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

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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 made aviation history by successfully conducting the first uncrewed, FAA-approved remote flight of a Cessna 208B Caravan from a control center 50 miles away.
Their continuous autopilot technology automates all phases of flight, is aircraft agnostic, and aims to revolutionize the cargo sector by addressing pilot shortages and enhancing safety.
The company is actively pursuing certification and commercialization through partnerships with the FAA, Textron Aviation, NASA, the U.S. Air Force (AFWERX), and international cargo carriers like ASL Aviation Holdings and Azul Airlines.

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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.