Poland’s UTM company DroneRadar has released its DroneRadar 2 application, a new iOS/Android app which integrates drone users within the national PansaUTM system currently under development by Poland’s air navigation service provider PANSA, HAWK-E and DroneRadar (https://www.unmannedairspace.info/latest-news-and-information/poland-trains-tower-controllers-to-operate-pansautm-system/). Among the features of the new app are a two-way direct communications link with PANSA and a dynamic airspace status notification alert.
According to Pawel Korzec, Co-founder and CEO at DroneRadar writing in a LinkedIn post
“DroneRadar 2 allows you to use missions created and approved in PansaUTM using dFPL (Drone Flight Plan) and full two-way non-verbal communication with air traffic services (CDDLC – Controller Drone Data Link Communication). But most importantly, DroneRadar version 2 is the foundation for the rapid implementation of an entire stack of U1-U3 services.
“Upgrading to the full version two is a multi-stage process; (it) requires many organisational changes as well as the application itself. That’s why we are introducing the minimal version today. In the following days there will be more updates to correct any errors and introduce new functionalities. We will also soon provide an API for developers to create DTMs and integrate with third-party applications.”
DroneRadar2 functionality includes:
- Access to and visualization of airspace data from AIP, AIP Supplements
- Access to and visualization of airspace data from NOTAMs
- Integrated AUP data I (FUA support – Flexible Use of Airspace) through the WebCAT system
- Visualization of geographic zones (buildings, national parks etc.)
- Implementation of aeronautical data, U-Space data and local regulations by means of the DroneRadar indicator. Three lamps clearly show the possibility of performing a flight: Green – no restrictions; Orange – restrictions present (shown in tab); Red – flight prohibited, with information on how to obtain clearance in an information tab.
- 4D data management by interpreting 3D data with time constraints.
- Bidirectional, non-verbal data management between ATS and the operator, or CDDLC – (Controller Drone Data Link Communication). This is a non-verbal, bidirectional communication service which allows for receiving instructions, accepting them and sending messages to ATS services. The CDDLC link is used by the ANSP to notify drone operators of urgent requirements – such as immediate landing orders.
- Access to elevation data for above mean sea level altitude (AMSL) calculation. The DroneRadar application automatically calculates the AMSL data from the declared above ground level (AGL) flight altitude in order to position the UAV relative to aeronautical airspaces whose altitudes are always given AMSL.
- Access to Kp-index data (Global Geomagnetic Storm Index).
- Registering a flight through the check-in process by users not registered in the PansaUTM system where registration is not required by law (eg. Class G airspace with no airspace structures). User identity is confirmed by SMS.
- Registering flight through the check-in process by users already registered in the PansaUTM system
- Associating a flight with earlier defined mission authorisations processed by PansaUTM.
According to the DroneRadar website:
“In its Basic version, DroneRadar is free. The paid Premium version has enhanced user functionality such as the possibility to check airspace availability anywhere on the map. From a safety perspective, the free version has and displays all necessary data to perform a mission as the Premium version. The basic application allows you to plan and perform a mission with the same level of safety as the Premium one.”
To access all the application functions the user has to be registered with the PansaUTM drone registration scheme (https://utm.pansa.pl). “After providing your telephone number, you will be asked to input PansaUTM login data (username or email) so that you can be logged to the DroneRadar application with PansaUTM credentials….If you are not a registered PansaUTM user you will be requested to provide a telephone number where a confirmation SMS will be sent. The content of the SMS should be inputted in the appropriate field of the application.”
“You can check-in a flight only in the location that you are present, based on GPS location supplied by your device. There are two possible scenarios:
- registering a flight where no dFPL flight plan is mandatory by a user not registered with Pansa UTM (there are areas where no flight plan has to be submitted. If a flight plan is mandatory, you will be informed by the application) and
- registering a flight where a dFPL flight plan is mandatory. “In this situation you should login and create a dFPL mission (file a flight plan). Next login to the DroneRadar application with PansaUTM credentials. After receiving flight plan clearance acceptance for the flight select your accepted flight plan in the application.”
The system also allows for the reporting by the operator of loss-of-control.
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