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1 Introduction This guidebook provides airport industry practitioners with guidance for incorporating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into airport infrastructure and planning. Chapter 1 includes background information on this rapidly changing industry and explains the guidebook organization. 1.1 Background It is anticipated that UAS activity within the airport environment will expand due to market demand, operational requirements, and changes in UAS specifications (i.e., size, weight and payload). To date, most small UAS, less than 55 lbs, operate outside of the airport environment. However, some public airports are currently supporting limited UAS opera- tions (e.g., testing, agriculture, survey, photography, and racing). As a result, this guidebook provides suggested planning, operational, and infrastructure guidance to safely integrate existing and anticipated UAS operations into an airport environment (See Figure 1). To develop this guidebook, the research team reviewed: ⢠current regulatory guidance both within the United States and abroad; ⢠existing and anticipated UAS activity; and ⢠existing UAS performance requirements and operational needs. The research team also consulted with various airport and regulatory agency stakeholders including airport management and operating personnel, International Civil Aviation Organi- zation (ICAO), FAA and U.S. DOT personnel, state DOT personnel, UAS commercial opera- tors, U.S. Department of Defense (U.S. DOD) personnel, and UAS test site representatives. Through this consultation, the research team documented stakeholder concerns. This guidebook presents processes and methods to incorporate UAS into airport infra- structure planning based on current and forecast conditions and operating needs. However, the UAS industry continues to rapidly grow and evolve while the integration of autonomy in both ground vehicles and aircraft expands. New developments occur rapidly and governing agencies are under pressure to keep pace with the changes. Regulatory, industry, and research efforts to date continue to focus on UAS integration into the national airspace system (NAS) including controlled airspace, sense and avoid, beyond visual line of sight, and radio spectrum demand rather than ground infrastructure needs. Therefore, while this guidebook strives to provide relevant guidance to support UAS airport integration, users should recognize that the evolving nature of the aviation/aerospace industry itself will impact airport infrastructure needs and funding priorities. Thus, users should continue to monitor UAS developments and regulations while working with airport stakeholders and federal and state regulators to address existing and future needs, and opportunities related to UAS development. C H A P T E R 1 âAn unmanned aircraft system is an unmanned aircraft and the equipment necessary for the safe and efficient operation of that aircraft. An unmanned aircraft is a component of a UAS. It is defined by statute as an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft (Public Law 112-95, Section 331(8)).â Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Figure 1. FAA definition of UAS.
2 Airports and Unmanned Aircraft Systems This planning guidebook is particularly applicable to smaller airports (non-hub and general aviation) without capacity issues. The planning approach could help these airports prepare for and attract UAS operations for additional revenue in the near term. Larger airports (large, medium and small hubs) are likely less inclined to be interested in attracting UAS opera- tions in the near term. They may recognize benefits of UAS for airport surveys, construction monitoring, and wildlife control but UAS used for these activities are relatively small and need very little, if any, infrastructure. That said, larger airports will have to accommodate UAS as they are integrated into the commercial cargo and passenger aircraft fleet in the future. These types of UAS are still under development. At this time, it is anticipated that commercial cargo and passenger UAS will use infrastructure similar to that used by manned aircraft. However, anticipated differences will likely include communication/sensing equipment, fueling infra- structure, and airspace control procedures. Additional research will be needed as commercial cargo and passenger UAS evolve and their characteristics and operational needs are better understood. 1.2 Guidebook Organization This guidebook contains a comprehensive set of information for airport infrastructure planning as it relates to integrating UAS operations. It is not meant to be read cover-to-cover. Rather, readers should familiarize themselves with the chapter summaries (below) and jump around to the relevant topics. 1. Chapter 2: UAS Terminology and Classifications. This chapter provides basic informa- tion on UAS classifications and UAS terminology. 2. Chapter 3: Current Conditions. This chapter highlights current UAS regulations and guid- ance related to airport infrastructure and planning as well as UAS commercial, civil and military forecasts of demand (as of the writing of this report). Finally, examples of recent UAS infrastructure planning efforts are provided. 3. Chapter 4: Airport Opportunities, Issues, and Challenges. This chapter highlights oppor- tunities, issues, and concerns regarding UAS operational impacts on future airport planning, environmental and infrastructure needs as described by the industry, airport management, and regulatory organizations [i.e., FAA/U.S. DOT, U.S. DOD, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and ICAO]. 4. Chapter 5: Airport Infrastructure Planning for UAS. This chapter provides planning guidance based on the current conditions described in Chapter 3 and airport opportunities, issues, and challenges discussed in Chapter 4. 5. Chapter 6: Anticipated Future Conditions. This chapter offers insights on future UAS demand and operational needs based on research and expected resolution of issues iden- tified in the previous chapter. This chapter also highlights suggested infrastructure and planning strategies to address likely future conditions. 6. Appendices: Appendices A through G provide further detail into various aspects of airport planning for UAS referred to in this document.
