Assessing Small UAS Operator Flight Behavior and Potential Interference with Aviation Operations in Controlled Airspace

The rapid rise of small UAS (sUAS) operations in the National Airspace System is generating an increasing concern about possible interference with manned aircraft. Reported sightings of UAS by manned aircraft pilots rose from an average of 147 sightings per month in 2016 to 188 sightings per month in the first three quarters of 2017. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sUAS operator behaviors and identify sUAS interference with aviation operations in the sample area. The authors partnered with a UAS technology company to deploy an AeroScope, a passive radio frequency detection device, in proximity to Tampa International Airport to detect UAS flight activity. While the device only collected data from DJI platforms, the company is estimated to hold a more than 70% market share on consumer UAS in the United States. The AeroScope identified 77 unique sUAS platforms among 258 separate flight detection records over the 19-day sampling period. The research yielded several behavior characteristics of the sUAS operators including predominant sUAS models, operating altitudes, preferred flying days and times, flight durations, and launch locations. Additionally, the authors identified 93 potential violations of 14 CFR 107 regulations, which included breaches of controlled airspace, maximum altitude limits, daytime flying rules, and other provisions. The authors assessed the sUAS activity posed a potential conflict with a visual approach path to a nearby airport and created a collision hazard to three local heliports. The authors highlighted limitations of existing sUAS geofencing to protecting aviation operations in high-density airspace

UAS Pilots Code: Tools to Advance UAS Safety & Professionalism

As unmanned aircraft operations become more ubiquitous in the National Airspace System, one of the key remaining challenges is instilling the precepts of safety culture, aviation professionalism, airmanship, and effective aeronautical decision-making among these non-traditional aviators. To address these challenges, researchers codified best practices and operational recommendations from across the UAS industry, collectively publishing them in a compendium titled the UAS Pilots Code (UASPC). Guidance for the UASPC was informed by material assembled from leading governmental and industry organizations including: FAA, AEA, AMA, AOPA, ASTM, AUVSI, CANSO, EAA, EASA, EUROCAE, ICAO, ISO, JARUS, NBAA, RTCA, SAE, UVS, and others. Extensive recommendations, guidance, and ongoing peer review feedback was integrated from 60 aviation and UAS industry professionals. Divided into seven sections, the UASPC highlights the general safety responsibilities of UAS pilots, imparts methods to avoid creating hazards to manned aircraft operations and people on the surface, recommends training and proficiency benchmarks, encourages practices to ensure security and protect personal privacy, promotes environmental responsibility, guides the use of technology and automation, and advocates means of advancing the overall professionalism of the UAS industry. The UASPC contains 36 core safety principles supported by 180 sample recommended practices. The UASPC is not designed to merely establish minimum standards of practice, but rather to encourage continual safety improvement and excellence through self-regulation and responsibility. The UASPC was created as a collaborative venture between the Aviators Code Initiative and the University Aviation Association as a volunteer, public service to enhance aviation safety

Enhanced Learnability of Flight Techniques Through the Introduction of Targeted Observation Flights with Ab-Initio through Advanced Flight Training Candidates

Flight training paradigms exist to provide a framework for instructors to relay both technical and applied knowledge to students in the most efficient way possible. Traditional methods imply the use of pre/post flight briefings coincident with flight in either an actual or simulated environments. The demonstration of maneuvers may be accomplished by the instructor followed by the student or solely by the student. In this phase, aeronautical knowledge, procedural knowledge, and performance metrics are usually assessed. With regard to enhanced learnability, the study of effectiveness becomes critical to the application of new methods that could significantly lower the amount of flight time required to meet objectives or performance criteria for a given lesson. As industry continues to evolve with the use of automation, efficient pathways from initial to advanced flight training must be assessed in order to ensure students are receiving the most out of each activity. The direct observation of flights as an in-flight observer may improve performance and enhance the learnability of certain aspects of flight training, therefore reducing the number of flight hours necessary to achieve flight training landmarks. An experiential assessment of this technique will provide insight into the use of observation flights and how they may be correlated to improvement in student retention and performance

Evaluating LAANC Compliance and Air Traffic Collision Hazards Posed by Small Unmanned Aircraft Operations in Controlled Airspace

On July 23, 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expanded the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC)—the system that processes airspace approvals for sUAS operators in controlled airspace—to include recreational operations. Under LAANC, sUAS operators submit flight request information to one of 14 LAANC Service Suppliers via a mobile or online application. Flight request data is checked against UAS Facility Maps, NOTAMs, and Temporary Flight Restrictions to ensure compliance. Small UAS operators then receive a digital, automated authorization in near-real time. As of May 23, 2019, 591 airports across the United States are included in the LAANC system. Researchers sought to collect and evaluate sUAS operational activity in controlled airspace using UAS detection equipment. Detected sUAS flight data was compared against airspace information, temporary flight restrictions, UAS Facility Maps, and LAANC approval data to assess sUAS operator compliance and behavior patterns. Small UAS detections and LAANC authorization data was further compared against air traffic data to identify potential UAS flight interference and collision hazards with air traffic

Session 3: Personal Air Vehicles & UAS – Training and Implications for Pilots

This session (split into two segments with a break in-between) addresses the anticipated increase in air traffic due to the advent of UASs and personal air vehicles. The presentations in Part 1 cover fuel efficient alternatives, training, UAS use for hobbies as well as commercial ventures