Lone Star UAS Center LSUASC Introduction of Excellence and Innovation Bringing UAS to America s Skies NASAO 85 th Annual Convention and Tradeshow UAS Emerging Technologies & Utilizations September 13, 2016 San Antonio, Texas Daniel Mendez, Engineer Lone Star UAS Center TAMU-CC 1
Agenda LSUASC background UAS Insights Regulations UAS Technology Questions 2
LSUASC Background 3
Test Site Purpose A FAA UAS Test Site designated to safely integrate Public And Civil UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Operations into the National Airspace Provide FAA R&D and operational data to facilitate the development of procedures, standards and regulations for safe UAS operations Serve as the engine for economic development on behalf of the Governor and the State Of Texas FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) 4
Headquarters Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center @ Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (3 rd floor) LSUASC Headquarters LSUASC Mission Control Center Command and Control Data Collection & Storage Human-Factors RDTE ATC Communication Incident Management RDTE (Research Development Test & Evaluation) ATC (Air Traffic Control) 5
6 Technology Enablers: Sense and Avoid Command and Control Communications Assurance UAS Traffic Management Human Machine Interface Mobile Apps-Training et al
Texas State Agency Partners and Interest 7
Lone Star UAS Center Test Ranges Lone Star UAS Center Test Ranges 54,000 square miles of ag and energy assets in the Texas Panhandle Infrastructure Emergency response range >68,000 square miles of FAA approved UAS test ranges Littoral range Gulf of Mexico range Mission Control Center Mobile Mission Command Center 8
UAS Insights 9
Why UAS? Autopilots Ease of use Emergency procedures Mission Planner Precise control of the mission Flight logs Sensors Each image is Geo-Referenced Live feeds Sensor integration Data Data can be archived 10
UAS Best Practices Get trained Read operator s manual Visit with manufacturer Situational awareness Environment Weather Maintain a checklist Aircraft Equipment Regulation Sterile cockpit VIPs Battery fatigue Dry run UAS Credentialing TEEX and LSUASC 11
Regulations 12
Over 7,000 manned aircraft in the air at a given time. ~87,000 manned flights per day United States has the most complex, yet safest, airspace in the world. The FAA values safety above all else. The National Airspace System (NAS) 13
The FAA has full authority to regulate the airspace in America Managed by corresponding ATC facilities FAA grants Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COA) to allow a unique activity in the airspace Communication and permission is key Type of Airspace Aeronautical Chart 14
The COA will state: Requirements that you must follow to fly Qualifications for pilots and observers Post-mission reporting to FAA Communication requirements Define area of operation Line of Sight Operations Night limitations Addendums can be made Various suas Boundary Extension COA 15
State of Texas Regulations Texas Privacy Act Video/Imagery protection for citizens (HB2167) Department of Public Safety - Limitation of UAS use around Capital Complex (HB3628) Critical Infrastructure Facilities flying less than 400 above ground over facilities not allowed (HB3628) 16
suas Rules: Part 107 Permits suas (<55 lbs.) to fly within visual line of sight below 400 ft. AGL at less than 100 mph The UAS operator must qualify as a Remote Pilot-In- Command with small UAS rating Operations in Class G are allowed Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspace are allowed with the required ATC permission No operations at night Aircraft must be registered Effective August 29, 2016 17
Be at least 16 years old Remote Pilot-In-Command Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language (FAA may make exceptions for medical reasons) Be in a physical and mental condition that would not interfere with the safe operation of suas Fulfill currency and testing requirements 18
Remote Pilot-In-Command FAA Knowledge Test will cover: Airspace classification, operating requirements and flight restrictions affecting suas operation Aviation weather sources Radio communication procedures Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol Aeronautical decision making and judgment Airport operations Online Course - www.faasafety.gov ALC 451: Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (suas) Online Application - https://iacra.faa.gov/ FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate 19
UAS Technology 20
Fixed Wing Example PrecisionHawk Lancaster Specifications Wingspan 5 ft Endurance Up to 45 minutes Autopilot Autonomous once hand launched (Wind Oriented) Weight 7 lbs Gimbal Fixed Setup time 10 minutes Products 2D or 3D Orthomosaic Difference Vegetation Index (DVI) Plant Height Raw Data (Pix4D) 21
Rotary Wing Example AirRobot AR180 Specifications: Max Width- 6 ft Endurance Up to 40 minutes Autopilot Fully autonomous (VTOL) Weight 14 lbs Gimbal 2 Axis Setup time 5 minutes Products Infra-Red (IR) capable 2D or 3D Orthomosaic High resolution mapping Geo-referenced point of interest Integration: Sony CX410 Camcorder VTOL (Vertical take-off and landing) 22
Pix4D Computer Rendering C-Astral Bramor rtk dgps Survey 23
Unmanned Technology OPA Aurora Centaur Large Payload Capacity RS-16XL Persistent Surveillance BAE Systems Growing technology in the small and large UAS sector Cellular ATM PrecisionHawk LATAS 24
Counter UAS Technology UAS Geo-Fencing Anti-UAV Defense System 7 NM TFR around Naval Air Station (NAS) Detect, track, and disrupt 25
More Information Online Resources: http://www.faa.gov/ http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/ http://lsuasc.tamucc.edu/ Jerry Hendrix Executive Director O: 361-825-2577 E: Jerry.Hendrix@tamucc.edu Steve Williams Director of Operations O: 979-458-6064 E: Steve.Williams@teex.tamu.edu 26
Questions? Please contact me (Daniel Mendez) if you have any questions! Cell: 361-834-5763 Work: 361-825-4112 Email: daniel.mendez@tamucc.edu 27