Johannesburg, South Africa. Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) SOC Limited will provide much-needed Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) safety-related information during the *International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD)” celebrations, taking place on 7 December 2019 at the Polokwane International Airport, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
The 2019 ICAD theme is “75 years of connecting the world”.
The commercial applications and opportunities for RPAS operations at lower altitudes has seen an increased demand for airspace services across various sectors in recent times. These include among others, inspection, survey, security monitoring, package delivery and movie production.
This exponential industry as well as enabling technologies, present instant economic opportunities where positive business cases for an operating model allows for these operations to take place within the current regulatory, operational, and technical environment – otherwise known as the Air Traffic Management System (ATMS).
RPAS operational needs and expected benefits are driving public and private stakeholder partnerships to develop new and refine existing RPAS regulations as well as to consider alternate means of RPAS management for South Africa. The ideal situation is to create a common platform to drive innovative solutions by leveraging both ATM and RPAS technologies. This is to support emerging economic opportunities, whilst ensuring a safe, secure and efficient ATMS for all users during all phases of flight.
Whilst researching the latest global trends and benchmarking against world’s best practice in terms of RPAS management, ATNS will maintain its position continue to manage RPAS in accordance with South African regulations as promulgated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and continuously improve on ATS service delivery to all airspace users in a collaborative, safe and efficient manner, that is wholly inclusive of all airspace users in accordance with the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARP’s).
The public is encouraged to visit the ATNS Exhibition during ICAD to learn more about:
- Safe use of RPAS – commonly known as Drones
- Dynamic Geofencing refers to shifting virtual boundaries within which an RPAS may be confined to operate. Where geofencing defines the virtual lateral limits of operations according to fixed parameters, dynamic geofencing allows for evolutionary changing parameters based on specific inputs such as airspace de-restrictions or changes to traffic patterns.
- Instant Digital Airspace Authorisation refers to near-instant real-time approval to operate within controlled airspace and is coupled with a UTM service provider interact with the Air Navigation Service Provider, Regulator and UAS operators. Such authorization is granted within the regulatory framework of the state based on current real-time and actual Air Traffic Services operational parameters in low level-controlled airspace.
ATNS is currently in the process of conducting an RPAS operational risk analysis to determine the mitigation of RPAS risks and threats to the ATM system.
