AirMatrix enables first urban, beyond-line-of-sight drone operations in North America

CALGARY – (BUSINESS WIRE) IN-FLIGHT Data, one of the most experienced operators in the world of advanced drones, in partnership with remote traffic management software leader AirMatrix, successfully conducted one of Earth’s first “SAIL 4” urban drone operations, while beyond the line of sight of the pilot, and over urban neighborhood populations.

SAIL refers to the combined complexity of a drone mission, from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest). Only two other projects of this level are known to have been completed in the world to-date, both in Europe.

Since March 2022, IN-FLIGHT Data has been testing, training and preparing to conduct advanced aerial surveys within the city of Calgary through The City of Calgary’s Living Labs Program. This Program aims to offer up access to City assets for companies, researchers and individuals to test and try ideas and products in a real-life environment, helping entrepreneurs bring big ideas to fruition and supporting investment in the local economy. In July and August 2022, the flight missions covered an operational area of about 9,000 hectares (or about 22,000 acres), entirely inside the city of Calgary with a population of about 1.2 million people.

Utilizing a highly-trained air crew working with advanced operations certified drones and the latest in advanced radar and aerial surveillance technologies, including hardware and software, the flight crew was able to see all Calgary air traffic users for more than 30 kilometres in all directions. The purpose of the aerial intelligence gathering was to measure and assess the quality and performance of the entire communications network fabric above an urban centre, including geolocation, cellular, radio and many others.

This understanding of the network performance is required to support future advancements in aviation. These advancements include amazing technical achievements like medical deliveries – such as human organs, medications, or devices. This mapping also supports the development and growth of advanced aerial mobility, including flying taxi services in urban environments.

Telecommunications companies, governments, regulators, airspace navigation service providers, and industry alike all need to understand how high-performance drone aircraft will safely navigate and communicate in the air above population centres. Think of it like when the Canadian Pacific Railway was built in the 1800’s – someone came before the rail lines to survey the route, level the land for the rail ties and dig tunnels through mountains. That’s what this project and AirMatrix has achieved – successfully mapping the urban network fabric in three dimensions to understand and assess how future aircraft and infrastructure can take advantage of these new high-performance networks, delivering future innovation to cities and their citizens.

About AirMatrix

The only platform of its kind globally, AirMatrix builds millimetre-precise skyways in urban and suburban airspace, allowing cities around the world to scale commercial drone operations. Providing traffic management capabilities through the traffic manager dashboard, Libra and a coinciding operator platform granting accurate, conflict-free, 3D routes in real-time to enterprise drones incorporating beyond visual line of sight operations. The sophistication of the AirMatrix software with its safe, reliable, and dynamic monitoring capabilities, is enabling new industry applications for drones to emerge and scale as the industry evolves.

About IN-FLIGHT Data

Based in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, this RPAS service provider has built an outstanding client base since its 2014 inception, carrying out missions for private companies, organizations, and government agencies. It holds three Guinness World Records for its drone flights, has a perfect safety record, and also trains advanced drone pilots. Learn more about the company at: https://www.inflightdata.ca; or learn more about the projects at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishealyprojects/