Page 18 - September October 2020 TPA Journal

“Raising the Bar for Texas Law Enforcement’s

UAS (drone) Pilots”

The utilization of small unmanned aircraft systems Flying safely in our national air space requires
(sUAS) by U.S. public safety agencies has grown knowledge and skill. While the FAA’s Remote Pilot
exponentially over the last six years. In 2014 less than Examination is a good evaluation of remote pilot
40 public safety agencies had acquired sUAS. Today, knowledge, the lack of a practical examination leaves
an estimated 1700 agencies are using sUAS. The a void that potentially increases the liability exposure
Texas Department of Public Safety and Arlington of individuals and agencies using sUAS. There is a
Police Department were early adopters of sUAS clear need for an accompanying skills evaluation to
technology. Today, dozens of Texas law enforcement ensure the safety of the remote pilot, nearby non-
agencies are utilizing sUAS. A number of factors participants, and manned aircraft in the area.
affected this growth including the cost effectiveness
of the technology when compared to traditional According to Adam Jacoff at the National Institute of
manned aircraft; a general realization that drone use Standards and Technology (NIST), “The first step
in law enforcement is not inherently an invasion of toward credentialing remote pilot skills is to get
people’s privacy; and the Federal Aviation everybody onto the same measuring stick. That’s
Administration’s enactment, in August of 2016, of 14 where standard test methods can play a key role.
CFR Part 107, “The Small UAS Rule”. Part 107 was Especially across public safety, industrial,
eight years in the making as the regulations started commercial, and even recreational pilots. All need to
with recommendations made by the Small Unmanned demonstrate essential maneuvers to maintain positive
Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Aviation Rulemaking aircraft control while performing whatever payload
Committee (ARC) that was formed in 2008. Part 107 functionality is necessary to successfully perform the
addresses a wide variety of sUAS regulatory issues intended tasks.”
including maximum altitude, maximum velocity,
Adam Jacoff is leading an international effort to
cloud clearances and, most applicable to this develop standard test methods for small unmanned
discussion, remote pilot certification. Part 107 created aircraft systems. The initial suites for Maneuvering
a new FAA certificate: Remote Pilot. Applicants for a and Payload Functionality can be used to
Remote Pilot Certificate must: pass an FAA quantitatively evaluate various system capabilities
examination consisting of 60 questions covering 12 and remote pilot proficiency. They are being
aeronautical subject matter areas; apply for the standardized through the ASTM International
certificate in-person at an FAA Flight Standards Standards Committee on Homeland Security
District Office (FSDO) or utilize the FAA’s online Applications; Response Robots (ASTM E54.09).They
Integrated Airman Certificate and Rating Application are also referenced as Job Performance Requirements
(IACRA); and be vetted by the Transportation in the National Fire Protection Association Standard
Security Administration. The FAA Remote Pilot for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Used For
Examination covers a broad spectrum of topics Public Safety Operations (NFPA 2400) and the ASTM
including airspace, aeronautical charts, meteorology,
Standard Guide for Training for Remote Pilot in
aeronautical decision making, and the specifics of
Command of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Part 107 regulations. Part 61 manned aircraft pilots
Endorsement (ASTM F38.03 F3266-18). The U.S.
(other than student pilots) that meet FAR 61.56
Department of Homeland Security, Science and
(biennial flight review) requirements, may use an
Technology Directorate has been supporting the
abbreviated process for obtaining a Remote Pilot
development of these tests as well as many more tests
Certificate. Interestingly, an individual can obtain an
currently being validated.
FAA Remote Pilot Certificate without ever having
flown a sUAS!

14 www.texaspoliceassociation.com • (512) 458-3140 Texas Police Journal