The European Commission "U-space" concept for drones in urban areas is moving forward by leaps and bounds, judging by the provisional blueprint published by the Sesar Joint Undertaking (SESAR) examined by EUROPE on Thursday 20 April. This blueprint defines a range of key principles, as well as four implementation stages.
It should be pointed out that the “U-space” concept was presented for the first time last November by Transport Commissioner, Violeta Bulc. This involves building an airspace that is directly accessible for European citizens, in addition to a “space-space airspace” and “upper space airspace” dedicated to commercial airlines (see EUROPE 11674).
In substance, the document issues a number of key principles to ensure the security of all airspace users, as well as citizens on the ground, in addition to developing a flexible system largely based on existing infrastructure and using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (see EUROPE 11770). A flexible system will be able to adapt to changes on the market and allow for fair access for all users.
The document explains that the model is in no way a copy of the air-traffic management system. It is based on two major principles: e-registration and e-identification. Drones that weigh less than 250g can be dispensed with.
4 stages of deployment. Four major stages of deployment are planned. The first stage includes deploying basic services such as e-registration, e-identification and geofencing, a system that helps to automatically prevent flying over certain at-risk geographical zones, such as airports. The second stage consists of implementing initial services to help manage drone flight operations and could include flight planning, as well as flight approval and follow-up. The third phase includes putting in place “advanced” services to help detect “flight conflicts”. Finally, the fourth phase defines a “comprehensive” system of services that will include services that help develop integrated interfaces with other aviation airspaces. SESAR is forecasting the deployment of the first stage in 2019.
The finalisation of the project is approaching. We have been informed that SESAR intends to present a final version to the European Commission in May.
Drone manufacturers satisfied. In a press release, the Drone Alliance Europe (DAE) said that it “applauded” the provisional roadmap and explained that drone management could not be exclusively based on a legalistic approach. The organisation prefers a standardisation trajectory in an effort to develop genuine interoperability of Unmanned traffic management (UTM). One source welcomes the fact that SESAR is shifting towards a system where “no human would participate” in the management system. It explained that, “the good point effectively involves the realisation that we need standards to develop a platform”. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)