uAvionix, Choctaw Nation Complete first BVLOS C-Band Drone Flights

The partners used uAvionix’s SkyLine software to command and control drones beyond the operator’s line of sight.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 04:15 PM ET

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A drone takes flight under uAvionix control at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Emerging Aviation Technologies Center. [Courtesy: uAvionix]

Key Takeaways:

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) and uAvionix completed the first U.S. beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights using aviation-protected C-Band radio.
This achievement highlights the potential of C-Band, which the FCC has proposed dedicating exclusively to UAS, to enable significantly safer, more reliable, and longer-range drone operations.
The uAvionix SkyLine system, validated during these flights, offers advanced command and control, automating fleet management and detect-and-avoid capabilities without requiring visual observers or chase vehicles.
This development is a critical step towards scaling commercial drone applications in industries like delivery and inspections by vastly expanding operational range and coverage, pending final regulatory approvals.

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One of America’s oldest communities may be testing the newest mainstay in U.S. drone operations.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) and partner uAvionix, which provides avionics and services for the general aviation, defense, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industries, on Tuesday announced they had completed the nation’s first beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights using aviation-protected C-Band radio.