National Aeronautics and Space Administration

AOSP Newsletter Airspace Operations and Safety Program (AOSP)

JAN-MAR 2019 | Quarter 2

UTM Team Visits TCL4 Nevada 4 Test Site

Safe2Ditch Steer-to-Clear 6

www.nasa.gov 2 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019

AOSP IN THE NEWS

Proposed FAA Rules and NASA. In April 2017, through Stanley told clients that ‘electrified, Loosen Restrictions On Congressional direction, the agencies autonomous vertical takeoff and Drone Flights At Night combined their respective technol- landing vehicles,’ or flying cars, are ogy research and began defining the gaining traction. Adam Jonas wrote Engadget (1/14, Dellinger) “Right scope of the pilot project.” that investors ought to consider on the heels of Canada introducing the future of flying cars—without new, stricter regulations for drone Feds Make Major Moves naming individual companies’ operations, the US Department of to Relax Restrictions stocks that could benefit from such Transportation proposed a new set of on Use of Drones a development. ...Jonas pointed to rules for drones that would allow the a few factors to bolster his view: unmanned vehicles to fly over popu- Forbes (1/15, Rupprecht) “The drone package delivery is already in lated areas and operate at night. The Department of Transportation made active testing, and NASA launched proposal also includes a pilot pro- three major announcements: (1) an initiative to encourage urban air gram for drone traffic management proposed regulations to allow drone mobility’s development late last year.” that would help to integrate the operators to fly over people as well as aircrafts into the nation’s airspace. at night WITHOUT a waiver or an NASA Tests Urban Drone ...The program, first developed as a exemption, (2) an advanced notice Traffic Management research project by NASA and oper- of proposed rulemaking asking for In Nevada, Texas ated as a joint effort between that recommendations on countering agency and the FAA, will be used problematic drones affecting safety Business Insider (2/19) “NASA has primarily to gather information that and security, and (3) the awarding of selected two organizations to host will help set future rules.” three contracts to commercial ser- the final phase of its four-year series vice entities to develop technology of increasingly complicated techni- DOT UAS Initiatives to provide flight planning, commu- cal demonstrations involving small nications, separation, and weather Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Federal Aviation Administration services for drones under 400 feet. commonly known as drones. The (1/14) “On January 14, 2019, U.S. ...The UPP, which was originally Nevada Institute for Autonomous Department of Transportation initiated by NASA but subsequently Systems in Las Vegas and the Lone Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced became a major joint effort between Star UAS Center for Excellence & proposed new rules and a pilot the FAA and NASA, ‘is intended to Innovation in Corpus Christi, Texas, project to allow unmanned aircraft develop and demonstrate a traffic will host demonstrations to confirm systems (UAS), or more commonly management system to safely inte- NASA’s UAS Traffic Management called drones, to fly overnight and grate drone flights within the nation’s (UTM) system can safely and effec- over people without waivers under airspace system.’” tively manage drone traffic in an certain conditions and to further urban area.” integrate drones safely into the ‘Get Ready For Flying Cars,’ national airspace system....Develop- Says Morgan Stanley’s Widely ing drone traffic management was Followed Auto Analyst initiated as a research project by NASA and subsequently became a Business Insider (2/5) “A widely major joint effort between the FAA followed auto analyst at Morgan AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019 3

AOSP IN THE NEWS

NASA Teaming Up NASA’s Drone Traffic Control Homeland Security, NASA With TAMUCC To Study System Moves Into The Team Up To Tackle Ever- Drone Traffic Safety Final Phase Of Testing growing Airspace Drone Traffic

