UAS Mishaps and Accidents

 There are many different factors when evaluating someone for their ability to be a UAS operator. UAS operators are required to operate in dynamic environments almost every time they fly.  I personally have had the opportunity to fly small personal UAS in the past, and have noticed, even as a pilot, it can be quite challenging when you initially start learning.  This can often lead to crashes with objects or the ground.  In my experience, because I was working with a small UAS, I did not need to register it and could practice with no real training.  I eventually got the hang of the flight path, but it did take a couple of practices.  

To actually be certified I believe it is important for a pilot to go through a multi-week course that covers a variety of topics.  These topics include aerodynamics, weather, and airspace.  Once the operator completes that course, they can then move on to actually learning to fly UAS.  Those fundamentals are important. 

The size and capability of the UAS also drives the requirements.  A larger UAS requires the operator to have more certification levels.  It is very different for an operator to operate a small UAS in their backyard compared to operating a UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight in large airspaces.  It is also important when operating larger UAS that a crew mentality is utilized.  Some UAS can maintain in the air for many hours a day.  This means that the crew will need to rest in between different stages of flight.  Crews need to understand not only how to operate the aircraft, but also how to do appropriate turnovers between crew shifts.  

Lastly, operating a UAS in the NAS should require just as much training as a commercial pilot operating in the NAS.  Flying in controlled airspace can be challenging, and it is made more challenging when the operator is unable to look outside of the cockpit and see potential problems arising.   Manned commercial pilots need at least 250 hours of flight time, and though that seems high, I feel that it is necessary when operating in dynamic areas in the NAS (AOPA, n.d.).  Commercial UAS operators have the same level of stress throughout their job and should require the same level of training.

References

AOPA.  (n.d.) Commercial Pilot Certificate.  AOPA your freedom to fly.  https://aopa.org/training-and-safety/active-pilots/safety-and-technique/operations/commercial-pilot-certificate