UAS DACUM

Attached below are two UAS DACUMs. DACUM stands for Development of at Curriculum Model. The first DACUM in this post was constructed by me and my classmates during lab time. We were given a template with the categories listed below to fill out what we knew about UAS from what we had learned in class and field work. The first category "Current and Future UAS Industry Trends" was filled out the quickest among us. With 8 classmates gathered around the table, we shot out ideas from previous experience, news articles we had seen, previous classroom discussions, and any other future cases we may see UAS being implemented into. There are many more possibilities for the future of UAS, and that is what we hope to learn more about in the future, while continuously adding to the figure.

Next we moved on to the "UAS Critical Skills and Knowledge" portion. This is where we were able to share the specific skills we have learned in previous classes, as well as skills that we have not been taught in class but would like to see as part of the future curriculum. The left hand column was a list that we generated on our own, and the list on the right side was led more as a discussion with our professor. We went down the list one by one, discussing the classes where we learned some of the information listed, and what classes we would like to take to enhance the next generation's experience.

We ran out of class time while filling out the last section, "UAS Technician Duties". This section was divided up into smaller subsections with different jobs inside of the UAS field. Oftentimes, the positions labeled are done by a crew, with an expert in each department heading up that aspect of the mission. Below is the second DACUM figure, where I filled in missing areas with my own take on the information listed. This information is highlighted and italicized for easy identification. I wanted to elaborate on what made each position unique, and emphasize the importance of crew management, as an operation can get hectic if everyone is on different wavelengths.

Feel free to comment down below with any questions or suggestions regarding any topic I have covered!


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UAS DACUM:

 UAS DACUM Model

 DACUM #1, Constructed in class with peers

Current and Future UAS Industry Trends

Trends	Explanation
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)	Fixed wing aircraft flying along rail lines. ~5-hour missions
Rail inspection	Mapping yards and switches
Pipeline Inspection
Advanced Ground Control GPS Technology	New technology that allows for faster collection of Ground Control Tie-Ins. Aeropoints as an example
Autonomous Delivery	(Concept): Amazon delivering packages via UAS
Advanced Methods and Technology in RTK Platform based GPS accuracy in data collection
Construction	Site scans, progress reports, overview images
High Resolution Remote Sensing
Airspace Integration	Flying in/near airports & Runway inspection
Swarm Technology	Multiple autonomous platforms working together to complete one goal.
Scientific Research
Natural Resource Management	Resource inventory, change analysis, productivity and condition analysis.
Windmill Inspection	Reducing operation & maintenance costs
3D Mapping
Manned-Unmanned Team (MUMT)	Drones and manned aircraft utilizing same airspace or target area to collective gather data or accomplish similar task.
Vegetation Mapping	Monitoring vegetation growth using hyperspectral NIR
Water column mapping	Using differences in reflected/refracted light received by a sensor to map vertical columns of water based on depth.
Hazard Risk Assessment (weather, geological, environmental, etc)	Fault line mapping, water drainage mapping, flood plain mapping, slope stability analysis, forest fire risk analysis
Real Estate Marketing	Arial images of various angles of the house/property, neighborhood images
All weather operations	Weatherized airframe
Site Surveying	Matching point clouds with CAD elevation maps
Site progression
Energy	Used to assess pipelines and energy networks
Endurance/extended duration
Light Shows /leisure /recreation	Companies like Intel use drones for entertainment purposes
Accident Reconstruction	Post-crash scene scans, gather information to show police, juries, investigators, etc.
Search and Rescue	Emergency services searching vast areas for missing persons
RC Racing	Innovation through commercial application utilizing the entertainment markets.
Firefighting	Assistance in finding safe routes of use.  Thermal imaging and analysis.
Police	Documenting crime scenes, surveying disaster sites, accident & traffic management
Emergency (medical)	Delivery of medical supplies (Zipline company)
Cinematography	Take a video of it
Agriculture	Can collect crop count and assess crop quality
Surveillance	Can be used to monitor any high security area
Deep learning flight controls and data processing	Unsupervised data management and classification.
Full Motion Video	Video Taken in MISB format. Video has bounding Geospatial coordinates
Geospatial Video	Video connected to UAS log file so it has coordinates
Policy and Regulation	More structure to UAS Commercial Remote Pilot License Categories. Also relates to certification of different classes of aircraft.
Increasing Markets and Applications of Tethered UAS platforms	Tethered power supply UAS platforms have the potential to serve for long term surveillance and other services where
More efficient Solar Panel Arrays	Increased flight times can come from axillary solar panels that provide trickle charge to the electric power source to the UAS

