CZBM (Bromont) — PAPI verification by drone
Since 2017, PAPI verification by drone at Bromont (CZBM). Typical timeline: about 15 minutes per runway threshold (~30 minutes for both thresholds on one runway), with high-precision readings from a stabilized profile.
Context
Roland-Désourdy Airport in Bromont (CZBM) has for several years been a background test site for HighCloud: since 2017, the team has run PAPI (precision approach path indicator) verification trials by drone, working with airport operations and respecting field traffic.
Constraints
Operations take place in a busy GA / business aviation environment: separation from movements, sensitive areas, radio coordination and compliance with NOTAMs. These campaigns are documented technical trials; any operational roll-out depends on the regulatory framework and approvals in force.
Approach
HighCloud iterated stable flight profiles to observe PAPI light banks from controlled height and offset, with high-precision interpretation of light states and perceived geometry. At CZBM, the typical observed timeline is about 15 minutes per runway threshold and about 30 minutes to cover both thresholds on the same runway (excluding briefing, setup and tower coordination). Processing and reporting rely on internal tooling (not published publicly).
Deliverables
- Visual finding packages (image sets or referenced video extracts)
- Field notes: conditions, sensors, target geometry, observations
- Improvement paths to industrialize the method at other sites
- Finding schema and traceability suited to the mandate (internal use)
Results
- 1Repeated trial campaigns at CZBM since 2017 with no drone-related safety incident.
- 2Order-of-magnitude performance: ~15 minutes per runway threshold and ~30 minutes for a two-threshold runway (excluding coordination and preparation).
- 3High-precision capture: PAPI banks and approach geometry observed from a stabilized, repeatable flight profile.
- 4Repeatable process and structured deliverables (internal tooling not published).
- 5Reusable methodology baseline for other aerodromes under operator and authority agreement.
Internal software — demo
Client
Roland-Désourdy Airport — Bromont (CZBM / ZBM)
Sector
Critical infrastructure
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