The following will be explained to the candidate, by the Examiner:.

The following Flight Test will take place within the flight area, bound by the cones, and as directed by the Examiner. Drones are to remain within the flight are at all times. As an Examiner, you are not permitted to fly the candidates drone at anytime. Please read the following to the candidate.

"You are about to undertake a Flight Test on a Medium RPA. You will be required to complete a series of manoeuvres within predefined tolerances - each of which will be explained to you before each is undertook. You will be requested to perform each manoeuvre, against the tolerances, and will be assessed on your ability to do so. You will be assessed against the requirements in Part 101 Manual of Standards, Schedule 6, Flight Test Standards, Appendix 2 Helicopter category (multirotor class) flight test.

Be aware that I am not able to take-over, guide or help operate your equipment or systems in any way. All exercises should be conducted above head height unless otherwise requested by me.

As the flight Test progresses the manoeuvres and exercises may become more complex or challenging. If at any time you feel that any of the manoeuvres or exercises are too difficult to perform and or would potentially pose an unreasonable risk, you should discontinue the Flight Test by landing the RPAS where safe to do so. If you do elect to discontinue Flight Test, inform me of your intentions.

If you elect to discontinue the Flight test and or if you are deemed not yet competent, you will be required to attempt the Flight Test again. In this case I will allocate any spare time for re-testing if appropriate, or I will advise the FPV Australia operations staff , and they will make contact with you to advise of the process to retake the flight test."

The Examiner must be satisfied that the candidate has demonstrated knowledge in accordance with Part 101 Manual of Standards, Schedule 6, Flight Test Standards, Appendix 2 Helicopter category (multirotor class) flight test. Questions to be asked are found on page 2 of this pack, and will be asked prior to the commencement of this Flight Test. Should the candidate fail the knowledge requirements or units of competency , the Flight Test will end, and the candidate referred back to FPV Australia to be advised on the next steps.

The Examiner will mark the student Competent or Not Yet Competent on this flight test, and include any comments as required.

RC 1 - Pre- and post-flight actions and procedures - Part 1

Examiner Notes

Have the student go through the JSA for the operation. Checking that all mitigations strategies have been addressed and are appropriate.

Have them identify the operations areas, and any no fly zones etc. Ensure they are able to confirm Airspace and frequencies etc

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

Validation of JSA completed prior to flight in accordance with the operational scenario provided by the examiner

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

The JSA addresses the safety of the operation; identifies safety risks arising from the operation; and has formulated risk mitigation measures for the operation, including a risk management plan.

Student must be able to work right through the JSA to confirm all data is current and relevant.

RC 1 - Pre- flight actions and procedures - Part 2 

Examiner Notes

Ask the candidate to perform a PreFlight on the Relevant Aircraft.

Ask the candidate to prepare the aircraft for flight.

Student must be able to complete within a timely manner

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

(a) assembly and preparation of the aircraft and ground station for flight, referring to the operator’s procedures manual as required;

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) familiar with equipment and manuals to successfully assemble and disassemble the system;

(b) all pre-flight procedures completed correctly;

(c) dexterity with equipment/tooling.

RC 2 - Energy Management

Examiner Notes:

Ask the candidate to explain the amount of flight time per battery, where to find that information, and what will happen when the battery is low.

Ask the candidate to explain what they would do should the aircraft need to be placed in hold, and the battery is low? Land? RTH?

Ask the candidate to demonstrate where to set low battery limits, and how to check battery limits etc.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

Electric-powered RPA

(a) identifies the amount of energy required and available for each flight stage, including reserves;

(b) changes batteries within reserve limits (as required);

(c) ensures RPS power within limits.

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) the calculated RPA operation endurance is within +/- 10%;

(b) sufficient reserves are available to cover variations and contingencies;

(c) the RPA is operated within the manufacturer’s or operator’s voltage and current limits.

RC3 Manage crew, payload and bystanders

Examiner Notes:

Ensure Candidate knows the Min 30m from bystanders. Ask the Candidate what they will do to communicate an emergency.

Ask the candidate to explain the Payload of this aircraft, how it is attached etc.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

(a) communicates effectively with simulated crew and bystanders;

(b) ensures payloads are correctly attached and suitable for the RPA (as applicable).

Ask the student...

What will you do if I call HOLD HOLD HOLD

What will you do if I call ABORT ABORT ABORT

Ask them what they will call on take off (TAKING OFF)

When Landing (LANDING)

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

None

RNT  - Non-technical skills for the RPA

Examiner Notes:

Ask the candidate to brief you as if you were an observer.

Ask the candidate to demonstrate what they will do if a hazard enters the area.

Ask the candidate to explain Aviate Navigate and Communicate.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

(a) maintains effective lookout for other aircraft and hazards;

(b) maintains situational awareness;

(c) sets priorities and makes good decisions.

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) identifies and effectively manages hazards associated with the flight of the RPA;

(b) chooses safest option when confronted with hazardous situation.

RM1 - Control on ground, launch, hover and landing

Examiner Notes:

Explain the Manoeuvre to the candidate and assess against the tolerances.

Landing from here on after each element is not required.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

(a) start engines/motors and ready aircraft for lift-off;

(b) lift-off to height of 2 m, hover for 10 seconds, land;

(c) demonstrate cross- or tail-wind landing technique.  (Not required for Multirotor)

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) controlled ascent and descent with minimal drift throughout exercise;

(b) stable hover;

(c) lands within the nominated landing area.

RM2 - Normal Operations - PART 1

Examiner Notes:

Explain the Manoeuvre to the candidate and assess against the tolerances. 

NOTE - No ATTI MODE REQUIRED!

