Image: HHLA Sky
Unmannedaerial vehicles (UAVs) have sparked a hype. But before the lower airspace up to 120 meters can be further filled with unmanned aircraft systems, universally applicable rules and secure coordination bases are needed. Private operators like Hamburg's HHLA Sky – now even TÜV-certified – are ready to go.
In Germany alone, around 135,000 new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are expected to be operational by 2025. The EU and German Air Navigation Services have been working for some time on the future design of a regulated U-Space. "Drones can handle many tasks—from inspection and observation to monitoring, transport, and logistics—more easily, efficiently, and in a more environmentally friendly waythan has previously been possible from the ground," says Matthias Gronstedt, Managing Director of the HHLA subsidiary HHLA Sky. But before that "easy," be canthings will get a bit complicated first.
Control room: There's still more potential
Operational procedures and collision-free operation with existing systems such as at airports and in the vicinity of rescue sites like helicopter landing pads operating, must to a high standard . HHLA Sky can claim significantly involved in the development of the relevant EU regulations to have been. and is currently celebrating its TÜV certification
The Hamburg-based developers believe that in its final stage of development, U-Space will encompass an entire country, but will initially be limited to regions with particularly high drone traffic. The rules include defining the flight process, from registration and route planning to safety plans, landing, and monitoring. U-Space service providers play a central role.
S. Törsleff
One of the services that helps ensure safe and compliant flying is the geo-awareness service. Drone operators use this service to find out which overflight areas have restrictions, are undergoing rescue operations, or are temporarily closed, and how the airspace must be kept clear.
Avoiding conflicts between users is one of Sebastian Törsleff's most important tasks. In the research project "Efficiently Organizing Urban Drone Traffic" (UDVeo) at Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg, he helped develop the foundation for U-Spaces and then moved to HHLA Sky. The expert is focused on putting the rules into practice. "This isn't about regulating yet another area of public life. U-Spaces are intended to better facilitate the efficient and economically very sensible use of drones."
Of course, the long-term goal is to develop a regulated U-Space across the entire Federal Republic of Germany. However, experience gained from his research project and HHLA Sky's pilot program has shown that a phased introduction of such zones promises greater success. He prioritizes urban areas, as the number of flight movements is expected to be highest there. And it is undeniable that security agencies such as the police and fire departments in cities are increasingly using remotely piloted drones.
A control center developed by HHLA Sky was ahead of its time back in 2021, monitoring no-fly zones in defined areas and over crowds not just for individual drones, but for dozens of simultaneously deployed and even autonomously operating aircraft. The HHLA control center is considered one of the most powerful and, moreover, safest control systems for drones and was the first of its kind to be certified by TÜV. Thanks to continuous data analysis, it keeps track of current weather conditions as well as the airspace, including manned aircraft. A precise flight plan is created for each drone in advance to allow for immediate responses to deviations. And, of course, alternative and emergency landing sites must also be available should a drone need to be brought back to the ground quickly and safely during operation.
Sky CEO M. Gronstedt
Just as German Air Traffic Control (DFS) manages manned aviation over Germany, there will be corresponding companies for drones. The EU allows different companies to offer their services in parallel. Anyone wishing to operate a drone must register their flight with the relevant authority, submit a flight plan, and be able to react to safety-relevant events at any time. This applies to flights of recreational drones weighing more than 250 grams, as well as to semi-professional and commercial operations. "It is, of course, important to integrate government agencies such as the police and emergency services into this system," says Sebastian Törsleff. "Only in this way can an immediate response be possible if, for example, rescue helicopters need to fly through a U-Space or airspace needs to be closed due to a police or fire department operation."
Theoretically, controlled airspace for drones could already be established – the EU rules for U-Spaces have been in effect since January 26, 2023. There are also already some companies that want to take over the management of drone traffic. But it will still be some time before the controlled flight zones in the lower airspace are fully established: "In addition to developing detailed procedures, important technical prerequisites also need to be created," says Törsleff. Among other things, a common language between all parties involved is needed. The fact that the EU took the initiative early on is an important signal for drone companies like HHLA Sky.
