Merlin Expands Autonomous Flight Capabilities with Latest Certification in New Zealand

Merlin has received an Experimental Certificate of Airworthiness from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ). This allows the firm to start certification flight tests for their autonomous flying systems designed for fixed-wing planes.

This development marks a key step in Merlin's pursuit of full autonomy certification from takeoff to landing.

The CAANZ had previously granted initial approval for Merlin's certification plans in September 2021, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), establishing a foundational framework for autonomous flight systems.

The recently obtained certification signifies the move towards the concluding stage of Merlin's supplemental type certificate (STC) program, enabling experimental flight tests.

The CAANZ will be involved in managing risks and gathering intelligence, showing faith in Merlin’s ability to run its autonomous system securely within a regulated environment.

Furthermore, Merlin has received test pilot approvals in New Zealand, facilitating simultaneous test flights across various aircraft, which is expected to expedite the certification timeline and enhance the company's readiness for commercial operations.

Matt George, the CEO and founder of Merlin, stated: "This certification in New Zealand signifies significant trust from CAANZ and marks an important technical achievement in our certification process."

“The testing carried out in the region plays a crucial role in advancing the maturity of our platform and directly supports in-air operability and certification efforts not only with the CAANZ, but also with the FAA.”

In May 2023, Merlin revealed the launch of its testing site in Kerikeri, highlighting key achievements including the completion of SOI 1 and securing a Part 135 Air Operators Certificate for upcoming cargo operations across New Zealand.

Furthermore, the firm has recently obtained a Part 145 Maintenance Certification for aviation maintenance services.

In February this year, Merlin and Quikjet collaborated to conduct a study to evaluate pilot fatigue levels during flights.

The goal is to understand how wellness factors affect pilot performance, which will help establish new safety standards and improve operational efficiency in the aviation industry, as well as guide the ongoing development of the Merlin Pilot.

"Merlin advances autonomous flight testing with new certification in New Zealand" was originally created and published by Airport Technology , a travelcheapwithoutmissingoutowned brand.

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