Comparative survey reveals divergent UAV risk priorities between pilots and air traffic controllers, highlighting the need for human-centered safety management.
Key Points
To evaluate and contrast the risk perceptions of commercial pilots and air traffic controllers regarding the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into shared civil airspace.
Surveyed 30 aviation professionals (15 pilots and 15 air traffic controllers).
Assessed eight distinct UAV risk scenarios across likelihood and severity dimensions using the International Civil Aviation Organization's Safety Management Manual risk matrix framework.
Pilots prioritized severe, catastrophic consequences directly threatening flight safety, whereas air traffic controllers focused on systemic airspace disruptions and likelihood-based metrics.
Both stakeholder groups identified inexperienced UAV operators as the most critical and unacceptable operational risk factor.