An aviation collaboration, led by Wisk Aero, has successfully concluded a groundbreaking trial in Recent Zealand, evaluating the mixing of uncrewed aircraft into controlled airspace. The trial, conducted under the Recent Zealand Government’s Airspace Integration Trial Programme (AITP), involved a series of test flights to evaluate the operational elements of uncrewed aircraft flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) alongside piloted aircraft.
The completion of the trial, held between November 17 and December 1, 2023, signifies a notable advancement in autonomous flight operations. Collaborators included Insitu Pacific, the approved Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Recent Zealand (CAA), Airways Recent Zealand because the air navigation service provider, and Tāwhaki, an indigenous aerospace enterprise providing the flight testing site. Airways International’s uncrewed traffic management (UTM) system, AirShare, played a vital role in ensuring integration.
Andrew Duggan, Managing Director of Insitu Pacific, highlighted the collaborative effort, stating, “This series of flights, remotely-piloted by our Insitu Pacific operators, puts into motion the numerous planning and shut collaboration we’ve got undertaken to support Wisk.” The demonstration is seen as a step toward establishing a protected concept of operations for autonomous flight in non-segregated airspace.
Trials on the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre included take-offs, landings, and navigation in each uncontrolled and controlled airspace. James Evans, Acting General Manager Air Traffic Services at Airways Recent Zealand, emphasized the commitment to sky safety, stating, “Our purpose as Recent Zealand’s air navigation service provider is to maintain our skies protected, today and tomorrow.”
Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s Vice President of APAC and Air Operations, underscored the achievement’s significance, stating, “The successful completion of this phase of testing demonstrates that it is feasible to soundly integrate autonomous aircraft into controlled airspace shared with piloted aircraft.” The info and learnings from the trials are expected to contribute to the longer term of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and the broader aviation industry.
The partnership’s efforts received acknowledgment from CAA’s Deputy Chief Executive, Aviation Safety, David Harrison, who affirmed the commitment to the protected integration of emerging technologies into the civil aviation system in Recent Zealand. Linda Falwasser, CEO of Tāwhaki, expressed pride in supporting innovation on the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre and contributing to a sustainable future for aerospace transport.
The Recent Zealand Government’s AITP, initiated in 2019, is a four-year program aiming to make sure safety in airspace systems while advancing aviation and meeting community expectations. Wisk’s role in this system began in 2020 when it became the primary industry partner to sign an MOU with the Recent Zealand government. The successful completion of this recent phase marks progress for the aviation sector, aligning with this system’s overarching priorities.
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