UASBulletin MAY 2021 #01 - European Civil Aviation Conference
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MAY 2021 #01
UASBulletin
European Civil Aviation Conference Bulletin on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
•UAS - A strategic sector as a lever for growth - Page 1 •UAS-related measures being promoted
by ECAC Member States - Page 2 •UAS initiatives being taken by European organisations - Page 4
•Measures taken by ECAC’s partner States - Page 7•
» FOREWORD
It is my pleasure to announce the release of the first ECAC UAS strategic partners (China and the United States), to offer a global
Bulletin. In this new online publication, we will address the key perspective of different ways to approach the development of UAS.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) initiatives making progress in
ECAC Member States and internationally, as well as the strategic We hope that starting with this very first edition, the ECAC UAS
aspects to be considered for the development of this sector. Bulletin will be used to broadcast the numerous actions being
taken by States and organisations in the ECAC region and on
In recent years, the UAS industry has become a strategic segment the international scene.
of aviation, with significant implications for other industries. In-
novation and technological development play a major role in this The next editions will include other initiatives, thus fostering
sector, which possesses great potential. an exchange of experiences and information on this subject
among Member States and leading to the construction of a
One of the main objectives of ECAC’s drone agenda is to promote strategic drone observatory within ECAC.
an exchange of high-level perspectives on possible UAS develop-
ments in order to meet the challenges facing the sector. Various Before concluding the presentation of this first edition, I would
initiatives are already being launched by ECAC Member States like to thank the States and organisations for contributing the
regarding implementation of the new European framework, the valuable information that has made this publication possible.
U-space concept and Urban Air Mobility.
This first edition of the UAS Bulletin is organised in three parts: the Raúl Medina Caballero
first addresses the measures being promoted by some ECAC Mem- DGCA Spain
ber States (Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Poland, Spain and ECAC Focal Point for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Switzerland), the second focuses on the UAS initiatives taken by
European organisations (EASA, EUROCONTROL) and others such as
JARUS and ICAO, and the third presents measures developed by two
UAS, A STRATEGIC SECTOR AS A LEVER FOR GROWTH
U ndoubtedly, one of the main
© seregalsv (Serhii Liakhevych) - Depositphotos
milestones in Europe’s recent drone
history was the approval in 2019 of the
EU regulations that will shape the new
drone design, operation and production
scenario, which have recently come
into effect. Incidentally, the U-space
Regulation was approved in February
2021. This regulation is a major step
towards the development of highly
automated operations in all types of
environments, including urban areas. is still a long way to go. This segment of strategic areas within Europe. This will
activity will face significant challenges in be critical for fostering cooperation
The implementation of these regulations the future, such as U-space and urban air between countries, which will contribute
will allow for progress towards the mobility, among other issues. to the development of the sector.
harmonised development of this Likewise, exchanging experiences with
segment of activity. In this sense, it is essential for ECAC strategic partners on an international
Member States to have visibility on the level is considered a useful step.
Despite its exponential growth, there main initiatives being carried out in
ECAC UAS BULLETIN #01•MAY 2021
UAS-RELATED MEASURES BEING PROMOTED BY ECAC MEMBER STATES
© ake1150sb (Prasit Rodphan) - Depositphotos
Additionally, Finland has been working
CROATIA FINLAND on relevant operations to enable an
autonomous drone delivery service,
boosting the transport of goods,
minimising traffic congestion in cities
and helping to reduce emissions.
GEORGIA
Development of the regulatory
framework F inland is preparing an action plan for
transport automation and a legislation
that will cover all modes of transport. The
C roatia is currently focused on the
establishment and publication of
UAS geographical areas, online platforms
proposed measures will set out the steps
to be taken over the next 12 years.
for operator registration and for training Development of the regulatory
and monitoring of drone pilots, and an
application for airspace management,
airspace requests and obtaining
framework F ollowing the approval of the EASA
framework, Georgia has developed
new national UAS regulations that have
Finland is currently engaged in a process
authorisations. of regulatory adaptation regarding UAS. already entered into force. It has also
Its goal is a completely safe integration of published two standard scenarios in line
All these activities are framed within the with the European standard scenarios
drone operations.
