ASTM’s F38 new working group developing a new global standard for airborne operational risk assessments will have its kick-off meeting on January 8th 2025, according to Andrew Weinert, an airspace integration expert at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, in a Linkedin article.
“In mid-December before the holidays, ASTM International F3178-24: Standard Practice for Operational Risk Assessment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) was published… Our primary objective is to create a comprehensive, robust, and future-proof operational risk assessment framework specifically tailored for airborne operations within the ASTM F38 scope. This standard will be instrumental in ensuring the safe and efficient integration of these innovative aircraft into our airspace. While the FAA’s Part 108 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is anticipated in 2025 and will be a significant development for the US, it’s important to recognize that the regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly on a global scale. We are seeing major regulatory pushes from other leading Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs), including the Irish Aviation Authority’s innovative approach to drone operations, CASA in Australia’s progressive drone regulations, the UK CAA’s comprehensive DAA policy paper, and Transport Canada’s proactive adoption of JARUS SORA and ASTM standards. Additionally, Eurocontrol’s various initiatives in areas like U-space and ATM/UTM integration are shaping the future of airspace management for drones and other advanced aircraft. This standard will be most useful if it considers this fast-evolving global regulatory environment.
“Specifically, additional detail will provide practical guidance on how to conduct an airborne risk assessment for UAS, including:
- Air traffic density and patterns in the operating area
- Detect-and-avoid capabilities of UAS and other aircraft
- Communication and coordination protocols for deconfliction
- Contingency procedures in case of loss of communication or navigation
- Methods for quantifying and mitigating the risk of collision
- Assumptions on aircraft behavior with respect to avoiding obstacles, including terrain, structures, and other aircraft
This standard will establish a quantitative method for showing compliance to performance requirements regarding the risk of airborne collisions between UAS and other aircraft and will define data analysis methods for assessing air traffic patterns and densities, writes Andrew Weinert. The standard will provide qualitative guidance for scenarios where quantitative data is not available or is flawed.
For more information
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/astm-f38-airborne-operational-risk-assessment-kickoffs-andrew-weinert-h2hke/?trackingId=nD7HXa6NbiBIQ6HuZQjHIA%3D%3D
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