Presenter Email
terwillb@erau.edu
Location
Mori Hosseini Student Union Events Center (Bldg #610) – Rooms 165 E/F
Start Date
3-2-2020 8:00 AM
End Date
3-2-2020 9:30 AM
Submission Type
Presentation
Keywords
UAS, sUAS, Unmanned Aircraft, Remote Pilot, UAS Career Development
Abstract
Unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology is radically changing how organizations, such as government agencies, non-profit corporations, and companies, apply aviation resources. Unmanned aviation is supporting improved efficiency, expanded capability, and heightened reliability through an increasing number of uses relating to: a) research and development and training-education, b) event filming, c) industrial, utility, and environmental projects, d) real estate, e) construction activities, f) agricultural, g) press and media, and h) state/local emergency services. The increasing application, and subsequent operational growth, is occurring in response to maturing technology, refined operational management and permissibility, innovative concept development, demonstrated capability, enhanced supportability, and the availability of specialized education and training opportunities. Technological advancement, regulatory changes, economic development, and widespread adoption of this technology is also leading to an observable growth of related employment opportunities. The Federal Aviation Administration has indicated that there are currently 116,027 remote pilots certified to operate small UAS in the National Airspace System, with growth to almost 350,000 by 2023. The examination of current career opportunities, in connection with commonly advertised job types and the associated roles and responsibilities, could better inform future UAS curricula design and enhancement efforts. This paper and associated presentation will feature an in-depth examination of such positions to categorize type and summarize prevalent attributes, while also highlighting notable features such as popular hiring locations, salary estimation, and experience-levels. The intent is to provide a detailed summary of hiring expectations and identify potential opportunities for improving academic alignment and career development efforts.
Presenter Biography
Brent A. Terwilliger Ph.D. is the Associate Dean for Research at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Worldwide campus, College of Aeronautics and Program Chair of the MS in Unmanned Systems degree. Dr. Terwilliger earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration in Aviation from Northcentral University (2012), as well as a Master’s of Aeronautical Science (2005) and B.S. in Aerospace Studies (2000) from ERAU. He has more than 10 years of experience in defense contracting, supporting several federal-level customers, including the U.S. Postal Service for automated sortation technologies and the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy on a wide variety of simulation training solutions. As a tenured faculty member at ERAU, Dr. Terwilliger has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, presented research findings at international venues, and provided unmanned system expertise across televised, print, and digital media. Brent currently serves as the National Business Aviation Association’s Emerging Technologies-Market and Technology subcommittee chair, National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Urban Air Mobility Concept of Operations reviewer, ERAU’s Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology program reviewer, and Journal of Unmanned Aerial Systems Publishing Board member.
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Advertising and Promotion Management Commons, Agribusiness Commons, Benefits and Compensation Commons, Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Technology and Innovation Commons, Training and Development Commons, Vocational Education Commons
Examining UAS Employment Expectations and Requirements
Mori Hosseini Student Union Events Center (Bldg #610) – Rooms 165 E/F
Unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology is radically changing how organizations, such as government agencies, non-profit corporations, and companies, apply aviation resources. Unmanned aviation is supporting improved efficiency, expanded capability, and heightened reliability through an increasing number of uses relating to: a) research and development and training-education, b) event filming, c) industrial, utility, and environmental projects, d) real estate, e) construction activities, f) agricultural, g) press and media, and h) state/local emergency services. The increasing application, and subsequent operational growth, is occurring in response to maturing technology, refined operational management and permissibility, innovative concept development, demonstrated capability, enhanced supportability, and the availability of specialized education and training opportunities. Technological advancement, regulatory changes, economic development, and widespread adoption of this technology is also leading to an observable growth of related employment opportunities. The Federal Aviation Administration has indicated that there are currently 116,027 remote pilots certified to operate small UAS in the National Airspace System, with growth to almost 350,000 by 2023. The examination of current career opportunities, in connection with commonly advertised job types and the associated roles and responsibilities, could better inform future UAS curricula design and enhancement efforts. This paper and associated presentation will feature an in-depth examination of such positions to categorize type and summarize prevalent attributes, while also highlighting notable features such as popular hiring locations, salary estimation, and experience-levels. The intent is to provide a detailed summary of hiring expectations and identify potential opportunities for improving academic alignment and career development efforts.
Comments
Presented during Concurrent Session 1B: UAS: Industry Perspectives