US aviation regulator the FAA has given the go-ahead for the New York Port Authority to use autonomous unmanned drones to inspect powerlines.
Anra has received a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the FAA allowing it to use its conflict detection and conformance monitoring services in partnership with the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
The approval of the conflict detection and conformance monitoring service, collectively identified as strategic coordination (SC) enables the use of beyond-visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations for NYPA’s inspection drones. NYPA already uses Anra’s Mission Manager platform for its drone operations.
With this authorization, the NYPA will use ANRA’s Mission Manager to streamline and centralize automated mission planning, real-time tracking, and SC across a single platform. Mission Manager reduces the need for multiple systems, integrating essential features such as LAANC, fleet management, and airspace services into a single pane of glass, providing NYPA with a powerful, consolidated view of its drone operations.
Amit Ganjoo, founder and CEO of Anra Technologies said, “This is a first-of-its-kind LOA. By using Anra’s strategic deconfliction services, NYPA demonstrates its forward-thinking approach and also prepares for the FAA’s next drone rule that will include airspace management requirements.”
The FAA’s authorization is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to evaluate and potentially expand BVLOS capabilities in the drone industry, which could enable broader applications of drone technology across various sectors.
Traditionally, drone operations require the pilot to maintain direct visual line-of-sight of the aircraft, but with the advancement of air traffic technology under the FAA’s Near Term Approval Process (NTAP), companies like Anra can provide solutions that allow operators to manage airspace with a robust, automated system.
In addition, Anra’s SC leverages methodologies from the US Shared Airspace initiative, ensuring NYPA’s drone activities are smoothly integrated with other airspace users.
This collaboration draws on ANRA’s experience as a leader in the US Shared Airspace initiative, where Anra provides strategic coordination services to operators like the Arlington Police Department and Manna Drone Delivery. NYPA now benefits from these proven methodologies, with ANRA as the only non-vertically integrated service provider – meaning the drone operator doesn’t have their own SC – supporting SC for multi-user environments.
As a vital step toward enabling BVLOS flights on a more routine basis, the NTAP streamlines the typically lengthy approval process by focusing on solutions that meet rigorous safety and operational standards. Other ANRA customers may include this LOA in their waiver, exemption, or COA requests for BVLOS operations where they want to use ANRA’s service to mitigate drone-to-drone collision risk.