Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Update FAA - Ms. Jackson (Manager, UAS Tactical Operations Section)

1. 
   FAA Vision for UAS Integration - Safe, efficient, and timely integration of UAS into the airspace
   
   • 
     Safe - Because safety is the FAA’s primary mission
     
   • 
     Efficient - FAA is committed to reduce delays and increase system reliability
     
   • 
     Timely - FAA is dedicated to supporting this exciting new technology
     
2. 
   FAA UAS Organization - FAA UAS Integration Office
   
   • 
     To promote UAS-NAS integration, the FAA established a division-level organization reporting to the Director of Flight Standards
     
   • 
     Single executive focal point
     
   • 
     Matrixed organization that combined former Air Traffic and Flight Standards UAS offices
     
   • 
     Standup complete May 2013
     
3. 
   The FAA’s UAS Roles
   
   • 
     FAA is a Regulator - Must assure the safety of all aircraft, people, and property (safety is first)
     
     • 
       The FAA Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) are tracking unauthorized operations.
       
   • 
     FAA is a Service Provider - Must ensure the safety and efficiency of all the National Airspace System and international airspace delegated to U.S. (safe separation between aircraft)
     
     • 
       Insure that operators have a valid method of operations.
       
   • 
     Successful UAS integration requires BOTH roles - FAA has established a single integration office because it had to do both areas of responsibility.
     
4. 
   Getting to Integration
   
   • 
     Today - Accommodation -
     
     • 
       Up until last year “integration” was all about public (governmental) aircraft accommodation via Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COA)
       
     • 
       In August 2012, the FAA received the first civil certification application; once the certification process has been put to the test, modified for UAS, and the first civil UAS is certified, it will open up another avenue for NAS access
       
   • 
     Med-term - Transition to NAS Integration -
     
     • 
       Releasing and then finalizing the small UAS rule
       
     • 
       Implementing NAS Voice System
       
     • 
       Standardizing procedures
       
   • 
     Long-term - Integration into the NextGen NAS
     
5. 
   UAS Integration – Critical Issues
   
   • 
     There are many critical integration issues and See and Avoid (Sense and Avoid) is just one of them.
     
   • 
     The Current State is via Individual COA, the future integration will achieve "File and Fly"
     
     • 
       NSA Architecture: Lost Link Procedures, Sense and Avoid and ATC Procedures
       
       1. 
          FAR 91.113 requires pilots to “see and avoid” interpreted as “eyeballs only”
          
     • 
       UAS Operations: Link Reliability and UAS Reliability
       
       1. 
          Initial DoD UAS were not up to reliability of manned aircraft and posed risk to other aircraft and people on the ground)
          
     • 
       Regulatory Issues: Certification, Standards and Training
       
       1. 
          Certification Standards needed for unique aspects of UAS
          
          1. 
             Electronic Sense and Avoid (Detect and Avoid - 91.113)
             
          2. 
             A/G command and control
             
             1. 
                Safety spectrum use
                
             2. 
                Information security
                
             3. 
                Redundancy
                
       2. 
          Requirement for NextGen-NAS Voice System - What automation is needed?
          
       3. 
          Operations issues w / speed, duration, Lost Link? - Wake turbulence
          
       4. 
          Spectrum allocated (MLS-C band, DME-L band)
          
          1. 
             Not characterized
             
          2. 
             Under pressure to sell
             
       5. 
          Pilot standards. Are there limitations on manned aircraft regulations that will not apply to UAS?
          
6. 
   Who is Operating UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS)?
   
   • 
     Public
     
     • 
       Most operators are US Federal agencies with aviation programs
       
     • 
       Department of Defense is a major player – self certify
       
     • 
       NASA is an operator AND conducts UAS research
       
     • 
       Public universities – Attorney General letter
       
     • 
       Must be conducting governmental function
       
     • 
       Law Enforcement
       
     • 
       This area is expected to grow significantly
       
   • 
     Civil
     
     • 
       All experimental airframe manufacturing and testing
       
     • 
       Special AW for R&D, Crew training, market surveys
       
     • 
       FAA issues AW certificate
       
   • 
     FAA has approved limited small UAS commercial operations in Arctic
     
7. 
   Where are UAS Operating?
   
   • 
     UAS are operated in most classes of airspace (not in Class B and the airspace directly underneath it due to traffic density, under exceptional circumstances)
     
   • 
     Flight over populated areas must be approved on a case-by-case basis
     
   • 
     No COA required for restricted, warning and prohibited areas
     
8. 
   Types of UAS Authorization
   
   • 
     Public (governmental)
     
     • 
       Activities completely contained in active Special Use Airspace (Restricted and Warning Areas)
       
     • 
       Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (COA)
       
   • 
     Civil (non-governmental)
     
     • 
       Type Certifications
       
     • 
       Existing type certifications with Insitu (Boeing) and Aerovironment
       
     • 
       Both small UAS
       
     • 
       May be used for commercial operations
       
     • 
       Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category and Special Flight Permits for production flight testing
       
     • 
       Currently used for development, marketing and research
       
     • 
       Rules limit commercial use
       
     • 
       Private recreational use (toys, model aircraft)
       
9. 
   Arctic UAS Language in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA)
   Public Law 112-95, Section 332(d)(1-3)
   
   • 
     …“Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a plan and initiate a process to work with relevant Federal agencies and national and international communities to designate permanent areas in the Arctic where small unmanned aircraft may operate 24 hours per day for research and commercial purposes”…
     
10. 
    The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA) stated: “…the Administrator shall establish a program to integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system at six test ranges…”
    
    • 
      Test Site Locations
      
      • 
        University of Alaska - Includes test ranges in Hawaii and Oregon
        
      • 
        State of Nevada
        
      • 
        New York Griffiss International Airport - Includes test range locations in Massachusetts
        
      • 
        North Dakota Department of Commerce
        
      • 
        Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
        
      • 
        Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) - Includes test ranges in New Jersey (partnered with Rutgers University)
        
    • 
      Test Site Research
      
      • 
        General Research and Development (R&D) goals for Test Sites include, but are not limited to:
        
        1. 
           System safety and data gathering
           
        2. 
           UAS aircraft certification
           
        3. 
           UAS command and control link
           
        4. 
           UAS control station layout and certification standards
           
        5. 
           UAS ground and airborne sense and avoid technologies
           
        6. 
           Assess environmental impacts of UAS operations
           
      • 
        No FAA funding
        
11. 
    Law Enforcement is a Growing Area for small UAS
    
    • 
      More local agencies are getting UAS to assist in their operations.
      
    • 
      Most have manned programs
      
    • 
      Follow the same process as routine COA request.
      
    • 
      Implementation of the ”Common Strategy Approach”
      
    • 
      Walk / Run approach also used with some local fire departments
      
12. 
    Agricultural is Forecast to be a Large Growth Area for UAS Applications
    
13. 
    COA Process
    
    • 
      Five Phase Process (60 business days)
      
      • 
        Admin Review - 5 days
        
      • 
        ATC Feasibility - 10 days
        
      • 
        AFS Review - 20 days
        
      • 
        ATC Facility Coordination - 20 days
        
      • 
        Signature - 5 days
        
    • 
      Emergency COAs - 4 hours
      
      • 
        The unit must have an existing COA and only the designated airspace must be updated to issue the COA.
        
      • 
        The UAS Office is monitoring the emergency via the news.
        
      • 
        Colonel Brown commended the FAA for the timely response for a Tornado Emergency in Ohio
        
      • 
        Colonel Dougherty added that North Dakota has a pre-prepared Emergency COA for Red River Flooding.
        
    • 
      Renewals - 15-30 days
      
    • 
      DoD streamlined process - 35 days
      
    • 
      Good for 2 years
      
14. 
    COA Applications Submitted by Proponent
    
    • 
      Academia - 49%
      
    • 
      DoD - 25%
      
    • 
      Test Sites - 6%
      
    • 
      Law Enforcement - 2%
      
    • 
      Other - 18%
      
15. 
    Small UAS Rule
    
    • 
      Remains a key initiative for introducing commercial UAS operations safely into the National Airspace System
      
    • 
      Target release for draft rule later in 2014
      
16. 
    FAA UAS Accomplishments FY13/14 (as required by Reauthorization)
    
    • 
      Streamlined COA application process for public operators
      
    • 
      Developed “Common Strategy” to expedite local law enforcement small UAS authorization
      
    • 
      Published Arctic small UAS expansion plan
      
    • 
      First authorized commercial small UAS flights (in Arctic)
      
    • 
      Published UAS Roadmap
      
    • 
      Published UAS Comprehensive Plan (JPDO)
      
    • 
      Selected six UAS Test Sites
      

6. 
   Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site - Colonel Dourghty briefed for Mr. Becklund, Directory
   
   1. 
      Mission: Collaborate with FAA and industry partners to develop equipment, systems, rules, and procedures to safely integrate unmanned aircraft into the NAS without negatively impacting existing general or commercial aviation.
      
