Transcript CIVIL CERTIFICATION OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE …

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
Key Airworthiness Issues
Cliff Whittaker, Policy Manager,
Airworthiness Division,
Civil Aviation Authority, UK
Summary of ICAO Convention
Each State is responsible for its airspace and has
ultimate control over its airspace – Article 1
UAVs of any State must have prior permission
before entering the airspace of another State –
Article 8
UAVs operations must be controlled so that they
do not cause danger to civil aircraft – Article 8
UAVs must comply with the internationally agreed
“Rules of the Air” – Article 12
ICAO Convention Annex 8 –
Airworthiness Standards
Should airworthiness standards be less
demanding if the aircraft is unmanned?
The ICAO Convention - Annex 8 specifies the
minimum airworthiness standards for aircraft
(including pilotless aircraft).
The introduction to Annex 8 defines the
purpose of these standards as follows:..........
ICAO Convention Annex 8 Foreword, page (x)
“According to this policy:
a) the objective of international Standards is to define,
for application by the competent nations authorities, the
minimum level of airworthiness constituting the
international basis for the recognition by States, under
Article 33 of the Convention, of certificates of airworthiness
for the purpose of the flight of aircraft of other States
into or over their territories, thereby achieving, among
other things, protection of other aircraft, third parties
and property.”
ICAO Convention Annex 8
The focus of the ICAO Annex 8 airworthiness
standards is the protection of people and property
on the ground and of other aircraft sharing the
airspace.
Annex 8 sets different levels of airworthiness by
maximum weight alone – The number of occupants
is not mentioned in ICAO Annex 8.
FARs, JARs and EASA CS’s are a means to comply
with Annex 8
European Essential Requirements for
Airworthiness – Regulation 1592/2002.
The “Essential Requirements” put into European
law the minimum standards (compliant with ICAO
Annex 8) that apply to all aircraft.
Again, the number of occupants is not mentioned.
Airworthiness Standards
Like other Large Aeroplanes the Airbus Beluga complies with
JAR/CS 25, even though no more than 5 seats can be fitted
Airworthiness Standards
Is the risk to people and property on the ground
negligible?
Airworthiness Standards
Not in this case October 4, 1992 - El Al Boeing 747
cargo plane crashed in Holland,
killing all 4 crew members and 47
people on the ground. The aircraft
lost its No.3 and 4 engines. The
separation of the No. 3 engine was
initiated by fatigue (corrosion) in
the inboard midspar fuse pin.
One perception of safety: Headline News
Manned aircraft
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AIRCRAFT CRASHES NEAR SCHOOL
Pilot crashed into trees to avoid risk to children
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Unmanned aircraft –
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TERROR AS GUIDED MISSILE ALMOST
HITS SCHOOL
Shocked parents demand Inquiry
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Summary
• Type Certification to defined standards is an ICAO requirement
• Type Certification to meet the “Essential Requirements” is required by
European legislation (to meet ICAO standards on behalf of the States).
• “Fair treatment” requires that aircraft of the same mass meet the same
requirements; manned or unmanned.
• Requiring the same standards as for manned aircraft is a more robust
position for legal defence following an accident.
• Military (NATO) has adopted USAR based on CS-23 – because many
military authorities are required to meet civil standards wherever possible.
The proposed policy to use “manned aircraft” requirements
with “Special Conditions” is the appropriate solution.
End of Presentation