Wed, Nov 01, 2017
Receives LAANC Authorization Through Skyward
SunPower is the first company to receive approval from the U.S. FAA for automatic access to operate a drone in regulated airspace over controlled airports.
The new access category, called Low Altitude Authorization Capability (LAANC), was released this month in a beta test at four airports including San Jose (SJC), Cincinnati International Airport (CVG), Reno (RNO), and Lincoln (LNK). SunPower received LAANC authorization through Skyward, an FAA-approved vendor.
"Leading through innovation, SunPower is proud to be the first company granted the new LAANC access, enabling us to aerially evaluate a broader range of potential project sites for our customers more quickly and comprehensively," said SunPower CEO and President Tom Werner. "As part of the SunPower Oasis Power Plant platform, drone flights enable us to efficiently generate solar power plant system layouts to optimize site use and reduce project cost."
SunPower uses drones as part of the SunPower Oasis Power Plant platform to survey potential solar power plant sites for customers. Information and images gathered by the drones is used to quickly develop solar plant layouts to optimize site use and achieve customers' project goals.
"Digital, automated, free access to controlled airspace, in the form of LAANC, is one of the greatest moment we've experienced in the U.S. commercial drone industry so far," said Skyward Co-President Jonathan Evans. "I'm excited for SunPower and the company's customers, who will get to benefit from LAANC right away."
(Source: SunPower news release. Image from file)
More News
Hold Procedure A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operatio>[...]
Altitude Readout An aircraft’s altitude, transmitted via the Mode C transponder feature, that is visually displayed in 100-foot increments on a radar scope having readout cap>[...]
Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]
Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight>[...]
"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI>[...]