UAS Human Factors

Author: Dr. Michael Zimmer

_______________________

Tactics of human factors are design to lessen safety obstacles to may affect human performance. Leveraging tools to measure processes will have a positive effect in reducing errors. In addition, regulatory bodies leverage tools lessen possible adverse effects for error. As human factors are not a sole responsibility, municipal and federal regulatory tactics are desired for a logical approach to police safety concerns. Within the last decade, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have grown in popularity as an increase of UASs will be operational. While UAS usage is set to increase, UAS human factors require the implementation of policy. Within this paper, the researcher will discuss UAS human factors in the context of three growing risks to UAS operation and recommended measures to deduce risk. 

Transfer of PIC

Compared to conventional aircrafts, UAS operate and are flown in longer deration. While, UAS pilots are not present in aircraft flight, UAS pilots are in aircraft control from a far. When UAS pilot transfers are made a new pilot in command (PIC) take control. This transfer is typically made when a maximum flight time is reached by a UAS pilot. Transfers can occur in two ways; one is by the switching of console in a shared station and the other is by interlinking the transfer to another UAS pilot geographically spaced in another station. When transfers are performed, risk can occur. Associated risks are human caused and typically made on miscommunicated handover - takeover (HOTO). Risk to PIC transfers are less prone in conventional PIC transfers as a copilot typically will have full awareness of aircraft activity. By performing a longer overlapping HOTO during a PIC transfer, risk is decreased as greater awareness is established. 

Remote Pilot System Uplink

Conventional flying does not require a pilot to aircraft uplink for aircraft operations. Within UAS piloting aircrafts controls are dependent on a station to aircraft communicational link. Communicational links is typically made by a radio frequency or satellite linkage. Links are often requiring some form of software update to prevent pilot to UAS misalignment. If a software update is missed or updated incorrectly, communication links can become broken. It is because of the sensitivity of a pilot to UAS communicational link, monitoring needs to be performed by the pilot, mission commander and UAS technician. By eliminating a single point of failure through requiring the responsibility of three members, monitoring of software updates can be achieved. Thus, limiting operation disruptions.  

Fatigue 

Unmanned manned system pilots undergo lengthier flight hours compared to conventional pilots. As longer piloting is assigned to UAS pilots, the possibilities of increased physical and mental fatigue is greater. Longer flight time for UAS pilots hold unexplored human factor challenges. The LA Times (2015) notes, USAF drone pilots perform on average 900 flight hours compared to 250 flight hours for fighter pilots. Improved regulation and standardization compared to conventional flying is needed to decrease UAS human factor risk is needed. While UAS flight time remains in development, organizations such as USAF will experience higher pilot burnout. 

Conclusion

The lack of UAS standardized regulation within the world will continue to cause operating and airspace confusion. As a result of this industry confusion, gaps have formed and have resulted in human factor accidents. According to Hobbs & Lyall (2010), UAS human factors considerations present a new challenge beyond human factors within conventional flying. Within this paper, the researcher identified, noted on causes, and provided human factor errors recommendations to combat operator, communication, and application in system design concerns. As UAS standardization of regulations are developed and are comparable to conventional flight standards, UAS human factor errors will continue to evolve.  

_________

References

Hennigan, W.J. (2015). Air Force struggles to add drone pilots and address fatigue and stress. World and Nation. LA Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-drone-pilot-crisis-20151109-story.html

Hobbs, A., & Lyall, B. (2015). Human factors guidelines for unmanned aircraft system ground control stations. Preliminary contractor report prepared for NASA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) project. Retrieved from http://humanfactors.arc.nasa.gov/


Popular posts from this blog

Design and Operational Analysis

Image
 Author: Dr. Michael Zimmer ___________________________________________________________________________________ An increasing demand on package delivery unmanned aerial system (UAS) have accelerated commercial UAS innovation. Amazon has invested $130 million in the infrastructure of UAS delivery since 2015 and commented an additional $350 million for operational support (Keeney, 2015). Amazon believes their projected capital will allow Amazon to net a 15% return on $1 deliveries (Keeney, 2015). Package delivery UAS faces mass rollout delay constraints surrounding regulation, UAS configuration, application, and consumer demand as these areas will need to mature. Within this paper, the researcher will examine the UAS application of package delivery while constructing a Octorotor through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Hub program. In addition, this paper will discuss on the Octorotor’s package delivery performance within a simulated operation while exploring regulatory...
Read more

Testing Optics and Configuration

Image
 Author: Dr. Michael Zimmer ___________________________________________________________________________________ According to Ding et al. (2020), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) can support specialized optics and payload while vertically taking off and landing. This support of specialized optics and payload have made UAS usage a preferred mean of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Unmanned Aerial Systems optics and payload are generally assembled onto an aircraft based on mission needs. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Visual Optics/Thermal Lab allows learners to examine UAS optic and thermal performance while adjusting optic and thermal settings. This paper will explore Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Visual Optics/Thermal Lab from a learner’s perspective while examining payload and sensor capabilities on a single rotary wing UAS platform. Lastly, this paper will discuss on payload and sensor configuration onto an UAS, flight planning, and on a simulat...
Read more

Testing C3 and Configuration

Image
 Author: Dr. Michael Zimmer ___________________________________________________________________________________ According to Stansbury et al. (2009), Command, control, and communicate (C3) are essential unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) functions that are established under US National Airspace System (NAS) and Federal Aviation Administration purview. Based on regulatory guidelines and airworthiness standards, manufactures compete to exceed basic C3 capabilities. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Communication Lab allows learners to explore a similar UAS manufacture C3 Lab. This paper will examine Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Communication Lab from a learner’s perspective while exploring common communication systems that are integrated into UAS design. Last this paper will discuss on communication effects using experimental UAS within operational routes.  Communications Lab A communication lab will typically have a received signal strength (RSS) meter using eithe...
Read more