Unmanned Air Systems Some Safety Management Challenges

Unmanned Aircraft technology continues to mature. UAS are already big business for the military and breakout into civil operations is progressively occurring. Some novel Safety Management challenges - "Senses & Avoid", in particular, remains a major challenge (and presents considerable potential opportunities for transfer to manned flight environment?). • Light UAS is the biggest growth area for civil operations (they can operate in visual range of the human operator who provides "See & Avoid"). • Standards development work is being undertaken in Europe (EASA, Eurocae, JAA) the US (RTCA) and within ICAO • Collaborative, well-paced, approach is working and needs the continued active engagement of Safety Management professionals.