Intro to Crew Resource Management

Figure 1: CRM

Crew Resource Management

Introduction:

Proper communication is vital in most technological industries, aviation being no exception.  Flying on different aerial platforms, be it manned or unmanned, require tasks to be performed in a safe and organized fashion. Simply learning to perform the necessary tasks isn't the only thing a crew needs to be concerned with; they need to know how to properly communicate what needs accomplished, in what order, and how to do their jobs safely. Safety is the number one priority, which is why crew resource management (from here on referred to as "CRM") is a high priority for flight crews.

What is CRM and What Does it do for my Crew:

CRM boils down to  a list of individuals responsibilities and jobs in the flight environment. By conveying to each crew member what they are responsible for, when they are responsible for it, and making sure they don't overstep their boundaries, the safety and efficiency of the flight will be heightened. 

Roles in CRM for UAS:

In the UAS environment their are multiple roles for a crew to have, but three of these roles are what a crew can consider to be the "primary" roles.

Pilot-in-Command (PIC):

The Pilot in Command is the crew member who is in charge of all aspects of the flight. They can be considered the most important member of the crew, having final say and more or less being in charge. The most important aspect of their job is maintaining safety during the operation, as well as flying the aircraft. They should not pressure another flight crew member into doing something they don't feel safe doing. It should be noted that any member of the crew has the authority to stop the operation at any time if they feel safety standards are not met.

Sensor Operator (SO):

The Sensor Operator is second in command of the operation. Their main task is to operate the sensors (cameras) and gather the data that is being obtained from the operation. They work very closely with the PIC, functioning similar to a co-pilot, it is imperative that communication between the SO and PIC is maintained.

Visual Observer (VO):

The Position of visual observer can be filled by one or multiple people. The task of the VO is to watch the UAV and the area that the UAV is operating in, and make sure that safety of the operation is maintained. They alert the PIC if anything goes awry during the flight.

To Conclude:

Crew Resource Management allows a flight operation, and it's crew, to maintain a higher level of safety than what would be obtained without proper protocol. By Having defined roles, guidelines, and improved levels of communication, operations proceed safely and efficiently. By incorporating CRM into your flight mission, you will be reaching a higher level of operational capacity, leading to a better level of professionalism and efficacy.