Unmanned Aircraft Are Coming!

摘要

As most of us know, a new aircraft type will soon be flying in the NAS in growing numbers - planes with no human on board. In the current FAA timeline the milestone for full integration of UAS into the NAS is in 2020. Currently, their sizes range from a 6 inch-wingspan to 138 foot-wingspan, weighing anywhere from 6 ounces to 38,000 lbs. The current unmanned aircraft development situation is one of transition and exploration. While the eventual outcome, for safety and economic reasons, will essentially be an autonomous "flying computer," the transition to it from manned aircraft is occurring in many interim "baby" steps regarding their design, operational modes, and interactions with the NAS. Meanwhile the shift from the UAS primarily flown from the ground to the UAS with most functions automated on-board, and from a hands-on remote pilot to a computer operator and flight monitor, is resulting in a spectrum of different designs for ATC to contend with.