Physiological Issues in UAS

When considering taking medications in an aviation protocols in place, there are several determining factors that are involved to decide whether or not a mission should be flown. Manned aircraft pilots as well as UAS pilots experience similar limitations and cautions as it pertains to medications because the risks are great if not taken seriously. There are many physiological factors that affect pilot performance and those can include stress, fatigue, and drugs consumption. Anything that limits the pilot’s faculties and decision-making skills is considered detrimental to operations. 

 

When examining UAS pilot’s levels of decision-making requirements, complexity in tasks, and skill set necessary to perform missions, one could argue that the over-the-counter OTC medications that pose the most significant risk to UAS pilots would be antihistamines and/or decongestants due to their potential to cause cognitive deficits. Now I will argue that decongestants are on the approved list of medications that may be taken but, it is strongly suggested that a pilot analyze their health and the flight situation to make the necessary safe decisions when it comes to head cold like symptoms. The medications may have adverse effects on the user, and these may vary by user. If a pilot is unfamiliar with the medications and how they affect themselves personally, then they should not fly the mission. 

 

Some mitigation strategies that can assist UAS operators would be to utilize the IMSAFE (Remote Pilot, 2016) mnemonic which stands for:

-       Illness

-       Medication

-       Stress

-       Alcohol

-       Fatigue

-       Emotion

IMSAFE helps assist pilots mitigate human factors issues through self-assessment and encourages self-awareness that can increase safety.  

 

Fatigue and stress can also greatly affect a pilot’s abilities to perform their duties safely. Acute fatigue, short-term, and chronic fatigue, long-term are both capable of impaired coordination, diminished ability to communicate, and limiting concentration (Remote Pilots, 2016).  Acute fatigue can case timing disruptions and perceptional field disruptions while chronic fatigue can cause headaches, weakness, and even stomach problems (Remote Pilots, 2016). 

 

When it comes to aviation, self-assessment, evaluation, and awareness are mandatory for mitigating human factor issues. Stress, fatigue, as well as medication consumption can have a devastating effect on a pilot’s ability to perform required operations and can have limited cognitive function. A pilots self-assessment strategy will improve their decision-making skills while increasing safety.  

 

References

 

Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide. (2016). Flight Standards Service. Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/regulations_ policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf