the operational backbone, providing operators with a level of support and safety that can be referenced directly as a risk mitigator for commercial BVLOS operations,” said Jeff Richards, ATM Operations Expert at Thales, the technology partner for Vantis.

Streamlining the Waiver Process

The LOA allows for the use of Vantis for drone operations pursuant to an exemption, which means commercial drone operators can use Vantis services like collision avoidance in their safety Concept of Operations (ConOps) to fast-track the waiver process. This comprehensive approach focuses on systemic risk management, making it easier for operators to get approval for recurring BVLOS flights.

“Requiring commercial UAS operators to bring their own infrastructure is costly, time-consuming, and doesn’t scale,” said Erin Roesler, Deputy Executive Director for Vantis. “Vantis is the solution: a shared-use suite of services to support repeatable and scalable UAS operations.”

Expanding Operational Capabilities

The LOA also enables operators to expand their capabilities.

“This LOA enables us to expand our operations to perform BVLOS flights in Vantis service volumes,” said Doug McDonald, General Manager, ISight. “This both enhances our operational capabilities and the value we deliver to our customers.”

About Vantis and NPUASTS

Vantis is administered by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, one of seven FAA-designated UAS Test Sites. The mission of NPUASTS is to innovate, test, and advance autonomous technology solutions, bringing tangible benefits to communities nationwide.

DroneXL’s Take

The acceptance of Vantis by the FAA is a significant step forward for the Drone Industry. It highlights the growing importance of BVLOS operations and the need for robust safety mitigation systems. As we see more advancements like Vantis, the integration of drones into the National Airspace System becomes more feasible. This development aligns with recent trends in BVLOS operations, as seen in our articles on BVLOS and the FAA’s Remote ID. What are your thoughts on this development? Leave your comments below.