Transport Canada RPAS Flight Review Course

Emergency procedures are integral to conducting responsible RPAS operations. The flight review training will outline various types of emergency situations that may arise and demonstrate how proper planning can improve the effectiveness of a response.

Importantly Transport Canada requires an RPAS pilot operating within visual line of sight to:

• Describe emergency procedures that apply to your sRPAS;

• Describe the lost-link procedures that apply to your sRPAS;

• Describe the procedures to follow in the event of a fly-away;

• Outline who, how and when to contact in the event of a lost link/flyaway emergency;

  • operational vs. administrative or regulatory

• Correctly program the sRPAS for a “return to home” if it is equipped with that function;

• Select a power setting and altitude appropriate for the lost link situation;

• Program the geofence/range limitation as applicable;

• Program the altitude limitation as applicable;

• Promptly recognize when a lost link has occurred;

• Show an ability to regain control of the sRPAS if it reconnects the lost link;

• Program the appropriate RPAS response on a lost link (hover/RTH);

• Take an appropriate course of action, once the link has been re-established and confirmed;

• In the event of a flyaway perform the following tasks without undue delay:

  • Identify and record their present position

  • Identify and record the direction and altitude the sRPAS was last seen traveling

  • Estimate the approximate available flight time that will remain and the fly away boundary in kms given the available fuel/power on board.

Initiating flights requires a great deal of situational awareness. Very few advanced operational environments can be considered static therefore it’s important to understand that things will be changing and how to take the appropriate RPAS flight planning steps to minimize the impact of the potential change on this critical phase of the operation. It’s very much true that the operations become easier once the UAV is in the air away from unpredictable influences. People, machines, animals, or even children (depending on your shoot location), have an uncanny knack for interference. Strictly speaking, Transport Canada requires as a minimum:

• Complete all pre-flight inspection/checks on your sRPAS;

• Complete the appropriate checklists

• Note take-off time;

• Use an organized and efficient procedure to take off;

• Comply with all departure clearances and instructions if the flight review is conducted in controlled airspace; and

• Complete appropriate checklists.

We will also outline:

• setting up principle and alternate launch/recovery areas

• establishing cordoned

• how to manage public interference.

• visual observer duties with respect to interference

• roles and responsibilities (client vs you)

Getting the job done! You are in the air now what?  Smooth slow movements are nearly ALWAYS the best approach to the successful completion of any UAV flight mission. In EVERY instance the introduction of speed introduces more risk to the flight operation without question. Understanding your limitations as a pilot and even practicing the required mission in a low-risk environment will pay dividends.

Very basically the Transport Canada flight review requires the RPAS pilot to:

• Maintain a stable airspeed, cruising altitude, and heading;

• Navigate by applying systematic navigation techniques;

• Orient the sRPAS to the direction of flight;

• Navigate around an obstacle or fixed point;

• Determine the position of the aircraft with respect to distance and altitude from the candidate;

• Apply an organized method that would:

  • verify the position of the aircraft

  • revise headings to correct any existing track error to maintain the aircraft’s position due to wind

  • confirm or revise the battery power available at the destination landing point with a degree of accuracy that would make arrival assured

  • confirm current fuel/power levels vs requirements for the flight

With a little practice/instruction you will be able to easily complete the all there requirements and we will show you a way to verify the position of the RPAS in any situation.

Landings, like take-offs, are a bit about timing. It’s crucially important that RPAS pilots do not wait until the power/fuel level is critically low prior to attempting a landing. For example you may have to wait for your principal area to become clear of hazards or you may need to shift to your alternate landing area in order to get your RPAS down safely and you will need time to do so.

• Use an organized and efficient procedure to land;

• Comply with all arrival clearances and instructions if the flight review is conducted in controlled airspace;

• Complete appropriate checklists;

• Note landing time;

• Secure the sRPAS.