The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Matternet a waiver that enables the company to carry out operations that simultaneously manage up to 20 aircraft under the control of a single remote pilot.
The waiver applies to operations at Matternet’s Pittsburg, California test site where it allows the aircraft to fly beyond the sight of the remote pilot and the visual observer, according to reports by Drone Life and Cargo Facts. The visual observer’s presence is required to guarantee that the airspace is clear. Matternet has also secured FAA certifications for its drone type and production.
The Matternet 20:1 waiver serves as a milestone in the process of advancing not only Matternet’s level of automation, but also the economics of drone delivery as a whole. While Matternet’s recent FAA certifications have been hardware focused, this new waiver emphasizes the company’s focus on its software and autonomous capabilities, says Drone Life.
For more information visit:
www.mttr.net
www.dronelife.com
