“This has a positive impact on traffic congestion and reduces the number of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere, which helps Leduc become and maintain a clean and healthy community for generations to come,” Young said.
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Smaller than a bicyle and powered by what appear to be four small fans, the teardrop-shaped Canary drone was the star of a futuristic show in Leduc Tuesday with the announcement of the next phase of a ground-breaking project.
Phase two of the co-ordinated effort to turn Edmonton International Airport (YEG) into the country’s first airport to integrate drone logistics into its operations took a village, attendees heard at the Best Western Plus Edmonton Airport Hotel.
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In December 2021, YEG became Canada’s first airport to integrate drone logistics into its operation. In May 2022, regularly scheduled commercial drone service in controlled airspace launched with deliveries to a spot in Pat Wilson Park in Leduc County as operated by Drone Delivery Canada, which recently merged with Volatus Aerospace.
The terminus now becomes a DroneSpot at the Akamihk Medical Clinic in Leduc, owned by the Montana First Nation, with the gleaming yellow Canary hovering above rail routes on the way.
Leduc Mayor Bob Young said assisting the “first and last mile” of delivery is good for the community.
“This has a positive impact on traffic congestion and reduces the number of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere, which helps Leduc become and maintain a clean and healthy community for generations to come,” Young said.
In the first phase of the ground-breaking service out of YEG, a Sparrow drone made more than 3,000 short-hop flights, carrying a total of 1,300 kilograms a total of 8,500 kilometres, with the help of Air Canada as its sales agent and Apple Express Courier.
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“This was the first step in creating a sophisticated drone logistic network at connecting airports across the country today,” said Greg Colacitti of Drone Delivery Canada.
The Canary drone, weighing in at 20 kgs, is part of phase two. It flies at different, predetermined heights along the drone route. That’s a height of 150 feet above Queen Elizabeth II Highway and the railway line, lowering to 50 feet above the ground before landing.
The Canary drone can carry small cargo weighing up to 4.5 kilograms, going up to 25 kilometres, making it an ideal solution for delivering urgent, high-value, time-sensitive packages like pharmaceutical supplies and medical supplies, Colacitti said.
“This is a significant milestone, not just for Drone Delivery Canada, but for the future of the logistics transportation industry across the country,” he said.
Finding alternatives to the first and final mile in logistics is becoming more and more important all the time, said Heather Stewart, president of Braden Burry Expediting.
“This project has the potential to open up the opportunity for drone delivery to become a reality at remote sites and remote communities where most activity is located in and around an aerodrome. Drones can provide the flexibility needed for critical and urgent shipments,” she said.
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Public use of drones in YEG airspace remains prohibited.
Coun. Simone Pipestem of Montana First Nation envisions drones sustainably benefiting remote Indigenous communities and businesses like solar farms and health clinics.
“It would also help to reduce our carbon footprint as a people,” Pipestem said, noting the Montana First Nation chief has been approached by chiefs in remote communities about the project.
“I also see the potential economic development opportunities in the growth of drone services and I believe, as First Nations, we can play a part in this industry. Most of us live in remote communities, and I can see training and employment opportunities for our youth in drone services,” she said.
“Our issues and needs are similar, and we can solve them collectively if we work together. When our First Nations and rural communities thrive, we all thrive,” Pipestem said.
As for the future of drones as delivery methods, the sky’s the limit.
Leduc-Beaumont UCP MLA Brandon Lunty said it’s time to embrace the future of drone technology.
“There’s so many potential applications,” he said, citing supplying commercial, medical and first responders as some examples.
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“Who knows what we’re going to use drones in the future for?” Lunty said.
The goal of expanding the route and partners is to bring commercial drone operations closer to a recognizable sustainable mode of transport, said Megan Hall at Edmonton International Airport.
“The future goal is to deliver final-mile packages for e-commerce businesses, removing vehicles from the road, reducing congestion, and helping to control air pollution and emissions,” Hall said.
jcarmichael@postmedia.com
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