The language of DRONES Enabling dialogue between Surveyors and Pilots Updated May 2017 1 Introduction GRACE is the business engagement unit within the Nottingham Geospatial Institute (NGI), a specialist research group for positioning and Earth observation at The University of Nottingham. This guide was created to allow a better two-way communication between those with a background in geospatial sciences like navigation, positioning and Earth observation, and the operators of Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA). Training courses and technology awareness events are run by GRACE on behalf of the NGI. Traditionally, the language used in each event is familiar the majority of the delegates, and new ideas build on existing acronyms, processes and regulatory frameworks. Introducing a wholly new technology can cause confusion, so this guide has been produced to bridge the language gap for SUA, and the positioning and engineering sectors. Descriptions and explanations within the guide are designed to relate to the sector, be easily understood by all, and try to minimise complex or technical language. Therefore, they are for guidance only, and should not be considered authoritative, or exhaustive. Users of this guide should not assume that it is error-free or that it will be suitable for the particular purpose which they have in mind. Links are given to many of the organisations who can give complete and authoritative advice if necessary. Naming: Most people have now bowed to the generic term drone for any unmanned robotic vehicle. This term covers everything from small toys to large military weapons systems; it can also cover any land vehicle, boat or submarine. When appropriate drone will be used in the guide, unless there is a need for greater clarity. In which case, the following terms or their abbreviation will generally be used: Unmanned Aircraft (UA), Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) or Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft (SUSA) when referring to the aircraft only; and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to include the aircraft, remote control unit, and any other equipment or people required for the flight. Drone or Model Aircraft – what is the difference? The two can often appear to be very similar, and we have found no satisfactory, definitions of where the boundary lies between a drone and a model aircraft. However, most national aviation authorities treat the two very differently. In practice, model aircraft are scaled replica of an actual (or fantasy) aircraft. They may be capable of remote controlled flight, launched with limited controllability, or flightless display models. On the other hand, a drone is a flying robot whose form (construction, shape, size, propulsion, payload, weight etc.) is governed by its function. Drones may be controlled in flight by a remote pilot or pre-programmed. Updates: new equipment is constantly being developed and applications are growing exponentially, so regular updates and amendments to the guide are necessary in response to feedback from users, changes in regulations or new technology. Steve Fuller GRACE Table of Contents Part 1 A quick guide to names 1 Part 1 Explanation of Terms 2 Appendix 1 Components of a Typical Multi-Rotor SUA / SUSA 23 Appendix 2 ANO 2016 Article 94 – small unmanned aircraft 24 Appendix 3 ANO 2016 Article 95 – small unmanned surveillance aircraft 25 Latest document update May 2017 Part 1 | A quick guide to names The list below contains most of the more common terms used to describe a drone. You will find some others and more full descriptions of some of the terms in Part 2 Explanation of Terms. 1 Drone Originally a US Air Force term, it refers to a military unmanned aircraft, it has now become the popular term for any unmanned aerial vehicle, regardless of size. Although it still has very negative connotations for many. Drone2 Any unmanned vehicle (aerial, ground or marine) capable of autonomy. Eco-Drone Colloquial term for an SUA used for environmental monitoring. Fixed Wing An aircraft that achieves lift using the flow of air across a wing. LUA Large Unmanned Aircraft There are two classes of LUA: 20 kg to 150 kg and over 150 kg. Multi-Rotor The generic term for any UA able to achieve lift and hover using two or more horizontal rotors. Nano Drone or Nano Aerial Vehicle A very small UA, typically less than 7.5 cm. Methods of flight are NAV often inspired by insect or bird flight. Parcelcopter Colloquial term for an SUA used for postal deliveries. RPA Remotely Piloted Aircraft An aircraft without a human pilot on board, but requires a remote human pilot to operate. NB remotely piloted planes could potentially carry passengers, and therefore the term unmanned would not apply. RPAS Remotely Piloted Aircraft The RPA and all the associated systems and operators required System for the mission. SUA Small Unmanned Aircraft Any UA weighing 20 kg or less. The