Drone Operations- Training Guidelines

Overview

This is a training guidelines document used to onboard new pilots with our equipment. This is a beginners guide that is in addition to existing FAA and OSU drone policies. The "steps" below are in order of first interaction with a drone to obtaining intermediate skill with each system. Each drone has unique training due to the vast differences in methodology, safety factors, and technical skills required. The information is additive, for example, the knowledge needed for step two implies the skills gained in step one are solidified. 

Uncommon terms used and abbreviated explanations

• RPIC (remote pilot in command): The RPIC is the member of the operation that assumes ultimate responsibility for UAS operations. Pre-through-post flight tasks ultimately fall to this individual to execute.  
• Flight Currency: The system used to ensure pilot readiness to operate is accurate. Currency is gained by flight that specific drone. Large gaps of time between flights would cause lapses in currency. Retention of regular flight time is crucial to pilot safety.

Step One:

• In office inspection of drone and components.
• Visual observer training, assist with flight operation and observe the patterns for operations.
• Begin training path to part 107.

Step Two: DJI Matrice M210 V1 Flight Training

This covers the fundamental steps of flight planning, operation, logging, processing, archiving, sharing, and licensure. Most of these steps are best taught through shadowing operations and repetition. Recommended Part 107 material through USI. Material is free, current, and progresses the OSU preferred pilot readiness. Recommend 4 supervised flights before trainee is made RPIC. Recommend operation alone after 6 successful supervised flights as RPIC.

Required component knowledge for independent operations:

1. FAA Part 107
2. Smartsheet Logging of Flight
3. OSU Risk Approval Process
4. Remote ID Compliance Knowledge
5. Site Scan Processing 
6. K Drive- knowledge of flight data and request form archives
7. One Drive sharing to clients (if needed)
8. (Soon this will include drone logbook. As of now it is not used by FITS.)

Step Three: WingtraOne Gen II

Wingtra operations require high levels of preplanning. Training should focus on software, setup, and risk mitigation in flight. Further advancement into the USI courses and repeated successful flights will be the main factors in receiving proper context. Recommend 5 supervised flights before trainee is made RPIC. Recommend sparse operation alone.

Additional required component knowledge for independent operations (including step two):

1. Preferred Pilot Program (TBD)
2. Flight Currency (2 per year minimum)
3. Directing Visual Observers and Crew

Step Four: Freefly Alta X

This drone is the most technical, has the highest risk to operation, and is the most difficult to operate. The software is proprietary, guidance is needed. The manuals and check lists are critical to operation every flight. This drone is deemed export controlled and requires contacting export control to complete a 20-minute training and signing of the TCP. Any flights performed without export control's approved operators is strictly prohibited. Recommended minimum of 8 flights supervised before trainee is made RPIC. Recommended to never operate this drone alone.

Additional required component knowledge for independent operations (including step two and three):

1. Export Control TCP training
2. Flight Currency (2 per year minimum)
3. Directing Visual Observers and Crew