Maybe this is a bit of an attention-grabbing headline, but it might not be so far from the truth. Moonrock Drone Insurance has released a new whitepaper Reducing Pilot Error in UAV Insurance and this is basically the premise put forward. Now everyone usually hates to discuss insurance, it’s a necessary evil, but you have to have it. And what better place to find statistics about causes of drone incidents than an insurer who is already covering and paying claims on this topic.
This idea might sound sensational, but the figures support the claim. Moonrock states that over 85% of all losses and the most cited cause in claims is pilot error. Even though one could argue that this is only based on their figures, this is the area they focus in, and could you really expect that other firms find a substantially different outcome? I mean it can’t be just Moonrock’s clients who have these issues.
Examples of claims
Speaking of the issues put forth in these claims, what are they? Errors often involve misjudgement of ground hazards, failure to respond to system warnings, or incorrect recovery actions. Even the most experienced operators are vulnerable under pressure or in complex environments. This isn’t focused only on new pilots.
There are three case studies put forth in the paper based on real claims: a powerline collision, terrain misjudgement, and an incorrect recovery during GPS failure. Check out the whitepaper as there are more details about the actual incidents.
Possible solutions
The whitepaper also offers possible solutions to reduce pilot error. There are five ideas listed. Three of them would fit within current modes of thinking – training and certification, operational risk management, policy and incentives. The remaining two touch upon topics that begin to bring up controversial discussions – how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used and the move to fully autonomous flight. There are additional details provided under each of these topics to propose a path to realisation.
Expanding our comfort zones
AI and automation require us to reach beyond our traditional comfort zones when it comes to flying aircraft. As someone who works with many startups across different industries who tout the use of AI to solve all of the world’s problems, I have two areas of advice – be very clear about what the AI will/won’t do and how, while maintaining the linkage to human oversight when needed. In other words, AI as a helper well before AI as a decision-maker.
Automation on the other hand will require more of an open mind and education of those involved in its use. The whitepaper compares the results of the automotive industry where 90% of accidents are caused by driver error. At a recent conference I attended, Zipline presented their safety results with autonomous delivery drones. To date they have flown over 120 million miles without incident. Comparing this to the same distance travelled by road deliveries, on average there would be seven accidents and one fatality. These results make a clear argument for autonomy.
Moonrock believes the pilot error challenge can be solved with intermediate steps leading to ultimately full autonomous flight. I have to agree this is the target, but I believe the challenge is much bigger than technology and comes back to those comfort zones I mentioned above. The whitepaper dives into more detail than I’ve mentioned here, it’s not too long and worth the time it takes to read it.
