Towards Sustainable Operations of High Altitude Platforms: Optimizing Crew Configuration Through Task Distribution

Abstract

High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) are uncrewed aerial vehicles flying in the higher stratosphere, providing a unique platform to observe and monitor a specific area of interest on earth’s surface continuously for a longer time period and thus complementing satellite-based observations. The German Aerospace Center has developed a solar powered heavier-than-air HAP named HAP-α which has the capability to stay airborne for several weeks.To enable sustainable operations for HAPs, an increasing concern regarding crew size and operational efficiency has emerged. Even flight testing in its operating environment in the higher stratosphere will require missions with continuous piloting and supervision for at least 16 hours, as further automation to facilitate a reduced crew in skill a size will highly rely on this crucial step. Questions about feasible crew size and skill profile, possible underutilization of crew members and conflicts with mandatory rest periods have to be answered.This paper addresses the necessity of maintaining operational safety while simultaneously reducing crew numbers to foster sustainable operation of the HAP-α. We propose a two-step methodological approach, consisting of a preliminary competency analysis and a subsequent simulator campaign to assess subjective workload of individual crew members. Given the novelty of the system and the absence of established crew design standards or formalized competency frameworks or a comprehensive, structured knowledge, skills, abilities (KSA) portfolio, the initial test crew was selected according task profiles and a best-fit approach based on expert judgement and early operational considerations. Analysis of crew competency profiles utilizing the EASA Evidence Based Training (EBT) framework uncovers relevant competency portfolios. Insights gained from subjective workload data recorded during a weeklong simulator campaign under normal and abnormal operating conditions inform our understanding of task distribution and its impact on subjective workload. This approach necessitates a careful evaluation of workload and competency overlap between roles. Specifically, we will assess whether the workload associated with two roles is sufficiently low to justify their consolidation and whether the competency profile required for these roles share enough overlap to facilitate this merger. If consolidation proves impractical, we will consider an equitable distribution of tasks within the remaining roles, focusing on optimal alignment with skill sets and workload parameters.

Keywords: Multi-Crew Operation, Human Systems Integration, UAS, High Altitude Platform, EASA Competencies, Evidence based training

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1008205