Eco-Drone Pilot Preparation

The primary focus of this course is to prepare students and professionals for the FAA 107 pilot’s certification exam, which is required of all drone pilots operating Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in the United States. Learn about all topics covered in the FAA Exam including rules and regulations, the national airspace system, aviation weather, aircraft performance, and flight operations. By end of the course, participants will earn their FAA TRUST permit, be prepared to pass the Part 107 FAA Remote Pilot Exam (by taking and discussing practice exams), and learn how to maintain these permits. 

Participants will also have the option to gain flight experience in this course using an online flight simulator, Zephyr, or your own drone. If you are new to drones, simulator training is highly recommended. Module 1 of the course will introduce you to how to access Zephyr and complete the basic exercises. If you have prior flight experience or have access to a drone and wish to use flight experiences to satisfy the objectives of this part of the course, there is an optional reflective assessment exercise you can submit. If you choose to use hands-on flight experiences, you will need to self-evaluate your flights specifically with exercises that will be provided by your instructor.

None. If you are new to drones, simulator training is recommended, but not a course requirement (see details below). 

Start anytime

If you choose this option, you will have the option to submit a self-evaluation of your learning experiences as you go through the following scenarios: Basic Training, Community Park, and The Yard.  The “Hobbyist” option with Zephyr ($9.99) will satisfy this requirement.  If you choose to subscribe to the Professional subscription, you will have access to these trainings as well as more complex scenarios which are both fun and challenging. 

Participants opting for access to the Zephyr subscription will also have the option to buy an Orqa controller designed specifically for drone simulators; alternatively, subscribers can use the following:

• Xbox one controller

• Playstation 4 or 5 controller

• Fly Sky FS-i6s controller

• DJI FPV 2 remote controller

 Zephyr Drone Simulator System Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10 or higher / Mac OS High Sierra

• 10.13 or higher

• CPU: Intel Core i7 @ 3.6 GHz or equivalent

• Memory: 8 GB RAM

• Hard Drive: 8 GB available in hard disk

• Graphics Hardware: Direct X 10 or higher compatible graphics card

• (GTX660 equivalent or higher)

• Internet Connection: DSL or higher

Module 1: Introduction to Drone Flight (Zephyr Simulator)

Learning Objective: Hands-on flight simulator experience will prepare students to fly rotary-wing aircraft.

Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate understanding of drone flight through Basic Training

• Model proficient drone flight within the following simulation scenarios: 

1. Obstacle Course – 490 points

2. The Hill – w/ no violations

3. The Yard – w/ no violations

4. Parking Lot – w/ no violations

Note: Module 1 covers flight simulation while all other modules will cover the headwork content required for passing the FAA exam.  It is recommended students work on Module 1 while working on all the other modules.  

Module 2: Regulations

Learning Objective Identify regulations associated with sUAS requirements by the FAA

Learning Outcomes:

• Summarize sUAS uses and permitting.

• Interpret visual flight rules and regulations associated with sUAS.

• Identify regulatory mechanisms as they apply to drone flight.

• Demonstrate proficiency with procedures required by the pilot in command and other team members.

• Describe and apply principles of flight safety principles, and practices along with related U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regulations to the planning and operation of various UAV/UAS.

Module 3: National Airspace

Learning Objective: Cover the key concepts of the National Airspace System and their relevance to drone operations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify map features that impact flight.

• Identify aviation resources available to sUAS pilots.

• Understand flight operations within specified airspace .

• Interpret airspace characteristics using charts and maps.

• Demonstrate understanding of sUAS integration the NAS.

Module 4: Aviation Weather

Learning Objective: Cover the key concepts of aviation weather and apply them to sUAS operations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Interpret weather reports.

• Identify weather hazards.

• Identify features of weather and how they impact flight.

Module 5: Aircraft Performance

Learning Objective: Cover the key concepts of how aircraft fly.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Describe flight principles and basic aerodynamics as applied to operating various UAV/UAS.

• Identify components of aircraft systems and their applications.

• Compare loading parameters and their impact on aircraft performance.Operations Assessment

Module 6: Operations

Learning Objective: Cover the key operational concepts of flight

Learning Outcomes:

• Evaluate various elements of human factors and UAV/UAS usability as applied to mission planning and implementation.

• Identify and apply the elements of Crew Resource Management (CRM) as related to UAV/UAS operations.

• Identify and apply the elements of situational awareness for various UAV/UAS operations and settings

• Demonstrate examples of proper mission planning and operations on each phase of a flight.

• Model appropriate communication techniques.

• Identify inappropriate attitudes and behaviors associated with commercial aviation. 

• Understand aeronautical decision making, risk management, hazards, and mitigation as they pertain to unmanned aircraft operations.