Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex

Flight Planning Guide

 

Purpose

The purpose of this flight planning guide (FPG) is to identify information regarding the proposed operation and control of a specific UAS in the Test Range. While the capability to execute UAS operations is must be flexible enough to recognize that each system, sub-system, ancillary piece of equipment, and their required readiness procedures are different, there are several basic flight safety provisions that must be followed.

 

This FPG will remain a “living guide” regarding the operation of each system in that it is recognized that there are presently no standard FAA approved FPG procedures for any UAS which ensure that UAS flight operations are conducted in a safe manner and in accordance with operating procedures established by the Test Site and the FAA. This FPG will set forth procedures designed to identify system capabilities & vulnerabilities and verify that adequate safeguards exist to protect against the National Airspace System (NAS)

 

Because of the nature of UAS being relatively new to aviation, the uniqueness of each vehicle and mission is designed such that this document will undergo continuous changes as it adapts to both the NAS and the individual system needs.

 

Instructions

An FPG will serve as the Mission Planning Guide as it is designed to adhere to each systems limitations and capabilities as it administers changes to the NAS.  The FPG will be developed for each mission and will be submitted to the FAA NLT 30 days prior to each mission date.

 

The Mission Commander shall ensure the FPG is developed in concurrence with all applicable FAA rules and regulations.

 

As subsequent missions are performed and the FPG develops further, subsequent versions will be submitted to the FAA as they evolve.  Changes to the FPG will be documented in a cover letter as each subsequent version is submitted.

 

Required Information

• Mission:  Provide a brief overview of the UAS mission(s) and capabilities.

  Objectives

  Description

  Explain whether the proposed test will, or is expected to, exceed limitations used to predict mean time between failure or other safety models.

  Develop then provide fault trees and/or failure mode effects analysis.

  Capabilities

 

• VehicleUser Handbook –

  Is UAS user handbook available? Please attach.

  Is sub-system user handbook available?  Attach

  Is Ancillary system user handbook available? Attach

  Physical Characteristics

  Measurements - wingspan, fuselage length, body diameter

  Composition

  Weight - empty and max load

  Fuel - type and capacity

  Landing style/type

  Propulsion SystemEngines –

  type,

  number,

  manufacturer,

  horsepower rating,

  electrical power source

  Fuel Volume and Consumption Monitors

  Limitations and Failure Modes

  By environmental conditions (temperature, icing, dust)

  Confirmed by test data

  Considered in test plan

  Performance Characteristics

  Performance Charts

  Takeoff and Landing

  Distances for maximum weights

  Maximum crosswind tolerance

  Maximum Altitude

  Maximum Endurance

  Maximum Range

  Range vs. Altitude (Comm Link)

  Airspeed –

  cruising,

  maximum,

  minimum

  stall

  Rate of Climb (degrees)

  Rate of Descent (degrees)

  Weather Minimums (?)

  Clouds

  Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions

  Flight Reference Data

  On-board sources of position, altitude, heading, altitude, and airspeed information to the UAS operator or autopilot

  Backups

  Transponder - Does the UAS have an on-board transponder with Mode C altitude reporting?

  ADS-B?

  TCAS?

  Payload Options - What payload(s) will be used on the UAS during operations?

  Hazardous Materials - List all materials that require special handling, such as flammable, toxic, energy storage, or ordinance. Include flight termination system if applicable.

 

• Command and Control Systems: Brief paragraph that describes the systems/methods used to control the UAS during flight; include frequencies where appropriate.

  Control Method - primary and secondary

  Satellite or Line of Sight

  Frequency Allocation - Is there a frequency allocation for all RF links? On what frequencies do the UAS systems operate? What is the effect of radio frequency interference on the command and control system?

  Command Link Range - What is demonstrated range of primary command and control (C2) transmitter and receiver

  Backup –

  Is there a backup C2 transmitter and receiver?

  Does the backup have the same effective radiated power?

  Is the backup link sufficiently protected from spurious command signals?

  Link Analysis

  Briefly explain how RF link analysis was performed to verify that both primary and backup transmitters can communicate with vehicle at furthest point of planned operation?  

  Does link analysis address all RF links?

  Uplinks from primary and backup ground stations

  Secondary uplinks from each ground station

  Downlinks to primary and backup ground stations

  Flight termination link

  Is there at least 12 dB of signal excess in FTS link?

  Explain how it was determined that the vehicle primary and backup command and control receivers and FTS receivers are operating at specified sensitivity?

