FAA Pathfinder Focus Area 3 

BNSF

Presented to: REDAC/NAS Operations 		      Subcommittee 

By:	Rob Pappas, FAA Pathfinder 	Program Manager

Date:	September 12, 2017

Federal Aviation

Administration

Federal Aviation

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Federal Aviation

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Concept of Operations (CONOPS)

The BNSF CONOPS consists of the overflight of critical infrastructure for the purpose of airborne safety inspections with a multitude of sensors. It consists of 4 phases:

Phase 1: Initial demonstration of limited BVLOS flight in rural environment class G (SRM process)

Phase 2: Further research into BVLOS flights in rural environments with different vehicles and with various technology based risk mitigations (RADAR, ADS-B, Dedicated C2 spectrum)

Phase 3: Exploration of new research areas in class G. Development of methods to safely operate in controlled airspace (SRMD process). Explore performance of airborne DAA sensors. 

Phase 4: In definition stage

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Federal Aviation

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Key Applicable Regulations

Part 107 

VLOS flights and night flights

Part 91

Flight rules

Part 61

Pilot requirements

Part 21

TC and SAC in the experimental category for research and development

Section 333

Exemption for VLOS

Section 2210

Exemption for BVLOS infrastructure inspection

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Federal Aviation

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Expanding Operational Windows

DAA: Airborne and ground sensor evaluation, human factors for pilot in command

ATO: Controlled airspace processes and procedures, coordination with DOD ATC

CERT: Section 2210 exemption, type certification of UAS

Safety and Mitigations: NOTAMs, markings on charts, safety risk analysis, SRM process of BVLOS

Operational Research: Conducting BVLOS in rural areas for first time in the NAS, Data sharing with FAA

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Federal Aviation

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Milestones

Partnership initiated in March 2015

Phase 1 completed in Oct 2015

First BVLOS civilian flight in the lower 48 

Phase 2 completed in Dec 2016

First 200 mile regular BVLOS flight in civilian space for infrastructure inspection

Phase 3 under way in 2017

In progress

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Engagement Team Members

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| Albouyeh, Dara     | FAA |
|--------------------|-----|
| Bruner, Al         | FAA |
| Chew, Byron        | FAA |
| Foltz James        | FAA |
| Fountain, Carl     | FAA |
| Gelgelu, Gemechu   | FAA |
| Ghimire, Rhitesh   | FAA |
| Huebner, Chris     | FAA |
| Jordan, Mark       | FAA |
| Kirkland, Jeffrey  | FAA |
| Larrow, Jarrett    | FAA |
| Pappas, Rob        | FAA |
| Portwood, Brett    | FAA |
| Posey, Rich        | FAA |
| Royal, Vonnie      | FAA |
| Russell, David     | FAA |
| Schneider, Anthony | FAA |
| Swann, Leslie      | FAA |

Federal Aviation

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