`Goals
The goal of this program is to develop a flow for new pilots to be trained and developed for WARG
This is so there is a steady and consistent stream of trained pilots for competition as well as flight test
Two WARG-sponsored Advanced RPAS pilots per competition cycle that are able to fly at competition
One primary, one secondary pilot who is aiding the main pilot with key flight information
If one pilot isn’t available, then other basic RPAS/flight-test pilots will assist
Team buys Ground School ($120) that is available for every team member to be trained/prepare for RPAS advanced written examination
Have at least two basic or advanced RPAS pilots trained to fly every stream
Look into people with past FPV experience and past comp pilots to train new pilots
Different requirements for people who work with competition airframes (e.g. Cornflakes) vs smaller airframes (Phoenix, Houston)
Use simulators for preparing test pilots (e.g. 10 hrs of simulator time, 2 hrs of real flight time
Everyone should
Program Scope
Start of term remind people that they need basic license to fly the drone, how its $10, and where to find the training for it
Should be a part of the onboarding document (legal requirement for flying drones)
Define policy on who is allowed to fly, and what they can fly
Tiers of aircraft/pilots
Bare minimum is Basic RPAS License
Need ‘x' hours flying quad or fixed wing to be rated to fly more expensive frames during flight tests
Have standard markers of competence for each tier, evaluated by those w FPV experience and/or comp pilots
Separate rating for FPV equipment because its expensive
Have a “middle” step where those with Basic RPAS show that they are able to setup frame using standard operating procedures (SOPs) for particular frame, and then running a short takeoff + landing on flight
Students who can start flying actual frames:
5 minute buddybox sessions with experienced pilots
To move up the tiers, at least one term on the team or previous FPV experience
Program Owner
Someone who has experience in flight testing (at least Basic RPAS, experience flying in flight test or equivalent)
A flight test coordinator
Further TBD
General Flow/Timeline
Need list of steps to be done at the beginning of each term
Need to have finished bootcamp
Add Basic RPAS license requirement for bootcampers if they want to fly
Giving Flying Opportunities:
Need a fixed amount of time on simulator before being given the opportunity to buddy box
WARG sets up one computer on WARG bay that’s used for simulation
Have interested members sign up for a time-slot on simulator and build up their hours
Possibly have interested people fly if a flight test is complete
Would increase preparation required for flight test
If there are a significant number of people, have a larger flight session after midterms/during a lull in the term with more people and batteries taken
Graduating to larger/more complex frames:
Need to have at least one term on the team or previous FPV experience to be able to fly drones under supervision/without buddyboxing
To graduate from buddyboxing to being able to fly a particular frame, need a check flight from more experienced pilot to give a green light to fly
Includes simple flight on the frame as a solo
Need to be able to demonstrate competency in setup and teardown of aircraft
Need to demonstrate knowledge of pre-flight, post-flight checklists (competency to follow them effectively), RCAs
Competency in using flight-test request/tracking protocol
Stages (Example) (Can only progress from quad to quad or fixed-wing to fixed-wing):
Buddyboxing
Phoenix/Small Fixed-wing
Houston/Arizona, Larger Fixed-wing
Quadplane, Judie
Cornflakes
Icarus
Fly FPV (as a ‘plus’ to either of the above stages)
Need both quad and fixed-wing graduation in order to fly a quadplane
Competition Pilot Criteria
Pick someone who has competency to the more expensive/more difficult frames (Cornflakes, Quadplane, etc.) Other aircraft models handled on a case-by-case model
Dedicated to the team:
Participating actively in competition drone development
Involved in flight tests
Good understanding of overall subsystems of aircraft
Work well with other members
Able to go to competition
Able to get their Advanced RPAS license
Has interest in flying at competition
Competition Pilot Selection Process
Send out form of interest for those pilots who are eligible to be competition pilots (highest level of frame flying)
Form sent out September (start of Fall term)
Discuss among leads based on above criteria regarding which two people will be committing to Advanced RPAS and being competition pilot
Decision on pilots must be made after the competition to attend is decided
Let pilots know, set them up for Advanced RPAS license
Follow-up Items
Ask for WWFC Flight review prices
State WARG drone flying policy
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