new EU regulatory framework. They are published alongside EU regulations.
aimed at the safe and efficient integration Among the activities it has undertaken
of UAS operations into existing airspace to harmonise its internal framework Georgia also establishes mandatory
structures. with EU regulations, Finland has already registration of UAS operators. To this end,
established UAS geographic zones it has developed an application to carry
Moreover, Croatia is promoting out online registration on its own drone
around all aerodromes in the country and
workshops to disseminate the new website under its civil aviation authority.
is designing them in other areas. New
regulatory framework and has proposed
UAS geographic zones are expected to
the Croatian air navigation service Finally, the country has developed
be published during spring 2021.
provider (ANSP) as UTM provider. another application to perform remote
pilot proficiency tests and to issue the
Other projects corresponding certificates.
Finland is working on conditions for the
Further information at: https://uas.gov.
use of drones in agriculture applications
ge/EN
such as spraying phytosanitary products.
ECAC UAS BULLETIN #01•MAY 2021
2
UAS-RELATED MEASURES BEING PROMOTED BY ECAC MEMBER STATES
GERMANY POLAND SPAIN
G ermany is carrying out initiatives
to harness the vast potential of
U-space concept
F ollowing the entry into force of the
EU regulation, Spain is developing a
drones. To this end, it has developed
the «Action Plan for UAS and Innovative
Aviation Concepts».
P oland is promoting actions to
implement services and solutions
for UAS traffic management, fostering
new national regulatory framework to
adapt to it and to define the parameters
that remain under the responsibility of
the development of large-scale States.
Development of the regulatory unmanned aviation. It is also working
framework towards the improvement of training Recently, the Ministry of Transport,
and administrative processes through Mobility and Urban Agenda has
In February 2021, a process of regulatory the «Digital services for UAVs» project. published the Strategy for Safe,
adaptation to the new EASA context Sustainable and Connected Mobility,
began. Some of the initiatives promoted The country’s strategies for responsible which will define the steps to follow in
by Germany are the assessment and and sustainable development are aimed terms of mobility in Spain. This strategy
adaptation of geographical limitations at safely and effectively integrating positions drones as a key element to
or the reduction of administrative unmanned aircraft and achieving the foster smart mobility solutions, driving
burden. appropriate infrastructures for their the development and innovation of this
safe use and development. ever-growing sector.
Germany is also taking action so
that operations of air taxis and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Further information at: https://
other unmanned aircraft requiring esmovilidad.mitma.es/
certification have to meet similar Regarding urban air mobility, Poland
requirements to those of conventional is involved in several projects for the
manned aviation. implementation of UAM services in Development of the regulatory
urban areas. To this end, it is developing framework
U-space concept solutions for integrating UAS with ATM
and in urban scenarios within the To pursue the further regulatory
In order to achieve seamless integration ASSURED UAM project. development of drones, Spain is
of UAS in existing airspace structures, currently adapting its regulations to the
Germany is designing the establishment Additionally, Poland participates new EU framework. The future Spanish
of a U-space testing field, which will in project X-TEAM, which seeks the UAS regulation will develop issues such
turn in significant research results for integration of ATM and air transport as UAS geographic zones or minimum
the country. within a global intermodal network that age for drone pilots, to complement EU
allows door-to-door connectivity in any legislation.
New applications and UAM place in Europe. This project is part of
the SESAR Horizon 2020 programmes. Spain has an online application for
Germany has launched a financing registration as a UAS operator and to
programme for projects on drones and Tests with drones submit declarations and authorisation
air taxis («From the Laboratory into the requests to operate in certain airspaces.
