EASA’s U-Space: What it Means for European Drone Operations (DRONELIFE Exclusive) скачать в хорошем качестве

EASA’s U-Space: What it Means for European Drone Operations (DRONELIFE Exclusive)

Posted By: Miriam McNabbon: April 17, 2023 A DRONELIFE exclusive: a team of experts outlines what EASA’s U-Space means for European drone operations. The following is a guest post by Richard Hakes, Oliver Beiersdorf, and Julia Norsetter of global law firm Reed Smith’s Transportation Industry Group. DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payments for guest posts.EASA U-Space EASA’s U-Space: The future of air traffic management for drones and VTOL The future of air mobility will include large numbers of unmanned aircraft flying in complex environments. Initially, unmanned operations started in rural areas to mitigate risk, but integration of these aircraft into congested airspace is needed to realize key social and environmental benefits. Continue reading below, or listen: DroneLife · EASA – U-Space – The – Future – Of – Air – Traffic – Management – For – Drones – And – VTOL Integration of unmanned aircraft into urban settings also requires sophisticated air traffic management. After all, an unmanned aircraft does not have a pilot on board to communicate with an air traffic controller about its flight plan and airspace risks. The European Union, through its aviation safety authority (EASA) has taken measurable steps to address this traffic management challenge with the development of an unmanned traffic management system, called the “U-Space.” According to EASA, its U-Space framework will “enable a safe integration of drones and manned aircraft in Europe from 2023 [onwards].” This will be accomplished through the U-Space’s digital and automated services inside a designated volume of airspace. Common Information Service (CIS) Supplier. The CIS is a fundamental central data backbone of the U-Space. This data backbone has a number of responsibilities, including data transmission with both USSPs and unmanned aircraft operators. Specifications for U-Space operations and servicing entities are set forth in “acceptable means of compliance” (AMC) and guidance material (GM) issued in a decision by EASA in December 2022. For example, the AMC and GM will inform stakeholders, including Member States and potential service suppliers, as they seek approvals for use within the U-Space. Specific topics addressed within the AMC and GM include: For CIS, the operational functioning and the certification process For USSPs, the certification process and standards for the connection of CIS to USSPs For Member States, information relating to the risk assessment needed to designate U-Space, and Member State responsibilities For manned aircraft, acceptable means for conspicuously entering the U-Space Current Options for Unmanned Aircraft Operations The U-Space is still a developing framework with additional testing and evaluation before ubiquitous unmanned operations can occur. Nevertheless, UAS operators have the option of using the existing EASA drone regulatory framework for approval of diverse UAS operations (unrelated to U-Space). For example, certain operations beyond the visual line of sight of a UAS pilot-in-command may be approved using EASA’s risk assessment (SORA) to receive a risk score (SAIL) that will help in the approval process. This existing pathway may be a good first step for stakeholders seeking to familiarize themselves with EASA operational approval standards. As it relates to new opportunities, EASA recently released a plan for its dissemination of regulations for high-risk operations for UAS and VTOL aircraft. The first tranche of information will likely address certain high-risk UAS operations and manned VTOL aircraft. Read more: Europe’s U-Space Framework: Amit Ganjoo on The Drone Radio Show Podcast with Randy Goers France Chooses 8 UTM Providers to Create a “Best of Breed” Integrated Solution: “U-Space Together” The U-Space Deadline is January 2023. What Has to Happen Before That? A Conversation with ANRA’s Amit Ganjoo EASA High Level Conference on Drones: Drone Strategy Makes Europe “A Safe and Attractive Place” for Investment Reed Smith’s global aviation team has decades of experience helping clients achieve their objectives and mitigate risks. The firm has a deep knowledge of the aviation industry and provides legal services to a broad spectrum of clients ranging from lenders, arrangers, lessors, leasing companies, and export credit agencies, to airlines, operators, aircraft and component part manufacturers, and aerospace and satellite companies.