One of the many dynamic working groups in the HAPS Alliance is the Aviation Working Group (AWG). Participation is a great way for aerospace organizations to network with thought leaders in the High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) space and participate in solving some of the most exciting challenges in high-altitude aviation.
The group is chaired by Andy Thurling, Principal at Thurling Aero Consulting supporting HAPS Alliance Executive Member Softbank, and vice-chaired by Stephanie Luongo, chief of mission operations at Sceye, a HAPS Alliance Principal Member.
What is the Aviation Working Group?
The Aviation Working Group (AWG) aims to accelerate the technical development of safe and reliable HAPS to unlock the global potential of stratospheric services. The group achieves this by sharing a HAPS Alliance-centric concept of operations with regulators and stakeholders to identify the best path forward. Additionally, the AWG advances aviation regulations, concepts of operations, technologies, and standards to support the HAPS industry. They also communicate the vision of the HAPS Alliance ecosystem and educate aviation stakeholders and regulators on the needs of HAPS.
Together, the AWG works towards fulfilling the HAPS Alliance mission of unlocking the stratosphere to enhance connectivity and sensing services for civilian and government applications globally.
What the AWG Does
The work of the AWG falls into four main categories:
- Development of a New Traffic Management Paradigm for the Stratosphere: Creating innovative strategies for managing air traffic in the stratosphere.
- Development of Risk-Based Safety Frameworks Adapted to HAPS: Establishing safety frameworks tailored to the unique requirements of HAPS.
- Evolving the Regulatory Framework for Approval of HAPS Vehicle Design and Equipment: Advancing performance-based certification processes for HAPS vehicle design and equipment.
- Development and Promotion of Concepts for Scalable Operations: Promoting scalable operation concepts, including automation certification and human-automation teaming.
The AWG advances thought leadership by authoring white papers, appearing and presenting at conferences, and making recommendations and input to standards development organizations and regulatory working groups.
The AWG has written four authoritative white papers so far. You can view and download AWG and other HAPS Alliance whitepapers on our Publications page.
- HAPS Certification Pathways paper provides valuable insights into the unique issues that must be considered when regulating High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) and recommends a series of actions to facilitate their safe and efficient operation. View and download >
- Acceptable Levels of Risks for HAPS paper highlights how leading experts in the field of HAPS have reimagined the traditional safety metrics used in aviation and introduced new approaches to setting acceptable levels of risk for this emerging technology. View and download >
- HAPS Operation Using Attended Autonomous Fleet Systems paper explains the concept of attended Autonomous Fleet Systems and the use of Collaborative Traffic Management for the Stratosphere (CTMS), informed by the principles of Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), which enables secure and scalable operation of the unmanned vehicles that offer connectivity to regions of the earth below. View and download >
- Bridging the Digital Divide with Aviation in the Stratosphere paper highlights HAPS flight test results, which show the path to unlock stratospheric communications. View and download >
Why the AWG is Perfect for Organizations Like Yours
Not only does participation in the HAPS Alliance AWG allow organizations to network with other top aviation players, but it also allows organizations to have a say in the direction of HAPS telecommunications and defense evolution. This positions members at the forefront of the industry, and ensures they have a first-mover advantage as the industry develops and matures.
Join the Alliance to get involved.