Experimental certificate opens door to new applications for unmanned aircraft

Citation

(2006), "Experimental certificate opens door to new applications for unmanned aircraft", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778aab.013

Experimental certificate opens door to new applications for unmanned aircraft

Experimental certificate opens door to new applications for unmanned aircraft

Keywords: Aircraft, Radar

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft and high resolution surveillance and radar imaging systems, recently announced that its Altair high- altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has received the USA's first experimental airworthiness certificate issued for a UAS by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), providing greater flexibility for the aircraft to operate in the National Airspace System (NAS).

“Operating an FAA-certified unmanned aircraft in civil airspace offers great potential for the technological advancement of scientific and commercial research, while also providing our nation with the operational flexibility to conduct certain homeland security missions,” said Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr, President, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. “This achievement would not have been possible without twp key supporters: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center [DFRC] in the development and operational advancement of Altair and the Access 5 Project's leadership in working with the FAA and the UAV National Industry Team [UNITE] on solutions to allow for UAS operations in the NAS. The efforts of these supporters and the FAA's early commitment to expand access to the NAS made this certification a reality.”

Today Altair routinely operates in NAS under a national Certificate of Authorisation (COA) which allows it to fly in restricted airspace during takeoff and landing before quickly ascending to altitudes high above commercial air traffic. Under its new one-year experimental certificate, Altair will not only be able to fly at higher altitudes, but also expands its geographic operations. Similar to a COA, an UAS experimental certificate contains certain conditions that must be met to ensure a level of safety equivalent to manned aircraft operations in the NAS. This includes “good weather” conditions and a requirement for a pilot and observer, both of whom may either be on the ground or in an accompanying “chase” plane. While COAs are issued to the customer (e.g. NASA, NOAA), the experimental certificate has been issued directly to GA-ASI, providing it with the opportunity to use Altair for company purposes such as experimental flight testing, marketing demonstrations and crew training.

The process engaged for the issuance of the experimental certificate is part of the Access 5 Project's four-step plan designed to develop UAS systems, infrastructure and regulations that will enable routine UAS operations in civil airspace for emerging commercial and civil applications. Steps one and two are currently funded by NASA. Specifically, step one addresses access and operations of UASs above 43,000 ft and involves identifying an experimental application and certification process. Step two addresses UAS access and operations above 18,000 ft and identifies a type certification basis for classifying UASs.

“The formation of the Access 5 Project/UNITE alliance marked an important moment in history as it has positively affected the evolution of the aerospace industry throughout the world. The pledge of time and resources by government and industry to the Access 5 vision has enabled this nation to issue its first experimental certificate,” stated Dave Buis, co-lead of the Access 5 Project and industry director of UNITE. “The U.S. must remain committed to this effort so that emerging markets, jobs and national security benefits can be realised in our lifetime.”

Altair, a high-altitude version of Predator B, was specifically designed for scientific and commercial research missions that require high-altitude endurance, reliability and increased payload capacity. Built in partnership with NASA's DFRC for its Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program, it has been operational since 2003 with NASA and NOAA. Featuring an 86ft. wingspan and 3,000 lb. fuel capacity, Altair can fly above 52,000 ft and remain airborne for over 30 h. It is configured with a fault-tolerant dual- architecture flight control system, triple redundant avionics and a Honeywell turbo prop engine for high reliability. To ensure responsive to air traffic advisements during flights in the NAS, Altair also has an air traffic control relay and will have an automated collision avoidance system.

“General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' receipt of an experimental airworthiness certificate for Altair is a significant advancement for unmanned aircraft systems development,” said Chris Jennison, project manager, Altair missions, NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. “GA-ASI and the entire UAS community can be proud of this breakthrough, bringing the day closer when the commercial and scientific use of this kind of aircraft is ordinary and routine.”

The experimental certificate is the latest addition to Altair's growing list of “firsts,” which include being the first UAS to demonstrate surveillance with a 360-degree maritime surface search radar; fly from Southern California to Alaska; fly above the Arctic Circle with over-the-horizon control; be integrated and operated in Canadian National Air Space with over-the-horizon control; carry high value scientific instruments for ocean and atmospheric research conducted by NOAA and NASA; and monitor forest fires adjacent to the Alaska pipeline.

Details available from: The Access 5 Project, Tel: +1 858 442 9247, e-mail: cwconsulting@san.rr.com

NASA Dryden, Tel: +1 661 276 2665, e-mail: alan.brown@dfrc.nasa.gov