Air») aimed at the development of a Poland has its own test area for drones,
the CEDD (Central-European Drone On another note, Spain’s main provider
variety of novel applications that use
Demonstrator). This area contributes to of air navigation services, Enaire,
this type of aircraft. Additionally, a total
the development of the drone industry has developed an application called
of five German regions are involved in
and will enable the country to test the «Enaire DRONES» that gathers all the
the European initiative on Urban Air
practical uses of these aircraft before information on airspace limitations
Mobility.
their actual implementation. for the use of drones. The areas
with prohibitions or restrictions, as
Infrastructure protection
well as the conditions for possible
Germany relies on a combination coordination, can be consulted in this
of sensors for the defence of larger application. Further information at:
airports and has several projects related https://drones.enaire.es/
to the security of such operations.
ECAC UAS BULLETIN #01•MAY 2021 3
UAS-RELATED MEASURES BEING PROMOTED BY ECAC MEMBER STATES
U-space concept Additionally, Spain has launched Finally, thanks to the Hera Drone Hub
a project to develop the first project, Zaragoza will be the first
The main Spanish drone entities are infrastructure network for vertical European city to authorise a testing
working on the deployment and take-off electric aircraft, which aims to and training space for drones in an
implementation of U-space services. establish over 20 VTOL (Vertical Take- urban environment to develop the air
Spain has actively participated in the Off and Landing) ports. mobility of the future.
regulatory development of the U-space
Regulation. Infrastructure protection
Additionally, several Spanish In Madrid and Valencia, the Spanish
SWITZERLAND
institutions and companies have law enforcement forces and agencies
participated in the European network have a global anti-drone system that
of demonstrators through European can locate and position drones as
projects such as DOMUS. Thanks to well as their pilots. Local authorities
these trials, U-space services have can thus ensure drones in the city are
been tested in different scenarios, and used in accordance with established
the results are expected to provide regulations.
experience to achieve the safe and
efficient integration of drones. On another note, tests for the defence
against airport drones were organised
U-space concept
Finally, Spanish companies will also in Asturias to identify the most suitable
lead projects focused on issues such as
the drones’ communication needs, their
C-UAS companies and systems for the
defence of the airport environment.
S ince the end of 2018, Switzerland
has been collaborating with its
air navigation service provider, as
requirements to operate at low altitude
well as with various companies in
or the distance between them. Test centres the UAS field, to carry out activities
aimed at identifying, quantifying,
Urban Air Mobility (UAM) In Spain, most of the research efforts
developing and implementing its
are condensed in public bodies such
Innovations in the sector are giving way U-space abilities and technologies in
as the INTA (Spanish National Institute
to operations that have a great margin its airspace, through the Swiss U-Space
for Aerospace Technology), foundations
for development at present, such as Implementation (SUSI) initiative.
such as FADA (Andalusian Foundation
the transport of goods, drone parcel for Aerospace Development),
delivery or, in the medium to long term, technological centres and universities.
Other projects
the transport of people by air taxi.
In addition, Switzerland is developing
Centres specialised in drones are the
Spain is involved in projects such as other projects related to drone
basis for the development of new
AMU-LED or CORUS-XUAM, which aim operations in the vicinity of aerodromes,
prototypes and solutions, as they
to demonstrate the safe integration where the remote identification service
enable experimental flights in airspaces
of drones in the airspace of our cities. plays an essential role, and contributes
without operational constraints.
These tests are performed with the to numerous European initiatives
objective of demonstrating the benefits There are currently three such centres to develop the sector and further
of air mobility, such as eliminating in Spain: the Rozas Airborne Research promote UAS operations.
road congestion or reducing travel Center (Galicia), the Air Traffic
times. Their results will contribute to Laboratory for Advanced unmanned
the development and establishment Systems (Andalusia) and the BCN Drone
of regulations on urban air mobility at Center in Moià (Barcelona).
European level.
UAS INITIATIVES BEING TAKEN BY EUROPEAN ORGANISATIONS
of drones throughout Europe, ensuring, technical issues of aircraft, such as their
EASA among other things, that drone design and manufacture. EASA thus
operations are carried out with full brought the new European framework
guarantees and a safe integration with on drones to fruition, which will protect
traditional aviation. citizens’ safety and privacy while
allowing these products to circulate in
Main regulatory initiatives Europe. Both EU regulations came into
force on 31 December 2020.
