Human Factors Affecting Safe Operation

¶ … Human Factors Affecting Safe Operation Of The UAV Study of Selected Human Factors affecting safe operation of the UAV This chapter presents the findings of the thesis. The survey questionnaires are collected from the 35 respondents.

The data are collected to test the following hypotheses: Ho: "Majority of UAV pilots do not agree that graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), to be under 40 years old and have a minimum of 100 flying hours are critical attributes that all safe UAV pilots should possess." H1: "Majority of UAV pilots will agree that graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), to be under 40 years old and have a minimum of 100 flying hours are critical attributes that all safe UAV pilots should possess." Ho: "UAV pilots do not believe that the possession of computer skills and the lack of involvement in a "human related" aviation safety incident contributes to being a safe UAV operator in the USAF." H2:"UAV pilots believe that the possession of computer skills and the lack of involvement in a "human related" aviation safety incident contributes to being a safe UAV operator in the USAF." The findings are presented in the tabular and graphical forms.

The descriptive statistics is used to summarize the findings and the inferential statistics is used to conclude on the findings based on the data collected. The data collected supports the first null hypothesis and rejects the first research hypothesis. However, the data supports the second research hypothesis and rejects the second null hypothesis. Chapter 4: Findings This chapter provides the findings of the thesis. The data collected are summarized using the descriptive statistics. The study also presents the inferential statistics that provides the conclusion of the whole data.

The inferential statistics allows the researcher to test the hypotheses and generates the research findings. Based on the data collected, the data are analyzed and summarized using the graphs and tables. With the presentation from the graphs and tables, the researcher is able to provide the accurate picture of the findings and testing the hypotheses. Descriptive Statistics Table 19 provides the descriptive statistics, which reveals the summary of the findings. In the descriptive statistical table, standard deviation and means of all data are summarized.

The descriptive statistics also summarizes the findings in percentages, which enables the researcher to present the findings in tabular and graphical forms. From the data collected and analyzed, the study supports the first null hypothesis, and rejects the first research hypothesis. The findings reveal that the data do not provide statistical significant to support the first research hypothesis. However, the study supports the second research hypothesis and rejects the second null hypothesis based on the data collected.

Inferential Statistics The study uses the inferential statistics to infer the probability of using the data to test the hypotheses. The total number of 88 survey questionnaires is distributed; however, the researcher is able to collect 81 from the total 88 survey distributed to the respondents. 50 of the respondents filled out all the survey questionnaires. After analyzing the 50 survey questionnaires, there are suspected bias in the answers of the 15 respondents.

Since the study intends to generate valid and reliable findings, the researcher discards the 10 survey questionnaires that contain suspected bias, and 35 filled survey questionnaires are finally accepted. Table 1 and Fig 1 present the summary of the survey finally accepted and used to generate the research findings.

Table 1: Summary of the Survey Survey Survey Collected Percentages of survey collected Total Number of Survey Distributed 88 Number of Survey Collected 81 92.05% Survey completely filled out 50 56.82% Number of Suspected Bias 15 17.04% Accepted Returned Survey 35 39.77% Fig 1: Summary of Survey Collected Survey Questions and Findings The first sub-problem is to identify and rank the most important experiences that the Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV) pilots must possess to operate safely based on the perceptions of the UAV pilots. The first five questions rate the possible attributes of the UAV pilots.

The questions are scaled and a numerical value is assigned to each question where 1 is scaled not very important and 5 scaled very important with the possible responses as follow: 1= Not Very Important 2= Not Important 3= Not Sure 4= Important 5= Very Important The descriptive analysis is used to accomplish the first order. The descriptive analysis is able to identify the kind of distribution resulted for each question, and whether a second order analysis is essential.

Based on the Likert scale, the questions are as follows: For a UAV pilot to demonstrate effective aviation safety, he or she should be a: Question 1: Graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) 1= Not Very Important 2= Not Important 3= Not Sure 4= Important 5= Very Important Table 2: Question 1: Graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) Scale Frequency Percentage Cumulative Frequency Mean Standard Deviation 1: Not Very Important 6 17.14% 6 2.914 1.40101 2: Not Important 10 28.57% 16 3: Not Sure 7 20% 23 4: Important 5 14.29% 28 5: Very Important 7 20% 35 Based on the findings of the statement, it is revealed that 16 respondents believe that graduating from the undergraduate training school is not important to demonstrate effective aviation safety while 12 respondents believe that it is important.

