A Study on Experimental Special Airworthiness Certification for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Abstract

Special airworthiness certificates can be issued if the aircraft does not meet the airworthiness standards, but it is deemed that it can be operated safely by partially limiting the scope of operation and flight performance. Currently, Korea is subject to experimental special certification for UAS(Unmanned Aircraft Systems) exceeding 150 kg of its own weight, but detailed guidelines need to be prepared on how to prove that they can be operated safely in a limited range. Recently, Korea Airworthiness Standard(KAS) Part 21 has been revised to reflect this, but it needs to be supplemented. In this study, through an understanding and analysis of the FAA’s procedure of expeirmental special airworthiness certifications for UAS, we would like to suggest what we should consider when developing relevant guidelines in our country.