Pyka secures FAA authorisation for highly-automated electric Drone in the US
Pyka, manufacturer of large-scale highly-automated electric aircraft for crop protection and cargo transport, has received approval from the FAA to operate its zero-emission highly-automated Pelican Spray aircraft for crop protection commercially nationwide.
With a gross weight of 1,125 lbs, Pyka’s highly-automated uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) is the largest ever to receive FAA authorisation for commercial operation in the US. In conjunction with an agricultural aircraft operator certificate, this will enable Pyka to start commercial operations.
In 2020 alone, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 54 aircraft accidents involving agricultural operations, including 12 fatal accidents resulting in 13 deaths. The FAA’s authorisation signifies its commitment to enabling larger and more advanced agricultural UAS operations in the $60 billion global drone market.
With access to Pyka’s fixed-wing, highly-automated all-electric aerial application technology, American farmers and neighbouring agricultural communities will benefit from a safer alternative to piloted spray aircraft, increased spray precision, reduced chemical usage costs and minimised environmental impact.
Pyka’s Pelican Spray aircraft is already operational on farms in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Brazil. It can carry up to 540 lbs (70 gallons) of liquid and spray up to 240 acres per hour.
Michael Norcia, Chief Executive Officer of Pyka, commented: “This commercial approval is the first step in enabling us to generate massive value for growers in the US, Latin America and other markets we operate in, while also laying the operational and regulatory groundwork for eventual scaling into uncrewed cargo operations worldwide.”
Lisa Ellman, partner and chair of Hogan Lovells’ Uncrewed Aircraft System Practice added: “Among other safety and environmental benefits, the use of highly-automated UAS like the Pelican to perform potentially hazardous aircraft operations can reduce the number of pilot fatalities that occur each year in the aerial agricultural spraying industry.”
In February, Skyports Drone Services partnered with electric autonomous aircraft manufacturer Pyka for heavy payload drone logistics to leverage its operational experience and Pyka’s heavy payload aircraft.
