sUAS / NIST: Measuring Capabilities and Remote Pilot Proficiency
Topic: Self-Evaluation, Measuring Proficiency
FAAsafety.gov Course Code: ALC-716
INTRODUCTION
This course is an Introduction to the Standard Test Methods for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is leading an international effort to develop dozens of standard test methods for small unmanned aircraft systems. These tests can be used to quantitatively evaluate and compare various system capabilities and remote pilot proficiency no matter where or when the testing occurs. These tests are inexpensive, easy to fabricate, and simple to conduct so organizations use them worldwide to guide procurements, focus training, and measure proficiency for credentialing.
This presentation will introduce the NIST approach toward evaluating a wide variety of mission tasks using three basic test lanes.: Open, Obstructed, and Confined Test Lanes. OPEN is intended for scalable altitude flight paths and object identification tasks. OBSTRUCTED is for close proximity (6-10 ft standoff) object inspections. CONFINED is for indoor close proximity 3-5 ft standoff) inspections and room to room clearing tasks.
The presentation will also address how to embed the tests within operational training scenarios as quantitative scoring tasks to measure, track, and compare performance.
These tests are being standardized through the ASTM International Standards Committee on Homeland Security Applications; Response Robots (ASTM E54.09) and have been adopted by the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Used for Public Safety Operations (NFPA 2400). They have been developed with support from the Science and Technology Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Others may take this course as a self-study resource:
Anyone interested in learning more about Drone Flight Operations
Public safety departments with or starting a drone program
Other corporate flight departments or small businesses wishing to perform UAS operations
FAASTeam DronePros and other FAAST Volunteer Representatives
Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs)
Aviation Safety Technicians (ASTs)
FAASTeam Program Managers (FPMs)
COURSE STRUCTURE
This course will take about 1-hour 17-min to complete.
Instruction is based on a 1-hour 17-min video presentation. Upon completion of the presentation, related links with reference materials will be available for review. Following the review period is an exam.
The exam is a multiple choice and must be taken in a single session. The exam is 25-35 questions chosen at random, a passing score of 100% is required for a completion certificate.
The presentation was given live on August 12, 2021 as SPANS Webinar: EA17106115
The course was created on www.FAAsafety.gov following the live showing.
The presenter of the video is Adam Jacoff from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Dave Krause from Influential Drones.
COURSE CREDIT
To receive appropriate course credit for this course you must:
- Have an account on www.FAASafety.gov
- Be logged into that account
- Be enrolled in the course
- You must visit and complete each chapter of this course
NOTE: Some links may take you to other sites or open windows on top of the course window. You will need to return to this course on FAASafety.gov to complete the online exam. This might be as simple as closing all the additional windows. However, you may find it necessary to return to FAASafety.gov, log in again, and then "continue" the course from the Course List.
Upon completion of the review section the "EXAM" button will turn blue indicating you are ready to start the examination. Upon successful completion of the exam you are given the appropriate course credit automatically. You may then print a course completion certificate.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If you have difficulty reaching the Review and/or Exam sections after viewing the course, please go to your account on www.FAASafety.gov, log in, go to your Courses In Progress page (located under the Courses link under the Activities, Courses & Seminars tab), and click on Continue. If the Review and/or Exam buttons are "grayed out", be sure each of the previous chapter buttons are completed by clicking on each in turn. This will activate the Review button, which when clicked, will activate the Exam button
For all other problems, concerns, or questions with the site or how this course runs on your system please contact us by e-mail at faasafety@faa.gov. Please be sure to reference Course Code ALC-716. For a faster response, please include as cc "faasteam@influentialdrones.com".
Thank you!
