FAA Plans Unmanned ‘Sense and Avoid’ Rule in 2016
by BILL CAREY
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration expects to formulate a standard by 2016 that will permit unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to interoperate with manned aircraft using an “electronic means” to see and avoid potential collisions, according to the executive leading the FAA’s effort to introduce UAS into the airspace system.
James Williams, manager of the agency’s UAS integration office, said an aviation rulemaking committee the FAA formed is looking into amending Part 91.113, the federal aviation regulation that prescribes aircraft right-of-way rules, to allow for an electronic sensing system that would enable UAS to steer clear of potential collisions with other aircraft. Another special committee, assembled by standards organization RTCA, will develop the technological requirements for a UAS “sense-and-avoid” system, and will meet for the first time on July 30. Williams spoke at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) safety forum in Washington, D.C., on July 17.
