Wingcopter, a German drone manufacturer, in collaboration with ITOCHU Corporation, a major Japanese trading company, has initiated the type certification process for its Wingcopter 198 delivery drone in Japan. This development marks a significant milestone as it is the first instance of a drone from a foreign company, and specifically a fixed-wing model, being accepted for the unmanned aircraft class-1 type certification by Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB).
Achieving type certification would permit Wingcopter to carry out beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations in populated areas of Japan, classified as Level 4 flights. This advancement is poised to significantly broaden the scope of drone applications within the country. Japan, with its aging demographic and numerous remote islands, is viewed as a key future market for drone delivery services.
The partnership between Wingcopter and ITOCHU is focused on establishing drone delivery networks that could address various societal challenges by facilitating the swift and eco-friendly transport of essential goods across challenging terrains.
Florian-Michael Adolf, Head of Certification at Wingcopter, highlighted the significance of this certification process as a testament to the safety and reliability of their drones, as well as the professionalism of their team. ITOCHU's Masaharu Sato expressed optimism about the potential of Wingcopter's technology to improve lives and commended the collaborative effort towards achieving this goal.
The collaboration has already seen success with a pilot project in May 2023, where Wingcopter drones were used for the first time in Japan to transport medical blood products. This venture is a precursor to broader applications pending the successful completion of the certification process.
In addition to Japan, Wingcopter is also pursuing FAA type certification in the USA, aiming to tap into the commercial opportunities in the North American market. This international certification effort underscores Wingcopter's commitment to becoming a leading player in the global drone delivery sector.
.png)
