Remotely Piloted Aircraft Help FAA Test ACAS X

Testing found that the technology’s “behavior and output” change between en route and terminal airspace.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 02:45 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

Reliable Robotics’ automated Cessna Caravan and Cessna 182 “intruder” aircraft sit on the tarmac at San Martin Airport (E16) in California. [Credit: Reliable Robotics]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is collaborating with Reliable Robotics to develop certification standards for large uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) weighing over 55 pounds, using data from remotely piloted flight tests.
Reliable Robotics completed flight tests at Hollister Municipal Airport, where a Cessna Caravan equipped with its Detect and Avoid (DAA) system demonstrated successful collision avoidance with an "intruder" aircraft during over 50 scripted encounters.
The collected data, crucial for validating DAA system performance in terminal airspace, will guide the FAA and standardization bodies in safely integrating autonomous aircraft and building scalable aviation autonomy solutions.

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Remotely piloted aircraft are flying in and around airports to help the FAA develop certification standards for large uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

The data collection flights in and around the terminal area of Hollister Municipal Airport (KCVH) in California are intended to guide the FAA and standardization bodies in their quest to safely integrate larger UAS models. The FAA has regulations for small UAS, such as delivery drones, but they do not cover models weighing over 55 pounds.