law enforcement use of unmanned aircraft systems · –refined rc airframes (draganflyer x6) ......
TRANSCRIPT
NSA Conference
Minneapolis, MN
26 June 2016
Alan Frazier, Deputy Sheriff
Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Department
Law Enforcement use of
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Presenter’s Background-FAA Airline Transport Pilot
*Airplanes (single and multi), helicopters, gliders
*CFII. FAA FAAST Team Advisor
*sUAS Operator: Draganfly X6/X4ES, AV Raven and Qube
-Former Officer-in Charge, Glendale PD Air Support Unit
-Associate Professor, UND Aerospace
-36 year law enforcement veteran
*2 years Smyrna PD (TN)
*28 years Glendale PD (CA)
*Current Grand Forks (ND) Deputy
What are “Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems” ?
• Remotely controlled airplanes, helicopters, and airships
• Less than 55 lbs gross weight (ARC* recommendation)
• Less than 87 knots top speed (ARC recommendation)
• Capable of downlinking data– Still pictures
– Video
– FLIR
– Environmental sampling*Aviation Rulemaking Committee
Important Terms and Definitions
• UAS: Unmanned Aircraft System
• UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
• RPV: Remotely Piloted Vehicle
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Important Terms and Definitions
• Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (COA): FAA
issued document permitting government agency to operate
sUAS.
• First Person View (FPV): Flying sUAS solely based upon
video downlink image from aircraft.
• Visual Flight Rules (VFR): Operating an aircraft in visual
conditions pursuant to airspace ceiling and visibility
requirements. 3 sm visibility and 1000’ ceiling for sUAS.
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Draganflyer X4ES• Specifications:
– Weight: 5.5 lbs
– Max speed: 30 mph
– Range: 1 mile
– Operating altitudes: 100-500’ AGL(service ceiling 14,000’)
– Length: 36”
– Width: 36”
– Height: 10”
• Operational Details:– 4 rotor helicopter
– Endurance: 20 mins
– Payloads: still, video, IR, low light (LUX) cameras
– Cost: Approx. $25,000 (LE system including A/C, base station and camera)
Aerovironment Raven• Specifications:
– Weight: 4.2 lbs
– Max speed: 50 mph
– Range: 4.4 miles
– Operating altitudes: 100-500’ AGL(service ceiling 14,000’)
– Length: 3’
– Wingspan: 4.5’
• Operational Details:– Hand launched
– Endurance: 60-90 mins (rechargeable battery); 80-110 mins (single use battery)
– Payloads: Still and video cameras (HD and IR). HAZMAT “sniffer” pod
– Cost: Approx. $175,000 (System including 3 aircraft and control station)
Aerovironment Qube• Specifications:
– Weight: 5.5 lbs
– Max speed: 30
– Range: 0.6 miles
– Operating altitudes: 100-500’ AGL
– Length: 3’
• Operational Details:– Auto takeoff and touchscreen camera aiming
– Endurance: 40 mins
– Payload: Still and video cameras (EO HD and IR).
– Cost: Approx. $50,000 (System including 1 aircraft and ground control station)
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1. Search for victim
2. Search for suspect
3. Crime scene video/photos
4. Traffic collision scene video/photos
5. Disaster assessment
6. Traffic control at major event
7. Other (specify in comments)
DATE TIME LOCATION A/C PILOT TASK TEMP WIND COMMENTS
15 3 Dec 14 1030 Arvilla, ND N/A FRAZ 1 15 3 Cancelled due to victim being located via CC forensics
16 27 Jan 15 1630 Bemidji, MN Qube TWOO
STOL
5 34 7 Gas explosion at residence resulting in serious injury to home
occupant. Possible arson. ECOA issued by FAA (3.5 hrs).
