UTM
The Unmanned Traffic Management System (UTM) was a hot topic and an area of interest for all member countries. UTM emerged as a crucial element to addressing some of the safety and security concerns they had.
While it became clear to countries that a suitable and affordable solution was not readily available for implementation, valuable insights were shared throughout the process and foundational steps that can be undertaken in the short term were identified. Such steps aim to pave the way for the successful integration of UTM systems in the future, highlighting the proactive approach member countries are taking towards enhancing aerial safety and security.
Tools & Resources
The following tools and resources are based on the experimentation, expert presentations, and discussions of the Wakanda Beyond process.
About
UTM serves as a valuable tool for organizing and safeguarding drone operations.
The term UTM has two key aspects:
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The conceptual aspect: This involves delineating airspace for drones, such as designating altitudes below 300 feet for drones and above 600 feet for crewed air traffic or establishing specific drone corridors in various directions.
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The technical aspect: This refers to the actual system that provides real-time monitoring of all drones operating in a given area.
During our discussions, we raised the importance of addressing both the conceptual and technical aspects of UTMs.
Often, there is a misconception that UTM solely refers to the technical solution while overlooking the conceptual dimension. The conceptual dimension can significantly enhance safety and security at minimal cost.
Why it is important
Initially, the discussion focused on identifying the risks associated with drone operations, which primarily include:
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Collisions with crewed aircraft
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Collisions with other drones
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Potential crashes into property or individuals due to technical malfunctions.
The responsibility of mitigating these risks falls on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and a comprehensive UTM system, that includes both conceptual and technical aspects, is a valuable tool for minimizing risk.
Conceptually, UTM can minimize risks by segregating drone traffic from manned traffic, implementing regulations such as different flight altitudes for drones and manned aircraft, and establishing segregated airspace for drones using measures like one-way flight corridors and maintaining sufficient distance between drones flying at similar speeds. Enforcement of these regulations can be facilitated through information campaigns, training for drone operators, and regulatory oversight. For more on this please refer to the section on the separation of airspace.
Technically, active avoidance mechanisms can be employed through technical systems where all flying aircrafts transmit their position, altitude, speed, and direction to the CAA in real time. This data is then analyzed to detect potential collision risks, with the UTM issuing timely warnings to drone pilots/operators to adjust their flight parameters to avoid collisions. Additionally, UTM can help enforce no-flight zones by detecting drone violations and triggering appropriate responses, such as notifying drone operators, informing authorities responsible for restricted airspace, and activating anti-drone measures.
An effectively managed UTM, overseen by competent personnel, can significantly enhance air safety and security. However, implementing a technical UTM is complex, requiring reliable devices on drones, robust telecommunications infrastructure, consistent power and internet access, powerful computing capabilities, resilient software systems capable of continuous operation, and robust security measures against cyber threats. Moreover, the system must be capable of managing a substantial number of flights simultaneously, up to approximately 5000 flights at a time.
Things to consider
Following our discussions, it became evident that implementing the conceptual aspects of UTM can yield significant impacts with minimal costs for both CAAs and operators.
For example:
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Clearly delineating airspace for manned aircraft (e.g., above 600 feet) and drones (e.g., below 300 feet) requires simple techniques that remain functional even in scenarios like power failures.
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Establishing and communicating no-flight zones doesn't demand complex technology but necessitates effective communication of rules to operators.
This is further discussed in the section on the separation of airspace.
That said, the participants were also very interested in the technical aspect of UTM solutions. This involves creating a system capable of tracking all drones, analyzing flights automatically, and issuing collision warnings when necessary.
The UTM operator can identify drones via unique IDs, consult the registration database, and prompt drone operators to adjust flight parameters to prevent collisions. Ideally, the CAA operator could even modify drone flight paths with the press of a button.
However, practical implementation at the moment poses numerous challenges:
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Real-time position reporting from every drone is crucial for UTM functionality, requiring live tracking devices for all drones. This can be a challenge in areas with poor connectivity.
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Ensuring system stability 24/7, safeguarding against hackers, and implementing fail-safe measures are imperative.
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The system must handle large volumes of real-time flight data and empower CAA officials to manage multiple drones simultaneously.
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Addressing non-cooperative drones, outdated databases, or incorrect identification codes presents additional hurdles.
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The financial burden of such a system is significant, as evidenced by the substantial resources, both in staff and capital, allocated by organizations like the German CAA "Flugsicherung" DFS.
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If the system is not complete and doesn’t cover all drones operating in the airspace, it will give the CAA a false sense of security.
