"Remotely Uncontrolled" hits the bookstands (virtually, of course!)
After over two years of painstaking preparation, "Remotely Uncontrolled" was finally published this month.
Drone technology has advanced faster than our understanding of the humans who operate it. Remotely Uncontrolled addresses that gap directly, bringing together a decade of frontline experience in Human Factors (HF) and Crew Resource Management (CRM) to show why the person behind the controller, not the technology itself, remains the decisive factor in safe and effective uncrewed aviation.
The book takes established aviation HF and CRM principles and applies them specifically to the uncrewed environment, filling a gap that current regulation and training have yet to close. Rather than offering an academic treatise, it is designed as a practical, dip-in reference: light in tone, grounded in real operational experience, and aimed squarely at the challenges faced day-to-day by remote crews, leaders and organisations.
Across three sections, the book moves from the fundamentals of human performance and the changing operational landscape, through core HF disciplines such as perception, error, situational awareness, decision-making, communication, fatigue and stress, to the organisational and cultural conditions that shape performance on the ground: culture, leadership and followership, learning, and the practical integration of HF and CRM into everyday uncrewed operations.
Above all, Remotely Uncontrolled argues for a shift in perspective: away from viewing the human as a source of error, and towards recognising people as the adaptable, resourceful problem-solvers who make complex human-technical systems work. For anyone operating, leading, or building capability in the uncrewed sector, it offers a genuinely tailored, practically applicable guide to getting the human element right.
𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 - simply visit the book's page on our website:
July 2026
Joint Working Agreement Established with Baines Simmons
June 2026
Volaria Ltd and Baines Simmons Ltd have signed an Agreement that will see them collaborate to provide world-class Human Performance and Safety training, specifically designed for the uncrewed sector.
The Agreement will see joint development and delivery of a range of courses, tailored to meet the unique needs of the drone industry. The courses will address the full spectrum of requirements, from Human Factors (HF) and Crew Resource Management (CRM) novices, through to more advanced CRM, Safety and Cultural training, and may be delivered virtually or F2F.
The combination of Volaria's extensive uncrewed and Human Performance experience and Baines Simmons' pedigree as a world-renowned training provider offers uncrewed operators a level of quality and range of services that have never been available before now, representing a significant step forward in the path towards the adoption of professional aviation standards across the entire industry.
Bringing the past and the future together - virtually!
What better way to round off a year than to help bring the past and the future together? Volaria Performance were invited to give an online talk to members of the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, presenting on the topic of "The Universal Rise of Autonomous Systems".
Situated at Old Sarum, near Salisbury, the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection's motto is "Restoring the past, educating for the future", and this unifying outlook was evident in the engagement and questions of the members attending the talk.
The presentation, delivered by Volaria's Chris Davies, covered the full spectrum of civil and military uncrewed operations, including history, developments, technologies and applications.
Keen to learn more about the world of uncrewed systems? Just get in touch for a chat about how we may be able to help.
December 2025
November 2025
Some Human Factors basics, a bit of audience participation and some truly delicious cake made for a great evening at Kurusha Flying School, Thruxton Airfield this week.
As a group, we were looking at how Human Factors principles apply within the General Aviation scenario. Judging by the number and quality of the questions asked throughout by club members, it was a topic that really chimed with the experiences of those in the room.
Whilst he shall remain nameless on here, many congratulations to the club member who passed their CAA Human Performance & Limitations exam with a 100% grade the very next day. No credit claimed, just down to the hard work and preparation of the individual!
Why not treat your organisation to a fun introduction to the not-so-dark arts of non-technical skills? Just reach out.
Great fun - and great cake!
Volaria recognised at Corporate Vision Small Business Awards
The outstanding contribution that Volaria Performance has made to safety and development within high-consequence aviation operations has been recognised at this year's Corporate Vision Small Business Awards.
Volaria Performance have been declared the Best High-Risk Aviation Safety Training Provider at the awards, for its contribution to human performance, safety culture, and organisational learning in high-risk operational environments.
If you'd like to learn more about how your organisation can benefit from training delivered by the Number 1 in High-Risk Aviation Safety, then please do get in touch.
#AviationSafety #HumanFactors #CRM #HumanPerformance #AwardWinning
October 2025
Delivering improved performance to uncrewed pioneers
When Frazer-Nash Consultancy asked us to work with them to help develop the non-technical skills of their UAS test and evaluation team, naturally we jumped at the chance!
The Frazer-Nash UAS team have been making great strides on the technical front, but were keen to develop their understanding of Human Factors and enhance their team interactions in order to achieve operational benefits.
A fun, insightful and transformative day's training ensued at their offices in Bristol, applying both facilitative learning and the practical challenges of the interpersonal Skills LAB.
Feedback has been universally positive, with colleagues of those attending already asking to be on the next training session. Both Volaria and Frazer-Nash teams are thoroughly looking forward to working together again soon!
Contact us to learn how your team can share the huge benefits enjoyed by those within Frazer-Nash Consultancy.
June 2025
Volaria delivers Non-Technical Skills Webinar for ARPAS-UK
In recognition of our expertise and experience in the field, ARPAS-UK, the UK Drone Association, invited Volaria Performance to deliver a webinar on Non-Technical Skills in the uncrewed environment.
Our co-Director, Chris Davies presented on the relevance of NTS to uncrewed operations, what benefits may be gained and how both individuals and organisations can go about developing these skills. By so doing, operators will enhance safety, improve performance and develop learning.
ARPAS-UK have kindly made the webinar freely available, so please join Chris for an exploration of NTS that no uncrewed operator can afford to miss!
#NonTechnicalSkills #uncrewed #drones #HumanFactors #HumanPerformance #UnsungAdvantage
May 2025
Volaria guest appearance on How Did It Make Sense? podcast
Our Director, Chris Davies was invited to make a guest appearance on Gareth Lock's "How Did It Make Sense?" podcast, released on Friday 4th April 2025.
The podcast is aimed at unravelling the 'second stories' that lie behind events and incidents, in order to consider the goal conflicts, ambiguities, assumptions, tensions and trade-offs that shape the local rationality of those involved. It pulls back the curtain behind the 'first stories' of such events, that are normally short on detail, seek to blame and trigger emotional responses.
On the show, Chris describes how, following a series of skills-based errors in a military flying unit, the commander chose to impose fines on any who should transgress in the future. This, unsurprisingly, suppressed subsequent reporting, introducing significant risk into the system. How did this decision possibly make sense? What was the commander thinking? Why not listen to the show to find out?
The episode may be accessed using the image link on the left, through most podcast providers, or via the Human In the System website.
