Volatus Aerospace Inc. has integrated the Trimble PX-1 RTX solution into its commercial delivery drone service, enabling accurate positioning and heading for fully-remote drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The integration provides clients with turnkey capabilities for highly-accurate aerial data acquisition and real-world mission deployment.
The Trimble PX-1 RTX utilizes CenterPoint RTX corrections and compact, high-performance GNSS-inertial hardware to deliver real-time, centimeter-level positioning and precise inertial-derived true heading measurements. This technology reduces operational risks through enhanced positioning redundancy, mitigating challenges associated with poor sensor performance or magnetic interference.
Precision Positioning in Controlled Airspace
Volatus operates daily deliveries of medical supplies from Edmonton International Airport to the Montana First Nations Clinic, operating beneath an active runway glide path. Transport Canada and Nav Canada approved flight corridors require strict adherence to airspace entry and exit procedures, altitude restrictions at 50 feet when crossing airplane arrival routes, and communication protocols with remote identification systems.
The Trimble PX-1 RTX’s precise positioning capabilities address critical accuracy challenges during takeoff and landing operations while maintaining exact flight altitude and positioning within defined flight corridors. This precision supports compliance with Nav Canada’s controlled airspace authorization, essential for sustained operations in this restricted environment.
“Volatus conducts daily deliveries of medical supplies from Edmonton International Airport to the Montana First Nations Clinic, routinely operating beneath an active runway glide path,” said Greg Colacitti, COO of Volatus Aerospace. “Integrating Trimble’s PX-1 RTX technology into our Canary delivery drone system has been a game changer. The enhanced positional accuracy within tightly defined delivery zones significantly strengthens the safety case for our operations and further supports the reliability and scalability of our service.”
Joe Hutton, director of inertial technology and airborne solutions at Trimble, emphasized the broader industry implications: “The PX-1 RTX is changing commercial drone package delivery by providing greater precision and reliability, which are essential for reducing costs, minimizing environmental impact, increasing operational efficiencies and enhancing safety.”
More information about the PX-1 system is available from Trimble’s website.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.