Unmanned Aircraft (UA) – An aircraft, which is intended to operate with no pilot on board.
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) – An aircraft and its associated elements, which are operated with no pilot on board. Aircraft and the equipment to control it remotely.
Unmanned aircraft system operator (UAS operator) – Unmanned aircraft system operator is any legal or natural person operating or intending to operate one or more UAS.
UAS geographical zone – UAS geographical zone is a portion of airspace established by the competent authority that facilitates, restricts, or excludes UAS operations in order to address risks pertaining to safety, privacy, protection of personal data, security, or the environment, arising from UAS operations.
Robustness – Robustness is the property of mitigation measures resulting from combining the safety gain provided by the mitigation measures and the level of assurance and integrity that the safety gain has been achieved.
Visual line of sight operation (VLOS) – Visual line of sight operation is a type of UAS operation in which, the remote pilot is able to maintain continuous unaided visual contact with the unmanned aircraft, allowing the remote pilot to control the flight path of the unmanned aircraft in relation to other aircraft, people and obstacles for the purpose of avoiding collisions.
Beyond visual line of sight operation (BVLOS) – Beyond visual line of sight operation is a type of UAS operation which is not conducted in VLOS.
Dangerous goods – means articles or substances, which are capable of posing a hazard to health, safety, property, or the environment in the case of an incident or accident, that the unmanned aircraft is carrying as its payload, including in particular:
- Explosives (mass explosion hazard, blast projection hazard, minor blast hazard, major fire hazard, blasting agents, extremely insensitive explosives).
- Gases (flammable gas, non-flammable gas, poisonous gas, oxygen, inhalation hazard).
- Flammable liquids (flammable liquids; combustible, fuel oil, gasoline).
- Flammable solids (flammable solids, spontaneously combustible solids, dangerous when wet).
- Oxidizing agents and organic peroxides.
- Toxic and infectious substances (poison, biohazard).
- Radioactive substances.
- Corrosive substances.
Payload – Payload is an instrument, mechanism, equipment, part, apparatus, appurtenance, or accessory, including communications equipment, that is installed in or attached to the aircraft and is not used or intended to be used in operating or controlling an aircraft in flight, and is not part of an airframe, engine, or propeller.
Direct remote identification – Direct remote identification is a system that ensures the local broadcast of information about an unmanned aircraft in operation, including the marking of the unmanned aircraft so that this information can be obtained without physical access to the unmanned aircraft.
Follow-me mode – Follow-me mode is a mode of operation of a UAS where the unmanned aircraft constantly follows the remote pilot within a predetermined radius.
Geo-awareness – Geo-awareness is a function that, based on the data provided by States, 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.
Privately built UAS – Privately built UAS means a UAS assembled or manufactured for the builder’s own use, not including UAS assembled from sets of parts placed on the market as a single ready-to-assemble kit.
Autonomous operation – Autonomous operation is an operation during which an unmanned aircraft operates without the remote pilot being able to intervene.
Uninvolved persons – Uninvolved persons means persons who are not participating in the UAS operation or who are not aware of the instructions and safety precautions given by the UAS operator.
Controlled ground area – Controlled ground area is the ground area where the UAS is operated and within which the UAS operator can ensure that only involved persons are present.
Maximum take-off mass (MTOM) – Maximum take-off mass is the maximum Unmanned Aircraft mass, including payload and fuel, as defined by the manufacturer or the builder, at which the Unmanned Aircraft can be operated.
Usually, the MTOM should include all the elements on board the UA:
- all the structural elements of the UA;
- motors;
- propellers, if installed;
- all the electronic equipment and antennas;
- batteries and the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and all fluids; and
- the heaviest payload allowed by the manufacturer, including sensors and their ancillary equipment.
Unmanned sailplane – Unmanned sailplane is an unmanned aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine. It may be equipped with an engine to be used in case of emergency.
Unmanned aircraft observer – Unmanned aircraft observer a person, positioned alongside the remote pilot, who, by unaided visual observation of the unmanned aircraft, assists the remote pilot in keeping the unmanned aircraft in VLOS and safely conducting the flight.
Airspace observer – Airspace observer is a person who assists the remote pilot by performing unaided visual scanning of the airspace in which the unmanned aircraft is operating for any potential hazard in the air.
Command and Control (C2) Link – The data link between the UA and the remote pilot station for the purpose of managing the flight.
Controlled Airspace – Airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided in accordance with the airspace classification.
Danger Area – Airspace of defined dimensions within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft exist at specified times. Such timings are notified through NOTAMs.
Geo-fencing – Feature in a software programme that uses the global positioning system or radio frequency identification to define geographical boundaries.
Operator – A person, organization, or enterprise engaged in or offering to engage in an aircraft operation.
Owner – A natural or legal person who owns a remotely piloted aircraft and its remote pilot station.
Prohibited Area – Airspace of defined dimensions, above the land areas or territorial waters of India within which the flights are not permitted at any time under any circumstances.
Remote Pilot – A person charged by the operator with duties essential to the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft and who manipulates the flight controls, as appropriate, during flight time.
Remote Pilot Station (RPS) – The component of remotely piloted aircraft system containing the equipment used to pilot the remotely piloted aircraft.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) – An unmanned aircraft, which is piloted from a remote pilot station.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) – A remotely piloted aircraft, its associated remote pilot station(s), the required command and control links, and any other components, as specified in the type design.
Restricted Area – Airspace of defined dimensions above the land areas or territorial waters of India within which the flight of aircraft is restricted.
RPA observer – A trained and competent person designated by the operator who, by visual observation of the remotely piloted aircraft, assists the remote pilot in the safe conduct of the flight.
Segregated Airspace – Airspace of specified dimensions allocated for exclusive use to a specific user(s).
Unauthorized Drone – Any drone activity (in the aerodrome environment) without authority or permission, and could result in safety/security risk and/or have a negative impact on Business Continuity and/or Reputation.
U-space – The U-space framework comprises an extensive and scalable range of services relying on agreed EU standards and delivered by service providers. These services do not replicate the function of ATC, as known in ATM, but deliver key services to organize the safe and efficient operation of drones and ensure a proper interface with manned aviation, ATC, and relevant authorities. They may include the provision of data, supporting services for drone operators, for example, flight planning assistance, and more structured services, such as tracking or capacity management.