Merlin
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Today, we’re excited to share that we’ve officially launched the flight test campaign for the certification-ready Cessna Caravan equipped with the Merlin Pilot. This groundbreaking campaign marks a first in the aviation industry and demonstrates Merlin’s ability to create advanced automation systems that are not only innovative but also certification-ready. Once proven, this technology is poised to extend across various aircraft types, including the C-130J and KC-135, in collaboration with the United States Air Force.
The Evolution of Merlin: From Concept to Certification
With this campaign, the Merlin Pilot has moved from the experimental phase to delivering a ‘final draft’. As our CEO and Founder Matt George explained, “What we’ve installed on this aircraft is not a prototype. This is the actual certification configuration.” The current configuration includes all the necessary design data, drawings, and substantiation reports, as well as custom racks, structures, and compliant wiring.
This campaign is not just about proving the technology; it’s about validating a fully integrated system that can take an aircraft from takeoff to touchdown with advanced automation. For pilots, this represents a system that is truly “set it and forget it.” The culmination of this campaign will ultimately see the aircraft returned to service in the Supplemental Type Certificate configuration, marking a significant step toward Merlin’s certification and commercialization goals.
Advanced Avionics and Automation
The Cessna Caravan at the center of this campaign has undergone a complete transformation. The aircraft now boasts a glass cockpit with advanced avionics, new sensors, autopilot, and an automated communication system. One of the standout features is the dual redundancy in the advanced automation systems, akin to those found in Part 25 air-transport category aircraft, ensuring enhanced reliability and safety.
Since June 2024, the aircraft has successfully completed integration and functional check flights. It is now progressing through open, inner, and closed-loop testing flights. This rigorous process will culminate in Q3 2024 with the validation of Merlin’s automatic flight control system.
A Commitment to Safety and Efficiency
This milestone flight test campaign underscores Merlin’s commitment to pioneering advancements in aviation safety and efficiency. By introducing automated takeoff and landing capabilities to a Part 23 aircraft, we are laying the groundwork for a new era of aviation where automation plays a central role in ensuring safe and efficient flights.
Sherif Ali, Chief Engineer at Merlin, highlighted the meticulous approach taken during this campaign: “At Merlin, we take progressive, pragmatic steps as has been evidenced before with our recent approach to our Certification System Bench. The same can be said for this flight test campaign. We stripped everything out of this Cessna Caravan and replaced the instrument panel and legacy systems with state-of-the-art modern avionics and custom hardware and software for the Merlin Pilot. The high level of integration and quality control was essential to meet certification standards.”
With these advanced systems onboard, the Merlin Pilot can determine the aircraft’s position, heading, and altitude, and process this data to autonomously fly the aircraft to its destination. “It’s inspiring to be part of a company that truly believes in doing things right to materially advance our certification process one flight hour at a time,” Ali added.
The Road Ahead
As we continue this steady push toward certification and commercialization, this flight test campaign represents a significant leap forward in the journey to make autonomous flight a reality. The successful completion of this campaign will not only validate Merlin’s technology but also set the stage for broader adoption of autonomous flight systems across the aviation industry.
Merlin’s progress is a testament to the company’s dedication to safety, innovation, and the future of aviation. With each flight hour logged, Merlin brings us one step closer to a world where autonomous flight is not just a possibility but a certified, trusted reality.