GPS World

Tag: EUROCAE

  • EUROCAE seeks input on use of GNSS in UAS

    EUROCAE seeks input on use of GNSS in UAS

    The draft EUROCAE document ED-348: Guidelines for the use of multi-GNSS solutions for UAS – Medium Risk is now open for comments.

    Between 2019 and 2022, EUROCAE group SG-6 developed guidelines for low risk operations Sail I and Sail II (ED-301) to support the use of GNSS and show compliance with previously established safety objectives (SORA OSO#13).

    SORA OSO#13 is also applicable to higher SAIL operations with a different level of assurance, which may take the form of a service level agreement (SLA) with external GNSS service providers. This changes the approach with respect to low-risk operations, so a new standard will be defined instead of evolving ED-301.

    “When discussing the use of GNSS in UAS operations, the assessment cannot be limited to GNSS as an external service only, but should consider other critical aspects such as system architecture, vulnerabilities, performance analysis, receiver design or integration, among other elements,” SG-6 posted on the EUROCAE website.

    Because the requirements for medium-risk operations are more demanding than for low-risk operations, the scope of the ED-348 document not only covers compliance with OSO#13 requirements — where GNSS is considered an external service to support UAS operations — but also considers other relevant SORA OSOs where GNSS plays a relevant role.

    Based on this information, the guidelines cover the following OSOs in regard to GNSS support SAIL III operations:

    • OSO#05: UAS is designed considering system safety and reliability.
    • OSO#08: Operational procedures are defined, validated and adhered to.
    • OSO#13: External services supporting UAS operations are adequate to the operation.
    • OSO#23: Environmental conditions for safe operations are defined, measurable and adhered to.
    • OSO#24: UAS is designed and qualified to operate under adverse environmental conditions.

    Interested parties are invited to review the proposed draft on the EUROCAE Workspace and complete the comment form. Non-members of EUROCAE can register and click on “Access only to Open Consultation”). Early replies are encouraged; the deadline for comments is Feb. 2, 2026.

    The non-profit European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) is based in Lucerne, Switzerland, and serves as a European forum focusing on electronic equipment for air transport.

  • UAV Navigation defines operational envelope for VECTOR-600 autopilot

    UAV Navigation defines operational envelope for VECTOR-600 autopilot

    An independent study conducted by UAV Navigation has defined the operational envelope of the VECTOR-600 autopilot based on the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology. The operational envelope defines the operational risk profile within which an aircraft can operate safely, taking into consideration all risk mitigations included within the system.

    The SORA methodology evaluates the safety risks involved with the operation of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) of any class, size or type of operation. The concept of operation (ConOps) is normally used as the input for this analysis; the output takes the form of the Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL) for a particular operation, which indicates the level of robustness that must be demonstrated for the operational safety objectives.

    In this case, instead of performing a conventional SORA analysis from the ConOps to the SAIL output, this study was performed the other way around because the objective of the study was to identify the operational envelope of the sytem.

    EUROCAE ED-280, the guidelines for UAS safety and analysis for specific categories of low and medium levels of robustness, recommends to any operator a detailed definition of different mission and platform points: the ConOps, the entire UAS architecture including functions, systems, and implementation, identification and classification of failure conditions; verification that safety objectives are fulfilled and a complete probable failure analysis using FMEA-like techniques and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA).

    UAV Navigation prepared an FMECA and FTA analysis performed by a third-party and independent company on the VECTOR-600 autopilot and its onboard sensor suite, the POLAR-300. The study concluded that within the operational envelope of the VECTOR-600, any failure – however remote the probability – is highly unlikely to result in a catastrophic outcome, such as the loss of the aircraft. The conclusions reached indicate that the system is perfectly suited for VLOS/BVLOS operations – including appropriate restrictions where applicable. The system has proved its robustness and suitability for safe operations over a wide range of missions usually performed by professional UAS.

    The analysis is available on request to all clients interested. Contact UAV Navigation for more information.

    Photo: UAV Navigation
    Photo: UAV Navigation

  • Honeywell offers modular, scalable smart airport technology

    Honeywell offers modular, scalable smart airport technology

    Honeywell has released new smart airport technology that is designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of airside operations.

    The Honeywell NAVITAS software suite intelligently integrates air and ground traffic control with maintenance operations so airports can more easily accommodate growing air traffic while promoting safety and on-time performance, the company said.

    NAVITAS was developed to comply with the latest industry standards, including those from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE).

    NAVITAS includes modular and scalable software components, combined with an intuitive user-friendly interface, providing real-time insights for air traffic controllers and maintenance operators.

    The components assist personnel in visualizing and routing aircraft movements despite the increasing complexity and stress associated with today’s airport operations. NAVITAS can enhance situational awareness about traffic conditions, more safely expedite aircraft turnaround times, and automate fault diagnostics for airside equipment, among other features.

    NAVITAS modules include Tower Manager, Engineering Manager, Surface Manager and Performance Manager.

    Tower Manager helps improve the productivity of air traffic controllers by enhancing situational awareness of airport surface operations. It gives controllers access to rich, real-time information on ground, air traffic and meteorological conditions, presenting the information in a single easy-to-use interface, and providing visibility into a multitude of traffic events while reducing the chance for error.

    The system helps manage the air traffic controller’s responsibilities, while making it easier to issue and track aircraft clearance information to keep landings and takeoffs safer and on time.

    Surface Manager helps airports get more out of their existing infrastructure by enhancing ground traffic safety, fluency and throughput in a wide range of weather conditions, while helping to reduce their fuel burn and carbon footprint.

    The module also provides the software necessary for airports to use all four levels of an Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), including surveillance, routing, guidance and airport safety support, along with enhanced movement conflict detection and resolution, which can include “follow-the greens”-based guidance that automatically illuminates lighting on the tarmac to guide aircraft to clear taxiways.

    Engineering Manager helps engineers and technicians manage maintenance by enabling them to more effectively monitor system health, more easily perform fault diagnostics and to streamline workflows, which also often helps reduce operational costs.

    It features a mobile interface and automates the diagnostics and failure reporting, while simplifying manual tasks and reducing paperwork, giving personnel better visibility into the availability, reliability and performance of airside systems. Personnel can easily create, manage and issue work orders to expeditiously resolve issues and keep equipment up and running.

    Performance Manager features dashboards that allow airport staff to collaborate and analyze operations in line with key performance indicators. The module — accessible both on premise and remotely — provides access to a common base of holistic information and allows for the application of big-data analytics for real-time and predictive insights, often enabling more efficient and informed decision-making.

    “Airports around the globe are seeing dramatic increases in traffic, and while that makes the world more connected, it increases complexity to ensure safe and reliable operations,” said Sonja Strand, vice president and general manager for Honeywell’s Global Airports Business. “NAVITAS helps orchestrate these complex environments like never before through mobile applications, dashboards and heads-up displays that are intuitive. By harnessing the power of the internet of things, we’re making data user friendly, and making airports smarter in the process.”