Boeing, SkyGrid, and Wisk have jointly introduced a Concept of Operations for Automated Flight Rules (AFR) – a foundational framework that defines how highly automated and uncrewed aircraft will integrate into airspace.
Soft-released during the CANSO Airspace Asia Pacific conference in Hong Kong, the AFR Concept of Operations proposes a new operating mode that enables the safe, efficient, and scalable airspace integration of highly automated and uncrewed aircraft; leverages novel aircraft and ground-based systems to automate traffic management functions in specific scenarios; and unlocks new operational opportunities from free-flight concepts to high-density flows in dedicated corridors.
The Concept of Operations provides use cases and system implications for airspace, aircraft and aerodromes as well as a roadmap for future rulemaking, harmonisation, and research.
“For nearly a century, aviation has relied on two primary operating modes: Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). These frameworks have supported modern aviation’s safety, growth and overall impact, yet they were not designed with highly automated aircraft in mind, such as those equipped with detect-and-avoid systems and advanced mission management automation,” the companies said in a joint press release. “AFR is designed to address this gap by complementing, not replacing, VFR and IFR, and by being available to any properly equipped airspace user.”
The companies said AFR will introduce higher levels of automation into how air traffic is organised and how aircraft remain safely separated in specific airspaces and scenarios. AFR is intended to support safe, routine uncrewed aircraft operations without the need for waivers or exceptions. It is hoped that the rules will offer greater enroute trajectory flexibility to AFR operators by allowing for more complex flight trajectories that remain safely and efficiently deconflicted. The companies also said AFR will improve airspace access for new entrants, without an associated increase in air traffic controller workload.
“Aviation now has both the need and the technological readiness to introduce a new ruleset built with higher automation in mind,” the companies said. “The AFR Concept of Operations is designed to catalyse global dialogue and align the ecosystem—including ICAO, CAAs, ANSPs, operators and technology providers—around a shared direction.”
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Image: The Boeing Company