17 28 Feb 15 0700 Grand Forks, ND Qube
X4ES
FRAZ
TWOO
3 9 6 Photos and video of officer-involved-shooting scene
18 8 May 15 0840 Heimdal, ND Qube TSCH 3 36 7 Train derailment/explosion scene
19 4 Jun 15 1630 Fargo, ND Qube STOL 5 67 Calm Officer involved shooting scene
20 6 Jun `5 1815 Grafton, ND Qube TSCH
FRAZ
STOL
1 53 Calm Search for missing person in Park River
21 29 Jun 15 1430 Grand Forks, ND Qube TSCH 1 80 9 Search for missing person
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sUAS Technology
• Three genesis paths:– Retasked DOD airframes (Scan Eagle, Raven, Puma)
– Refined RC airframes (Draganflyer X6)
– Mission specific development (Lepitron, Qube)
• COA requirement triggered by mission– Hobby use: No COA required (AC 91-57)
– Government use: COA required
– Commercial use: Not currently permitted absent special
airworthiness certificate or “333 Exemption”*
*Sec 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012
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sUAS Technology• Technical Limitations:
– Vary widely but commonly:
• Winds less than 25 kts
• Flight duration:12-90 minutes
• Max level flight speed: 35 kts (average)
• FAA Limitations
– Generally below 400’ AGL
– No flight over people
– No operations in Class-B airspace
– Pilots:• Below 400’ AGL in Class E or G Airspace: PPL written and 2nd class medical
• Above 400’ AGL, Class C and D Airspace, Night Ops: PPL certificate and 2nd class medical
• All Ops require 90 day currency (3 TOALS)
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sUAS Technology
• Powerplants:– Most common: Brushless electric motors
– Some internal combustion engines also in use (Scan Eagle,
Lepitron, Honeywell MAV)
• Batteries:– Most common: Lithium Ion
– Key is high storage capacity combined with low weight and bulk
– Lithium Ion batteries subject to thermal runaway (B-787)
– Do not leave unattended while charging
– Do not charge went hot
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Show me the bread crumb trail…• Start with a goal and vision
– What type of missions do you envision flying?
– What routine wind velocities does your area experience?
– Do you have tower controlled airports in your jurisdiction?
– Do you have an existing manned air support unit?
– If not, do you have pilots in your agency?
– How much funding do you have?
• Do some research– Review articles and existing policy documents related to sUAS
– Attend training (like this!)
– Attend trade shows and association conferences (AUVSI/ALEA)
– Contact sUAS manufacturers
– Solicit input from current sUAS operators
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Show me the bread crumb trail…• Choose an appropriate sUAS
– Helicopter or fixed wing?
– Wind capability?
– Endurance?
– Payloads?
– Cost?
– Will the manufacturer be around to support?
• Lay the groundwork– Email Steve Pansky (FAA LE COA Rep) to request COA online application access
– Include in your email:• Intended missions
• Selected airframe
• Approximate operating area
• Experience level of potential pilots
• Agency point-of-contact
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Show me the bread crumb trail…
• Draft a UAS Unit Policy Manual– Minimum pilot and visual observer requirements
– Duty hour limitations
– Operational limitations (wind, visibility, ceiling)
– Initial and recurrent training requirements
– Maintenance tracking
– Safety
– Pilot and visual observer duties
– Data retention and security (if not addressed by separate policy)
• Secure a letter from your State Attorney General certifying that agency
is part of a “political subdivision” of the state.
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Show me the bread crumb trail…• Apply for a Certificate of Authorization (COA)
– Utilize online access provided by Steve Pansky
– Upload PDF copy of “political subdivision” letter
– Prepare a comprehensive attachment addressing issues such as:
• Technical description of aircraft and GCS
• Lost link procedures
• Lost com procedures
• Launch and recovery
• Emergency procedures
• Area or Blanket COA?– Area: Potential for night ops and controlled airspace ops
– Blanket: Class-G (uncontrolled) airspace, daytime only, 2/3/5 nm radius
• FAA processing time:
– Area: 60 days
– Blanket: 7-14 days24
Show me the bread crumb trail…• Upon receipt of approved COA
– Have manufacturer conduct initial factory training for pilots
– Conduct in-house training for visual observers• FAR 91.11: Operating near other aircraft
• FAR 91.113: Right of Way rules
• FAR 91.115 Right of way rules (water operations)???
• Airspace
• Standard aviation radio terminology and communications
• Conduct regular UAS training
– Focus on basic operations and crew resource management
• Progress to scenario based training
– Conduct joint training with other units
– Be thorough and candid in your post-training critiques
• Thoroughly document training!
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Show me the bread crumb trail…
• Actively engage the public and the media– Invite media to observe scenario based training
– Solicit public comments
– Grant interviews to the media
– Be honest and straightforward
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Show me the bread crumb trail…
• Keep good records– Make written record of all flights
– Maintain excellent training records
– Maintain excellent maintenance records
– Comply with FAA COA online reporting requirements
• Be respectful of 4th Amendment and privacy– Establish an image retention policy
– Retain only essential images
– Safeguard images as evidence
• Train regularly and realistically
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Questions…and, hopefully, answers…
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