"Hybrid Pilots"- From Cockpit Controls to Remote Controllers
While the specific numbers of professional aviators considering to pilot unmanned aircraft and advanced aerial systems still remain at large, the commercialization of the skies continue to be an irresistible call of this wild new frontier.
From my early, adrenaline-fueled days of learning how to aviate, to the experiential immersion into cutting-edge advancements of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM), I've seen firsthand the magnetism of these seductive sectors on aviators of all stripes.
This isn't just a shift; it's a seismic transition, driven by the same spirit of adventure and exploration that’s defined aviation from its inception. The consideration of unmanned aircraft and their systems, isn't merely a professional aviator pivot, it's a nexus for the aviator to begin an enduring quest to master the skies. These sectors are calling out and promising a holy quest with a path to pioneer innovation and commercialization for the greater good by opening the skies for all. To these aviators on this quest, everyday feels like you're stepping into the future.
This remarkable promise isn't just another social media episode; it's a paradigm shift. Aviators are at the forefront of defining new pathways in the air; embarking on missions that'll blend the art of traditional piloting, with the science of autonomous flight. It's an exhilarating moment in time. We're on the edge of a new era, where the legacy of flight evolves into "living the wildest dream" (for most of us, anyway) everyday.
That said, today's professional aviators find themselves at a pivotal junction. It's where the revered traditions of manned aviation meet the vibrant, swiftly changing realm of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) and AAM (Advanced Aerial Mobility). This intersection offers a portal to thrilling new opportunities and career paths within both domains.
Yet, it also presents unique challenges for these trailblazing aviators. This is particularly true as it relates to upholding proficiency and ensuring safety across the diverse UAS and AAM platforms.
Since there's no distinct designation yet for these pioneer aviators; let me pull some context for this article from the "JAYSTERS" dictionary 😉 , and call this kind of pioneer aviator, a "Hybrid" Pilot. Here's the definition of a "Hybrid Pilot":
Hybrid Pilot
noun | \ ˈhī-brəd 'pī-lət \
1 - An aviator proficient in operating both manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), embodying a skill set, that encompasses the traditional expertise of piloting with technology used for remote unmanned aircraft and advanced mobility operations.
2 - A professional in the aviation sector who integrates the practices and principles of conventional flying with the precision and technological advancements of unmanned flight and their related advanced systems.
Welcome to the era of the 'Hybrid Pilot'; a profession that's as cutting-edge as it gets in the professional pilot world. These aviators aren't just comfortable in the cockpit; they're also adept at the controls of unmanned aerial vehicles; combining the best practices of both worlds.
"Living their Wildest Dreams" takes them into a realm of Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS); offering a thrilling experiential ecosystem of innovation, ingenuity, and improvement.
Hybrid pilots are leveraging their extensive skills and experience into the unmanned sector for a multitude of compelling reasons, such as: the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology, the appeal of pioneering in an emerging field, the potential for a multi-career trajectory that is entrepreneurial at it's core, and presents the challenge, that comes with mastering a new form of aviation technology.
However, career multiplicity requires these Hybrid pilots to carefully navigate the intricacies of staying current and safe; along with the need for continuous improvement and technology adaptation.
Currency and Safety
Multi-career aviators navigating the complex Hybrid Pilot realm, must be mindful of their greater responsibility; which is to be proficient and safe.
The unique challenge of flying hybrid, blends two distinct disciplines, distilled into five critically important categories to realize safe outcomes. For context, let's call these categories, the "5 P's", which are:
1. Hybrid Precision
Manned - Precision is exemplified through a pilots' meticulous interaction with cockpit instrumentation and navigation systems, crucial for executing complex IFR approaches and maneuvers. Regular simulator training enhances this precision, enabling pilots to navigate adverse weather and emergency situations effectively.
Unmanned - For pilots/operators, precision involves the exacting control of automated flight plans and dynamic rerouting, ensuring accurate mission execution and response to environmental or technical variables.
2. Hybrid Preparedness
Manned - Preparedness in manned aviation is grounded in comprehensive pre-flight planning, considering factors like weather, equipment reliability, and alternative routing to ensure safety. Effective cockpit resource management and a deep understanding of personal minimums are key to this preparedness.
Unmanned - Remote pilots demonstrate preparedness through rigorous system checks, and a thorough understanding of the regulatory landscape, ensuring both operational safety and adherence to airspace regulations.
3. Hybrid Performance
Manned - Performance for manned pilots is measured by their ability to maintain currency, completing requisite takeoffs, landings, and instrument approaches to remain familiar with their aircraft's handling under instrument meteorological conditions in flight.
Unmanned - In the UAV sector, performance can be likened to continuous learning and adaptation to technological and regulatory updates, crucial for staying competent and compliant in a rapidly evolving/emerging industry.
4. Hybrid Prudence
Manned - Prudence is critical for manned aviation safety, involving vigilant monitoring of weather, equipment functionality, and physiological conditions to mitigate risks effectively.
Unmanned - For remote operations, prudence involves stringent safety protocols, including emergency preparedness and loss of link procedures, to safeguard the operation within national airspace system.
5. Hybrid Protocol
Manned - Protocol involves adherence to established IFR protocols and procedures, ensuring efficient and safe flight operations. This includes strategic flight planning and the effective use of navigation aids.
Unmanned - In remote operations, protocol extends to the meticulous planning and automation of tasks to maximize battery life, bandwidth, and data processing capabilities, adhering to best practices for mission success.
While the 5 P's may initially pose as hurdles; for the Hybrid Pilot, they soon give way to the exhilarating lure of broadening their expertise and mastering new skills.
Integrating Manned and Unmanned Training
When it comes to equipping the Hybrid Pilot with the necessary experience, it's crucial to blend the training programs tailored to the distinct challenges of both manned and unmanned platforms.
Such training must meticulously mirror real-life scenarios, ensuring pilots are well-versed in navigating the complexities unique to each field. For those in manned aviation, mastering the critical elements like icing, thunderstorms, and low visibility is essential.
On the flip side, unmanned aviation training, focuses in on enhancing airspace awareness, adhering to stringent regulatory standards, and upholding operational safety amidst diverse flight technology, systems and environmental conditions. This comprehensive approach to education underscores the pivotal role, of specialized training in preparing pilots to confidently manage the multifaceted demands on Hybrid pilots.
Leveraging Technology for Proficiency
Simulation training tools are indispensable in maintaining sharp reflexes and decision-making capabilities, crucial for safety in both manned and unmanned missions.
Advanced simulators and aviation training devices (PCATDs) offer invaluable opportunities for pilots to practice handling complex scenarios, including equipment failures and adverse weather conditions, in a risk-free environment.
Emphasizing Safety and Risk Management
Safety transcends the boundaries between manned and unmanned aviation. Hybrid pilots must cultivate a safety-first mindset, emphasizing risk management, situational awareness, and decision-making.
Implementing and regularly reviewing personal minimums, and adhering to safety checklists, can help Hybrid pilots assess and mitigate risks effectively across both platforms.
The dual role of aviating professionally as a Hybrid Pilot, demands a balanced approach, that leverages technology integrates continuous learning, and maintains a steadfast commitment to safety.
By embracing these principles, Hybrid pilots can ensure they meet the challenges head-on, maintaining their Precision, Preparedness, Performance, Prudence, and Protocols, in their unique dual capacities.
