AVSS Secures Nationwide SFOC Approval From Transport Canada for Drone Avalanche Control Technology

Special Flight Operations Certificate Allows AVSS to Use SnowDarts™ to Perform  Avalanche Management.

AVSS, a Canadian company specializing in hardware and software solutions for drones, is pleased to announce that the company has received a critical regulatory approval from Transport Canada to perform avalanche management with the company’s SnowDart™ hardware and flight planning and data analytics software platform. 

AVSS, best known for its ASTM F3322 compliant drone parachute recovery systems and guided delivery products, has expanded its technology suite with the Precision Avalanche Management System (PAMS).

The PAMS technology suite leverages AVSS’s deep understanding of airdrop dynamics and the use of pyrotechnics. The PAMS technology includes AVSS’s flight planning software to allow for safe automated missions within a geozone that drops the low-cost, eco-friendly, and consumable SnowDarts™ from the AVSS drop system to predetermined avalanche control areas. After the SnowDarts™ are dropped from the drop system and activated to perform surface level and air blasts, the PAMS technology allows for the collection of key data analytics to assess performance and provide end users with rich data sets for future mission planning.

AVSS’s Avalanche Technology Development

In 2020, AVSS began developing the core tech and required regulatory approvals to build the PAMS technology suite. After several years of testing various versions of drop systems and delivery systems technology while navigating the regulatory approvals for energetic storage and manufacturing, AVSS received a contract from Transport Canada to assess the avalanche technology performance for rail management, under the Innovation Solutions program. In 2024, AVSS then received further funding support for a multi-year project from FEDDEV to commercialize additional software and sensor suites to provide end users with a deeper understanding of the efficacy of the type of blast and insight into the avalanche pathway. With this new SFOC approval, AVSS is now positioned to complete testing and commercialization of this technology for government, mining, and ski hill end users, while exporting the technology to new markets served by AVSS’s distribution partners.

Traditional Avalanche Management

Traditionally, avalanche management has occurred by employing WW2 Howitzers, such the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) at Rogers Pass in British Columbia (Photo Credit: CTV and Melissa Gilligan), with charges being hand tossed from the sky with helicopters or by avalanche technicians traversing the areas near known pathways, or by constructing large Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) infrastructure in higher frequency avalanche paths.

Avalanche Management with Drones

By utilizing drones, avalanche management can be safer and more cost-effective. For safety, drones can reduce the frequency of helicopter use and the need for avalanche technicians to be within a hand toss of start zones. For cost effectiveness, the hourly cost and equipment purchase of drones is lower than that of helicopters. As well, a smaller team can manage a pathway than what is required for WW2 Howitzers. Additionally, drones can be used when RACS are not operational, whether for maintenance or charge replacement.

The Future of Avalanche Management

Like most use cases in the drone industry, the option of using a drone is a net benefit. Will drones completely replace traditional methods? Most likely, no. However, a drone can become a new tool that provides avalanche technicians with the opportunity to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and safety. 

ABOUT AVSS
Founded in 2017, AVSS started developing compliant safety products for commercial drones. These safety products are used worldwide and can be purchased from more than 60 partners. In 2020, AVSS expanded its product offerings with guided and unguided delivery systems for dual-use customers. The delivery systems enable critical resupply when landing a drone, helicopter, or small airplane is not an option.

AVSS’s retrofit products (DJI M4S, DJI M4D and M4TD for Dock 3 and standalone, DJI M3D and M3TD for Dock 2, DJI M200, DJI M30, DJI MAVIC 3 ENTERPRISE, DJI M300 RTK, DJI M350 RTK) are distributed worldwide through their more than 50 authorized dealer network and sold directly to drone manufacturers across the world. AVSS also provides direct support to drone manufacturers and pilots who integrate the PRS product line for flight over people and BVLOS compliance.