This lesson describes:

• The role of the Remote Pilot in Command
• Other supporting crew roles
• Best practices for crew resource management

An sUAS operation may involve one individual or a team of crewmembers. Part 107 defines the following sUAS crew roles:

• Remote Pilot in Command (Remote PIC): A person who holds a current remote pilot certificate with an sUAS rating and has the final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the sUAS
• Person manipulating the controls: A person controlling the sUAS under direct supervision of the Remote PIC
• Visual observer: A person acting as a flight crewmember to help see and avoid air traffic or other objects in the sky, overhead, or on the ground

The Remote PIC is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation of the sUAS conducted under 14 CFR part 107.

He or she must:

• Be designated before each flight (but can change during the flight)
• Ensure that the operation:
  • Poses no undue hazard to people, aircraft, or property in the event of a loss of control of the aircraft for any reason
  • Complies with all applicable regulations of part 107
• Operate the small unmanned aircraft to ensure compliance with all applicable provisions
• Can not be responsible for more than one unmanned aircraft operation at a time.

Part 107 permits transfer of control of the sUAS between two or more certificated Remote PICs. The transfer of aircraft control (i.e. the Remote PIC designation) to each other must be accomplished while maintaining visual line of sight of the sUAS and without loss of control.

Even though the remote PIC may briefly lose sight of the small UA, he or she always has the see-and-avoid responsibilities.

If VLOS cannot be regained, the remote PIC or person manipulating the controls should follow predetermined procedures for a loss of VLOS. These procedures are determined by the capabilities of the sUAS and may include:

• Immediately landing
• Entering Hover mode
• Return to home sequence

A non-certificated person may operate the sUAS under Part 107 only if:

• He or she is directly supervised by the Remote PIC
  and
• The Remote PIC has the ability to immediately take direct control of the sUAS

The Remote PIC is ultimately responsible for identifying hazardous conditions. The Remote PIC's ability to regain control of the sUAS is necessary to ensure that he or she can quickly intervene to ensure the safety of the flight and prevent a hazardous situation before an accident or incident occurs.

Skill sets include situational awareness, proper allocation of tasks to individuals, avoidance of work overloads in self and in others, and effectively communicating with other members of the crew, such as VOs and persons manipulating the controls of an sUAS.

The ability for the Remote PIC to immediately take over the flight controls may be achieved by using a number of different methods.

For example, the Remote PIC could:

• Stand close enough to physically take over the control station
• Use a “buddy box” system with two control stations:
  • One for the person manipulating the flight controls
  • One that allows the Remote PIC to immediately override the other control station
• Use a preprogrammed safe-mode system with "home" or "hover" functions

The role of visual observers (VOs) is to alert the rest of the crew about potential hazards during sUAS operations. The use of VOs is optional. However, the Remote PIC may use one or more VOs to supplement situational awareness and visual-line-of-sight responsibilities while the Remote PIC is conducting other mission-critical duties (such as checking displays).

The Remote PIC must make certain that all VOs:

• Are positioned in a location where they are able to see the sUAS continuously and sufficiently to maintain visual line of sight
• Possess a means to effectively communicate the sUAS position and the position of other aircraft to the Remote PIC and person manipulating the controls
• Visual observer can not be responsible for more than one unmanned aircraft operation at a time.

The Remote PIC attains situational awareness by obtaining as much information as possible prior to a flight and becoming familiar with the performance capabilities of the sUAS, weather conditions, surrounding airspace, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) requirements. Sources of information include a weather briefing, ATC, FAA, local pilots, and landowners.

Technology, such as global positioning systems (GPS), mapping systems, and computer applications, can assist in collecting and managing information to improve your situational awareness and risk-based aeronautical decision making (ADM).

Despite all the changes in technology to improve flight safety, one factor remains the same: the human factor which leads to errors. It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of all aviation accidents are related to human factors and the vast majority of these accidents occur during landing (24.1 percent) and takeoff (23.4 percent)

Crew resource management (CRM) is the effective use of all available resources—human, hardware, and information—prior to and during flight to ensure a successful outcome of the operation. The Remote PIC must integrate crew resource management techniques into all phases of the sUAS operation.

Many of the crew resource management techniques traditionally used in manned aircraft operations are also applicable for sUAS, such as the ability to:

• Delegate operational tasks and manage crewmembers
• Recognize and address hazardous attitudes
• Establish effective team communication procedures

The Remote PIC identifies, delegates, and manages tasks for each sUAS operation.

Tasks can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the sUAS operation. Supporting crewmembers can help accomplish those tasks and ensure the safety of flight. For example, visual observers and other ground crew can provide valuable information about traffic, airspace, weather, equipment, and aircraft loading and performance.

The Remote PIC:

• Assesses the operating environment (airspace, surrounding terrain, weather, hazards, etc.)
• Determines the appropriate number of crewmembers that are needed to safely conduct a given operation. The Remote PIC must ensure sufficient crew support so that no one on the team becomes over-tasked, which increases the possibility of an incident or accident.
• Informs participants of delegated tasks and sets expectations
• Manages and supervises the crew to ensure that everyone completes their assigned tasks

Studies have identified five hazardous attitudes that can interfere with the ability to make sound decisions and properly exercise authority: anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, machoism, and resignation. Each attitude is described in more detail on the next screen.

Remote PICs should be alert for hazardous attitudes (in themselves or in other crewmembers), label it as hazardous, and correct the behavior.

The FAA requires that the Remote PIC and other crewmembers coordinate to:

1. Scan the airspace in the operational area for any potential collision hazard; and
2. Maintain awareness of the position of the sUAS through direct visual observation.

To achieve this goal, the Remote PIC should:

• Foster an environment where open communication is encouraged and expected between the entire crew to maximize team performance
• Establish effective communication procedures prior to flight
• Select an appropriate method of communication, such as the use of hand-held radio or other effective means that would not create a distraction and allows all crewmembers to understand each other
• Inform the crew as conditions change about any needed adjustments to ensure a safe outcome of the operation

Another way to mitigate risk is to perceive hazards. By incorporating the PAVE checklist into preflight planning, the pilot divides the risks of flight into four categories: Pilot-in-command (PIC), Aircraft, enVironment, and External pressures (PAVE) which form part of a pilot’s decision-making process.

• P-Pilot in Command (PIC): “Am I ready for this flight operation?”
• A-Aircraft: “Is this the right aircraft for the flight?”
• V-Environment: “What are the current ceiling and visibility?
• E-External Pressures: “Am I making a decision to fly, because of a deadline?”

This lesson described the Remote PIC’s responsibilities during an sUAS operation and best practices for crew resource management.

In summary, the Remote PIC holds a remote pilot certificate with an sUAS rating. He or she is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the sUAS. The Remote PIC designates, prepares, and closely supervises any individuals serving as supporting crew members, such as the person manipulating the controls or visual observers.

You should now be able to:

• Describe certification requirements for the Remote PIC
• Define possible supporting crew roles in sUAS operations
• Describe best practices for crew resource management

The next module examines rules for the safe operation of sUAS.