U-Space Service Providers

U-Space

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U-space is the ecosystem that the European Union as a whole is deploying to enable the safe and efficient traffic of drones, as well as their coexistence with manned aircraft. It is constituted as the set of providers, services and procedures that in a regulated and coordinated manner in Europe will be responsible for the management of traffic of unmanned aircraft (UAS) in certain airspaces.


Its purpose is to achieve the safe and automated integration of UAS to allow a large number of operations, many of them simultaneous, especially in low altitude airspace, in urban environments (UAM) and in harmony with the existing air traffic management system for conventional aviation. This is intended to enable and enhance the development of new markets and realise the potential for economic growth expected in the sector.


The Community regulatory framework for U-Space is as follows:

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 of 22 April 2021 on a regulatory framework for U @-@ Space.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/665 of 22 April 2021 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373 as regards requirements for air traffic management/air navigation service providers and other air traffic management network functions in airspace designated in controlled airspace.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/666 of 22 April 2021 amending Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 as regards requirements for manned aviation operating in airspace U @-@ Space. 

The environment is supported by two types of service providers identified in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664: U-Space Service Providers (USSP) and Common Information Service Providers (CISPs). These are the organisations that provide certain services and functions necessary for the safe and efficient management of UAS operations in U-Space airspace and the integration of UAS with the rest of the aviation system.

 

U-Space Service Providers

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U-Space Service Providers (USSPs) aim primarily to facilitate secure, efficient and secure access to U-Space airspace for a large number of UAS through digital services and feature automation.

All UAS operations in U-Space airspace shall be subject to at least the following mandatory U-Space services:

• Network Identification Service: it enables continuous processing of UAS remote identification throughout the entire duration of the flight and provides remote identification of the UAS to authorised users.
• Geoconsciousness Service: it consists of providing information regarding the applicable operational conditions and airspace limitations, the relevant UAS geographical areas, or the temporary restrictions applicable to the use of airspace within U-Space airspace.
• UAS Flight Authorisation Service: it shall provide UAS operators with the authorisation to fly UAS for each individual flight, setting out the terms and conditions of that flight.
• Traffic Information Service: it consists of information on any other perceptible air traffic that may be close to the UAS’s intended flight position or route. 

In addition, UAS operations in U-Space airspace may be subject to the following voluntary U-Space services:

• Weather Information Service: provides weather information provided by trusted sources to maintain safety and support operational decisions of other U-Space services; and it provides the UAS operator with weather forecasts and real weather information before or during the flight.
• Compliance Monitoring Service: it allows UAS operators to verify whether they meet the established requirements and terms of the UAS flight authorisation.

 

Common information service providers

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Common Information Service Providers (CISPs) have as their main objective the dissemination of static and dynamic data that enables the provision of U-Space services for the management of unmanned aircraft traffic.

 

Certification and continuous supervision

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Certification

The certification process of USSP and CISP suppliers contemplates the initial issuance and modification of the certificate. In Spain, the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda has published the National Action Plan for the Deployment of the U-Space, to promote the development and implementation of the U-Space system and services in a coordinated and efficient manner throughout the national territory. The main objective of the Action Plan is to involve all actors in the sector by defining action lines that will guide the coordination necessary for the implementation of this new system during the period 2022-2025, preparing the national framework for the adoption of the U-Space regulatory package approved by the European Commission in February 2021. 

In accordance with this Action Plan, EASA has enabled the administrative procedures in relation to the certification of USSP and CISP suppliers in its electronic headquarters, once the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Material Guide (GM) of Regulation (EU) 2021/664, which contains the development of the regulatory certification requirements, have been published by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency):

• U-Space Service Provider Certification (USSP)
• Certification of Common Information Service Provider (CISP)

In these procedures there is the application form and the corresponding questionnaires for the demonstration of compliance with the certification requirements that the applicant must duly fill in to apply for certification as a USSP or CISP supplier or its subsequent modification.