Industry is driving towards UAS operations that are not currently supported by the NAS regulations, policies, and procedures. In particular, enabling low altitude UAS operational access to airspace to support small package delivery was identified by the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) as a high priority.
Cavan Solutions assembled an AJV-S led, cross-FAA disciplinary team that engineered a Concept of Operations to enable low altitude UAS operations across the NAS under 14 CFR Part 91 in the near future without rule changes. The resulting concepts are an engineering integration of forward-leaning technology capabilities, future mission/operational profiles, existing airspace regulations, and existing and envisioned ATC services.
Cavan Solutions developed the Mode C Veil sUAS Cargo Delivery Operations OSED and ConOps and continued the work to develop Part 91 UAS low altitude operations Air Traffic Control Clearance and Authorizations Policy, Processes, and Mechanisms.
With these significant pieces of the pre-UAS Traffic Management (UTM), low altitude UAS puzzle in place, Cavan Solutions extended the concepts through targeted Systems Engineering efforts of a Preliminary Safety Analysis of low altitude Part 91 UAS Operations not receiving tactical ATC separation services and a complimentary analysis of ATC services for Part 91 UAS – what services need to exist to support Part 91 UAS Operations, how the services might be provided, and requirements levied on UAS operations in order to receive the ATC Services.
These efforts provide UAS operators with easier access to flyable airspace while reducing the workload on air traffic controllers and other FAA offices. These accomplishments set the stage for future UAS operations.