Walkera
QR X900 Hexacopter
The Walker QR X900 is a collapsible small
unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) developed by a Chinese company for video
photography purposes. The QR X900 was designed to carry multiple configurations
for gimbals and cameras. With the ability to angle four or six rotors, the QR
X900 can carry heavy loads and provide a stable flight platform in the gustiest
of winds (Blain, 2016). The QR X900 has been used commercially since its
inception and boasts an almost one hour flight loiter time (Blain, 2016).
Preliminary
Hazard List (PHL)
The preliminary hazard list was created for
the QR X900 hexacopter in order to determine the risks associated with flight
of said small unmanned aerial system (sUAS). The PHL for any design is a simple
list of what can go wrong and is usually created at the very beginning of a
hazard analysis (Marshall, Barnhart, Shappee, & Most, 2016). The PHL
typically resides alongside standards and regulations in design specifications
for implementation into the overall system architecture. For the QR X900,
hazards like terrain, circuit complexity and reliability, and battery life were
identified due mostly to its large relative size.
Preliminary
Hazard Assessment (PHA)
Once the PHL is created and a track
sequence has been established, a preliminary hazard assessment (Table A1) can
be conducted in order to determine ways in which to mitigate the listed hazards
(Marshall et al., 2016). Risk levels (RLs) and Residual risk levels (RRLs) can
be determined from the probability and severity and then implementing the
mitigating action, respectively (Marshall et al., 2016). This analysis can help
the user of any sUAS the ability to systematically analyze hazards associated
with flying. After applying the mitigating actions, the RRL score went up in
every case.
Operational
Hazard Review and Analysis (OHR&A)
The operational hazards review and
analysis (OHR&A) is created in much the same way that the PHL/A is created.
The main difference is that the OHR&A (Table A2) can be used thoughout
every stage in the operation (Marshall et al., 2016). The action review column
in the OHR&A is the distinguishing factor from the PHL/A because it helps
the user determine if the mitigating actions were adequate (Marshall et al.,
2016). The mitigation action were deemed to be sufficient due to the RRL in the
QHR&A being close to 20 in almost every task.
Operational
Risk Management (ORM) Assessment Tool
The operational risk management (ORM) tool is
used to provide the operator with a quick look at the risk factors of a certain
operations and to give safety personnel a real-time look at the numbers
(Marshall et al., 2016). Directors of operations for flying squadrons or the
average backyard drone operator can use the ORM tool (Table A3) to get a quick
idea of their level of risk flying that day. Go/No-Go procedures like the ORM
sheet can mean the difference between detecting a risk early or causing a
mishap.
References
Blain,
L. (2016). Walkera’s methanol-fueled
range extender keeps a QR X900 hexacopter in the air for more than an hour. Retrieved from http://newatlas.com/walkera-qr-900-hybrid- hexacopter-drone-range-extender/41190/
Marshall,
D.M., Barnhart, R.K., Shappee, E., & Most, M.T. (2016). Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Second Edition. Boca
Raton: CRC Press. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/erau/detail.action?docID=4710295
Appendix
Table
A1. Preliminary Hazard List & Assessment for QR X900.
Adapted from D. Marshall (2016). Introduction
to Unmanned Aircraft Systems: CRC Press.
Table
A2. Operational Hazard and Analysis for QR X900. Adapted from
D. Marshall (2016). Introduction to
Unmanned Aircraft Systems: CRC Press.
Table
A3. Risk Assessment Worksheet for QR X900. Adapted from D.
Marshall (2016). Introduction to Unmanned
Aircraft Systems: CRC Press.
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