Although, 7 respondents are not sure based on their response. Based on the percentages of the findings, it is revealed that 45.71% of the respondents agree that it is not important. While around 34.29% agree that it is important. Although, 20% of the respondents are not sure. Table 2 and Fig 2 provide the summary of the findings of the question 1.

Fig 2: Illustration of the Findings of Question 1 Question 2 To demonstrate effective aviation safety, a Pilot should be Under 40 years old 1= Not Very Important 2= Not Important 3= Not Sure 4= Important 5= Very Important Table 3: Question 2: Pilot should be Under 40 years old Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Not Very Important 15 15 43.86 2.057 1.1099 2: Not Important 8 23 22.86 3: Not Sure 7 30 20 4: Important 5 35 14.28 5: Very Important 0 35 0 Fig 3: Findings Pilot should be under 40 Based on the findings, it is revealed 66.72% of the respondents agree that to be under 40 is not important to demonstrate the effective aviation safety.

Typically, only 34.28% of the respondents agree that to be under 40 years is important to demonstrate the effective aviation safety. The findings of the respondents of the survey question 2 supports the first null hypothesis and reject the first research hypothesis. Question 3 To demonstrate effective aviation safety, a plot should have a: Have a minimum of 100 flying hours. 1= Not Very Important 2= Not Important 3= Not Sure 4= Important 5= Very Important Table 4: Question 3: Have a minimum of 100 flying hours.

Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Not Very Important 7 7 20 3.2 1.549 2: Not Important 5 12 14.29 3: Not Sure 9 21 25.71 4: Important 2 23 5.72 5: Very Important 12 35 34.28 Fig 4: Having Minimum of 100 Flying Hours Based on the findings, it is revealed that 34% of the respondents believe that it is not important while 40% of the respondents agree that it is important. However, the 25% of the respondents are not sure. Based on the findings from the survey, it is revealed that larger number of respondents believe that it is important to have minimum of 100 flying hours before demonstrating effective aviation safety.

Based on the results of the data presented, the paper presents whether the findings support the first null or alternative hypothesis.

Findings of the First Null and Alternative Hypotheses Findings of the survey questions 1, 2 and question 3 assist the study to test the first null hypothesis that states: H0: "Majority of UAV pilots do not agree that graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), to be under 40 years old and have a minimum of 100 flying hours are critical attributes that all safe UAV pilots should possess." Findings of the survey questions 1, 2 and question 3 also assist the study to test the first alternative hypothesis that states: H1: "Majority of UAV pilots will agree that graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), to be under 40 years old and have a minimum of 100 flying hours are critical attributes that all safe UAV pilots should possess." To test the first null hypothesis, paper employs p-value, which is the level of statistical test to obtain the probability of observed difference and whether null hypothesis is true.

The p-value is the probability of obtaining observed differences in the sampling variation. Conventionally, a p-value should be greater than 0.05 (5%) to accept the null hypothesis. However, the Chi-square is used to test the probability of the obverted difference between two variables, which reflects the p-value probability. To test the first null hypothesis, it is essential to provide the summary statistics of the findings of the first 3 survey questions as revealed in the Table 5.

Table 5: Summary of the Findings of Survey Question 1, 2 and 3 Survey Survey Questions Mean Standard Deviation % of Important % Not important % Not Sure 1 Graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT 2.914 1.40101 34.29% 45.71% 20 2 Pilot should be Under 40 years old 2.057 1.1099 34.28% 66.72 0 3 Having Minimum of 100 Flying Hours 3.2 1.549 40% 34.29 25.71 Total Mean % 36.19 48.91 Mean Difference 12.72 Fig 5: Bar Chart Comparing Responses of Survey 1, 2 and 3 Based on the findings in the Fig 5, it is revealed that the second survey, which indicates that a Pilot should be under 40 years to demonstrate the effective aviation safety, supports the first null hypothesis and rejects the first alternative hypothesis.

From the bar graph in Fig 5, 66.72% of the respondents agree that to be fewer than 40 is not important to demonstrate the effective aviation safety, and 34.28% of the respondents agree that it is important to be under 40 years to demonstrate the effective aviation safety. From the descriptive in the Table 19, the respondents of the survey question 2 and 3 support the first null hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis.

Based on the findings, the study supports the first null hypothesis that states: H0: "Majority of UAV pilots do not agree that graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), to be under 40 years old and have a minimum of 100 flying hours are critical attributes that all safe UAV pilots should possess." However, the study rejects the first research hypothesis that states: H1: "Majority of UAV pilots will agree that graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), to be under 40 years old and have a minimum of 100 flying hours are critical attributes that all safe UAV pilots should possess." Valenti et al.

(2004) support the findings of the first hypothesis by pointing out that the major objective of the UAV is to execute mission without human interaction. UAV is remotely controlled aircraft where the pre-programmed flight plans are being controlled by complex dynamic automation systems. UAV is typically developed for number of mission including attack roles. UAV is also developed to eliminate the dangerous missions being carried out by the pilots of the manned aircrafts.

In carrying out some of the missions, many pilots have lost their lives in the enemy combat, while some pilots have been killed during National Guard mission such as fires disaster, earthquake, and other natural disaster. Since the UAVs are remotely controlled by the automation systems, and not manned by the pilots "graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), to be under 40 years old and have a minimum of 100 flying hours" are not critical attributes that all safe UAV pilots should possess.

Testing the Second Hypothesis The study proceeds to test the second null hypothesis that states: Ho: "UAV pilots do not believe that lack of involvement in a "human related" aviation safety incident and possession of computer skills contributes to being a safe UAV operator in the USAF." And the research hypothesis that states that: H2: "UAV pilots believe that lack of involvement in a "human related" aviation safety incident and possession of computer skills contributes to being a safe UAV operator in the USAF." Question 4 To demonstrate effective aviation safety, a plot should have a: 3 years of experience as a pilot 1= Not Very Important 2= Not Important 3= Not Sure 4= Important 5= Very Important Table 6: Question 4: 3-Year Experience as a Pilot Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Not Very Important 8 8 22.86% 2.63 1.396 2: Not Important 13 21 37.14% 3: Not Sure 3 24 8.57% 4: Important 6 30 17.14% 5: Very Important 5 35 14.29% Based on the findings, the research does not support the statement that possession of 3-year experience in the aviation industry contributes to being a safe UAV operator in the USAF.

Question 5 To demonstrate effective aviation safety, a plot should: Possess computer skills 1= Not Very Important 2= Not Important 3= Not Sure 4= Important 5= Very Important Table 7: Question 5 Computer Skills Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Not Very Important 0 0 0% 4.343 1.027 2: Not Important 4 4 11.43% 3: Not Sure 2 6 5.71% 4: Important 7 13 20% 5: Very Important 22 35 62.86% Fig 6: Possessing of Computer Skills Based on the findings more than 82% of the respondents agree that possession of computer skills contributes to being a safe UAV operator in the USAF. The data collected in the survey 5 support the second research hypothesis.

Question 6 To demonstrate effective aviation safety, a plot should be Fighter Pilot. 1= Not Very Important 2= Not Important 3= Not Sure 4= Important 5= Very Important Table 8: Question 6 To be Fighter Pilot Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Not Very Important 12 12 34.29% 1.97 0.954 2: Not Important 16 28 45.71% 3: Not Sure 3 31 8.57% 4: Important 4 35 11.43% 5: Very Important 0 35 0% Based on the findings, the research does not support the statement that being a fighter pilot in the aviation industry contributes to being a safe UAV operator in the USAF.

Table 9: Summary of the Findings of Survey Question 4, 5 and 6 Survey Survey Questions Mean Standard Deviation % of Important % Not important % Not Sure 4 3-Year Experience as a Pilot 2.63 1.396 31.43% 60.00% 8.57% 5 Possession of Computer Skills 4.343 1.027 82.86% 11.43% 5.71% 6 To be Fighter Pilot 1.97 0.954 11.43% 80.00% 8.57% Total Mean % 41.91% 50.47% Mean Difference 8.56% Fig 7: Bar Chart illustrate the Findings of the Survey Question 4, 5 and 6 To further test the hypothesis 2, the research proceeds to provide the findings of the rest of the survey questions.

