Recently,
UAVs have been frequently mentioned in the news and not just in the context for
military application. UAVs have also become popular in the civilian world.
According to Corrall (2013) the most popular civilian applications are
Hurricane Hunting, 3D mapping, Wildlife Protection, Agriculture and Search and
Rescue. The FAA is looking into regulating the use of UAVs due to an increase
in civilian use. As of now the only regulation that the FAA has is carried
under model aircraft, which does not permit commercial use of UAVs. On February
15, 2015 the FAA issued a NPRM for comments on new proposed regulation for
small UAVs (NPRM, 2015). Since UAVs are being used for a variety of reasons, it
is only logical that some kind of regulation is implemented in order to protect
other users in the National Airspace System.
Before
legal regulation of UAVs in the National Airspace System is implemented many
factors will need to be defined. The public and current users of the NAS will need
to feel comfortable that the operators of these UAVs will act in a safe matter.
I believe this is the strongest argument
for UAVs to not be allowed in our airspace. If these small UAVs were to collide
with an aircraft there is a possibility for a fatality. Therefore the problem
at hand is that these operators are safely controlling their UAVs on the ground
and the only negative consequence for these operators is the potential to lose
their UAVs. They do not consider the lives that are at risk if the UAV were to
collide with an aircraft. Hence the reason for the strong initiative fighting against
the use of UAVs in the NAS. One may question how an operator can see their UAV
and be certain that they are flying their aircraft 500 plus feet away from
other aircrafts. Also will the operators be familiar with VRF flight rules and
how can they be confident with monitoring their aircrafts through a video feed?
The
Military has had great success with the implementation of UAVs. “In 2005, tactical and theater level unmanned aircraft
(UA) alone, had flown over 100,000 flight hours in support of Operation
ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF)”(The UAV, 2015). UAVs
serve the military in many different roles including Target and Decoy, Reconnaissance,
Combat and Research and Development.
Their success is related to long duty times and their ability to maintain
safety for pilots. Another reason UAVs are popular is that they save the
government a considerable amount of money. “Auditors estimate the Air Force
would save at least $500,000 per pilot if it revamped its training programs”(Hoffman,
2009). The UAV has become an important part of the United States arsenal. Their
success so far has solidified their future in the military. In addition, the
cost savings allows the government to expand the production of UAVs.
Although the UAV market is primarily militarily, there
are employment opportunities for civilians. These jobs are mostly civilian
contractors working for the military in either an operator role or an
instructor role. The qualifications for a career in the UAV market requires a non-specific
four year college degree and a FAA private pilot’s certificate. The following
are two examples of jobs a civilian can obtain in the UAV industry:
UAV Operator
UAV Trainer
References
Carroll, J. (2013, June 7). Five ways
UAVs are being used by civilians. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://www.vision-systems.com/articles/2013/06/five-ways-uavs-are-being-used-by-civilians.html
Hoffman, M. (2009, March 1). UAV pilot career field
could save $1.5B. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://archive.airforcetimes.com/article/20090301/NEWS/903010326/UAV-pilot-career-field-could-save-1-5B
Northrop
Grumman AVO / UAV Operator Job in Sierra Vista, AZ. (2015, March 1). Retrieved
March 1, 2015, from http://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/avo-uav-operator-JV_IC1133980_KO0,16_IE488.htm?jl=1231038694&utm_source=CNNMoney&utm_medium
Small
UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). (2015, February 23). Retrieved March
1, 2015, from https://www.faa.gov/uas/nprm/
Textron
Shadow Flight Crew NET RESET SUT GOCO UAV Trainer Job in Dugway, UT. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/shadow-flight-crew-net-reset-sut-goco-uav-trainer-JV_IC1128275_KO0,49_IE654.htm?jl=1329934163&utm_source=CNNMoney&utm_
The
UAV - The Future Of The Sky. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2015, from
http://www.theuav.com/
I think that integrating UAV's into NAS is a long ways off. Yes, I do think that it will happen, but I don't see it being anytime in the near future. I believe that there would have to be advancements in technology for this to occur. I also found that most jobs that involved either piloting or managing UAV's were in the military field. This makes sense, since they are using drones more frequently. Eventually, I think there will be more civilian jobs, but not until we are using drones consistently.
ReplyDeleteWas there a better explanation of how the military can save that $500k per pilot?
ReplyDeleteYou brought up several good questions that will have to be considered when attempting to allow UAVs in the NAS. It is completely plausible that it will require a certification to legally fly UAVs in the NAS since there are so many factors that must be taken into consideration before safely operating a UAV around other manned aircraft.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with operators needing some type of certification to legally fly UAVs in the NAS. I feel that it would happen anyway, because some kind of in-air collision would seem inevitable if UAVs are integrated in the NAS.
DeleteI think that using drones for hurricane hunting and wild life protection will make a tremendous difference, because by of putting up helicopters and small aircraft we put human life at risk
ReplyDelete