Examining Unmanned Aerial System Threats & Defenses: A Conceptual Analysis

The integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the already complex global aviation system presents new and unique hazards. While many studies have addressed the potential safety concerns of UAS integration, little research has been dedicated to the potential security implications. This study sought to identify potential uses and adaptations of civil UAS systems as weapons of terrorism or crime and potential UAS defenses. Researchers examined 68 academic studies, unclassified government reports, and news articles using Conceptual Analysis to systematically capture and categorize various threats. Using the collected data, researchers developed a UAS threat model for categorically evaluating potential threats. Evaluating UAS defense methodologies, researchers developed a five-layer, defense-in-depth model for protecting assets and individuals from UAS threats

How Law Enforcement Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Could Improve Tactical Response to Active Shooter Situations: The Case of the 2017 Las Vegas Shooting

Using a case study methodology, this paper assesses the unique tactical challenges faced by law enforcement officers responding to the October 1, 2017, Las Vegas active shooter incident. The authors assessed the tactical strengths of the assailant, Stephen Paddock, and challenges faced by law enforcement personnel. The authors present several proposed applications of unmanned aircraft systems that could have potentially mitigated the active shooter’s tactical advantages

Evolution of UAS policy in the wake of Taylor v. Huerta

The U.S. Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Federal Aviation Administration exceeded their statutory authority in requiring model aircraft and hobbyist UAS operators to register their aircraft in a national database. The ruling represents a significant blow to the agency’s credibility in leading UAS integration into the National Airspace System. The paper points to several possible outcomes of the Taylor v. Huerta decision and its impact on the FAA’s ability to continue to lead change in the burgeoning UAS field

Advanced Placement U.S. History and the Application of Social Justice

Recent changes to Advanced Placement U.S. History have sparked a national debate concerning goals and purposes of college level history courses. Critics suggest that the revisions result in a national curriculum that promotes a revisionist history perspective. Defenders claim that revisions are an important step in preparing students for 21st century citizenship. This document analysis identifies key differences between the 2010 and 2014 AP U.S. History frameworks and considers changes made in 2015 by College Board in response to the national debate. The challenges of applying a social justice lens to curriculum are discussed, and suggestions are made concerning the application of procedural social justice to stimulate voluntary cooperative behavior on the part of members of groups, thereby enhancing true social justice for all members of society. A procedural justice lens is suggested to enhance commitment and cooperation among individuals, groups, and societies

Analysis of the Federal Aviation Administration\u27s Small UAS Regulations for Hobbyist and Recreational Users

Widespread proliferation of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), particularly those used for hobby and recreational purposes, have become a growing problem for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in recent years. Reports of aircraft and sUAS near misses are on the rise and several similar anecdotes of ground injuries and property damage can be traced back to sUAS operations. This study sought to explore recent regulatory and policy initiatives in place to deter unsafe hobby and recreational sUAS use and hold operators accountable for hazardous sUAS activities. Using document analysis, case study, and conceptual analysis methodology, researchers analyzed 40 information sources. The study evaluated the FAA’s sUAS registration policy, current agency civil enforcement guidance, and the potential for criminal prosecution or civil liability. The study specifically addresses the risk to pilots for certificate suspension or revocation and evaluates the applicability of the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) for mitigating FAA enforcement actions against recreational sUAS operators. Finally, the study examines the potential liability incurred by sUAS operations and the applicability of various insurance policies

Backwards Chaining – Accelerating Solo Flight Training

Flight simulation has made progressively significant inroads into pilot training at all levels of a pilot’s career – typically starting with training for the Instrument rating in light aircraft and concluding with Type Certification in transport category jetliners. This research was designed to explore if significant training inroads could also be offered to ab-initio pilots, those with no prior flight experience. A control group of first-year, collegiate pilot trainees, all without prior flight experience, enrolled in a traditional FAR 141 PVT (Private Pilot license) curricula on track to their first solo flight, were compared with an experimental group of up to15 pilot trainees, also without prior flight experience, who were exposed to flight in a backwards chaining simulation starting from 4’ AGL (Above Ground Level). Graduated, exponential increments of both altitude and distance from landing were successively added to the simulation experienced by the backward chain experimental group of pilots all the way through a standard FAA General Aviation traffic pattern to return the student pilot to the start of take-off. Once the students had completed the backward chaining simulation, they were placed in an identical aircraft (Cessna-172R/G1000) for an actual flight with an appropriately rated Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). All experimental group pilots were able to successfully act as sole manipulator of the aircraft controls (Pilot-in-Command) for three complete circuits of the traffic pattern on their first flight lesson

Exploring Commercial Counter-UAS Operations: A Case Study of the 2017 Dominican Republic Festival Presidente

The proliferation of commercial off-the-shelf unmanned aircraft technology has resulted in a growing number of illicit or hazardous UAS activities, highlighting the growing need for effective counter-UAS mitigations. The purpose of this exploratory research is to develop a better understanding of the existing tactics, techniques, procedures involved in counter-UAS operations. Using a critical paradigm approach, the authors conducted a qualitative, unstructured interview with counter-UAS professionals. The authors sought to identify mission planning considerations, counter-UAS engagement tasks, and unanticipated conditions associated with performing a commercial [non-military] counter-UAS mission. The authors codified 11 key mission planning tasks and a 22-step engagement process by which one organization effected counter-UAS operations at a contracted, international event. The authors conclude that the study’s findings underscore existing vulnerabilities to UAS threats and the accompanying need for additional research in this field of UAS security

Seeing the Threat: Pilot Visual Detection of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Visual Meteorological Conditions

One key challenge of integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) platforms into the National Airspace System (NAS) is the potential for midair collisions between manned aircraft and the unmanned system. The lack of an established UAS benchmark for Detect, Sense & Avoid Systems put the preponderance of avoidance efforts on manned aircraft pilots to visually see and avoid potential collision threats. The small size, unusual configurations, and diverse operational applications of unmanned systems make UAS platforms difficult to visually identify. This paper sought to determine the mean visibility distance of small UAS systems (sUAS) to an alerted pilot flying a general aviation aircraft in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The study evaluated mean visibility distance to various sUAS platforms based on a scripted set of UAS convergence conditions. The study utilized a mixed method design in which a general aviation aircraft was flown into a UAS operations area. Study pilots were instructed to locate a flying UAS aircraft without bearing assistance. Both the UAS and manned aircraft were assigned vertically de-conflicted altitudes with the UAS aircraft executing a series of converging and crossing courses relative to the manned aircraft. The distance at which the pilot visually located the UAS platform was timestamped and electronically recorded via a GPS tracking device. The various conditions were analyzed to determine significant visibility differences among the various convergence conditions. Qualitative data was collected from participant comments and observations recorded by an in-flight safety observer

A representação do valor do bem no balanço patrimonial de uma empresa e seus efeitos em face da depreciação e inflação

TCC (Graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro Socioeconômico. Curso de Ciências ContábeisAtualmente as empresas sentem a necessidade de ter o valor de seus bens representados em seu valor real no Balanço Patrimonial, para que se possa gerenciar corretamente o patrimônio. Acontece que alguns fatores impedem que isso aconteça, como a depreciação dos bens através de uma taxa pré-fixada pela Secretaria da Receita Federal e a impossibilidade de se atenuar os efeitos da inflação, desde 1996, atendendo-se à Lei nº 9.249/95. Problemática esta presente nas empresas que possuem um Imobilizado preponderante no patrimônio, tal qual o caso das empresas de transporte coletivo. Sendo assim, a presente pesquisa busca responder a seguinte pergunta: Qual seria a real representação dos bens no balanço patrimonial de uma empresa de transportes coletivos, caso fosse fixada uma taxa de depreciação econômica adequada e considerados os efeitos inflacionários no mesmo período? O estudo de pesquisa foi realizado na empresa Transporte Coletivo Estrela Ltda., situada em Florianópolis, no bairro de Capoeiras, e tem por objetivo evidenciar as dificuldades encontradas por um gestor, de fixar uma taxa de depreciação que permita retratar o legítimo patrimônio da empresa nas demonstrações contábeis e sobre a dificuldade na adequação destas demonstrações aos efeitos inflacionários. Como resultado da pesquisa, obteve-se uma diferença entre o valor contabilizado no Balanço Patrimonial da empresa e o valor que seria contabilizado caso fosse efetuada a depreciação dos bens de uma forma adequada e considerados os efeitos inflacionários no mesmo período. Diferença esta que corresponde ao percentual de 126,84% do valor que foi contabilizado no Balanço Patrimonial da empresa. A trajetória metodológica desta pesquisa se divide em três fases. A primeira fase é a fundamentação teórica, na qual se estudam os temas pertinentes ao assunto, tais como: conceitos acerca do Balanço Patrimonial, Depreciação e Efeitos Inflacionários, abordando as legislações pertinentes. A segunda fase é o estudo de caso, onde é apresentada a empresa estudada e suas particularidades. Na terceira e última fase, comparam-se os valores registrados na contabilidade da empresa, com os obtidos no estudo e é feita uma análise dos resultados alcançados com o estudo na empresa Transporte Coletivo Estrela Ltda

An approach to the problem of reading comprehension in the training of teachers of history

El presente trabajo expone los resultados de una experiencia longitudinal realizada con docentes y alumnos de las carreras de Profesorado y Licenciatura en Historia de la UNTreF (Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero). En el marco de un proyecto departamental se reúne el esfuerzo de colegas de distintas áreas de la docencia y la investigación con el fin de mejorar la calidad de la formación de nuestros alumnos, asociado éste al Programa de autoevaluación para el mejoramiento de la calidad de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje. Desde sus inicios el equipo docente del Área de Historia de la UNTreF se ha preocupado por mejorar la calidad de la enseñanza y del aprendizaje innovando en el área de la didáctica. De este modo el cuerpo docente incorporó tareas de autoevaluación que le permitieron analizar su metodología y observar los objetivos y los resultados de las experiencias puestas en práctica. Las evaluaciones internas permitieron detectar áreas problemáticas y debilidades en los procesos de enseñanza–aprendizaje que afectaban la duración y la continuidad de la formación de sus alumnos. Los problemas más recurrentes se vinculaban con la comprensión de texto, la interpretación de consignas, la pobreza léxica en la redacción y la expresión oral. El abordaje de esta problemática dio lugar a un proceso de innovación en la didáctica de las cátedras incluyendo a jóvenes docentes a cargo de los TP (Trabajos Prácticos) con el objetivo de trabajar sobre las posibles soluciones a los problemas mencionados. Los alumnos del Profesorado y la Licenciatura también participaron activamente en esta experiencia a través de encuestas sobre el proyecto de mejoramiento de la calidad del aprendizaje que se ponía en marcha. La progresiva innovación en los aportes pedagógicos (tutorías, ayudantías, encuestas internas, actualizaciones teórico–prácticas) se abordó desde un enfoque pluridisciplinario (didáctico, psicológico, investigativo,) incorporando estrategias de ayuda a la comprensión de texto con el desafío de adaptarlas al ámbito de la educación superior. Los resultados generales (fruto de sucesivos análisis) son un mejoramiento progresivo y sustancial de la calidad de la comprensión de texto, entre otros resultados significativos. El trabajo longitudinal realizado en el transcurso de los cuatrimestres de aplicación del programa del Proyecto de desarrollo de nuevas herramientas pedagógicas para resolver los problemas de comprensión de textos didácticos en historia dio lugar a la creación de un material didáctico específico y adecuado a la formación universitaria, cuyas características presentaremos en este trabajo. En perspectiva, nuestro trabajo aporta un corpus que enriquece las herramientas del docente para abordar la problemática del aprendizaje en la formación universitaria. Gracias a la formación de docentes, a la investigación, a la evaluación permanente y al involucramiento de los actores de la formación docente, nuestro trabajo pretende aportar nuevas herramientas para la práctica docente y para favorecer la adquisición de conocimientos durante la formación universitaria de los futuros docentes e investigadores.This paper exposes the most relevant results of a Project from History department of the University of Tres de Febrero. This Project proposes to solve the problems of comprehension of text and of expression of the university students. The main problems detected are the comprehension of texts, the interpretation of questions and orders, the lexical poverty in the draft and the oral production. Teachers’ formation and longitudinal study of competitions acquired by the students of the careers of History show that the global results are an improvement of the level of comprehension of text of the university students. To solve these problems, the interdisciplinary staff of professors creates several pedagogic tools for the formation of teachers and students.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació