Activity Theory as a Framework for Integrating Uas Into the Nas: A Field Study of Crew Member Activity During Uas Operations Near a Non-Towered Airport

Abstract

An Activity Theory framework was applied in investigating the pressing issue of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) integration into the National Airspace System. As stated in the FAA’s UAS Operational Approval policy notice, the UAS pilot and/or crew are collectively responsible for successfully exercising see-and-avoid duties. To describe how this is achieved in practice, field recordings of visual observers and other UAS crewmembers were collected during three phases of a long-endurance UAS flight test: takeoff, mid-flight, and landing. Four separate radio communications channels were utilized, and pilots’ workload was offloaded in three ways: takeoff and landing flight dynamics were offloaded to the external pilot, see-and-avoid duties were offloaded to visual observers, and some communications were offloaded to the mission commander. Visual observers relied on a combination of visual perception, communication, and team coordination skills to assist pilots and the mission commander in effectively accomplishing see-and-avoid duties during UAS operations.