Commercial Certification – Raptor Maps, Merlin Labs, Drone Up, VAI

Client: Raptor Maps

Crown Supported Raptor maps in program management of FAA certification documentation, specifically multiple Concept of Operations and Safety Risk Assessments. The purpose of these documents serves to describe the operational concept called Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Non-Critical Industrial Shielding (NCIS) remote operations of utility-scale energy inspections using several docked and undocked UAS systems. These operations involve one remote pilot in command (RPIC) operating one small, unmanned aircraft (UA) (1:1 operations) from a remote location to perform routine and ad hoc inspections of a Raptor Maps managed utility, each located across multiple states.

Crown developed the documentation in accordance with FAA guidance1 and represents part of a System Analysis package intended to inform the FAA Safety Risk Management (SRM) process as defined by FAA Order 8040.6A, UAS Safety Risk Management (SRM) Policy. The concept of operations (CONOPS) provides background on the applicant as a UAS operator, an overview of the requested operations, and a high-level description of the relevant systems and procedures.

Client: Merlin Labs

Merlin Labs, focused on Automation, including highly-to-fully automated systems, selected Crown Consulting to conduct an industry survey to gain knowledge of highly-to-fully automated aviation systems and how Merlin Labs is perceived from outside perspectives. The survey conducted encapsulates multiple angles of stakeholders including OEMs, regulators, standards bodies, academia, and other industry leaders. This report highlights the collected survey knowledge on highly-to-fully automated aviation systems from industry and categorizes the findings into six sub-sections. The results and findings from the industry-wide survey is meant to guide and help inform Merlin Labs on their services and products on how to best align with industry.

Client: DroneUp 

Crown drafted and executed DroneUp’s successful application for a Standard Part 135 air carrier certificate (AOC) to enable efficient, safe, BVLOS package delivery for compensation using UAS. Crown served as the primary independent consultant, assisting DroneUp in navigating the process to complete all the required submissions for application. Crown collaborated with several FAA departments to ensure first submission approvals for each step of the application.

In addition to the successful application, Crown also provided weekly leadership consultation. This including leadership guidance, regulatory environment updates, and changes in industry trends.

Client: VAI

Crown developed a strategic Roadmap for AAM Operations for Vertical Aviation International (VAI) (formerly Helicopter Association International, HAI).

Crown engaged with more than 16 industry leaders in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to prioritize the future opportunities and needs to enable full scale AAM operations. The report presented findings on infrastructure use and development; regulations and airspace use; training, vehicle development, and insurance; and the AAM enterprise. The roadmap was released at Heli-Expo in February 2023 and updated in October 2024. The benefit to VAI was to help establish thought leadership and strategy for the views of AAM to the helicopter community.