The two companies have worked together since 2020 with FedEx providing Elroy Air insight into its needs and preferences. The test flights, scheduled to begin early next year, will be aimed at providing answers to deeper questions such how the aircraft interacts with FedEx facilities, staff and network and which routes make the most sense.
Elroy Air CEO David Merrill told Forbes.com the upcoming demonstration flights mark a key milestone in its relationship with FedEx.“One of the ways that I think Elroy Air and FedEx resonate is FedEx has always been about air cargo, that's their DNA,” said Merrill. “We've always viewed FedEx as a valued partner.”
The pod waiting to be picked up communicates with the drone via a set of radio frequency beacons which assists the aircraft in triangulating the pod's position. The only humans involved are those packing and unpacking the pods. The Chaparral does not require an airport for takeoff or landing.
“You don't need airport infrastructure and given the design of the Chaparral itself you don't need dedicated charging stations,” Stephens said. “We can use this from our hub to hub, ramp to ramp station to station, hub to station, ramp to station- type opportunities.”... [+]Neither Assante nor Merrill would be specific as to the exact number of aircraft to be used for the test flights. Assante indicated a “handful” would roll out next year through support from the U.S.
Source: Energy Industry News (energyindustrynews.net)