We have published Safety Notice SN-2023/005 (opens in a new tab) (and reproduced below) to the RPAS community regarding manufacturers’ in-built Geo-Awareness.
The purpose of the Safety Notice is to highlight inaccuracies with RPAS manufacturers’ in-built Geo-Fencing/Awareness and to reinforce the RPAS Operator responsibilities according to UK Reg (EU) 2019/947 UAS.OPEN.050(5) (opens in a new tab).
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Geo-Awareness
Safety Notice
SN-2023/005
Issued: 9 October 2023
Safety Notice
Introduction
Airspace limitations
There are airspace limitations that are applicable to operating drones and other Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).
The restrictions limit where you can legally fly your drone. They include restrictions around aerodromes (Flight Restriction Zones) and other areas.
The primary source of information about airspace restrictions is the UK Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) published by NATS (opens in a new tab).
Restrictions that apply to unmanned aircraft, including restrictions applicable around aerodromes (Flight Restriction Zones), are published in the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), section ENR 5.1 Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas (opens in a new tab).
The UK AIS also includes a separate dataset with all airspace restrictions applicable to UAS.
Geo-awareness
Geo-Awareness is a function some manufacturers include on their products. The Geo-Awareness function detects a potential breach of airspace limitations and alerts the Remote Pilots so that they can take immediate and effective action to prevent that breach.
Purpose of this Safety Notice
The purpose of this Safety Notice SN-2023/005 is to highlight that there are currently discrepancies between the accurate airspace restrictions published via the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and how manufacturers display airspace information in their systems.
Recommendations
We strongly advise all UAS Operators and Remote Pilots read the Safety Notice and act on the recommendations.
We recommended that UAS Operators in the Specific Category implement the recommendations within the Safety Notice as part of their Operating Manual procedures.
We strongly recommend that, because airspace restriction information presented by UAS built-in geo-awareness and flight planning software is not always accurate, UAS Operators and Remote Pilots should:
1 not rely solely on the manufacturers’ in-built geo-awareness/geofencing for airspace restrictions information.
2 ensure they are personally aware of applicable airspace restrictions where they intend to fly
3 regularly refer to the AIP updates (opens in a new tab) for accurate information on airspace restrictions
4 monitor and take appropriate action in respect of any manufacturers’ communications regarding geo-awareness updates and operator requirements
Further action
We have written to a significant UAS manufacturer to ask them to take note of this Safety Notice and correct their inaccuracies.
We will continue to monitor the situation carefully.