Small UAS Detect and Avoid Requirements Necessary for Limited BVLOS Operations: Separation Requirements and Training

By 2014, even before the FAA had created rules for the operation of sUAS (small Unmanned Aircraft Systems), there were numerous safety reports of close encounters between sUAS and manned aircraft. These encounters generally are occurring when manned aircraft are close to the ground during approach and landing. With the release of the 14 CFR part 107 sUAS rule, the number of UAS in the NAS (National Airspace System) has increased dramatically, increasing the probability of close encounters and midair collisions. Detect And Avoid (DAA) technology is not only necessary to help manage this risk, it is also necessary to allow Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) operations. Standards and rules for DAA that would allow UAS to conduct BLVOS operations do not exist today. Many sUAS operations, such as precision agriculture, crop and wildlife monitoring, search and rescue, and linear infrastructure inspection are thus restricted—limiting the potential of sUAS commercial operations and public benefit. This research will help inform FAA regulations and industry standards addressing DAA and BVLOS operations. Some of the questions this research intends to answer are: (1) What are the use cases requiring DAA for BVLOS operations? (2) What DAA systems are available, what are their capabilities and limitations, and are they mature enough to support BVLOS operations? (3) Is the SARP definition of “Well Clear” appropriate? (4) What characteristics of DAA systems and UAS must be considered to ensure maintenance of well clear status? (5) How should sUAS DAA systems be evaluated to ensure they provide safe separation services in the NAS? (6) What is the recommended test method(s) to evaluate different DAA systems? Research will be completed cooperatively utilizing the resources at the University of North Dakota, New Mexico State University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kansas State University Polytechnic, and Mississippi State University.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Start Date: 20180601
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft separation; Aviation safety; Crash avoidance systems; Detection and identification technologies; Drones; Regulation; Standards; Training
• Identifier Terms: National Airspace System
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01682811
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE)
• Files: RIP, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 8 2018 1:56PM