Israel Mandates Continuous Broadcast of Operational Data: High Lander Receives First License from Civil Aviation Authority
by DRONELIFE Staff Author Ian J. McNabb
Tel-Aviv based High Lander, a significant UTM systems provider, recently received the primary license from the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority (CAAI) to authorize drone flights using its Vega UTM system. This follows the recent emergency ruling from the CAAI that requires all drone flights to constantly broadcast operational data to a UTM, making Israel the primary country wherein a UTM has been made mandatory for all drone flights inside its airspace.
Vega UTM is a software-only solution that creates and manages tower regions to ascertain real-time data collection. Able to robotically approving or rejecting flight plans, suggesting flight path modifications, and is compatible with multiple counter-drone solutions to handle unidentified UAVs or those who might pose a threat. It’s compatible with Distant ID standards and High Lander’s own Orion DFM fleet-management solution.
“It is a significant milestone in the event of worldwide aviation and we’re extremely proud to be on the forefront,” said Alon Abelson, CEO and co-founder of High Lander. “The CAAI’s ruling is the start of a brand new era –we expect to see regulators worldwide following this lead and at last enabling uncrewed aviation to succeed in its full potential while maintaining safety.”
“We’re very proud to see Vega UTM begin to satisfy the aim for which it was designed – managing uncrewed aviation on a national scale,” said Ido Yahalomi, CTO and co-founder of High Lander. “The platform’s powerful monitoring, coordination and knowledge sharing capabilities made it the proper selection for the primary recipient of this license, and we’re delighted to see its capabilities recognized by the national aviation regulator.”
The CAAI’s regulation 10916, published on 23 November 2023, requires any drone weighing over 200 grams to broadcast to a UTM in very low airspace. The required information includes its serial number, time stamps, location, altitude, velocity and direction. The CAAI regulation states that this data may be shared with approved security organizations at their request.
Recently, High Lander announced a partnership with Brazilian firm Speedbird Aero to integrate Vega into their drone delivery solutions and further develop the UAV industry in South America. In July, High Lander also announced a brand new partnership with AIR to create recent eVTOL management processes that mix unmanned and manned operations, further establishing them as a full-service provider of airspace management systems.
More information on High Lander is offered here.