Paul B. Voss

Rethinking the regulatory framework for Small Unmanned Aircraft: The case for protecting privacy and property rights in the lowermost reaches of the atmosphere

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) have the ability operate in chaotic and heterogeneous environments near the ground that are inaccessible to manned aircraft. This is significant because navigable airspace, which is in the public domain and preempted by federal laws, is defined by the minimum safe altitudes of flight. Since many sUAS arguably have no minimum safe altitude, they could potentially expand navigable airspace to the ground, posing a serious challenge to property rights, privacy expectations, and local control. This paper discusses the issue in historical context, raises new questions about the current direction for sUAS regulation, and suggests an alternative framework that would have benefits for governmental efficiency, the civilian UAS industry, and the public at large.

Continuous In-Situ Soundings in the Arctic Boundary Layer: A New Atmospheric Measurement Technique Using Controlled Meteorological Balloons

Controlled Meteorological (CMET) balloons are small airborne platforms that use reversible lift-gas compression to regulate altitude. These balloons have approximately the same payload mass as standard weather balloons but can float for many days, change altitude on command, and transmit meteorological and system data in near-real time via satellite. Since 2004, more than 50 CMET balloons have been flown in nearly all of the earth’s major climate zones, from the Amazon to Antarctica. This paper describes one notable flight in 2011 in which a CMET balloon performed continuous soundings in the Arctic marine boundary layer off the coast of Svalbard. It is likely that this is the first time such a feat has been accomplished by a free balloon or any other flight platform. The series 18 consecutive profiles show the time evolution of the boundary layer as it is advected northward over a 10-h period. The paper focuses on the balloon design, control algorithm, and in-flight performance. Analysis of the unique atmospheric dataset will be the subject of a subsequent publication.

The influence of Nunataks on atmospheric boundary layer convection during summer in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

The effects of nunataks on temperature profiles and wind patterns are studied using simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Simulations are compared to hourly observations from an automatic weather station located at the Troll Research Station in Dronning Maud Land. Areas of bare ground have been implemented in the model, and the simulations correspond well with meteorological measurements acquired during the 4 day simulation period. The nunataks are radiatively heated during daytime, and free convection occurs in the overlying atmospheric boundary layer. The inflow below the updraft forces strong horizontal convergence at the surface, whereas weaker divergence appears aloft. In a control run with a completely ice-covered surface, the convection is absent. In situ observations carried out by a remotely controlled balloon and a small model airplane compare well with model temperature profiles, but these are only available over the ice field upwind to the nunatak.

Controllable Meteorological Balloons for Arctic Research

While the Arctic is among the most isolated and inaccessible regions on earth, its weather and climate can strongly affect mid-latitude agricultural regions and population centers. Improving observational capabilities in the Arctic therefore has broad relevance. Over the past four years, Controlled Meteorological (CMET) balloons have been developed specifically for studying transport processes in the Arctic troposphere and boundary layer. These balloons, which are now approximately the same size as standard rawinsondes, can float for many days while performing vertical soundings on command via satellite. This sounding capability is particularly advantageous in the highly stratified polar atmosphere where shallow layers of air with differing character and origins are ubiquitous. The challenges of operating small battery-powered balloons in the Arctic are formidable; they include electrical and mechanical failures due to the extreme cold, fallout due to ice accumulation on the balloon envelope, and complex airspace issues. Results of this development work will be discussed and placed into context of planned and future studies.

Measurements by controlled meteorological balloons in coastal areas of Antarctica

Abstract An experiment applying controlled meteorological (CMET) balloons near the coast of Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, in January 2013 is described. Two balloons were airborne for 60 and 106 hours with trajectory lengths of 885.8 km and 2367.4 km, respectively. The balloons carried out multiple controlled soundings on the atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity up to 3.3 km. Wind speed and direction were derived from the balloon drift. Observations were compared with radiosonde sounding profiles from the Halley Research Station, and applied in evaluating simulations carried out with the weather research and forecasting (WRF) mesoscale atmospheric model. The most interesting feature detected by the CMET balloons was a mesoscale anticyclone over the Weddell Sea and the coastal zone, which was reproduced by the WRF model with reduced intensity. The modelled wind speed was up to 10 m s-1 slower and the relative humidity was 20–40% higher than the observed values. However, over the study period the WRF results generally agreed with the observations. The results suggest that CMET balloons could be an interesting supplement to Antarctic atmospheric observations, particularly in the free troposphere.

Integrated System Optimization of Controlled Meteorological (CMET) Balloons

Controlled Meteorological (CMET) balloons provide a new a platform for atmospheric observation and research. Operating on the principle of partial compression, CMET balloons are notable for their altitude control, small size (400 g payload), long-duration flight capability (days to weeks), and global two-way communication via satellite. These balloons were flown for the first time during the International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformations (ICARTT) campaign in 2004 and the Southeast Texas Tetroon Study (SETTS) in 2005. They were used to track air parcels for repeated sampling by instrumented aircraft in order to measure chemical evolution in a quasi-Lagrangian reference frame. Advances in the design, construction, and operation of CMET balloon as integrated systems are discussed.

Gasping for airspace [Spectral Lines]

Sensible regulation of small drones would foster innovation and protect privacy. Its no secret that the United States may be losing its edge in civilian aviation. Nowhere is this more apparent than with small unmanned aircraft, those tiny flying robots that promise to transform agriculture, forestry, pipeline monitoring, filmmaking, and more. While many other countries are racing to develop and use such drones, U.S. innovators remain more or less stuck on the starting line, mired in federal indecision and red tape. At the recent Drones and Aerial Robotics Conference, at New York University, one speaker imagined what would happen if the Wright brothers were to face such restrictions today: Moments before takeoff, a black Chevy Suburban would pull up, federal agents would jump out, and they would halt the ill-conceived experiment for safety reasons.