UAS Safety Certification - Chapter 4 Control Stations
What are two LANs that use a bridged network?
AV LAN and GCS LAN
What equipment can typically be found in a midsized RPAS mobile GCS?
AV command and control equipment Payload manipulation and imagery collection equipment Situation awareness building software/ equipment
What PFD element displays the aircraft's current airspeed and rate of climb or descent in either knots (kts) or meters per second (m/s)?
Airspeed and Vertical Speed Indicators (VSI)indicator
What PFD element displays the aircraft's altitude in either feet or meters and is based on GPS data or barometric pressure?
Altimeter
15. During UAS flight operations, who should communicate externally with guests, FAA, first responders, the customer, and/or the company while the aircraft is airborne?
Any member of the UAS crew, besides the remote pilot in command
11. At a minimum, a primary flight display should consist of which of the following?
Attitude Indicator, Heading Indicator, Airspeed Indicator, Vertical Speed Indicator, Altimeter
What PFD element displays the aircraft's pitch and roll in relation to the horizon, in degrees from straight and level flight?
Attitude indicator
What are the roles a GCS may be used for?
Command center with vehicle takeoff and landing connectivity/control Science or mission center Payload operating and control En-route command and control facility Forward control or handoff facility
What HMI element allows the operator to transmit and receive communications between members of their crew (intercommunications) and possible air traffic (radio communications)?
Communication system
What HMI element enables the operator to control the air vehicle's flight and various functions using input devices such as a joystick, mouse, keyboard, or throttle?
Control interface
Hardware Component and its description: Control Interface
Controls flight, which typically includes a joystick, throttle, and other input devices.
5. Receiving information critical to the operation of an aircraft is a function of______________.
Display design
What HMI element provides the operator with critical information about the flight and performance of the air vehicle through one or more monitors that display telemetry data, live video feeds, and other relevant data?
Display system
Why is environmental control important in a GCS?
Extreme temperatures or moisture could exceed the computer systems manufacture's recommended operating temperature and result in a system malfunction.
What types of data does the GCS collect?
Flight status information Telemetry data Video and imagery data Environmental data
In addition to the control station and GDT, what other ancillary equipment may be needed to support an RPAS operation?
Fuel pumps Maintenance equipment Safety gear Battery chargers Spare parts
What type of power source refers to electrical power from fuel, such as gasoline, diesel, or propane, which can be used to provide power in situations where there is no access to an external power source?
Generator
14. Match the following abbreviation with its proper terminology: GCS
Ground Control Station
What PFD element displays the aircraft's current direction as degrees on a compass?
Heading indicator
Which structure requires a remote pilot to rely on images from GCS internal displays to establish SA?
Human In the Loop
Which structure allows the UAS to complete a faster decision cycle, reduce manning requirements, and supports a hierarchical command and control environment?
Human On the Loop
Which structure constitutes the highest risk-factor?
Human Out Of the Loop
17. What term explains the aspect of someone being in the Ground Control Station (GCS) and controlling the UAV?
Human in the loop
4. What term describes UAS operations and flight without anyone monitoring or being in control of the UAV?
Human out of the loop
Types of Control Stations: Laptop Control Stations
Includes a keyboard which provides more computing capability and interface ability. Has enhanced automation capability. With moving map software and graphic interfaces, the remote pilot can easily create or change flight plans. Is often used in conjunction with a PCB which allows the remote pilot to use real-time flight monitoring, intuitive interface (click and fly), and customizable waypoints.
What type of peripheral systems are often added to the workstation?
Increasing situation awareness of air traffic Communications In situ weather readings
Which standard is widely used to assess the environmental protection capabilities of electronic equipment by defining the degree of protection provided by an enclosure of an electrical device against the intrusion of foreign objects and water?
Ingress Protection
What factors can affect the strength of the received signal in wireless communication systems?
Interference from other wireless signals Distance from the transmitter Obstacles such as walls or buildings
Why is the LAN helpful in a GCS?
It allows information-sharing openly to the crew in the GCS, without intentionally being shared with the rest of the world.
1. What is an important design feature of a Control Center display screen?
Locate instruments to help the unmanned pilots see information in a logical and organized way
What PFD element displays the direction the aircraft is pointed in reference to magnetic north using a magnetic compass that is sensitive to the earth's magnetic field?
Magnetic indicator
Types of Control Stations: Mobile GCS
Many GCSs have been installed in mobile-hardened shelters that contain multiple other systems to support the mission in an effort to consolidate and integrate ancillary systems into one focal point.
Which standard was created to test the ability of military equipment to withstand harsh conditions, including shock, vibration, temperature extremes, and other environmental stressors?
Military Standard 810
Hardware Component and its description: Display System
Monitors the AV's flight and displays data such as altitude, speed, and GPS location.
