The webinar on unmanned aerospace systems presents an overview of their applications and operations, featuring insights from Professor David Thirtyacre of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Key topics include UAS definitions, regulations, manufacturing processes, and training requirements for commercial use. The session emphasizes the growth potential in the UAS sector, alongside educational opportunities available for students in unmanned systems programs.

1. “Unmanned Aerospace Systems—An
Overview of Applications and Operations”
The Webinar begins at
2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (USA)
(11 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Central)
worldwide.erau.edu/webinars

2. Today’s Agenda
• Introductions
• Presentation by Prof. David Thirtyacre
• Questions and Answers
• ERAU UAS-related degree program
• Upcoming Webinar
• Attendance Certificate

3. Professor David
Thirtyacre• Assistant Professor, ERAU
• Col., USAF (ret.)—27 years duty
• 3,500 hours in fighter aircraft
• Director of Advanced Programs, U.S. Air
Force Warfare Center
• Advanced program operation, including
UASs for USAF
• M.A.S. Embry-Riddle

4. 4
sUAS Training; What’s Next?
David Thirtyacre
College of Aeronautics
Unmanned Flight Operations
thirtyad@erau.edu

5. • UAS ->aircraft without an operator or flight crew onboard
– Remotely controlled
– Used for military and civilian (and eventually commercial) tasks without risk to human
operators/crew
• Numerous terms for UAS
– Aeromodeling
– Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV; remote air vehicle element of UAS)
– Unmanned Aerospace Systems (UAS)
– Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
– Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
– Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
– Aerial Target Drone (drone)
UAS Definition

6. • Many technology driven markets of last 50 years characterized by “S”
curve
• Represented by three key phases in product development
– Technological innovation
– Growth
– Maturity
Industry Growth
• Need to be better,
cheaper, or faster
• More capability at
less cost encourages
market growth

7.  425 manufactures in 2014
(UAVGlobal.com)
 Many similar designs/capability
 Many similar mission sets
 Acquisition cost dropping
 Limited quality control
 Limited supply chain integrity
 Limited operating instructions
 Limited software testing
 Limited maintenance procedures
 Limited documentation
 Limited regulation?
 Hobbyist use
 Commercial use
 Limited training?
UAS Manufacturing

8.  Recent NTSB ruling that sUAS are aircraft
 FAA can regulate
 No careless or reckless operations
 Commercial use requires:
 Special Airworthiness Certificate (Civil operators)
 Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (Public operators)
 Part 333 exemptions (Civil operators)
 Hobbyist
 Community of practice guidelines
Regulations

9.  Limitations
 Less than: 55lbs (25kg), 100mph (87kts), 500ft AGL
 Visual line-of-sight only (close enough for operator to see)
 First Person View (FPV) doesn’t count
 No operations over persons
 Day only
 Operations in B, C, D and E airspace with permission from ATC
 Operations in Class G airspace without permission
 No careless or reckless operations
FAA Proposed Part 107
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
Commercial sUAS

10.  Operator Certification
 Pilots of sUAS considered “Operators”
 Pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test
 Be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration
 Obtain operator certificate (small UAS training)
 Must be 17years old
 Report accidents
 Ensure sUAS is safe to fly
 Recurrent aeronautical test every 24 mos
FAA Proposed Part 107
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
Commercial sUAS

11.  If NPRM as written:
 General Aeronautical knowledge (FAA testing center)
 Airspace, weather, aerodynamics, communications, etc
 Operators Certificate
 Qualifications to instruct?
 On what type (RW, FW, Hybrid, manufacturer?)
 Written exam?
 Practical exam?
 To what standard?
 All trained on platforms with limited procedures
Training

12. Manufacturer Checklists

13. ERAU Initial Checklist
PREFLIGHT
Flight Takeoff area……level, unobstructed view
>50ft from spectators
check for other uas ops
Aircraft Battery ……….installed, fully charged
Transmitter Battery….. > 50% charge
Tablet Battery…………> 25% charge
Propellers
Tight………… check
Damage……... check
Locks……….. secure
Airframe
No Damage…. check
Antennas……. check
Landing gear… check
Camera
SD card……… check installed
Filter………… as required
Gimbal ……… check
Transmitter
Tablet……….. connected, secure
Harness……… on
Antennas……. vertical
BEFORE STARTING MOTORS
Aircraft....…………… >10ft, pointing away
Transmitter……………on
Tablet………………… on
Pilot App……………... start
Flight Mode Switch….. P
Aircraft Power……….. on
Transmitter Link………green
Aircraft GPS…………. green flash
Pilot App
A/C Status…… safe to fly
Flight Mode…. P-GPS
Battery Line…. check
Compass………………calibrate
Pilot App
Home Point….. check
Home Altitude..check
Max Rng/Alt… check
Camera Settings………as required

14. ERAU Initial Checklist

15. ERAU Knowledge Tests
1. A _____________ light on the aircraft indicates it is safe to fly
A. Flashing Yellow
B. Flashing Green
C. Double Flashing Green
D. All the above
2. A _____________ light on the aircraft indicates it is safe to fly but
GPS is not available
A. Steady Green
B. Flashing Green
C. Double Flashing Green
D. All the above
3. (T/F) Vision Positioning (VP) is always on unless there is a
malfunction
4. Although VP will function below ________ meters, it is most
accurate below _________meters
5. Greater than 50% charge on the transmitter radio is indicated by
A. 2 solid white lights
B. 2 solid and 1 flashing white lights
C. 3 solid white lights
D. 3 solid and 1 flashing white lights

16.  Adopt FAA protocols for training and certification
 Ground School
 New emphasis on communications
 Written Test required for each platform
 Experimental aircraft still require knowledge test
 Practical Tests
 Including emergency procedures
 Recurring Evaluation
ERAU-W Unmanned Flight
Operations Approach

17.  sUAS manufacturing, training and commercial use
are all growth areas
 FAA NPRM indicates direction of regulations
 FAA certified training and testing will be required to
operate sUAS for commercial use
 The sUAS training market is in the infancy stage
 Common operating procedures only exist inside
organizations
Summary

18. QUESTIONS?
David Thirtyacre
Assistant Professor, Aeronautics
thirtyad@erau.edu

19. Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Systems Applications (BSUSA)
120 credit undergraduate degree program:
• 36 General Education credits
• 48 UAS Core credits
• 36 credits in the three possible tracks:
Administration, Operations, Development
•Degree focus: The application of unmanned systems and related technologies.
Concentration in the areas of administration, operation, and development of
unmanned systems will enable graduates to immediately assume professional
responsibilities within the industry.
BSUSA Overview

20. Master of Science in Unmanned Systems (MSUS)
– 36 credit graduate degree program (12 courses)
– Core: 9 courses and concentration of 3 elective courses for customization of degree
– Covers all domains (air, space, ground, and maritime)
– Creates opportunities to develop and use skills necessary to establish or advance a
successful career in today’s competitive and collaborative working environment
• Degree Focus: Focus on application, development, and management of
unmanned systems, policies, regulations, and related technology to meet the
dynamic needs and challenges of industry
MSUS Overview

21. Upcoming Webinar:
• June 9 Interviewing to Get the Job
worldwide.erau.edu/webinars

22. Todays Presentation:
Prof. David Thirtyacre
thirtyad@erau.edu
~~~
For questions about the webinar series:
Bill Gibbs, Webinar Series Coordinator
bill.gibbs@erau.edu