UAS Crew Member Selection

In this paper we will examine a scenario where we work at a company that has just purchased the Insitu ScanEagle and a variant of the General Atomics Ikhana to conduct oceanic environmental studies.  We are now responsible for identifying the required crew positions to be filled and determine the qualifications, certifications, and training requirements.  Additionally a minimum and ideal set of criteria for those potential operators.

In order to identify the crew positions available we will look at each platform’s published figures starting with the Insitu ScanEagle.  The ScanEagle uses a pneumatically actuated launcher and a recovery system called the SkyHook, so it does not require a runway like a conventional aircraft.  Additionally its wing span is only 10.2ft and its maximum takeoff weight is 48.5lbs, making it fairly light and relatively portable.  It has a maximum speed of 80knots and a 24+ hour endurance. Its ground control station (GCS) is portable and allows for point-and-click control, (ScanEagle, 2015). 

With the above information, we can use the ScanEagle in a somewhat mobile operations such as having the launcher on a ship or on the ground.  We would also require, two positions to launch fly and recover a ScanEagle, a launch crewman and operator.  Depending on the length of operations required we may need more than one operator, additionally the launch crewman can be trained in maintenance so that a traveling crew can be kept to a minimum of two if operations allowed.

Next, we will look at the variant of the General Atomics Ikhana.  The Ikhana is an MQ-9 Predator B that has been adapted and instrumented for use by NASA, (NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Ikhana Predator B Unmanned Science and Research Aircraft System, 2015).  The Predator B has a wingspan of 66ft and maximum gross takeoff weight of 10,500lbs, thus the system is not as portable as the ScanEagle, (Guardian Multi-Mission Maritime Patrol, 2015).  The Ikhana GCS is portable in the fact that it fits inside of a large trailer.  The trailer houses “the pilot control station, engineering monitoring workstations, science monitoring stations, and range safety oversight,” (NASA - Large UAS Aircraft, 2008). “Predators and Reapers currently require two crew to function: a pilot and a sensor operator,” (Whittle, 2015).  In this scenario, one pilot will be required for Ikhana operations and a ground handling crew will be required.  However depending on the length of a particular mission more than one pilot may be required.

In examining current Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COA) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, we will require pilots for either platform to hold a minimum of a private pilot license and pass a third class medical examination, (Freedom of Information Act Responses, 2016).  While it is assumed that most flights will be conducted due regard, where the pilot is responsible for safe separation, it can also be inferred that the possibility exists for taking off while in the National Airspace System (NAS) before switching operations over to due regard.  Additionally, we will not let a pilot act as Pilot in Command (PIC) unless three proficiency flights have been conducted in the past 90 days.  We will ensure we work with General Atomics and Insitu to get the required proficiency before we take delivery of the vehicles and we will maintain this proficiency.

Finally, minimum and ideal set of criteria for these potential operators will be established.  Minimum criteria for selection for pilots on either platform without UAS experience, will be a private pilot certificate and a third class medical examination with at least 18 months remaining.  These are just minimums and ideal set of criteria for no experience in a UAS platform.  Ideally, operators from the military with experience in these platforms would be ideal, but military operators may not have a private pilot certificate or third class medical.  In a case such as this as long as the potential operator was medically cleared for UAS flights upon military discharge, we can supplement obtaining a private pilots certificate.  In either case training will have to be conducted before the operator is able to be a PIC on either platform.

While, both platforms will assumably be operating in the maritime environment in due regard, it is conceivable that the UAS could operate in the UAS.  In order for our company to ensure that we operator safely in the NAS as well as protecting our investment in these UAS systems we have set forth the above minimums for operator minimums.

References

Freedom of Information Act Responses. (2016 May 9). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/uas/public_operations/foia_responses/

Guardian Multi-Mission Maritime Patrol. (2015). General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. Retrieved from http://www.ga-asi.com/Websites/gaasi/images/products/aircraft_systems/pdf/Guardian_032515.pdf

NASA - Large UAS Aircraft. (2008 Oct 3). NASA.gov. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/research/ESCD/ikhana.html#.VzEAO_krK00