Remote sensing applications of unmanned aircraft: challenges to flight in United States airspace

Abstract

The capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have improved dramatically in the past 5 years, and as a result UAS have become increasingly popular among scientists. Missions that require long dwell times and/or are in locations generally too dangerous for manned aircraft are particularly suited to UAS, and scientists are looking more and more to UAS to perform these types of remote sensing missions. Sea ice characterization, mapping of fault lines, hurricane monitoring and satellite calibration/validation (cal/val) are some examples of applications that benefit from the use of UAS. Operations involving UAS have unique challenges compared to manned aircraft. For example, most instruments must be automated and miniaturized. One of the greatest challenges, however, is gaining access to the United States national airspace system (NAS). Currently, access is only granted to government agencies and universities through a certificate of authorization (COA) process. This article will provide a general view of UAS, US NAS, and the COA process. The challenges to flying UAS in the NAS will then be discussed. Finally, example missions will be described in detail with special attention to the specific challenges inherent to the operation.