One thing is to know the law. Another thing is to demonstrate that the law was applied correctly. Here is where standards come in. Standards are the tools that provide proof of compliance. Complying with the standard means to automatically apply the requirements in the law. This is the case when standards are “correctly” established. A good standard is assessed against all the details of the regulatory requirements. That is what “mapping” is all about.
As Global UTM Association, we would like to endorse and promote the work of ASTM International. The ASTM Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (F38) has undertaken a detailed mapping of relevant ASTM standards against key regulatory parts of the U-space regulation. In more detail, its UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Working Group has undertaken the detailed mapping between the F3411-22a (an update to F3411-19) and F3548-21 standards and the relevant requirements in the U-space Regulation and the associated Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material.
The ASTM mapping demonstrates that the relevant standards meet U-space Service Provision (USSP) interoperability requirements for the following services:
- The Network identification service;
- The UAS flight authorisation service; and
- The Conformance monitoring service.
You can find the results of the detailed mapping to each Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material for these services in the accompanying summary document and spreadsheet: ASTM Standards Mapping to U-Space Regulation 20220916.
The spreadsheet provides separate worksheets for each service with a detailed breakdown of the requirements and the associated Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material mapped against the relevant sections of the ASTM standards. Additionally, the spreadsheet also provides a brief explanation for the few cases of legal requirements, for which the Working Group did not find a direct corresponding requirement in the ASTM standards. Finally, the spreadsheet includes recommendations to update the Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material to improve consistency and/or clarity.
GUTMA is excited to continue working with ASTM and EUROCAE on future standards and AMC/GM mapping. GUTMA’s Standards Harmonization Working Group and Leadership are committed to liaising with all relevant stakeholders and key industry players to facilitate the exchange of expertise towards U-space certification.
GUTMA’s commitment to providing relevant information regarding international regulations and policy initiatives will continue. Stay tuned to keep yourself updated and make the most out of our Association’s work by becoming a member!