Leveling up: What Part 135 Certification means for DroneUp

Last week, we announced that we received our Part 135 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. This is a major milestone for DroneUp, positioning us among just six other drone delivery companies in the U.S. operating as a Part 135 air carrier.

But what does being Part 135 certified actually entail, and what does it mean for our partners and customers? Let's break it down.

👀 Going the Extra Mile(s)

As a Part 135 air carrier, we can now go Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and over populated areas, bringing our delivery radius up to 5 Miles—which means we can reach 300% more customers.

Ok, but...what's BVLOS?

Normally, when flying a drone, you have to keep it within your line of sight or use a visual observer to ensure it's safe and can avoid obstacles. BVLOS is the ability for drones to fly out of the operator's sight, allowing a drone to fly much farther. It relies on advanced technology like UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) systems, DAA (Detect and Avoid) systems and sensors to navigate safely. DroneUp's proprietary systems are designed to support these capabilities, ensuring safe, long-distance drone operations—all vetted and approved by the FAA.

And not to flex but...our drones can carry up to 10lbs, the largest payload in the industry! 💪

🦺 Safety First

As a Part 135 Air Carrier, we're adhering to the FAA's rigorous standards for aviation operators.

These rules set by the FAA are designed to ensure that commercial drone flights follow strict safety standards. Think of it like a driver's license for drones, but with even more detailed rules to keep things secure.

Under Part 135, drone operators must meet specific qualifications, similar to those required for pilots of manned aircraft. This means drone pilots undergo specialized training to ensure they can safely operate the drone in all conditions, from clear skies to more challenging environments. But safety doesn’t stop with the pilot. The drones themselves must also be in tip-top shape—like your car or an airplane. Regular maintenance and safety checks are mandatory to ensure the drone is always ready to fly safely and complete its mission.

Part 135 also sets strict guidelines for how drones should be flown. Operators must follow specific protocols for flying in adverse weather conditions and know exactly what to do in case of an emergency. When flying beyond the operator’s line of sight, drones must be equipped with advanced technologies, like Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems and real-time communication tools, to prevent accidents. Think of these systems as the drone's eyes and ears, helping it navigate safely and autonomously, even when it's out of the operator's view.

Finally, Part 135 also mandates that companies must implement a comprehensive safety management system to continuously monitor and improve their operations, identifying potential risks before they escalate to help ensure that every flight is as safe as possible.

TL;DR: Rest assured that as we're taking to the skies with safety as a priority, your precious cargo is safe with us 🫡

🌎 Best Practices for the Planet

Our team takes environmental standards seriously, and under Part 135, environmental regulations are crucial in ensuring our drone operations have minimal impact on the environment. 

By adhering to BVLOS regulations and adopting best practices, this certification demonstrates our commitment to safe, sustainable and responsible operations. ♻️

🫸🫷A Team Effort

This certification would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of many individuals behind the scenes. It is the outcome of a true collaboration between DroneUp’s technology team, field crew and operators, along with the invaluable partnership and support from the FAA.

✈️ The Sky's the Limit

So, now that we're a Part 135 certified operation...what's next?

We're currently operating under Part 135 in Murphy, Texas, as we work toward implementing operations in 10 other locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. This means 300% more households in Murphy will now be able to experience the game-changing convenience of drone delivery—in 30 minutes or less.

The ability to travel BVLOS paired with our proprietary technology positions us to continue to innovate and reach more customers in the future. And as Part 135 allows us to scale operations, our vision of $7 drone delivery is that much closer to becoming a reality.

Pretty fly, right?