Remotely piloted aircraft system flight-plan processing from a risk-based methodology

The integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in non-segregated airspace is one of the most demanding challenges that the aviation community must face in the years ahead. This article develops the flight-plan processing from a risk-based methodology. The risk-based methodology is underpinned by an in-depth safety analysis throughout the three temporary horizons of the Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management system: strategical, pre-tactical and tactical. The flight-plan processing demands different measures depending on the temporary horizon. The measures mean geographical restrictions (airways or air corridors segregated for RPAS) and temporary restrictions (periods in which RPAS cannot operate). Both restrictions ensure that RPAS operation is safe and do not generate interactions with conventional aircraft. The last goal of this approach is to provide the required information to the RPAS operator based on the information available from the Network Manager (NM). The communication and information flow between the RPAS operator and the NM are detailed to validate flight-plan processing. If the initial flight plan is not affordable, the NM provides modifications during the flight-plan re-processing. The methodology is applied in the Spanish upper airspace. The results confirmed the validity and leeway of the flight-plan processing, although its implementation demands further improvements based on air traffic flow and path uncertainty.