Originally Posted by
BDiONU
Uuummmhhh how does an unmanned aerial vehicle (a drone) transporting a person, who 'çontrols' it, continue to remain unmanned?
This is actually a very valid question. Much of the safety/certification issues for UAS are based on not having to worry about persons on board. There are several 'optionally piloted vehicles' or unmanned passenger carrying UAS such as
Making Unmanned Search And Rescue A Reality: Unmanned K-MAX® Helicopter Conducts First Collaborative Casualty Evacuation · Lockheed Martin and
Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) Helicopter UAV - Army Technology and these provide problems for the safety people.
Importantly, there is considerable concern over 'autonomous' UAS. ICAO is insisting they are Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPV) as is the FAA. The major problem inhibiting the use of these vehicles is the total mistrust of them by the ANSP safety groups. Not to mention understandable pressure from IFALPA, not only on the jobs front but also concern about being 'in the pattern' with an automated UA that will not have the same reactions as a manned aircraft.
Some of these issues will not be simple to solve, which is frustrating for the engineers who often do not really understand the safety issues that are raised by UAS.