Eurocontrol outlines regional UAV activity
Fifteen European nations are now conducting visual line of sight (VLOS) operations on a regular basis, either through national regulation or special authorisation.
Some states are also allowing beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations to take place (below 500ft).
In a special Single European Sky briefing, Eurocontrol said its work with other international bodies will be expanded as much as possible.
In the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) study group, Eurocontrol is now directly involved in the drafting of ten of the 15 chapters of a new UAS manual.
It is also supporting EASA and the JARUS Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems for regulatory developments and two EUROCAE working groups with their ongoing standardisation work. It is also developing generic training material for the mid-air collision avoidance system (MIDCAS) real-time simulation that is to take place this month.
From the military perspective, several countries are addressing the integration aspect either by creating large training areas or by creatively using segregation to ensure access to non-segregated airspace.
One country will operationally accept Euro Hawk later this year as more and more countries allow military RPAS to be used under state-specific conditions.
“This is encouraging overall but it shows the need to continue our work on harmonised integration both in the civil and military area,” said Eurocontrol.
Euruocontrol is currently using the feedback received from member states on their RPAS integration efforts, from both the civil and military perspectives. This is part of its work on the regulatory gap analysis. As soon as the results become available, they will be shared with the RPAS community.
Eurocontrol is also in the final stages of developing a dedicated RPAS website where all its UAS publications will be available as well as a wide range of other useful documents. The website will also provide an overview of RPAS activities on a state-by-sate basis and current regulation. It is designed to provide a regulatory overview showing all the specific differences.
Eurocontrol said its work with the states has led to several support activities like the Ranger RPAS now operating IFR in class C airspace in Switzerland and that it is supporting NATO with its plan to integrate Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) RPAS into non-segregated airspace.
“The low-level operations (below 500ft) have the potential to grow faster with the support of the right regulatory material. Looking at the UK where more than 193 civil commercial companies are registered, we can only expect large growth in this new type of industry for the ECAC,” it said.
“If we look at the near future, it is hard to judge how this new form of aviation will develop. The 150 kg issue is an obstacle we need to approach pragmatically. As things stand, RPAS is to be forced into the existing regulatory and certification approach used for manned aviation, which is based on weight. Moving away from this towards a more operationally orientated approach will provide more room for successful manoeuvre.”
http://www.airtrafficmanagement.net/2013/07/eurocontrol-outlines-regional-uav-activity/
