UAS Crewmember/Operator Requirements
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) require operators to fly the aircraft from a control station that is normally located on the ground. Selecting, Certifying, and training operators is a critical part of safe and efficient operations. The size and capabilities of a UAS can drive the requirements for the qualifications for the operators of the aircraft. Safe operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) will also drive some of the training the crewmembers receive when learning to operate the UAS.
Selecting, Certifying, and Training Operators
One of the most critical factors for selecting crewmembers is the ability to multi-task by testing Time-Sharing, Organization, Time Management, and Memorization (Williams, Carretta, Kirkendall, Barron, Stewart, & Rose, 2014). The tests measure an individual’s capability to listen and operate an aircraft at the same time. This capability is important for a UAS pilot when they are flying the aircraft and completing any tasks using the payloads on the aircraft.
Certifying and Training operators fall into the same category. A certification to operate a UAS should be acquired by appropriate training on the UAS. If a crewmember has the ability to multi-task, the training for the individual should enable them to operate the UAS safely within the standards of their specific UAS. Another important factor for training is a high aptitude for aviation knowledge. The Performance-Based Measures Battery (PBM) measures an individual’s aptitude with spatial orientation, dichotic listening, ability to perform tracking tasks with a stick-and throttle, and the ability to perform these tasks at the same time (Williams et al., 2014).
UAS Size and Capability for Crew Size
In a paper titled “An assessment of reduced crew and single-pilot operations in commercial transport aircraft operations," it is explained that the certification requirements for an aircraft’s minimum crew is defined under 14 CFR 25.1523 and explains that the minimum crew must enable safe operations (Bailey, Kramer, Kennedy, Stephens, Etherington, 2017). This explains that the complexity of the aircraft may create the need for more personnel to operate the systems onboard. The basic workload functions must be completed on the aircraft to ensure safe operations are:
- Flight Path Control
- Collision Avoidance
- Navigation
- Communications
- Operation and Monitoring of aircraft engines and systems
- Command decisions (Bailey et al, 2017)
Training for Safe Operations in the National Airspace Systems
Safe operations for UAS operators in the National Airspace System (NAS) will require extensive training about the rules and regulations of the NAS. 14 CFR part 61 (2020) outlines the requirements for a manned pilot to earn their private pilot’s license. This regulation explains the requirements to ensure safe operations in the National Airspace System. UAS operators should demonstrate, at a minimum, the same or more knowledge and flight capabilities that private pilots demonstrate to earn their private pilots license.
References
14 CFR part 61, (2020). Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=40760189a03dfea0b501608f33820a45&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.2&idno=14#se14.2.61_13
Bailey, R. E., Kramer, L. J., Kennedy, K. D., Stephens, C. L., & Etherington, T. J. (2017, September). An assessment of reduced crew and single pilot operations in commercial transport aircraft operations. In 2017 IEEE/AIAA 36th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC) (pp. 1-15). IEEE.
Williams, H. P., Carretta, T. R., Kirkendall, C. D., Barron, L. G., Stewart, J. E., & Rose, M. R. (2014). Selection of UAS personnel (SUPer) phase I report: Identification of critical skills, abilities, and other characteristics and recommendations for test battery development (No. NAMRU-D-15-16). NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT (DAYTON) WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH.