The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA) is continuously developing its proprietary tools and systems, listening closely to user feedback and gradually releasing new functionalities within products created under the Operational Programme “Digital Poland” – Development of Digital Services for UAVs. One of PANSA’s key partners is the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis (GZM), with whom we are cooperating on the development of the DTM Autonomy System for the Gliwice area.
At the end of September (September 20, 2024), a meeting organized by the GZM Metropolis took place at the Civil Aviation Personnel Training Center of Central and Eastern Europe at the Silesian University of Technology. The event gathered drone industry stakeholders, including business representatives and local government officials.
Experts from the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency presented recently implemented products for the drone market, including systems developed under the Digital Services for UAVs project, as well as other agency solutions such as the proprietary DroneTower application, which is already used by over 90,000 users.
At the end of the second quarter, PANSA launched the “Advanced Large-Scale UAV Flights” service, enabling innovative technological environments in three areas across Poland. In the Gliwice region (“DTM Gliwice”), this allows for the dynamic execution of numerous UAV flights – both within visual line of sight (VLOS) and more complex beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
This was made possible by the implementation of digital solutions that coordinate flights in service areas. These include automated deconfliction of planned flights, real-time flight planning analysis, and flight approval tools. As a result, even advanced BVLOS missions can be conducted at scale within minutes of need. Additionally, the installation of ADS-B tracking infrastructure in the service area provides users with real-time UAV position monitoring in relation to planned routes, as well as situational awareness of other air traffic—provided aircraft are equipped with compatible transponders.
“The Polish drone market now has three new areas where various types of flights can be performed dynamically. The digital tools we’ve provided support UAV pilots in conducting these operations safely. This is a critical moment for the drone services market, which should now begin to grow rapidly—though that growth will be gradual. Adapting to new capabilities, including acquiring clients for these services, takes time,” said Filip Sosin, Head of the “Digital Services for UAVs” Program at PANSA.
“The agency’s work doesn’t stop after implementation. Regarding DTM Gliwice, we see the need to expand the system’s coverage area, which is why we’re working on further digital solutions to make that possible. To achieve this, we’re cooperating with GARP (the airport operator) and the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis. We believe that in the coming months, we will significantly extend the DTM Gliwice area to the north,” added Filip Sosin.
