Drone Delivery Canada completes first Canary commercial flights
DDC completed three round trip flights on the Care by Air route in accordance with Canadian aviation regulations
Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) successfully completed the first flights in a commercial setting for the Canary remote piloted aircraft (RPA) on the Care by Air route, which is the company's longest ever commercial route at 13.4 kilometres.
DDC completed three round trip flights with the Canary drone, with all flights completed in accordance with the Canadian aviation regulations. The third flight was completed in wind conditions where the Sparrow RPA would not have been flown, highlighting the improved flight dynamics of the Canary over the Sparrow.
"The successful commercial flights of the Canary on the Care by Air route marks a significant milestone for our company and the drone delivery industry as a whole," said Steve Magirias, CEO, Drone Delivery Canada. "We are incredibly proud of our team's dedication and innovation, which has allowed us to push the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of drone logistics. The Canary's impressive performance demonstrates its immense potential to revolutionise healthcare supply chains and make a tangible difference in people's lives."
Compared to its predecessor, the Sparrow RPA, the Canary showcased improved performance in several flight measures. The Canary completed the trip in less time (nine percent reduction in flight duration) and with less battery power consumption (42 percent less). Additionally, the Canary recorded a noise level reduction of 46 percent compared to the Sparrow RPA.
The Canary flew the same route as the Sparrow but future routes would be more efficient due to the Canary's ability to fly over people which will allow for more direct customer routes leading to further reductions in flight time and improved utilisation.
The Canary RPA features enhanced design, performance, and technology, including a payload of up to 4.5 kilogrammes, a range of greater than 20 kilometres, real-time communication and tracking systems, an integrated scale on the RPA itself, a 50 percent reduction in the number of batteries needed in comparison to the Sparrow RPA. Safety is paramount in the design of the Canary RPA and to ensure the utmost protection of both people and property, the aircraft is equipped with a state-of-the-art parachute recovery system. This innovative feature enables the Canary RPA to fly over populated areas, expanding its potential applications and increasing its versatility.
Moreover, the Canary RPA boasts several benefits, including faster and safer delivery of essential goods, reduced delivery costs, and enhanced accessibility to both remote and urban areas. The Canary advances DDC's technology and capabilities while improving the operational parameters for our customers and significantly improving operational efficiencies for DDC.
With the integrated scale designed onto the RPA, DDC will be able to reduce ground infrastructure costs, speed up deployments and provide a more robust solution to the end customer. Additionally, the Canary RPA can reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional transportation methods, contributing to a more sustainable future.
