Standard Practice for Handling of Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Divert Airfields

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This practice is written to preclude damage or injury to property and personnel in the event of an unplanned landing by an unmanned aircraft at an airfield not equipped or trained to handle that type of aircraft and to prevent unintentional damage to the aircraft once it lands. It is intended for use by unmanned aircraft equipment designers, procedures developers, and ground personnel.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice identifies and describes equipage and procedures for safely handling unmanned aircraft forced to recover at alternate or diversionary airfields where personnel trained in recovering that type of aircraft may not be present. It is intended to apply to fixed-wing unmanned aircraft conducting non-visual line-of-sight operations. It is intended to establish common locations, labeling, and functions of equipment necessary to safely power down the aircraft without damaging it and common procedures for untrained personnel to follow to contact the owner of the aircraft. It addresses mission planning procedures, automated functions, and manual functions/handling procedures in the preflight, in-flight, and post-flight phases, respectively.  
1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
31-Jan-2019
Drafting Committee
F38.02 - Flight Operations

Relations

Effective Date
01-Feb-2019
Effective Date
15-Apr-2007
Effective Date
01-Jan-2005

Overview

ASTM F2849-10(2019), titled Standard Practice for Handling of Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Divert Airfields, establishes best practices for the safe handling and recovery of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at alternate or diversionary airfields. These procedures are crucial in minimizing risk, preventing damage to the aircraft, and ensuring the safety of both property and personnel at airfields that are not specifically equipped or trained to handle UAS. The standard is particularly relevant to fixed-wing unmanned aircraft conducting non-visual line-of-sight operations.

The document provides guidance for UAS equipment designers, procedures developers, and ground personnel. It outlines mission planning, automated aircraft functions, manual handling protocols, and communication processes for situations in which unmanned aircraft must land unplanned at unfamiliar airfields.

Key Topics

  • Scope of Application

    • Focuses on fixed-wing unmanned aircraft during non-visual line-of-sight operations
    • Applies to alternate and diversionary airfields lacking specialized UAS-trained personnel
  • Damage Prevention and Safety

    • Details equipment and procedures to preclude damage to UAS, and to avoid injury or property loss
    • Promotes standardized labeling, equipment location, and instructions for emergency handling
  • Mission Planning Procedures

    • Recommends identifying alternate airfields within a safe gliding distance along any flight route
    • Ensures selection of airfields based on suitability for recovery, considering runway characteristics and flight configurations
    • Requires up-to-date contact information for selected airfields to facilitate timely communication
  • Automated and Manual Functions

    • Describes the minimum automated functions for UAS in divert mode, including identifying flight anomalies, automatic notifications, weapons safety, and data protection protocols
    • Specifies standardized ground access panels with emergency shut-off, movement instructions, and owner/operator contact details
    • Emphasizes English language usage for all instructions, with recommendations for local translations where space allows

Applications

The ASTM F2849-10(2019) standard is widely applicable in scenarios where unmanned aircraft require emergency or unplanned recovery at unfamiliar airfields. Typical use cases include:

  • UAS Mission Planning
    By integrating this standard into preflight workflows, UAS operators can enhance flight safety and contingency preparedness, improving outcomes in the event of diversions.

  • Airfield Operations
    Ground personnel at general aviation airports, military fields, or isolated airstrips can apply the practices outlined to handle UAS landings effectively, even without prior specialized training.

  • UAS Design and Development
    UAS manufacturers and systems integrators use this standard to inform the design of ground control panels and automated fail-safe features, ensuring compatibility with diverse airfield environments.

  • Emergency Response Readiness
    Adoption of this standard enhances overall aviation safety procedures, supports rapid and safe UAS shutdowns, and minimizes operational risks during unplanned events.

Related Standards

Organizations and practitioners using ASTM F2849-10(2019) may also benefit from referencing the following standards:

  • ASTM F2395 - Terminology for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Withdrawn 2014)
  • ICAO Annex 1, Chapter 1 - International Civil Aviation Organization standards for personnel licensing and communication

These documents provide important context for terminology, operational requirements, and language standards applicable to unmanned aircraft systems and international airfield operations.

