Public perception of advanced aviation technologies: A review and roadmap to acceptance

Abstract

The aviation industry has seen a lot of innovation over the last 125 years. Advancements such as transatlantic flight and the development of avionics technologies and composite materials have changed how we think about what the future will hold. Advanced aviation technologies such as remotely piloted aircraft systems (i.e., “drones”) and urban air mobility may be the next revolution in the aviation industry. While many in the aviation industry look forward to greater inclusion of these technologies, the public may have a different perspective. This review aims to examine the factors that may influence one's perception of advanced aviation technologies. First, an overview of the technologies is presented to categorize the different types of drones and how they are used, followed by a discussion on the principles of technological adoption. Next, data from past studies investigating the public perception of drones and air taxis was collected and analyzed to discover if any patterns exist in terms of overall acceptance or mission preferences, and to determine the root causes of hesitancy towards this emerging technology. The trends suggest that drones have become increasingly accepted as public awareness rises, and missions that support the common good are viewed more favourably than commercial uses such as package delivery or air taxi services. The major obstacles include the perceived level of risk, pre-existing judgement as to the technological reliability, as well as the lack of perceived benefits when compared to existing technologies. Each of these topics are discussed and finally, a roadmap towards public acceptance is presented, incorporating the viewpoints of the public, drone users, and regulatory authorities. Together, this review discusses the current state of the field and what must be done to better integrate advanced aviation technologies into everyday life.