As the aviation industry continually evolves in the context of an increasingly digital and data enabled world, it is critical to outline an overall vision for the future of aircraft operations. This vision must ensure safety, public acceptance, and be inclusive of all airspace users, current or emerging.

Wisk, Boeing, and SkyGrid have jointly introduced a Concept of Operations that addresses that vision in the context of flight rules; the internationally agreed procedures and operating conditions that govern the conduct of a flight. At the highest level, these are captured in International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 2 and enacted through the aviation authorities in the member States. Flight Rules serve to manage aircraft proximity and traffic conflict, as well as to ensure the expeditious flow of traffic and efficient use of airspace.

The evolution of flight rules is not unprecedented, as it has previously happened with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). As the industry further matures, the adoption and integration of innovative aviation products and services indicate the need for the development of a new ruleset, a third operating paradigm, that leverages aircraft and airspace automation at its core — Automated Flight Rules (AFR). While not intended to impose new requirements on visual and instrument flight operations, the new mode offers a third operating paradigm. This paradigm equally leverages deployed and emerging technologies, as well as capabilities from existing aviation stakeholders of today and those of newer highly automated aircraft and traffic management solutions that unlock efficiency, cost, and safety benefits to the entire community.

Download the Concept of Operations

Questions or feedback on the AFR ConOps? Email ConOps@wisk.aero.