Drone Pilots Need New Headgear

originally posted by: AutumnWitch657
a reply to: cmdrkeenkid
No drones have pilots. The whole idea behind drones is that they are unmanned. There is no one in them.
Of course someone is controlling them. You didn't think I thought they were just flying around uncontrolled did you?
My son has a radio controlled plane. A nice one. He controls it from the ground. In no way does anyone consider him a pilot.

Okay well you can define it however makes you feel happy. The Air Force calls the people who fly UAVs pilots or operators. The job field is "remotely piloted aircraft pilot." If on a personal level you don't think they're pilots, that's great. Calling them a pilot is, however you feel about it, correct. As is "operator."

Your son is piloting his RC plane every time he flies it, as "pilot" is defined as "person who operates the flying controls of an aircraft."

I'm officially a drone operator.

here's video of my flying.

a reply to: Sammamishman

I couldn't see myself wearing anything but David Clarks... The thought of that, even for a drone pilot doesn't sit right. That's strictly a personal preference. However, as I said previously, the headsets are probably standard issue and they have tons in surplus. Using something off the shelf is significantly cheaper than developing and deploying something new.

a reply to: AutumnWitch657

Of course someone is controlling them. You didn't think I thought they were just flying around uncontrolled did you?

Honestly, yes. That is the exact point I thought you were trying to convey. Draw back of the internet as a communication medium. Lots of miscommunication.

My son has a radio controlled plane. A nice one. He controls it from the ground. In no way does anyone consider him a pilot.

Yes, your son is definitely the pilot of the remote control plane. He is the one at the controls. Regardless of the placement of the controls, he is still in command.

Even the Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code refers to your son as the pilot. The context is as a "Model aircraft pilot." More information on the AMA can be found on their website.

They're wearing them because their commanding officer told them to wear em.

We see similar happenings in Navy CICs.

originally posted by: Sammamishman
How about a set of these? Works in a load NFL stadium.

Because that guys isn't trying to fly a drone while also constantly listening to instructions, targeting data, etc. He only has to talk & listen to a couple of people over that kit, and there is a limited amount range of info he's going to be processing.

As others have said it is a noisy environment, the job is actually one of communication - so you need good coms gear.