UAS Crew Selection

UAS crew selection is often debated. Should operators be required to have more training? What requirements should be met, and should operators be required to have pilot experience? These are the types of questions many are asking, professionals and the general public alike. 

In a mock exercise to try and understand crew selection, the following scenario was given; one in which a company needed to fill operator positions for two UAS, one small and one medium. The following was my analysis and recommendation to meet the company's needs.

UAS Crew Member Selection

Abstract

The company seeks to obtain crew members for newly acquired Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The two systems, the Insitu ScanEagle and General Atomics Ikhana both require minimum crew member qualifications and training, however, they vary in their capabilities and roles and so crew selection needs to reflect this. The FAA policy document entitled, “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operational Approval” outlines the requirements expected from crew members as well as the requirements the company is expected to meet during UAS oceanic environmental study operations.

Analysis

Insitu ScanEagle 
The Insitu ScanEagle is a single operator UAS. As a relatively small UAS (wingspan 10.2’) The ScanEagle does not require multi-crew operation, however due to this fact it is recommended that a highly qualified crew member be selected as all the responsibilities and requirements dictated by the FAA fall solely on one individual.
The selected individual will operate the Insitu Common Open-mission Management Command and Control (ICOMC2) ground station. This ground station is a small hand carried device, with multi-screen expansion capability. Due to these factors, it is recommended that a single UAS operator be hired with adequate training specific to Insitu if possible, be versed in the systems use, and is FAA compliant. Due to the single operation, a highly qualified individual will be knowledgeable in basic UAS maintenance to aid the company in meeting requirement stated as:
“Proponents for UAS used in public aircraft operations should follow their own agency’s procedures and guidelines to maintain continued airworthiness at a level which ensures they continue to operate the aircraft safely (FAA, 2013).”
The FAA requires this potential crew member to hold a private pilot’s license and be specifically trained in the Insitu ScanEagle as stated by the FAA when referencing the pilot in command (PIC), “(The PIC) Must be trained and qualified on the specific UAS for the conduct of the flight (FAA, 2013).” Additionally, the FAA states that, “Proponents must train all UAS crewmembers in CRM. The current edition of FAA AC 120-51, Crew Resource Management Training, or an FAA-recognized equivalent applies to UAS operations (FAA, 2013).” This falls to the company to provide CRM training to the operator, however a highly qualified applicant will hold previous CRM training. A highly qualified applicant will also be familiar with FCC licensing and frequency requirements per FAA guidelines: “Non-Federal public agencies, such as universities and State/local law enforcement, and all civil UAS proponents generally require a license from the FCC as authorization to transmit on frequencies other than those in the unlicensed bands (900 megahertz (MHz), 2.4 gigahertz (GHz), and 5.8 GHz).”
Please refer to the following excerpt outlining training and experience:
PIC Recent Flight Experience (Currency). The proponent must provide documentation showing the pilots maintain an appropriate level of recent pilot experience in the UAS being operated, or in an FAA-certified simulator. At a minimum, the PIC must conduct three takeoffs (launch) and three landings (recovery) in the specific UAS within the previous 90 days (excluding pilots who do not conduct launch/recovery during normal/emergency operations); or as prescribed by the proponent’s accepted recurrent training and currency program (FAA, 2013).”
It should be noted that a highly qualified crew member will be familiar with the Insitu ScanEagle and have successfully operated launch, recovery, and emergency operations prior to employment.
General Atomics Ikhana
The General Atomics Ikhana is a UAS platform created with research missions in mind. The Ikhana is a medium to high altitude UAS that requires multiple crew members, the selection of which should follow FAA guidelines and requirements. Crew must at a minimum hold private pilots licenses to meet FAA standards, as well as be trained specifically for the Ikhana UAS. Although FAA states the PIC is required to operate takeoff, landing, and emergency operations within 90 days of operation, an added layer of safety would be to have all crew members meet these qualifications. As such, at a minimum, a PIC should be hired with these qualifications; additional personnel who would meet the “highly qualified” status would also meet these qualifications.
Additionally, at least one crew member should understand and be able to meet the basic radio frequency requirements by the FCC as outlined by the FAA. It is assumed the company has no previous UAS experience and therefore a highly qualified candidate will be knowledgeable of FCC regulations as they apply to UAS. The unique ability of the Ikhana to perform Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) operations also requires that an observer crew member be obtained. The following requirements should be met outlining Visual Observers (VOs). According to the FAA:
“Observer Requirement. Visual flight rules (VFR) UAS operations may be authorized utilizing either ground-based or airborne VOs onboard a dedicated chase aircraft. A VO must be positioned to assist the PIC, to exercise the see-and-avoid responsibilities required by §§ 91.111, 91.113, and 91.115 by scanning the area around the aircraft for potentially conflicting traffic and assisting the PIC with navigational awareness (FAA, 2013).”
When operating long range missions, it is required that the aircraft maintain two-way radio communication with ATC when these criteria dictate so:
The aircraft is being operated in Class A or D airspace (under §§ 91.135
or 91.129) or, when required, in Class E and G airspace (under §§ 91.127
or 91.126). See subparagraph 13.q.(2) and (3) for operations in Class B
or C airspace; or
The aircraft is being operated under instrument flight rules (IFR); or
It is stipulated under the provisions of any issued COA or Special Airworthiness
Certificate.
A highly qualified crew member will be familiar with this requirement and be able to maintain proper ATC communication when needed.
General Requirements dictating Crew Selection 
The operation of UAS in public has certain requirements and recommendation per the FAA that effect crew member selection. As discussed, the company should maintain Crew Resource Management Training, and ensure the PIC maintains CRM and that no other activities occur that conflict with safe operation of the UAS. Radio frequencies should be monitored and approved prior to operation, crew members should be aware of these requirements as stated:
“Every UAS proponent must have the appropriate National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) or Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorization/approval to transmit on the radio frequencies (RF) used for UAS uplink and downlink of control, telemetry, and payload information (FAA, 2013).”
Additionally, such factors as air worthiness must be maintained at all times, a highly qualified crew member will be able assist the companies endeavor to maintain air worthiness through proper maintenance and knowledge of air worthiness requirements.
Lastly, when selecting a PIC, medical certificates requirements must be met:
“PIC Medical. The PIC must maintain, at a minimum, a valid FAA second-class medical certificate issued under 14 CFR part 67 or the FAA-recognized equivalent. The second-class medical certificate expires at the end of the last day of the 12th month after the month of the date of the examination shown on the medical certificate listed in § 61.23 (FAA, 2013).”

Summary

While many other factors not listed make for a highly qualified crew member, these basic requirements should be met or exceeded to ensure FAA compliance and recommendation are being considered during crew member selection. Both UAS discussed require the same basic crew qualifications, however, in the case of the Ikhana where additional multi-crew and BLOS requirements must be met, the selection of crew members may vary based on their role, i.e. PIC position requires additional responsibilities. If selecting a crew that will utilize a rotating position schedule, then all requirements outlined for PIC must be maintained by all crew members.

Resources:

Federal Aviation Administration (2014). Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operational
Approval – National Policy (2013). Retrieved from: http://uas.usgs.gov/pdf/FAA/FAA_UAS_Operational_Approval_8900.207_2013_2014.pdf