Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Steve Weidner National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)
National UAS Representative
March 10, 2015
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Vision for UAS Integration
Integration should be… Safe
Efficient Timely
What are UAS? • Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(UAS) historically were called by various terms: Drone/RPA/ROA/RPV/UAV
Model/R-C
• FAA defines UAS as a system consisting of: Unmanned Aircraft (UA) Remote Pilot Station Command & Control Link/s Pilot
Communication
What’s Driving UAS Integration?
The Law The FAA Modernization and Reform
Act of 2012
Sections 332-336
Economic Impact
Estimated at $82 Billion with over 100,000 Jobs
Created AUVSI 2013
Commercial Applications
Law Enforcement/Fire Fighting/Missing Persons
Public Safety Capabilities
Small UAS Rule Notice of Proposed Rule Making
Required by Section 332 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 “… a final rule on small unmanned aircraft systems that will allow for civil
operation of such systems in the national airspace”
Proposed Small UAS Rule announced on February 15, 2015 Published to Federal Register on February 23, 2015 60 day public comment period open; runs through April 24, 2015
Key initiative for introducing commercial UAS operations safely into the NAS
Small UAS Rule Summary Major Provisions Proposed:
Less than 55 pounds Maximum altitude of 500’ AGL
Maximum airspeed 100 MPH (87 knots)
Within Visual Line of Sight/Daytime operations only
The proposed rule can be viewed at: WWW.FAA.GOV/UAS
Bridge to the Small UAS Rule Section 333
Required by Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012
Bridge for commercial UAS operations before finalization of sUAS Rule
Enables commercial activity
More than 450 petitions for exemption have been received by the FAA
UAS Test Sites University of Alaska
• Includes test ranges in Hawaii, Oregon, Kansas and Tennessee
State of Nevada New York Griffiss International Airport
• Includes test ranges in Massachusetts North Dakota Department of Commerce Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University (Virginia Tech) • Includes test ranges in New Jersey (partnered
with Rutgers University) and Maryland
UAS Test Site Activities December 30, 2013: Six Congressionally-mandated Test Sites
awarded
August 13, 2014 all six Test Sites operational
October 2014 Test Sites provided research topics of interest for the FAA
February 13, 2017: Test Sites operations scheduled to conclude
June 2017: Final report due to Congress within 90 days of the Test Site program conclusion
Current Activities to Enable Integration Research activities: FAA Technical Center NASA, MITRE and DoD Cooperative Research and Development
Agreements with Industry
Analysis on wake turbulence application
Development of Detect and Avoid technology (RTCA SC-228)
Current Activities to Enable Integration Safety Risk Management Activity
Conduct baseline UAS/RPAS safety assessments for all classes of airspace and document outcomes in Safety Risk Management Documents
Current Activities to Enable Integration UAS Operations 200’ AGL and Below
• 5 miles from towered airports
• 3 miles from airports with an instrument approach
• 2 miles from airports without an instrument approach
• Within Visual Line of Sight
• Daylight/VFR/VMC
Current Activities to Enable Integration
Visual Line of Sight Over Populated Areas
Extended Visual Line of Sight
Beyond Visual Line of Sight
Where are UAS Operating in the United States?
• UAS have and are operating in all classes of airspace
• Flight over populated areas on a case-by-case basis
COA Applications Submitted for UAS Flight
All data as of Dec 2014
COA Applications Approved
All data as of Dec 2014
Approved Commercial Operations Under Section 333
FILMING | POWER LINE INSPECTION | PRECISION AGRICULTURE | FLARE STACK INSPECTION
Challenges to Integration
Challenges to Integration • UAS Need to be Able to Comply With “See
and Avoid” • Standardized Lost Link Procedures Need to
be Developed • Standardized Air Traffic Procedures Need to
be Developed
Do You Recognize This Aircraft?
DJI Phantom 2 Currently the most purchased aircraft in the world!
Averaging over 20,000 sales per month
Cost range: $500 - $1500 USD
Take-off weight = 2.5 pounds
Max speed = 22 mph
QUESTIONS?
Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) Process
Five step process involving review by: Headquarters Service Centers Flight Standards Service ATC Facility
Application processing time 60 business days
Process allows input (mitigations) on the proposed UAS operation from all involved
FAA UAS Integration Office Single POC for All-Things UAS
• Single executive focal point • Standup complete May 2013 • Sponsoring Office for all FAA UAS Research
and Development