Groundbreaking Parachute System Enables Drone Flights Over People in the US

A significant development in the drone industry has emerged, as a new parachute system now allows for easier flight over people in the United States. This breakthrough, as Billy Kyle explains, could revolutionize drone operations for both recreational and commercial users.

The Game-Changing Parachute

The parachute, developed by AVSS for the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise, enables drone pilots to fly over people without the need for a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This development addresses one of the most restrictive rules in drone operation, potentially opening up new opportunities for drone photography, videography, and various commercial applications.

Billy Kyle, demonstrating the system in Syracuse, New York, stated, “Imagine if I could fly over the streets of Philly safely and legally though and get more unique shots of the skyline. Well, all of this is about to completely change thanks to this parachute.”

Category 2 Compliance

The parachute system makes the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise a Category 2 drone under FAA regulations.

Josh from AVSS explained, “A category 2 drone has been demonstrated to create injuries that are equal to or less than that of a rigid object coming in and transferring 11 foot-pounds of transfer of energy.”

To achieve this certification, the system underwent rigorous testing, including parachute testing referenced in ASM F3322 and energy transfer testing outlined in ASM 3389.

READ MORE: DJI MAVIC 3 ENTERPRISE DRONES CLEARED FOR FAA CATEGORY 2 FLIGHT OVER PEOPLE

Operational Guidelines

While the system allows for flight over people, there are still guidelines to follow:

1. Pilots must maintain a minimum deployment height for the parachute.
2. Flying over moving vehicles is allowed, but should not involve sustained flight (hovering for more than 10 seconds).
3. Transient flight over highways and roads is permitted.

Target Market

AVSS designed this system for a variety of users, including:

• Public safety organizations
• Engineering firms
• Construction companies
• Drone service providers
• Commercial entities with drone fleets

Josh from AVSS emphasized, “People who are buying our product are seeing this not just like ‘hey this is the Mavic 3 parachute, it’s $1700 USD.’ It’s not about saving that drone, it’s about the compliance and it’s about actually enabling your workforce to be more efficient.”

DroneXL’s Take

This development in drone safety technology marks a significant step forward for the industry. As we’ve seen in recent drone delivery advancements, the ability to safely operate drones in populated areas is crucial for expanding commercial applications. This parachute system could be a game-changer for urban drone operations, potentially accelerating the adoption of drones for various services in cities across the United States.

Photo courtesy of AVSS