Unmanned Aircraft Systems Presented to Center of Excellence for General Aviation Research March 14, 2005

1. Unmanned Aircraft SystemsPresented toCenter of Excellence for General Aviation ResearchMarch 14, 2005

2. “To Safely Integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems Into The NAS” • Flight Plan Performance Target: GA Fatal Accidents • Strategic Initiative: UAV Procedures • Strategic Activity: UAV Approval Process • Begin developing policy, procedures and approval processes to enable operation of UAS in the NAS • Activity Target: Issue NPRM for UAS by September 05

3. Industry Has Grown • Around 40 Countries currently operate 75-80 Unmanned Aircraft Systems • Europe is expected to double it’s share of the global UAS market from 11% to 19% in 10 years • European Budget (Civil and Military) EUR 5.5 billion from 2003 to 2012

4. US Unmanned Aircraft Systems Growth • During past 5 fiscal years, Congress has funded $2.7 billion to promote rapid employment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. • US budget in 1994 for UAS was $267 Million, in 2004 $1.7 Billion • US Market estimated to be $23.7 Billion between 2001 and 2010 • 70% of Global growth and market share will be in the US by 2010 • Note: financial estimates from GAO and UAVWorld.Com

5. The FAA Has: • Initiated a Rulemaking Project to develop a Special Federal Aviation Regulation that will: • Define UAS as Aircraft • Issue these Aircraft a “Special” Airworthiness Certificate • Issue “Pilots” an Authorization • Ensure Safety by un-aided visual de-confliction

6. This Rulemaking Project is the First of what is Envisioned as a Three-tiered Process • SFAR 1 – Places the Industry on notice of the initial requirements for “Limited” UAS operations in the NAS. Predominately Low Altitude Operations (2006 – 2011) • SFAR 2 – Incorporates High Altitude Operations including ACCESS 5 derived flights, and utilizes RTCA Standards of Detect Sense and Avoid (2008 – 2013) • SFAR 3 – Provides for Operation in all classes of Airspace (2010 – 2015) Permanent Regulation in place by 2015

7. FAA has Requested RTCA to Undertake Development of: • Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) • MASPS establishes high-level system description and functionality of UAS (December 05) • MASPS for Command, Control and Communications of UAS (June 06) • MASPS for Detect, Sense and Avoid Systems (Dec 07) • RTCA “Kickoff” and Plenary Session of Special Committee SC-203 was held November 29, 2004 through December 2, 2004

8. Enhanced Certificate of Authorization • The AVS organization enhanced our analysis for Certificates of Authorizations (COAs) pertaining to UAS Operations • Participation has been by AFS 200, 300, 400, 800, AIR 100, 200, AAM, AAI and Regional Flight Standards personnel • In conjunction with Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Headquarters and ATO Enroute and Terminal Personnel.

9. AVS UAS TCRG • The AVS Organization has established a new Technical Community Representatives Group (TCRG) to identify Research and Development requirements to support rulemaking and the development of policy and practices for UAS. • Eight Research and Development Requirements for 2005 have been identified: • Detect, Sense, & Avoid • Command, Control and Communication • Flight Termination • Airspace Risk Analysis • Enhanced Vision • Unmanned Aircraft Control Station – Operator Guidelines • Evaluation of Current and Historical Technological Development Relating To UAS Maintenance Issues • Human Factors in the Maintenance of Unmanned Aircraft

10. UAS TCRG R&D Funding • Detect Sense and Avoid • Primary Obstacle To Safely And Transparently Integrate UAS Into The NAS • UAS TCRG’s No. 1 R&D request for FY-07 Budget • Initial Request of 500K To Perform 3 Tasks • Determine Current DSA Capabilities • Determine DSA Performance Requirements • Determine Existing DSA Technologies • FY2007 – above target initiative

11. UAS TCRG Funding Continued • Command Control And Communication • No 2 UAS TCRG R&D Funding Request for FY-07 • Initial Funding Request Of 500K To Accomplish 3 Tasks • Perform UAS Communication Performance Characteristics Study • Perform UAS Communication Latency Study • Perform UAS Command-Control-Communication Requirements Study • FY2007 – above target initiative

12. UAS Related Activities • The Agency has continued participation in, and development of numerous UAS related activities: NASA/ACCESS 5 AIAA ASTM DOD DHS JPDO

13. Dynamic Challenges • Flying today – DOD, Public Aircraft Operations, and Civil Operations • Certificates of Authorization (COAs) for UAS operations are becoming less viable • Requests For Operation of Civil UAS are Increasing • Results are Long Delays in the Approval Process

14. Problem / Scope • E-COA does not support Industry Demands • 30 to 50 COA Applications received Annually • 6-8 COA Civil Applications Received/Pending • Approximately 500 current operators

15. The Growing Demand for Civil UAS Operations Inquiries/application are expected from: Bell, Boeing, Northrop-Grumman, and one or more of the Access 5/UNITE members, Blue Origin LLC. With the recognition of these machines as “civil aircraft” comes the requirement for some form of airworthiness, certification and registration. The Agency had hoped to utilize the COA process until the issuance of the SFAR Final Rule. A more immediate solution may have to be found.

16. Assumptions • 70 Manufactures World Wide, 145 Different Models, 500 Operators in the US • SFAR #1 will address “Aircraft”. All sizes of UA’s that are used for Compensation and Hire will be considered aircraft • SFAR #1 - Some limited number of applications for Type and Production certificate will be submitted to the FAA and deferred until operational and technical standards are approved

17. Dr. Xiaogong Lee Xiaogong.lee@faa.gov 609-485-6967