【ドローン】新しい国際航空標準・勧告方式（SARPs）
日本をはじめ世界193箇国が加盟する国際民間航空条約（通称シカゴ条約）に基付き設置された国連専門機関である国際民間航空機関（ICAO）は第231回理事会において19の条約附属書のうち15の附属書を修正（Amendment）、情報管理（Information Management）に関する新たな「航空業務方式」（Procedure for Air Navigation Services）が採択された。これらの修正には「Remotely Piloted Aircraft System」（RPAS）の国際運航に関する新たな標準（Standards）が含まれる。
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems（RPAS）
「Remotely Piloted Aircraft System(s)」とはICAOをはじめとした国際機関におけるドローン（Drone）およびそのシステムの正式名称であり、その略称が「RPAS」となる。ドローン機体を「Remotely Piloted Aircraft」（RPA）、システムを含めた総称を「Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems」（RPAS）とするが、特段ドローン機体のみを指す場合を除き通常は「RPAS」が呼称として用いられる。但し、近年存在感を増す自律型ドローン（Autonomous Drones）を中心とした文脈においてはアメリカ連邦航空局（FAA）やアメリカ航空宇宙局（NASA）といった機関が使用し、英語圏で一般的な呼称である「UAV」（Unmanned Aerial Vehicle）、「UAS」（Unmanned Aircraft Systems）が用いられることもある。
ドローンの統合
With the Council’s adoption of the new Part IV International Operations — Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems to Annex 6 – Operation of Aircraft, the basic building blocks for a regulatory framework to enable the international operation of RPAS are now in place.
RPAS operators will be required to hold a specific operator certificate (ROC), akin to the traditional air operator certificate (AOC). This is a considerable step towards integration of RPAS into the aviation system.
The Council previously agreed to the regulatory structure for the issuance of remote pilot licences, RPAS-specific airworthiness requirements, and provisions for C2 Links frequency bands, procedures and systems.
Together, these provisions satisfy three key requirements for international air navigation: a remote pilot licence, a certificate of airworthiness, and an RPAS operator certificate.
航空ナビゲーションの変革
The new Standards decrease the risk of the provision of inaccurate or incomplete information to Air Traffic Management (ATM) service providers and operators. The enhanced information sharing enabled by these Standards will also facilitate the optimization of air routes and networks, contributing to a reduction in aviation CO2 emissions.
One of the key advancements is towards the implementation of the “Flight and Flow — Information for a Collaborative Environment” (FF-ICE) concept. The goal is to establish a fully collaborative environment that enables the sharing and optimization of flight trajectories at every stage of flight. Designed for flexibility, the FF-ICE concept allows for phased and incremental implementation, covering a range of operational needs and timelines across different nations and regions.
ICAO also tackled the safety issue created by multiple aircraft being assigned identical 24-bit aircraft addresses, which has led in the past to inaccurate aircraft information in air-ground and air-air surveillance systems.
Moreover, the Council has updated Standards for helicopter chart development for performance-based navigation, enhancing the safety of helicopter operations.
航空事故およびインシデントデータ
Enhancing data gathering and sharing is crucial for the aviation community, not only to prevent accidents and incidents, but also to respond effectively when such events occur.
Key among the new Standards adopted by the Council are those that complete the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS). Developed as part of the response to the loss of flights AF 447 in 2009 and MH 370 in 2014, GADSS requires enhancements to aircraft tracking and distress systems.
Expansion of the Flight Data Analysis Programme (FDAP) now ensures that most large commercial air transport aeroplanes are included. The broader scope of safety data collection aims to identify precursor events and facilitate proactive safety management.
New investigation Standards will require accident investigation authorities to inform the public about progress earlier and more frequently, ultimately providing the final report in an electronic format to ICAO for improved access and data analysis.
Crucially, the Council also decided to enhance current search and rescue (SAR) SARPs to expedite response times, facilitate assistance from other States during operations, reduce risks to personnel at accident sites, and provide better information to rescue coordination centres.