Human Factors Implications of Unmanned Aircraft Accidents: Flight-Control Problems

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute2006PDFResearch PaperWilliams, K. W.Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited States. Office of Aerospace MedicineDrone aircraftAir transportation crashesHuman factors in crashesFlight control systemsAviation safetyAirplanesPilotingControl systemsDOT/FAA/AM-06/8AHRR521This research focuses on three types of flight control problems associated with unmanned aircraft systems. Thethree flight control problems are: 1) external pilot difficulties with inconsistent mapping of the controls to themovement of the aircraft; 2) difficulties associated with the transfer of control from one control location toanother during the flight; and 3) problems associated the automation of flight control. Specific accidentsassociated with each type of control problem are given as examples. The accidents involve several differentaircraft systems that are currently in use. Solutions for each type of control problem are offered.119