DLR has developed "U-Space Flight Rules" for the joint utilisation of airspace by manned and unmanned aircraft.
These rules are based on the 2021 European U-Space regulations for the integration of unmanned aircraft.
A DLR blueprint offers an approach for the application of these flight rules and is being continuously expanded.
In today's air traffic management system, airspace operations follow the principles of two main operating modes: Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Under Visual Flight Rules, most of the in-flight navigation is performed using visual references on the ground. Flights under Instrument Flight Rules are conducted with the help of onboard instrument navigation systems and Air Traffic Control. In short, today's pilots can visually separate their aircraft from other air traffic under Visual Flight Rules, while flights under Instrument Flight Rules require Traffic Control services that are generally not provided in uncontrolled airspace.
How will future Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) operate under today's flight rules, especially in uncontrolled airspace, without having an on-board pilot to navigate and ensure operational safety?
Since the beginning of 2021, a European framework has been created to enable the integration of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems together with crewed airspace users in an emerging airspace called "U-space". In recent months, the DLR Institute of Flight Guidance has been working on a concept called "U-space Flight Rules" (UFR). U-space Flight Rules build on the current European U-space concepts and serve as a new operating mode for both crewed and uncrewed airspace users flying in U-space airspaces and using U-space services.
The U-space Flight Rules will enable common airspace access to all airspace users within one airspace environment and advance airspace automation. The recently published DLR Blueprint shows in a structured way how the new flight rules can be applied in future U-space airspaces.
This Blueprint will be regularly updated in the future after feedback is obtained and further research is conducted.
