Abstract
Abstract. Skyopener is a project funded by the EU through the European GNSS Agency (GSA) in the framework of the Horizon 2020 program. Skyopener’s goal is contributing to the roadmap for the integration of civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) into nonsegregated airspace, by providing and testing enabling technologies, in particular with reference to European initiative U-Space, aimed at establishing regulations and infrastructure for integration of unmanned aviation into shared airspace. The main outcomes of the project include: implementing and testing a reliable and secure redundant air-ground communication link, based on satellite and 3G/4G networks; integrating the mission management system and ground station with a UTM (Unmanned aerial system Traffic Management) client, and experimenting UTM services being deployed by one of the partners; demonstrating technical and economic feasibility of long- range missions beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) by executing corridor mapping on a high-voltage powerline, and airport area surveys (e-TOD: electronic-Terrain Obstacle Database).
Highlights
1.1 Overview and motivationRemotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) have a potential for a wide range of civil applications that would benefit European citizens and industry
The regulation regarding the use of RPAS in civil airspace is not yet ready to enable operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
The system will allow Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to monitor RPAS operations taking place in the very low level (VLL) airspace, which is below 500ft above ground level
Summary
Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) have a potential for a wide range of civil applications that would benefit European citizens and industry. Skyopener’s goal is testing the use of RPAS for civilian applications to contribute to the roadmap for the integration of civil RPAS into non-segregated airspace In this context, the use of EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System) and Galileo is a major opportunity to provide enhanced navigation services in terms of integrity and positioning accuracy. The system will allow Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to monitor RPAS operations taking place in the very low level (VLL) airspace, which is below 500ft above ground level. Skyopener is testing the UTM system developed by one of its partners (Unifly) at U-Space level 2, and partly level 3, that allows management of flight authorization procedures and real-time monitoring of air traffic from the ground station, and will demonstrate the capability for the ANSP to receive data from the RPAS to show the aircraft’s position in real time. The goal is to provide accurate information about obstacles within the e-TOD (Electronic Terrain and Obstacle data) services geographical boundaries, as well as objects (trees, temporary structures, etc.) that intrude into linear infrastructure corridors, and emergency or post-emergency surveys (landslides, flooding, collapse, short-circuits, etc.) of critical infrastructure
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