ObserverObserver

Observer DutiesObserver Duties

Clear the flight path for the UAClear the flight path for the UA Look for other air traffic in the areaLook for other air traffic in the area Pass information to the PICPass information to the PIC Follow instructions from the PICFollow instructions from the PIC Help with the normal launch and Help with the normal launch and

recovery proceduresrecovery procedures Know the regulationsKnow the regulations

Communication with PICCommunication with PIC

Clear concise communicationsClear concise communications Directive then descriptiveDirective then descriptive

Directive – clearly tell PIC if UA must change current Directive – clearly tell PIC if UA must change current path to avoid conflict.path to avoid conflict.

Descriptive – identify conflict with a direction and range Descriptive – identify conflict with a direction and range then extra information that will help in decision makingthen extra information that will help in decision making

Clock positions or Headings decide before hand Clock positions or Headings decide before hand and work as a team and work as a team

Practice togetherPractice together Sample “Continue current pattern, light aircraft Sample “Continue current pattern, light aircraft

north, three miles, heading west, no factor.”north, three miles, heading west, no factor.”

When traffic happensWhen traffic happens

This will not be commonThis will not be common Best to practice traffic calls prior to Best to practice traffic calls prior to

flightflight Figure out what works best for your Figure out what works best for your

teamteam Stay calmStay calm Speak clearlySpeak clearly Listen for conformationListen for conformation If no conformation then speak againIf no conformation then speak again

Lesson 2Lesson 2

Scan PlanScan Plan

Put yourself in a position to look Put yourself in a position to look through the UA to area of greatest through the UA to area of greatest concernconcern

Like an instrument scan planLike an instrument scan plan Through UA, Right, Through UA, Left, Through UA, Right, Through UA, Left,

Through UA, Behind, Through UAThrough UA, Behind, Through UA Don’t stare for long periodsDon’t stare for long periods Focus on something far awayFocus on something far away Listen for trafficListen for traffic

Human Factors in Human Factors in Perception: Perception:

Applications to UAS Applications to UAS ObserversObserversJuly 9, 2008July 9, 2008

UND AerospaceUND Aerospace

Dr. Warren JensenDr. Warren Jensen

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

1.1. Discuss the challenges to human perception of Discuss the challenges to human perception of UAS ground observation. UAS ground observation.

2.2. Discuss visual acuity and limits of human Discuss visual acuity and limits of human visual perception .visual perception .

3.3. Describe how orientation, context, and Describe how orientation, context, and extraneous cues impact our visual perception.extraneous cues impact our visual perception.

4.4. Describe how relative motion, altered light Describe how relative motion, altered light angles, contrast, and loss of depth cues can angles, contrast, and loss of depth cues can impact visual perception.impact visual perception.

PerceptionPerception

The ability to gather and interpret sensory The ability to gather and interpret sensory information.information.

What is What is perception?perception? Detection of Detection of

Sensation or a Sensation or a Stimulus?Stimulus?

Pattern Pattern recognition?recognition?

Interpretation?Interpretation? Situation Situation

Awareness?Awareness?

Visual Perception Visual Perception ConceptsConcepts

Central and peripheral vision roles Central and peripheral vision roles are different.are different. Central vision is where your acuity and Central vision is where your acuity and

color vision is best.color vision is best. Used for high resolution and focus.Used for high resolution and focus.

Peripheral vision is used for Peripheral vision is used for orientation, orientation, assessment of speed, and assessment of speed, and detection of motion in your surroundings.detection of motion in your surroundings.

Visual acuityVisual acuity

Our resolution is a function of pixelsOur resolution is a function of pixels The letter E on the Snellen Chart is 8.8 The letter E on the Snellen Chart is 8.8

mm in heightmm in heightE E E E EE EE EE EE EE EE EE EE EE EE

At one mile: the E would have to be 2.3 At one mile: the E would have to be 2.3 meters.meters. This assumes adequate lighting and This assumes adequate lighting and

contrastcontrast Can you fly the aircraft beyond your ability Can you fly the aircraft beyond your ability

to see?to see?

Contrast issuesContrast issues

Depth PerceptionDepth Perception

Binocular / stereoscopic visionBinocular / stereoscopic vision marginal beyond 20 yardsmarginal beyond 20 yards limited to 200 yardslimited to 200 yards

Monocular cues are neededMonocular cues are needed Visual overlay, haze, shadow, referenceVisual overlay, haze, shadow, reference

Visual Overlay and Size Visual Overlay and Size ReferenceReference

How far away is this 747?How far away is this 747?

