Preliminary validation results of a novel concept of operations for RPAS Integration in TMA and at airports

The paper describes the results of recent research activities carried out to investigate the safe integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) into ATC controlled airspace with a focus on Terminal Manoeuvring Areas (TMAs) and airports. Until today, RPAS missions require segregated airspace configurations, largely restricting their operational capabilities and economic viability. In consideration of the predicted market growth for RPAS the relevant European air traffic transport masterplans target the full integration of RPAS (and other UAS) by 2035 in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. However, in recent years European airspace has reached its capacity limits, especially in TMAs and airports, making this resource the bottleneck of the industry. Consequently, the integration of RPAS in such kinds of airspace becomes one of the most relevant issues to be dealt with to achieve the seamless full integration of RPAS in the civil air transport system. The research activities presented in this paper started with the definition of RPAS-specific use cases, the development of a preliminary novel Concept of Operations and the technical and operational requirements related to this integration. They proceeded with the definition and the execution of a simulation test plan for the validation of this new operational concept. The validation campaign has been carried out involving aerospace research centres in the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, respectively at NLR, DLR, and CIRA. Different aspects of RPAS integration in the TMA were considered, such as latency of command & control link and voice communication link, Automatic Take-off and Landing (ATOL) operations, contingency procedures, and handover of control between two different remote pilot stations. Technical, safety-related, and human factors validation objectives were identified and then assessed through simulation experiments. Several of the previously defined use cases were selected for validation, considering a combination of both nominal and contingency situations. The validation exercises were conducted using real-time human-in-the-loop simulation facilities consisting of remote pilot station simulators, traffic simulators, and ATC simulators including tower and approach controller working positions. These facilities were used to assess the human performance of both air traffic controllers and remote pilots. Moreover, variations of equity between manned and unmanned vehicles, and runway throughput were assessed. The proposed paper describes the selection of relevant use cases, the high-level architecture of all simulation campaigns and a summary of the achieved validation results. These results are presented per validation objective and per Key Performance Area (KPA). Finally, the impact of the achieved results on the refined Concept of Operations and operational and technical requirements is discussed. The activities discussed in the paper were carried out in the context of the project INVIRCAT, co-funded by SESAR Joint Undertaking under European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, by a Consortium led by DLR and involving members of CIRA, Deep Blue, EUROCONTROL, ISDEFE, ISSNOVA, and Royal NLR