Certification Helps Enable Safe and Legal Drone Flights Over People
AVSS Completes Third-Party Testing for PRS-M30
AVSS – Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions – has completed third-party testing for its PRS-M30 parachute system designed for the DJI M30 Series. The testing meets the new ASTM F3322-24a standard, published in December 2024.
This certification plays a key role in allowing commercial drone operators to fly over people safely and legally in many countries. AVSS completed the compliance process on Friday, March 28. That same day, the company shipped its first batch of parachutes to customers in North America and Europe.
AVSS is now accepting new orders for the PRS-M30, with deliveries planned throughout the second quarter of 2025.
A Boost for Public Safety Operations
This milestone aligns with recent developments in the U.S. drone policy landscape. The FAA has announced a new Certificate of Waiver (COW) process for Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) programs, specifically for shielded operations.
According to the Drone Responders leadership team, “sUA weighing more than 0.88lbs. including all required equipage and payload, will be equipped and operated with a Parachute Recovery System (PRS) that conforms to ASTM F3322-18 or newer standard; only if requesting to operate over people in non-life saving situations.”
The new COW process allows public safety agencies to bypass the slower Certificate of Authorization (COA) system. This update may cut approval times from months to just a few weeks. The updated checklist includes the use of a certified parachute recovery system for operations over people.
For U.S. public safety agencies seeking to implement drone programs, the timing of AVSS’s compliance and shipment could prove beneficial.
About ASTM F3322-24a
The ASTM F3322 standard was created in collaboration with the FAA and other industry stakeholders. The goal was to provide a clear and verified way to demonstrate parachute system performance.
The updated 24a version increases the number of required tests from 45 to 49. It includes third-party validation and engineering analysis. Many aviation authorities worldwide now recognize ASTM F3322-24a as a trusted benchmark for approving drones to fly over people.
About AVSS
Founded in 2017, AVSS is a Canadian aerospace company focused on drone safety technologies. Its products include parachute recovery systems, flight termination systems, and precision delivery solutions.
AVSS products are designed to retrofit popular drone platforms including the DJI M30, M350 RTK, M300 RTK, and MAVIC 3 ENTERPRISE. The company has over 50 authorized dealers globally and works directly with drone manufacturers and pilots to meet safety standards for operations over people and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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