Keywords: unmanned aircraft systems, UAS, divert airfields, contingency procedures, emergency UAS handling, ASTM F2849, airfield safety, non-visual line-of-sight, UAS recovery, ground personnel, airfield operations, UAS mission planning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM F2849-10(2019) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Practice for Handling of Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Divert Airfields". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 This practice is written to preclude damage or injury to property and personnel in the event of an unplanned landing by an unmanned aircraft at an airfield not equipped or trained to handle that type of aircraft and to prevent unintentional damage to the aircraft once it lands. It is intended for use by unmanned aircraft equipment designers, procedures developers, and ground personnel. SCOPE 1.1 This practice identifies and describes equipage and procedures for safely handling unmanned aircraft forced to recover at alternate or diversionary airfields where personnel trained in recovering that type of aircraft may not be present. It is intended to apply to fixed-wing unmanned aircraft conducting non-visual line-of-sight operations. It is intended to establish common locations, labeling, and functions of equipment necessary to safely power down the aircraft without damaging it and common procedures for untrained personnel to follow to contact the owner of the aircraft. It addresses mission planning procedures, automated functions, and manual functions/handling procedures in the preflight, in-flight, and post-flight phases, respectively. 1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 This practice is written to preclude damage or injury to property and personnel in the event of an unplanned landing by an unmanned aircraft at an airfield not equipped or trained to handle that type of aircraft and to prevent unintentional damage to the aircraft once it lands. It is intended for use by unmanned aircraft equipment designers, procedures developers, and ground personnel. SCOPE 1.1 This practice identifies and describes equipage and procedures for safely handling unmanned aircraft forced to recover at alternate or diversionary airfields where personnel trained in recovering that type of aircraft may not be present. It is intended to apply to fixed-wing unmanned aircraft conducting non-visual line-of-sight operations. It is intended to establish common locations, labeling, and functions of equipment necessary to safely power down the aircraft without damaging it and common procedures for untrained personnel to follow to contact the owner of the aircraft. It addresses mission planning procedures, automated functions, and manual functions/handling procedures in the preflight, in-flight, and post-flight phases, respectively. 1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM F2849-10(2019) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 49.020 - Aircraft and space vehicles in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ASTM F2849-10(2019) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM F2849-10, ASTM F2395-07, ASTM F2395-05. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

ASTM F2849-10(2019) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2849 −10 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Handling of Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Divert Airfields
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2849; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope an unmanned aircraft at an airfield not equipped or trained to
handlethattypeofaircraftandtopreventunintentionaldamage
1.1 This practice identifies and describes equipage and
to the aircraft once it lands. It is intended for use by unmanned
procedures for safely handling unmanned aircraft forced to
aircraft equipment designers, procedures developers, and
recover at alternate or diversionary airfields where personnel
ground personnel.
trained in recovering that type of aircraft may not be present. It
is intended to apply to fixed-wing unmanned aircraft conduct-
4. Mission Planning Procedures
ing non-visual line-of-sight operations. It is intended to estab-
lish common locations, labeling, and functions of equipment
4.1 If mission requirements allow, alternate or divert air-
necessary to safely power down the aircraft without damaging
fields shall be planned within gliding distance of any point
it and common procedures for untrained personnel to follow to
along the planned route of flight. This is dependent upon a
contact the owner of the aircraft. It addresses mission planning
number of factors including—but not limited to—geographic
procedures, automated functions, and manual functions/
location of flight operations (for example, austere operating
handling procedures in the preflight, in-flight, and post-flight
environment or maritime operations with few available air-
phases, respectively.
fields)andmissionflightprofile.Ifmissionplanninganddivert
airfield accommodations are in conflict, mission requirements
1.2 This international standard was developed in accor-
shall take priority over divert airfield planning.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 Gliding distance is defined as aircraft altitude above
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ground level (absolute altitude minus 1000 ft for pattern
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
altitude)timesitslifttodragratio(L/D).Zerowind,allengines
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
out, and 50 % fuel onboard are assumed.Aircraft configuration
(for example, stores on wings) should be taken into account
2. Referenced Documents
when determining the L/D ratio to be used for a flight segment.
2.1 ASTM Standard:
4.3 Selected airfields shall be capable (for example, runway
F2395 Terminology for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (With-
length, width, bearing strength) of accommodating recovery of
drawn 2014)
4 the aircraft in its planned configuration.
2.2 Other Standard:
ICAO Annex 1, Chapter 1
4.4 Contact information for the alternate airfields shall be
updated and made available to the pilot for use during flight.
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This practice is written to preclude damage or injury to
5. Automated Functions
propertyandpersonnelintheeventofanunplannedlandingby
5.1 Ataminimum,theaircraftshallbeabletorecognizeand
report the condition of not being capable of maintaining level
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned
flightatitsmissionaltitudeoratareducedaltitude(thatis,sink
Aircraft Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F38.02 on Flight
rate at reduced or full power). This condition shall trigger the
Operations.
aircraft’s flight control computer to enter a “divert mode” (that
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2019. Published February 2019. Originally
approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F2849–10. DOI:
is, a subset of its contingency mode) of functioning. Excep-
10.1520/F2849–10R19.
tional conditions where a sink rate exists at full power under
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
normal operating conditions, for example, when encountering
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
mountainwaveeffects,shouldalsoberecognizable.Theremay
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
be other contingencies such as environmental conditions,
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
system-specific issue, or other factors which trigger the divert
www.astm.org.
mode as well. This is only meant to describe a minimum level
Available from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), 999 Robert-
Bourassa Boulevard, Mont
...

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