The Unmanned Air Systems Study Group (UASSG) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on Tuesday started a four-day meeting in Pretoria with the aim of finalising a draft ICAO Circular on civilian unmanned air systems (UAS). (A UAS comprises an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) and its associated ground-based control and support systems and equipment).

This will mark a key step in the process of allowing the routine use of UAS by civilian organisations for civilian purposes in controlled air space (that is, air space in which all air traffic is subject to air traffic control) around the world.
Currently, while any and every ICAO member country can grant special permission – usually limited in time, space or mission – for the use of UAS in controlled civil air space, there are no internationally-agreed permanent regulations covering such operations.

“Civil aviation is a complex regulatory environment,” highlighted UASSG chairperson Holger Matthiesen. “Slowly we have seen civil aviation authorities responding to the needs for regulation” of UAS in controlled air space. “It became obvious we needed to ensure global interoperability. This will ensure a level playing field and ensure safety.”
He assured that the draft Circular will be presented for approval by the relevant ICAO departments during the first half of this year.

The UASSG seeks to base the regulations for UAS on those for manned aircraft found in Annexe 2 of the Chicago Convention, more formally known as the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Annexe 2 is entitled “Rules of the Air”.

Achieving ICAO regulation of civil UAS will open a whole new global market to UAS manufacturers around the world, including in South Africa, which will have standardised regulations, specifications and requirements.

This country has two UAS/UAV manufacturing companies, namely Denel Dynamics, which is part of the State-owned Denel defence industrial group, and private-sector company Advanced Technologies & Engineering, better known as ATE.

The UASSG is large by the standards of ICAO study groups, comprising representatives of 25 countries, including South Africa, and three international organisations. It is being hosted in South Africa by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of Transport.