Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.
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46 unmanned systems inside Spring 2014 air The United Kingdom is one of those countries ahead of the curve, with a clear set of UAV rules on the books. All UAVs operating in the UK, whatever their mass, are treated as aircraft, and as aircraft they are subject to the Air Navigation Order—Rules and Regulations, currently referred to as the ANO2009. Within this, there are a number of articles that relate to small UAVs and specifi- cally to those used in surveillance. The UK CAA has specified a number of re- quirements that have to be met before it will issue a 'Permission to Carry Out Aerial Work'. These requirements include an airworthiness certificate, a design and construction certificate, pilot qualification, insurance and organization- al approval. So anyone operating a UAV in the UK pretty much knows what's expected. No anarchy in the UK. But in other nations, the picture is not so clear. A Case Study: Belgium A more typical case may be that of Belgium, a small country with a strong high-tech profile that hosts much of the bureaucratic infrastruc- ture of Europe, which has yet to settle the issue of UAV regulation and market development. As a nation, Belgium currently has no regu- lation that specifically governs UAVs, although rules are being crafted in the form of a "Royal Decree," an executive order written by a govern- ment official implementing a law and signed by the nation's monarch. Ostensibly, authority over UAVs in Begium is spread across a half dozen agencies, sometimes with apparently overlapping responsibilities, and similar scenarios are playing out all over Europe right now. Belgian rule-makers include: Belgocontrol— An autonomous public com- pany, Belgocontrol safeguards Belgian air- space, monitoring and controlling air traffic, using air traffic towers and radar systems to secure and safeguard pilots, passengers, and people on the ground. Belgian Ministry of Defence— Belgian military officials have authority over all military aviation and control all military airspace in the country. Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Tele- communications— BIPT has jurisdiction over all radio communication and frequency issues. An independent government institute, the BIPT can impose sanctions for improper use of radio or other communications installations. This can represent an important factor for UAV operators who need a radio communication link to exercise control and communication over their aircraft. Both the radio transmitter and receiver must be approved and certified for use. However, there are currently no appointed frequencies for UAV operations. Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA)— Part of the nation's Federal Civil Service for Mobility and Transport, the BCAA—also known as the Directorate-General for Air Transportation—oversees civil aviation in Belgium. 4. A Delair-Tech UAV sits poised on its stand. 3. MAVinci unmanned autonomous microplane is ready to take off for a land survey mission. 3 Photos: Left:www.esa.int; Right: Delair-Tech SAS. 4