by DRONELIFE Contributing Editor Paul Rossi
As we stand on the brink of a transformative era in aviation, NASA is delving deeper into the symbiosis between humans and autonomous aircraft systems. On the forefront of this exploration is Andy Lacher, a NASA researcher heavily involved in autonomy and human aspects research. I had the chance to take a seat down with Lacher on the AUVSI Xponential 2024. Our conversation revealed insightful perspectives on NASA’s current projects and the long run role of human pilots in an increasingly automated aerospace sector.
Human-Machine Harmony
NASA’s commitment to understanding human interaction with aircraft systems stretches back to the early days of onboard systems and has evolved significantly with the arrival of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). When asked about how NASA is exploring the interaction between humans and these systems, Lacher highlighted the critical importance of human roles in the protection and operation of UAS, especially in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) scenarios. “Humans are a routine piece of secure operations,” Lacher explained. “While we frequently concentrate on incidents, understanding what happens when things go right is equally crucial for shaping future methods of human intervention.”
Managing the Skies
One among the foremost challenges in modern aviation is the management of multiple autonomous aircraft concurrently. NASA is tackling this challenge head-on by collaborating with community and industry working groups. Lacher shared that the main target is on “developing methodologies to reveal safety and to categorise when human intervention is mandatory, together with understanding interactions with air traffic control (ATC).” This involves leveraging human aspects expertise to grasp how tasks can accumulate and maintain focus across several aircraft.
The Way forward for Piloting
With the rise of aircraft automation, the role of human pilots is undeniably changing. Lacher discussed this shift, particularly when it comes to traditional flight operation roles akin to the pilot in command (PIC), pilot flying, and pilot not flying. “We’re having the duties of the pilot flying and pilot not flying managed by automation, with the human PIC remaining actively engaged within the operations,” he said. This reimagined role allows pilots to oversee more strategic elements of flight management while counting on automation for routine tasks.
Key Takeaways for DroneLife.com Readers
For enthusiasts and professionals reading DroneLife.com, Lacher’s message is obvious: aviation systems are inherently immune to rapid change. “Aviation focuses on careful and proven changes which were safely demonstrated,” he noted. Unlike the high-risk cultures of enterprise capital and startups, aviation demands a meticulous and conservative approach to innovation. Nevertheless, Lacher assures us that the FAA is working hard, while specializing in safety, to facilitate the advancement of UAS technologies.
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. the U.S. Army Aviation Logistics School, Rossi is enthusiastic about the aviation industry. He holds each a non-public pilot’s license for manned aircraft and a Part 107 Distant Pilot’s Certificate. You possibly can see more videos and product information on the Nine Ten Drones YouTube channel.