Regarding RTCA SC-203, they are not "just" interested in GH or HALE/MALE vehicles. ACCESS 5 is a HALE project. Many of the people involved in ACCESS 5 are also involved with SC-203.

As for stating that FAA is not going to be require anything for below 55# UAS, I think that is a nice thought, but what airspace you are operating, and who you are (Public Use Aircraft vs private use) will also factor into it.

Imagine JoeBagodonuts LLC flying his copercam for Channel 3 news providing traffic reports at the junction of the Edens and Kennedy (90-94) about 5 miles from O'hare. I believe that it is a resonable assumption that a less than 55# UAS flying in close (or even IN) Class B airspace is going to require a PILOT, not an operator, and single string systems arent going to cut it.

But will these systems evolve into the single pilot freighters that Fred Smith would like? It's possible, but the level of reliability, security, redundency are not going to happen overnight (even if the Airbus briefing stated single aisle freighter ops in 2020). Just look at D0-178B and believe that to certify to that level, is serious money. TCAS took over 400 Million dollars and that happened because of a Congressional mandate.

anyhow, this is the last place i expected to see this discussion but its kind of fun to be discussing this here.

on another note, are there so many jets for sale because of the clampdown on jet meets????

cheers