Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Transcription

1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) UAS 101 Presented to: Airports Consultant Council Technical Workshop Presented by: Victoria Wei, Deputy Director Airport Planning and Programming Date: July 16, 2015

2 FAA Vision for UAS Integration Safe, Efficient, and Timely integration of UAS into the national airspace SAFE Because safety is the FAA s primary mission EFFICIENT TIMELY FAA is committed to reduce delays and increase system reliability FAA is dedicated to supporting this exciting new technology 2

3 What are UAS? Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been referred to by various terms over the years: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs) Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROAs) Drones Model or Radio-Controlled Aircraft FAA defines UAS as a system: Unmanned Aircraft (UA) Aircraft Control Station Command & Control Links Pilot 3

4 Where are UAS Operating? UAS are operated in most classes of airspace Flight over populated areas must be approved on a case-by-case basis 4

5 Who is Operating UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS)? Public (Governmental) Use Aircraft via Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce Department of Defense Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of Interior Department of Justice NASA State Universities Federal/State/Local Law Enforcement Civil Aircraft via Special Airworthiness Certificates in the Experimental Category and Special Flight Permits Insitu Aerovironment Raytheon AAI Corporation General Atomics Boeing Others Civil Aircraft via Section 333 Exemption and COA for Limited, Low-Risk Commercial Operations Television/Movie Filming Precision and Aerial Survey Flare Stack Inspection Construction Monitoring Agriculture Real Estate Utility Inspection Infrastructure Inspection Roof Inspection Surface Mining Others 5

6 UAS Test Sites University of Alaska Operational May 5, 2014 State of Nevada Operational June 9, 2014 New York Griffiss International Airport Operational August 7, 2014 North Dakota Department of Commerce Operational April 21, 2014 Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Operational June 20, 2014 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) Operational August 13, Program scheduled to expire February 14,

7 Potential Areas for Section 333 FILMING POWER LINE INSPECTION PRECISION AGRICULTURE FLARE STACK INSPECTION 7

8 Petitions for Section 333 Exemption Required by Section 333 of the FMRA Bridge for commercial UAS operations before finalization of small UAS rule More than 2,400 petitions received to date; more than 800 exemptions granted* FAA responded by improving process: Streamlined Blanket COA (March 23) Under 200, within visual line of sight, during daylight hours, certain distances away from airports and heliports Streamlined evaluation process (March 30) *as of July 10 8

9 Section 333 Operators Partial List 9

10 Proposed Small UAS Rule Currently in DRAFT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Published to Federal Register on February 23, 2015 Public comment period concluded on April 24, 2015 Produced approximately 4,500 public comments Small commercial UAS projected to be largest growth sector 10

11 Proposed Small UAS Rule: Major Provisions Must see and avoid manned aircraft UAS must be first to maneuver away if collision risk arises Must discontinue flight in event of presenting a hazard to other aircraft, people or property Must assess risks presented by: Weather conditions Airspace restrictions Location of people May not fly over people, except those directly involved with the operation Flights limited to: 500 feet altitude 100 mph Must avoid airport flight paths and restricted airspace areas Must obey any FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) 11

12 Focus Area Pathfinder Overview Announced at AUVSI May 2015 Purpose: Identify the safety mitigations that can lead to expanded access for UAS and inform future rulemaking Approach: Work with industry partners to gain operational approval for key UAS operations and establish a repeatable process Population suas rule EVLOS BVLOS 12

13 New World for Recreational Aircraft Model aircraft have been around for decades, but there are new entrants into the recreational community These types of aircraft may be purchased at a hobby shop or online for a few hundred dollars Many of these new recreational operators do not have aviation experience, and may not know FAA model aircraft guidelines (AC 91-57): Stay below 400 ft. Avoid manned aircraft Operate during daylight hours Remain within visual line of sight 13

