The latest quantum leap in aviation technology has arrived quietly; almost as silently as a Predator soaring through the skies searching out bad guys below.
Thinking the world of drones—formerly called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and now more commonly termed Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)—is only a military phenomena would be a mistake. It may come as a complete surprise that this burgeoning new industry is forecast to bring in more than $80 billion by 2020. With that, expect a whole new breed of pilots claiming a different kind of flying career. The website www.simplyhired.com listed 184 jobs available paying, in some cases, $80,000 annually or more.
These machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes and serve diverse purposes. They may have a wingspan as large as that of a Boeing 737 or as small as that of a radio-controlled model aircraft. Understand that a UAS does have a pilot in command (PIC) and, for the majority of UAS employers, an FAA commercial pilot certificate is required.
As an example, Northrop Grumman posted these qualifications in a recent ad: “Bachelor’s degree in a related field; minimum five years of aviation experience. Must have a FAA commercial pilot certificate airplane single-engine land with instrument rating and 500 flight hours as pilot-in-command of a manned aircraft. Current second class FAA medical certificate.” Clearly, these employers are looking for more than gamers.
Historically, UAS have mainly supported military and security operations overseas, with training occurring in the United States. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security uses UAS for U.S. border and port surveillance.They are used for scientific research and environmental monitoring by NASA and NOAA; public safety by law enforcement agencies; research by state universities; and other applications by other public agencies such as search-and-rescue operations.
Interest is now growing in civil uses, including commercial photography, aerial mapping, crop monitoring, advertising, communications, and broadcasting. In the United States, more than 50 companies, universities, and government organizations are developing and producing more than 155 unmanned aircraft designs. Why? UAS increase efficiency, save money, enhance safety, and save lives.
The challenge for the FAA is to develop regulations and policies for peaceful coexistence between UAS and conventional manned aircraft. The FAA has stated, “It is critical that UAS do not endanger current users of the National Airspace System, including manned and unmanned aircraft, or compromise the safety of persons or property on the ground.”
Although UAS rules are emerging, the FAA currently considers three types of UAS domestic operations.
Model Aircraft: Recreational use is covered by Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57 that generally limits flight below 400 feet above ground level (agl), away from airports and air traffic.
Experimental UAS: A special airworthiness certificate-Experimental category allows operations for research and development, market survey, and crew training.
Public UAS: The FAA issues certificates of waiver or authorization (COA) to public entities that want to fly UAS in civil airspace. The COA authorizes an operator to use defined airspace and includes special provisions unique to the operation. Such operations may require a “chase plane” or visual observer if the UAS is unable to “sense and avoid.”
As the FAA continues to grapple with this technology, it must answer two important questions: How will the UAS handle communication, command, and control? How will UAS “sense and avoid” other aircraft?
Several colleges and universities are jumping on the UAS bandwagon by offering UAS coursework. One would expect a school such as the University of North Dakota to be on that cutting edge, but smaller schools such as Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City and Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona, also are already on board.
It is interesting to speculate where this new paradigm of guiding aircraft in flight is heading. Is the airline pilot sitting up front driving an Airbus or Boeing going to become as extinct as a steam train engineer? Air Cargo World magazine has intimated that unmanned cargo flights may be the wave of the future. Whether the flying public will ultimately have any comfort with an airline captain flying a 787 from an office is a stunning thought to contemplate.
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