Purpose

This blog was created as a partial fulfillment requirement for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Masters in Aeronautical Science, ASCI 638 Human Factors in Unmanned Systems.  The following blog post meets the requirements outlined each week in order to receive credit in the class.  The purpose of this course is to present an overview of the importance of major human factors issues associated with unmanned systems, including remotely operated and autonomous unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned space systems operations across a variety of platforms employed in both commercial and military operations. Emphasis was placed on the differences and commonalities between occupied and unoccupied systems, with the focus on the human factor issues encountered by individual unmanned operators (pilots and sensor operators) as well as UAS teams. This included familiarity with human factor issues surrounding unmanned launch, recovery, long duration operations, fatigue, human performance, Ground Control Station (GCS) design, use of automation, Situation Awareness (SA), Crew Resource Management (CRM), integration into the National Air Space (NAS), attitudes and perspectives of both government agencies and public entities, use of technology to compensate for no-pilot-onboard, and regulatory issues and solutions. Finally this course included weekly discussions on human capabilities and limitations as it relates to safe and effective operation of unmanned aircraft and space systems in a variety of commercial and military operations.¹

1. 2015-2016 worldwide catalog. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://catalog.erau.edu/worldwide/graduate-courses/asci/