Pilot Performance Controlling Multiple Rovs in Terminal Airspace and Strategies for Managing them

Abstract

Beach. Simulated ROVs were flown in terminal airspace for the purpose of determining the feasibility of flying ROVs through commercial traffic. Pilots, with glass cockpit experience, were required to fly one or two ROVs in simulated airspace over water reservoirs near DFW airport, with the major goal of avoiding the approach traffic while patrolling Grapevine and nearby lakes. This paper will focus on pilot performance and strategies for controlling single versus multiple ROVs. Results showed that pilots had a difficult time patrolling the lake without losing separation from the approach traffic. However, their performance did improve after practice. Cooper-Harper workload ratings showed that pilots experienced higher workload when controlling two ROVs compared to one, especially in high traffic, which matches the performance data. Strategies for control of multiple ROVs are discussed.

Situation awareness in human systems integration.

“…"One-to-many" operation is driven by the goal of lowering labor, personnel, and training costs (Pew & Mavor, 2007). Problems of SA can arise, however, when the operator must switch perspectives from one UAS to another (Vu et al, 2006). Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that fully automated UAS, such as the Global Hawk, are not immune to problems stemming from compromised SA.…”