Beyond Visual Line of Sight UAS Operations: The DOT FAA Integrated Pilot Program in Alaska
Abstract
The recently announced U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integrated Pilot Program (IPP) is focusing on accelerating safe UAS integration into the National Airspace System (NAS). The missions flown under IPP are centered on enabling more complex low-altitude operations and accelerating the approval of operations that currently require special authorizations, such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations that currently require a waiver from the FAA. As one of the 10 lead organizations awardees, the Alaska Center for UAS Integration (ACUASI) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will focus on obtaining permissions for BVLOS operations in remote areas and under harsh climatic conditions. As the flight times of UAS increase there is great interest in flying the aircraft beyond the pilot's or observer's line of sight for mapping large expanses and reaching field locations in extremely remote and hazardous terrain. This presentation will describe recent IPP flights and highlight how, through IPP, ACUASI is building a case for BVLOS flights that will allow the application of UAS, both small and large, for research purposes, operational support, and search and rescue missions. Those attending this presentation will learn more about the IPP and how ACUASI is flying BVLOS UAS in the unique climatic and airspace environment of the Arctic and supporting UAS missions in this area of enhanced scientific and operational interest.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFMNH22A..04W
- Keywords:
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- 9805 Instruments useful in three or more fields;
- GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUSDE: 9820 Techniques applicable in three or more fields;
- GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUSDE: 4333 Disaster risk analysis and assessment;
- NATURAL HAZARDSDE: 4339 Disaster mitigation;
- NATURAL HAZARDS