UAS Crew Member Selection ASCI 638 - 8.6

ScanEagle Launch (Gettinger, 2014)

The Insitu ScanEagle is capable of flying above 15,000 feet with a loiter time of around 20 hours. It is autonomously launched by a catapult launcher and recovered with a SkyHook recovery system that catches the edge of the wing as it flies by.  It carries an electro-optic or dual imager inside a gyro-stabilized turret.  It has a modular design, so the camera technology can change as new technologies become available (Boeing, 2017).  The trailer mounted launcher requires 2 people around 10 minutes to set up. The SkyHook recovery system is a separate trailer and is also autonomous, requiring 2 people and around 20 minutes to set up (ScanEagle, 2016). It is capable of BVLOS operations and has numerous flights helping with national disasters worldwide (Insitu Flies, 2017).

The General Atomics Ikhana, a variant of the Predator, is capable of flying above 40,000 feet with a loiter time of around 20 hours. It requires a runway for both launch and recovery. A GCS is required for operations as well. It is inside a trailer and houses the pilot’s instruments and controls as well as computer workstations for payload operators. It is capable of BVLOS operations and has done so around the world (Ikhana Unmanned Science, 2015).

Insitu provides training for UAS operators.  There is a 10-week long course to become a UAS operator.  It should be required as part of the initial training program to attend this course, unless the new hire is already a trained operator of the ScanEagle.  Any maintenance personnel can attend the 5-week maintainer course. The maintainers can be trained to launch and recover the UAS. Because of the long endurance capability, it can exceed normal crew duty day, maximum of 12 hours.  If operations extend that long, additional personnel would be required, as well as shift hand over checklist developed.

Ikhana (Clements, 2012)

The Ikhana requires a pilot, a payload operator and maintainers.  General Atomics provides training for this as well.  There is an 8-week long course, this covers both pilots and sensor operators. The sensor operators will graduate with less total hours, but the training is similar in duration. General Atomics requires a pilot to possess a bachelor’s degree, a FAA commercial instrument pilot ratings and 300 hours as pilot in command.  Sensor operators require a private pilots license. Both require a Class II FAA medical certificate and a security clearance (GA-ASI, 2016). Previous certification in the system could eliminate the need for this training. If the missions will extend beyond 12 hours additional crews would be required, along with shift hand over checklists.

Any flights that are over 400 feet in altitude or are BVLOS require a Part 107 Waiver from the FAA. These can take up to 90 days to process.  Any flights within controlled airspace; B, C, D or surface E also require this waiver (Request a Waiver, 2018).  All pilots would be required to pass an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA facility (Fly Under, 2017).

References

Boeing Historical Snapshot. (2017). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from http://www.boeing.com/history/products/scaneagle-unmanned-aerial-vehicle.page

Clements, R. (2012, March 29). NASA's Ikhana MQ-9 Drone Flies With ADS-B Equipment for the First Time. Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://theaviationist.com/2012/03/29/ikhana-mq-9-adsb/

Fly under the Small UAS Rule. (2017, December 14). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/part_107/

GA-ASI UAS Flight Training Academy Graduates First Aircrews. (2016, August 25). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from http://www.ga.com/ga-asi-uas-flight-training-academy-graduates-first-aircrews

Gettinger, D. (2014, January 6). ScanEagle: A Small Drone Making a Big Impact. Retrieved March 03, 2018, from http://dronecenter.bard.edu/scaneagle-drone/

Ikhana Unmanned Science and Research Aircraft System. (2015, August 06). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-097-DFRC.html

Insitu Flies ScanEagle UAS for Disaster Relief and Fire Suppression Missions. (2017, November 28). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://insitu.com/press-releases/Insitu-Flies-ScanEagle-for-Disaster-Relief-and-Fire-Suppression

Request a Part 107 Waiver or Operation in Controlled Airspace. (2018, March 02). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://www.faa.gov/uas/request_waiver/

ScanEagle. (2016). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://insitu.com/information-delivery/unmanned-systems/scaneagle#3