A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/778317
NATCA UAS HITL PARTICIPATION There are several termi nal and en route Cognitive Walkthroughs and Human In The Loop (HITL) studies that have been recently completed or are coming up at the William J. Hughes Technica l Center in Atlantic City, NJ. NATCA controllers are fully p articipating in these studies. Th ese studies are focused on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) contingency operations. There are several scenarios incorporated into these studies including lost link, which is unique to UAS. Below is a summary of each activity: Dec 6 - 8 - Terminal Cogniti ve Walkthrough with three participants from NCT Jan 24 - 26 - Terminal HITL with participants from D01, NCT, PCT and S46 Feb 14 - 16 – En route Cognitive Walkthrough with participants from ZBW, ZMP, ZAB, ZOA, ZDC , and ZJX Mar 28 - 30 - Terminal HITL with participa nts TBD NATCA/FAA WORKGROUPS NATCA and the FAA are in the process of forming three workgroups under the NATCA/FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integrat ion Workgroup Scope Agreement. The first of these work groups is a headquarters workgroup that will make facility visits in the coming months to assess how the process of implementing the Small UAS R ule (Part 107/101) is working. The goal of the work group is to elicit feedback from the field and formulate recommendations on how small UAS rule proc esses an d procedures can be improved. The second workgroup is for UAS Training. The focus of this workgroup will be to ensure the development and implementation of UAS training for the air traffic workforce. The third workgroup is being formed to cre ate recommendations on standard ized UAS lost link procedures. Often times a single UAS flight in the NAS can contain dozens of lost link procedures, depending upon whe re the UAS is along its route. In order to move toward full UAS integration into the NA S, simpler, more predictable lost link procedures need to be developed. LOW ALTITUDE AUTHORIZATION AND NOTIFICATION CAPABILITY (LAANC) The agency continues to work on an automated capability that will speed the process for approvals and notifications for small UAS operating in B, C, D , and E surface area airspace. The agency has completed their one - on - one interviews with vendors who responded to the Request for Inf ormation (RFI). The next step is to conduct an Industry Workshop with vendors who remain int erest ed in developing this concept. The first workshop is scheduled for February 1st. The workshop will give the vendors the opportunity to demonstrate their initial capabilities as well as receive feedback from the agency on requirements and concepts. Mr. Weidner and Mr. Richards are participating in this effort. DRONE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC)