#United States #Detroit #Airspace Link #Drone Operations #UTM Network

Airspace Link Achieves U.S. UTM Implementation Onboarding

In a significant development for the drone industry, Airspace Link has successfully completed its onboarding to the U.S. Shared Airspace UTM (UAS Traffic Management) network. Recognized as a leading UAS Service Supplier approved by the FAA, Airspace Link’s intent with this achievement is to enhance the efficiency and safety of drone operations across communities through its AirHub® Portal.

This onboarding milestone is pivotal for operators looking to conduct BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) missions while ensuring strategic deconfliction and comprehensive situational awareness across the national low-altitude airspace. Michael Healander, CEO and Co-founder of Airspace Link, stated, “UTM is the digital infrastructure that will let drones scale safely and predictably in our communities.” This advancement not only facilitates the swift execution of missions but also fosters public confidence in drone technology, promoting faster delivery, inspections, and public safety operations.

What This Means for Operators and Agencies

The integration into the U.S. UTM network via AirHub® Portal offers numerous benefits:
1. Strategic Deconfliction: The system is designed to enable the exchange of flight intents based on industry standards, dramatically reducing the risk of operational delays due to manual coordination.
2. Priority Handling for Critical Missions: By allowing public safety entities and other authorized operations to designate missions as high priority, the platform ensures that critical operations can occur swiftly without hindrance.
3. Scalability: As drone usage continues to rise in sectors like delivery services, utilities, and emergency responses, AirHub® Portal’s UTM services are built to manage this growth while maintaining consistent safety and fairness in shared airspace.
4. Community Assurance: By coordinating BVLOS drone activities effectively, Airspace Link assures communities that these operations are conducted responsibly, which is essential for gaining public acceptance.

Seamless Integration with Established Workflows

Tyler Dicks, Head of Product at Airspace Link, emphasized that AirHub® Portal brings UTM into existing operational workflows seamlessly. Operators can now plan BVLOS missions efficiently, assess risks, coordinate with adjacent flights, and monitor real-time activities. This includes consolidating critical data such as drone operations, weather conditions, ADS-B data, and local constraints into one comprehensive interface.

Key Features of AirHub® Portal:

• - Flight Planning and Approvals: Built-in LAANC, policy overlays, and structured workflows for organizations.
• - Strategic Deconfliction and Intent Sharing: Utilization of the U.S. Shared Airspace UTM network ensures safety in the airspace.
• - Risk Assessments and Area Analyses: Enables multi-agency collaboration for informed decision-making.
• - Resource Management: Automated flight logging and management of crews and assets.
• - Live Awareness Operations Center: Integrates ADS-B, Remote ID/RF data, real-time weather, and local analytics.
• - Enterprise Security: The system adheres to strict ISO 27001 and SOC-2 certifications.

Navigating Regulatory Requirements

The FAA's forthcoming Part 108 and Part 146 rulemaking for BVLOS operations will establish mandatory coordination requirements to avoid conflicts and outline a framework for approved UTM services. Airspace Link’s onboarding allows its customers to not only meet anticipated regulatory requirements but also realize immediate benefits from enhanced operational safety and efficiency.

Airspace Link collaborates with various government bodies and operators nationwide, ensuring safe drone integration into airspace while promoting public safety through its partnerships with both manned and unmanned ecosystems, which enhances data exchange regarding airspace use.

Understanding UTM

The UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system is a digitized coordination method that facilitates operations in low-altitude airspace, primarily below 400 feet. It automates conflict deconfliction, elevates safety standards, and guarantees fair access as drone operations expand, moving away from reliance on human controllers.

About Airspace Link

Founded in 2018 and based in Detroit, Airspace Link specializes in drone software solutions that empower governmental bodies, enterprises, and public safety organizations to manage drone operations securely. With its AirHub® Portal functioning as a unified Drone Operations Management System, it connects national airspace data to local geographic information systems (GIS) effectively. To explore more about their offerings or to arrange a demonstration of AirHub® Portal, visit their website.