Selection, Training and Qualification of UAS Crews

 

Welcome back, fellow Aces! 

This week we delved into the subject of what criteria should be used to select (hire), train, and qualify personnel as UAS aircrew members.  Depending on which company in the industry or military branch you ask, you will receive a wide variety of responses.  Although, they vary in their approaches there seems to be some consensus about what the most important factors are for a successful outcome (e.g. a capable and qualified aircrew member) 

According to study by the Navy Medical Research Unit, the top 6 characteristics for selection, training, and certification of personnel for UAS operations (in order of priority) include: (1) Task Prioritization, (2) Oral Comprehension, (3) Oral Expression, (4) Vigilance (5) Problem Solving, and (6) Critical Thinking (Williams et al., 2014, p.13).   

From my personal experience of training and certifying new Air Force RPA crews, I would agree with this breakdown. If I didn't have the study to reference for the 6 specific criteria, I would likely respond to the question with simply "Airmanship" which is arguably a summation of all the factors listed above. 

 In the UAS community the debate also comes up frequently about if experience in other manned aircraft is beneficial or should be a prerequisite. This is  much more difficult to arrive at a consensus. I have seen cases of subjectively "good" pilots that flew F-15s or other advanced aircraft that struggled painfully to get basic qualification in an unmanned platform. On the other hand, other pilots that cross-trained from manned aircraft quickly adapted and excelled in the unmanned community.  I think the disparity lay primarily in the individual's attitude toward the training. Those that struggled typically felt that and unmanned platform should be "easy" or beneath their level of piloting abilities and thus were not very teachable. 

Size and Capability

Another factor that should drive training/qualification requirements is the size and capabilities of the UAS. This holds true in manned aircraft too, especially in commercial aircraft. Larger aircraft are typically capable of longer flights, fly at higher altitudes and speeds than smaller aircraft. When you add weapons or other payloads on the aircraft, the complexity of operations increases exponentially. Thus, a higher training bill should be paid up front to ensure safe operations once the aircrew member is qualified.  The level of training required to operate in the NAS depends on what section of the NAS flights will occur and again on the size and capability of the aircraft.  

For example, I have flown UAS in New Mexico which has relatively open airspace in the NAS and the amount of training for a crew to operate safely was not too extensive. Alternatively, I have also piloted aircraft over LAX and off the coast of California and it took several days of training and phone calls with the FAA and other personnel to be able to operate safely and in accordance with the regulations. 

In short, if you're looking to hire a UAS operator or be hired yourself make sure the candidate is confident in their abilities , but willing to learn and demonstrates the attributes that equate to good airmanship. 

Until next time - Fly Safe! 

-DP 

References

Williams, H. P., Carretta, T. R., Kirkendall, C. D., Barron, L. G., Stewart, J. E., & Rose, M. R. (2014). Selection of UAS Personnel (SUPer) Phase I Report: Identification of Critical Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics and Recommendations for Test Battery Development. (). http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA613545