NASA Prepares to Fly a Large Unmanned Aircraft in Public Airspace Without Chase Plane for First Time

NASA’s remotely-piloted Ikhana aircraft, based at the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, performs one of several flight tests in preparation to fly in the National Airspace System without a safety chase aircraft. On June 12, 2018, NASA successfully flew the historic flight, which will help to move the United States one step closer to normalizing unmanned aircraft operations in the airspace used by commercial and private pilots.

[petebike]

I have never wanted to work for NASA more than i do at this moment. Well done!

[rpriesol]

If you want to check this flight on flightradar - registration number is N870NA

[nearlyworthless]

Let me get this straight... Space X is landing boosters and NASA is flying drones.

[NicholasLittlejohn]

Hey #NASA, do you use #renewablejetfuel as we work on #electricaviation? I'd like to help!

[RubenKelevra]

Can this drone handle ATC communication autonomously? If not I don't see how this system is flying autonomously.

Don't get me wrong, I like the progress, but it looks like that the plane was flying itself while you do remotely the ATC community 'by hand'.

[ChristianBlueChimp]

Can't wait to see this happen every day without any human interference.

[SmokeyTube]

How fast is your internet NASA? Just wondering.

[xray]

George AFB? Wow guys, I know money is tight, but get them to buy you some new map data.

[EzeSepe]

I'll never fly in a passenger plane without a pilot... I want some one in the front trying to save his own life in case of something going wrong.

[galvinstanley]

We don't need unmanned airplanes, we have autopilot for that.