Flight Operations

In most cases, operating a UAS requires employment of similar logistics as those needed for manned aircraft. Large UASs such as the Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk call for operation requirements similar to those needed to fly a large Boeing aircraft. The Global Hawk, which is the size of a Boeing 737, requires runways for takeoff and landing. It can fly over 60,000 feet, cruise at 310 knots, and has an endurance of 36 hours. On the other hand, small UASs weigh only a few pounds and do not need airports or runways for takeoff and landing. Different UAS sizes and sophistication also require different personnel skills and requirements.

Launch and Recovery

There are many ways in which a UAV can be launched, some of which are very complex while others are as simple as a hand toss into the air. Some UASs, such as target drones, are air-launched from a fixed wing aircraft. Usually, large UASs are equipped with wheels for takeoff and landing and do not need special equipment, while smaller UASs needs a variety of launch and recovery strategies depending on the complexity of the system. Many small and medium size UAS launch systems have a requirement to be mobile, or in other words, to be mounted on a truck or a trailer. Such mobile launchers fall within one of the following types:

1. Rail Launchers
2. Pneumatic Launchers
3. Hydraulic/Pneumatic Launchers

For more details on these launchers, refer to chapter 17 of the supplemental textbook Introduction to UAV Systems, 4th edition.

Line of Sight (LOS) Operation

Line-of-sight (LOS) operation refers to operating the UAS through direct radio waves. The LOS link provides command and control uplink and product downlink while the UAS operates within a certain distance from the GCS. The link is used to launch and recover the aircraft and perform data acquisition according to the type of payload mission of the system. In the United States, civilian operations are usually conducted on 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.

Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Operation

Beyond Line-of-sight (BLOS) operation refers to operating the UAS through satellite communications or using a relay vehicle such as another aircraft. The recent advancements in SwiftBroadband service and hardware, including smaller, lighter avionics that don’t compromise on performance or data capacity, allow near-global connectivity to become available to support and enhance UAV operations. SwiftBroadband service is provided by InmarSat Satellite broadband communications. BLOS is usually limited to military UAS operations. Civilian UAS operations do not need BLOS systems for the time being, as their missions are conducted within line of sight range. Civilian operations have access to BLOS via the Iridium satellite system, which is owned and operated by Iridium LLC.

The FAA through its "Partnership for Safety Plan (PSP)" program continue its efforts to team with the industry to help them with the UAS integration. The following organizations were among the entities that FAA is working with to test and try the BVLOS and many of the other UAS integration issues:

1.  Amazon Prime A

2. Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway

3. Drone Racing League (DRL)

4. Florida Power and Light

5. UPS Flight Forward Inc.

6. Wing (an Alphabet company)

7. Xcel Energy

For more information on the PSP, visit this FAA website.

The FAA in mid-June, 2021 announced that they are forming a new Aviation Rulemaking Committee, or ARC, to provide recommendations to help the agency develop a regulatory path for routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone flights. The committee considers the safety, security and environmental needs, as well as societal benefits, of these operations. 

Personnel Qualifications

Unmanned aerial system operators of remote pilots, visual observers, mission planners, and other support staff are responsible to:

• plan and analyze flight missions;
• perform preflight, in-flight and post-flight checks and procedures;
• conduct air reconnaissance, surveillance and acquisition missions;
• launch and recover the air frame from the runway or any other suitable sites or mechanisms;
• perform maintenance on communications equipment and power sources.

According to FAA PART 107, the job descriptions for the following jobs are specified:

1. the remote pilot in command (RPIC)
2. the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system
3. the visual observer

According to the FAA, the following operational restrictions apply to all UAS pilots:

• One RPIC must be designated at all times.
• The RPIC will be required to obtain a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.
• The RPIC will have the final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of a small UAS operation conducted under part 107.
• RPIC must not perform crew duties for more than one UAS at a time.
• Only one RPIC per aircraft is authorized, and the RPIC must be in a position to assume control of the aircraft.
• In case of an in-flight emergency, the RPIC will be permitted to deviate from any rule of part 107 to the extent necessary to meet that emergency.
• The RPIC (who is a certificated airman) can supervise another person’s manipulation of a small UAS’s flight controls. A person who receives this type of supervision from the remote pilot in command is not required to obtain a remote pilot certificate to manipulate the controls of a small UAS as long as the remote pilot in command possesses the ability to immediately take direct control of the small unmanned aircraft.

As for the visual observer job, the FAA requires:

• A visual observer is a person who assists the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS (if that person is not the remote pilot in command) to see and avoid other air traffic or objects aloft or on the ground.
• The visual observer is an optional crew member who will not be required to obtain an airman certificate.
• No Airman Certification or Required Training of Visual Observer.
• If used, observers are considered crew members.
• If used, observers must not perform crew duties for more than one UAS at a time.
• Observers are not allowed to perform concurrent duties both as UAS pilot and observer.
• For more details on the qualifications of each of the above-mentioned jobs, refer to section 16 of the FAA UAS Operational Approval policy N 8900.227 document.

As for the crew in general:

• The remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS (if that person is not the remote pilot in command), and the visual observer are to maintain effective communication.
• The remote pilot in command determines how that communication will take place.
• Such communications can be accomplished at a distance through technological assistance.
• The remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS, and the visual observer must always have visual-line-of-sight capability even if they do not exercise it.

Several agencies started providing training and issuing a UAS operator certification to support newcomers to the UAS business, such as the one in the following links:

• UAS Training Vendor 1: RPAS Training and Solutions
• UAS Training Vendor 2: Unmanned Vehicle University
• UAS Training Vendor 3: Drone Pilot Ground School