Enabling Efficient Approach Procedures for Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

D. Geister, R. Geister

Abstract:	Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into non-segregated airspace remains a major goal to be achieved for future acceptance of unmanned systems. Currently, most civil and military UAS operations are taking place in segregated airspace so that collision avoidance and separation with other traffic is of minor concern. To further enable the UAS operational scope, Unmanned Aircraft (UA) must be able to fly in airspace where other traffic is operating as well [1]. This becomes increasingly important when considering the effects on efficiency and safety caused by the participation of UAS in the approaching and departing traffic at (civil) hub airports. Enabling a smooth integration of UA into the traffic stream of an airport requires the examination of two different aspects. One important aspect is the handling of UA Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) under the requirement of wake vortex separation and a sustained Air Traffic Control (ATC) communication. A second aspect that needs to be considered is the potential of improving current UAS approach procedures and their effect on airport capacity. In many cases it is not possible to execute a UAS mission in the direct proximity to the UA’s remote pilot due to large-scale operating goals. Nevertheless, Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS) is often the preferred situation as Detect And Avoid (DAA) can be performed directly by the remote pilot who monitors the airspace around the unmanned aircraft. However, an UA mission often needs to be conducted BVLOS of the pilot while remaining in radio range of the UA. In all of these cases, operational procedures and handling issues of ATC when executing a mission including approach or departure from an airport have to be investigated. In this paper, a concept is presented, in which a single generic Ground Control Station (GCS), located at or near the airport can be used to control multiple UAS and, in conjunction with advanced GBAS approach procedures, can facilitate the shared use of an airport.
Published in:	Proceedings of the ION 2013 Pacific PNT Meeting April 23 - 25, 2013 Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa Honolulu, Hawaii
Pages:	892 - 901
Cite this article:	Geister, D., Geister, R., "Enabling Efficient Approach Procedures for Unmanned Aircraft (UA)," Proceedings of the ION 2013 Pacific PNT Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii, April 2013, pp. 892-901.
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