UAS Crew Member Selection


UAS Crewmember Selection

Proper planning for establishing UAS crew member positions and responsibilities entails breaking down the operation into several logical steps.  These steps will include the following stages:  planning, launch, operation, recovery and analysis.  I would suggest that an emergency procedures section accompany each of the necessary stages capable of interrupting the project’s implementation for safety concerns.

Planning

The planning stage requires the identification of necessary personnel and certifications, safety mitigation tools, pre-flight of equipment and verification of mission objectives. 

Human resources goals in the beginning stages will include verification of mission objectives, planning autonomous flights, detailing the data uplinks and down links, obtaining the proper flight permissions from regulatory authorities and hazard identification and mitigation procedures.  Given the limited scope of this paper, the flight permissions are originating from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and are related to commercial, part 107, airspace, and/or Section 333 waivers. It is important to note that there may be no FAA waivers or permissions required for certain operations conducted in international waters, beyond the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in Class G (uncontrolled airspace). Prudence suggests detailed checking with United States and International regulatory authorities.

The final personnel roster would include at least a mission planner, maintenance and sensor technician, a pilot and sensor operator.  The mission planner’s responsibilities may also include being the liaison between the operating company, customer and any subcontractor interfaces. 
Orlady & Orlady (2002) emphasize the importance of the crew selection process.   This process includes much more than simple operating skills.  It should include analysis of the potential crew members’ team player, crew resource management and evidence of dangerous attitudes (2002).  Given the state of “flex” that the UAS industry is in regarding application of pilot (and other crew) selection criteria, it is urgent that risk mitigation measures be deployed along this front before unmanned vehicles are integrated into the NAS.

Launch

The launch phase will include a pre-flight briefing on the aircraft, the launch equipment, the capture equipment and review of emergency procedures.  A mission review (otherwise known as a “tailboard” meeting) should precede the operation and include a hazard and risk assessment compliant with pre-mission planning.  The tailboard meeting should require proper notifications, pre-launch to all required parties identified in the company’s standard operating procedures and/or required waivers.  This would include close contact with any sub-contractors (ship operator) or potentially impacted third-parties (aircraft in the area).  The mission planner should consider the advantages of requesting a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the area impacted.

Operation

Flight operations should be in accordance with a management approved Standard Operating Procedures manual incorporating a management approved Safety Management System (SMS).  The planning stage requires proper development of flight planning, so the operational phase is mostly monitoring the flight and the external environment.  Special attention should be paid in discovering unpredicted events such as other air traffic and adverse weather conditions.
      
Recovery and Analysis

The recovery phase should also be in accordance with known SOP procedures with any deviations approved as per policy.  The recovery is an important phase as unexpected conditions may have developed during the flight(s).  Factors such as existing sea state and wind conditions may be significantly different than at launching.  Analysis of the data can commence once the aircraft has returned safely on the ground (unless already uploaded by the UAS).  It is important to include a “post-flight” briefing in the analysis stage to discuss project successes and failures.

References
Insitu. (2018). Scan Eagle. Retrieved from https://www.insitu.com/information-                                          delivery/unmanned-systems/scaneagle#2

NASA. (2018). NASA’s Unmanned Ikhana Flies in National Airspace Without Chase Plane.                       Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/multimedia/imagegallery/
       Ikhana/AFRC2018-0217-12.html

Orlady, H & Orlady, L. (2002). Human Factors in Multi-Crew Flight Operations. Burlington,                     Vermont: Ashgate Publishing.

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