  Did our link analysis consider the RF horizon?

  What is the maximum range for each link?

  List each link separately here

  Briefly explain how we determine if the primary and backup transmitters are radiating manufacturers specified output power?

  Frequency Masking

  Are there any nulls in the C2 transmitter antenna pattern?

  Are there areas of RF masking due to location of antennas on the UAS relative to their position and to ground station antennas? (during turns or pitch?)

  Are there any RF null spots in the C2 link based on the position or orientation of the UAS relative to the control station?

  Do the operators know where these nulls are and have mission profiles been designed to avoid these nulls?

  Multipath –

  What is the link susceptibility to multipath?

  What is the system response if multipath is experienced?

  Takeoff and Landing - What is method?

  Navigation System - What is the source of navigation information for the operator? Are there redundant sources?

 

• OperationsCrew

  Requirements - Please list the total number of personnel involved in the mission and their associated job functions.

  Experience - Detail the crew’s flight qualifications, experience, and currency with this UAS. How recently did each crewmember fly this type of UAS?

  Safety - What information does the crew have to make safety related decisions?

  Pre-Flight

  Set-up Time - Upon arrival, how much set-up time is required to prepare for initial flight?

  Pre-Flight Checks -- Describe typical ground checks for the UAS and control system.

  Launch - Please describe the takeoff procedure and handoff method in detail.

  Recovery - Please describe the recovery and landing procedure in detail.

  Turnaround Time - Describe any required post-flight maintenance and the turnaround time between missions.

 

• Failure (Risk) ManagementSafety HistoryFlight history

  Estimated total system hours based on this UAS

  Approximate hours logged by all PPUTRC operators

  Mishap history - List the mishap history of the UAS

  Identify for the record major failure modes.

  List known system-fault crashes or failures have occurred with this UAS?

  List known system-fault crashes or failures have occurred while a test system

  List crashes or failures attributed to human error

  Corrective actions taken to correct for past mishaps, crashes or failures

  Corrective actions implemented to circumvent any known system-fault crashes or failures

  Corrective actions implemented to circumvent any human error caused crashes or failures

  Demonstrated ReliabilityEstimated time between equipment failures

  Calculated from analytical or empirical data

  Environmental and performance limitations used to estimate reliability figures

  Hazard Analyses –derived from overall Safety Review of system vs. mission

  Software

  Explain how we implement and ensure our software safety program

  Software controlled components - What flight critical components are software controlled?

  Analyses - Have any software safety analyses been performed?

  Loss of Command and Control (C2) Link

  Describe in a paragraph what happens when the C2 link is lost. Include UAS actions and flight crew actions.

  Describe how the UAS responds if the command link is never re-established?

  Recognition of loss - Operator and UAS

  Explain how the operator recognizes loss of the command link?

  Explain how the UAS recognizes loss of the command link?

  Back-up Command and Control - How is backup control initiated?

  Loss of navigation

  Explain how the UAS and vehicle autopilot respond to a loss of navigation signal.

  Explain how primary navigation loss is indicated to the ground station and operator.

  Back-up navigation

  Is there a secondary navigation system? (briefly describe)

  Does the UAS operator have access to any external sources of position information that could serve as a backup (radar, IFF, binoculars)?

  If the UAS operator loses primary position information, is control also lost?

  Return home modes

  Conditions that cause return home mode

  Describe location point, path, and altitudeSelection

  Safeguards to prevent erroneous selection

  Ability to update in-flight

  Intermediate waypoints

  Multiple points

  Airspace boundaries and compatibility

  Line of sight from control station

  Vehicle action and sequence of events upon reaching return home point

  In event operator does not regain control

  Fail-safe events

  Landing

  Navigation during return home mode

  In event GPS is unavailable or jammed

  Pre-flight check

  Loss of Flight Reference Data - How does the vehicle respond to loss of primary sources for position, altitude, heading, and airspeed and what are the indications of these losses to the UAS operator?

  Unresponsive Flight Controls

  What will happen if a servo or flight control sticks or becomes unresponsive?

  How does the autopilot respond?

   Is there a backup?

  How quickly will the UAS operator recognize this?

  What happens if the throttle is stuck?

  How will the UAS operator recognize this condition?

  Is there a recovery procedure?

  Loss of Propulsion

  How does UAS respond to engine or motor failure?

  Can engine or motor be restarted in flight?

  Is electrical power lost if engine or motor stop during flight?

