Operational usages and regulatory framework of RPAS

UAS, RPAS, Models• UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) and its

subset RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) are aircraft (ICAO docet)

• They simply do not have a pilot on-board• Toys or models (whatever size) are not UAS• Models with a camera on-board are UAS?

RPAS, why are they so challenging?• “Integrate RPAS” in aviation is like

“domesticate animals”

RPAS and animals• Both may vary a lot in size

RPAS and animals• Shape

RPAS and animals• Performance

RPAS and animals• … and operational usage

Pillars of Safety Regulation

Airworthiness

Good airmanship (crew)

Operations

Who’s involved• ICAO does not promulgate laws

(recommendations, guidelines)• National Civil Aviation Authorities (Competent

Authorities)• JARUS (Joint Authorities UAS)• Working groups on specific topics

(Communication Spectrum, Detect and Avoid)

And in Europe?• EASA mandate above 150 kg• Does not affect traditional aviation• Huge impact on “small” RPAS regulation• Result: non harmonized regulatory framework

– Some Member States have a full Regulation– Some MS are in a limbo (Exemptions, special permits)– Some others do not have rules at all

We have a roadmap

Integration timeline

Initial operations

Integration

Evolution

Critical path initial operations

Critical path integration

Critical path evolution

VFRVFR

IFR

BVLOS

EVLOS

VLOS

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2023 2028Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2023 2028Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Riga Declaration (March 2015)• Drones need to be treated as new types of aircraft with

proportionate rules based on the risk of each operation • EU rules for the safe provision of drone services need to

be developed now • Technologies and standards need to be developed for

the full integration of drones in the European airspace • Public acceptance is key to the growth of drone services • Operator of a drone is responsible for its use

EASA Concept of Operations• On 31 July 2015 EASA launched a consultation

process on a new regulatory framework for drones. This document (NPA, Notice of Proposed Amendement) presents a new regulatory approach for safely operating remotely piloted aircraft.

• Based on the so called Concept of Operations

Main challenges