Visual Perception Visual Perception Challenges…Challenges…

Altered appearances compared to Altered appearances compared to ground opsground ops Atmospheric effects (dust and humidity)Atmospheric effects (dust and humidity)

Haze is a distant visual cueHaze is a distant visual cue Light sources from belowLight sources from below

Light angles can hide shadow cuesLight angles can hide shadow cues Loss of Depth, Texture, and Size cuesLoss of Depth, Texture, and Size cues

Indistinct features are difficult to assessIndistinct features are difficult to assess

Loss of Light ScatterLoss of Light Scatter

Contrast and TextureContrast and Texture

Visual assessment of Visual assessment of speedspeed

Relative MotionRelative Motion

Objects that move Objects that move in our peripheral in our peripheral vision are easier to vision are easier to detect.detect.

Objects moving Objects moving toward or away toward or away from you are from you are difficult to perceive.difficult to perceive.

StrategiesStrategies

Optimize your visual acuity issuesOptimize your visual acuity issues Beware of conditions that degrade Beware of conditions that degrade

acuityacuity Correct scanning techniquesCorrect scanning techniques

Improve contrast issuesImprove contrast issues Aircraft color/lighting, vantage point, Aircraft color/lighting, vantage point,

light conditionslight conditions Check backgrounds for contrastCheck backgrounds for contrast Colored lenses (in some settings)Colored lenses (in some settings)

StrategiesStrategies

Beware of visual obstructionsBeware of visual obstructions Color and shape similarityColor and shape similarity

Consider relative motion problemsConsider relative motion problems More difficult to spot and assess motionMore difficult to spot and assess motion

Losing sightLosing sight

What to do when you lose What to do when you lose sightsight

Admit itAdmit it Ask PIC if he/she sees the UAAsk PIC if he/she sees the UA If neither see UA have person at If neither see UA have person at

computer state where to look computer state where to look referencing HORIZONreferencing HORIZON

ListenListen Have person at computer drag next Have person at computer drag next

point back towards teampoint back towards team Command return and landCommand return and land

RegulationsRegulations

Interim Operational Approval Guidance 08-01

Section 8.2.1 Class II medical certificates Aviation knowledge Visual Range with 1nm & 3000 feet

limit

8.2.1 Observer Requirement: VFR UAS operations may be authorized utilizing either

ground-based or airborne visual observers onboard a dedicated chase aircraft.

A visual observer is required to perform the see and avoid function as alternative compliance to 14 CFR 91.113, Right-of-Way Rules: Except Water Operations.

The task of the observer is to provide the pilot of the UAS with instructions to steer the UA clear of any potential collision with other traffic. Visual observer duties require the ability to maintain visual contact with the UA at all times while scanning the immediate environment for potential conflicting traffic. At no time will the visual observer permit the UA to operate outside their line-of-sight. This ensures that any required maneuvering information can be reliably provided to the PIC.

The visual limitation will specify both a lateral and vertical distance and shall be regarded as a maximum distance from the observer where a determination of a conflict with another aircraft can be made. When an application is approved by the FAA, the visual limitation distance becomes a directive upon the observer.

08-0108-01 Generally, observers are to be positioned no greater

than one nautical mile laterally and 3000 feet vertically from the UA. The use of nautical miles is based on the fact that the UA is being positioned by the pilot via control stations that typically use moving map displays that are referenced in nautical miles.

This distance is predicated on the observer’s normal unaided vision. Corrective lenses, spectacles, and contact lenses may be used.

When using other aids to vision, such as binoculars, field glasses, or telephoto television, visual observers must use caution to ensure that the UA remains within the approved visual limitation distance of the observer.

Due to field of view and distortion issues, the use of such aids can be used to augment the observer’s visual capability but cannot be used as the primary means of visual contact.

08-0108-01 Although this guidance specifies an observer distance, the

small size of some UA may not allow for adequate observation at the one mile limit. It should be understood that this limit is the maximum range allowed and that a practical distance may be something less, with the determination of such at the discretion of the applicant.

Therefore, until an on site validation of observer distance is conducted by the FAA, it will remain the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the safety of flight and adequate visual range coverage to mitigate any potential collisions.

Conversely, larger UA may accommodate an observer distance greater than the one mile limit. (our current COAs state 1 NM)

The applicant may establish a distance greater than one mile based on a variety of factors. Increased observer distances may be proposed by the applicant and will be subject to review by the FAA either by on site demonstration or other means.

If UAS applications are approved for nighttime operations with flight operations that will depart or arrive between sunset and sunrise, the ground observer(s) must be in place one hour prior to that operation to ensure acclimation to the twilight/nighttime environment. (currently not UND)