MSN (2/19) “Texas A&M Univer- New Atlas (2/20) “Here, NASA Oregonian (2/20) “The U.S. govern- sity-Corpus Christi was awarded expects to carry out trials that show ment estimates there will be more a partnership with NASA to test how the UTM can safely coordinate than 7 million drones in its national drones and make them safer. With drone traffic in urban areas. This will airspace within a couple of years, and more companies and people utiliz- involve drone flights over downtown that there are ‘serious safety, efficiency ing drones, the partnership will Reno, Nevada, and over the campus and security’ problems on the horizon help make sure the skies are safe for at Texas A&M University, where if further regulatory measures are not unmanned aircraft systems. At the technologies like obstacle avoidance, taken. The Department of Homeland Lone Star UAS Center at TAMUCC, drone-to-drone communication Security reports in a news release that research is already underway into the and automated landing will be put it has partnered with NASA and the future of drone technology.” through their paces. The results of Federal Aviation Administration to the trials will then be used to develop tackle these concerns.” rules and procedures for drone traffic in busy areas.” 4 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

UTM Team Visits TCL4 UTM operations. NASA’s UTM Nevada Test Site concept was referenced in ANPRM POC: RON JOHNSON Section IV.C. and reflects the increasingly central role that UTM The Unmanned Aircraft System will play in the nation’s small UAS Traffic Management (UTM) operations. The ANPRM referenced project held a kickoff meeting with the UTM implementation plan, the Nevada UAS test site and the and the FAA requested public Nevada Institute of Autonomous UTM team surveying takeoff, landing, and staging input about how UTM should be Systems (NAIS) in Reno, Nevada, areas for TCL4 (left to right: Frank Aguilera, Jae- utilized. The public commentary on February 4. The purpose of the woo Jung, Jeff Homola, Joey Rios, Marcus Johnson, period ended on April 15, 2019. Chris Walach, Juan Ramirez of NAIS, Arwa visit was to review NAIS’ progress on Aweiss, and Joey Mercer). Typically, NASA aeronautical UTM’s Technical Capability Level research products do not have this 4 (TCL4) test preparation since that are planned for May. Mayor much direct airspace impact in this being awarded the test site contract Hillary Schieve paid a visit and short amount of time. Five years on December 21, 2018. Eight underscored the city’s commitment ago, there were no UTM companies, UTM team members participated to successful testing. The team also and now they are sprouting up all in this face-to-face meeting held visited sites in Reno to be used over the world. In fact, other nations in Reno City Hall to discuss the for takeoffs and landings, flight (Japan, Australia, Singapore, most details and test plans of the flights, paths, and contingency areas. of Europe, Colombia, and more) in and around the city of Reno, have latched on to the concept and UTM Part of Advanced are accelerating their own efforts. Proposed Rule Making by FAA UTM is a potential model for POC: JOEY RIOS AND PARIMAL KOPARDEKAR other emerging entrants into the national airspace, such as urban air On February 13, the FAA mobility, high-altitude operations, incorporated Unmanned Aircraft and space traffic management System (UAS) Traffic Management by allowing operators to perhaps (UTM) as part of an Advance Notice collaboratively manage the National of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM). Airspace System through data The FAA issues an ANPRM exchange, protocols, and rules. for public commentary prior to implementing proposed rules related https://www.federalregister.gov/ to air transportation operations. d/2019-00758 (overall APRM doc) Specifically, through this ANPRM, the FAA sought to reduce risks to https://www.federalregister.gov/ public safety and national security, d/2019-00758/p-68 (UTM stuff) as the public commentary process Reno City Hall and adjacent parking garage with may have significant impact to the roof top takeoff and landing areas. eventual FAA rules that govern AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019 5

