Enhancing Airspace Safety in Norwegian Rescue Operations

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A rescue team member monitors a digital map on a mounted screen during a coordinated search and rescue operation, using technology to locate and assist individuals in need. (Credit: Norwegian Peoples Aid)

Addressing the Airspace Visibility Gap

In the rugged, unforgiving terrain of Norway, search and rescue (SAR) operations are a race against time where every second counts. Drones have become an indispensable tool for organisations like Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA), providing critical aerial perspectives.

However, the very geography that makes these drones so vital also creates a significant operational risk, a lack of electronic visibility. In narrow valleys and behind mountainous peaks, the challenge is clear, how can drone pilots and helicopter crews maintain a shared, accurate picture of the airspace to prevent a mid-air collision?

The Challenge of Deconfliction Between Drones and Manned Aircraft

The effective use of drones in SAR missions hinges on seamless deconfliction with manned aviation. The problem is twofold, drone operators often lack a reliable method to see incoming low-flying aircraft, while pilots of manned aircraft have had no way of electronically detecting the presence of small drones operating nearby.

Terrain-Induced Signal Blackouts

This issue is exacerbated in Norway's mountainous landscape. Conventional ground-based receivers for aviation signals require a clear line of sight. When a rescue operation takes place deep within a fjord or a remote valley, these signals are often blocked by the surrounding terrain, creating "signal blackouts." A helicopter could descend into a valley, completely unaware of a drone operating just kilometres away, introducing an unacceptable level of risk.

A A drone ready for action amidst the challenging mountainous terrain of Norway, where manned aviation faces difficulties. (Credit: Norwegian Peoples Aid)

A Collaborative Solution with SafeSky

To solve this, NPA initiated a collaboration with SafeSky. SafeSky is already a trusted cornerstone of Norwegian aviation safety, widely utilized across the country by the Norwegian Air Ambulance, the Norwegian Police Drone Unit, and the general aviation community. By adopting a platform already integrated into the cockpits the aviation community, NPA ensures that their drone teams are speaking the "same language" as the pilots flying overhead.

How the System Works

This integration functions by merging live data streams:

The drone’s real-time position is transmitted from its control system directly to SafeSky servers, requiring no additional hardware on the drone itself.

Manned aircraft signals are captured by deploying a portable, vehicle-mounted Avionix open-air multitrack receiver at the rescue scene. The specific role of this receiver is to capture for signals transmitted by manned aircraft in the immediate vicinity. The Avionix receiver then feeds this local air traffic information into the Safesky network via an internet connection.

A vehicle-mounted ground station operates in a rugged mountainous terrain, facilitating manned aviation reception as part of a search and rescue mission. (Credit: Norwegian Peoples Aid)

A Shared Picture of the Airspace

The SafeSky platform acts as the central hub, receiving both the drone’s position and the data from manned aircraft. This unified picture is displayed within the SafeSky platform for the drone pilot and is publicly visible for all other stakeholders utilising the SafeSky platform.

By utilising a platform that is already widespread across Norway, NPA isn't just improving their own visibility, they are contributing to a safer, more transparent airspace for all emergency responders.

Drones operated by Norwegian People's Aid visible on the SafeSky Network, highlighting real-time flight data for manned aviation safety. (Credit: Norwegian Peoples Aid)