AIRCRAFT OPERATIONAL LIMITS Distance range and autonomy The aircraft can fly for 10 minutes with the nominal payload elements. The autopilot can be configured to restrict the distance between the aircraft and the home point and set a limit for the maximum altitude above the ground level. The maximum distance between the aircraft and the home point will be about 200 meters and the maximum altitude above ground level will be restricted to 50 meters. Take-off and landing The RPAS is VTOL so take-off and landing operations are performed vertically from and to any flat surface. Therefore, a runway is not needed for taking-off and landing. Speed limitations Maximum climb rate and descent speed: 6 m/s. Maximum speed: 15 m/s. Maximum roll/pitch angle: 35º. Maximum angular speed: 150º/s. Aircraft operational conditions Maximum wind speed: 8 m/s. Temperature operational range: -5º C to +60º C. The RPAS cannot operate in rain/snow conditions. The RPAS cannot operate when the meteorological conditions can cause the formation of ice. The RPAS cannot operate in low-visibility conditions (e.g. foggy days) and during night. RPAS maintenance RPAS maintenance will be performed according to the Maintenance Manual. Meteorology The pilot will not authorize the flight if unfavorable weather conditions are experienced or expected in the short term. Weather forecast information will be consulted one day in advance and they will be updated every 5 hours. Special attention will be paid to the aircraft operational limits indicated in section 2.6.4.
AIRCRAFT OPERATIONAL LIMITS Distance range and autonomy The aircraft can fly for 10 minutes with the nominal payload elements. The autopilot can be configured to restrict the distance between the aircraft and the home point and set a limit for the maximum altitude above the ground level. The maximum distance between the aircraft and the home point will be about 200 meters and the maximum altitude above ground level will be restricted to 50 meters. Take-off and landing The RPAS is VTOL so take-off and landing operations are performed vertically from and to any flat surface. Therefore, a runway is not needed for taking-off and landing. Speed limitations Maximum climb rate and descent speed: 6 m/s. Maximum speed: 15 m/s. Maximum roll/pitch angle: 35º. Maximum angular speed: 150º/s. Aircraft operational conditions Maximum wind speed: 8 m/s. Temperature operational range: -5º C to +60º C. The RPAS cannot operate in rain/snow conditions. The RPAS cannot operate when the meteorological conditions can cause the formation of ice. The RPAS cannot operate in low-visibility conditions (e.g. foggy days) and during night. RPAS maintenance RPAS maintenance will be performed according to the Maintenance Manual. Meteorology The pilot will not authorize the flight if unfavorable weather conditions are experienced or expected in the short term. Weather forecast information will be consulted one day in advance and they will be updated every 5 hours. Special attention will be paid to the aircraft operational limits indicated in section 2.6.4.
euRathlon2015_RPAS-safety-study.docx