MITRE Corporation needs you!

The MITRE Corporation’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts research for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). CAASD helps to improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by advising the FAA on new technologies and procedures, and by helping inform FAA policy decisions through technical analysis. Additional information on CAASD is available on www.mitre.org.

CAASD is seeking both Commercial and Recreational Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) pilots to assess new technology and procedures along with pilot roles and responsibilities. The research being conducted generally involves concepts that are in the early stages of development. UAS pilot input is needed to help fully develop these new concepts. The data collected during these studies is held in the strictest of confidence and is de-identified prior to analysis. The aggregate study data will be used to refine concepts and shape policy prior to implementation. As the ultimate end users of this technology, it is important to have pilot participation and input early in the concept development process. This helps to identify challenges and develop solutions to complex problems.

Qualified participants include Commercial Part 107 pilots as well as Recreational Part 101 pilots (i.e., RC and hobby flight). We are interested in folks who are certified and/or have experience operating fixed wing, rotary wing, or multi-rotor UAS.

CAASD periodically conducts online studies which can be completed from a typical home computer. These studies typically require 30-60 minutes to complete, but some studies may require longer or shorter time commitments.

Local flight simulation events are primarily held at CAASD’s simulation facility located in McLean, Virginia (suburban Washington, D.C.). These simulations typically require between 4 and 8 hours to complete, but some simulations may require longer or shorter time commitments.

Please submit your contact information using the “Sign Up” link below. As new studies become available, MITRE will contact you with details and information on how to sign up. Participation is completely voluntary and you can remove your contact information from our database at any time.

Click here to sign up today!

For questions, email [email protected].

Thank you for your interest and support to the advancement of aviation!