Sagetech Avionics has been partnering with pioneering electric VTOL aircraft innovator Joby Aviation since 2022. The companies are studying the role of onboard piloted Detect and Avoid (DAA) in support of Joby’s proposed enhanced Visual Flight Rules (eVFR) operations.
These operations, described in RTCA’s DO-398a Operational Services and Environment Document (OSED) as an extension to special VFR (SVFR), would provide earlier warnings of impending close encounters with nearby aircraft and provide maneuver guidance to avoid close encounters entirely, even when the pilot cannot see the neighboring aircraft.
In later implementations, eVFR would provide an operating umbrella that improves operational tolerance to weather impacts by lowering visibility and cloud clearance requirements.  
 The core of the eVFR operating capability is the FAA’s next-generation collision avoidance algorithm for rotorcraft, ACAS Xr. 
Sagetech’s ACAS Xr-based DAA system builds on the foundation of the TSO Authorized MXS transponder for use in crewed and uncrewed operations. 
As the system and industry requirements mature Joby continues evaluation and testing of the prototype DAA system in flight, and in a lab environment.
The goal of the joint effort is to certify a DAA solution that meets the needs of Part 135 eVTOL operations and supports any aircraft that would benefit from operating under eVFR.
