ICAO has released a request for information (RFI) for submissions to propose practical solutions, successful research and development activities and/or best practices – existing or proposed. The purpose is to enable States, regulators and industry to continue to advance the development of UTM systems. The RFI requests high level submissions not exceeding 2,000 words that allow for flexible implementation by all states. This year’s problem statements are addressing – 1) Lessons Learned/Best Practices from existing UTM deployments, and 2) UTM Data Requirements.
Deadline: 15 July 2022
Submitters of those proposals that are considered to best address the problem statement will be offered an opportunity to present their information at DRONE ENABLE 2022 to be held from 14 to 16 November 2022. Extensive discussion of all presentations should be anticipated with the possibility that some aspects of several submissions could be supported by the Symposium audience and considered for incorporation into ICAO UAS guidance material.
The proposals should address experiences and best practices from the deployment/implementation of UTM systems or services; and/or UTM and UAS data requirements.
All submissions will be reviewed. Submitters of those proposals that are considered to best address the problem statement will be offered an opportunity to present their information at DRONE ENABLE 2022 to be held from 14 to 16 November 2022. Extensive discussion of all presentations should be anticipated with the possibility that some aspects of several submissions could be supported by the Symposium audience and considered for incorporation into ICAO UAS guidance material.
By submitting an RFI response, submitters represent that they are prepared to travel at their own expense to Montréal, Canada to deliver their presentation during the DRONE ENABLE 2022 Symposium.
Background
ICAO has hosted global UAS symposia (DRONE ENABLEs) to solicit the most up-to-date information on the topic of UAS traffic management (UTM). The aim of these activities has been to synthesize relevant information gleaned from an annual Request for Information (RFI), and utilize this information to provide a globally harmonized, common framework to support the development and deployment of UTM systems and facilitate the increased integration of unmanned aircraft (UA).
To ensure sound technical approaches were used for drafting the framework, broad industry, academic and scientific community research and development initiatives were solicited as well as any national implementation activities from which lessons could be learned.
At the inaugural DRONE ENABLE, held in Montréal in September 2017, States, industry and academia submitted responses which addressed UTM foundational components including registration systems that supported remote identification and tracking; communications systems for control and management of the UA and tracking of all UA within the UTM area; as well as geofencing-like systems to prevent UA operation in sensitive/security areas and restricted/danger areas such as near aerodromes.
DRONE ENABLE/2, held in Chengdu, China in September 2018, had a theme of “UTM to ATM – Transitioning from Segregation to Integration” and focused on solutions for enabling the integration of UTM and air traffic management (ATM) systems. This included the challenges of defining the boundaries between ATM and UTM systems and examining the key information that needs to be exchanged between UTM and ATM systems to facilitate the transition between these two systems.
DRONE ENABLE/3, held in Montréal, Canada in November 2019, had a theme of “Facilitating Future Innovation” and focused on specific challenges of developing a UTM system. These included an effective means of assessing risks for a proposed UTM system; and an approval/certification process of potential UTM Service Providers (USS) based on the criticality of services provided, addressing separation and deconfliction requirements within the UTM system as well as a means to assure that contingency/emergency situations would not result in greater levels of risks.
DRONE ENABLE 2021, held virtually in April 2021, had a theme of “Addressing Tomorrow’s Challenges Today” and focussed on challenges related to the introduction of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS traffic management (UTM). This included the ICAO UTM framework which provides a path forward for the safe integration of UAS. The framework assisted States with developing the required regulatory framework and guidance material to ensure a safe, efficient and effective UTM system.
As work progresses, critical gaps in the UTM framework continue to be identified. To help address these gaps, ICAO is again engaging States, industry, academia and other interested stakeholders to collaborate on and provide solutions in support of the development of a safe and efficient UTM capability.
It should be noted that this activity is separate but complementary to ICAO’s ongoing work to build a complete regulatory framework to support international operations for remotely piloted aircraft in controlled airspace and at controlled aerodromes.
Submissions must be received by ICAO at DRONEENABLE@icao.int not later than 15 July 2022.
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For more information visit:
Unmanned Aviation 2022 Symposia and Webinars (icao.int)
