Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
In an Army analysis of UAV accidents, what were cited as the top two types of human error causal factors?
#1. individual failure (18 percent of all accidents). #2. standards failure (14 percent of all accidents).
The FAA classifies Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into what 3 categories?
1. Civil 2. Public 3. Model Aircraft
Name three issues unique to UAS compared to manned aircraft:
1. Data link issues 2. Detect, sense, and avoid issues 3. Control handoff issues
Generally, what are the three forms of transferring UAS control?
1. passed from one ground control station to another. 2. passed from one crew of operators to another within the same ground control station. 3. passed from one operator to another within a crew.
Experimental certificate regulations (for Civil UA) preclude carrying people or property for compensation or hire, but do allow operations for what three activities?
1. research and development 2. flight and sales demonstrations 3. crew training
A typical UAS consists of what elements?
1. unmanned aircraft (UA) 2. control system, such as Ground Control Station (GCS) 3. control link, a specialized datalink; and other related support equipment
Currently all UAS operators and observers, independent of qualification level are required by the FAA to possess a valid FAA Second Class medical certificate according to what CFR?
14CFR67
Air Force studies found operations or maintenance human causal factors to be present (not necessarily the main cause) in what percentage of UAV mishaps?
68%
Any UAS operator flying in a COA or under a special airworthiness certificate (civial operators) must have at a minimum, three takeoffs (launch) and landings (recovery) in the specific UAS in the previous _______days.
90
High altitude effects and neurovestibular concerns are just as much of a problem for UA operators/controllers as those of pilots in manned aircraft. True or False?
False.
Second Class medical certificates require airman to have 20/40 distant visual acuity or better with or without corrective lenses (14 CFR 67 subpart C). True or False?
False. It is 20/20.
In the military, experienced military pilot/UAV operators make fewer bad decisions compared to enlisted UAV operators without prior military flight training or experience. True or False?
False. It is about equal.
The NTSB may take enforcement action against model aircraft operators who operate their aircraft in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system. True or False?
False. It is the FAA.
Accident rates for UAVs is generally comparable to manned aircraft accident rates. True or False?
False. Larger UAVs like the Global Hawk, Predator, Reaper, etc. used by the Air Force have had >9 accidents/100,000 hours of flight compared to their fleet wide average of 3.3 accidents/100,000 hours of flight.
Ground observers do not have to maintain unaided visual line of sight with the UAS, but may use computer aided tracking. True or False?
False. Line-of-sight must be maintained.
FAA regulations on alcohol and drugs have been greatly modified to both UA pilots and observers compared to existing regulations on the traditional pilot. True or False?
False. Same regulations apply to manned pilots and unmanned operators/observers.
True or False? Pilots requiring instrument ratings do not have to be certificated pilots of manned aircraft, but rather provide proof of training only.
False. They have to be instrument certificated pilots of manned aircraft
The FAA uses a special waiver process for UA operators/observers. True or False?
False: Use of the existing medical waiver process for handling exceptions (e.g., paraplegics) is the rule.
Current UAS Pilot qualifications are outlined in what FAA publication?
Interim Guidance 08-01
What section number of of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, "Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems," will allow for commercial operations in low-risk, controlled environments?
Section 333
Obtaining a _____________________ in the experimental category for a particular UAS is currently the only way civil operators of unmanned aircraft are accessing the NAS.
Special Airworthiness Certificate
The ______________________ sets a deadline of 30 September 2015, for the FAA to establish regulations to allow the use of commercial drones.
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012
What is the current uniform standard across the military services for the aeromedical certification of UAV operators?
There is none.
What is the intent of FAA regulations on UA operator training?
To ensure that UA pilots interacting with ATC have sufficient expertise to perform that task readily.
For many UA systems, a contributing factor to a substantial proportion of accidents is human error. True or False?
True
Long-distance and/or long-endurance UAV flight will require the frequent transfer of control between operators. True or False?
True
According to a 2002 study of UAV accidents, human error (32%) was the most commonly cited reason for these accidents. True or False?