O ne of EASA’s main objectives is In 2019, two regulations essential for
the development of this segment of The new regulations are focused
to promote and implement high
activity were enacted: EU Regulation on regulatory harmonisation in the
common safety and environmental
2019/947, which addresses and European Union to allow for their
protection standards in Europe’s civil
regulates aspects related to the design, operation and marketing, and
aviation sector. To this end, it has led
operation of these platforms, and EU they both provide for a risk-based
and promoted regulatory initiatives
Regulation 2019/945, which addresses approach to operations.
that will allow a harmonised operation
ECAC UAS BULLETIN #01•MAY 2021
4
UAS INITIATIVES BEING TAKEN BY EUROPEAN ORGANISATIONS
EASA is also developing the regulatory Its publication is scheduled for This document is organised into three
package for the «certified» category – September 2021, although it will not parts, the first of which is publicly
operations of greater complexity that come into force until January 2023. available. The other two are addressed
require a certification process, like the to national authorities and to third
process carried out in conventional Further information at: https://www. parties involved in managing this type
aviation, which covers the transport of easa.europa.eu/domains/civil-drones- of incident, who will be able to share
people, dangerous goods, or the flight rpas them with organisations under their
of large drones over concentrations of supervision.
people. Its development will make it
possible to exploit the full potential of Environment: noise Further information at: https://www.
these aircraft. e a s a . e u ro p a . e u / n e w s ro o m - a n d -
Drones and new aircraft for urban
events/press-releases/easa-issues-
Further information at: https://www. air mobility are expected to have an
guidelines-management- drone-
easa.europa.eu/domains/civil-drones- acoustic impact on cities, especially in
incidents-airports
rpas/drones-regulatory-framework- densely populated areas. In order to
background make their operations compatible with
appropriate noise levels that ensure
the well-being of citizens, EASA is
Collisions between drones and
carrying out environmental research manned aircraft
U-space concept
on helicopter and drone noise called
EASA is carrying out studies on the
«Environmental Research – Rotorcraft
The proper and efficient integration of effects of these possible collisions
Noise».
the high number of drones expected with conventional aircraft. In this area,
in the coming years, as well as their Defining a new methodology to the study «Vulnerability of Manned
interaction with conventional aviation, represent these aircraft’s noise and to Aircraft to Drone Strikes» is worth
require the development of a system to prepare potential mitigation measures mentioning. Through experimental and
manage them. However, before this it is in advance, especially in urban simulation tests, EASA has carried out
essential to have a regulation in place environments, is therefore considered a an analysis of the effects of possible
that establishes this concept and that priority for EASA. collision between drones and manned
lays the groundwork for their further aircraft. It is expected that, through
development. Drone incidents: C-UAS this initiative, we will be able to identify
drone design strategies that reduce
On 23 February 2021, EASA’s Committee EASA recently published a manual for risks for conventional aircraft in the
approved the regulatory package on managing drone incidents addressed event of a collision, and establish design
U-space, which develops a new operation to aerodrome operators. Its objective is requirements and testing standards for
concept based on high digitalisation and to develop adequate procedures that future drones to be marketed in Europe
automation levels to support a safe and provide a fast, effective and proportionate within the «open» category.
efficient way for drones to access airspace response in order to avoid or minimise air
in harmonious coexistence with the ATM traffic disruptions, airspace closures or
(air traffic management) system. even airport closures.
© Fesenko (Maksym Fesenko) - Depositphotos
ECAC UAS BULLETIN #01•MAY 2021 5
UAS INITIATIVES BEING TAKEN BY EUROPEAN ORGANISATIONS
Finally, its work in the fields of training
EUROCONTROL and information sharing through ICAO
initiatives that offer its participants an
overview of the most current aspects of
the drone industry, as well as relevant
concepts related to the concept
of U-space operation, is extremely
noteworthy.
