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UAS TRAINING

UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS/DRONES

The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry remains one of the fastest growing segments in aviation. As the technology evolves, so do the many uses of these aircraft, providing significant return on investment for a variety of industries. As the leader in safety-focused aviation safety, FlightSafety International (FSI) has developed elite training programs for drone pilots. Our UAS courses support the remote pilot from initial certification and practical flight training to complex flight operations. In addition, we offer enrichment courses to enhance the skills and knowledge needed to safely command these essential aircraft.

CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED TRAINING METHOD

eLearning (Online, Self-Paced)

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Preparation – 10 Hours

This course is a flexible program that builds knowledge and confidence on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to prepare participants to pass the FAA 14 CFR Part 107 written test examination. Participants identify their areas of competency and need for improvement through the mastery of topics, including operating in the United States, small UAS (sUAS) flight physics, human factors, environmental factors, regulatory limitations, and radio communications.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Legal operation of a sUAS in the United States
  • sUAS flight physics
  • Human factors in sUAS operations
  • Environmental factors which affect UAS operations
  • Regulatory limitations
  • Radio communications

Aerodynamics for UAS Operations – 1.5 Hours

This course provides an in-depth look at factors that affect UAS performance, stability, and control during flight operations. Fostering an appreciation of physical principles of aerodynamics, participants will be able to make educated determinations for safe UAS operations.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Relationships between aerodynamic forces and different UAS platforms
  • Weather impacts on aerodynamic forces
  • Aerodynamic forces in movement
  • UAS procedures in normal and abnormal situations

Battery Basics for UAS Operations – 1.5 Hours

This course provides a detailed introduction to supplying power for UAS aircraft, including best practices for using batteries to power a drone for improved efficiency and performance.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Different types of batteries and how they impact sUAS operations
  • How to properly inspect batteries and best maintenance practices
  • Proper battery handling procedures and safety measures

Weather for UAS Operations – 3 Hours

This course delves deeper into weather concepts that affect the remote pilot during flight operations. In addition to the weather knowledge requirements for the FAA Remote Pilot Knowledge exam for complex flight operations, this course covers beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) or high liability operations commonly experienced during critical missions or emergency responses.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Weather data sources and how to use them to determine the applicability to each mission
  • How pressure, density altitude, and wind affect performance and planning
  • Relationship of weather data to safe operations
  • How weather affects sUAS operations
  • Vehicle and flight crew weather limitations

Human Factors/Crew Resource Management (CRM) Decision-Making – 2 Hours

In this course, remote pilots examine the challenges that occur during flight operations, including strategies for decision-making and minimizing risk performance.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • How decisions are made
  • Root causes of decision-making errors
  • Factors that affect decision-making
  • Effective analysis of decision-making
LiveLearning® (Online, Instructor-Led)

Commercial Remote Pilot Ground Training – 14 Hours

This course provides a comprehensive review of topics required to successfully pass the FAA Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) exam. Participants will also discuss the industry-based standards, procedures, technology, and crew resource management strategies that make up modern commercial small UAS operations.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Legal operation of a sUAS in the United States
  • UAS rules and regulations
  • Aeronautical charts and maps
  • Different types of airspace
  • Airport operations and communications
  • Loading and performance
  • Aviation weather reports and weather effects on sUAS operations
  • Aeronautical decision-making
  • Industry best practices
  • Photography and videography basics with a sUAS

Safety Management Systems for UAS Operations Workshop – 10.5 Hours

This course is designed to introduce a turnkey, FAA-compliant Safety Management System (SMS) in the field of on-demand aviation, including how to develop, manage, and promote SMS within an organization.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Safety culture components
  • Safety policies and objectives
  • Assessments for safety risk management
  • Safety assurance
  • Implementation of SMS and best practices
  • Human factors/CRM elements as required

sUAS Skydio X10 Familiarization – 3 Ground Hours and 1.5 Flight Hours

This training provides technical information on the Skydio X10 aircraft, including UAS components and equipment, inspection, performance, technical data, accessory payloads, and sensor payload operation.
Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Components and equipment
  • Battery-charging procedures and battery issues
  • Navigation of Skydio Cloud application
  • Preflight inspection and setup
  • Functions related to the Ground Control Station (GCS)
  • Firmware update process
  • Flight Deck Display and Readylink functions
  • Accessory payloads available and their uses
  • Electo-Optical (EO) and Thermal Sensor (TS) payloads
  • Aircraft flight performance and behaviors
  • Limitations and contingency behaviors during flight operations
  • Maintenance requirements

