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In the event of a lost link, the controller has to look through the COA applicable to that flight to determine the UA's lost link procedure. Standardizing lost link procedures will be a large step toward full UAS integration into the NAS. Mr. Richards and AJV-115 manager, Randy Willis are the co-leads of the workgroup. NATCA is also represented on the workgroup by five SMEs from the field - two from terminal, two from en route, and one from oceanic. SMEs are Joe Klimes (TRI), Jamie Sanders (COS), Jeremy McGinty (ZAU), Danny Watson (ZAB), and Abigail Anderson (ZOA). Our thanks to each of them for their expertise and participation. NO-CHASE COA SMS PANEL Mr. Weidner recently participated in an SMS panel at NASA Armstrong on Edwards Air Force Base in California. The purpose of this panel was to identify hazards for a flight that the NASA Ikhana UAS aircraft will be making next month. This flight will be conducted in California (JCF, ZLA, and ZOA airspace), beyond visual line of sight, utilizing an on-board detect and avoid system that will allow the aircraft to "see and avoid" other aircraft. All aircraft are required by FAR 91.113 to "see and avoid" other aircraft. On manned aircraft, this is accomplished by the pilot looking out the cockpit window. There isn't a pilot onboard an unmanned aircraft, so UAS operators are required to provide an alternate means of complying with FAR 91.113. This can be accomplished by using visual observers, chase planes, ground-based detect and avoid systems, or a combination of these alternatives. Each of these alternate means of compliance has complications and limitations. Full UAS integration into the NAS will not be accomplished until on-board detect and avoid equipment has been perfected. NASA's testing of this equipment is an important step toward full integration. Mr. Weidner was assisted on this panel by NATCA SMEs Jeff Plendl (ZLA), Don White (ZOA), and Jonathon Wigfall (JCF). Our thanks to each of these gentlemen for their expertise and participation. LOW ALTITUDE AUTHORIZATION AND NOTIFICATION CAPABILITY (LAANC) LAANC continues to take up the majority of time for Mr. Weidner and Mr. Richards. The agency is on a tight development and rollout schedule so engagement on the LAANC project occurs almost daily. LAANC is expected to be deployed nationwide beginning in April and finishing up the rollout in August/September. As a reminder, the initial version of LAANC will simply replace the manual process in which authorizations are approved. The tool itself will be used solely by staff support/management during the initial phase and will automate the current UAS authorization process for Part 107 proponents. The Agency is working with several industry partners who will provide this service to the various UAS proponents. The Agency will provide UAS facility map data to the industry partners. The partners will, in turn, develop tools that will provide authorization and notification services to the proponents, on a real-time basis, based on the UAS facility map data. The authorizations and notifications will be instantly transmitted back to the facility for which the authorization/notification was made.

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