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.
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:
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 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 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 [1].
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:
According to FAA PART 107, the job descriptions for the following jobs are specified:
According to the FAA, the following operational restrictions apply to all UAS pilots:
As for the visual observer job, the FAA requires:
As for the crew in general:
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:
Links
[1] https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/psp/
[2] https://www.rpastraining.com.au/
[3] http://www.uxvuniversity.com/uav-pilot-training-certificate/
[4] https://www.dronepilotgroundschool.com/
[5] http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usaf/conops_uav/toc.htm
[6] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog892/sites/www.e-education.psu.edu.geog892/files/Unmanned%20Aircraft%20Systems%20%28UAS%29%20Operational%20Approval_n_8900.227.pdf