Remote Control of a Manned Aircraft in G

[hankrausch]

Do the FARs allow, or rather is there anything that prevents, remote operation of an aircraft in Class G airspace if a pilot is onboard?

The context of the question is that I had consulted to a UAV company that had its own test range for unmanned UAVs. A fellow that I worked with has broken off from that company and has asked me to help him with converting a Light Sport aircraft to UAV operation. This fellow is not as well capitalized as the previous company and I am pretty sure he does not own a test range. But the difference is in the previous case it was an unmanned aircraft, whereas this is a standard Light Sport plane he is converting.

So the question is, could we test by operating it via remote link with a pilot onboard at the controls?

Thanks in advance.

 

[flyingron]

The issue is if the person on board the aircraft is pilot in command (and able to exercise that authority). If so, it's no different than the plane operating on autopilot.

I never understood if it was a joke or not, but Scaled Composites had a picture of a pilot riding astride one of their drones years back because they said they weren't sure of the control circuits and they didn't want to risk losing the prototype.

 

[Brad Z]

Do the FARs allow, or rather is there anything that prevents, remote operation of an aircraft in Class G airspace if a pilot is onboard?

The context of the question is that I had consulted to a UAV company that had its own test range for unmanned UAVs. A fellow that I worked with has broken off from that company and has asked me to help him with converting a Light Sport aircraft to UAV operation. This fellow is not as well capitalized as the previous company and I am pretty sure he does not own a test range. But the difference is in the previous case it was an unmanned aircraft, whereas this is a standard Light Sport plane he is converting.

So the question is, could we test by operating it via remote link with a pilot onboard at the controls?

Thanks in advance.

It's not a trivial process. Check out the FAA website for more details.

 

[hankrausch]

Thank you both for the input.

 

[nauga]

I never understood if it was a joke or not, but Scaled Composites had a picture of a pilot riding astride one of their drones years back because they said they weren't sure of the control circuits and they didn't want to risk losing the prototype.

It was not a joke.

Nauga,
and someone to feed the dog.

 

[TFulwider]

I never understood if it was a joke or not, but Scaled Composites had a picture of a pilot riding astride one of their drones years back because they said they weren't sure of the control circuits and they didn't want to risk losing the prototype.

Mike Melvill was the pilot on the drone. He told the story at Oshkosh a few years ago. Apparently the engine failed in flight so he landed in the desert, they repaired the engine and then had him get back on it to fly home!

 

[SkyDog58]

It's not a trivial process. Check out the FAA website for more details.

That is for unmanned aircraft. The question was what are the rules regarding a manned aircraft being controlled remotely. At least that is what I understood. When I read the OP, I sort of envisioned a two person crew, one on board and one on the ground.

So when the pilot on board is just sitting there and the sole manipulator is on the ground, who logs PIC?

 

[hankrausch]

The link was very helpful background, at least to give me a bit of the "lingo". Upon reading it I am sure he will operate it under Sec 333 or with a special airworthiness certificate. I had somewhat naively thought that since it could be operated manned then you could end run all those regs, but it doesn't look that simple. My end is the comms anyway, not the airframe, I was just curious.

 

[Brad Z]

That is for unmanned aircraft. The question was what are the rules regarding a manned aircraft being controlled remotely. At least that is what I understood. When I read the OP, I sort of envisioned a two person crew, one on board and one on the ground.

So when the pilot on board is just sitting there and the sole manipulator is on the ground, who logs PIC?

From OP: "A fellow that I worked with has broken off from that company and has asked me to help him with converting a Light Sport aircraft to UAV operation."

Sounds like a UAS operation to me.

 

[SkyDog58]

From OP: "A fellow that I worked with has broken off from that company and has asked me to help him with converting a Light Sport aircraft to UAV operation."

Sounds like a UAS operation to me.

How can it be unmanned (the U in UAS) if there is a pilot on board at the controls?

Do the FARs allow, or rather is there anything that prevents, remote operation of an aircraft in Class G airspace if a pilot is onboard?

The context of the question is that I had consulted to a UAV company that had its own test range for unmanned UAVs. A fellow that I worked with has broken off from that company and has asked me to help him with converting a Light Sport aircraft to UAV operation. This fellow is not as well capitalized as the previous company and I am pretty sure he does not own a test range. But the difference is in the previous case it was an unmanned aircraft, whereas this is a standard Light Sport plane he is converting.

So the question is, could we test by operating it via remote link with a pilot onboard at the controls?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lindberg]

How can it be unmanned (the U in UAS) if there is a pilot on board at the controls?

Because an Unmanned Aircraft is defined as one piloted remotely. Confusing, yes. You'd think we could keep the definitions of UAV and RPV straight, but we're talking about the government.

 

[Brad Z]

How can it be unmanned (the U in UAS) if there is a pilot on board at the controls?

His goal is unmanned operations. Adding a pilot onboard for testing is a safety mitigation. If he planned on flying it with a pilot onboard, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Sounds like the OP's friend needs to hire some folks with technical knowledge and experience working through the certification (and exemption) process.

 

[hankrausch]

Again thanks to all for the insight I am meeting this fellow tomorrow & will share anything I glean from the conversation.