TEMPAERIS consortium demonstrates the feasibility of RPAS insertion in a Terminal Area without segregation

The final report of the TEMPAERIS project has been formally accepted by the SESAR Joint Undertaking on October 29th. This project started two years ago in the frame of the SESAR RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) Call for proposals.

The experimentations consisted both in Live Trials at Bordeaux Mérignac airport and simulations to evaluate the impact of RPAS upon Air Traffic Control procedures. The RPAS used for real flight was an MCR4S light aircraft with an Maxi Take-Off Weight of 750 kg. A safety pilot was on board in order to manage potential emergency situations. TEMPAERIS consortium was lead by DSNA, the French Air Navigation Service Provider, Airbus Defence and Space, SopraSteria, AirbusProsky and ENAC, the French Civil Aviation Academy, were associated members.

The most important lessons learned are as follows :

• RPAS behaviour was not perceived as different from the one of a small general aviation aircraft
• ATCOs considered that small RPAS shall not be integrated on airports where traffic is more than 20 movements per hour
• The following contingency procedures: radio failure, GPS failure, emergency landing… will have to be standardized in order to be made homogeneous at the ICAO level. However, these procedures might adapted to each airport approach
• Flight plan format shall be adapted to RPAS specificity
• Proper C2 Link (RPAS command and control link) technology shall be developed, using the bands available for Aeronautical Mobile Service.