Examining human factors challenges of sustainable small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operations

Abstract

Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) represent a significant instrument for improving task efficiency and effectiveness across numerous industries and operational environments. However, concern has grown regarding potentially irresponsible operation and public apprehension to potential privacy loss. These concerns, combined with unique sUAS human factors challenges, may lead to unwanted and dangerous results, including reduction of safety, property damage, and loss of life. Such challenges include lack of command, control, and communication (C3) standardization; detection, tracking, and managing operations; and human perceptual and cognitive issues. Issues and concerns could be significant barriers to permitting routine and sustainable operations in the National Airspace System (NAS), but by closely examining these factors may be possible to devise strategies to better support future application. This exploratory study seeks to provide a review of relevant exigent literature as well as condense findings into sets of recommendations and guidelines for human factors in sUAS adoption and use.