Drone Express, an autonomous drone delivery company, has announced a collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). This partnership aligns Drone Express with the BEYOND program, an initiative under the Federal Aviation Administration designed to integrate routine commercial and government drone operations into the National Airspace System.
Since its inception by the FAA in 2017, the BEYOND program has seen North Carolina achieve more national firsts and complete more missions than any other team in the country. Drone Express has been an active participant in the program since 2020, working alongside other notable entities like Zipline, Flytrex, Wing, Causey Aviation, and Amazon.
Beth Flippo, CEO of Drone Express, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion: "We are thrilled to extend our involvement in the BEYOND program to North Carolina as we expand our presence there. Partnering with NCDOT is a significant step forward in the advancement of local drone delivery services, and we are honored to be a part of it."
This partnership aims to explore new territories in unmanned aerial delivery operations by combining Drone Express’s advanced technology and aerial logistics expertise with NCDOT’s commitment to innovation and safety. The collaboration is set to provide valuable insights into the societal, economic, and community benefits of drone delivery, while also enhancing the approval processes for safe UAS integration.
As part of their involvement in the BEYOND program, Drone Express and NCDOT will embark on a series of initiatives designed to test and deploy drone delivery solutions across diverse environments including urban, suburban, and rural areas. These initiatives will tackle challenges such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations that are repeatable, scalable, and economically viable, focusing on infrastructure inspection, public operations, and small package delivery.
Russell Kline, Chief Regulatory Officer at Drone Express, commented on the regulatory implications of this collaboration: "We will work closely with NCDOT and other partners to drive innovation and shape the future of drone delivery through the BEYOND program. From a regulatory perspective, this collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to advance the integration of drones into the national airspace and establish best practices for safe and efficient operations."
This partnership not only underscores the growing importance of drone technology in everyday logistics and operations but also highlights the potential for significant advancements in how goods and services are delivered across the United States.
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