Introduction

This Roadmap sets out Australia’s future approach to aviation safety regulations and oversight for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM). It provides a strategy and plan for these sectors, supported by acceptable levels of safety.

The Roadmap complements and prioritises day-to-day regulatory development efforts for these sectors. It includes continuous improvement activities aimed at improving the scope, efficiency, and effectiveness of regulations, standards, guidance and processes.

The Roadmap complements several government initiatives, including the:

Aviation White Paper → Towards 2050
Australian Future Airspace Framework (AFAF)
Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) traffic management (UTM).

We are responsible for regulating aviation safety, which is the primary focus of the activities outlined in the Roadmap. When needed, we will work with other government agencies to support the regulation of other aspects of RPAS and AAM operations (see Drivers, enablers and dependencies).

The RPAS and AAM landscape is one of several important and interconnected emerging technology areas in aviation. We will continue to focus on safety across all these areas.

What are RPAS?

Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), also known as drones, differ from other aircraft in that they do not have a pilot or crew onboard.

RPAS typically refers to the aircraft itself, but it also includes all the components needed for its operation:

ground control stations
telemetry and communications
sensors
other hardware and software used to operate the aircraft.

There is no globally agreed definitional difference between RPAS and AAM. For this roadmap, RPAS refers to remotely piloted operations without people onboard and no plans for passenger transport in the near future.

RPAS operations are evolving to include more complex tasks that may carry higher risks because of size, speed or new operational concepts. This evolution could include future operations in controlled or high-altitude airspace. The Roadmap aims to clarify where activities are seeking to address higher risk or more complex RPAS operations. We expect these operations to increasingly cross-over with AAM needs and considerations.

What is AAM?

Advanced air mobility (AAM) is an emerging aviation ecosystem that uses new aviation services and innovative technologies to transport people and goods. This system operates in urban and regional environments, between regions, and eventually internationally. New aircraft designs include electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and other certified models.

There have been ongoing advancements in this sector due to progress in:

hybrid and electric propulsion systems
energy storage
alternative fuels, for example, hydrogen
lightweight materials
digitalisation
automation.

These innovations have enabled the creation of an array of new vehicle types.

For this Roadmap, 'AAM' refers to the broader ecosystem. 'AAM aircraft' refers to new and emerging aircraft that incorporate innovative technologies. We expect these aircraft to use varying levels of automation. Initially, AAM aircraft will be conventionally piloted, with a pilot on board. In time, some AAM aircraft operators may seek to be remotely piloted.

AAM vehicle types

New AAM aircraft will use innovative technologies, including:

multi-rotor
tilt-wing
tiltrotor
lift and cruise
vectored thrust
powered lift.

These offer capabilities for electric conventional take-off and landing (eCTOL), short take-off and landing (STOL), and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). Other aircraft under development may also qualify as AAM aircraft.

Here are some potential AAM aircraft: