Annotated Bibliography (1997 – 2021): Crew and Staffing Requirements of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Air Carrier Operations

Hu, Peter T.; Nelson, Brittany; Nesmith, Blake L.; Williams, Kevin W. · 2022 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Office of Aerospace Medicine

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Summary

This annotated bibliography, published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2022, addresses the regulatory gap concerning crew and staffing requirements for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in air carrier operations. While current regulations like 14 CFR Part 107 govern small UAS, they do not explicitly address air carrier (Part 121) or commuter (Part 135) operations, nor do they adequately cover systems weighing over 55 pounds. The rapid advancement of UAS automation and the increasing demand for commercial applications, such as package delivery and air taxis, have created a need to define minimum crew and staffing standards that ensure an Equivalent Level of Safety (ELOS) comparable to manned aviation. The document aims to synthesize existing literature to inform future FAA rulemaking and support the safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review spanning publications from 1997 to 2021. They searched PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and the FAA Technical Library using keywords related to air carrier operations, duty and rest requirements, UAS crew requirements, and automation. The search was supplemented by examining reference sections of identified articles. Seventy-six relevant articles, including empirical studies, meta-analyses, literature reviews, and regulatory guidelines, were selected for annotation. These articles were categorized into two primary sections: Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Manned Operations, with subheadings focusing on crew roles, automation levels, duty and rest requirements, and training. The review reveals that crew and staffing requirements are highly dependent on operational context and automation levels. A key finding is the recommendation for "dynamic crew sizing," where staffing levels are adjusted based on operational complexity and individual workload rather than fixed mandates. For instance, long-endurance operations may require larger crews, while high automation allows single pilots to monitor multiple aircraft, shifting their role from active piloting to passive monitoring. This shift introduces new cognitive demands and fatigue risks, necessitating robust duty and rest regulations. The literature also highlights the importance of crew configuration and workspace layout, noting that integrated teams and specific ground control station layouts can improve situation awareness and performance. Additionally, the review identifies gaps in current training programs, particularly for roles like Visual Observers, and suggests that automated systems may eventually need to be regulated as crewmembers. The significance of this work lies in its provision of a foundational framework for future UAS regulations. By synthesizing research on automation, workload, and human factors, the bibliography supports the FAA’s ongoing efforts to standardize crew and staffing requirements for commercial UAS operations. It underscores the necessity of further basic and applied research to evaluate the effects of automation and duty cycles on crew performance. Ultimately, the document emphasizes that standardizing these requirements is critical for ensuring the safe and efficient integration of UAS into the National Airspace System, balancing operational efficiency with rigorous safety standards.

Key finding

Crew and staffing requirements for UAS air carrier operations must be standardized and dynamically adjusted based on operational needs and automation levels to ensure safety and efficiency.

Methodology

review

Sample size: 76

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