Latitude Engineering HQ-55, first flight

Latitude Engineering successfully flew its newest airframe, the HQ-55, completing a Phase 1 NOAA SBIR. The Part 107 compliant aircraft flawlessly preformed multiple auto-hovers and a short flight on December 12, 2017.

Phase II is expected to entail refinement of the design, and testing of the automated launch and recovery from a moving ship. This shipborne capability will dramatically improve the capabilities of atmospheric and oceanic researchers around the world, as well as provide one of the highest payload capacities and range of any part 107 compliant aircraft.