Discover the major trends and technological transformations and the related impact on current professional roles

RPAS Integration into the U-Space

Drones are entering the skies and all airspace users will have to interoperate a mixed traffic. ANSPs, airports, cities and drone users need to easily and efficiently manage the safe presence of drones in their airspace. Key infrastructures, supporting tools and coordinating procedures with the Air Traffic Control services will act as key enablers for the drones' integration into the U-Space. With the development of the U-Space infrastructure, new services and procedures relying on high levels of digitalisation and automation will be designed to efficiently support the access for large numbers of drones to airspace. Supervision, monitoring and inspections of infrastructures, delivery of goods and e-commerce are just some of the possible services using drones.

Technological changes

• A set of services will support the implementation of the U-space framework enabling the safe and secure integration of drones into the skies: e-registration, e-identification and geofencing (foundation services); flight planning, tracking, and interfacing with conventional air traffic control (initial services); assistance for conflict detection (advanced services).

Impact on the role of the RPAS pilot

• RPAS pilots and operators may be required to implement new procedures and tools for optimal  coordination with the Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and Air Traffic Management (ATM) services.
• In the advanced stage of the U-Space implementation, RPAS pilots will control and monitor swarms of drones for a specific mission. Their role will be more related to control, supervision and management activities.

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