Page 20 - September October 2020 TPA Journal

bucket alignment tasks so you can evaluate yourself, given mission. Each set of tests, either conducted in a
know your range to various targets, then compare standard test lane or embedded into an operational
your results over time or against others. training scenario, enables each pilot and organization
to evaluate their readiness more rigorously, while
The Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots
practicing their procedures, data collection and
(BPERP) is the entry level test method. It is designed
logging, etc… Maybe your equipment is lacking, or
to complement the Federal Aviation Administration’s
maybe it’s your training. Either way, quantitative
Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate by providing an
scores captured in standard test methods can provide
inexpensive, easily duplicatable, mechanism for
the rationale for changes that need to be made. By
assessing remote pilot flying skills. The BPERP can
establishing minimum thresholds of remote pilot
be administered in 10 minutes utilizing 3 omni bucket
proficiency, agencies will further insulate themselves
stands, a 50’ tape measure, and a stop watch. The from potential civil liability by demonstrating due
BPERP requires a compact test area of 50’x 20’ so can diligence in vetting their sUAS pilots. The NIST
easily be administered indoors or outdoors. The sUAS Test Methods can provide that missing element
BPERP requires the remote pilot to conduct 3 takeoffs in every organization’s training program, an easy to
and landings from a 12” radius circle, climb to implement “measuring stick” for systems and pilots.
specified altitudes of 10’ and 20’ AGL, conduct
yawing turns, and conduct forward, reverse, and __________________________________________
transverse flight maneuvers. The goal is to capture
still images of 36 targets that are placed within 2
gallon buckets that are fastened to three omni bucket About the author:
test stands that are constructed from 2”x 4” and 4”x
4” lumber. The bucket stands are easy to assemble and Alan Frazier currently serves as a Senior Fellow at
can be transported in a couple of nylon golf club bags Georgetown University. He is working with the
or simply stacked and placed in a vehicle. The test National Institute of Standards and Technology
consists of one maneuvering phase and two transverse (NIST) to validate and implement these and other test
flight phases. Pilots earn one point for each accurately methods with any interested public safety
captured target image, 2 points for an accurate first organization. He hosts “train the trainer” workshops
landing, and one point each for accurate second and and exercises to help such organizations get started.
third landings. Scoring sheets are available from He is also involved in developing and validating new
NIST. Agencies set their own benchmarks scores for test methods for sUAS. Alan previously served as an
passing the test. Associate Professor of Aviation at the University of
North Dakota. He is a 40 year law enforcement
I have had the opportunity to administer the Basic professional having served as a sworn officer and
Proficiency Evaluation to novice and experienced supervisor with city, county, state and federal law
members of the Grand Forks Northeast Regional enforcement agencies. He founded, and served 10
sUAS Team and remote pilots assigned to the Civil years as the officer-in-charge of, the Northeast
Air Patrol (CAP) North Dakota Wing. The test Regional sUAS Team in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
methods were unanimously endorsed by every pilot He is an FAA Airline Transport Pilot rated to fly
that I have run through the course. single and multi-engine airplanes, helicopters,
gliders, and small unmanned aircraft systems.
If I sound enthusiastic about the NIST sUAS Test
Methods, it is because I believe they represent an
excellent way for organizations to “raise the bar” on
their remote pilot credentialing with more rigorous
and comparable evaluations. But also, use them to get
more informed about what different sUAS equipment
can reliably do. The combination of pilot skills and
equipment capabilities, with tracked scores over time,
provide an essential measure of “readiness” for any

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