The growing number of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations in urban areas will soon pose challenges regarding societal, privacy, and safety needs of the population. Therefore, the level of citizen acceptance for UAS operations should consider several constraints, such as forbidden or restricted areas, micro-weather conditions, noise, and safety levels. In addition, the probable proximity to controlled airspace and areas hosting manned aviation operations requires strict use of the airspace with well-defined flying rules based on the type of UAS operations and the structure of the airspace. However, today there is no systematic approach for local authorities to define airspace structure and usage.
The airspace structure design is a conceptual solution aiming to design the most appropriate airspace structures, considering different operational needs, environmental factors, and safety constraints.
The solution provides a methodology to select and activate different structures for various UAS operations in an urban environment. In addition, wind or turbulence could lead to the deactivation of specific structures. Thus, the solution encompasses an AI micro-weather model that will define dangerous or forbidden areas.
The solution performs three steps:
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Assess the ground and air environment constraints
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Define the most suitable structures for different types of UAS operations
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Activate the structures for the UAS operations using the AI-driven tool
These activities are performed at strategic and pre-tactical levels to help UAS operators plan their operations.
The airspace design concept relies on the U-space regulatory framework ((EU) 2021/664, 665, and 666), although very few elements in these texts deal with airspace design. (EU) 2019/945 and 2019/947 are also considered, as well as the U-space Airspace Risk Assessment Method and Guidelines – Volume 1 from EUROCONTROL.
By considering air and ground constraints as well as operational needs, the solution aims to improve mission efficiency, safety, and airspace capacity, along with social acceptance of UAS operations in urban environments. The solution could support the entity in charge of airspace design. Finally, the AI-driven tool developed for the selection of structures could fully automate U-space systems.