The Remote Pilot in Command
NERD ALERT!!
While some of you may be wondering why I am stating the obvious about myself, I wanted to give a warning that sometimes I may write about random things that don’t seem to be relevant. But that is how my brain works. I see ideas in the world around me and I place them into my framework of life. Some posts like this one may not seem relevant at face value, but I will try to wrap it up at the end to make it applicable to everyone.
An hour after I turned in my last assignment of grad school, I began a new journey. I registered for remotepilot101.com, to begin training for my 14 CFR Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or as I would say, commercial drone pilot license. While there are many concepts I would love to ramble about, there is one concept that I believe is the most important, the Remote Pilot in Command (PIC).
The remote PIC is the final authority of all flight decisions.
The remote PIC should be decided before the flight begins. They are fully responsible from takeoff to landing and have final say in what does and does not happen. Even if the remote PIC is employed or working for a client, legally they have the authority to determine if the flight can be followed as planned. The responsibility for the safety of the flight falls on their shoulders, and theirs alone.
The remote PIC should assess himself, and his crew, for any form of impairment.
Anything can hinder proper decision making. It is the remote PIC’s responsibly to ensure they, and their crews, are the top of their game. FAA has created the acronym I.M.S.A.F.E. to help with this: Illness, Medications, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion. The remotepilot101.com crew changed the “E” to Eating. This is a needed substitution. We often forget the importance of what we eat and how it can greatly affect our decision making. Also, the case of stress, the FAA emphasizes that this management should begin at home. Is there anything happening there that could be affecting on the job?
The FAA has defined 5 Hazardous Attitudes of Pilots.
In their Aeronautical Decision-Making guide, the FAA attempts to direct the pilot in how to plan for critical needs during flight. One helpful guide is their hazardous attitudes to look out for in a pilot.
1. Anti-Authority – this is the person who does not think the rules apply to them. They believe they are above the law. The FAA does note that the pilot does have the responsibility to question authority if it seems as though it might be in error, but when in doubt, rules should be followed.
2. Impulsivity – This can be difficult, especially when on a time crunch or attempting to catch a once in a lifetime shot. However, there is always time to think, especially when safety is at hand. Like the old adage: “Measure twice, saw once.”
3. Invulnerability – The two most dangerous times in flying is when you are just starting out and when you get comfortable. Being comfortable may be the most dangerous. It is too easy to believe something won’t happen to you and get careless, putting everyone in danger in the process.
4. Macho – I love that the FAA chose this term. I wouldn’t expect that from a government organization. This attitude is usually prefaced with “Hey, watch this!” or “Here, Hold my [root] beer.” If you are overconfident or trying to show off, you probably need to rethink it.
5. Resignation – I thought this was going to be someone who just quits, packs up their gear and leaves. But this is someone who gives up and doesn’t leave. This is the pilot who feels like they are no longer in control and lets everyone else make the calls. They take their eye off their purpose and do not follow through on their established duties, putting everyone at risk.
One bad apple can ruin it for the rest of us.
Laws are there for a reason. I could write a whole post on that alone. Often, they are established because someone was careless and caused an issue. Thus, requiring tighter restrictions. Are they always fair? No, but laws are usually there to keep people and property safe. Therefore, a remote PIC should go above and beyond to ensure every protocol is met and documented. There should be no question whether or not the flight was performed in the saftest manner possible.
Open dialogue should be allowed from all members of the crew, but the final responsibility falls on the remote PIC.
This is essentially a reiteration of the first statement. However, it is important to note the value of all members of a crew. Each person is placed at a different vantage point and have various jobs that help with the flight. They have insight that no one else has and therefore should be allowed to speak freely as pertaining to the flight. However, if the visual observer misses something, and the pilot crashes, it is still the pilot’s fault. If the pilot allows someone else to control the drone, and an issue arises, it still falls on the shoulder of the remote PIC.
I ain’t gonna fly drones, how does this apply to me?
If you are a leader, go back and replace remote PIC with your title. Chances are most of this can be applicable to your situation. Remember, you are in that position for a reason. You have been chosen for the final authority. Keep your health and attitudes in check. Listen to everyone. Encourage the openness of dialogue. Play according to the rules given. But don’t forget the gravity of you position.
If you are under a leader, go back and do the same. Remember, leadership is based on the level of responsibility, not blind authority. Support your leader. Help them with the task to the best of your ability while not forgetting your established duties. It is also your responsibility to watch the blind spots of the leader. You can see things that they cannot. This is why the open dialogue should be imperative. Don’t forget they are responsible for the mission as a whole and may have to make calls accordingly.
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