Vantis Secures FAA Acceptance for BVLOS Drone Operations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a significant Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide unmanned aircraft system (UAS) network. This landmark decision acknowledges Vantis’ role in ensuring safety for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations, marking a pivotal moment for the commercial drone industry in the United States.

Vantis: A New Era for BVLOS Drone Operations
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) recently announced that the FAA has officially recognized Vantis as a crucial safety mitigation tool for BVLOS drone operations. This acceptance under an exemption paves the way for recurring BVLOS flights, accelerating the growth of the commercial drone sector across the nation.

Streamlining the Path to BVLOS Flights
Thanks to this LOA, commercial drone operators can now leverage Vantis’ advanced services, such as collision avoidance, to expedite the waiver process for BVLOS operations. This marks a significant shift from relying solely on operational restrictions, towards a more proactive approach to systemic risk management.
Vantis: The Operational Backbone for Safe BVLOS Operations
“This comprehensive approach moves away from relying solely on operational restrictions, focusing on systemic risk management,” said Jeff Richards, ATM Operations Expert at Thales, the technology partner for Vantis. “Vantis acts as the operational backbone, providing operators with a level of support and safety that can be referenced directly as a risk mitigator for commercial BVLOS operations.”
A Blueprint for Future BVLOS Operations
The LOA serves as a testament to the FAA’s thorough review of the Vantis system. It can be used as a reference for future operators seeking to conduct similar BVLOS operations, potentially streamlining their approval process.
Vantis: Cost-Effective and Scalable BVLOS Solutions
“Requiring commercial UAS operators to bring their own infrastructure is costly, time-consuming, and doesn’t scale,” said Erin Roesler, Deputy Executive Director for Vantis. “Vantis is the solution: a shared-use suite of services to support repeatable and scalable UAS operations.”

Expanding Operational Capabilities with Vantis
Doug McDonald, General Manager of ISight, expressed his enthusiasm about the LOA, stating, “This LOA enables us to expand our operations to perform BVLOS flights in Vantis service volumes. This both enhances our operational capabilities and the value we deliver to our customers.”
Vantis Continues to Grow
Vantis is actively expanding its coverage to new areas, further solidifying its position as a leader in enabling safe and efficient BVLOS drone operations.

Parting Thoughts
The FAA’s acceptance of Vantis represents a major stride towards the widespread adoption of BVLOS drone operations in the United States. By providing a robust and scalable infrastructure for safe BVLOS flights, Vantis is poised to unlock new possibilities for commercial drone applications, driving innovation and economic growth across various industries. As Vantis continues to expand its reach, we can anticipate a future where drones play an even more integral role in our daily lives, transforming the way we work, live, and interact with the world around us.
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