Richard
Final Approach
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- Feb 27, 2005
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Ack...city life
Most pilots are aware of the growing participation of unmanned aerial vehicles/systems in the National Airspace System. Following is something I found in, of all places, the minutes of the 2009 HSAC (Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference) meeting.
Certificate of Authorization (COA) for Nicholls State University to map barrier islands
• UAS to map barrier islands
• UAS small aircraft with 6-foot wing span
• Operator and observer present on site
• Operations within a mile of barrier island and altitude to be determined
• Some may be equipped with a transponder
• Proposed date to issue COA is March 5, 2009
Of special consideration to me, these small UAVs may not be equipped with a transponder. It is unclear if they would have a chase plane and observer. (What constitutes "on site" in reference to operator and observer?)
Further along in the minutes, Martha Woods/Lockheed Martin makes two suggestions.
• Suggest development offshore PIREP reporting systems using the seven ADS-B frequencies incorporated with the offshore AWOS station.
• COA for UAS operations should require notification to FSS when active. Provide FSS with email addresses to discriminate NOTAMs. Best to have one central source for operators who would then distribute to Gulf Coast operators.
While these two comments are worthy, my experience has repeatedly shown that dessimination through FSS has not been timely, or has been in error. Also, based on the 2nd suggestion, should a pilot conclude that the FSS be the source for real time information in lieu of transponder information coded to ATC? Afterall, it had been previous mentioned that a UAV may not be equipped with a transponder.
While the comments are directed at operations over the barrier islands of the Gulf of Mexico, I foresee such operations being conducted in any area as determined by federal agencies. In other words, they are coming to a town near you. It's only a question of when.
http://www.hsac.org/Minutes/Minutes011509.htm
Certificate of Authorization (COA) for Nicholls State University to map barrier islands
• UAS to map barrier islands
• UAS small aircraft with 6-foot wing span
• Operator and observer present on site
• Operations within a mile of barrier island and altitude to be determined
• Some may be equipped with a transponder
• Proposed date to issue COA is March 5, 2009
Of special consideration to me, these small UAVs may not be equipped with a transponder. It is unclear if they would have a chase plane and observer. (What constitutes "on site" in reference to operator and observer?)
Further along in the minutes, Martha Woods/Lockheed Martin makes two suggestions.
• Suggest development offshore PIREP reporting systems using the seven ADS-B frequencies incorporated with the offshore AWOS station.
• COA for UAS operations should require notification to FSS when active. Provide FSS with email addresses to discriminate NOTAMs. Best to have one central source for operators who would then distribute to Gulf Coast operators.
While these two comments are worthy, my experience has repeatedly shown that dessimination through FSS has not been timely, or has been in error. Also, based on the 2nd suggestion, should a pilot conclude that the FSS be the source for real time information in lieu of transponder information coded to ATC? Afterall, it had been previous mentioned that a UAV may not be equipped with a transponder.
While the comments are directed at operations over the barrier islands of the Gulf of Mexico, I foresee such operations being conducted in any area as determined by federal agencies. In other words, they are coming to a town near you. It's only a question of when.
http://www.hsac.org/Minutes/Minutes011509.htm