EUROCAE has prepared and published a draft document on the minimum operational performance specification for detect and avoid (DAA).
The objective of document ED-329 is to specify a proportionate risk based standard for DAA against conflicting traffic which will support a performance based regulation for non-segregated drone operation.
This document contains Minimum Operational Performance Standards, or ‘MOPS’ for a part of the EUDAAS DAA traffic system (DAA) for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operating in the certified category in class A to G airspaces under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). This standard specifies the minimum performance expected from the EUDAAS DAA equipment and functions, with the exception of the DAA system sensors which are covered in separate MOPS documents.
“Compliance with this standard is recommended as one means of assuring that the equipment will perform its intended function(s) satisfactorily under all conditions normally encountered in routine aeronautical operation,” EUROCAE said. “This minimum operational performance specification is designed to ensure that equipment compliant to it will get the necessary regulatory approval (this is generally facilitated by the recognition of such standard by the relevant authorities as an acceptable means of compliance with the applicable regulations.”
EUROCAE has also recently published a draft document that establishes a framework for the minimum required software development processes and verification boundaries for systems intended for use in the EASA Specific Category.
The organisation says that the growing development of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), urban traffic management services, general aviation aircraft, small rotorcraft and emerging VTOL applications calls for a harmonised framework to support appropriate software development assurance activities.
Rather than prescribing detailed development methods, the new frameowrk sets out to define the baseline assurance expectations to support consistent implementation while allowing flexibility for different operational contexts. The document also recognises that certain VTOL applications may benefit from a software development assurance methodology tailored to lower-risk operations, while considering cybersecurity aspects as an integral input to the development assurance process.
EUROCAE expects that the document will be used by UAS developers targeting certification within the EASA Specific Category, UTM service providers, manufacturers of equipment intended for installation in general aviation aircraft and small rotorcraft, software developers, certification authorities and other aviation stakeholders involved in the development, verification and approval of airborne systems.
Both draft documents can be read on the EUROCAE Workspace and a comment form can be completed by 24 August for the software consultation and 25 August for DAA.
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