C J Campbell wrote:


I was wondering, do UAV operators have pilot certificates? What kind of
training do they get covering aviation regulations, airspace, etc.?



Why would they? It is all automated, isn't it? :-)

If not immediately, then certainly pretty soon. If any inflight
programming is to be done, it would be results-oriented and would let
the computer determine the method. Operator only says: "I want to go
there". All the flight rules, already in the drone's computer to get
"there" safely.

Excellent for TFR patrol: boundary violation? Automated-Follow of Rule
1a: Open up the cannon.

The neat thing is that once pilotless becomes well-established, piloted
flight may be forced to comply with the pilotless rules. In order to
operate securely, pilotless would probable require that the piloted
planes be similarly equipped with whatever transponders, automated
data-telemetry, etc., etc..., that would be deemed necessary for
compatibility in the same airspace...