Aircraft
Autonomous Merlin Pilot Wins Airworthiness Approval in New Zealand
Initially, technology will support reduced-crew flight operations
Merlin's autonomous Cessna Caravan is pictured in flight
Merlin has received an experimental certificate of airworthiness from New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority for the autonomous Cessna 208B Grand Caravan.

The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ) has awarded Merlin an experimental airworthiness certificate for its Merlin Pilot autonomous flight platform, clearing it to begin certification flight testing in the country, the company announced on May 22.

Starting with the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, Merlin intends to offer its autonomous flight control system for various aircraft under supplemental type certificates. While the Merlin Pilot could someday enable fully autonomous flights without human pilots on board, Merlin is initially focused on implementing the technology as a pilot aid for reduced-crew operations.

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