Current challenges and mitigations for airborne detection of vertical obstacles

Paul R. Flanigen; Robert R. Copeland; Nadine Sarter; Ella M. Atkins

doi:10.1117/12.2632809

31 May 2022 Current challenges and mitigations for airborne detection of vertical obstacles

Paul R. Flanigen, Robert R. Copeland, Nadine Sarter, Ella M. Atkins

Proceedings Volume 12125, Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (XR) Technology for Multi-Domain Operations III; 1212508 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2632809
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2022, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Manned and unmanned helicopters are designed to accomplish missions at low altitudes. This flight environment is congested with a variety of hazards including vertical obstacles with small cross sections. It is challenging to see or sense these protrusions in order to avoid catastrophic collisions. Twelve participants from industry, military and government discussed the difficulty of detection and merits of various mitigations for avoiding vertical obstacles. Active military and civilian helicopter pilots were paired with a variety of engineers in four 2-hour online focus groups. Descriptive codes were manually assigned to the transcripts. Mitigation themes and sentiments emerged. Commentary highlighted the current burden on pilots as manual - largely visual - processors of multiple data sources. Degraded visual environments, even with visual enhancement, were cited as a challenge to obstacle detection. Clear air detection was also a challenge. Mitigations included experience, planning, and technology. In most cases database accuracy and completeness was overestimated or unknown. This compounding error increased confusion about the location of these sources of potential catastrophe. Flight operations in the vertical obstacle environment are unacceptably risky, and safely navigating the obstacle environment largely relies on avoiding occupied airspace indicated by this imperfect data. However, the increasing prevalence of both obstacles and aircraft necessitates a comprehensive strategy to reduce the catastrophic risk. Aircraft operators in this environment face many attentional demands that merit additional research to have a prospect of Advanced Air Mobility.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Paul R. Flanigen, Robert R. Copeland, Nadine Sarter, and Ella M. Atkins "Current challenges and mitigations for airborne detection of vertical obstacles", Proc. SPIE 12125, Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (XR) Technology for Multi-Domain Operations III, 1212508 (31 May 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2632809

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