Foundational airspace safety rules must be maintained.
Alexandria, VA (September 25, 2024) – As the FAA creates the regulatory framework that will expand the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the US National Airspace System (NAS), Vertical Aviation International (VAI) has released a statement outlining specific recommendations for UAS operation beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of their remote pilots or observers. VAI urges regulators and industry to review and consider this position statement, developed with all airspace users and operations in mind, as the industry begins scaled UAS operations.
As the association for the global vertical aviation industry, VAI strongly advocates for the safe and successful integration of new technology into the NAS, particularly as it will affect operations in the low-altitude airspace. Under its previous name, Helicopter Association International, VAI issued a white paper with recommendations to address the challenges involved in launching advanced air mobility (AAM) operations. In keeping with this rapidly changing sector of vertical aviation, the association has updated its Roadmap of Advanced Air Mobility Operations several times, most recently in November 2023. The paper contains near-, mid-, and far-term recommendations on a variety of AAM topics, including infrastructure, regulations and airspace use, training, insurance, vehicle development, and societal acceptance.
VAI fully supports the integration of UAS into the NAS, to include BVLOS operations, consistent with established performance-based standards. While VAI understands that BVLOS operations will enable UAS to achieve their full potential to benefit society, the rules governing those operations must preserve, not downgrade, the current level of safety in an already incredibly busy and highly complex airspace.
As the trade association for vertical aviation, VAI members reflect all sectors of the industry, including operators of UAS, next-generation vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aircraft, and helicopters, as well as the full range of companies that support and supply the industry. Many VAI members are already operating UAS, and many others conduct operations in the same low-altitude airspace proposed for UAS BVLOS operations.
“The aviation community must work together to solve the challenges around BVLOS operations and build a future that allows us all to operate safely,” says James Viola, president and CEO of VAI. “VAI members welcome the opportunities provided by new technology, but we must not gamble with the safety of those pilots, crews, and passengers who are already flying in the low-altitude airspace.”
Annually, tens of thousands of sorties occur below 500 ft. above ground level (AGL) that support operations critical to society, including air ambulance, firefighting, airborne law enforcement, aerial application, and utility patrol and construction. In 2023 alone, air ambulances conducted nearly 130,000 off-site landings, demonstrating the pressing need for BVLOS regulations that consider the types and level of aviation activity in that airspace.
The association suggests certain deviations from the concepts proposed by the FAA’s UAS BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s March 2022 final report. The current avoidance standard for all operations in the NAS is to “see and avoid” all other aircraft in accordance with the right-of-way rules laid out in 14 CFR 91.113. VAI strongly believes this foundational element of airspace safety must be maintained and calls on the FAA to establish performance-based standards for BVLOS detect-and-avoid requirements. Additionally, the association recommends that all aircraft be required to display maximum conspicuity, whether visual, electronic, or by other means. Finally, the association calls for changes to the concept of shielded operations, including a shift from considering shielded operations merely in terms of aircraft distance from obstacles to one requiring some sort of physical shield or separation.
"VAI and our members are committed to leading efforts to integrate manned and unmanned aviation operations,” says Viola. “We look forward to working with industry and government stakeholders to ensure the safe launch of BVLOS operations.”
Vertical Aviation International (VAI), formerly Helicopter Association International (HAI), is the world’s leading membership association dedicated to the vertical aviation industry, which encompasses all aircraft capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing. Throughout its 75 years of fueling industry growth through connection, advocacy, safety, education, and support for its members’ success, VAI has leveraged the power of vertical flight to strengthen communities worldwide. The association welcomes all facets of the vertical aviation industry, including manufacturers, operators, suppliers and vendors, pilots and maintenance technicians, and other aviation professionals. For more information about VAI, please visit rotor.org/newbrand.
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