ASOG Article of the Month: November 2020
ASOG Author: Gary Micklethwaite
Unless you're Rip Van Winkle waking up from a long slumber, unmanned aerial vehicles have entered the fabric of humanity. However, it's still the Wild-West when it comes to the Five-Ws of integrating this new technology into Aviation. Gary Micklethwaite, with his 30 years of both manned and unmanned aircraft experience, highlights some of his observations concerning the current state-of-play regarding Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
We've all heard it. It's the mantra of aviation. Fly the plane, know where you are (and where you're going), and tell someone your intentions. Plan your flight and fly your plan. To do otherwise is tantamount to heresy for aviators.
Given the changing world in which we live (aviation-wise), is aviate, navigate and communicate doable without getting overloaded or task saturated? Does your vehicle even have all the capabilities to be able to do all three of those things? Of course, they can all fly, but with some of the smaller manned and unmanned air vehicles, can they navigate? Can you communicate?
Manned vs. Unmanned
The Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) that I operate professionally does not have a built-in radio, we have to carry around a handheld aviation band radio, and then we can talk to anyone on the frequency. Perhaps that's why we are presently only flying in CYR's???? Ya, Think!!
Manned aircraft are the best at doing all three, of course. Manned aircraft (usually) have room for all of the associated beeps and whistles needed to navigate and communicate, even if it's, in the case of smaller ultralight type vehicles, a handheld GPS and a helmet-mounted radio. They can do it all. But what about smaller unmanned vehicles (quadcopters and the like). They are growing in leaps and bounds in popularity, and it seems that everyone and their dog wants to "buy a drone" and go off and fly it. It's the wild west out there.
Rules and Regulations
So, governments worldwide are imposing (rightly so IMHO) rules and regs to operate these vehicles. Up here in Canada, we have two certification levels for small UAVs (NATO Class one, smalls, mini's, and micro's). In other words, less than 15 Kg weight. Transport Canada even went so far as to classify small UAS as anything under 25 kg weight.
We have the basic and advanced certification here, and we have rules about where you can fly based on your certification. There is one more level above that, and that is flight reviewer, but for your average Joe who goes to the local UAV shop to get a new toy, this level usually is not one they aspire.
Basic level operators must fly in uncontrolled airspace only, you must fly more than 100 feet from bystanders, and you must never fly over bystanders. There's no mention of navigating or communicating. I suppose being LOS only is sort of navigating, as you never (or aren't supposed to) lose sight of your vehicle…..No one has ever done that, Right????
For Instance
I have my own small personal quadcopter drone, that's just large enough to require me to hold a license from Transport Canada. I live in a city where my house is on the approach path to the local municipal airport. I can't fly in my backyard because of that. How many people have you heard of, seen, talked to who fly around in their backyard or at a local park, over the local folk festival or little Johnny's soccer game, all the while not knowing that they aren't allowed? I have a theory as to why. They think it's a toy instead of an aviation asset. It's the same as an RC plane or a car to them.
Advanced level operators are allowed to fly less than 100 feet from bystanders and can fly in controlled airspace with ATC approval….Ah, communicating! The third commandment. The most popular way of communicating for this sort of operation is via cell phone to the local ATC to ask them if it's OK to fly, tell them how long you expect to be there, and give them a call back number in case they need to contact you. Communicating….Really?
There are supposed to be rules for flying UAS in and out of controlled airspace in most countries, I can't speak for other countries, but I know we have them in Canada. The problem is that very few people on the operating side know what they are, other than those of us who make a living doing it. Your average "enthusiast" doesn't really know what the rules are or even know that they are required to hold a license. With the "newness" of the regulations, most regulatory agencies are trying to figure out how to apply regulations. Additionally, they don't have enough time to enforce the regulations that are in place.
Reality Is?
However, knowing the rules is slowly becoming a reality as my local AV shop has noticed a marked decrease in drone sales between the 500 grams and 25 kg weight limits. Within those weight limits, you require Transport Canada certification to fly, which is scaring people off.
However, the micro-drone market is booming. You can see them darting around local parks and other areas like dragonflies. Does this pose an airspace control problem? Not really, I guess, but it only takes one 1 pound drone to hit an aircraft on approach to ruin your day.
I think I am digressing a bit on the subject here, but I wanted to show just how "uncontrolled" things seem to be in the drone hobby world. We have all heard of major international airports being shut down for long periods due to people flying drones too close to the runways, and it continues to get worse. If people don't understand the need to follow the rules-of-the-road when it comes to flying, how can we expect them to be able to Aviate, Navigate, and Communicate properly?
The Last Point
I know it seems I'm casting a wide net. However, my last point is that I most certainly don't want to imply that ALL drone hobbyists are aviation anarchists. Most are enthusiasts who gladly play by the rules, but those who don't play by the rules may eventually ruin it for those who follow the rules, live by them, and make a living using them. In the end, it's all about educating those who think drones are toys and not an actual flying machine.
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