From PrecisionHawk's post on its milestone FAA approval to fly beyond visual line of sight, in which they describe their interesting LATAS system:
To further mitigate risk, PrecisionHawk uses an airspace display technology called LATAS to help track the aircraft and avoid potential hazards such as trees, powerlines or manned aircraft. While it is not a required to receive an EVLOS waiver, LATAS plays a key role in PrecisionHawk’s own operations. The LATAS web application is a free tool available on www.flylatas.com and provides an extra layer of safety and protection for any operator flying under Part 107.
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Why is the Cessna 150 flying around at 2000' agl the biggest risk?
ADS-B out is going to cost upwards of 10K to purchase and install on a general aviation aircraft, while commercial operators can pass this cost onto the consumer you can see the problem that is coming to a head. ADS-B is also still very spotty with coverage under 500' so what your seeing is definitely not the whole picture.
Good thing you're tasked with implementing & getting all the certifications for the LATAS, ADSB, ROS standards & not me.
I actually inquired about LATAS a couple days ago. Apparently it's a stand-alone device. Platform/autopilot agnostic. It has it's own GPS, doesn't plug into the autopilot at all. Just needs power, and then relays location data via LTE, and then assume there's some cloud services running.
So I'm not really sure how this helps with BVLOS. I'm not really sure what this does that standard Ardupilot with an ADS-B transponder can't do already. And in Canada, it's severely hampered by the LTE requirement. That means it will not work in about 90+% of our land area. Maybe 99%.
Both systems (LATAS and Ping ADS-B) do not help actively sense and avoid aircraft, and rely on manned aircraft having transponders. Which, is a big problem, as at this time, private aircraft don't have them, and they are the biggest risk.
@Greg yes Mission Planner gets ADSB. It was I think the first GCS to do that. http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/whoop-whoop-live-air-traffic-ov... Look at that, back in 2014. How time flies!
I am sure the waiver has nothing specifically to do with Ardupilot. The platform is probably less important than the workflow and results. It just needs to get the job done. The marketing is slick as well.
That's great that Ardupilot was the first platform that got the EVLOS waiver. It's a great and reliable system, thanks to the devs. But if you think about it, no proof yet, I'll bet the waiver has nothing to do with the flight controller. Interestingly, their waver gives them the privilege to fly EVLOS and the ability to train others to get a waiver. So I guess you need training from an accredited trainer and PH is the only one. You too can have a waiver for a fee. Doesn't Mission Planner get ADSB ? Can Google Maps help avoid trees ? What does this LATAS do that MP can't ? Enough with my rant. Bye
Precision Hawk is extremely aggressive. I've talked to them off and on for the last couple years and they've grown exponentially. Of all the online image processors I've tried, I've been most happy with theirs (Datamapper). It's true the Lancaster is underwhelming. But so is the Ebee. Can't believe the prices they get out of the hardware, but they deliver uniformity and reliability, which is what pays apparently.
That they are using Ardupilot is a surprise to me though! They certainly don't breath a word of this in marketing.
I'd like to see all claimed features listed on flylatas.com work in real life.
In contrast, that makes us only appreciate even more the fact Ardupilot is concrete, real and functional. Thx Devs!
Great Job Dev Team
Ardupilot GO GO GO :) @Chris in Virtualrobotix , too :)
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