      • 
        Agriculture is important to North Dakota and the UAS effort began with that issue.
        
   2. 
      Organization: The North Dakota Lt Governor chair the group that includes:
      
      • 
        University of North Dakota Aerospace
        
      • 
        North Dakota Aeronautic Commission
        
      • 
        North Dakota Department of Commerce
        
      • 
        North Dakota Aviation Council (General Aviation)
        
      • 
        State Office of The Adjutant General
        
      • 
        North Dakota State University
        
   3. 
      Recent Accomplishments
      
      • 
        First FAA UAS Test Site declared operational - Effective 4/21/2014
        
      • 
        NP UAS TS first to fly under FAA Test Site procedures - 5/5/2014
        
   4. 
      NP UAS TS Goals
      
      • 
        Near-Mid Term
        
        • 
          Conduct research in accordance with FAA’s requirements
          
        • 
          Work closely with agencies with equity in UAS: FSDOs, ARTCCs, AOPA, etc.
          
        • 
          Expand research and business development
          
        • 
          Build infrastructure and business model to support enduring R&D activities
          
      • 
        Long Term
        
        • 
          World-renowned leader in R&D, DT&E, OT&E for Unmanned Systems
          
        • 
          NP UAS TS is industry’s go-to site
          
   5. 
      Regional UAS Assets
      
      • 
        Univ. of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND)
        
        • 
          Largest collegiate training program in the world
          
          1. 
             120+ a/c(fixed, rotor); 120,000+ flight hrs/yr
             
          2. 
             All equipped with ADS-B
             
          3. 
             Safety Management System (SMS) Level 3
             
          4. 
             Extensive international training heritage
             
          5. 
             1^st undergrad degree in UAS (120+ students)
             
          6. 
             UAS Center of Excellence
             
      • 
        North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND)
        
        • 
          School of Agriculture (and USDA Ag Extension)
          
        • 
          School of Engineering & Architecture
          
        • 
          Center for Nanoscale Science & Engineering
          
        • 
          Northern Great Plains Transportation Institute
          
      • 
        Grand Forks Air Force Base
        
        • 
          USAF – RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40
          
        • 
          ND ANG – MQ-1 Predators
          
        • 
          CBP – MQ-9 Predator Bs
          
      • 
        Northland Comm & Tech College (Thief River Falls, MN)
        
        • 
          2 yr A&P + UAS Maintenance
          
        • 
          2 yr Imagery Analyst
          
      • 
        Lake Region Comm & Tech College (Devils Lake, ND)
        
        • 
          Precision Agriculture
          
        • 
          Law enforcement and first responder
          
      • 
        Local Industry Partners
        
      • 
        Annual RRVRC UAS Summit
        
   6. 
      Test Site Resources
      
      • 
        Attractive Test Site Geography
        
        • 
          Low population, mostly rural
          
        • 
          Flat to rolling terrain
          
        • 
          4-season climate
          
      • 
        Unencumbered Airspace
        
        • 
          Class A, D, E, G
          
        • 
          Low average air traffic density
          
        • 
          History of successful COAs (30+)
          
      • 
        Low-use airports with hard surface runways
        
      • 
        UAS models
        
        • 
          Scan Eagle
          
        • 
          Sandshark (2 systems)
          
        • 
          Draganflyer
          
        • 
          Raven
          
        • 
          Cube
          
      • 
        Facilities
        
      • 
        Support Equipment
        
   7. 
      Areas of RDT&E
      
      • 
        Research with industry partners and government agencies will focus on:
        
        • 
          UAS DAA: Ground and airborne detect and avoid, cooperative airspace
          
        • 
          UAS C2: Command and control links, avionics systems
          
        • 
          UAS systems safety, aircraft certification
          
        • 
          Control station layout and certification
          
      • 
        Initial application areas include:
        