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

ATD-2 Demo at Future project, discussion of current Technology Demonstration–2 Flight Central for NASA benefits from ATD-2 technology, (ATD-2) team trained the new Deputy Administrator future directions for the technology, Traffic Management Coordinators POC: LINDSAY STEVENS and the benefits of testing the (TMCs) at both Washington technologies in facilities such as Center (ZDC) and Atlanta Center On February 25, James Morhard, NASA’s Future Flight Central (ZTL) that had not been in the NASA Deputy Administrator, (FFC). Additional NASA attendees unit during the previous refresher training sessions. This included nine TMCs from ZDC and three TMCs from ZTL. They were briefed on the capabilities of ATD- 2’s Ramp Traffic Console (RTC) and Surface Trajectory Based Operations (STBO) Client. During each session, TMCs were guided through interactions with the RTC and STBO Client interfaces and engaged with features and data exchange between the two tools. There was further discussion on how ATD-2 is integrated into their Time-Based Flow Management (TBFM) system through the Integrated Departure/ Arrival/Surface capability and the non-verbal interaction that Lindsay Stevens (right) provided an overview of the ATD-2 subproject to NASA Deputy Administrator is available through electronic James Morhard (left) at FutureFlight Central. negotiations. TMCs had the opportunity to provide feedback visited Ames Research Center in included Ames Director Eugene Tu, and discussed how these tools could California. The visit included a the Aviation Systems Division, be used in the center environment. demonstration of the Airspace and Aeronautics Research Mission Outcomes of the center training, Technology Demonstration–2 Directorate management teams. beyond proficiency on the ATD-2 (ATD-2) Ramp Traffic Console systems, included increased (RTC) and a traffic scenario at ATD-2 Training at Atlanta excitement about the potential use Charlotte Douglas International and Washington Center of the tool during severe weather Airport (CLT) from the Assessment POC: BOB STAUDENMEIER conditions. The use of electronic of Ramp Times 2 human-in-the- negotiations has been in place at loop simulation. The demonstration For three weeks, from mid-February ZDC since November 2017 and included an overview of the ATD-2 through early March, the Airspace at ZTL since October 2018. 6 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

NATCA ATD-2 Lead performed at the City Environment Transition and Visit for Range Testing of Autonomous POC: ISAAC ROBESON AND BOB STAUDENMEIER Integrated Navigation (CERTAIN) range at Langley Research Center From March 11–12, NASA Airspace in Virginia. S2D is an autonomous Technology Demonstration–2 crash management system for small (ATD-2) team members provided Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). a demonstration of the ATD-2 Its function is to enable small UAS system in use at Charlotte Douglas to execute emergency landings International Airport (CLT), Pete Slattery (left) is transitioning his role as the to avoid injuring people on the to the new National Air Traffic NATCA ATD-2 lead to John Short (right). ground and damaging property Controller Association (NATCA) while preserving the vehicle and ATD-2 lead, John Short. Short, a for ATD-2. The CLT role is now payload, if possible. S2D includes traffic management coordinator assumed by Mike Hoprich, CLT an internal database of predefined (TMC) from the Dallas/Fort Worth TMC. NASA looks forward to ditch sites that the system can facility, observed surface metering working with the new NATCA select when needed. This database and overhead stream insertion ATD-2 leads and is ever grateful for provides location information for facilitated with the ATD-2 system the many significant contributions sites that have a high probability from the CLT Tower/Terminal of Pete Slattery as ATD-2 NATCA of being unoccupied and suitable Radar Approach Control Center lead prior to this transition. for emergency use. The system and American Airlines (AAL) Hub triages these sites based on distance, Control Center (ramp tower). NASA Safe2Ditch Steer-to-Clear size, and terrain characteristics. To briefed Short on the latest ATD-2 POC: LOU GLAAB ensure a ditch site is clear at the status and addressed questions time of use, a camera-vision system about the project. Pete Slattery, the Flight testing of the Safe2Ditch developed for S2D by Brigham former NATCA lead, also served (S2D) Steer-to-Clear mode was Young University scans the selected as the CLT local representative completed on March 13. Testing was ditch site for unexpected occupants

John Short, NATCA (left), visits the AAL Hub Control Center with Mike Smith, AAL (right). Test of Safe2Ditch ability to find a safe landing spot and effectively land the small UAS. AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019 7