  Will there be sufficient link-control and electrical power for “controlled ditch” or “dead-stick landing”?

  Loss of Electrical Power –

  Describe UAS response if electrical power is lost.

  Describe C2 response if GCS electrical power is lost

  Describe back-up electrical systems and expected operating time.

  Describe what happens if the UAS is too far away to make it back before this time?

  Battery

  Expected time life

  Life meter

  Log

  Bus - Are there essential buses for reduced power operations and are all flight essential systems on this bus?

  Uninterruptible power source for ground operations

  Backup command and emergency systems protection

  Does load shedding occur if power is lost?

  Are there any effects on the flight termination system?

  Subsystem Failure

  Failures that result in abort

  Failures that result in UAS unable to fly

  Flight Termination System (FTS)

  FTS function (briefly explain)

  FTS activation (briefly explain)

  How is the FTS activated? (briefly explain)

  Does it activate if battery backup fails? (briefly explain)

  Does it operate on independent battery circuit? (briefly explain)

  Activation authority (briefly explain)

  Flight termination criteria

  Tracking data (briefly explain)

  Lack of containment in operating range (briefly explain)

  Return home failure (briefly explain)

  UAS below RF horizon

  Sequence of events after activation (briefly explain)

  Propulsion terminated

  Tumble or glide

  Parachute

  Monitoring

  Transmitter

  Location

  Range (exceed maximum flight range)

  Testing and certification

  Independence from other vehicle systems

  Antenna

  Receiver

  Signal processing

  Power supply

  Fail Safe Mode

  Activation criteria

  Sequence of events upon activation

  Time delay between activation and sequence of events

  Parachute

  Deployment altitude

  Impact and drift rate

  Rate of descent at max weight

  Deployment limitations

  Altitude

  Airspeed

  Attitude

  Weight-on-gear inhibit

  Testing

  Status telemetry to ground

  Engine shutoff

  Requirement

  Failure of engine shutdown

  Can propeller cut shroud line?

  Ditching

  Criteria

  Pre-planned locations

  Selection and criteria

  Free of population

  Attainable from any point in flight path

  Collision Avoidance: Describe procedures utilized for collision avoidance, including UAS response time to flight change commands.Airspace

  Exclusive or shared

  Compatibility with other aircraft or missions

  Risk reduction to other aircraft (explain avoidance strategy)

  Manned aircraft communication

  ATC communication

  Flight Routes

  Consideration of published standard approaches and departures

  Standoff distances

  Densely populated areas

  Hazardous sites

  Civilian airfields

  Surface structures (includes vessels, roads, power lines, pipelines, etc.)

  Published or known airways

  Means of Detect, Sense and Avoid (DSA) (explain total risk mitigation strategy)

  Collision Prevention Markers (lights, strobes, high-vis paint scheme)

  Loss of IFF

  Procedure

  Notification of ground operator

  Chase Aircraft

  Type of flight following (parallel, S-turns, high or low offset)

  Standoff distance

  Continuous surveillance and procedure if observer loses sight of UAS

  Communications between PIC, chase pilot and ground safety

  In the Event of a Crash:

  Could crash cause a fire?

  Could crash cause a hazardous materials release incident?

  Could crash cause an explosive reaction?

  What warnings (if any) do Public Safety First Responders need to know before approaching the UAS? (explosive bolts, hazmat leaks, poisonous gasses, etc.)

 

• Ground SupportGround control stations (GCS) - Please describe the ground stations involved in the UAS operations. Include mission control stations, launch/recovery stations and payload control stations as appropriate. For each GCS list:

  Function of station

  Desired placement location (i.e., in hangar, on runway)

  Power and infrastructure requirements

  What happens if power is lost?

  Logistics Support - For each item below, please list exact requirements and how facility/equipment will be used:

  Hangar facilities (in square feet)

  Office space

  Telephone requirements (number of lines)

  Computer equipment (number of workstations, printers, internet access)

  Handheld communications (number of units and channels required)

  Fuel

  Tow/support vehicles

  Portable generators

  Classified handling/security provisions

 

7.0 Configuration Management

      7.1. All changes to the UAS will be logged.

      7.2. Any changes to the UAS will be evaluated by the range Aeronautical Safety Engineer to determine if the airworthiness statement is still valid.

 

8.0 Air Traffic Service Provider Coordination/Communication

A specific plan for communicating with the controlling and adjacent Air Traffic Service providers will include contingency plans, phone numbers and any other pertinent information as designated by the parties involved.