Abstract
Operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for commercial purposes in the United States requires the pilot to pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) knowledge exam to earn their UAS license. The exam does not include a practical component where flight proficiency is assessed. This represents a source of risk for contractors if flight proficiency is not evaluated in another way. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is a federal agency and has developed the Basic Maneuvering Test (BMT). It is the only nationally recognized UAS flight proficiency exam. While not required, the construction industry can benefit by using this exam to evaluate their pilots. However, there are costs to build the test lane and has logistical challenges to administer. This study shows that a newly developed BMT computer simulation is a convenient alternative to the traditional in-person exam. Twenty-four Part 107 pilots were given the BMT in-person and with the simulator. In addition, the physical location of the UAS from the target was evaluated against the exam parameters. The pilots’ exam scores and times were statistically the same when using both testing methods. The study also suggests the construction industry can reduce risk within their UAS program by using the simulator for training and evaluation
Recommended Citation
Dees, Colin and Burgett, Joseph M.
(2022)
"Using Flight Simulation as a Convenient Method for UAS Flight Assessment for Contractors,"
The Professional Constructor: Vol. 47:
No.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://open.clemson.edu/aic-journal/vol47/iss1/3