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS during the vehicle’s approach and descent. This allows S2D to either select a different site, if possible, or to steer to avoid the occupants using the S2D Steer-to-Clear mode. Once the camera’s field of view can no longer scan the entire ditch site, a touchdown spot is selected that is away from the detected motion and the vehicle transitions to autoland mode. A second objective of the flight tests was to verify the new C++ software version of S2D. Prior Views of urban canyon used for test flights (left) and map view of downtown Corpus Christi with flightpaths flight testing in 2018 verified the highlighted in yellow (right). S2D ability to trigger a reroute due to occupancy when an alternate site of Technical Capability Level 4 On March 18, the project held its is in range. The recent round of (TCL4) and is the final field test kickoff meeting with LSUASC in flight testing forced the vehicle to of the UTM system which will be Corpus Christi, Texas. The purpose engage Steer-to-Clear by restricting the most extensive and complicated of the visit was to review LSUASC S2D to a single ditch site option. testing to date by the project. progress on UTM’s TCL4 test With no reroute available, Steer- Flights will take place in and around preparation since being awarded the to-Clear was in operation for the the urban areas of Corpus Christi test site contract in February. Nine entire descent of the vehicle. and will investigate the challenges UTM team members participated of communication, navigation, in this face-to-face meeting held at UTM Team Visits TCL4 obstacle avoidance, safe landing, the LSUASC facilities to discuss the Texas Test Site following and beyond visual line of sight UAS details and test plans of the flights, Award in February operations. LSUASC is responsible in and around the Corpus Christi POC: RON JOHNSON for outfitting several vehicles with area, that are planned for this advanced technologies, leading August. The team also visited the On February 13, the Unmanned UAS service supplier partners Mission Command Center and sites Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic in performing UTM, installing in Corpus Christi to be used for Management (UTM) project ground tracking and weather takeoffs and landings, flight paths, awarded a contract task to the Lone instrumentation, and coordinating and contingency landing locations. Star UAS Center of Excellence with the FAA for flight approvals Particular areas of interest were the (LSUASC) test site in Corpus and the city and public safety “urban canyons” in the downtown Christi, Texas, for conducting a organizations for range safety. Flight area near the Corpus Christi airport demonstration of the UTM system tests planned for the July–August where UAS will be flying in and with live and simulated UAS flights. timeframe will complement the May out, avoiding manned aircraft. This demonstration will be part tests being performed in Reno. 8 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

IDM Team Conducts could be used complementarily Association (NBAA), FAA NextGen Demonstration and with their new TBFM adaptations. and the MITRE Corporation in Discussion with FAA Overall, they were very positive Corpus Christi, Texas. NBAA and National TBFM Ops Leads about the work and the quality MITRE described opportunities to POC: NANCY SMITH AND PAUL LEE of the research and encouraged general and business aviation pilots the IDM team to expand and to participate in the research and On March 21, the Integrated explore the IDM concept further, evaluation of the mobile application Demand Management (IDM) especially in dealing with the during the Airspace Technology team held discussions and a convective weather problem. Demonstration–2 (ATD-2) field demonstration session with the evaluation in North Texas. The FAA management and National Dallas Love Field Business mobile application allows pilots to Air Traffic Controller Association Aviation Pilots Briefed provide their Ready-to-Taxi times (NATCA) leads for national Time- on ATD-2 Mobile App on to the airport movement area Based Flow Management (TBFM) POC: ERIC CHEVALLEY and for pilots to receive information operations at Ames Research Center back from the ATD-2 system about in California. The purpose of the On March 25, NASA supported their estimated taxi time on the meeting was to demonstrate the a kickoff meeting organized by surface. The NASA team introduced IDM concept and get feedback on the National Business Aviation the ATD-2 system use and benefits its feasibility, benefits and potential barriers for implementation. The visit was arranged by Perry Casselle and Matt Gammon, management and NATCA co-leads for the national TBFM operations team, respectively. Other FAA visitors included Wendy O’Connor, Phil Hargarten, and Warren Byrd. They were briefed on the potential benefits of coordinating strategic TBFM systems to precondition the traffic into TBFM arrival streams. Live demonstrations followed by a 4-hour end-to-end simulation run allowed the visitors to ask lots of questions, interact directly with the tools, and see the outcome results of the concept. The meeting was quite successful. There was discussion on how the IDM concept Pilots are briefed on ATD-2 and the ATD-2 mobile app. AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019 9

