Reliable Robotics Demos Automated Flight System in FAA Trials

The company flew its continuous autopilot system aboard a modified Cessna 208 Caravan, including in simulated Class B airspace.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 03:51 PM ET

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Reliable demonstrates its automated flight control system for the FAA. [Courtesy: Reliable Robotics]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA recently conducted weeklong trials of Reliable Robotics' continuous autopilot system, including flights and simulations, to assess its safety and integration into congested airspace for future autonomous air traffic.
These demonstrations, part of the FAA's UAM Airspace Management Demonstration, showcased the system's ability to automate all flight phases, adapt to conditions like rerouting and simulated weather, and transmit critical data for FAA analysis.
Reliable Robotics has made significant progress toward commercializing its autonomous flight technology, with the FAA accepting its certification plan, and aims to apply it to air cargo operations by leveraging existing aviation regulations.

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Whether you’re a fan of them or not, autonomous or remotely piloted aircraft systems will likely become a key segment in aviation. But to eventually remove the pilot from the cockpit in some aircraft—or drastically reduce their role—it will be the FAA’s job to determine which systems are safe and reliable.

As part of that effort, the agency recently hosted a weeklong series of trials of Mountain View, California-based Reliable Robotics’ continuous autopilot solution. The testing and simulation regimen included three flights of the company’s modified Cessna 208 Caravan, which lasted several hours. The demonstrations should give the FAA insight into the integration of remotely piloted aircraft in congested airspace.