Full Integration of Light RPAS into Not Segregated Airspace: Preliminary Safety Analysis for the Implementation of a Risk Model

A general evolution of airspace and air traffic management is ongoing in Europe including significant novelties for manned aviation. The most important one is the full integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the next future and the full integration of automated air vehicles and Driverless Personal Air Vehicles (DPAV) afterwards with manned aircraft. The economic impact of integration of RPAS with manned aircraft into not segregated airspace to perform aerial work is very important. European and worldwide Aviation Authorities and other organizations (EUROCONTROL, JARUS, RTCA, etc.) are working to elaborate new regulations and standards to maintain the current level of safety of aerial operations facing the incoming new entry in the airspace. The implementation of a comprehensive preliminary risk model is deemed to be propaedeutic to any former safety analysis of the new operational scenario: RPAS and manned aircraft flying together into a not segregated airspace. Such risk model is defined in accordance to the Safety Risk Management Pillar of Safety Management System model. The safety analysis for the implementation of the above mentioned preliminary risk model is presented and discussed in this article.