Unmanned aircraft systems are currently being used for a number of different applications. This includes everything from aerial survey to law enforcement. The number of applications will continue to increase as the use of unmanned aircraft systems becomes more common. There are some airlines that are already beginning to look at using unmanned aircraft systems to provide increased awareness when conducting aircraft inspections. This practice is already being used by other airlines (including EasyJet) to conduct maintenance inspections in hard to reach areas (including the tail and the top of the cabin). This also provides increased awareness when checking for ice prior to departure (in hard to reach areas).
There are few regulations governing unmanned aircraft systems although this will change as they become more common. There is currently a notice of proposed rule making concerning small unmanned aircraft systems (under 55 pounds). This notice proposes rules which would limit small unmanned aircraft systems to line of sight operations. This notice also includes height restriction and certification requirements (for both the operator and the aircraft). The new regulations are due to be released any day and will include a number of new restrictions.
I do see unmanned aircraft systems eventually being incorporated into the national airspace system. This will be a complex process. Attempting to control unmanned aircraft systems in the same airspace as manned aircraft (including commercial flight operations) will be a long process and will require regulations designed to incorporate the new systems while still promoting safety. Separation requirements (both vertical and horizontal) will be one of the issues that will require additional regulation. The current regulation requires a thousand feet but this may have to be reconsidered. Required equipment will also be a problem. Unmanned aircraft systems (the larger ones) may eventually be required to have transponders. There have already been problems with unmanned aircraft systems venturing into regulated airspace. An American pilot recently reported almost hitting an unmanned aircraft systems on an approach (Wiener 2014). This is a safety issue and must be corrected immediately.
Unmanned aircraft systems have already been implemented within the military. They have transformed the military strategy through a number of different applications. Unmanned aircraft systems are currently being used in both pilot operated (pilot on the ground) and completely autonomous roles (no pilot). Unmanned aircraft systems have allowed the military to reduce the threat to the operator while conducting operations. They have also provided increased awareness to pilots. An F-35 pilot will be able to control autonomously operated unmanned aircraft systems to provide increased awareness through surveillance (Shaw 2015). This is an invaluable asset to maintaining air superiority and provides the pilot with an edge in a combat environment. The incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems in the military has been efficient but has come with some ethical concerns.
The only job posting I could find regarding unmanned aircraft systems was for an engineer (working on unmanned aircraft systems) for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (this probably would require an aeronautical engineering degree).
Shaw M. (2015 June 24). Future F-35 Pilots will Operate Drones from the Cockpit. Retrieved October 4 2015.
Wiener D. (2014 May 9). American Airlines Pilot Says He Almost Crashed into a Drone in Mid-Air. Retrieved October 4 2015.
General Atomics Job Posting
I agree that it will be a potentially complicated to integrate UAVs into the NAS. The way this could be done may become much easier when newer technology for traffic avoidance becomes available. The current TCAS is too slow at updating and inaccurate to be used for separation of a drone that cannot see and avoid.
ReplyDeleteWe both agree that incorporating UAV's into the NAS would be a challenging task and would take much more regulation. I think we both agree that safety is the biggest concern if this integration ever takes place. The fact that they are using UAV's to do maintenance inspections in hard to reach areas may be foreshadowing that we are not far away from integrating them into the NAS. We'll have to wait and see.
ReplyDeleteEven with the potential safety issues that will arise like near collisions and congested airspace I agree that unmanned aircraft will be a part of our airspace system. I am also pretty sure it will be hectic at first with so many moving parts with regulations, advancing technology, and more people flying drones.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Chris, integrating UAV's into the National Airspace is not going to be an easy task. I honestly don't know how they would be able to control or communicate with the UAV operator. I think that it's going to take a considerable amount of time before the FAA decides to do anything regarding UAV's
ReplyDelete