UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 8.5
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Aircraft; Procedure
Aircraft X was in route and called ZMP to request to return to RDR. The Controller cleared them back to RDR and I assumed the sector. About 15 minutes later I noticed Aircraft X off course and headed south. I questioned the aircraft and asked if they needed assistance and the reply from the pilot was 'Correcting'. I informed my Supervisor and was told to inform the pilot off a possible pilot deviation and instructed them to call ZMP Operating Manager in Charge (OMIC). This event happened again a few minutes later with the Controller to the north of me. The [UAV] aircraft have difficulty holding altitudes and headings. The radios are not efficient enough with the lag time to communicate with the pilots when we need to. They are not safe to be flying in the NAS with other aircraft.
ZMP Controller reports of an aircraft that turns off course and then is put back on course by ATC. Reporter then states aircraft has difficulty holding correct altitude and headings later in the session.