Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IRINA (IFR RPAS Integration into EuropeaN Airspace)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-06-01 al 2024-12-31
The IRINA project, officially titled "IFR RPAS Integration into European Airspace," is an industrial research initiative that builds upon the foundations laid by the SESAR 2020 PJ 13 ERICA project. It extends the research to accommodate non-segregated RPAS operations within various airspace classes1.
General Achievements
The project focuses on integrating IFR RPAS operations mainly within airspace categories A to C and addressing their accommodation in airspace classes D to G. This includes both controlled and uncontrolled airspace1. The objective is to identify and validate the requirements for integrating IFR RPAS operations, ensuring they can operate safely alongside other airspace users, including traditional and recreational aircraft that may lack surveillance and collision avoidance capabilities1.
OBJECTIVES
The IRINA project is articulated around each solution’s concept and technical elements definition, validation objectives, and requirements that are performed for both Solutions 1 & 2. Solution 0379, about IFR insertion in controlled A to C airspace, comprises 11 validation exercises and will cover the gaps reported on the previous SESAR ERICA Solutions 111 and 117. Solution 0380, on RPAS accommodated operations non-segregated in airspace classes D to G, comprises 9 validation exercises. These solutions address the following overall functionalities:
Solution 0379: ATM infrastructure & Services, and Detect & Avoid.
Solution 0380: Mix of VFR/IFR flight rules and initial validation of DAA function in the VFR/IFR environment.
The project concentrates on mature validation exercises from simulations and encounter models for which RPAS are ready for demonstrating their integration into all European airspace classes, as well as the RPAS capabilities needed to allow IFR RPAS operations together with other airspace users.
COLLABORATION AND EXPERTISE
The IRINA partners involved in the project are composed of a balanced and representative group of engineer experts on the topic, industry, ANSPs, research centers, air traffic controllers, RPAS manufacturers, and military experts from EUROCONTROL. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing the technical, operational, and regulatory challenges associated with integrating RPAS into European airspace1.
These efforts highlight the project's commitment to advancing the integration of IFR RPAS into European airspace, addressing both current and future challenges, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these systems.
General Achievements
The project focuses on integrating IFR RPAS operations mainly within airspace categories A to C and addressing their accommodation in airspace classes D to G. This includes both controlled and uncontrolled airspace1. The objective is to identify and validate the requirements for integrating IFR RPAS operations, ensuring they can operate safely alongside other airspace users, including traditional and recreational aircraft that may lack surveillance and collision avoidance capabilities1.
OBJECTIVES
The IRINA project is articulated around each solution’s concept and technical elements definition, validation objectives, and requirements that are performed for both Solutions 1 & 2. Solution 0379, about IFR insertion in controlled A to C airspace, comprises 11 validation exercises and will cover the gaps reported on the previous SESAR ERICA Solutions 111 and 117. Solution 0380, on RPAS accommodated operations non-segregated in airspace classes D to G, comprises 9 validation exercises. These solutions address the following overall functionalities:
Solution 0379: ATM infrastructure & Services, and Detect & Avoid.
Solution 0380: Mix of VFR/IFR flight rules and initial validation of DAA function in the VFR/IFR environment.
The project concentrates on mature validation exercises from simulations and encounter models for which RPAS are ready for demonstrating their integration into all European airspace classes, as well as the RPAS capabilities needed to allow IFR RPAS operations together with other airspace users.
COLLABORATION AND EXPERTISE
The IRINA partners involved in the project are composed of a balanced and representative group of engineer experts on the topic, industry, ANSPs, research centers, air traffic controllers, RPAS manufacturers, and military experts from EUROCONTROL. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing the technical, operational, and regulatory challenges associated with integrating RPAS into European airspace1.
These efforts highlight the project's commitment to advancing the integration of IFR RPAS into European airspace, addressing both current and future challenges, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these systems.
The IRINA project has made significant progress in various areas, focusing on the integration of IFR RPAS into European airspace.
General Achievements: The project builds upon the SESAR 2020 PJ 13 ERICA project, extending research to accommodate non-segregated RPAS operations within various airspace classes. The focus is on integrating IFR RPAS operations mainly within airspace categories A to C and addressing their accommodation in airspace classes D to G.
Validation Needs: Extensive validation is required due to the presence of diverse RPAS and conflicting traffic in airspace classes D to G. The project has gathered information from other airspace users, such as hang-gliding associations, to collect data for encounter models.