        • 
          Precision agriculture
          
        • 
          Energy
          
   8. 
      Initial DAA Flight Testing – LD-CAP
      
      • 
        Limited Deployment-Cooperative Airspace Project (LD-CAP)
        
        • 
          Multi-partner research effort (MITRE, NASA Langley, Draper Labs, others)
          
      • 
        Aircraft
        
        • 
          NASA Langley SR22 as surrogate UAV
          
        • 
          UND Cessna 172 as intruder aircraft
          
      • 
        Flight tests
        
        • 
          281 encounters during 2 flight campaigns (2012, 2013)
          
        • 
          Compared 3 ADS-B based Self Separation algorithms (MITRE, UND, Draper)
          
      • 
        ADS-B Efforts
        
        • 
          ADS-B installation for approximately 80 GA aircraft
          
        • 
          Electronics miniaturization effort
          
   9. 
      NP UASTS Summary
      
      • 
        Statewide effort, with operations centered in Grand Forks, ND
        
      • 
        Open unencumbered airspace, UAS-friendly environment
        
        • 
          The FAA is referring to the airspace as a "Special Activity Area" and not segregated "Special Use Airspace"
          
        • 
          NP UASTS is working closely with the military to ensure a relationship exists to promote good use of the airspace in northeast North Dakota.
          
        • 
          The Test Site needs airspace for data collection.
          
        • 
          Ms. Jackson added that if an environmental evaluation is required that would be the responsibility of the test site.
          
      • 
        Heritage of UAS research, education and training
        
      • 
        First operational FAA UAS Test Site
        
      • 
        Looking to ensure relationships with general/commercial aviation, all levels of the FAA, professional associations (AOPA), industry, etc, remain strong!
        

7. 
   Air Force Representative to FAA Central Service Area - Lt Col Miller (CSA AFREP)
   
   1. 
      The AFREP Office
      
      • 
        The Office is not the Air Force Representative to the FAA. The office also represents other agencies with the FAA like the Dept of Interior, National Park Service and others.
        
      • 
        It is the first place to call if you have an airspace question
        
   2. 
      Powder River Airspace Proposal
      
      • 
        A very large airspace complex in Montana and North Dakota - The public scoping is complete.
        
   3. 
      Volk Field Airspace Proposal
      
      • 
        The first proposal to go through the new Air Force process
        
      • 
        The Sec of Air Force has approved the proposal to proceed.
        
   4. 
      Temporary MOAs - 180 days required by FAA is insure airspace is approved
      
      • 
        Northern Lightening Temp MOA for exercise
        
      • 
        Grayling Temp MOA for exercise
        
   5. 
      Cheyenne MOA, UTTR Airspace and Oregon Airspace are active proposals in the Northwest Region
      

8. 
   The New Mexico State University UAS Fight Test Center - Mr. Zaklan (Deputy Director NMSU UAS FTC)
   
   1. 
      Background
      
      • 
        A UAS is a truck; it is a tool we need to learn how to use it.
        
      • 
        NMSU is a UAS Test Center
        
      • 
        Things move slowly - five years ago we could not operate UAS
        
      • 
        NMSU started with balloon flights to very high altitude.
        
      • 
        In 1998 NMSU had a COA to operate UAS.
        
   2. 
      Southwest New Mexico Airspace
      
      • 
        Excellent year-round flying conditions
        
      • 
        Uncongested airspace
        
      • 
        Highly varied terrain
        
      • 
        Military airspace adjacent and slightly smaller than Connecticut – 7,105 square miles
        
      • 
        USAF air traffic control from “surface to space”
        
   3. 
      NMSU UAS Research Activities
      
      • 
        Flight Test Center - UAS operations and data collection
        
      • 
        Engineering - UAS Design including Small and Micro UAS
        
      • 
        Demonstrations
        
      • 
        Human Factors - Trust in Automation, Control Reversal, and workload
        
      • 
        Regulatory - Engine Test Cell - Arctic Airspace Operations and Procedures
        
   4. 
      Airworthiness Certification Accomplishments
      
      • 
        Unmanned aircraft must be shown to be airworthy to conduct flight operations in the national airspace system
        
