Operate & Manage – In-Flight Management

Please review the V-TOL GCS program: Neuron GCS

Please review the presentations:

• Energy Source 1: Energy Source Part 1
• Energy Source 2: Energy Source Part 2
• Energy Source 3: Batteries Part 1
• Energy Source 4: Batteries Part 2

Class exercise:

• What types of risks must be managed with energy systems?
• How do you think we should deal with power failures?

Likely faults of an RPAS battery power system occur in two main areas, being human error and equipment fault/failure. Checklists are one method of reducing the possibility of human error, for example checking to see batteries have been charged.

Company Standard Operating Procedures are one possible method of ensuring maximum service life from batteries – for example requiring that should a battery not be required for use for 7 days or more, it should be stored with only a service charge, rather than being fully charged. Component or system faults/failures in RPAS tend to be difficult to predict.

It is for this reason that prior to flight the pilot of an unmanned aircraft is required to review the maintenance log for the aircraft and convince themself that the maintenance carried out on the aircraft has been completed, and as far as practical the aircraft is fully serviceable.

In Summary:

• RPAS battery power system typically occur as:
  • Human error
  • Equipment fault/failure
• Checklists reduce the possibility of human errors
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) can help ensure maximum service life from batteries and power systems
• Component or system faults/failures are usually difficult to predict:
  • Maintenance logs are carried out to track aircraft serviceability
  • Predictive maintenance is carried out to replace parts before they break!

Common faults that occur with RPAS power systems include:

• Degradation of the conductive plating on battery connectors causing a high impedance (sometimes intermittent) connection
• Incorrectly made solder joints that fatigue and fracture with vibration and time
• Work hardening of wires, leading to the wire fracturing (sometimes without obvious signs)
• Inappropriate power connectors that do not incorporate a locking mechanism, and subsequently separate in flight

A major difference between hobby flight and professional flight:

The time and effort that is expended in the professional world to ensure – as much as possible– a safe and guaranteed operation.