U-space concept
To assess the safety of drone
E I
UROCONTROL’s role is essential for operations and address the adequate CAO promotes initiatives
the development of new operating integration of these platforms in internationally for the global
concepts at European and global level. complex environments such as cities, harmonisation of the UTM concept
With regard to drones, the Agency’s aim EUROCONTROL has created a U-space and the use of drones in humanitarian
is to achieve a safe integration of these operational concept through the and development aid applications.
aircraft in airspace, while safeguarding CORUS project (Concept of Operation For the sake of global harmonisation
the civil rights of all airspace users. for European UTM Systems), in which and interoperability, it is essential to
organisations from Belgium, France, establish common action principles
The Agency is involved in a large Germany, Italy, Spain and the United regarding the UTM concept. To this
number of research and development Kingdom participate. This project will end, ICAO has promoted, together with
projects on drones and related provide a harmonised tool for the States, the industry and professionals,
technologies. integration of low-level operations, a guide entitled «UTM – A Common
mainly in urban environments. Framework with Core Boundaries
EUROCONTROL contributes with its for Global Harmonization», where
experience in this field in project The Agency has also coordinated the the problems and challenges to be
management, validation process PODIUM project (Proving Operations of addressed for the development of this
development, experimental design, Drones with Initial UTM Management), concept are analysed.
data analysis and human factors. which has made it possible to test
U-space procedures and technologies ICAO has thus taken the necessary
Likewise, the organisation provides in different European cities with the steps to provide States with a
technical and operation support to the objective of assessing this technology’s common definition framework for the
main institutions in the sector (ICAO, readiness level and issuing implementation of UTM systems. This
EASA, EUROCAE or IATA, among others) recommendations for its deployment. initiative has been articulated through
for the development of regulations and the UAS Advisory Group.
standards on UAS, C-UAS systems or It should be noted that many of
U-space. the new U-space technologies are Also, in order to ensure a safe interaction
at an early stage of development. between UTM and ATM systems,
Equally, the important support to Accordingly, and with the aim of ICAO has developed the document
States that EUROCONTROL provides facilitating the exchange of knowledge «RPAS Concept of Operations for
is worth mentioning. For instance, it and supporting the implementation International IFR Operations», which
has prepared an initial guide for the of these technologies, EUROCONTROL takes into account the ATM-UTM
assessment of airspace as a basis for has promoted the European Network of interaction as well as key elements such
the integration of UAS, which makes U-space Demonstrators. as drone registration, identification or
it possible to identify the operations geo-awareness, among others.
that could be carried out in airspace Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
volumes, as well as the analysis of the Humanitarian aid and
associated risks on the ground and in EUROCONTROL is actively working on
the air. testing and providing U-space services development
and solutions to support urban air
The ICAO Task Force on UAS for
In view of the future Paris 2024 Olympic mobility through the CORUS-XUAM
Humanitarian Aid and Development (TF-
Games, the drone unit is supporting initiative, including testing surveillance
UHAD) aims to take advantage of drones’
the establishment of a test to validate and inspection operations in urban
capabilities to perform humanitarian aid
scenarios and equipment for the use of ports, optimising routes between
and development tasks.
UAS during this important event. airports and metropolitan areas, the
transport of goods in residential
EUROCONTROL also develops areas, autonomous intercity flights
coordination and information exchange or connections between airports and
initiatives with other regions such as VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing)
the United States, China and Australia, ports.
among others, to guarantee adequate
interoperability worldwide.
ECAC UAS BULLETIN #01•MAY 2021
6
UAS INITIATIVES BEING TAKEN BY EUROPEAN ORGANISATIONS
It focuses on the development of Operations (WG7).
JARUS guidance material that fosters national
authorities’ development of common JARUS is currently focusing on the
requirements, thus avoiding duplication creation of a high-level framework
of efforts. It seeks to promote a to address the key elements for the
harmonised approach, complementary operation and integration of UAS,
to the efforts carried out by other taking into account, for instance, the
organisations. development of concepts of operations
that describe the roles of each actor
Currently, 63 countries (of which 36 ECAC involved in UAS operations.
