This document discusses the prospects and limits of using remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), also known as drones, in the German and European markets. It outlines some of the key applications of drones such as in agriculture, land surveying, security, and infrastructure inspections. However, the progress of the drone market is hindered by legal issues due to differing regulations between countries and states, technical challenges related to integrating drone data into business processes, and a lack of research programs and standardization. The document calls for more harmonization of laws and the development of standards to help drones become useful tools that can enable an emerging commercial market.

1. Prospects and Limits of Using
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
on the German and European
Market
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uwe Meinberg

2. we initiate innovation
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uwe Meinberg
Accreditations
Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
European Commission
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avatum
accelerate progress
Research
Head of Chair
Industrial Informationsystems
Brandenburg University of Technology
Consulting
Managing Partner
Market Coordination, Lobbying
Head of Board

3. we initiate innovation
emerging markets ahead …
… if user expectations will be fulfilled!
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v screening agriculture, forestry
v land surveying
v security patrols
v situation assessment
§ police
§ fire fighters
§ disaster control
§ rescue services
v screening of historical buildings
v identification of thermal losses
v inspections
§ i.e. buildings (i.e. crack detection)
§ chimneys, pylons …
§ exhaust systems
§ biogas plants (i.e. gas losses)
§ solar plants (i.e. cold/hot spots)
§ power supply lines
§ water pipelines (leakage)
§ transport infrastructures (i.e. highways, railway
tracks)
v surveillance construction progress

4. we initiate innovation
limitations
The progress of the market is hindered by
v legal aspects,
v technical aspects
and in respect of
v integration of drones (i.e. sensored data) into business processes.
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legal aspects
Europe
28 member states
Ø 28 different legislations (e.g. Hungary: none) !
Harmonisation expected from 2018 …
(see: dronerules.eu)
Germany
16 federal states
Ø 16 different legislations
Harmonisation partially effective since April 2017,
fully effective from October 2017
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6. we initiate innovation
legal aspects | Europe | classification
("Technical Opinion of EASA")
OPEN
LOW RISC
• No involvement of
Aviation Authority
• Limitations (line of
sight, maximum
altitude, distance
from airports and
other sensitive
zones)
• Flights over crowds
not permitted except
for harmless
subcategory
SPECIFIC
INCREASED RISC
• Approval based on
SORA (Specific
Operation Risc
Assesment)
• Approved by NAA
possibly supported by
accredited QE unless
approved operator with
privilege
• Manual of Operations
mandatory to obtain
approval
CERTIFIED
REGULATORY REGIME
SIMILAR TO MANNED
AVIATION
• Certified operations to be
defined by implementing
rules
• Pending criteria definition,
EASA accepts application in
ist present remit
• Some systems (datalink,
detect&avoid, …) may receive
an independent approval
upcoming: SORA and ATM

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technical aspects | the drones value chain
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research & development
certification
research & development
~ 550 systems
on European
market
manufacturer
drones (OEM)
training
service provider
• hirer drones
• hirer sensors
• missions
- films
- geodata
- inspection
- …
owner
operator
service
provider
owner
analysis
mission
data
sensors
• optical
• gas
• radiation
• …
actuators
• transport
• spraying
• …
supplier
missions
dealer
drones
spare
parts
data user
industry
r&d
agriculture
100s
others …
…
repair/
modification
electronics,
(software)
navigation
power
positioning
engines
others …
supplier
drones
predominant:China
© Prof. Dr. Uwe Meinberg
insurance
clearance/defence
lack of research
programs
SMEs are predominant

8. we initiate innovation
technical aspects | operations
• enhancement
(leight-weight, energy, engines, …)
• exact and precise positioning (in particular for landing)
• indoor operation: downsizing
• bioinspired flight control
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endurance
capabilitypayload
x
y
z
α
β
γ
GNSS

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technical aspects | sub-systems and missions
• localisation / navigation: 3D-SLAM
(Simultaneous Localization And Mapping)
• autonomous operation / artificial intelligence
• detect-and-avoid
• mission-planning
(augmented reality)
• enforcement and clearance – of growing importance!
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Turing Test
neural networks
uncertain reasoning
GNSS

10. we initiate innovation
business processes | integration
By using drones we are confronted with BIG DATA.
"Endusers" are expecting a fully automated support of their business.
Drones have to be tools –in any respect!
AND:
We need standards! (mechanical, electrical, digital etc.)
The currently available proprietary systems will not lead to an emerging market.
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Thank you for your attention!
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Don't hesitate to contact us:
www.curpas.de
www.avatum.eu
meinberg@curpas.de
uwe.meinberg@avatum.eu