UAS Critical Skills and Knowledge

Skillset/Knowledge	UAS Course Applied to:
Project Management	AT 203
Geospatial Knowledge	AT 319 AT 309
Cartographic Knowledge	NA
Post-Processing of UAS data	AT 319 (Small component)
Integration with GIS and RS software	NA
Quick-thinking/adaptability	Throughout curriculum
Regulation Knowledge	AT 144 AT 286
Repair and Maintenance	AT 219
Flight Proficiency	AT 219 AT 309
Sensor Integration/Familiarity	AT 309
Remote Sensing	AT 319
Quality control of data	NA
Data management/Computer Science	NA
Integration with manned aircraft	AT 286
Potential/Future Applications	AT 409
Technical Writing	AT 409, ENG 420
Programming	NA
Management	Entrepreneurship Certificate
Marketing
Graphic Communication
Ethics	AT 309 AT 319
Soldering	AT 219 AT 309 AT 319
Systems Engineering	Lightly throughout curriculum
Electronics design

UAS Technician Key Duties

Mission Planning	Description
Airworthiness Inspection	Ensuring aircraft is in a safe condition to fly and in compliance to manufactures guidelines.
Airframe integrity inspection	Checking critical parts of the aircraft for structural integrity. Search for deficiencies that may limit flight characteristics
Find the highest object in flight path	For collision avoidance, ensures that your flight altitude will not hit any obstacles
Gather weather data	Weather must be within the aircraft’s and your personal limitations
Airspace analysis	Must get permission in certain airspace
Data capture and quality considerations
Sensor selection	Choosing the correct sensor for the mission at hand
Crew selection
Geospatial Duties
Plan out missions using various forms of geospatial data
Understanding capabilities and limits of Sensors and UAS platforms
Being able to apply the right sensor and platform to the job
Being able to properly gather Ground Control Points with survey grade GPS
UAS Maintenance
Ensure proper record keeping	Proper record keeping of replaced and repaired parts. Proper record keeping of flight time and incidents.
Standardization of maintenance techniques (like AC 43.13)
Maintain Scheduled Maintenance Plan/Logs
Software Troubleshooting
Regular inspection of flight critical parts
Knowledge of UAS maintenance software and applications
Maintaining Field Kit
Flight Operations
Maintain Safe Conduct Throughout Flight
Crew Management
Preflight Operations
Post-flight checklists
Proper Debriefing
What belongs in a UAS field kit
Repair techniques and procedures
Data Capture Considerations
Communication
Customer interaction
Marketing /Networking
Non-crew teamwork
Crew Resource Management

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 UAS DACUM Model +Edits

Individual additions highlighted and italicized

Current and Future UAS Industry Trends

Trends	Explanation
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)	Fixed wing aircraft flying along rail lines. ~5-hour missions
Rail inspection	Mapping yards and switches
Pipeline Inspection	Flying a fixed wing along miles of pipeline, capturing photos to be examined later
Advanced Ground Control GPS Technology	New technology that allows for faster collection of Ground Control Tie-Ins. Aeropoints as an example
Autonomous Delivery	(Concept): Amazon delivering packages via UAS
Advanced Methods and Technology in RTK Platform based GPS accuracy in data collection
Construction	Site scans, progress reports, overview images
High Resolution Remote Sensing
Airspace Integration	Flying in/near airports & Runway inspection
Swarm Technology	Multiple autonomous platforms working together to complete one goal.
Scientific Research
Natural Resource Management	Resource inventory, change analysis, productivity and condition analysis.
Windmill Inspection	Reducing operation & maintenance costs
3D Mapping
Manned-Unmanned Team (MUMT)	Drones and manned aircraft utilizing same airspace or target area to collective gather data or accomplish similar task.
Vegetation Mapping	Monitoring vegetation growth using hyperspectral NIR
Water column mapping	Using differences in reflected/refracted light received by a sensor to map vertical columns of water based on depth.
Hazard Risk Assessment (weather, geological, environmental, etc)	Fault line mapping, water drainage mapping, flood plain mapping, slope stability analysis, forest fire risk analysis
Real Estate Marketing	Arial images of various angles of the house/property, neighborhood images
All weather operations	Weatherized airframe
Site Surveying	Matching point clouds with CAD elevation maps
Site progression	Used in construction, maps constructed daily, weekly, etc. to show the project manager how far along the project is from a top-down view
Energy	Used to assess pipelines and energy networks
Endurance/extended duration	Using alternative methods (i.e. solar charging during flight, etc.) to increase flight time
Light Shows /leisure /recreation	Companies like Intel use drones for entertainment purposes
Accident Reconstruction	Post-crash scene scans, gather information to show police, juries, investigators, etc.
Search and Rescue	Emergency services searching vast areas for missing persons
RC Racing	Innovation through commercial application utilizing the entertainment markets.
Firefighting	Assistance in finding safe routes of use.  Thermal imaging and analysis.
Police	Documenting crime scenes, surveying disaster sites, accident & traffic management
Emergency (medical)	Delivery of medical supplies (Zipline company)
Cinematography	Take a video of it
Agriculture	Can collect crop count and assess crop quality
Surveillance	Can be used to monitor any high security area
Deep learning flight controls and data processing	Unsupervised data management and classification.
Full Motion Video	Video Taken in MISB format. Video has bounding Geospatial coordinates
Geospatial Video	Video connected to UAS log file so it has coordinates
Policy and Regulation	More structure to UAS Commercial Remote Pilot License Categories. Also relates to certification of different classes of aircraft.
Increasing Markets and Applications of Tethered UAS platforms	Tethered power supply UAS platforms have the potential to serve for long term surveillance and other services where
More efficient Solar Panel Arrays	Increased flight times can come from axillary solar panels that provide trickle charge to the electric power source to the UAS

UAS Critical Skills and Knowledge

Skillset/Knowledge	UAS Course Applied to:
Project Management	AT 203
Geospatial Knowledge	AT 319 AT 309
Cartographic Knowledge	NA
Post-Processing of UAS data	AT 319 (Small component)
Integration with GIS and RS software	NA
Quick-thinking/adaptability	Throughout curriculum
Regulation Knowledge	AT 144 AT 286
Repair and Maintenance	AT 219
Flight Proficiency	AT 219 AT 309
Sensor Integration/Familiarity	AT 309
Remote Sensing	AT 319
Quality control of data	NA
Data management/Computer Science	NA
Integration with manned aircraft	AT 286
Potential/Future Applications	AT 409
Technical Writing	AT 409, ENG 420
Programming	NA
Management	Entrepreneurship Certificate
Marketing
Graphic Communication
Ethics	AT 309 AT 319
Soldering	AT 219 AT 309 AT 319
Systems Engineering	Lightly throughout curriculum
Electronics design

UAS Technician Key Duties

Mission Planning	Description
Airworthiness Inspection	Ensuring aircraft is in a safe condition to fly and in compliance to manufactures guidelines.
Airframe integrity inspection	Checking critical parts of the aircraft for structural integrity. Search for deficiencies that may limit flight characteristics
Find the highest object in flight path	For collision avoidance, ensures that your flight altitude will not hit any obstacles
Gather weather data	Weather must be within the aircraft’s and your personal limitations
Airspace analysis	Must get permission in certain airspace
Data capture and quality considerations
Sensor selection	Choosing the correct sensor for the mission at hand
Crew selection	Selecting appropriate crew members for different positions, some of which are included below. Important to pick the most qualified individuals for each task to ensure safety and efficiency.
Geospatial Duties
Plan out missions using various forms of geospatial data
Understanding capabilities and limits of Sensors and UAS platforms
Being able to apply the right sensor and platform to the job	Identifying the needs of the project, then selecting the appropriate payload accordingly so as not to waste time/money
Being able to properly gather Ground Control Points with survey grade GPS
UAS Maintenance
Ensure proper record keeping	Proper record keeping of replaced and repaired parts. Proper record keeping of flight time and incidents.
Standardization of maintenance techniques (like AC 43.13)
Maintain Scheduled Maintenance Plan/Logs
Software Troubleshooting
Regular inspection of flight critical parts	Certified mechanic, or someone who is an expert with that aircraft should perform 50, 100, 150 hr, etc. inspections
Knowledge of UAS maintenance software and applications	Adapt to constantly evolving UAS software
Maintaining Field Kit	Have equipment in the field ready to go in the event that something goes wrong (i.e. prop breaks, screw is loose, etc.)
Flight Operations
Maintain Safe Conduct Throughout Flight	No horseplay, eyes on aircraft, hands ready to alter inputs at any moment
Crew Management	Ensure everyone in the operation is on the same page. Have as many eyes on the aircraft as possible, and make sure that everyone performs their task
Preflight Operations	Checklists are necessary. No skipping steps.
Post-flight checklists	Most aircraft are unable to go right back in the box post-flight. Make sure the operator knows the proper post-flight procedures and follows the manual
Proper Debriefing	Post-flight debriefs allow the crew to discuss important aspects of the flight. Make sure somebody records important notes as these can be used to improve future operations
What belongs in a UAS field kit	Varies mission by mission. Important things to have may include but are not limited to: Extra props/wings, allen wrenches, screwdrivers, extra nuts & bolts, battery chargers, etc.
Repair techniques and procedures	Shall be performed by an aircraft expert.
Data Capture Considerations
Communication
Customer interaction	What does the customer want? What are their product needs? How much time do they have before they need the product? How can we best meet their expectations?
Marketing /Networking	Getting your product/service out there to expand your network
Non-crew teamwork	Non-team members oftentimes create distractions, ensure that they know the rules of the operations and include them in pre-flight briefing if possible
Crew Resource Management	See flight operations --> Crew management