Member Spotlight: PDCAero-AF

September 4, 2025

PDCAero-AF is advancing the safe integration of uncrewed systems into shared airspace by developing tools and frameworks that support collaboration between crewed and uncrewed operators. The company is particularly focused on the Performance Information eXchange Model (PIXM), a next-generation data standard designed to enable shared situational awareness and risk management in complex, low-altitude environments.

Value of PDCAero-AF’s AUVSI Membership

Paul Hannah of PDCAero-AF says the organization values AUVSI for its diverse and collaborative community. Membership provides a vital forum for engaging with peers across uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), uncrewed traffic management (UTM), and legacy aviation stakeholders.

He notes that the airspace below 3,000 feet is becoming increasingly dynamic, requiring thoughtful cooperation between crewed and uncrewed operators. AUVSI helps foster this dialogue and provides the platform to promote new frameworks such as PIXM. “The most powerful benefit of membership is the opportunity to work directly with others who share a vision for safe, equitable, and innovative airspace access,” Hannah says.

Exciting Industry Developments

PDCAero-AF sees the safe expansion of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations as one of the most transformative developments in the near future. As regulatory frameworks evolve, BVLOS capabilities will unlock new applications for UAS in public safety, commerce, environmental monitoring, and even air mobility.

The company also points to advancements in navigation, terrain awareness, microclimate sampling, and data exchange as key enablers of this transition. Hannah explains that these innovations will benefit not just uncrewed systems, but also helicopters, eVTOLs, and traditional fixed-wing aircraft that share the same operational environments. “BVLOS permissions leading to IFR operations, and supportive infrastructure development represents a turning point for uncrewed systems,” he says

Industry Challenges

One of the most pressing challenges, according to Hannah, lies in coordinating shared airspace during abnormal or emergency operations by multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft. For example, one-engine-inoperative procedures often extend up to 25 nautical miles from airports, typically below 3,000 feet AGL—the same space increasingly used for UAS and UTM.

Without clear coordination, he warns, uncrewed operations could create obstacles that force payload reductions, delay departures, or increase safety risks. Extreme weather conditions and high-altitude airports add further complexity, making real-time coordination essential.

PDCAero-AF’s Role in the Industry’s Future

To address these challenges, PDCAero-AF is leading efforts to develop and implement the Performance Information eXchange Model (PIXM) in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other stakeholders. PIXM is designed to enable real-time, secure exchange of performance and operational data between all airspace users.

The company’s goal is to bridge the gap between legacy aviation and uncrewed systems by allowing operators to share expected trajectories, emergency procedures, and operational constraints without relying solely on NOTAMs or operational restrictions.

Hannah explains that PIXM provides a mechanism for operators to coordinate in real time. “PDCAero-AF is committed to shaping a safer, more integrated, and innovative future for the entire aviation ecosystem”

For more information, visit: www.pdcaero.com