Drones - RTCA with suggested standards for detect-and-avoid - AIN

Detect and Avoid’ Standards Issued for Large UASs

The aviation standards organization supporting the FAA in developing the technical criteria for allowing large unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to fly in civilian airspace has achieved a “significant milestone” in that effort. Preliminary requirements for airborne collision avoidance and communications with the ground have been completed, RTCA announced on October 2. The “interim” documents establish minimum operational performance standards (MOPS) for “detect and avoid” and command and control—core functions the FAA will require for unmanned aircraft to fly with manned aircraft in unrestricted airspace. RTCA, formerly known as the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, expects to produce final standards next summer after verification testing of the requirements. RTCA standards are incorporated by the FAA in its regulatory and advisory documents, and provide guidance to designers and manufacturers in building and certifying equipment. Under RTCA’s auspices, a committee of industry and government experts designated Special Committee 228 (SC-228) has been at work since 2013 developing detect-and-avoid and command and control, or C2, requirements for large unmanned aircraft. The resulting interim documents “focus on an initial scenario: the operation of civil unmanned aircraft ‘to’ and ‘from’ Class A airspace” above 18,000 feet, RTCA said.