Categorization and Integration: Adequate categorization of the segmented remotely piloted aircraft domain, along with its associated technologies, design, and operating concepts, is essential for deployment in European airspace3.
Operational and Economic Benefits: Despite unforeseen limitations, the project recognizes the importance and benefits of lower altitude RPAS operations in uncontrolled airspace.
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS
Solution 0379: This solution focuses on IFR RPAS insertion into controlled airspace classes A to C. Key achievements include:
-Production and delivery of the core validation plan document and specific parts for safety assessment, human performance assessment, and security assessment.
-Coordination with the SESAR performance WP (PEARL) on the Solution 0379 validation targets.
Solution 0380: This solution addresses RPAS accommodated operations non-segregated in airspace classes D to G. Key achievements include:
-Production, delivery, and external review/feedback (by EASA) of the initial Solution 0380 operational concept (SPR/INTEROP OSED).
-Coordination within the IRINA project WP2 & WP3 on commonalities/differences and with the SESAR Architecture and Master Plan WP (AMPLE) on the Solution 0380 technical elements and enablers.
-Workshops and Coordination: External workshops on regulatory approaches, overall IRINA approach, and Detect and Avoid Remain Well Clear (ABC forum with multiple operational and technical experts) have been conducted.
-Encounter Models: Establishment of contact/input and obtainment of initial data on light traffic encounters in Class G airspace.
These achievements highlight the project's commitment to advancing the integration of IFR RPAS into European airspace, addressing both current and future challenges, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these systems.
General Achievements: The project builds upon the SESAR 2020 PJ 13 ERICA project, extending research to accommodate non-segregated RPAS operations within various airspace classes. The focus is on integrating IFR RPAS operations mainly within airspace categories A to C and addressing their accommodation in airspace classes D to G.
Validation Needs: Extensive validation is required due to the presence of diverse RPAS and conflicting traffic in airspace classes D to G. The project has gathered information from other airspace users, such as hang-gliding associations, to collect data for encounter models.
Categorization and Integration: Adequate categorization of the segmented remotely piloted aircraft domain, along with its associated technologies, design, and operating concepts, is essential for deployment in European airspace3.
Operational and Economic Benefits: Despite unforeseen limitations, the project recognizes the importance and benefits of lower altitude RPAS operations in uncontrolled airspace.
MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS
Solution 0379: This solution focuses on IFR RPAS insertion into controlled airspace classes A to C. Key achievements include:
-Production and delivery of the core validation plan document and specific parts for safety assessment, human performance assessment, and security assessment.
-Coordination with the SESAR performance WP (PEARL) on the Solution 0379 validation targets.
Solution 0380: This solution addresses RPAS accommodated operations non-segregated in airspace classes D to G. Key achievements include:
-Production, delivery, and external review/feedback (by EASA) of the initial Solution 0380 operational concept (SPR/INTEROP OSED).
-Coordination within the IRINA project WP2 & WP3 on commonalities/differences and with the SESAR Architecture and Master Plan WP (AMPLE) on the Solution 0380 technical elements and enablers.
-Workshops and Coordination: External workshops on regulatory approaches, overall IRINA approach, and Detect and Avoid Remain Well Clear (ABC forum with multiple operational and technical experts) have been conducted.
-Encounter Models: Establishment of contact/input and obtainment of initial data on light traffic encounters in Class G airspace.
These achievements highlight the project's commitment to advancing the integration of IFR RPAS into European airspace, addressing both current and future challenges, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these systems.
IRINA work will also dive into RPAS contingency management and procedures in En-Route and TMA, as well as the behavior of C2 (command and control). This work will be carried out simultaneously with EUDAAS, and coordination between the two projects is necessary, particularly in regards to the DAA in D-G airspace in Solution 2. Additionally, European Encounter models will be developed and established in Solution 2, which will serve as reference traffic models for comprehensive simulations (FTS). These simulations aim to establish a safety case for the integration of RPAS in these airspace classes.
IRINA's results will demonstrate the project's commitment to advancing the integration of IFR RPAS into European airspace, addressing both current and future challenges, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these systems.
IRINA's results will demonstrate the project's commitment to advancing the integration of IFR RPAS into European airspace, addressing both current and future challenges, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these systems.