GM1 Article 3 U-space airspace
ED Decision 2022/022/R
(a) Member States have complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territory and, therefore, have full authority over the designation of the U-space airspace.
(b) The designation of the U-space airspace is driven by safety, security, privacy or environmental considerations.
(c) For the designation of the U-space airspace, Member States are expected to assess numerous safety-significant factors, including, among others:
(1) the type, density, and complexity of existing and planned unmanned traffic, including UAS operations taking place in the context of authorised model aircraft clubs and associations;
(2) the type, density, and complexity of existing and planned manned traffic, including air sports activities;
(3) the operational capacity of the designated ATS providers to interface with the CIS provider and USSPs in the designated U-space airspace;
(4) the operational capacity of USSPs and, when relevant, the single CIS provider;
(5) the complexity of the airspace structure;
(6) the availability of safe and secure communication mechanisms to enable UAS operators and USSPs to exchange digital information;
(7) the classification of the airspace and the services provided to instrument flight rule (IFR) and visual flight rule (VFR) aircraft;
(8) existing UAS geographical zones defined in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947; and
(9) the topographical environment and prevalent meteorological conditions.
(d) Conversely, when a Member State considers issuing a new authorisation to model aircraft clubs and associations or when defining new UAS geographical zones, already designated U-space airspace should be considered.
(e) Initial designations of U-space airspace are expected to take place at low-level altitude, e.g. below 500 ft, and where there is very little expected manned traffic.
(f) Besides the four mandatory U-space services, Member States may decide that additional U‑space services are needed to support the safe, secure, and efficient conduct of UAS operations in specific volumes of U-space airspace.
(g) The regular reassessment of the U-space airspace is expected to be conducted by the Member States to evaluate its effectiveness in supporting the safe, secure, and efficient conduct of UAS operations.