True.
Equivalent military certificates and training are acceptable in all cases. True or False?
True.
Like take-off and landing, the transfer of control will likely constitute a critical and high-workload phase of UAV operations. True or False?
True.
Observers are required to have basic aeronautical knowledge and be able to communicate with the UAS operator. True or False?
True.
One of the most important concerns for UA operators/observers is length of operations. True or False?
True.
Pilots flying UA on other than instrument flight plans must pass the required knowledge test for a private pilot certificate as stated in 14CFR61.105 (or military equivalent) for all operations beyond visual line-of-sight and for all operations conducted for compensation or hire regardless of visual proximity. True or False?
True.
To ensure flight safety, all UAS operations will require either a ground based or airborne observer unless the UAS is solely operating in an active Restricted, Prohibited or Warning area. True or False?
True.
True or False? If the UA is operating on an instrument flight plan, the UA pilot must have an instrument rating.
True.
True or False? UA operators/observers must have their medical certificate in their possession during execution of their duties.
True.
True or False? UAS operations are currently not authorized in Class B airspace (PDF), that exists over major urban areas and contains the highest density of manned aircraft in the National Airspace System.
True.
Future considerations for medical/pilot ratings for UA operators include line-of-sight vs. beyond-line-of-sight operations. True or False?
True:Class G airspace is line-of-sight only, while all other airspace is beyond-line-of-sight and has added complications.
The ____________________ provides applicants with an electronic method of requesting a COA.
UAS COA Online System
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration has adopted the name ______________ to describe aircraft systems without a flight crew on board.
Unmanned Aircraft (UA)
ICAO refers to an aircraft without a human pilot aboard as what?
a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
What are the 5 categories of UAV human error causal factors put forth by the US Army?
• Individual failure: when the soldier/individual elects not to follow the standard • Leader failure: when the leader fails to enforce known standards, • Training failure: when the soldier/individual is not trained to a known standard • Support failure: when there is inadequate equipment/facilities/services • Standards failure: when standards/procedures are not clear or practical, or do not exist.
What is a "public" UA?
An aircraft that is used only for Government purposes. An aircraft that is leased or owned by the Government and operated by any person for purposes related to crew training, equipment development, or demonstration.
Unmanned aircraft flown in the USA's National Airspace System, flown solely for recreation and sport purposes, such as models, are generally flown under the voluntary safety standards of the ____________________.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
Until the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 came into effect, it was illegal to operate commercial unmanned aerial vehicles, but approved non-commercial flights were allowed to fly under 400 feet if they followed what standards set in 1981?
Advisory Circular 91-57, Model Aircraft Operating Standards, published in 1981.
What is a COA?
COA (Certificate of Authorization) is an authorization issued by the Air Traffic Organization to a public operator for a specific UA activity.
What is Class B Airspace?
Class B airspace is defined around key airport traffic areas, usually airspace surrounding the busiest airports in the US according to the number of IFR operations and passengers served.
What is Class G Airspace?
Class G airspace includes all airspace below flight level 600 not otherwise classified as controlled. (AIM 3-3-1) There are no entry or clearance requirements for Class G airspace, even for IFR operations. Class G airspace is typically the airspace very near the ground (1200 feet or less), beneath Class E airspace.
The online COA application requires all UAS operators have a ___________pilot certificate (FAA or government equivalent) if they are operating UA in Class A, C, D or E airspace, under instrument flight rules, at nighttime, beyond line of sight, or at any other time or under any other circumstance the UAPO determines the need.
Class II or higher. However, pilots and crew of public aircraft are not required to have a pilot certificate that has been issued under 14CFR67.
Current medical standards proposals by UA operators (NOT the FAA), would like to see what type of medical certificate requirements for UAs greater than 55 pounds?
Class III medical for non-commercial and Class II for commercial (for hire).
Current medical standards proposals by UA operators (NOT the FAA), would like to see what type of medical certificate requirements for UAs less than 55 pounds?
No medical certificate for small UAs; only a valid driver's license.
