Selection Criteria for Ikhana and ScanEagle UAS Pilots

Selection Criteria for Ikhana and ScanEagle UAS Pilots

Daniel J. Hall, Jr.

ASCI 638 – Human Factors in Unmanned Systems

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

July 25, 2014

Selection Criteria for Ikhana and ScanEagle UAS Pilots

As a human factors expert specializing in unmanned aerospace systems (UAS), the author has been tasked with identifying the crew positions required to operate the General Atomics Ikhana and Insitu ScanEagle UAS employed in oceanic environmental studies.  Additionally the author needed to determine the qualification, certification, and training requirements for each crew position.  In accomplishing these tasks, the author relied upon past training, experience, and online research.  The results are presented below.

The first task was to identify the required crew positions required to operate these UAS.  The job of piloting each UAS was assigned to a traditional crew of two.  Due to the complexity of each UAS, nature of assigned mission, and operations within the National Airspace System all pilots of both UAS will be held to the same training, certification, and medical standards outlined below.  For scheduling purposes, the more experienced pilot will be designated as the Pilot in Command.

Additionally, since each aircraft will be employed in an oceanic environmental study role, it was determined that a crew of two sensor operators will also be assigned to each aircraft in order to collect and analyze the required data.  The training and certification standards of all sensor operators will be in accordance with the specific sensor manufacturer recommendations.  These training and certification standards may vary across UAS platforms based upon the specific type of sensor being employed for the mission.  However, all sensor operators will be held to the same medical standards outlined below for the UAS pilots.

In order to determine the selection criteria for the UAS pilots, the author referenced the typical tasks required for Airline pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (O*Net SOC Code 53-2011.00) as described in O*Net OnLine (2012).  The UAS pilots determined to be most highly qualified would possess and demonstrate experience, knowledge, and proficiency in the following tasks:

·         Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings (Tasks).

·         Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor (Tasks).

·         Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment (Tasks).

·         Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed (Tasks).

·         Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions (Tasks).

·         Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers (Tasks).

·         Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights (Tasks).

·         Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists (Tasks).

Additionally, the most highly qualified UAS pilot candidates would possess the following qualifications as outlined on a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems job posting on Linkedin (2014):

·         FAA Ratings such as FAA Private Pilot Certificate, FAA Instrument Rating, FAA Commercial Certificate, FAA Certified Flight Instructor, (CFI), FAA Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII).

·         800 hours PIC with 500 Unmanned Aircraft hours in an OSGCS.

·         Graduate of DA or DES IO Course.

·         Familiarity with forms, records and publications as well as Contractor Flight and Ground Operations procedures and records (DCMA 8210).

Finally, in determining the medical requirements for all pilots and sensor operators the author was guided by Connor, Cooke, Pedersen, Pringle and Salas (2006) and Federal Aviation Administration (2007).  Connor et al. (2006) stated, “UAV flights may not require the operator to meet the same medical standards necessary for the pilot of a manned aircraft performing the same flight activity as the UAV” (pp. 76-77).  However, Federal Aviation Administration (2007) concluded, “A second-class medical certification was judged to be the most acceptable, considering that there were several factors that mitigated the risk of pilot incapacitation relative to those of manned aircraft” (p. iii).  As discussed in Federal Aviation Administration (2007), the author has determined that all US pilots and sensor operators shall meet the following medical requirements for a Second-Class-Commercial pilot:

·         Distant vision - 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction (p. 6).

·         Near vision - 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction, as measured at 16 in (p. 6).

·         Intermediate vision - 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction at age 50 and over, as measured at 32 in (p. 6).

·         Color vision - Ability to perceive those colors necessary for safe performance of pilot duties (p. 6).

·         Hearing - Demonstrate hearing of an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears at 6 feet, with the back turned to the examiner or pass one of the audiometric tests (p. 6).

·         Ear, nose & throat - No ear disease or condition manifested by, or that may reasonably be expected to be manifested by, vertigo or a disturbance of speech or equilibrium (p. 6).

·         Blood pressure - No specified values stated in the standards. 155/95 Maximum allowed (p. 6).

·         Mental - No diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar disorder or severe personality disorders (p. 6).

·         Substance dependence & substance abuse - A history of substance abuse within the preceding 2 yrs. is disqualifying (p. 6).

References

Connor, O., Cooke, N.J., Pedersen, H.K., Pringle, H.L., & Salas, E. (2006). Human factors of remotely operated vehicles. Oxford, UK: JAI Press.

Federal Aviation Administration. (2007, February). Unmanned aircraft pilot medical certification requirements. Retrieved from http://fas.org/irp/program/collect/ua-pilot.pdf

Linkedin. (2014). UAV pilot – OSGCS qualified / non-deployable. Retrieved from http://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/17866436?trk=job_view_similar_jobs

O*Net OnLine. (2012). Summary report for: 53-2011.00 – airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. Retrieved from http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-2011.00