J ARUS (Joint Authorities for Member States1), together with EASA
and EUROCONTROL, contribute to the
1
As of March 2020: Austria, Azerbaijan,
Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems)
development of JARUS. Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
consists of worldwide experts
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic,
knowledgeable in UAS regulatory
matters. This organisation aims to JARUS Working Groups Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
recommend technical, safety and
Seven working groups are integrated Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova,
operational requirements related to
in JARUS: Flight Crew Licensing (WG1), Montenegro, Netherlands, North
all aspects of the safe operation of
Operations (WG2), Airworthiness (WG3), Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
unmanned aircraft systems, both in
Detect and Avoid (WG4), Command Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia,
airspace and in airports.
and Control (WG5), Safety and Risk Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey,
Management (WG6) and Concept of Ukraine, United Kingdom.
MEASURES TAKEN BY ECAC’S PARTNER STATES
CHINA
© mikdam (Mikael Damkier) - Depositphotos
UTM concept
C hina is developing its own system
for UAS operations management
(known as UOMS - Civil UAS Operation
Management System), which will have
several suppliers who will provide regis-
tration, alerts or aircraft location ser-
vices, among others. Its objective is to The Federal Aviation Administration
integrate the UOMS system within the UNITED STATES (FAA) has developed a collaborative
ATM system and the system responsible approach between government and
for general aviation. An interface industry to promote the sharing of
between the cloud containing all drone information and data on airspace and
flight information and UAS operations directly support UAS integration. This
has been one of the tasks carried out for has resulted in an automatisation of the
its development. request and approval processes for low-
altitude airspace authorisations (below
T
Additionally, China is performing tests to he United States’ UAS activities focus 400 ft) and the exchange of information
assess UOMS information systems and on the following areas: on geographical flight restrictions for all
their coordination with general aviation, users.
as well as tests with large UAS. Authorisations: LAANC (Low Al- Click here for additional information
Further information at: https://www.
titude Authorization and Notifi- about LAANC.
airbusutm.com/uam-resources-air- cation Capability)
bus-blueprint
ECAC UAS BULLETIN #01•MAY 2021 7MEASURES TAKEN BY ECAC’S PARTNER STATES
UAS Integration Pilot Program + UTM Pilot Program the most relevant priorities and chal-
BEYOND lenges of UAS integration identified by
To achieve the necessary infrastructure States are addressed, while information
The US has conducted numerous tests to support the huge growth in drone and experiences on implementation pro-
within its airspace to assess the integra- operations, in recent years the FAA and jects are shared to address these issues.
tion of civil and public drone operations. NASA have been defining the services, Among the topics discussed are BVLOS
Currently, the FAA is addressing the abilities and technologies required for a operations, conflict detection and avoi-
challenges for full integration of these safe and efficient drone traffic manage- dance, new technologies, UTM-ATM inte-
aircraft through the new «BEYOND» pro- ment. raction, regulations and certification, and
gram – challenges such as BVLOS ope- urban air mobility.
rations, especially for infrastructure ins- Further information at:
pection or package delivery with drones
– all with the objective of harnessing https://www.faa.gov/uas/research_
the social and economic benefits this development/traffic_management/
industry can offer. utm_pilot_program/
Further information about UAS Inte-
gration Pilot Program at: FAA International Research
Round Table
https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_ Since November 2020, the FAA has been
partnerships/completed/integration_ organising bimonthly international mee-
pilot_program/ tings with major authorities to exchange
information on their UAS programmes
and research tasks, aiming towards safe
integration.
Further information about BEYOND Authorities from five continents have joi-
program at: ned these meetings: FAA, Australia, Cana-
da, Israel, Brazil, Singapore, South Korea,
https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_ United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland and
partnerships/beyond/ Spain, among others. In these meetings,
Our mission is the promotion
of the continued development
of a safe, efficient and sustainable
European air transport system
ECAC Secretariat
3 bis, villa Emile Bergerat
F-92522 Neuilly-sur-Seine
France
Tel: +33 1 46 41 85 96
www.ecac-ceac.org
communications@ecac-ceac.org
@ECACceac
ECAC UAS BULLETIN #01•MAY 2021
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