Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Market Survey
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA wants to hear what people think about how drone pilots get tired and what they need to know to safely fly drones. They're asking about 180 people to take a survey to help make new rules for flying drones in the future.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on a new survey aimed at collecting information about the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), such as drones. The survey will focus on fatigue-related practices, necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, testing, and staffing procedures for UAS operation. This initiative is part of efforts to integrate UAS operations more effectively into the National Airspace System by gathering data that could inform future regulations. The survey expects about 180 respondents, targeting a wide range of stakeholders, and aims to enhance the understanding of UAS operations and the needs for pilot certification requirements.
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 17, 2020. The collection involves an electronic distribution of a survey to gather information on current practices for pilots of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The target information to be gathered is the common fatigue-related practices, and the minimum knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), testing, and staffing procedures required for operating UAS. The information to be collected will be used to inform future rulemaking and the development of supporting guidance. The information is necessary because the existing regulatory framework, to include the certification of airmen, was not designed with remote pilots in mind. To broadly integrate UAS and remote pilots into the National Airspace System, further rulemaking will be required to address remote pilot certification for air carrier operations and flight and duty time periods applicable to remote pilot air carrier operations.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register discusses a new initiative by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to gather information about unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. This effort is part of the FAA’s broader goal of integrating UAS operations safely into the National Airspace System. The survey primarily intends to collect data about fatigue-related practices and the necessary qualifications for operating UAS, including the knowledge, skills, abilities, and testing needed for remote pilots. This information could potentially inform future rules and guidelines regarding the operation of drones.
Overview and Purpose
The FAA's initiative represents an important step in addressing the evolving landscape of drone technology and its implications for airspace management. As drones become more prevalent, especially in commercial sectors, understanding the operational challenges and requirements becomes essential for maintaining safety and efficiency in aviation.
The survey targets a relatively small pool of respondents—about 180—and seeks to include a variety of stakeholders such as drone operators, organizations involved with UAS operations, and potentially even those with insights into manned flight experiences interfacing with UAS.
Significant Issues
There are several notable issues within the document that warrant attention. First and foremost is the lack of clarity on how the FAA determined the number of 180 respondents for the survey. Although the document refers to "statistical reasons and prior experience," this rationale might not suffice for those questioning whether such a sample size is representative enough to draw significant conclusions about the industry.
Moreover, the method of survey distribution, which involves forwarding a survey link and targets some specific organizations, raises questions about how the FAA plans to ensure a representative and unbiased sample. This method might complicate efforts to track responses and could inadvertently narrow the participant pool, affecting the diversity and relevance of the responses received.
Another concern is the survey’s focus on fatigue-related practices without detailed explanation of what specific data is sought. This could lead to confusion among respondents about what information is expected, which may affect the clarity and usefulness of the collected data.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly speaking, the public might be impacted by this initiative as it feeds into the regulatory framework shaping how drones are integrated into the national airspace. Enhanced regulations informed by comprehensive data could promote safer skies, benefiting everyone who utilizes or is affected by airspace operations.
Specific stakeholders, like drone operators, manned aircraft pilots, and industry groups, may experience both positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, the survey could help establish clearer guidelines and support the professionalization of UAS operations, which could lead to better safety standards and operational practices. However, there might be apprehension about potential regulatory burdens that could arise from new rules if the data suggests stricter controls or more comprehensive certification requirements.
Conclusion
The FAA's attempt to collect detailed information through this UAS market survey is a step toward understanding and improving how drones fit into the complex ecosystem of national airspace. While the initiative is promising in its objectives, the execution could benefit from more transparency, particularly in explaining the survey’s sample size and its approach to ensuring diverse and representative participation. Addressing these issues may not only enhance the efficacy of the survey but also bolster confidence among its respondents and those affected by the forthcoming regulations based on its outcomes.
Issues
• The document estimates 180 respondents for the survey, but there's no clear explanation provided for how this number was determined besides 'statistical reasons and prior experience.' This could lead to questions about the adequacy of this sample size.
• The language regarding who should respond to the survey and how it will be distributed may be seen as vague. It mentions specific organizations but also says respondents can forward it, which could make tracking who responds and ensuring a representative sample challenging.
• The Small UAV Coalition noted that academic experts studying fatigue weren't considered, and while the FAA acknowledged the comment, they did not expand the survey to include these insights, which could be a missed opportunity for gathering comprehensive data.
• There is frequent reference to 'fatigue-related practices,' but the document doesn't detail what specific information or data the FAA aims to collect regarding fatigue, which could lead to ambiguity in responses.
• Although the document mentions privacy concerns, it doesn't elaborate on any specific measures or protections in place to ensure the confidentiality of survey data, which may be a concern for respondents.
• Language such as 'inform future rulemaking and the development of supporting guidance' is somewhat vague and could benefit from more precise details on how exactly the collected data will be utilized.