Human Factors and Safety in Emerging Unmanned Aircraft System Operations

Over the past decade, drones, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), have transformed industries across the United States, becoming indispensable tools in commercial operations such as package delivery, construction, firefighting, and infrastructure inspection. Recreational drone usage has also surged. As this technology continues to expand, the safety and efficiency of UAS operations rely not only on technological advancements and regulatory frameworks but also on the critical role of human performance.This book offers an exploration of human factors in UAS operations, providing readers with a holistic understanding of how human performance influences safety, efficiency, and scalability across commercial, public, and recreational sectors. Authored by FAA-certified remote pilots, human factors professionals, and safety experts, this title combines theoretical insights with practical applications, making it a versatile guide for anyone invested in the future of safe and efficient UAS operations. Drawing on aviation safety frameworks and human factors principles, it examines key elements such as team dynamics, trust, workload, situational awareness, and decision-making in UAS environments. Through real-world case studies and FAA regulatory insights, the book addresses operational hazards, risk mitigation strategies, and the application of Safety Management Systems (SMS). Concluding chapters focus on operator requirements, training, and workload management, while tackling human-in-the-loop challenges in advanced air mobility (AAM) environments. Readers will gain practical tools and knowledge to enhance UAS operational safety and reduce human errors.Human Factors and Safety in Emerging Unmanned Aircraft System Operations: Exploring Operational Challenges is an essential resource for aviation practitioners, researchers, and instructors seeking to understand human factors in UAS operations.

Vivek Sharma is an Assistant Professor in the College of Aeronautics at the Florida Institute of Technology, USA. He serves as Chair of Online Graduate Programs. He is the Founder and Director of THRUST Aviation Research Lab. His expertise spans aviation safety, human factors, data analytics, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Dr. Sharma holds a Ph.D. in Aviation Sciences from Florida Tech and teaches courses in aviation statistics, human factors, and aviation safety, among others. Dr Sharma’s research focuses on analyzing operational data using machine learning to support proactive safety decisions and addressing human factors in traditional and unmanned aviation operations. He is an FAA-certified remote pilot, FAA Safety Team representative specializing in drones, and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, UK.Deborah Carstens is a Tenured Professor of Aviation Human Factors and Graduate Program Chair at the Florida Institute of Technology, USA. She is the Director of the HF ASSIST Lab and serves as PEGASAS Site Director, with research funded by organizations such as the FAA, NASA, SBA, and NIH. Her work focuses on human factors and aviation studies, with 90 peer-reviewed publications and four books. Dr. Carstens is a PMP and holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida, USA, and previously worked as an engineer and project manager at NASA. She has received awards for her contributions to aviation research.Ryan Wallace is a Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA. His research focuses on aviation safety, security, human factors, and public policy. He has led federal grants totaling over $10 million and facilitated UAS safety and counter-UAS training for federal agencies. Dr. Wallace has collaborated with government partners on policy development and provided expert testimony to legislative committees. He serves on the FAA’s Drone Safety Team and has extensive experience as an Air Force veteran, accumulating over 1,500 flight hours as an Air Battle Manager on the E-3 AWACS.Chuyang Yang is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the M.S. in Uncrewed Systems at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, USA. He specializes in data-driven solutions to enhance aviation safety, security, and sustainability, focusing on airports, traditional aircraft, and UAS. Dr. Yang has led multiple research grants funded by the FAA and FEMA, addressing the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace system. He holds a Ph.D. in Technology and an M.S. in Aviation and Aerospace Management from Purdue University, USA, and was a recipient of the Graduate Research Award from the U.S. National Academies.Bhoomin Chauhan is a Research Engineer contractor at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, USA. He supports research on unmanned traffic management beyond visual line of sight (UTM-BVLOS) and UAS integration into the national airspace system. Dr