UAS Crew Member Selection

        As a hiring representative for a company whom plans to conduct oceanic environmental studies utilizing Unmanned Aerial Systems, one must consider many different variables when choosing the right personnel.  The company has purchased both the Insitu ScanEagle and a variant of the General Atomics Ikhana UAS in order to accomplish the required studies.  While both of these systems have similarities, they require different parameters in order to safely operate them.  In order to select and hire qualified personnel to fly and operate these aircraft, it is better to break down the operational requirements of the individual aircraft.

        In regards to Insitu’s ScanEagle, the aircraft has a few very distinct capabilities that define the requirements.  The ScanEagle uses a pneumatic launcher, called the “SuperWedge” and recovered by a hook on the end of the wingtip to catch a rope hanging from a 50 foot pole, called the “Skyhook” (Insitu, n.d.).  This technology allows the ScanEagle the ability to launch and land without a traditional runway, greatly reducing the footprint needed for operations; and allowing launch and recovery from a watercraft.  The ScanEagle uses many sensors, including ElectroOptic, MWIR, Analog and Digital video datalinks, and a command and control datalink (Insitu, n.d.).  Typical operations use two operators, one operator programs the aircrafts flight plan, while the other controls the payload (Pappalardo, 2007).  Insitu’s software called Distributed Information-Centralized Decision (DI-CD or “diced”) now allows a single operator to control multiple ScanEagles at once.  In June, a single operator controlled three aircraft simultaneously, taking the place of six people (Pappalardo, 2007).  He was able to do this because the aircraft were programmed to pick their own routes, divide up the terrain to be scanned, then find and follow targets without receiving any direct commands (Pappalardo, 2007).

        When looking at General Atomics Ikhana, the operational requirements are vastly different.  The Ikhana is almost six times the size of the ScanEagle and requires a runway for takeoff and landing.  Because of this, the maintenance requirements for the aircraft itself are more complex and abundant.  The Ikhana is able to carry an enormous amount of payload weight and has flight duration capabilities twice that of the ScanEagle (USAF, 2010).  However, the Ikhana utilizes the traditional operation crew of two, one for flying and one for payload sensors.  The Ikhana has the ability to switch over controls from one flight crew to another midflight (USAF, 2010).  This allows crews to have specific jobs; for example, a crew only takes off and lands, while another crew takes over the ISR responsibilities.

        Now that the capabilities of each aircraft are defined, the requirements for personnel to operate them need to be examined.  Since the majority of large UAS are operated by the military, there is no real set standard yet for civilians in the amount of training required.  The Ikhana basic crew consists of a rated pilot to control the aircraft and command the mission, and enlisted aircrew member to operate sensors and weapons as well as a mission coordinator, when required. These operators enroll in a six month basic training course provided by the U.S. Air Force that mirrors traditional Undergraduate Pilot Training, but has some differences specific to the Ikhana (Ika, 2012).  Additionally, General Atomics has a Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS) which is a highly sophisticated flight simulator that accurately reproduces the Ikhana’s GCS (General Atomics, n.d.).  On the other hand, Insitu offers many certificate courses in order to train individuals to the specific airframe and operations pertaining to the ScanEagle.  Insitu offers a ten week operator course, a five week maintainer course, and additional courses in: mission coordination, UAS familiarization, system upgrades, and new technologies (Insitu, n.d.).  Insitu’s courses are Department of Defense certified, MIL-PRF-29612B compliant, and SCORM conformant (Insitu, n.d.).  Neither of the courses for the Ikhana or ScanEagle requires any previous manned or unmanned flight experience, however prior knowledge/experience is desired.

        A minimum and ideal set of criteria that can be used to identify the most highly qualified applicants for these positions to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations is to have a certificate of completion from either of the previously mentioned courses.  While previous UAS experience or manned aircraft experience is desired, the classes tailored specifically to the aircrafts that are intended to be used for this mission would be optimal.  By owning one of these aircraft, the company should have a relationship strong enough with Insitu and General Atomics to get recommendations of operators based upon their classes.  Additionally, the company could inquire about using their simulators in order for prospective operators to showcase their abilities.

References

General Atomics. (n.d.). Predator Mission Aircrew Training System. RetrievedJuly 22, 2014, from ga-asi.com: http://www.ga-asi.com/products/training_support/pmats.php

Ika, S. (2012, August 20). 18X pilots graduate from AF’s first MQ-9 Basic Course. Retrieved July 22, 2014, from holloman.af.mil:http://www.holloman.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123314840

Insitu. (n.d.). ScanEagle. Retrieved July 22, 2014, from insitu.com:http://www.insitu.com/systems/scaneagle

Insitu. (n.d.). Training. Retrieved July 22, 2014, from insitu.com:http://www.insitu.com/services/training

Pappalardo. (2007, August). Flocking ScanEagles. Retrieved July 22, 2014, from Air and Space Magazine: http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/flocking-scaneagles-20369494/

USAF. (2010, August 18). MQ-9 Reaper. Retrieved July 22, 2014, from af.mil:http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104470/mq-9-reaper.aspx