Bringing remote pilot skills up to an advanced level through a robust programme of tests and certifications

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Drone Training Ltd (DTL) are seeking support to develop seven remote pilot flight advanced skills tests. These are being developed for the benefit of the drone industry, individuals and customers. The limitation with the current training and assessment regime in the UK for drone service providers and pilots is the lack of standardised certification of remote pilots. Current flight assessments are limited to the interpretation of each individual UAS training provider and there is no comparison on the individual remote pilot's skills and knowledge that can be used as a benchmark for industry.Currently, any company employing or contracting remote pilots has to confirm if the evidence presented by the drone service provider meets their specific requirements and then confirm that due diligence has been conducted. The lack of specific information and certification to a defined standard is hampering the adoption of drone services. The number of activities is very industry and client-specific, therefore a single assessment option is not viable.For example, a pilot experienced in close inspection in an industrial location using a multirotor drone does not necessarily have the technical or operational skills to conduct a large-scale fixed-wing power infrastructure survey. A pilot who is used to flying in open environments with full GPS-assistance may not have the manual flight skills required to fly in a GPS-denied environment around or within structures. Companies or clients require a skills assessment which closely correlates with the tasks to be completed.The advanced skills tests will increase the number of remote pilots with defined capabilities and flying skills and confirm the requisite knowledge of the drone, its capabilities and the operational environment in a standard format which identifies a remote pilot's capabilities on an industry-accepted certificate. The remote pilot will be able to provide the industrial site management with an industry-recognised certificate to confirm that skills assessments have been undertaken successfully. This is intended to give both the industrial site management and the pilot the confidence to build a successful partnership to build on with future projects and activities, and to reduce administrative burden in assessing the competence of remote pilots.