Development and safe application strategy of Russian unmanned aircraft systems

In the article the author analyzes the existing approaches to the classification of unmanned aircraft systems. Based on a comprehensive risk analysis and international experience, the author’s version of the classification is proposed. A systematic vision of options for building an effective certification and licensing system for manufacturers and operators of unmanned aircraft, certification of the airworthiness of unmanned aircraft systems is proposed. The key problem is the lack of experience of certification bodies working with super-light and light manned aircraft, as well as experience in certification of commercial drones. This leads to overcomplication of the certification basis and the formation of far-fetched methods for determining compliance. The way out may be the organization of airworthiness certification based on the total cumulative number of accumulated flight hours (FH DTP) according to rules close to the EASA rules of 05/26/2022 FTB MOC SC Light-UAS. As experience accumulates, fundamentally new airworthiness standards and conformity assessment methods will be developed that correspond to the practice of safe operation. The key problem of training aviation personnel is the lack of standard training programs for recreational and professional drones. The way out may be the development and testing in experimental legal regimes of programs for mass training and testing of knowledge of external pilots of recreational drones, with the issuance of an analogue of the FAA “TRUST” certificate. In parallel, training and testing programs for external commercial pilots should be tested according to the rules close to the FAA Part 107. The practical operation of unmanned aircraft is limited by the imperfection of the national air traffic management system. As a result, flights are possible exclusively in segregated airspace. By now, the number of drones has become so significant that the potential for extensive allocation of airspace on the principle of “one drone - one flight area” has been practically exhausted. The way out may be the formation of a digital air traffic management system for manned and unmanned aircraft, which will ensure mutual situational awareness of all airspace users. The requirements of the national aviation authorities for airfields, heliports, landing pads are formed based on the characteristics of “big aviation” and exclude the commercial efficiency of low-intensity commercial operation of light and super-light aircraft. The development of unmanned aviation requires a radical simplification of these rules, considering the best international practices. The full implementation of the described proposals will ensure the formation of a flexible, transparent and simple regulatory system that will create conditions for the development of unmanned aircraft. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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