Qualitative inquiry into public perceptions of unmanned aviation safety

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to qualitatively study the public's trust and knowledge of unmanned aviation safety through data collection by interviewing research subjects. The researcher sought to determine whether the research subjects would be willing to fly as passengers in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and if publicity about the UAS industry, its development and integration into the National Airspace System (NAS) have influenced their perceptions of UAS safety, which could affect their decision to travel as passengers in UAS in the future. The researcher also examined data to identify if any observable Dunning-Kruger Effect existed that would suggest if any of the subjects believed they had more knowledge about the factors that affect UAS safety than what they knew when deciding whether to fly as passengers in UAS.