RPAS Autopilot Validation Tool (RAVT) Initiative

UVS International has constituted the RAVT Working Group. This Working Group will develop a document describing the desired functional capabilities of an algorithm that is to evaluate the capabilities, software stability & maturity of an RPAS autopilot (runtime verification). This algorithm is to run off a laptop computer (PC) that would be hooked up to an autopilot (stand-alone or integrated into an RPA). The autopilot would be programmed, by means of the laptop, with a selection of flight missions. The flight missions would then be flown in simulation and the algorithm (software validation tool) would submit the missions to a predetermined number of specific degraded mode operational scenarios, also taking into account the geo-fencing capabilities programmed into the autopilot. Subsequently, at the end of the simulated flight missions, the algorithm would indicate the “safety level” of the autopilot.

The functional capability definition document will be submitted, after a review by JARUS, to a competent European authority, which will issue a tender for the development of the algorithm. It is the intention to fast-track this entire process and aim for a tender publishing date before the end of 2015.
This initiative could be the first step towards the development of a “product safety norm” for autopilots in the “open” & “restricted” categories (as defined by EASA), and it could possibly become one of the requirements for an acceptable “safety risk analysis”.

The RAVT Working Group consists of 18 companies in 4 categories (autopilot manufacturers, RPAS manufacturers, RPAS operators, subject matter experts) from 12 countries (Belgium, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK).