BEYOND is the next phase of the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP), which will extend the federal program over the next four years. The pilot program was initially launched in 2017 to shape the future of UAS (drones) in America and enable agencies to work on policy to safely advance UAS operations, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), flights over people and night operations.

Using innovative strategies, the IPP Lead Participants crafted successful safety cases to operate under the FAA’s existing regulations to conduct UAS operations that included package delivery, law enforcement support, infrastructure inspections, disaster damage assessments, agricultural applications and other missions. The data from these flights has informed ongoing rulemaking, policy and guidance and will continue to support future efforts.

“Our success in UAS research allows us to advance technology while keeping safety at the forefront,” said NDDOT Director Bill Panos. “We look forward to continue working in partnership with North Dakota UAS leaders and building a safer airspace while developing economic benefits for the state.

The FAA is working with all the original lead participants to continue this successful work with new focused efforts to tackle remaining UAS challenges such as BVLOS operations and societal and economic benefits through BEYOND. 

The UAS BEYOND program will focus on the steps necessary to facilitate scalable, repeatable and economically feasible BVLOS operations. This will involve leveraging Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide UAS network. This first-of-its-kind network will facilitate safe and efficient BVLOS flights, giving North Dakota expanded capacity for complex operations. Key site implementation for Vantis is already in progress, and as it is built out to cover the entire state, UAS BEYOND will inform that development.