Vigilant Aerospace has added new functions and made significant improvements to FlightHorizon using the flight data collected during our BVLOS flight testing at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in December 2016.
Watch the 90-second video about our recent beyond visual line-of-sight detect-and-avoid flight tests at NASA Armstrong.
New and Improved Features
Here’s a list highlighting some of the new improvements and features now available in FlightHorizon:
Better Flight Logging System
Improved the performance and format of the flight logging system, which logs all flight data and aircraft encounters to a local log file. This file can be used to re-play the flight in FlightHorizon at a later date and you can also save, backup and share individual flight logs between workstations easily.
Better Ownship Tracking
Added the ability to track ownship by ICAO number as broadcast by the onboard transponder, to allow for easy tracking of the unmanned aircraft instantly from flight-to-flight without needing to make any adjustments to the software.
Better Tracking Performance
Improved data flow from the ADS-B parser through the back-end processing system to the front-end user interface to increase tracked targets from approximately 30 simultaneous targets to approximately 100 simultaneous targets.
Better Hardware Integration
Completed hardware integration to both the uAvionix PingEFB receiver and the Stratux receiver for Pi 3 to allow for highly modular, high-performance ground control station signal receipt using either device and a greater variety of antennae, depending on operational needs.
Added Visual Text Warnings
Added on-screen text avoidance commands, in addition to audible commands, to provide better communication and safety assurance in noisy piloting environments.
3D Maneuver Advisories
Improved the display of 2D or 3D avoidance command flight paths to rapidly provide a visual flight guide to direct the ownship away from conflicts and to a well-clear path.
Added Self-Separation and Flight Path Return Commands
Added ability for software to provide commands not only to self-separate from potential collisions but also to return to the drone’s previous flight path.
Upgraded to Latest Version of NASA World Wind
Upgraded the FlightHorizon mapping platform to the latest version of NASA World Wind, the 3D globe viewer that provides unmanned pilots with both high resolution aerial photography and the ability to load and display complex geospatial data like weather radar, air traffic control areas, and ADS-B tower locations.
Options Management System
Addition of 20 configuration and performance options available through the user interface so that the system performance can be tuned to specific flight situations, equipage and environments.
Default Options for Fixed-wing and Quadcopter Aircraft
Added the ability to select pre-configured option sets from a drop-down menu based on the type of aircraft being flown. Default option sets include one optimized for fixed-wing UAS and another for sUAS quadcopter aircraft.
Custom Options Creation
Addition of the ability to create custom options and save them under a new, unique name in the options drop-down menu.
On-Ground Avoidance
Added specific functions to parse ADS-B signals from grounded aircraft and provide the ability to avoid not only aircraft in flight but also grounded and near-ground targets, including any transponder-equipped vehicle.
Ability to Avoid Static Vehicles
Added new trajectory prediction functions and avoidance commands for static targets, including helicopters and quadcopters with static or very slow velocities and static trajectories.
Better License Management
Added the ability to remotely provision licenses and to license FlightHorizon installs to individual aircraft using an ICAO number.
Check out our FlightHorizon Product & Service Overview and Explainer Video for more information on FlightHorizon for unmanned aircraft.
We are constantly working to improve FlightHorizon and add new features and functions. For more information or to suggest a new feature, please feel free to contact us. You can also keep up to date on FlightHorizon developments by subscribing to our monthly newsletter and following us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn!
Vigilant Aerospace is the leading developer of detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The company’s product, FlightHorizon, is based on two NASA patents and uses data from multiple sources to display a real-time picture of the air traffic around a UAS and to provide automatic avoidance maneuvers to prevent collisions. The software is designed to meet industry technical standards, to provide automatic safety and to allow UAS to safely fly beyond the sight of the pilot. The software has won multiple industry awards and the company has had contracts and users at NASA, the FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense and with a variety of drone development programs. Visit our website at www.VigilantAerospace.com