Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) are a novel user in shared airspace. Currently, such RPAS operations are isolated through various segregation methods. The current situation results in no operations flexibility due to RPAS access restrictions.

There is increasing demand for flexible RPAS operations such as inspection, survey, surveillance, delivery, search and rescue, disaster monitoring which offer an efficient and economical alternative to conventional means. To meet this demand, RPAS operations need to evolve to flexible non-segregated operations in airspace classes D to G shared with conventional aircraft. 

To respond to the RPAS routine access need for such operations the solution defines accommodation methods through suitably adapted interaction with the other airspace users and the Air Traffic Services (ATS) available for the airspace and flight regime. RPAS operational procedures will be defined for nominal, abnormal and emergency operational situations.The major challenge in flight of RPAS in this environment is traffic avoidance in an IFR/VFR traffic & flight rules mix: 
>in controlled classes D-E airspace with a mix of IFR and VFR traffic, between which separation will not be provided by ATC; 
>in uncontrolled classes F-G airspace there may be high levels of VFR traffic, some non-cooperative or even unknown traffic and no ATC control service.

Hence the solution is highly reliant on a novel technological capability – Detect And Avoid. DAA is required to support RPAS management of traffic conflicts (remaining well clear and regaining path) from other traffic not separated by ATC. DAA also provides last resort collision avoidance against all traffic (safety net). 

The solution will also expand existing traffic encounter models to cover the target traffic environments and flight characteristics for evaluating DAA interoperability and performance. This will enable the solution to define a standard suited to the target airspace and traffic and to develop regulatory framework evolutions with authorities, ensuring safe and efficient deployment of RPAS operations in this environment.