Reliable Robotics Completes Historic Cargo Flight

Reliable’s remotely piloted aircraft technology relies on a continuous autopilot system, which allows flights to be operated from miles away.

Jack Daleo

Monday, December 11, 2023 at 05:00 PM ET

Verified

Reliable Robotics flew a Cessna 208B Caravan with no one on board, taking off from Hollister Municipal Airport (KCVH) in California in November. [Courtesy: Reliable Robotics]

Key Takeaways:

Reliable Robotics achieved a historic first by successfully conducting an uncrewed, FAA-approved flight of a Cessna 208B Caravan, remotely piloted from 50 miles away.
The company's continuous autopilot technology automates all phases of flight, is aircraft-agnostic, and aims to provide safety equivalent to crewed operations, addressing pilot shortages.
Reliable Robotics is initially targeting the cargo sector and military logistics, having established partnerships with major players including FedEx, Textron, the U.S. Air Force, ASL Aviation, and Azul Airlines.
The company is actively pursuing FAA certification, with its plan accepted and crucial test flights completed in collaboration with entities like NASA and the FAA.

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A company developing technology to automate flight for any aircraft—including cargo aircraft designed for 3,000-plus-pound payloads—made history last month with a monumental first flight.

Mountain View, California-based Reliable Robotics last week announced that it successfully flew a Cessna 208B Caravan in November, with no one on board—an achievement it said was a first for aviation. The uncrewed, FAA-approved flight, which lasted about 12 minutes, was operated remotely by pilot Danah Tommalieh from a control center 50 miles away.