EUROCONTROL and EASA, together with aviation stakeholders, have jointly developed two use case descriptions for the use of Electronic Conspicuity (EC) to enhance traffic awareness for pilots and facilitate integration of drones in shared airspace. The use cases will serve as input to the joint Electronic Conspicuity assessment and validation work performed in Europe and aim to support the safety of manned and unmanned aviation through affordable, interoperable and harmonised solutions.
Electronic Conspicuity in Air-to-Air Use Case
The use case for Electronic Conspicuity in Air-to-Air explains how aircraft can use Electronic Conspicuity systems to detect and become visible to each other directly in flight. Aircraft equipped with EC devices transmit their position and receive information about nearby aircraft, helping pilots better understand surrounding traffic and prevent conflicts. The additional “electronic view” or “conspicuousness” of nearby aircraft is expected to improve awareness and safety.
Electronic Conspicuity in U-Space without ATC Use Case
The use case for Electronic Conspicuity in U-space without ATC explains how manned aircraft and drones can share the same airspace in areas where there is no air traffic control (ATC) service. Manned aircraft use Electronic Conspicuity from which U-space Service Providers (USSPs) receive information and pass it to drone operators so that they are aware of nearby aircraft and can take the relevant action to avoid any collision hazard.
The joint work between EUROCONTROL and EASA helps create a consistent European approach to Electronic Conspicuity. It aims to align requirements across Europe, encourage adoption of interoperable technologies and support pilots, operators, manufacturers and service providers with harmonised guidance.
Background Information
Electronic Conspicuity (EC) is defined as an umbrella term for technologies that enable aircraft to be detected electronically in real-time, improving situational awareness and reducing mid-air collision risks. EC enhances safety by making aircraft, particularly in General Aviation and unmanned systems, visible to each other and to ground-based systems.
