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LARGE UNMANNED CARGO AIRLINE OPERATION REQUIREMENTS AND INTEGRATION INTO THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE (NAS)

Large unmanned cargo aircraft (LUCA) will be defined as unmanned aircraft carrying 100-25,000 pounds and with a range of 200-10,000 miles.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Mark Patrick Collins
Ph.D. Student Unmanned System Applications
Capital Technology University
11301 Springfield Road, Laurel, MD 20708
563-663-7462
mpcollins@captechu.edu
 
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The aim of the present research is twofold: To investigate requirements for LUCA airline operations and to evaluate the anticipated needs of the FAA to support integration of LUCA airline flights into NAS.
 
DATA COLLECTION
You are requested to participate in the study by completing an online questionnaire and/or an interview for the enquiry into requirements for LUCA airline operations and integration of LUCA airline operations into NAS. The questionnaire should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete while the interviews last about 1 hour. The interviews will be recorded by audio taping.
INFORMED-CONSENT

You are being asked to take part in this research study. Before you decide to participate in the study, it is important that you understand why the research is being carried out and what it will involve. Please read the information in this informed-consent form carefully. Please ask the researcher if there is anything that is not clear or if you need more information.

RISKS
1. Loss of confidentiality – In order to minimize the risk of loss of confidentiality, the researcher will collect only personal information that is absolutely essential to the research activity. The personal data collected will be securely stored so that only the researcher and PhD Chairperson may access it. Identities of individual subjects will never be released without the express consent of the subject. The researcher will transcribe the phone interviews and provide a copy to the subject to review, comment, and elect to eliminate information prior to publication in the dissertation. You may decline to answer any or all questions and you may terminate your involvement at any time if you choose.

BENEFITS OF THE RESEARCH
By participating in the present research your contribution will help with the following.
1. To develop a model of LUCA airline operations.
2. To develop a model of integration of LUCA airline operations into NAS guided by research.
3. Subject and industry stakeholders will be able to benefit from the body of knowledge gained from this research to advance LUCA operation and integration in the NAS.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Your responses to the questionnaire and/or interview will be anonymous. Please do not write any identifying information on your questionnaire. For the purposes of this research study, your comments will not be anonymous. Every effort will be made by the researcher to preserve your confidentiality including the following:
·       Assigning code names/numbers for research participants that will be used on all research notes and documents.
·       Keeping notes, interview transcriptions, and any other identifying participant information in a locked file in the personal possession of the researcher.

Participant data will be kept confidential except in cases where the researcher is legally obligated to report specific incidents. These incidents include, but may not be limited to, incidents of abuse and suicide risk. The results of the research may be published by the researched in journal articles or presented at scientific conferences, however the identity of the participants will not be made public.  

CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have questions at any time about this study, or you experience adverse effects as the result of participating in this study, you may contact the researcher whose contact information is provided on the first page. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, or if problems arise which you do not feel you can discuss with the Primary Investigator, please contact the Institutional Review Board at (865) 354-3000, ext. 4822.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
Your participation in this study is voluntary. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part in this study. If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to sign this informed-consent form. After you sign the consent form, you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. Withdrawing from this study will not affect the relationship you have, if any, with the researcher. If you withdraw from the study before data collection is completed, your data will be returned to you or destroyed.

Question Title

* 1. I have read and I understand the provided information and have had the opportunity to ask questions. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason and without cost. I understand that I will be given a copy of this consent form. I voluntarily agree to take part in this study.

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