Safety Board Explores UAV Safety

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Safety Forum April 29-30 in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center. The forum includes presentations by various organizations, including NASA, the FAA and UAS manufacturers and users. NTSB Board Member Kitty Higgins is chairing the two-day session. The event began with a briefing on current and future UAS applications by NASA Langley Research Center.  Expert panelists discussed integration of UAS into the National Airspace System, including air traffic control (ATC) procedures and training for manned and unmanned aircraft, data links and lost link emergency procedure. Current NAS users, some already with safety concerns about UAS operations in civil airspace, are also being offered the opportunity to discuss how best to mix manned and unmanned aircraft operations in the NAS. Presenters include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Airline Pilots Association, and the Air Transport Association. Human factors regarding remote UAS operators will be discussed on the second day with discussion of  pilot selection, certification and training.  Human-machine interface, teamwork/communication and coordination are specific subject areas on the agenda. The UAS forum is also available on the NTSB’s website as a live/recorded webcast.