Technology Surveys and Regulatory Gap Analyses of UAS Sub-Systems toward Access to the NAS

To make a safe transition of UAS into the National Airspace System, new regulations must be developed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The technologies employed by UAS are in many circumstances fundamentally different than those of traditional manned aircraft. The regulations written to support the airworthiness certification, operations, maintenance, etc. of manned aircraft often do not apply as written without interpretation, revision, and/or deletion. This chapter provides the necessary details on how to conduct a technology survey and regulatory gap analysis of UAS technology subsystems. Four past studies performed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technology Center are discussed. These studies address UAS propulsion systems, sense-and-avoid technologies and procedures, command control and communication, and emergency recovery and flight termination systems. Each study will be discussed in this chapter, and a recommended process for future studies is provided.