With the development of Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), the skies are finally opening up to a host of commercial drone applications that have been limited by safety concerns and regulatory restrictions. One of the key challenges to wider adoption has been the risk of midair collisions between drones. Drones are typically restricted to airspace below 400 feet and their access to airports is limited, which significantly reduces the risk of drone-airplane collisions. However, under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, drones are generally not allowed to fly beyond an operator’s visual line of sight, limiting flights to about a third of a mile. This restriction prevents most collisions but also limits the use cases for drones, such as delivering medication to a patient’s doorstep or dispatching a police drone to an active crime scene. Despite these challenges, drone operators are increasingly incorporating UTM into their flights. The system uses path planning algorithms, similar to those used in Google Maps, to chart a course that considers not only weather and obstacles like buildings and trees but also the flight paths of nearby drones. It automatically reroutes a flight before takeoff if another drone has reserved the same volume of airspace at the same time, making the new flight trajectory visible to subsequent pilots. The benefits of UTM are numerous. For one, it enables drones to fly autonomously to and from their destination, reducing the need for air traffic controllers and increasing efficiency. It also promotes collaboration among drone operators, as they are required to share data and adhere to the same rules. This level of collaboration is unusual for companies competing to gain a foothold in a young and rapidly evolving field.
Several companies, including Zipline, Wing, Flytrex, and DroneUp, are already using UTM and have reported significant benefits. Zipline, for example, has expanded its operations to multiple cities, including Dallas, where it has successfully integrated UTM into its flights. Wing, a drone delivery company, has also adopted UTM and has been approved to fly in the same airspace as other UTM-enabled drones.
The FAA has been actively promoting the use of UTM, and has given the go-ahead for multiple drone delivery companies to begin flying simultaneously in the same airspace above Dallas, a first in US aviation history. The agency has also approved third-party providers to license UTM services, making it easier for drone operators to adopt the technology.
Enabling Collaboration and Efficiency
- UTM enables drones to fly autonomously, reducing the need for air traffic controllers and increasing efficiency.
- UTM promotes collaboration among drone operators, requiring them to share data and adhere to the same rules.
- UTM reduces the risk of midair collisions between drones, allowing for more efficient use of airspace.
The FAA is expected to soon release a new rule, Part 108, which may allow operators to fly beyond visual line of sight if they have some UTM capability. This would eliminate the need for the difficult-to-obtain waiver currently required for such flights. To safely manage the increased drone traffic, drone companies will have to continue working together to keep their aircraft out of each other’s way.
Conclusion
The development of UTM has the potential to unlock the full potential of drones, enabling them to play a larger role in various industries and applications. As more companies adopt UTM, we can expect to see increased efficiency, reduced risk of midair collisions, and improved collaboration among drone operators. The future of drone technology looks bright, and UTM is an essential part of that vision.
| Benefits of UTM | Examples of Companies Using UTM |
|---|---|
| Autonomous flight capabilities | Zipline, Wing, Flytrex, and DroneUp |
| Reduced risk of midair collisions | Multiple drone delivery companies flying simultaneously in the same airspace above Dallas |
| Improved collaboration among drone operators | Companies sharing data and adhering to the same rules |
The future of drone technology is exciting, and UTM is an essential part of that vision. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative applications and increased efficiency in the drone industry.
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“Impressive! The collaboration among the different companies, using UTM, is really impressive.
