Italian Air Navigation Service Provider ENAV and D-Flight the Italian-based company providing air traffic management (ATM) services for drones have collaborated with Honeywell and Pipistrel to advance the operation of remotely piloted aircraft within European airspace. Their combined efforts have seen the successful demonstration of ground control station technology using a multicopter drone at Gorizia Airport in Italy and position the contributing companies at the forefront of advancing technologies that operate beyond the line of visual sight used by pilots on traditional aircraft.
Honeywell’s Ground Control Station exhibited its capabilities in a real-world setting, showcasing features like dynamic flight plan updates and adeptly handling contingency situations. When faced with challenges such as link loss or airspace alterations, the Ground Control Station with its autonomy executive technology, proficiently diverted the drone to a secure alternate landing zone. During the demonstration, D-flight rendered pivotal Unmanned airspace (U-space) services, emphasising the functionality of flight plan submissions, activation and real-time data sharing on surrounding traffic and air-space availability.
“This collaboration underlines the imminent importance of autonomy in aviation,” said David Shilliday, VP and General Manager, Advanced Air Mobility, Honeywell Aerospace. “Honewywell is channeling its avionics experience to craft a certifiable Ground Control Station, underscoring our commitment to innovative solutions for the unmanned aircraft segment.”
Maurizio Paggetti, CEO at D-Flight and COO at ENAV, added: “U-space is crucial for the safe and efficient integration of drones into the airspace. It’s a key enabler for various applications and services that rely on drones and is an essential component of the future of aviation. ENAV Group is fully committed to demonstrating such services and, as leader of Italian cluster in U-ELCOME project, we are excited about the achievements of the initial integration of D-Flight services and Honeywell UAS Ground Control station.”
Over the next year, Honeywell’s Ground Control Station is set to unveil enhanced capabilities, encompassing the management of multiple drones by a single operator and seamless handover of drones between different Ground Control Stations. Further demonstrations are slated for late 2024.
