Aerial Applications – Aircraft Configuration & Operation​

• Role Equipment is the equipment required to perform a role!​
  • A role is defined by the operator​
  • Roles help to manage multi-use aircraft ​
    (i.e. one day surveying, one day delivering) ​

For operators that only perform specific operations, it is common to have an aircraft set up for a single role!​  (e.g. a dedicated DJI survey drone)!​

Role equipment can then be clearly defined as the additional hardware/components needed to perform a task. This can be:​

• Survey gear (cameras, sensors, etc.)​
• Safety gear (parachutes, ADS-B, etc.)​
• Delivery mechanisms (claws, grippers, etc.)​
• Specialty Flight Sensors (i.e. altimeters to stay at specific altitude, etc.)​

Recall: AVIY0032 – Apply RPAS Payload and Configuration

Remember, changing the aircraft will effect the performance in different ways!​​

• Adding larger payloads will:​
  • Cause the aircraft to be less responsive​
  • Cause the aircraft to have a reduced flight duration​
• ​The aircraft flight manual details:​
  • The maximum payload weight​
  • Summary of expected performance impacts​

​Consider what factors to be considered when determining payload weights for aerial application:​

• What size camera is needed for a survey?
  • Is bigger always better? Not always!
  • What if you need more flight time? You will have to trade-off with image quality!
• When would performance become an issue?
  • Wind?
  • Tree clearance?
  • Emergency procedures)?
• What happens if you go over the MTOW?

Remember the aircraft limitations!​

• Accuracy of GNSS/GPS systems:​
  • GPS is only accurate to ~2 meters​. GPS accuracy depends on aircraft (position estimation, other sensors​
  • GPS link may be lost close to buildings, cliffs, etc.​ GPS needs clear view of sky to work properly​
• Every aircraft has a different control performance:​
  • The aircraft might not hold position well, even with good GPS!​ Aircraft position hold is dependent on a lot of aspects, not just GPS (control performance, other sensors, etc.)​
  • Always keep in mind recovery in case of a sensor failing, or a failsafe activating​! A mission/flight is “well planned” if hazards are mitigated (ie. There is low risk) in the case of failures​:
    • If GPS is lost, can the aircraft be recovered?​
    • If telemetry/RC is lost, can the aircraft safely return home?
    • If RTL activates at any point, could the aircraft make it home safely?​
    • What is the outcomes of other failsafes activating?

Remember the meteorological conditions!​

• Wind conditions can change dues to a number of reasons, we can’t assume that the wind will be constant for the entire flight of an aircraft (even for a “perfectly flat area” due to thermals!)​
  • Thermals​
  • Deflected wind​
  • Gusts of wind​
  • Ground effect​

• Changes in wind ⇒ Changes in pressure​:
  • Aircraft performance will change​
  • Pressure altitude will change​

Any changes in pressure altitude will cause the an aircraft in ALTHOLD or POSHOLD to change altitude as well if it is relying on pressure altitude to hold altitude (i.e. it is using a barometer). We can mitigate lesser effects of this by using radar/laser altimeters when flying close to the ground (<10-15 metres)​.

​What does this mean for planning?​

• Must pay attention if flying close to the ground/objects​
• Consider using aircraft with different altitude sensors!​

​One example of using these meteorological effects to our advantage is called “Dynamic Soaring”​:

Another example is the use of thermals to maintain altitude, something that manned aviation uses a lot!​

These effects are very real and we must be aware of them​!

For revision, refer back to:​

• AVIY0031 – Air Law​
• Part 101 Manual of Standards (MoS)

Regulations specific to aerial operations:​

• 101.04: OPERATIONS IN CONTROLLED AIRSPACE — CONTROLLED AERODROMES​
• 101.09: OPERATIONS OF RPA IN PRESCRIBED AREAS​
• 101.12: RECORD KEEPING FOR CERTAIN RPA​
• 101.13: OPERATION OF FOREIGN REGISTERED RPA AND MODEL AIRCRAFT​

Review AVIF0021 for Human Factors for RPAS​

• In-Field Stressors:​
  • Heat stress and dehydration​
  • Mental and physical fatigue​
• Operational Risks:​
  • In-flight distractions​
  • Maintaining situational awareness​

Remember the signs of fatigue!​

• Lethargy, yawning, tiredness​
• Limbs feel heavy​
• Headaches or nausea​
• Lack of response​
• Difficulty remembering​
• Head nodding​
• Decreased perception of risk​
• Micro sleeps​
• Impaired decision making​
• Irritability ​
• Delayed reaction time​
• Apathy or indifference​
• Easily distracted​
• Lack of motivation​
• Increase in errors​

Keep common causes well managed!​

• Heat stress: Hats, sunscreen, shade-breaks​
• Dehydration: Plenty of water!​
• In-flight distractions: Stay focused and eye’s on aircraft​
• Situational awareness: Maintain radio contact and have a team on-site to help with large/complicated missions​