Certiflight: Two Years of Advancing Airspace Safety with Blockchain-Backed UTM Solutions, Now Entering Validation

Antwerp, November 27, 2024 — Unifly, a global leader in Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), celebrates the second anniversary of its Certiflight project. Launched in November 2022, Certiflight leverages blockchain, European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (EGNSS), and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to enhance the safety and accountability of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and General Aviation (GA) flights. Certiflight is the first Galileo-based U-space service to certify flight tracks for UAS and ultralight aircraft, providing tamper-proof, legally valid flight data.

Certiflight includes a Digital EGNSS/IoT device that ensures the authenticity and integrity of flight data. Installed on UAS and GA aircraft, the device encrypts data and stores it on a blockchain for verifiable tracking. This technology strengthens airspace safety by preventing data manipulation, and offering trusted data for law enforcement, incident investigations, and regulatory compliance.

Certiflight integrates Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) technology, which links authenticated positioning data with a blockchain, providing secure, certified flight data. Pilots use the Certiflight UTM Box to transmit encrypted data, which can be verified via a certification portal.

In April 2024, Certiflight completed a Test Readiness Review (TRR) in Prague, confirming the readiness of the system for real-world testing. Key outcomes included:

Validation of Certiflight devices for secure and reliable performance
Enhanced spoofing detection with improved EGNSS algorithms
Seamless integration with UTM/USSP platforms
Transition to the integration and validation phases.

The Certiflight validation process officially kicked off in November 2024 and will continue through January 2025. This process will demonstrate the system’s capabilities through seven representative scenarios, which include:

Volume Calculation
Powerline Inspection
Airspace Infringement / E-conspicuity
Agriculture Applications
Airport Inspection
Monitoring Activities
Port Surveillance with Unifly involvement.

Each scenario is designed to test specific features of the Certiflight technology, including the devices and methodologies used, as well as the actors and equipment involved. The goal is to ensure that the system delivers the necessary functionality to meet the use cases and needs of all identified stakeholders.

Unifly will be part of the Port Surveillance scenario, where real-time demonstration of its capabilities will take place in a port area. Drones will be used for environmental monitoring, safety, and security. Expected results from this scenario include:

Real-time visualisation of authenticated flight tracking
Generation of light and full operation reports
Automated flight log book
Recorded Unifly UTM flight tracks
Feedback from port stakeholders and authorities

This scenario will be part of a broader demonstration campaign in Belgium, Italy, and the Czech Republic, showcasing Certiflight’s interoperability with multiple U-space service providers, including Unifly.

“Certiflight represents a leap forward in securing the skies for unmanned and general aviation. By combining blockchain, EGNSS, and IoT, we’re setting new standards for data integrity and accountability, building trust in an evolving airspace.”

Andres Van Swalm, CEO of UniflY

Unifly’s involvement in Certiflight underscores its commitment to advancing UTM technology and ensuring the safe integration of next-generation aircraft into shared airspace.

About Unifly

Unifly is a leading aviation technology company focused on enhancing the safety and efficiency of autonomous aviation. As a critical player in the UAS ecosystem, Unifly’s platform enables the safe integration of drones, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and other next-generation aircraft into shared airspace. Through automated traffic management and seamless integration with UTM and U-Space service providers, Unifly is shaping the future of air traffic management. With over ten commercial UTM deployments worldwide, Unifly is at the forefront of UTM technology.

For more information on Certiflight and Unifly’s role in UTM solutions, acess https://certiflight.info/ or contact us at press@unifly.aero.