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SkySkopes, Robot Aviation fly beyond line of sight in Norway

Submitted Photo SkySkopes’ Minneapolis Director of Flight Operations Eric Goetsch launches the Robot Aviation FX20 aircraft to fly beyond visual line of sight at an airport in Norway. Norway is one of the several different countries SkySkopes has flown unmanned aircraft systems BVLOS commercially after working with the host country’s Civil Aviation Authority. The aircraft was purchased with MAGIC Fund dollars and delivered to the SkySkopes office in Minot.

Through a partnership that spans across the Atlantic Ocean, two industry-leading Unmanned Aviation System companies successfully executed Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) commercial operations in Norway and look to bring them to the United States.

“SkySkopes has flown BVLOS in numerous countries, including the United States. Flying BVLOS in Norway with Robot Aviation was fantastic and everything we would expect from a world-class operator,” said Matt Dunlevy, president and CEO of North Dakota-based SkySkopes, in a news release. “We enjoy working with industry leaders such as Robot Aviation and bringing their cutting-edge air frames to Minot, North Dakota.”

SkySkopes, with some of the most highly-certified pilots in the United States, welcomed the opportunity to work with foreign Civil Aviation Authorities in order to prove to domestic clients that SkySkopes’ pilots stand ready to take advantage of BVLOS when permitted, according to the SkySkopes news release.

SkySkopes was drawn to the FX20 manufactured by Robot Aviation for its long endurance capabilities.

“With the FX20, our electric long-endurance aircraft, equipped with detect and avoid technology for quiet and safe operations, Robot Aviation supports SkySkopes with its latest technology for operations in the growing energy sector. Our cooperation with SkySkopes will shortly result in activities for our small-tactical FX10 system, and we hope that the day when our 20-hour endurance FX450 flying in North Dakota is not far away,” said Borre Larsen, CEO of Robot Aviation, Honefoss, Norway, in the release.

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