[imagesource:gencraft]

A US-based robotics company just carried out the successful flight of a Cessna 208B Caravan cargo aeroplane with no crew on board.

The company used their ‘Reliable autonomous flight system’ that allows the aircraft to be remotely operated by a pilot on the ground, and they’re now aiming to fully automate the aeroplane to handle taxiing, takeoff, and landing all by its lonesome self.

The system is designed to prevent ‘controlled flight into terrain’, and ‘loss of control in flight’, which account for most of the fatal aviation accidents, and is commonly known as crashing. The flight was however still remotely supervised by a human pilot from Reliable’s control centre 80 kilometres away.

Reliable Robotics has been collaborating with Textron Aviation on its plans for an autonomous flight network.

“Textron Aviation is committed to delivering continuous aviation improvements and our relationship with Reliable Robotics advances this work,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president of engineering and programmes, Textron Aviation. “Reliable’s successful flight of an uncrewed Cessna 208 Caravan represents a milestone for the industry in bringing new technology to aviation.”

The ability to transport loads of up to 1,300kg and the ability to take off from shorter runways allows the remotely piloted aeroplane to operate in locations that would otherwise not have next-day or same-day service.

Reliable has been testing the integration of sophisticated aircraft automation into its operations with ASL Aviation Holdings, a worldwide aviation firm with 160 airlines. As can be expected, the US Air Force is also looking at Reliable’s systems for their cargo logistics, aerial refuelling and other missions.

Moving cargo from one place to another has come a long way since our freight forwarding partners Berry & Donaldson moved their first shipment in 1963, but there will always be a need for the human touch in the cargo chain. The kind of service we have come to appreciate from them can never be automated.

[source:aircargonews]