Basic Photography and Videography for UAS Operations – 4 Hours

This course focuses on the visual camera payload systems commonly found on sUAS and discusses various camera payload types, mounting options, manual photography/videography settings, and common videography maneuvers.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Location of camera options
  • Basic photography factors
  • How to use the exposure triangle
  • Aircraft and target speed factors
  • Photography and videography composition
  • Mission planning
  • Industry best practices
Instructor Led (In-Person) Courses

Commercial Remote Pilot Ground Training – 14 Hours

This course provides a comprehensive review of topics required to successfully pass the FAA Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) exam. Participants will also discuss the industry-based standards, procedures, technology, and crew resource management strategies that make up modern commercial small UAS operations.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Legal operations of a sUAS in the United States
  • UAS rules and regulations
  • Aeronautical charts and maps
  • Different types of airspace
  • Airport operations and communications
  • Loading and performance
  • Aviation weather reports and weather effects on sUAS operations
  • Aeronautical decision-making
  • Industry best practices
  • Photography and videography basics with a sUAS

Commercial Remote Pilot Flight Training – 5 Hours

This course builds upon the foundation of the Commercial Remote Pilot Ground Training course by utilizing the knowledge and skills learned for hands-on flight operations. Practical training is provided during flight sessions to reinforce the various topics covered and include flight maneuvers, emergency procedures, and sensor payload use. Practical flight training on various sUAS multi-rotor aircraft can be taken independently of the ground course.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Legal operation of a sUAS in the United States
  • UAS rules and regulations
  • Aeronautical charts and maps
  • Types of airspace
  • Airport operations and communications
  • Loading and performance
  • Aviation weather reports and weather effects on sUAS operations
  • Aeronautical decision-making
  • Industry best practices
  • Basics of photography and videography with a sUAS

Safety Management Systems for UAS Operations Workshop – 10.5 Hours

This course is designed to introduce a turnkey, FAA-compliant Safety Management System (SMS) in the field of on-demand aviation, including how to develop, manage, and promote SMS within an organization.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Safety culture components
  • Safety policies and objectives
  • Assessments for safety risk management
  • Safety assurance
  • Implementation of SMS and best practices
  • Human factors/CRM elements as required

sUAS Skydio X10 Familiarization – 3 Ground Hours and 1.5 Flight Hours

This training provides technical information on the Skydio X10 aircraft, including UAS components and equipment, inspection, performance, technical data, accessory payloads, and sensor payload operation.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Components and equipment
  • Battery-charging procedures and battery issues
  • Navigation of Skydio Cloud application
  • Preflight inspection and setup
  • Functions related to the Ground Control Station (GCS)
  • Firmware update process
  • Flight Deck Display and Readylink functions
  • Accessory payloads available and their uses
  • Electo-Optical (EO) and Thermal Sensor (TS) payloads
  • Aircraft flight performance and behaviors
  • Limitations and contingency behaviors during flight operations
  • Maintenance requirements

Basic Photography and Videography for UAS Operations – 4 Hours

This course focuses on the visual camera payload systems commonly found on sUAS and discusses various camera payload types, mounting options, manual photography/videography settings, and common videography maneuvers.

Participants gain skills and knowledge in:

  • Location of camera options
  • Basic photography factors
  • How to use the exposure triangle
  • Aircraft and target speed factors
  • Photography and videography composition
  • Mission planning
  • Industry best practices

APPLICABLE INDUSTRIES

Skills learned in FlightSafety International’s UAS/drone courses can be applied to many industries, including: