Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become a reality in military aviation. It is only a matter of time before we see civilian UAVs in manifold roles. Unlike military UAVs, operations of civilian UAVs cannot rely on specially designated and reserved (military) airspace. Therefore, one of the key issues for using UAVs for civilian purposes will be their integration into non-segregated common airspace. The author proposes a multi-tier approach for integrating different classes of UAVs into different classes of airspace. Certification of airworthiness is linked to this solution. Depending on the class of UAVs, regulatory parameters relating to airspace, flight rules, and certification are discussed. The goal is a realistic road map for the integration of UAVs into non-segregated airspace.
Air and Space Law