Reliable Robotics Completes First Automated Cessna 208B Flights at Albuquerque Sunport

Reliable Robotics completed its first automated flights at Albuquerque International Sunport, with a remote pilot supervising a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan from more than 700 miles away. The company announced the flights on Wednesday as part of a federal program under the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to Yahoo.

How the Sunport Flight Campaign Worked

Over two days, Reliable Robotics conducted an autonomous flight campaign to show how widely used single-engine cargo planes can be operated remotely using modified flight controls and detect-and-avoid technology designed to reduce collision risks. The tests, whose exact dates were not specified in a Wednesday news release, follow U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's June visit to Albuquerque to tour Reliable's facility.

While a safety pilot remained aboard, the aircraft performed automated taxiing, takeoffs and landings under the supervision of a remote pilot at Reliable Robotics' California headquarters, more than 700 miles away. The remote pilot could monitor and command the aircraft and communicate with air traffic control.

The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan plane is around 42 feet long, with a wingspan of roughly 52 feet and a cruising speed of 213 miles per hour. The Sunport was chosen partly because of its complex airspace, which includes a mix of joint-use military and civilian traffic within Class C airspace.

"Reliable's work with the FAA and the City of Albuquerque is building the roadmap for integrating autonomy into high-density airspaces, clearing a major hurdle toward commercial operations," said Robert Rose, CEO and co-founder of Reliable Robotics, in a statement.

Manny Manriquez, the city's aviation director, said in a statement that partnering with Reliable Robotics "reflects the kind of collaboration we embrace at the Sunport — working with aviation innovators and the FAA to help shape the future of flight."

Reliable Airlines Plans Santa Fe and Durango Cargo Service

As part of the program, the company, through its subsidiary Reliable Airlines, plans to conduct pre-certification commercial flights through daily regional air cargo service from the Sunport to Santa Fe Regional Airport and the Durango-La Plata County Airport in Colorado.

Earlier this year, the city of Albuquerque was selected for the test flights as part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program. New Mexico is the sixth location to begin demonstration flights.

Reliable Robotics Funding and Certification Records

Reliable Robotics closed a $160 million Series D funding round in April 2026 led by Nimble Partners, reaching a post-money valuation of nearly $1 billion to scale Reliable Autonomy System production, according to akta.pro company records. The same records show the company received FAA acceptance of certification plans for the Reliable Autonomy System in April 2026, clearing initial procedural gates with full approval targeted around 2028.

In March 2026, Reliable Robotics was selected alongside the City of Albuquerque for the FAA's Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, enabling first commercial autonomous regional cargo operations in the U.S. through subsidiary Reliable Airlines, the same records show.

Earlier Reliable Robotics Funding and Leadership Moves

In October 2026, Reliable Robotics extended its Series D round with $115 million in equity and $25 million in debt, bringing the total to $160 million at a post-money valuation of approximately $1 billion, Crypto Briefing reported.

In October 2026, Reliable Robotics appointed Russ Elmer as General Counsel, bringing over three decades of experience in regulated markets, Business Wire Blog reported. He will oversee legal operations to support growth into commercial and defense markets, including FAA certification.

In June 2026, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited Albuquerque and said Reliable Robotics will "change the future of aviation," the Albuquerque Journal reported.