Welcome to the information page on the UAS Standardization program developed by Embry-Riddle Worldwide Department of Flight and sponsored by US DOS Bureau for International Narcotics Law Enforcement Office of Aviation (DOS INLA).
The courses below are available for registration and are a recommended course path for a fully prepared functional mission UAS pilot. Applicants should communicate with their DOS INLA for guidance on which courses are needed for their specific locations.
The form you complete on the right begins your registration process.
Tracks show two ground school courses as the starting point, then to one or two flight specific tracks, and a separate instructor track.
Your point of contact is our Office of Professional Education at training@erau.edu
Contact Us
For more information and to inquire about professional education courses tailored to your needs, please reach out to our Office of Professional Education staff. You will receive responsive, personal assistance in setting up your course of study.
Phone: 386-481-9070
Email: training@erau.edu
Curriculum Details
The journey through the sUAS Aircrew Standardization Training program is one of discovery and mastery. Course offerings span essential knowledge areas and practical skills necessary for commercial sUAS professionals. All students enter the program with the expectation of fulfilling the sUAS Fundamentals Segment, then track to specialization for multirotor or fixed-wing platform operations. Following the completion of either multirotor or fixed-wing tracks, students may be selected for the third track, Instructor Certificate.
This segment of curriculum is designed for new sUAS operators who have no prior experience with sUAS. It prepares a candidate for the FAA’s Part 107 non-recreational UAS certification or host nation equivalent. If the applicant already possesses either a Part 107 Remote Pilot certification or host nation equivalent, then SUAS 2000 can be waived for the sUAS fundamentals segment.
Upon completing the fundamentals segment, students should be able to demonstrate a comprehensive and broad-based understanding of:
- Aircraft components and systems;
- Airframes and rotors;
- Aviation and sUAS;
- Flight skills;
- Fundamentals of flight;
- Human factors;
- Navigation and airspace;
- Regulations (focusing on FAR Part 107);
- Safety;
- Simulation; and
- Weather theory and reporting
The Multirotor sUAS track is designed to prepare the applicant to complete the 14 Base Tasks (Tasks 1000-1065) and the 4 Mission Tasks (Tasks 2000-2015) of the INL/A Office of Aviation Multirotor sUAS Series Aircrew Training Manual (ATM). These tasks are required for the Initial Qualification Training (IQT) and Mission Qualification Training (MQT). This track provides basic flight training for multirotor drones with an emphasis on professional aviation standards, safety, and applications. Applicants will use simulation and their assigned multirotor drone to complete assignments including basic and advanced maneuvers, photography and videography, and photogrammetry. Additionally, applicants will use their assigned multirotor drone to complete assignments including advanced photogrammetry, commercial inspection, thermography, agriculture applications, and night flying.
Upon completion of this track, applicants should be able to demonstrate safe and efficient flight operations and data processing while adhering to aviation practices, including:
- Flight planning;
- Safety Risk Assessment;
- Checklist procedures;
- Basic maneuvers;
- Advanced maneuvers;
- Emergency procedures;
- Photography and videography;
- Autonomous data collection;
- Photogrammetry using Pix4Dmapper; and
- Practical flight examination
The fixed wing sUAS track is designed to prepare the applicant to complete the 14 Base Tasks (Tasks 1000-1065) and the 4 Mission Tasks (Tasks 2000-2015) of the INL/A Office of Aviation Fixed Wing sUAS Series Aircrew Training Manual (ATM). These tasks are required for the Initial Qualification Training (IQT) and Mission Qualification Training (MQT). Applicants will complete assignments including aerodynamics, weight and balance, Ground Control Station (GCS) operations, photogrammetry, emergency operations, and night flying with the fixed-wing platform.
Upon completion of this track, applicants should be able to demonstrate safe and efficient flight operations and data processing while adhering to aviation practices, including:
- Demonstrate an application of fixed wing sUAS controls, maneuvers, and procedures;
- Implement best practices and unmanned airmanship skills supporting the safe operation of fixed-wing sUAS within the NAS or host-nation airspace;
- Appraise operational conditions to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements;
- Execute the duties and responsibilities of a Remote Pilot in Command during a fixed wing sUAS operation;
- Demonstrate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in the operation of a fixed wing sUAS; and
- Implement fundamental fixed wing sUAS operational knowledge, skills, and abilities during the completion of example applications.
The sUAS instructor certificate track is intended to establish a high-quality flight instructor corps. This track exposes instructor applicants to the core elements of instructional knowledge as aligned with the sUAS industry. In the aviation industry, the Instructor Pilot is the gatekeeper of quality, responsibility, knowledge, professionalism, and skills. The sUAS segment of the industry began without the benefit of formalized, certified, flight instructors.
Upon completion of this track, applicants should be able to demonstrate competency with teaching sUAS fundamentals, including:
- Interpret human behavior, needs, motivations and reactions;
- Analyze the learning process;
- Learning theory;
- Perceptions and insights
- The domains of learning and learning styles;
- The elements of skill and practice;
- Memory, retention and transfer of learning;
- Recognize effective communication;
- Discover the teaching process;
- Examine student assessment;
- Prioritize instructor responsibilities and professionalism;
- Demonstrate the planning of instructional activity; and
- Apply the principles of aviation safety and risk management