Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration in the National Air Space

The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) and Congress’ way of implementing and handling the new onset of air traffic expected in the near future.  NextGen in theory is the much needed upgrade of current procedures and technology used by Air Traffic Controllers (ATC).  This newly designed state of the art technology is expect to provide a more efficient National Airspace System (NAS) capable of tracking and controlling the movement of the large influx of new aircraft into the air traffic system.  NextGen creation promises reliability, safety, security, ability to handle increased capacity, and a way to minimize aviation impacts to the environment.  Current aircraft controllers will use GPS technology based reporting system that is installed in both the ground stations and aircrafts located across the United States.  The overall all solution to the old system would consist of shorter air travel routes, induce savings of fuel and money, and for most passengers a big plus, reduce delays in air travel.  Increased safety is introduced by the reduction of air traffic controller workloads.  This will come in the form of allowing the controller to downgrade to simple basic monitoring and oversight of flying aircrafts. 

The NextGen system consists of six different technologies that are touted to enhance safety and pilot awareness.  Those technologies are the Automatic dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Collaborative Air Traffic Management Technologies (CATMT), Data Communication (Data Comm), National Airspace System Voice System (NVS), NextGen Weather, and the System Wide Information Management (SWIM) (NextGen, n.d.). 

NextGen technology uses space based navigation and integrated surveillance of aircraft in the NAS. This system is known as the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The ADS-B is a cooperative surveillance technology which determines an aircraft’s position by way of satellite navigation (NextGen, n.d.). These broadcasting signals relayed by the satellite allow air traffic controllers the ability to track and monitor active aircraft precise locations and possibly predict future locations for expedited take-offs and landing processes (NextGen, n.d.).  In addition, the ADS-B includes enhancements for pilot awareness by streaming flight information to the cockpits of aircraft properly equipped for data reception (NextGen, n.d.). The CATMT is an upgraded version of decision-support and data-sharing tools currently used by air traffic personnel. The goal of the CATMT is foster a more collaborative environment between air traffic controllers and aircraft operators (NextGen, n.d.).  This collaboration will improve the efficiency within the National Airspace System.  Data Communications (Data Comm) provides a means for controllers to transmit clearances and instructions to pilots digitally.  Data Comm is designed to supersede the old way of voice communications (NextGen, n.d.). To reduce pilot error the aircraft’s flight computer has the ability to act reciprocally with the data that is displayed in the cockpit (NextGen, n.d.).  Much like the Data Comm system the National Airspace System Voice System (NVS) will function in the say way on a facilities level connecting the voice infrastructures for the FAA.  System Wide Information Management (SWIM) is the real-time exchange network designed to relay digital information for the NextGen (NextGen, n.d.).  NextGen Weather uses the SWIM network to provide controllers and operators with better weather information that can affect flight plans, decisions and performance.  NextGen Weather is provided by inter agency cooperation between NASA, NOAA, and the FAA (NextGen, n.d.).

NextGen’s suite of data exchange and communications received by the ground control stations and air traffic controllers replaces the need for the secondary radar.  Technology of this magnitude provides greater situational awareness and also provides the much needed way of self-separation (FAA website, 2014).  All of these planned upgrades are well and good however, if these new technologies are not inclusive to UAS in the NAS the drive for safer airways may be all for naught.  The UAS industries should consider the use of ADS-B for greater broadcast surveillance.  The use of this GPS technology will provide the UAS operators the ability to detect, see, and avoid probable traffic conflicts.  The UAS industry must wholeheartedly buy into this concept, and new technology for the integration into the NAS to be successful.  Uses of this technology may reduce or eliminate redundant flight procedures for lost data-link.  A way to mitigate these procedures is critical although they are still in development.  Understanding the human factors associated with the operations of UAS and also the air traffic controller is extremely important if integration is to be successful.  Not only should both the operators and controller be cognizant of air traffic but research has also proven that if the operators can relate to the controllers a heighten sense of awareness is induced. Outside of being the pilot in the air craft it is important to take into account the human factors associated with the separation of man and machine. This separation can causes an inherent loss of sensory cues, unwanted delays in communication, and difficulty in scanning the visual environment surrounding the vehicle (Kenny & Ferns, 2012). The UAS operator has to deal with “sensory isolation” (McCarley & Wickens, n.d.).  Additional human factors connected with control of UAS span from complacency to inadequate qualifications and training.  Because great efforts have been made by industry professionals, improvements and understanding of these needs have been fostered. 

Kenny, C. & Fern, L. (2012). Varying levels of automation on UAS Operator responses to traffic resolution advisories in civil airspace. Retrieved from: http://human- factors.arc.nasa.gov/publications/LevelsofAutomationonUASOperators.pdf

McCarley, J., & Wickens, C. (n.d.). HUMAN FACTORS CONCERNS IN UAV FLIGHT. Retrieved February 10, 2015, from http://www.hf.faa.gov/hfportalnew/Search/DOCs/uavFY04Planrpt.pdf

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Website. (2014). retrieved from: http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb/

Next Generation Air Transportation System. (2012, January 1). Retrieved February 10, 2015, from http://www.natca.org/legislative_current_issues.aspx?zone=Legislative-Current Issues&pID=200

NextGen. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2015, from https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/