weight does not include fuel, but does include all other equipment including its payload at take-off. There are two categories of SUA: up to 7 kg and 7 kg to 20 kg. SUSA Small unmanned Any SUA fitted with a camera, or any other sensor. Restrictions Surveillance Aircraft on use are covered by CAA Article 95 (see App 2) Tethered UAV A cable is used to supply power and control information, and to transmit sensor data from the UAV. This allows longer flight times. In some airspace authorities they are not subject to the same level of regulation. UA Unmanned Aircraft An aircraft capable of being operated without a pilot on board, usually controlled by a remote pilot via a radio link. Some UA can be pre-programmed for both flight and payload operations. In the future, it is expected that UA will be capable of fully autonomous flight operations. UAS Unmanned Aircraft System The generic term for any unmanned or remotely piloted system. An Unmanned Aircraft System includes both the aircraft and any supporting activities, e.g. the remote control station. UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Use of UAV is becoming less popular because: 1. The aerial vehicle is more correctly an aircraft. 2. It is an ambiguous term with at least ten possible alternatives, all with similar meanings. 1 Part 2 | Explanation of Terms 3 axis A system that allows the the three rotational motions of pitch, stabilisation roll and yaw to be stabilised by gyro sensors. See also: pitch, roll, yaw 6 axis In addition to the gyros sensing pitch, roll and yaw, three stabilisation accelerometers sense and compensate for unexpected movements. This reduces the risk of the aircraft being flipped over by gusts of wind and improves the ability to complete sharply banked turns. See also: pitch, roll, yaw and 3 axis stabilisation o 360 flip Making the aircraft complete a full roll in any of the three rotational axes. See pitch, roll and yaw. 808 Camera A small light-weight camera able to take low quality video. ACAS Airborne Collision Avoidance An independent warning system that indicates avoidance System manoeuvres to the pilot to reduce the risk of aerial collision. Accelerometer A chip-based sensor that is able to measure acceleration in a single axis. Usually used in a set of three to measure the x, y and z motion. See also: axis AFR Autonomous Flight Rules For manned aviation - aircraft are free to choose their own flight paths and have responsibility for maintaining separation from all other aircraft. Take-off and landing would be under visual or instrumental flight rules. See also: VFR and IFR AGL Above Ground Level A local height reference for aircraft, not to be confused with AMSL – Above Mean Sea Level AHRS Attitude and Heading Provides information about the orientation of aircraft with Reference System reference to the horizon - that is the amount of pitch, roll and yaw affecting the aircraft. This is done in real time and is computed on-board, and then communicated to the pilot. Associated topic: Thermopile AIC Aeronautical Information Part of the Integrated Aeronautical Information Package (IAIP). Circulars Circulars provide information on: § Safety § Navigation § Technical matters § Legal matters § Administration Available through the AIS: www.ais.org.uk Aileron A hinged control surface on a fixed wing that controls roll. See also: Roll AIP Aeronautical Information Part of the Integrated Aeronautical Information Package (IAIP). Publication Contains information considered to be long-term, for example: charts of public aerodromes. See also: IAIP, NATS Aircraft Any machine capable of flight Airframe The structure of an aircraft, excluding the propulsion system, flight controller, payload, etc. 2 Airspace The area between the ground and outer space that is governed through national or international law. See also: controlled airspace AirspaceAVOID An app that provides information about controlled airspace and NOTAMS See also: Drone Assist, NOTAMS, SkyDemon AIS Aeronautical Information A free service from NATS that provides online access to the latest Service information for flying. www.ais.org.uk See also: NATS ASAS Airborne Separation Assistance Provides the pilot with information about other aircraft that System might affect navigation decisions. 1 AMS Airspace Management System Communicates to the pilot where it is safe and permitted to fly. 2 AMS Aeronautical Mobile Service A mobile radio service between stations based on land (or ships) and aircraft. AMSS Aeronautical Mobile Satellite A mobile radio service between stations based on land (or ships) Service and aircraft where communication is via a satellite link. AMSL Above Mean Sea Level A common reference datum, not to be confused with AGL – Above Ground Level, which will alter with the terrain directly below the aircraft. ANO Air Navigation Order The ANO 2016 came into force on 25 August 2016. It details the the legal basis of commercial flights in the UK.