INTEGRATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS Into the New York Terminal Area

Christopher KennedyAnthony Peri

INTRODUCTION Integration of Unmanned Aerial

Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS)

Plans for UAS in New York Area Create a set of regulations

specific to UAS to match that of manned aircraft

Least intrusive to current policies, efficiency, and safety

Utilise current and future technologies and plans

Broader utilisation of UAS Security, cartography,

photography, weather, commercial

HISTORY OF UAS Used in warfare for over a

century Bombs attached to balloons

(Pre-20th Century) Radio controlled drones for

anti-aircraft training (WWII) Reconnaissance drones

(Vietnam War) Full-sized combat drones

(Operation Iraqi Freedom) More domestic applications

Border patrol, search and rescue, surveillance, etc.

NEXTGEN UAS INTEGRATION PLANS Next Generation Air

Transportation System (NextGen) Rely on satellite

technology for navigation and collision avoidance

increase efficiency/accuracy and decrease costs

integration of UAS must comply with future environment of NextGen

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NW approach RNAV 22L EWR

Distance from airport (nm)

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTEGRATION PLANS

Department of Defense (DoD) Plans DoD leads UAS integration Wide operations of UAS, National

regulation of aircraft and pilot Partnership with FAA, NASA, Homeland

Security, etc. Outlined points for integration set with

DoD and FAA regulations Aircraft must be certified, pilots

must be qualified, and flights must be in compliance with current procedures

UAS TECHNOLOGY UAS Operations

A ground control Station, UAV, Satellite Uplink, and satellite relay

Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Satellite-based system overhaul of NAS

Transponder Emits identifying signal in response to a received signal

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-broadcast Aircraft Tracking through satellite navigation Key element of NextGen Required for most aircraft by 2020

New York Terminal Area and Class B Airspace

UAS AIRSPACE DESIGN The airspace around New York City is very complex due

to a large amount of private and commercial air traffic.

After Comparing four airspace proposals, a Special Flight Rules Area with UAS transient routes was adopted, as it fit with the majority of manned flight operations in the New York Area.

This design features two E-W routes and one N-S route to transit the airspace with minimal controller contact.

A corridor will be set up for UAS operations 3 NM wide by 2000 ft in altitude. This will allow free flight while remaining clear of other traffic.

UAS INTEGRATION AIRSPACE DESIGN

SAFETY AND SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS New York Terminal Area contains three of the busiest

airports in the nation, multiple commercial ports, and New York City.

UAS routes and special flight rules area was designed to mitigate threats and hazards while flight of UAS is conducted in this airspace.

Air traffic control must be notified of any course deviations by PIC of UAS system before entering SFRA from transient corridor.

All unmanned aircraft within the lateral boundaries of New York Class B VFR airspace must maintain contact with approach control.

If within the transient corridor, UAS does not need to maintain contact, but must continue to squawk a designated corridor transponder code.

IFR traffic Interference

residential impact

System Safety

System Security

VFR Traffic Alterations

Continuity with existing system

UAS airport access

Emergency Procedures

ATC controller responsibility

Airspace Changes required

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Alternate Design Matrix

Design 1Design 2Design 3Design 4

CONCLUSION UAS Integration specific to

the New York Terminal Area is possible with expected NextGen technology.

IFR traffic and controller workload will not be impacted with the addition of UAS in the proposed manner

VFR traffic will still be required to be in contact with air traffic control when in Class B airspace, will be vectored clear of UAS transit routes.