      • 
        NMSU Airworthiness Process Based on MLHBK 516 and FAA Special AW Cert for UAS
        
      • 
        Modified 3 times as UAS changed
        
      • 
        NMSU’s Process is accepted by the FAA and a version is now used by the 6 new FAA UAS Test Sites
        
   5. 
      Historical Efforts - Operating UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS)
      
      • 
        Access 5
        
      • 
        Small UAS ARC 1
        
      • 
        FAA UAPO (Crawl – Walk – Run)
        
      • 
        NMSU UAS FTC
        
      • 
        XCOM
        
      • 
        UASIO
        
      • 
        Small UAS ARC 2
        
      • 
        FAA Regulatory - in the past 1.5 years more has been done compared to the 10 previous years.
        
      • 
        Many Technical, Design, , and Operations Efforts
        
      • 
        Unfocused Research, including individual advances
        
      • 
        Federal Judge Ruling
        
   6. 
      NMSU UAS Accomplishments
      
      • 
        Assisted DOD in Initial Global Hawk Airspace Requirements
        
      • 
        DHS in OT&E of SUAS
        
      • 
        DOI/USGS in Initial UAS Raven Training
        
      • 
        USDA in use of UAS for Scientific Research
        
      • 
        Disaster Distribution Line procedures and process
        
      • 
        Civil UAS Applications Research
        
      • 
        UAS Corridor Safety Case and Procedures
        
      • 
        Visual Observer Procedure Changes
        
      • 
        8900.227 Collaboration and Procedure Requirements/Validation
        
   7. 
      UAS ISSUES Needing Addressing
      
      • 
        FAA UAS in the NAS
        
        • 
          Safety of Flight
          
        • 
          Technology Cert
          
        • 
          FAA Regulations/Policy
          
      • 
        Civil vs. Public
        
        • 
          Who can Fly – Requirements
          
        • 
          For What Purposes
          
        • 
          Where - How – When
          
      • 
        Safety: Size – Location – Mission
        
      • 
        System Abilities
        
   8. 
      UAS TOOL - Right Tool for the Right Job
      
   9. 
      Path Forward
      
      • 
        Test sites will walk then run
        
      • 
        FAA Works Policy and NAS Procedures
        
        • 
          Regulations - Approves Standards
          
        • 
          Oversees Safety
          
      • 
        UAS FTC & UAS Test Sites (Semi-Independent)
        
        • 
          Address community needs
          
        • 
          Provide test findings to guide standards
          
        • 
          Central Community Group
          
      • 
        Community
        
        • 
          Research – New Technology – Feedback
          
        • 
          FAA Guidance & Oversight
          
   10. 
       Point of Contact
       
       • 
         Dennis Zaklan, Deputy Director, NMSU UAS Flight Test Center
         
       • 
         (575) 646-9417 - 575-635-1030
         
       • 
         dzaklan@psl.nmsu.edu
         

1. 
   Wrap Up/Adjourn by General Baker and Colonel Brown
   
   1. 
      Colonel Brown thanked everyone for attending this year's combined Central Great Lake and Southwest Regions Airspace/Range Council. He ask that attendees provide inputs for improvements in the Airspace/Range council meetings and agenda items to meet the needs of all stakeholders involved with Special Use Airspace.
      
   2. 
      General Siana, the NGB A3A Staff, Kansas City and Minneapolis Centers thanked Colonel Brown for his support of the Airspace/Range Councils. He was presented with coins and a Minuteman recognition.
      
   3. 
      Next Meeting Location/Date/Host
      
      • 
        Meeting will be May 2015 within the Southwest Region with a tentatively hosted by Houston Center.
        
   4. 
      National Airspace/Range Executive Council (NAREC) Date/Place
      
      • 
        December 10-11, 2014 hosted by the Air National Guard at JB Andrews, MD
        
   5. 
      TASKS
      
      • 
        TASK ARC Co-Chairs to coordinate Warfighter Briefings for ATC Centers to educate the new controllers on mission and training conducted in Special Use Airspace.
        
1. 
   
   
2. 
   MANAGEMENT SESSION FOR MAY 29 ADJOURNED AT 12:00 PM
   
3. 
   
   
4. 
   
   
5. 
   APPROVED
   

Attachments

1. Agenda

2. List of Attendees