This document discusses the regulatory framework and operational usages of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). It notes that RPAS, also called drones, vary greatly in size, shape, performance, and intended usage. Regulating RPAS is challenging and requires considering factors like airworthiness, pilot qualifications, and aviation operations. The document outlines the roles of international and national regulatory bodies in developing RPAS standards and rules. It acknowledges there is currently no harmonized regulatory framework in Europe for small RPAS and different states have adopted different approaches. The need for common rules and technologies to safely integrate RPAS into European airspace is discussed.

2. Operational usages and
regulatory framework of
RPAS

3. UAS, RPAS, Models
• UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) and its
subset RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Systems) are aircraft (ICAO docet)
• They simply do not have a pilot on-board
• Toys or models (whatever size) are not UAS
• Models with a camera on-board are UAS?

4. RPAS, why are they so challenging?
• “Integrate RPAS” in aviation is like
“domesticate animals”

5. RPAS and animals
• Both may vary a lot in size

6. RPAS and animals
• Shape

7. RPAS and animals
• Performance

8. RPAS and animals
• … and operational usage

9. Pillars of Safety Regulation
Airworthiness
Good airmanship (crew)
Operations

10. Who’s involved
• ICAO does not promulgate laws
(recommendations, guidelines)
• National Civil Aviation Authorities (Competent
Authorities)
• JARUS (Joint Authorities UAS)
• Working groups on specific topics
(Communication Spectrum, Detect and Avoid)

11. And in Europe?
• EASA mandate above 150 kg
• Does not affect traditional aviation
• Huge impact on “small” RPAS regulation
• Result: non harmonized regulatory framework
– Some Member States have a full Regulation
– Some MS are in a limbo (Exemptions, special permits)
– Some others do not have rules at all

12. We have a roadmap
Integration timeline
Initial operations
Integration
Evolution
Critical path initial operations
Critical path integration
Critical path evolution
VFR
VFR
IFR
BVLOS
EVLOS
VLOS
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2023 2028
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2023 2028
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

13. Riga Declaration (March 2015)
• Drones need to be treated as new types of aircraft with
proportionate rules based on the risk of each
operation
• EU rules for the safe provision of drone services need
to be developed now
• Technologies and standards need to be developed for
the full integration of drones in the European airspace
• Public acceptance is key to the growth of drone
services
• Operator of a drone is responsible for its use

14. EASA Concept of Operations
• On 31 July 2015 EASA launched a consultation
process on a new regulatory framework for
drones. This document (NPA, Notice of
Proposed Amendement) presents a new
regulatory approach for safely operating
remotely piloted aircraft.
• Based on the so called Concept of Operations

15. Main challenges