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