Researchers at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) are looking for input from helicopter and drone pilots for a study on remotely piloted air taxi and air cargo operations.
The researchers note that one of the concepts being considered for the emerging urban air mobility (UAM) and advanced air mobility (AAM) sector includes the operation of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft by individuals with less training than currently required of pilots.
To support this, the industry is developing simplified vehicle operations (SVO) concepts, which include simplified pilot interfaces.
The FIT study will look into the impact these simplified displays will have on operator situational awareness and workload.
Given an industry shortage of UAM and AAM pilots, the researchers want input from experienced helicopter and drone pilots for the study.
FIT researchers hope to conduct one- to two-hour interviews with pilots in which they aim to:
- Understand the displays pilots currently use, the criticality of the information, when and how they are used, and common issues with current information provided by the interfaces
- Obtain reactions to SVO interface concepts, including what issues pilots foresee, what information is missing that is needed, and what information is presented that may not be needed.
If interested in participating in the study, contact Meredith Carroll at mcarroll@fit.edu.