FAAA local TV station has hired a remote pilot to operate their small UA to cover news stories. The remote pilot has had multiple near misses with obstacles on the ground and two small UAS accidents. What would be a solution for the news station to improve their operating safety culture?
- ❌A:The news station should implement a policy of no more than five crashes/incidents within 6 months.
- ❌B:The news station does not need to make any changes; there are times that an accident is unavoidable.
- ✅C:The news station should recognize hazardous attitudes and situations and develop standard operating procedures that emphasize safety.
Explanations
- A: This approach normalizes accidents and undermines safety accountability. While it may seem like a practical solution, setting a crash quota is counterproductive to fostering a safety culture. It could potentially lead to complacency and a lack of urgency in addressing safety issues, which could result in more accidents and increased liability for the business.
- B: This attitude is dangerous and can lead to a complacent safety culture. Accidents should never be accepted as unavoidable in any operation. Instead, they should be seen as opportunities for learning and improvement. Ignoring the root causes of accidents and not taking proactive measures to prevent them can lead to increased risk, potential legal issues, and damage to the company's reputation.
- C: This is the correct answer. Recognizing hazardous attitudes and situations and developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) that emphasize safety is crucial for any business operating UAS. This approach helps to institutionalize safety, reduce risk, and improve pilot performance. It also demonstrates the company's commitment to safety to its employees, clients, and the public, which can enhance its reputation and competitiveness.
🧭 Instructor Note
Why This Matters for Your Business
Operating a drone for commercial purposes, such as news coverage, requires a strong commitment to safety. Accidents not only risk damaging expensive equipment but can also lead to legal issues, harm to people or property, and damage to your company's reputation.
Safety & Liability Considerations
The safety of your operations should always be your top priority. Recognizing hazardous attitudes and situations and developing standard operating procedures that emphasize safety can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. This not only protects your business from potential liability but also ensures the safety of your employees and the public.
Consider This Scenario
A local TV station hires a remote pilot to operate their small unmanned aircraft for news coverage. The pilot has had multiple near misses with obstacles on the ground and two small UAS accidents. The station decides to implement a policy of no more than five crashes/incidents within 6 months. However, this approach normalizes accidents and undermines the station's safety culture, leading to more accidents and increased liability. Instead, the station should have recognized the hazardous attitudes and situations and developed standard operating procedures that emphasize safety.
What the FAA is Testing
This question tests your understanding of the importance of a strong safety culture in commercial drone operations. The FAA wants to ensure that remote pilots recognize hazardous attitudes and situations and develop standard operating procedures that emphasize safety.
Business Success Strategy
Develop a strong safety culture within your organization. This includes recognizing and addressing hazardous attitudes, developing and enforcing standard operating procedures that emphasize safety, and continuously improving your safety measures.
Memory Aid
"SOPs" are Standard Operating Procedures. SOPs are your safety net in drone operations. They help you standardize procedures, mitigate risks, and improve safety.
Enhanced References
FAA's Advisory Circular (AC) 107-2A on Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), Section 5.2.3 on Safety Culture.
Related Concepts
- Hazardous attitudes: impulsivity, invulnerability, machismo, anti-authority, resignation
- SOPs: standardization of procedures for risk mitigation
- CRM: communication and coordination among crew for flight safety
- Safety audits and post-incident analysis
ACS Code: UA.V.D.K1
Difficulty: basic