14 Interpretive Rule FAA published guidance after incidents involving the reckless use of unmanned model aircraft near airports and involving large crowds of people FAA issued the notice to provide clear guidance to model operators on the do s and don ts of flying safely in accordance with the 2012 FAA Reauthorization Act and to answer questions regarding the scope and application of the rules Clarifies: 1. Model aircraft must satisfy the criteria in the Act to qualify as model aircraft and to be exempt from future FAA rulemaking action 2. Consistent with the Act, if a model aircraft operator endangers the safety of the NAS, the FAA has the authority to take enforcement action against those operators for safety violations Posted to Federal Register on June 23, 2014; public comment period produced more than 30,000 comments 14

15 Education, Compliance and Enforcement Notice to Aviation Inspectors issued July 2014 Stresses education as primary approach vs. enforcement Compliance and Enforcement Bulletin published January 2015 Defines authorized vs. unauthorized operations Outlines actions for violators Enforcement may be used for persons who operate any UAS : In violation of the Regulations (FARs) In a manner that endangers the safety of the NAS or people and property on the ground Additional enforcement tools include: Warning notices, letters of correction, civil penalties 15

16 Know Before You Fly Campaign Announced December 22, 2014 Provides prospective UAS users with information and guidance to fly safely and responsibly Founding members: AUVSI, Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the Small UAV Coalition FAA reached voluntary agreement with UAS manufacturers to include guidance materials in packaging DJI, Parrot and Yuneec Electrical Aviation 16

17 B4UFLY Mobile App Announced at AUVSI Unmanned Systems 2015 on May 6 Designed to provide model aircraft situational awareness of any restrictions or requirements prior to flight Limited beta test planned for this summer Up to 1,000 users Will last several months, then available to general public ios version only 17

18 B4UFLY Mobile App Features A clear status indicator that immediately informs the operator about their current or planned location Information on the parameters that drive the status indicator A Planner Mode for future flights in different locations Informative, interactive maps with filtering options Links to other FAA UAS resources and regulatory information 18

19 Law Enforcement Guidance Role of state and local law enforcement Best position to respond quickly to public safety issues Front line in detecting/reporting UAS violations Generally in the best position to capture evidence and identify witnesses Public interest best served by coordination and cooperation between FAA and state/local law enforcement 19

20 UAS Center of Excellence Award announced May 8: Alliance for System Safety through Research Excellence (ASSURE) Team led by Mississippi State University Focus: research, education and training in areas critical to safe and successful integration of UAS into the NAS Expected to begin research by September 2015 and be fully operational by January 2016 $5 million appropriated by Congress (5 years); will be matched one-by-one by team Expected to perform any required flight testing at one or more of the six Congressionallymandated Test Sites 20

21 Regulatory Issues and Airports FAA Office of Airports may have to consider modifications to current regulations to conform to other regulations that have been developed or modified in response to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and any future reauthorization/legislation. For example, potential impacts might include: Modifications to Part 139 and related policy. Modifications to Part 77 and related policy. Other modifications to existing regulations and additional regulations affecting airport operations. Implementation of Safety Management Systems. Environmental impact, noise, emissions, unique fuel requirements, and associated requirements of UAS operators. 21

22 Airspace Issues and Airports The Air Traffic Organization is considering operational procedures to account for UAS operations of all different types to ensure safe separation of UAS from manned aircraft. This could impact: Protection of Part 77, TERPS, and AC 150/ A surfaces from unwarranted intrusion. Integration of UAS into existing ATC operations and airport traffic patterns. 22

23 Control Issues Airport/UAS compatibility. Security and access control. Access to AOA and Movement Areas by UAS operators. Communications between UAS operator, airport staff, and/or air traffic control tower staff. Frequency coverage and control. 23

24 Airport Planning, Financial, and Compliance Issues Potential modifications to the definitions of aeronautical activity. Potential ramifications for emergency response. Potential changes in training needs for airport personnel. Potential impacts to facility requirements Airport grant assurances related to preserving safety, access and utility. Changes in costs and potential revenues for airports. Questions about eligibility for AIP or PFC funds for facilities that support UAS operators. (cont d) 24

25 Airport Planning, Financial, and Compliance Issues Potential to significantly shift activity types and levels. Data collection e.g., at what point (and for what types of UAS) do we start to consider UAS to be based aircraft and what types of UAS operations can be counted as operations? Public relations and communications. 25

26 Questions? 26