The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, was established in 1944 to coordinate the principles and techniques of international air navigation. It fosters the planning and development of international air transport, to ensure safe and orderly growth.
ICAO Communications Officer William Raillant-Clark told Inside Unmanned Systems, “Considerable work is ongoing at ICAO to facilitate the safe development of unmanned aviation and advanced air mobility [AAM] across the regions.” AAM refers to the emerging concept of air transportation that integrates new, transformational aircraft designs and flight technologies into existing and adapted airspace operations
The ICAO RPAS (remotely piloted aircraft systems) Panel is developing new provisions to enable the certified category of unmanned aircraft operations. “Here, we’re talking about internationally operated RPAS, primarily under instrument flight rules [IFR], in controlled airspace and at controlled aerodromes,” Raillant-Clark said.
Regarding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) other than RPAS, ICAO has developed the ICAO Model UAS Regulations and companion Advisory Circulars (ACs). “These offer a template for Member States to implement or to supplement their existing UAS regulations,” he said. “These regulations and ACs are intended to be living documents and will evolve as the industry matures, providing States and regulators with internationally harmonized material based on the latest developments.”
Multiple lines of action
In parallel, ICAO’s advanced air mobility study group (AAM SG) is tasked with developing, among other things, a holistic framework and vision for AAM, identifying potential gaps in ICAO provisions, and serving as a focal point for AAM-related work to ensure global interoperability and harmonization. This work covers, for example, development of enhanced guidance material for UAS traffic management (UTM) systems.
“We announced a Call to Action during ICAO’s first Advanced Air Mobility Symposium, AAM 2024, which took place in September 2024,” Raillant-Clark said. “The Call highlights ICAO’s vision for AAM developments, structured around three key activities: first, understanding AAM; second, building the AAM ecosystem; and, third, governing and regulating AAM.
ICAO collaborates with a wide range of partner organizations, including United Nations agencies, specialized bodies, and industry, shaping the future of aviation, including the safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable integration of AAM operations into the global aviation system.
ICAO’s Model UAS Regulations and companion Advisory Circulars can be accessed for free here.
Read the Call to Action here.
