[The Separation of Aircraft in the NAS]
[R. Sandridge]
[Embry-Riddle University - Worldwide]
Abstract
As the governing agency for the United States,
responsible for safe operations of aircraft flying within the National Air
Space (NAS), the FAAs mission as stated on the official website is to provide
the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. This is a
monumental task considering unmanned systems and the technology they
employ has developed faster than government regulators can match as they write the
laws and regulations necessary to meet their mission. One critical component is the need to ensure
the separation of air traffic given the diversity of the airframes and their current
capabilities to meet that requirement.
The Separation
of Aircraft in the NAS
In the case of
larger, more sophisticated systems such as the Global Hawk, Predator, and
Reaper aircraft, there are onboard collision avoidance systems just as those
that might be found in large scale commercial aircraft, but in the case of
smaller aircraft where that capability does not yet exist, rules need to be
written and followed to ensure the safe operation of all aircraft (manned and
unmanned) flying in the National Air Space (NAS). Recognizing this need, the FAA has proposed
new rules outlined in detail in the Federal Register of the Department of
Transportation, Vol. 80, Number 35 which addresses a multitude of safety
considerations relating to smaller UASs and the proposed guidelines for their
safe operation. In it, the FAA states the expectation that each person
operating aircraft will maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid other aircraft. The FAA also recognizes the advancement in collision
avoidance technology which allow more sophisticated aircraft and Ground Control
Systems (GCS) to use onboard collision avoidance systems and detect the reply
signals from other aircraft. This
capability is not inherent to smaller systems today, though through component miniaturization
and other advancements, it might well be in the future. (Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 35).
The use
of radar, Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) and beaconing, where aircraft
transmit a signal received by other aircraft has been effective in reducing the
number of mid-air collisions for manned systems. These same methods can, and should be applied
to UAS as well as much as they are available.
In the case of smaller systems, Line of Sight (LOS), segregated
airspace, and pilot diligence must be enforced until other measures can be
employed.
References
Retrieved
10/4/15.
Federal Register/Vol. 80, No. 35 / Monday,
February 23, 2015/Proposed Rules Retrieved From: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-02-23/pdf/2015-03544.pdf
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