FAA Awards Merrill Experimental Airworthiness Certification
The Torrent team stands behind their aircraft. Photo: Merrill Aviation and Defense.
Merrill Aviation and Defense has received an experimental airworthiness certification for its Torrent unmanned aerial system.
In Saginaw, Michigan, yesterday, the UAS Integration Office of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Grand Rapids Flight Standards District Office and the Detroit Manufacturing Inspection Satellite Offices met with the Torrent flight team for final inspections before issuing the certification to fly legally in the national airspace.
“We submitted the proper documentation for certification just over a year ago and have been in constant contact with the FAA for the last 12 months reviewing details,” says James Peters, FAA accountable manager from Merrill. “The fruits of Merrill’s labor paid off today when FAA representatives joined us to inspect the Torrent and the flight crew, witness a flight test and ultimately issue us our certificate of airworthiness.”
The Torrent is a lightweight, hand-launchable fixed-wing UAS with up to six hours of silent flight duration on batteries or up to 10 hours with optional solar cells. The aircraft cruises at 45 mph and can carry up to five pounds of payload. Despite its 12-foot wingspan, the Torrent can be transported in a small carry case and land without any extra equipment, according to a company press release.
Merrill is the first company in the great lakes region to be awarded the certification for UAS.
“The experimental airworthiness certificate is a major milestone for a manufacturer or commercial entity to legally start flying UAS in the national airspace,” says CEO of Merrill Technologies Group Robert Yackel. “This certification allows us to conduct product development flights, crew and customer training, customer demonstrations, pilot training and demonstrations for other state agencies including DOD, all within designated airspace.”
For all operations sanctioned by the FAA, the aircraft is required to have a pilot in command with a current commercial pilot license, according to a company press release. The Northwestern Michigan College has provided this support for Merrill, and the entities also cooperate on a COA.
Merrill sees potential uses for the aircraft in reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition, disaster avoidance, convoy escort, border monitoring, payload evaluation, and counter narcotics.
