C-Astral Bramor Mission Planning and Pre-Flight

Introduction

This lab walks through the Pre-Flight, mission planning and CRM (Crew Resource Management) operations of the C-Astral Bramor and other complex autonomous systems. When working with these complex systems Crew Resource Management is extremely important, flight crews need to work efficiently and accurately together in order to avoid risks and ensure a safe operation. Crews that become complacent with their Pre-Flight operations will inevitably have unsuccessful operations. 

The C3P software Bramor uses for Flight Planning allows the crew to run simulated flight operations to ensure their flight will be successful and safe. The Bramor also provides an extensive pre-flight checklist that crews should follow accurately before each operation. Communication between crew members is key in the pre flight operations to ensure each step is completed correctly and there will be a safe flight. 

Flight Planning with C3P

West Lafayette, IN

Before going out to the field it is important for crews to run through flight planning and some simulations on C3P, Bramor's flight planning software. This will ensure there will be a successful operation and the aircraft will function properly at each specific point (theoretically). For this lab we ran through some simulations of Bramor flights in different areas throughout the world.

The first flight was done in West Lafayette, IN. The Home Point, Takeoff Point, Rally Point and Parachute Point were all set in accordance with FAA regulations and set in safe areas and altitudes. The Rally point is especially important when setting due to the drop in elevation that occurs, users must be aware that the elevation set on the rally point will be the ending elevation before the parachute pop. Camera and Image settings were kept the same throughout all flights, with overlap at 80% and sidelap at 70%. The figures below show the flight path with the specific points and their settings.

Figure 1: Mission Settings in Accordance to 14 CFR Part 107

Figure 2: Takeoff point settings

Figure 3: Rally Point Settings 

Figure 4: Parachute Point Settings 

Figure 5: Flight Path and Location of Points  

Figure 6: Beginning of Simulated Flight Operation

Figure 7: 3 Dimensional View of Flight

C-Astral Bramor Test Site 

The next site we conducted a flight operation at was the C-Astral Bramor test site. We went through the same steps and set a safe flight path and placed each point at a safe location. We first conducted a grid pattern flight over the test field and then we conducted a flight that followed the street along side of the test field, this was done using the street points tool within the waypoints button. Both flight operations are pictured below. 

Figure 8: C-Astral Test Site Mission Settings, Non- US Flight

Figure 9: C-Astral Test Site Flight Path and Point Locations

Figure 10: 3 Dimensional View of Flight Operation

Figure 11: C-Astral Test Site Street Flight 

Figure 12: Street Flight 3 Dimensional Flight Operation

Boise, Idaho

Our last flight was done at a mountainous region over an agricultural field. We did this to test the Bramor's ability to adjust to altitude when set in the relative setting. These operations do not show a change in the flight path elevation because the flight was at a safe altitude to clear the mountains. At a lower altitude the flight path should show an increase in altitude relative to the increases in the ground elevation. Flight operations are pictured in the figures below.

Figure 11: Boise, ID, Flight Path and Point Locations

Figure 12: 3 Dimensional Flight Operation

Bramor Pre-Flight Checklist and Crew Resource Management

When performing operations with complex autonomous UAV's such as the C-Astral Bramor proper pre-flight operations and good CRM (crew resource management) is extremely important. There are a lot more factors that go into each flight with the Bramor as compared to a simple operation with say a DJI Phantom or Matrice. We are working with more equipment and much more expensive equipment, there are multiple checklists to walk through and the crew must be present and working effectively. We use a challenge approach when working through the various Bramor checklists, this meaning one member of the crew will read off each step while another member completes the step physically and verbally. The Bramor has 2 different pre flight checklists, one paper and one on the tablet. The crew is made up of ideally 4 crew members with specific duties, the crew and their responsibilities are listed below (this can be set up in many different ways, whichever works best for the crew). 

- Remote Pilot in Command: Will read the paper check list and be the pilot of the flight operations.

- Co-Pilot: Will work with the tablet checklist during the pre-flight as well as be a co-pilot/ observer during flight.

- Visual Observer: Will work side by side with the equipment person to ensure each step is completed and done correctly as well as observe during the flight operations.

- Equipment: Will "challenge" the pilot by physically and verbally completing each step in the checklist as well as being an observer during flight and keeping track of equipment.

It is very important to have these set roles to successfully work through the flight operations. Communication between crew members is a key point that needs to be addressed, the crew must be able to communicate with each other successfully. There are many important steps to properly setting up the Bramor, the checklists go into extensive detail but are not perfect, I will not go through each individual step but it is so important to follow these checklists exactly. Below are images of the tablet in use as well as the Bramor fully set up on the catapult.

Figure 13: Bramor fully set up on catapult

Figure 14: Tablet in use

 Conclusion

Complex UAV systems may seem easier to operate from the outside when compared to simpler systems. While they do, do most of the work for the pilot there is a lot that goes in "behind the scenes". These systems are normally very expensive and it is important to keep your investment safe and in working order. It is so important to have a good team that works well together, communicates and ensures that all steps have been done correctly.