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

With GPS hold

(a) lift-off to height of 2 m and establish stable hover;

(b) fly straight out for 10 m (over cone);

(c) re-establish hover, return tail first;

(d) re-establish hover and land on lift-off spot;

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) controlled ascent and descent with minimal drift (including height) throughout;

(b) stable hover;

(c) straight line out and back;

(d) land accurately in take-off spot.

RM2 - Normal Operations - PART 2

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

(a) lift-off to height of 5 m and turn aircraft 90 degrees left or right. Fly to the cone and establish a hover over the cone.

Turn opposite direction 180 degrees and fly to the oposite cone.  Turn opposite direction 180 degrees and fly to middle of the cones. Turn 90 Degrees.

(b) land at lift-off spot.

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) controlled ascent and descent with minimal drift (including height) throughout exercise;

(b) stable hover;

(c) accurate landing at lift-off position.

RM3 - Advanced Manoeuvres - PART 1

Examiner Notes:

Explain the Manoeuvre to the candidate and assess against the tolerances. Explain that figure 8 needs to be smooth and balanced.

Ensure the candidate has an understanding of the item before they begin

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

 Figure of 8

(a) lift-off to height of 5 m, establish stable hover, turn left or right 90 degrees fly 10 m at a constant height;

(b) without stopping, turn outward 180 degrees and fly back past pilot for a further 10 m;

(c) without stopping turn outward 180 degrees again and then fly back to starting point;

(d) turn outwards (tail towards pilot) hover and land.

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) turns should be accurate and over nominated points [Markers should be placed at the 180 degree turn points.];

(b) smooth flying with even, balanced turns;

(c) airspeed should be consistent from when the RPA departs the first hover until entering the final hover;

(d) accurate landing at nominated spot.

RM3 - Advanced Manoeuvres - PART 2

Examiner Notes:

Explain the Manoeuvre to the candidate and assess against the tolerances. Explain that rectacngle needs to be symmetrical and balanced.

Ensure the candidate has an understanding of the item before they begin

ITEM/MANOEUVRE 

Vertical rectangle

Lift-off to height of 2 m and hover and complete a vertical nose out rectangle climbing to 10 m high and 10 m wide.

[First movement is sideways left or right; remote pilot should be at the middle of the 10-metre side; sides (vertical axis) should be above marker cones.]

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) smooth flying with even and controlled ascent and descent rates;

(b) no drift (especially forward or back);

(c) accurately positions aircraft.

RM3 - Advanced Manoeuvres - PART 3

Examiner Notes

Examiner to pick a spot in the mission areas to simulate a typical complex task the applicant will be performing when qualified (e.g. spot spraying, asset inspection)

Ensure the task is carried out appropriately, and the aircraft is positioned correctly.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

Simulate a typical complex task the applicant will be performing when qualified, using all available control method/s, radio procedures where applicable.  

[Assume full crew/team available and assume examiner is an informed participant requiring briefing if applicable.]

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) maintains safe distance from object of inspection/ photography / Target;

(b) other relevant tolerances at examiner’s discretion;

(c) conducts suitable team briefing, including intent of operation, emergency plans, any other specific relevant tasking for team members.

RAF -  Autoflight systems for the RPAS

Examiner Notes:

Ask the candidate to program an automated mission (Spray Task/way points etc) 

Ask the candidate to demonstrate how to program the task.

Ask the candidate to pause the mission, and amend the flight parameters and demonstrate how to do that.

Simulate a number of emergencies. such as low approaching aircraft, operation incursion, dog on the field, or bird of prey etc.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

(a) performs examiner- selected items/ maneuvers in flight test schedule using automated flight controls;

(b) programs the RPAS to complete an amendment
to the planned flight;

(c) safely manages the RPA in an emergency situation.

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(a) demonstrates good understanding of automated flight modes;

(b) programs flight and amendment to plan in a timely way;

(c) flies the RPA accurately in maneuvers, including landings and hovers.

RM4 - Abnormal Situations and Emergencies

Examiner Notes:

Ask the candidate to place the aircraft approx 50m away.

Ask the candidate to return the aircraft safely to land.

Ensure Candidate is happy to fly at that distance as required to complete the flight test. Should Candidate not be happy to complete this task, terminate the flight test and advise the candidate - not yet competant.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

From normal flight at a position approximately 50 m away from the pilot, fly the RPA back to the takeoff position and land keeping a safe distance from remote pilot (being never less than 5m)

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

Applicant manoeuvres and lands the RPA safely

RM4 Continued - Abnormal Situations and Emergencies

Examiner Notes:

Ask the candidate to engage return to home.

During the RTH, ask the candidate to cancel RTH and regain control.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

(a) simulated emergency, including activation of fail-safe functions/ equipment;

(b) safe termination of flight in other degraded modes of operation at examiner’s discretion.

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

Applicant demonstrates an understanding of failure modes and terminates flight safely.

RC1 Continued - Post Flight

Examiner Notes:

Ask the candidate to show and demonstrate a PostFlight, and considerations must be done in a timely manner.

ITEM/MANOEUVRE

(b) disassembly and post- flight procedures.

ACCURACY/TOLERANCES

(b) all post- flight procedures completed correctly;

(c) dexterity with equipment/tooling.

.

This practical assessment has now been completed. The Assessor will now debrief the student with any comments that the assessor deems appropriate.

I, the student named on this flight test, confirm that by signing this flight test I understand that this flight test does not constitute a permission to operate any RPA legally, and understand that only CASA can issue a licence to operate an RPA.

I confirm that I understand the flight test just delivered is for the Relevant Aircraft named on this flight test only, and I understand the weight limitations (MTOW) of the Relevant Aircraft.

I agree to indemnify FPV Australia for any responsibility when I operate any of my remotely piloted aircraft and systems.

This completes the assment, and if the student has no further questions, please hit the submit button to complete.