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Omni Taxi Aéreo and Petrobras Conduct First Nighttime Offshore Flight of 190Km with Unmanned Vehicles, Promoting the Collection of Essential Data and an Ordered Energy Transition.
Omni Taxi Aéreo and Petrobras proudly announce a historic milestone in national aviation with the completion of the first nighttime offshore flight of 190Km by a civil drone. The event, which took place on July 3 at Petrobras headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, marks the beginning of an innovative and sustainable era, promoting the use of advanced technology and low carbon emission solutions.
This pioneering mission is part of a continuous effort to explore new possibilities with drones, ensuring the precise collection of essential data for various operations. The introduction of these unmanned vehicles, also known as UAVs or RPAs, is a definitive step toward offshore cargo transport and the creation of a more sustainable future. The success of this flight highlights the importance of collaboration between companies to drive technological innovation and operational efficiency.
Advancement in Civil Aviation with Drone Flight
Rio de Janeiro, July 10, 2024 – Brazilian civil aviation has reached a historic milestone with the completion of the first long-range flight of a civil drone. This event symbolizes substantial progress in the use of remotely piloted aircraft, widely known as drones, within national territory. Commissioned by Petrobras on June 19, the nighttime flight at an altitude of 8,000 feet covered a distance of 198 km over the sea, starting at Imbetiba Base, located in Macaé (RJ), and concluding at the offshore platform P-51. This operation represented the first occurrence of offshore cargo transport using an unmanned vehicle in Brazil.
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International Partnership and Testing Operations
The contract with Petrobras is managed by Omni Taxi Aéreo, and the testing operations and validations of operational concepts are conducted in partnership with the Norwegian company Nordic Unmanned. Together, Nordic Unmanned and Omni Helicopters International (OHI) have established a joint venture called OHI Unmanned, dedicated to the operation of unmanned vehicles (Classes 1 and 2) with high complexity and operational capacity. ‘This was a milestone not only for our aviation but also for Omni. It was the longest distance covered by a civil unmanned aircraft (107 NM) in Brazil and, as far as we know, in the world. Additionally, it was the first use of an RPA in a long-distance nighttime offshore flight in the country,’ celebrated Roberto Coimbra, CEO of Omni Taxi Aéreo.
Celebrating the Historic Milestone
The celebration of the flight included representatives from Omni, Petrobras, ANAC, DECEA, and Nav Brasil. The objective of the operation was not limited to cargo transport but also involved the collection of essential data about airspace sharing between UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and helicopters. This integration symbolizes a significant advancement in the development of unmanned aerial logistics, resulting in greater efficiency and safety in operations. ‘OHI is at the forefront of sustainable solutions that support the ordered energy transition. This initiative opens doors for significantly reduced costs and CO2 emissions for smaller and urgent cargo, replacing the use of conventional helicopters and boats,’ said João Welsh, CEO of OHI Unmanned.
Importance of Trilateral Cooperation
João Welsh also emphasized that this significant milestone was only made possible due to the successful trilateral cooperation between Omni Taxi Aéreo, OHI Unmanned, and Nordic Unmanned. In addition to logistical employment, this RPA system will also enhance the capacity for effective actions in emergencies, such as oil leak detection and search and rescue operations for human lives, both during the day and at night.
About Omni Taxi Aéreo
Omni Taxi Aéreo, founded in December 2000, is based on principles of safety, teamwork, ethics, business excellence, and transparency. A leader in offshore air transport in Latin America, it offers high capacity to serve clients in the Oil & Gas and Energy markets, with services including crew change, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Firefighting, Search and Rescue Operations, as well as specialized Cargo Transport services in remote and challenging locations. Omni Taxi Aéreo is part of the Omni Helicopters International (OHI) Group.
About Omni Helicopters International
Omni Helicopters International (OHI), founded in Portugal in the 1990s, is at the forefront of the air mobility and delivery solutions sector in Latin America. As the largest provider of these services in the region, it serves diverse client groups across various segments, ensuring continuous and efficient solutions. Through its subsidiaries Omni Taxi Aéreo in Brazil, Omni Helicopters Guyana Inc., and Omni Helicopters International Mozambique, OHI offers unmatched capacity and competence to serve offshore clients in the fastest-growing energy markets. The company’s extensive portfolio encompasses crew change, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Firefighting, Search and Rescue Operations, as well as highly specialized Cargo and Utility services in remote and challenging locations.
Innovative Initiatives by OHI
In alignment with its commitment to innovation, OHI recently launched two groundbreaking ventures: OHI Unmanned, a division specializing in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) services, and Revo, a provider of premium advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions. Omni Taxi Aéreo and Petrobras achieved a historic feat in Brazilian aviation with the first nighttime offshore flight of 190 km by a civil drone: a new technology utilizing unmanned and low carbon emission vehicles.
Source: © raquel.pinto@fsb.com.br
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