What does a payload operator do?
Pans, zooms, and tilts the payload camera or sensor for the desired imagery capture.
What is used to measure the accuracy of GPS?
Position Dilution of Precision
Hardware Component and its description: Computer System
Processes and displays data from the AV and communicates with it.
20. Match the following abbreviation with its proper terminology: PED
Processing, Exploitation, Dissemination
Hardware Component and its description: Power Supply
Provides power to the GCS and its components.
What are the components of a basic GDT?
RF amplifier, tracking filters, diplexer, and transmitter/receiver.
What does an end user use to view real-time imagery relayed directly from the air vehicle?
Remote Video Terminal
What type of power source refers to electrical power which is supplied to a device or system from an external source, typically from an electrical outlet on land?
Shore power
___________ is typically limited to the capacity of the electrical outlet it is connected to, while ___________ can provide a much higher level of power depending on their size and capacity.
Shore power, generators
22. A manned flight deck and a UAS remote pilot display does not have which of the following?
Signal strength
12. What does a display system in a ground control station provide the remote pilot?
Situational awareness
What HMI element allows the operator to interact with the air vehicle, analyze data, and perform various functions related to the remotely piloted aircraft system operation?
Software applications
What is the primary responsibility of a launch and recover crew?
To fly the aircraft to a point where it can be handed off to another control element that will take it from there and fly the mission.
Hardware Component and its description: Communication System
Transmits and receives data between the GCS and the AV.
8. The purpose of the ground station is to "keep the pilot out of the plane," at least in a physical sense.
True
What PFD element displays the direction the aircraft is pointed in reference to the geographic North Pole using a gyroscopic heading indicator that is not affected by the earth's magnetic field?
True heading
What is true about a Moving Map Display?
Typically displays updated information on an aircraft's current position and direction of travel. May display information about weather and airspace restrictions. Shows the coordinates of waypoints, distances to waypoints and flight tracks using geographic coordinate system (latitude longitude).
What device is designed to provide backup power to critical equipment or systems in the event of a power outage, voltage fluctuations, or other types of power disturbances?
Uninterrupted power supply
Types of Control Stations: Fixed-Facility GCS
Used for larger, more advanced systems. May include multiple Satellite Communication (SATCOM) terminals and antennas. Generally used in locations where continuous operations are sustainable and the mission set is constant.
Types of Control Stations: Hand Controllers
Used for many simple, small remotely piloted aircraft systems. Typically, just a pilot control box (PCB) with a small tablet attached. Transmits control information to the AV on a single uplink. Normal Range: .5 to 2 miles Line of Sight (LOS).
13. What is a geographic location programmed in sequence for a flight route, identified by the position's latitude, longitude, and altitude?
Waypoint
6. While commands are sent from the remote pilot; what is sent from the aerial vehicle?
data
16. As a remote pilot planning an upcoming flight you use Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine (METARS) for imagery-centric maps to conduct a terrain analysis. (T/F)
false
18. The Geographic Coordinate System typically displays a digital map that is constantly updated as the vehicle moves, showing the current position, direction of travel, and other relevant information. (T/F)
false
A PDOP value of 1 is considered inaccurate. (T/F)
false
Deviation is the difference between magnetic north and true north, while variation is the difference between the magnetic heading and the compass heading caused by the aircraft's magnetic fields. (T/F)
false
The GDT must be located right next to the GCS in order to work properly. (T/F)
false
9. A pilot control box (PCB) is a ________.
ground station with a small tablet attached
3. The term used when a person is involved in the overall action, but is removed from the control loop, allowing autonomous systems to function with infrequent or no human intervention, is _________.
human on the loop
2. An example of contingency planning is a ________.
lost communications flight plan
19. Many Ground Control Stations (GCS) have two types of software, mission planning software and ________.
moving map software
10. One function of the Ground Control Station (GCS) is to ________.
provide payload monitoring and control
21. A waypoint is a geographic location where the Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) transitions through as part of a flight path. (T/F)
true
23. The payload operator uses ground control station controls to manipulate the camera to zoom, pan left/right/up/down, and switch from video to infrared. (T/F)
true
24. In the event of lost communications, an orbit is when an Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) flies a circular pattern until the UAV is reacquired (also known as a loiter location). (T/F)
true
25. A function of the Ground Control Station (GCS) is payload monitoring and control. (T/F)
true
7. The primary responsibility of a launch and recovery crew is to fly the aircraft to a point where it can be handed off to another control element that will take it from there and fly the mission. (T/F)
true
GDTs can be placed on towers or masts in order to extend the line-of-sight range of the system. (T/F)
true
On smaller systems, payload video may be displayed in place of a PFD. (T/F)
true
The payload operator and remote pilot usually work together symbiotically, to ensure sensor imagery quality and capture. (T/F)
true
