Activity 7.6 Research: Operational Risk Management

7.6 Research: Operational Risk Management

Joseph Younts

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

ASCI 638: Shawn Wynn

May 2017

Operational Risk Management

            Operational Risk Management (ORM) is a tool used to systematically identify operational risks or benefits for specific situations. There are several goals of ORM. The objectives of the ORM process are “protecting people, equipment and other resources, while making the most effective use of them. Preventing accidents, and in turn reducing losses, is an important aspect of meeting this objective” (FAA, 2000, pg. 2). ORM has been designed to minimize the number of risks before a flight in order to reduce the number of potential mishaps while also safeguarding the lives of people on the ground. For this assignment, the RQ-7 Shadow has been chosen to discuss ORM in relation to safe operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

            The RQ-7 Shadow is a small UAV that is also operated tactically in the military. It is operated by the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps. The Shadow is equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensor turret that has the ability to collect video during the day or night (RQ-7 Shadow UAV, n.d.). The Shadow is used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. The Shadow is powered by a UEL AR-741 rotary engine and has a landing gear that does not retract. The UAV is capable of flying at 15,000 feet and has a flight time of 6 hours (RQ-7 Shadow UAV, n.d.). The UAV is launched from a conventional airstrip from a pneumatic catapult on a trailer that allows the Shadow to be launched at 60 knots in 15 feet. The Shadow can carry several payloads including lightweight electro-optical systems that allow the cameras to capture video in real time. 

            Figure 1. Specifications of the U.S. Army RQ-7 Shadow. Note: Image retrieved from RQ-7 Shadow UAV. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://olivedrab.com/idphoto/id_photos_uav_rq7.php

            ORM was developed to use specific tools to create a logical hazard analysis to prevent incidents and accidents. The first step in completing an ORM is to create a preliminary hazard list (PHL) that is used as a brainstorming tool used to identify initial safety issues early during UAV operations (Shappee, 2012). In order for a PHL to be effective, an organization must have a clear understanding of the issues facing the flight of a UAV. A PHL is broken down into several categories that ease the review of hazards in the surrounding area. These categories are broken down into hazards, probability, severity, and risk level. Hazards such as tress, power lines, poles antennas, or mountainous terrain should be evaluated and listed in the PHL. Probability levels will be listed to determine the likelihood of the hazard being encountered during flight. In the severity column, the seriousness of the hazard is evaluated. Finally, in the risk level column, an initial risk level based on the probability and severity will be calculated (Shappee, 2012). 

            Figure 2: Above is an example of a PHL combined with a PHL/A. Hazards will be identified, probabilities of encountering hazards will be calculated, severity of the hazard will be discussed, and the risk level will be calculated. Note: Reprinted [adapted] from Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, p. 125, by Shappee, E. (2012).  New York, NY.

            After completion of the PHL/A, the operational hazards review and analysis (OHR&A) is the next step in the process of creating a safe flight environment for a UAV. The OHR&A is used in the same manner as the PHL/A; however, the OHR&A will be used to determine if the identified mitigating actions from the PHL/A will be adequate when determining the safety of UAV flight (Shappee, 2012). If the actions suggested for reducing the hazard are not adequate, the hazard will be listed again. If the hazards have been modified, the OHR&A should have the modified item listed (Shappee, 2012). Following the example of the PHL/A, an analysis of an OHR&A has been completed. For the purposes of this assignment, the following hazards will be assessed in the OHR&A; thunderstorms in the area, trees, mountainous terrain with IFR weather, loss of signal, GCS mishaps, and mechanical failures.

            Figure 3: PHL/A complete with risks, hazards, probability, severity, risk level, mitigating actions, residual risk level, and additional notes before UAV flight. Mishap probability levels, mishap severity levels, and mishap risk assessments can be found in MIL-STD-882D/E. Note: Reprinted [adapted] from Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, p. 125, by Shappee, E. (2012).  New York, NY.

            Figure 4: Here is an example of a completed OHR&A for a RQ-1 Shadow. Note that risk levels and residual risk levels have changed as a result of the mitigating actions. Note: Reprinted [adapted] from Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, p. 127, by Shappee, E. (2012).  New York, NY.

            The final analysis needed to determine operational risks is an ORM assessment tool. This tool is designed to provide the operator with an overview of the operations before conducting the flight operation and to allow for safe and manageable information processing in real time (Shappee, 2012). This tool should aid the operator in the decision making process but it should not be the only tool to determine whether or not a flight should be conducted (a go/no-go decision).The RQ-7 Shadow is used during surveillance missions to monitor specific areas of land. For the purposes of this assignment, a Shadow will be conducting surveillance on a specific targeted area. The mission will be of supportive nature, there have been no hardware or software changes, the UAV will be operating in Class E or G airspace, the PIC has flown the aircraft, and the operation is being completed during the day. The weather is cloudy with thunderstorms in the area; visibility is between 6 and 9 miles. The operation will be conducted away from the storms. The winds are 11-15 knots, the winds forcast are greater than 15 knots, the ceiling is 3000 to 4900 feet in the air, and the weather has been deteriorating. The operator of the UAV will fly at an altitude between 1000 and 2900 feet above the ground where winds are light and variable. The crew members are current, the UAV will not operate in other airspaces, lost link procedures have been checked and verified, and the UAV will operate via line of sight.  The total for this mission is 29; this UAV flight will be classified as a low risk level flight according to Figure 8.3 from Shappee (2012). Figure 8.3 is listed below.

            Figure 5: A sUAS risk assessment table for a small UAV such as the RQ-1 Shadow. Operators can calculate the risk level of the flight after reviewing pertinent information relating to the flight. Note: Reprinted [adapted] from Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, p. 128, by Shappee, E. (2012).  New York, NY.

References

FAA.  (2000, December 30).  Operational risk management.  Retrieved froM https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/risk_management/ss_handbook/media/Chap15_1200.pdf

RQ-7 Shadow UAV. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_uav_rq7.php

Shappee, E. (2012).  Safety Assessments in R. Barnhart, S. Hottman, D. Marshall, & E. Shappee (Eds.), Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (pp. 123-135).New York, NY: CRC Publishing.