Three-Year Program Begins Wednesday

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is set to begin a three-year program to evaluate the use of drones to delivery medical supplies under the FAA's UAS Integration Pilot Program.

The Heard Sun newspaper reports that the first flight will be conducted Wednesday with a short flight using a drone developed by Swiss manufacturer Matternet. The drone will cary vials of water from multiple buildings to WakeMed's flagship hospital across the street from the origin points. James Pearce, a spokesman for NCDOT’s Division of Aviation, said the goal is to eventually expand the flights between WakeMed's facilities in different parts of the county.

Matternet has demonstrated such deliveries in Switzerland, but Pierce said this is the first time such flights will be conducted in the United States. The drones are approved for BVLOS operations for the purpose of the tests, though Pierce said there wil be spotters along the way during these first short test flights.

On Thursday, the NCDOT will hold an initial public meeting to discuss the program and solicit feedback. That meeting will be held at the Perry Health Sciences Campus of Wake Tech Community College.

(Image from NCDOT)

FMI: Original report, www.ncdot.gov/divisions/aviation/uas-integration-pilot/Pages/default.aspx