Where Things Stand Now for UAVs
Given that UAVs must conform with FAA regulations in the United States and similar regulatory authorities in other nations, their RF communications must conform to the same rules as those currently followed by helicopter and fixed-wing pilots. For instance, “all pilots, including helicopter pilots, must communicate with air traffic controllers (ATC) in airspace where communication is required,” said an FAA spokesperson.
“In only a few places are there UAVs operating in controlled airspace and communicating with ATC along with manned aircraft,” noted Associate Professor Scott Burgess, who is currently working on FAA-funded research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU) Worldwide Campus. For these UAV pilots as well as those in manned aircraft, “Part 91 aircraft operations continue to operate over VHF frequencies for air traffic control management and air-to-air communications near non-towered airports.”
UMS Skeldar is a Swiss-Swedish company that designs, makes and flies two remotely controlled, payload/surveillance- capable UAVs: The Skeldar V-150 (civilian) and the Skeldar V-200 (naval/military).
When it comes to V-150 civilian operations in controlled and uncontrolled airspace, “We have to make sure that we have flight authorization for every one of our missions.” said Joost
Hamers, head of development at UMS Skeldar. “Part of that authorization includes a very clear definition of the airspace we’re going to operate in, along with making sure that our V-150 flights do not interfere with any regular air traffic.”
One area where UAVs are expected to shine is in beyond- visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) missions over land in sparsely populated areas. Of course, executing such missions safely is a must for any UAV operator because airspace regulators will not allow them to fly if they pose any risk to the public.
This is why UMS Skeldar has been conducting BVLOS test flights that include communications using a V-150 from its temporary base at Italy’s Taranto-Grottaglie airport. “During these two months, the crew responsible for operating the V-150 consistently liaised with regular manned traffic via air traffic control (ATC),” said a UMS Skeldar news release. “When our unmanned aerial systems fly alongside manned air traffic, the crew must book their slot time, the same way a manned aircraft would, to ensure the safety of everyone involved.”
The takeaway: helicopter pilots need not worry that UAVs will be given some kind of “pass” when it comes to following the rules of aerial communications. They won’t, which is why UAV operators like UMS Skeldar are doing their best to fit into the existing ATC system.
72
July/Aug 2023
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
