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Qualifying as a Precision Drone Solutions Pilot

 

Thank you for your interest in Precision Drone Solutions. Our people are our greatest asset. The diverse ideas, experiences, cultures, and lifestyles of our team enable us to provide exceptional service to our customers.

A Precision Drone Solutions pilot is a vital member of the flight crew, responsible for the safe, FAA-compliant, and efficient operation of the aircraft. As pilot-in-command, they hold final decision-making authority for aircraft operations, though the ground crew actively contributes to this process. Our pilots serve as the onsite leaders for Precision Drone Solutions, ensuring the safety and well-being of the flight crew, clients, and property, while upholding the company's image and policies.

 

Our Airmanship Principles

 

Every Precision Drone Solutions pilot commits to applying the following Airmanship Principles:

• Know your aircraft: Understand its capabilities and limitations in both normal and non-normal scenarios.

• Know yourself: Be aware of your limitations and personal habits (e.g., rushing, impulsiveness, communication barriers, personal issues) that could affect safety.

• Know your environment: Understand the airspace, weather conditions, and operational specifics.

• Know your team: Conduct thorough briefings, effectively utilize observers, maintain clear communication, foster a positive environment, and resolve conflicts swiftly and fairly (focusing on system improvements, not personal blame).

• Know the risks: Always conduct a comprehensive risk assessment.

• Stay proficient: Practice regularly, perform 'dry runs' for complex operations, and engage in scenario-based training for emergencies.

• Stay current: Keep up-to-date on the latest safety, operational knowledge, and technical information regarding your platform.

• Learn from experience: Document errors and near misses to enhance situational awareness on every operation.

 

Adherence to Industry Codes of Conduct

 

As members of the unmanned aerial systems industry, we are obligated to maintain high professional and ethical standards. While revolutionary technologies may encounter mishaps, safe operation and public trust depend on adhering to appropriate guiding principles with openness and transparency.

All Precision Drone Solutions pilots commit to complying with the AUVSI Code of Conduct and the ACI/UAA UAS Pilots Code (UASPC).

Read the AUVSI UAS Code of Conduct here.

Read the UAS Pilots Code (UASPC) here.

 

Requirements

 

 

FAA Part 107 Certificate Holder

 

As commercial drone flight service providers, Precision Drone Solutions pilots must hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in good standing.

Learn more about Part 107 by reading the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 14, Part 107.

 

Optional & Recommended Qualifications

 

 

Trusted Operator Program (TOP) Certification

 

We encourage you to earn at least a Level 1 TOP Operator certification.

Precision Drone Solutions was an early adopter of the AUVSI Trusted Operator Program™ (TOP) and values pilots who have achieved Level 1 TOP Certification. While no longer a mandatory requirement for Precision Drone Solutions pilots, Level 1 TOP Certification signifies a commitment to the advanced knowledge, flight proficiency, safety, and risk management practices expected of commercial UAS operators.

 

OSHA Training

 

For certain Precision Drone Solutions projects, obtaining your OSHA-10 Hour Construction or OSHA-30 certification is required. For instance, clients expect safe operations for vertical projects involving active construction sites, and Precision Drone Solutions adheres to best practices in jobsite safety training. Many of our projects do not require OSHA training. Precision Drone Solutions offers support for pilots to achieve OSHA training certification.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established by Congress through the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Its mission is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

Employers who have participated in the OSHA Outreach Program for Construction have reported up to a 66% reduction in lost-time injuries. OSHA-10 Hour Construction training provides best practices to safeguard against the leading causes of fatalities and accidents in construction. This online course covers prevention of slipping, tripping, being struck by an object, electrocution, and being caught between objects or machinery. OSHA 30-Hour Construction training is more comprehensive, including prevention of worksite hazards, understanding workers' rights, and employer responsibilities. Precision Drone Solutions requires either OSHA-10 Hour or OSHA-30 Hour training for its pilots. Upon completion of this OSHA-authorized course, students will receive an official OSHA card from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

OSHA Construction topics include:

• Major Fall, Caught-In/-Between, Struck-By, and Electrocution Hazards (OSHA Construction Focus Four)

• Protection from Crane Hazards

• Steel Structure Hazards

• Confined Space Hazards

• Fire Hazards

• Activities That May Cause Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) and Repetitive Motion Disorders (RMD) Injuries

• Choosing and Using Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• And more.

 

FEMA Certification (for First Responder Pilots)

 

To serve as a First Responder Pilot for Precision Drone Solutions, including roles as a Pilot In Command (PIC) for first responder organizations or providing training support to first responders, FEMA Certification is necessary. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for coordinating government-wide relief efforts, providing an orderly and systematic means of federal natural disaster assistance to state and local governments in aiding citizens. As a support resource for First Responders, Precision Drone Solutions pilots must be familiar with FEMA processes and policies to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the potential effects of all types of disasters and emergencies. Precision Drone Solutions offers support for pilots to achieve FEMA certification.

Accordingly, Precision Drone Solutions pilots must complete the following training before deployment for first responder services or incident support:

• ICS-100 FEMA Training

• ICS-200 FEMA Training

• ICS-700 FEMA Training

• ICS-800 FEMA Training

 

Criminal Background Check & Drug Testing

 

Precision Drone Solutions employee pilots (excluding contractors) are required to submit to a criminal background check. In some cases, employees and contract pilots may also need to undergo a more in-depth background check or TSA fingerprint-based Criminal History Records check and drug testing before initial deployment, if a project or client mandates it. Pilots operating in critical infrastructure sectors may be subject to additional stringent reviews based on client requirements.

 

FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator’s License Holder

 

Precision Drone Solutions pilots are encouraged to obtain a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RROP). This permit facilitates handheld radio communication with nearby aircraft, enables blind announcements near uncontrolled airports, and, most critically, allows communication with helicopters above incident scenes. For safety, an RROP is required prior to deployment for projects located on, very near, or contiguous to active airports. Precision Drone Solutions will provide a suitable loaner aircraft-band transceiver if the pilot cannot supply their own radio.

Online Information: Access FCC RROP Info here (Click on the "Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR)" section header to learn more).

Securing your RROP is a straightforward process:

To obtain your lifetime Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit, you'll need to register with the FCC and submit FCC Form 605 through electronic filing via the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS), along with a lifetime payment of $70.

There is no test for this license, only one qualification question: “Has the applicant or any party to this application, or any party directly or indirectly controlling the applicant, ever been convicted of a felony by any state or federal court?”

Applicants will be assigned a license ID valid for their natural life.

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