Considerations for Airspace Integration Enabling Early Multi-Aircraft (m:N) Operations

The aviation community is planning to deploy new aircraft types, with new missions, and advanced operational concepts that are collectively referred to as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Many of these new aircraft, missions, and concepts involve remotely piloted aircraft systems, often referred to as uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). These aircraft are becoming increasingly autonomous and may eventually reach the point where a single or small team of remote pilots (i.e., “m”) could safely operate many airborne aircraft (i.e., “N”) at the same time. These multi-aircraft operations are also known as m:N operations. A government/industry working group on multi-aircraft operations, which was convened by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), recognized that a potential barrier to routine m:N operations is the existing need for the remote pilot to routinely interact with a human-centric air traffic control (ATC) system which today mainly occurs via voice communications.

This white paper captures the ideas discussed by a subgroup of subject matter experts on potential mechanisms for routine airspace integration of m:N operations. The working group explored whether it is possible to reduce and/or eliminate the need for ATC services for m:N operations, and thus eliminate the barrier associated with voice communications between the remote pilot and the air navigation service provider (ANSP). The purpose of this white paper is to share concepts and ideas from the airspace integration subgroup. These ideas may contribute to the next step beyond the emerging Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rule being developed by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA). The group of experts talked about a strategic approach that has three components: 1) VFR-like operations enabled by advanced technologies that met or exceed the safety intent of traditional VFR procedures; 2) ATC Preapproved Terminal Airspace Areas for technology-enabled VFR-like operations; and 3) the ability to transition between m:N operations and operations with a dedicated remote pilot for a single aircraft. In addition, this white paper identifies challenges and areas requiring further study as well as key technical and operational enablers of routine airspace integration of m:N operations.

This white paper does not represent a consensus of the working group members and does not make any specific recommendations. Nor does it represent an official NASA position or recommendation. The subgroup believes that more information, research, technology maturation, and testing is needed before a recommendation can be made on how to safely integrate m:N operations in non-segregated airspace.