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS of Earliest Off Block Times as key Phase 3 effort at the NASA/FAA MITRE briefed the group about input from flight operators into North Texas Research Station opportunities for the General the future surface system. Flight (NTX). The team provided Aviation pilots from Dallas Love operators invited the group to brief a programmatic and concept Field to participate in the field a local pilot association. The team overview, development milestones, demonstration using mobile plans to collect data from summer and a status update to local National application technology. Field 2019 until the end of summer 2020. Air Traffic Controller Association demo partners expressed strong (NATCA) representatives, traffic interests and confirmed their NASA/FAA Coordination managers of Fort Worth Air Traffic commitment to the NASA Phase Kickoff for FAA Phase 3 Control Center, Dallas Terminal 3 field demonstration. Regular Field Demo Partners Approach Control, Dallas/Fort follow-up shadow sessions will take POC: ERIC CHEVALLEY Worth Air Traffic Control Tower place at the NTX facility to further and Dallas Love Field Air Traffic mature the Phase 3 capability and On March 26, the NASA ATD-2 Control Tower. The NASA team procedures and obtain feedback. team and its FAA NextGen showed the Phase 3 system running representatives briefed FAA with live data and opportunities ATD-2 Assessment of Ramp field demo partners about the for rerouting traffic leveraging Times 3 Human-in-the-Loop engagement plans of the ATD-2 Trajectory Options Sets (TOSs). Simulation Shakedown POC: LINDSAY STEVENS AND YOON JUNG

The Airspace Technology Demonstration–2 (ATD-2) experiment team completed the Assessment of Ramp Times (ART) 3 human-in-the-loop simulation shakedown testing at NASA’s Future Flight Central (FFC) air traffic control tower simulator facility, from March 26–28. The ART studies focus on testing various research questions for ramp controllers during surface metering events and results are used to collect user feedback and refine the ATD-2 tools for field operations. Eight retired Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) FAA Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Field demo partners kickoff at NTX. and American Airlines ramp 10 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

(CDM) Flow Evaluation Team (FET), in Dallas, Texas. Attendees at this meeting included FAA leads, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), National Air Traffic Controller Association (NATCA), JetBlue, Southwest, and American Airlines representatives. The NASA team described the key Human-in-the-loop simulation shakedown testing assessed ramp times. technology supporting the Phase 3 controllers, as well as 12 pseudo- ART 3 is a precursor to the ART 4 concept and discussed development pilots participated in the ART 3 human-in-the-loop scheduled for needs to leverage System Wide shakedown. Participants managed two weeks beginning April 22. Information Management (SWIM). traffic per normal DFW operations The NASA ATD-2 system will while the ramp control participants ATD-2 Presents Phase 3 use trajectory options sets (TOSs) worked to meet surface metering Concept of Use to the CDM– to help to offload demand/ advisories for pushing aircraft off Flow Evaluation Team capacity imbalances at the terminal of the gate and/or for delivering POC: ERIC CHEVALLEY boundary. The system includes a aircraft to the spot between the user interface to coordinate TOS ramp and the airport movement On March 27, NASA briefed usage that is shared among field area. The simulation environment technical details of the ATD-2 demo partners. The group identified at FFC includes a 360-degree Phase 3 concept of use, to the potential development to support tower cab to simulate airline ramp Collaborative Decision Making exchange of TOS information in operations, and a 270-degree out- the-window view to simulate the ATCT). Traffic scenarios were built based on live DFW operations during the summer of 2018. Additional flights were also added to the simulation’s traffic scenarios in order to reflect planned increases in DFW traffic demand beginning the summer of 2019. The ramp and ATCT controllers managed surface traffic in the shakedown using the Ramp Traffic Console, Ramp Manager Tower Console, and the Surface Trajectory Based Operations Representatives from FAA, NBAA, NATCA, JetBlue, Southwest, and American Airlines review Phase 3 Client ATD-2 user interfaces. concept of use. AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019 11

TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

SWIM. In May, NASA will meet Modeling Division, on March negotiation of release times for in Washington, DC, with both the 29 at Ames Research Center in approval request flights. A high-level FET and the Surface CDM team California. The FAA Systems overview of the Phase 3 metroplex groups who have a CDM task to Analysis and Modeling Division planner capability that allows support ATD-2 Phase 3 activities. is responsible for developing a weather impacted flights to reroute post-operational assessment of utilizing airlines’ trajectory options Technical Interchange key NextGen capabilities. Knorr sets during the stormy season was Meeting with FAA Systems also serves as co-chair of the Joint also presented. Alternative benefit Analysis and Modeling Analysis Team to conduct analysis mechanisms for delay reduction and Division Manager regarding performance impacts throughput increase of both airport POC: YOON JUNG and benefits that can be attributed and terminal airspace traffic were to implementation of NextGen also discussed. Knorr showed great The Airspace Technology capabilities. The ATD-2 team interest in the results of the ATD-2 Demonstration–2 (ATD-2) team provided status updates of the analysis, and is looking forward hosted a technical interchange project, including current benefits to future technology transfers. meeting with David Knorr, Manager results of ATD-2 capabilities using of the FAA Systems Analysis and surface metering and electronic 12 AOSP NEWSLETTER // JAN-MAR 2019

RECOGNITION

Deseret UAS Webinar: Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic community. Kaur demonstrated not Commercial UAS/UAM Flight Management Technical Capability only her dedication to her profes- Testing hosted by AUVSI Level updates and an overview of sional discipline, but her passion for POC: PARIMAL KOPARDEKAR autonomy projects at NASA. The mentoring and fostering diversity event was held at the Hiller Aviation in science, technology, engineering, On February 20, the Deseret Museum, in San Carlos, California. and math (STEM). Kaur was born Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in India and is the first woman in moderated a webinar discussion Supreet “Sue” Kaur selected her family to obtain a college educa- on the current state of commercial for Brooke Owens Fellowship tion. She has been an active mentor Urban Air Mobility (UAM) testing. POC: ANDREW GING through the NASA Community Panelists discussed the overall flight- College Aerospace Scholars program testing environment, current test site Congratulations go out to Supreet (of which she is an alumna) and activities, and opportunities for new “Sue” Kaur, who was selected as one participates in multiple external UAM flight test programs. Panelists of the 2019 Brooke Owens Fellows organizations serving diversity and included Parimal Kopardekar, NASA; in early March. Kaur has been an STEM interests. Under the fellow- Jay Merkle, FAA; Adam Robertson, intern on the Airspace Technol- ship, Brooke will work at the Center Fortem Technologies; Rafal Kicinger, ogy Demonstration–2 (ATD-2) for Strategic & International Stud- Metron Aviation; Chris Walach, Systems Engineering team since ies with the International Security Nevada Institute of Autonomous June 2018, and will be graduating Program. The award was named for Systems; John Manning, Electrafly; with a Bachelor of Science degree in space industry pioneer and accom- Robert Labelle, XTI Aircraft; and Industrial and Systems Engineering, plished pilot D. Brooke Owens. Tulinda Larsen, Deseret UAS. and a minor in Green Engineering, from San Jose State University in the All About Autonomy 2019 spring of 2019. Kaur’s responsibilities POC: PARIMAL KOPARDEKAR on the ATD-2 team have included software release testing, participating On March 1, the Silicon Valley in human-in-the-loop simulations at Chapter of AUVSI (Association NASA’s Future Flight Central, and for Unmanned Vehicle Systems documentation. Her senior project International) gathered experts is focused on conducting workflow from industry and government to assessments on the ATD-2 systems discuss issues related to autonomy, engineering processes and imple- including drones for public good menting efficiency improvements. As and remote identification. A one of 38 honorees (or “Brookies”) NASA panel, featuring William of the Brooke Owens Fellowship, Van Dalsem, Starr Gin, Mark Kaur was selected for accomplish- Ballin, Christopher Teubert, Joseph ments related to her professional Rios, and moderated by Parimal aptitude, creativity, leadership ability, Kopardekar, presented on the and commitment to serving her National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters 300 E. Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch

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