Considerations for UAV design and operation in South African airspace

At present, the lack of UAV regulations and standards precludes UAVs from being certified to operate commercially in un-segregated civilian airspace. Because of strategic, economical and security requirements, it is necessary to devise a method to operate UAVs in South African airspace within existing regulatory arrangements. This paper suggests specific UAV missions, viz; maritime patrol/boarder control, search and rescue, and cargo transport, together with design considerations and possible concepts of UAV; operations, maintenance and training, that will enable UAVs to satisfy the immediate South African strategic requirements whilst further UAV standards and regulations are being developed.