First To Be Authorized Under New Procedures

Sensurion Aerospace has become the first manufacturer to receive a Special Airworthiness Certificate (SAC) from the FAA under its new procedures, which designate authority to the Test Range for SAC review and guidance.

With the issuance of this highly sought-after FAA certification, Sensurion’s MAGPIE MP-1 unmanned aircraft is now authorized to fly in the Nevada UAS Test Range, which is part of the US National Airspace System. In addition, the FAA issued Certificates of Authorization (COA) for MAGPIE MP-1 to operate in Nevada UAS Test Range airspace.

A successful test flight of the newly-certified MAGPIE, US registration N106MP, was completed in Boulder City on December 19, where Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, Sen. Dean Heller, and Rep. Joe Heck were among those participating in a ceremony marking the official initiation of Nevada UAS Test Range operations.

“This is a great day for the State of Nevada, the FAA, and Sensurion Aerospace,” said Sensurion CEO Joe Burns. “This is an important step forward for the unmanned aircraft industry, and for aviation innovation in Nevada. Sensurion Aerospace is proud to have our MAGPIE MP-1 initiate operations here in the Nevada UAS Test Range, and to be among the first to carry an FAA ‘N number’ registration. We look forward to using the Nevada Test Range extensively in our development of the Magpie and other unmanned aircraft.”

With this important leadership step in the certification of UAS, Sensurion Aerospace is proceeding with critical 333 exemptions to authorize civil use of the MAGPIE MP-1 in oil and gas exploration missions, critical infrastructure monitoring, atmospherics and gas sensing and flight training.

(Image provided by Sensurion. (L-R) Steve Hill, Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), Representative Joe Heck, Governor of Nevada Brian Sandoval, Sensurion Aerospace CEO Captain Joe Burns, Senator Dean Heller)

FMI: www.sensurion.com