Advanced UAS Training; Integration of Remote Live Aircraft Crash Investigation with UAS

Abstract

Current Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) flight training generally operates at the ab-initio level. As UAS flight and academic programs evolve, so also must UAS training advance, specifically regarding new and evolving uses of UAS. This task must present a quality delivery in a distributed modality. As an example, integration of UAS into missions such as aircraft crash investigation are occurring or in development with safety investigators globally. Bringing this type of specialization (theory and practice) to academia must follow, but currently can only be done well in a face-to-face setting. Near term technology for UAS will allow distribution of a labor force capable of beyond visual line of site operations thus evolving methods for crash investigations and other types of inspections using UAS. A distributed teaching modality, using remote split operations, can exchange face-to-face learning for beyond line of sight skills and knowledge training. Therefore, UAS training must maintain the pace of this evolving process. Academia must resolve how the distributed student experience can approximate similar quality of advanced flight training as can be done face-to-face. In this research, a solution is explored that combines the concept of remote split operations using sUAS to conduct live flight operations over remotely located aircraft crash sites to impart the practical application of theory into a distributed lab setting.

Author

• Burgess, Scott S. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• UAS
• Remote Split Operations
• flight training
• Aviation and Space Education
• Curriculum and Instruction