Terms of Reference (ToR) for TC ERM Working Group (WG) AERO: Aeronautical and related equipment

Approved at ERM#88, Date: February 2026

Scope

The main objectives of TC ERM WG AERO is to develop European Norms (ENs), Technical Specifications (TS) and Technical Reports (TR) related to ground Air Traffic Management equipment, systems and constituents as well as the related EU Harmonised Standards under the Radio Equipment Directive as mandated by the European Commission.

In more detail, TC ERM WG AERO is responsible for:

• ground aeronautical ATM equipment;
• meteorological radars;
• ground aeronautical systems and constituents for EATMN;
• ground-based elements of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)/Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) such as civil drones;
• radiosondes.

Areas of activity

The main activity of TC ERM WG AERO is the production of standards and specifications for aeronautical, UAS/RPAS and radiosonde equipment including Harmonised Standards covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU).

Annex (informative): Collaboration with other bodies

TC ERM WG AERO will take into account the relevant ITU, CEPT and ICAO provisions and requirements, studies and reports for radio communication, navigation and surveillance systems.

TC ERM WG AERO will cooperate as appropriate with EASA, EUROCAE, ICAO and other relevant aeronautical organisations for all matters concerning the production of aeronautical standards for European Air Traffic Management Network (EATMN) and the pertinent Harmonised Standards under the Radio Equipment Directive.

TC ERM WG AERO will establish external relationships with relevant civil/military aeronautical bodies (such as ICAO, EUROCONTROL, NATO and EASA) where and whenever needed in order to ensure interoperability, compatibility and adequacy of the standards and reports produced. Formal relationships will be established using the normal processes via the ETSI Secretariat.

Horizontal aspects related to EMC and radio spectrum matters will be deferred to TC ERM WG EMC and TC ERM WG RM respectively.