Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Hardcover

 "... aims at identifying and surveying the basic fundamentals of UAS operations, and as such, it can serve as a textbook for introductory collegiate courses in UASs. Written from a non-engineering civilian operational perspective, the book starts with the history of UASs and continues with the presentation of current technology... Covering all facets of UAS elements and operation, as well as the safety procedures and human factors, it gives the reader a practical understanding of what it takes to safely operate UASs."
―Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, February 2016

"The key differentiator between this and other introductory texts is that each chapter has a different author, each an experienced expert within the field, providing an unusual range of knowledge and expertise within a single text. ... Overall, a well-written introduction to the field."
―The Aerospace Professional

Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems is the editors' response to their unsuccessful search for suitable university-level textbooks on this subject. A collection of contributions from top experts, this book applies the depth of their expertise to identify and survey the fundamentals of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations. Written from a nonengineering civilian operational perspective, the book starts by detailing the history of UASs and then explores current technology and what is expected for the future.

Covering all facets of UAS elements and operation-including an examination of safety procedures and human factors-this material gives readers a truly complete and practical understanding of what it takes to safely operate UASs for a variety of missions in the National Airspace System.

Topics covered include:

• The U.S. aviation regulatory system
• Certificate of authorization process
• UAS for geospatial data
• Automation and autonomy in UAS
• Sensors and payloads

With helpful end-of-chapter discussion questions, this resource is designed to give beginning university students and other new entrants to the field a comprehensive, easy-to-understand first overview of the field. The book's broad scope also makes it useful as a foundation for professionals embarking on further study.