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Brief UAS Human Factors Discussion on OTC Drugs, Stress and Fatigue


•Which OTC medications do you think pose the most significant risk to UAS operators? ◦Why?

Some Over the Counter (OTC) drugs despite misconception, can be dangerous to flight safety.  For consuming strictly OTC medications, the first that come to mind or those that heed warning not to operate machinery.  Antihistamines, anti-allergy, and cold symptom medications that relieve itching, running nose, sneezing etc. can produce significant drowsiness, and effects can last longer than the person realizes.  For manned flight, the FAA warns pilots they should ground themselves for at least 5 times the drug’s half-life, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) (airspacedoc.com, 2019).  Should the rules be the same for UAS operators?

Part 107, section 91.17 Alcohol or Drugs states “no person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage… while using any drug that affects the person’s faculties in any way contrary to safety (Rupprecht Law, 2019).”  Does this cover OTC drugs?  It has been brought to the attention of the FAA, and the FAA has noted that OTC medications are addressed by the provisions in 14 CFR 91.17(a)(3).  I have been unable to find details on what OTC drugs.
 

•What do you think are the most effective mitigation strategies from a human factors perspective that operators can use when conducting UAS operations?

Working in the aviation industry for 18 years, when there is an issue of safety to workers, or safety of flight, a campaign is usually the best method.  For Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Boeing has billboards and posters stressing FOD critical areas, tool control, and clean as you go.  These campaigns are a constant reminder to make those precautions a standard norm for all activities.  Whenever a UAS operator is granted permission to fly, a reminder to operate safely should always be included in the granted request.
 

•Describe how fatigue and stress affect the safe operation of UAS.

Stress and fatigue is big issue in military UAS operations.  High stress levels, longer than expected hours, and PTSD prevalent in UAS pilots who live at home in the U.S. and fly missions in Afghanistan or Iraq and are ordered to destroy real world targets.  This is to say the least a unique situation working in a combat zone, but living at home with family and friends.  Military UAS are flying constantly so they may have to get caught up to speed quickly and take the handoff from another pilot.  The physical and mental demands present unique psychological challenges. 

A Pentagon study shows that almost 30 percent of drone pilots suffer from burnout.  How does this effect the mission and safe operations?  A certain amount of fatigue and stress in aviation can lead to human error.  Per flying hour, it is well known military drone pilots have the highest number of accidents.  Stress and fatigue, combined with the unique challenges in unmanned aviation is dangerous.

 

References

Airspacedoc.com. (2019). How Pilots Can Safely (and Legally) Use Antihistamines and Other Sleep-Inducing Medications. [online] Available at: http://www.airspacedoc.com/how-pilots-can-safely-and-legally-use-antihistamines-and-other-sleep-inducing-medications/ [Accessed 31 May 2019].

Jrupprechtlaw.com. (2019). Section 107.27 Alcohol or drugs (2018). [online] Available at: https://jrupprechtlaw.com/section-107-27-alcohol-drugs [Accessed 31 May 2019].

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