Amazon Revising the Airspace User Manual
www.amazon.com/primeair
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Revising the Airspace Model for the Safe
Integration of Small Unmanned Aircraft
Systems
This paper describes Amazon’s position on the design, management and operations of the airspace
for the safe and efficient integration of low-altitude small unmanned aircraft systems. Amazon
anticipates this model will be refined over time, and will work in close collaboration with public and
private industry on the development of an approach that is safe and efficient for all types of
operations.
Airspace Design
The development of an air traffic system that fully enables the safe operations of small
unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in civil airspace, particularly highly-automated vehicles
operating beyond line of sight (BLOS), is essential for realizing the enormous benefits of this
technology in a safe and responsible manner. A good place to start in creating such a system is
to clarify the use of the airspace.
The majority of airspace integration efforts over the past decade have focused on integrating
medium or large unmanned aircraft systems into non-segregated civil airspace, i.e. airspace
above 500 feet where most civil and military aviation activities occur. However, given the
rapidly growing small unmanned aircraft industry, Amazon believes the safest and most
efficient environment for sUAS operations—from basic recreational users to sophisticated
BLOS fleets—is in segregated civil airspace1 below 500 feet. Segregating the airspace will buffer
sUAS operations from current aviation operations. It will also buffer lesser-equipped vehicles
from highly-equipped vehicles able to safely perform BLOS missions.
In this proposed model:
Airspace below 200 feet, or the ‘Low-Speed Localized Traffic’ area, will be reserved for
(1) terminal non-transit operations such as surveying, videography and inspection, and
(2) operations for lesser-equipped vehicles, e.g. ones without sophisticated sense-andavoid (SAA) technology. Those lesser-equipped vehicles will not have access to certain
airspace in this zone, such as over heavily-populated areas.
Segregated airspace is defined as airspace which is restricted to the exclusive use of specific users.
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www.amazon.com/primeair
Revising the Airspace Model for the Safe Integration of sUAS, July 2015
A ‘High-Speed Transit’ space, between 200 and 400 feet, will be designated for well-
equipped vehicles as determined by the relevant performance standards and rules.
The airspace between 400 and 500 feet will serve as a permanent ‘No Fly Zone’ in which
sUAS operators will not be permitted to fly, except in emergencies.
Finally, this airspace model will also encompass ‘Predefined Low Risk Locations.’
Altitude and equipage restrictions in these locations will be established in advance by
aviation authorities. These Predefined Low Risk Locations will include areas like
designated Academy of Model Aeronautics airfields, where members will meet preestablished parameters for altitude and equipage.
Amazon believes this segregated airspace model will enable safer overall operations by
providing a framework where airspace access is tied to vehicle capability, and by buffering
sUAS operations from current aviation operations.
Below is a visual representation of this proposed airspace design model.
Airspace Management & Operations
Revising the way airspace is managed is also a key factor in the development of a system that
will meet future sUAS demands. Today, most of the world’s airspace systems and related
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