The UAS FTC & Six New UAS Sites

SUSB Expo 8 May 2014 San Francisco, CA Presented by: Doug Marshall

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Why A Test Center? Why NMSU? •  UAS are Different

–  Manned Aircraft under testing and development can comply with 14 CFR Part 91

–  Private Industry needs a place to do basic Research and Development

•  Many are not ready for the FAA Experimental Certification process

•  Not just for aircraft…..payloads

–  UAS are still very immature

•  Experience with UAS –  Foundational SOP’s in place and exercised –  Ability to collect and process significant data –  Solid and credible safety record

•  Over 8 years operational experience –  Experienced UAS personnel

•  Location – –  “It’s not the end of the world, but you can see

it from there…..” –  Very sparsely populated –  Low density Air Traffic –  Climate is favorable

•  Establishing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) –  Outlines the risk management process similar to that being applied by FAA today

•  FAA will require data on a routine basis •  NMSU is a Public Organization and thus qualifies for a COA

–  All testing/R&D is conducted as directed by FAA under the COA •  Provides for a controlled testing environment while minimizing impact to other NAS users as well as

people/property on the ground

How?

TAAC 2013 Federal Aviation Administration

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UAS Flight Test Center (FTC)

•  FTC relevant to all classes of UAS •  FAA-approved process to:

– Assess system capabilities –  Identify and mitigate risks – Establish operating limits tailored to

UAS capabilities •  Collect and archive data for the FAA

–  System and component information –  Flight performance – Will assist in development of UAS standards and regulations

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Southwest New Mexico Airspace

•  Excellent year-round flying conditions

•  Uncongested airspace •  Highly varied terrain •  Military airspace

adjacent and slightly smaller than Connecticut – 7,105 square miles

•  USAF air traffic control from “surface to space”

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PSL UAS Research Activities

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Airworthiness Certification Provisions

•  Unmanned aircraft must be shown to be airworthy to conduct flight operations in the national airspace system

•  Public Use Aircraft applications must include: –  A civil airworthiness certification from the FAA, or –  A statement specifying certification method:

•  DoD Handbook or equivalent method of certification

★ NMSU’s Airworthiness Process is accepted by the FAA and is being used for the FAA’s new 6 Test sites.

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Expertise/Experience

•  16 years operating UAS in the NAS (non-segregated airspace) •  Special-use airspace experts (NAS High Altitude Ballooning

Program) •  UAS experience

–  Four current COAs (3 NM, 1 Alabama, & 1 in process for Colorado) –  Assisted DoD with initial domestic and overseas Global Hawk flights;

Altair in 2004 from SOCAL to AK and return for Coast Guard demonstration

•  Three classes of UAS (tactical, medium, and small) that are used for RDT&E

•  International Airspace Coordination •  Developing and Validating Civil UAS mission sets for FAA

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UAS Operations

•  Routinely conduct UAS operations in the NAS –  Aerostar B (24 –foot wingspan) –  Aerolight (12-foot wingspan) –  Orbiter (8-foot wingspan) –  Other UAS platforms and trainers –  Chase aircraft owned and operated by NMSU

•  Work with DoD on a variety of UAS-related functions –  Developing and validating procedures for safe flight of UAS in NAS –  Sense (see) and avoid testing (ground and airborne) –  Anti-jam capabilities –  Specialized testing, including anti-IED

•  Developing and Validating Civil UAS Mission sets for FAA

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Jornada Airstrip Shoestring Ranch Waids Airstrip Other Airports and Unimproved Airstrips

Airports Available to FTC

Las Cruces Lordsburg

Grant County

Socorro Deming

T or C

Playas

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How NMSU/TAAC Can Help •  Assist in determining specific requirements to meet specific

operational needs –  Develop plans and roadmaps –  Develop CONOPS, including policies and procedures

•  Provide flight crew training and certifications •  Assist in establishing airworthiness and acceptable criteria and

standards for UAS systems •  Evaluate candidate systems for airworthiness, operational

appropriateness for requirements •  Perform research and assist in development of policies for use of

UAS, such as night operations •  Perform flight testing and demonstrations, including payloads •  Provide secure facilities/personnel with security clearances

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Historical Efforts-UAS in NAS Access 5 Small UAS ARC 1 FAA UAPO (Crawl – Walk – Run) NMSU UAS FTC XCOM UASIO Small UAS ARC 2 FAA Regulatory Reviews Many Technical, Design, , and Operations Efforts Unfocused Research, including individual advances Federal Judge Ruling

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ISSUES Being Addressed

•  FAA UAS in the NAS – Safety of Flight – Technology Cert – FAA Regulations/Policy

•  Civil vs Public –  Who can Fly – Requirements –  For What Purpose –  Where – How - When

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Government or Civil Use of UAS

Pipelines, Electric, Oil, Agriculture, Storm Damage

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UAS TOOL - Right Tool for the Right Job

Aerostar

Hornet Maxi Aeryon Scout

Predator

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Path Forward

FAA Works Policy and NAS Procedures Regulations - Approves Standards Oversees Safety

UAS FTC & UAS Test Sites (Independent Body)

-Address community needs -Provide test findings to guide standards -Central Community Group

Community Research – New Technology – Feedback

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Mode S Transponder

Safety of Flight

See and Avoid Avoid

Aircraft Radar

Visual Observer Sagetech Mode S

Transponder

Safety Must Remain the Focus! Integration of Technology & Procedures

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Questions?

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FTC Point of Contact

Dennis Zaklan Deputy Director, NMSU UAS Flight Test

Center (575) 646-9417 575-635-1030

dzaklan@psl.nmsu.edu