Findings of the Rest of the Survey Questions Question 7: "Have you attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) or the new UAV operators Course?" Tick the one appropriate to you 1 -- UPT 2-- UAV operator course 3-- No previous pilot training Table 10 Question 7: Have you attended UPT course? Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Cumulative Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: UPT 28 28 80% 80% 1.229 0.426 2: UAV Operator course 7 35 20% 3: No Previous Pilot Training 0 35 0% Based on the findings all the respondents have attended aviation courses.

80% of the respondents have attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), and 20% have attended the UAV operator courses. The findings have revealed that the respondents know the importance of attending the aviation training courses. Question 8: What is your age? Tick the one appropriate to you.

1-- 20-35 2-- 36-50 3-- 51 or older Table 11 Question 8: What is your age? Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Cumulative percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: 20-35 17 17 48.57% 48.57% 1.742 0.82 2: 36-50 10 27 28.57% 77.14 3: 51 or older 8 35 22.86% Findings have revealed that 48.57% of the respondents are between the age of 20 and 35, while 28.57% of the respondents are between 36 and 50 years of age. However, 22% of the respondents are 22.86%.

Question 9: "How many flying hours have you logged?" Tick the one appropriate to you 1-- 0-750 2-- 751-1500 3-- 1500+ Table 12 Question 9: Flying Hours Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Cumulative Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: 0-750 14 14 40% 40% 1.89 0.832 2: 751-1500 11 25 31.43% 71.43% 3: 1500+ 10 35 28.57% Based on the findings approximately 70% of the respondents have logged less than 1500 hours of the flying hours. While only 28.57% of the respondents have logged more than 1500 flying hours. Question 10.

"How many years of experience do you have as a pilot"? Tick the one appropriate to you 1-- None 2-- 5 or less 3-- 6-15 4-- 16+ Table 13 Question 10 Years of Experience Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Cumulative Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: None 10 10 28.57% 28.57% 2.4 1.143 2: 5 or less 9 19 25.71% 54.28% 3: 6-15 8 27 22.86% 77.14% 4 16+ 8 38 22.86% The findings have revealed that more than 70% of the respondents have had up to 5 years of experience as pilots. Based on the findings, more than 70% of the respondents have understood the safety procedures in the pilot profession.

Many of the respondents understand the safety procedures in the aviation industry based on their experience as pilots. Question 11. Which of these aircraft have you previously piloted? (Circle all that apply) 1-- "Heavy" aircraft; 2-- "fighter/bomber" aircraft; 3-- rotary aircraft; 4-- none of these" Table 14 Question 11: Aircraft previously Piloted Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Cumulative Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Heavy aircraft 16 16 45.71% 45.71% 2.23 1.35 2: Fighter or bomber aircraft 7 23 20% 65.71% 3: Rotary aircraft 0 23 0 65.71% 4 None of these 12 35 34.29 The finding of the survey question 11 supports the findings of the survey question 10.

The respondents have had years of experience as pilots. More than 65% of the respondents have previously piloted heavy aircrafts or fighter or bomber aircrafts. Question 12. "Do you possess computer skills"? Tick the one appropriate to you 1-- Yes 2 -- No Table 15 Question 12 Possession of Computer Skills Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Cumulative Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Yes 28 28 80% 80% 1.2 0.406 2: No 7 35 20% 20% The findings supports survey question 5 that states that "to demonstrate effective aviation safety, a plot should possess computer skills.

The findings of the survey question 12 shows that 80% of the respondents are computer literates. The results show that many of the respondents understand the importance of possessing compute skills in the safety of UAV pilots. Question 13.

"Have you ever been involved in a "human related" aviation safety," incident? Tick the one appropriate to you 1-- Yes 2 -- No Table 16 Question 13: Human Relation Aviation Safety Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Cumulative Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Yes 0 0 0% 0% 2 0 2: No 35 35 Question 14: "Critical attributes of being a UAV pilot are graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), being under 40 years old, and having a minimum of 100 flying hours experience?" Please Tick One 1-- Strongly Disagree; 2-- Disagree; 3 - Neither Agree or disagree; 4 - Agree; 5 - Strongly Agree Table 17 Question 14: Attributes of being a UAV pilot Scale Frequency Cumulative Frequency Percentage Mean Standard Deviation 1: Strongly Disagree 8 8 22.86% 2.2 0.901 2: Disagree 15 23 42.86% 3: Neither Agree or disagree 9 32 25.71% 4: Agree.