Early Morning Concurrent Session: Unmanned Aerial Systems Certification: Presentation: A Survey of sUAS Operator's FAA Regulation Knowledge

Abstract

Verbatim from Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

The popularity of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) in the U.S. has expanded rapidly over the past several years. Operators in this fast growing field range from seasoned professionals with years of manned and unmanned flight experience to those with no experience, attempting to fly a drone for the first time. The current policies, rules, and regulations governing the use of sUAS are complex and confusing, especially to determine the difference between commercial and recreational use, as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This survey design research explores the commercial and recreational flight rule knowledge of a sample of operators. Specifically, it analyzes the operators’ knowledge of regulations based on a variety of independent variables. It is hypothesized that sUAS operators with manned flight experience are more knowledgeable of the regulations than those without. By determining the knowledge base of the sample, organizations charged with educating operators may more precisely target specific groups with public outreach campaigns such as “Know Before You Fly.”

Author

• Thirtyacre, David Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• Aviation
• sUAS
• UAS
• FAA Regulations
• FAA
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Commercial COA Part333
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• UAS Certifcation
• Aeronautical Vehicles
• Air and Space Law