Airline group ASL Aviation Holdings is partnering with Reliable Robotics to explore prospects for introducing remotely-operated automated aircraft to its fleet. The companies aim to select twin-turboprop freighters that could be converted to use the technology that California-based Reliable Robotics intends to install in existing aircraft under an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC).
In a December 15 announcement, Reliable Robotics said it will work with ASL to gauge demand for remotely-operated aircraft in the European air freight sector and to potentially prepare the way to apply to EASA for the required STC. “Airlines are best positioned to understand air cargo demand, so we intend to leverage ASL’s deep understanding of the European and other international cargo markets to maximize the safety and economic benefits of automation,” said Myles Goeller, Reliable Robotics’ chief business officer.
Dublin-based ASL includes freight and passenger operators in Ireland, the UK, Belgium, and France, as well as FlySafair in South Africa, K-Mile Asia in Thailand and India’s Quikjet Airlines. Its global fleet of 130 aircraft ranges in size from ATR72 twin turboprops to Boeing 747 widebody jets.
The ASL Aviation Holdings group also operates cargo flights for various express parcel integrators and online retailers. It flies wet lease services on multiple routes in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America, and Africa.
Certifying Autonomous Flight
In August, the FAA confirmed acceptance of the certification basis for the advanced navigation and autoflight system on which the Reliable Robotics remotely-operated system is based. The company hopes to secure its first STC covering the conversion of Cessna Caravan utility aircraft in the second half of 2023. Under its own Part 135 operator’s certificate, it has been testing the technology with a pilot on board cargo flights in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area.
“Regulatory approval will include both airworthiness certification and operational approval, so our partnership with ASL enables us to comprehensively consider how airline operations and cargo operating rules will impact the design, testing, and certification of automation and remote piloting capabilities,” Goeller explained to FutureFlight. “While our certification approach is focused on working with the FAA, we will use this partnership with ASL to evaluate when in our product development roadmap it is best to include EASA and other national authorities, either concurrently or after an initial certification is awarded by the FAA.”
ASL Aviation Holdings director Hugh Flynn indicated that the company has an interest in the potential for increased flight automation to support both remotely-piloted and single-pilot operations. Reliable Robotics has joined the group’s CargoVision Forum, which is focused on the development of sustainable aviation technologies.
Reliable Robotics has also been exploring the potential for its approach to automation and autonomous flight to be used for military flights under a U.S. Air Force contract. In October 2021, the company completed a $100 million Series C funding round.
Other companies, such as Xwing, are also working on technology to support remotely piloted aircraft. Generally, these also envisage approval being granted first for air cargo applications.
