Amazon Revising the Airspace User Manual

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-and- avoid (SAA) technology. Those lesser-equipped vehicles will not have access to certain airspace in this zone, such as over heavily-populated areas.

1 Segregated airspace is defined as airspace which is restricted to the exclusive use of specific users.

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Revising the Airspace Model for the Safe Integration of sUAS, July 2015

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A ‘High-Speed Transit’ space, between 200 and 400 feet, will be designated for wellequipped 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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