Drone Pilot

COURSE INFORMATION

During the six months duration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)/ Drone Pilot Trade a candidate is trained on professional skills and professional knowledge. In addition to this a candidate is entrusted to undertake project work and Extra-Curricular Activities to build up confidence. The broad components covered related to the trade are categorized in six months duration as below:- The trainee begins with learning first aid, fire fighting and various safety practices for working in industrial environment. Recognizes DGCA Safety Regulations & develop safety attitude while flying Drones. Identifies & selects different types of Drones & Fundamentals of Flight (Aerodynamics), ATC procedures & Radio Telephony, different regulations of DGCA, Civil Aviation Requirements, Weather and meteorology. Develops & applies knowledge of Airframes, Electric motors & Propellers. Identifies & selects Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC) & flight Controllers for Drones. Recognizes application of Batteries, Chargers & Connectors, Transmitters & Receivers, Cameras, Gimbals & other payloads. Applies knowledge of Ground Control Stations & FPV. Performs Assembling, MRO & battery care of Drones. Identifies & selects Basic operating features of a Drone Flight Simulator. Fly a Drone with instructor and then perform solo flight (Virtual reality training & live Drone flying). Carry out entire flying operations from pre-flight checks to after flight checks while flying a drone in simulator training & live training. Also the trainee will learn to Communicate with required clarity, understand technical English, environment regulation, productivity and enhance self-learning.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Table below depicts the distribution of training hours across various course elements during a period of six months: -

S. No. Course Element Notional Training Hours
1 Professional Skill (Trade Practical) 510
2 Professional Knowledge (Trade Theory) 102
3 Employability Skills 55
4 Library & Extracurricular Activities 13
5 Professional Knowledge (Trade Theory) 280
6 Specific Course content as per DGCA Guidelines 40
7 Revision & Examination 40

GENERAL INFORMATION

Name of the Trade Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)/ Drone Pilot
NSQF Level Level - 4
Duration of Craftsmen Training Six Months
Entry Qualification Passed 10th Class Examination under 10+2 system of education with minimum 18 years of age

Distribution of training on hourly basis: (Indicative only)

Total hours /week Trade practical Trade theory Employability Skill Extra-curricular activity
40 Hours 30 Hours 6 Hours 2 Hours 2 Hours

SYLLABUS – REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA)/DRONE PILOT (Six Months)

Week No. Reference Learning outcome Professional Skills (Trade Practical) Professional Knowledge (Trade Theory)
1 Apply safe working practices. 1. Visit to various sections of the institute and identify location of various installations. 2. Identify safety signs for danger, warning, caution & personal safety message. 3. Practice Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 4. Practice elementary first aid. 5. Practice Preventive measures for electrical accidents & steps to be taken in such accidents. 6. Practice Use of Fire extinguishers. Familiarization with the working of Industrial Training Institute system. Importance of safety and precautions to be taken in the industry/ shop floor. Introduction to PPEs. Introduction to First Aid. Importance of housekeeping & good shop floor practices. Occupational Safety & Health: Health, Safety and Environment guidelines, legislations & regulations as applicable.
2-4 Identify & select different types of Drones and illustrate Fundamentals of Flight (Aerodynamics). 7. Identify Different types of Drones. 8. Select basic components. 9. Recognise basic principles of flying like Bernoulli's Principle etc. 10. Apply principles of flight to Drones. 11. Understand Longitude/ Latitude. Different types of Drones, Nomenclatures, History of aerial drones, reputation, airframe, configurations, basic components, current/future uses of drones. Introduction to aerodynamics, history of Flight, Newton's Laws of Motion, Bernoulli's Principle, four forces of Fight, three axes of Fight, how they apply to drone Flight.
5-8 Interpret DGCA Safety Regulations & observe safety guidelines, ATC procedures & Radio Telephony, Weather and meteorology as a Drone Pilot in flying a Drone. 12. Practice workshop safety norms. 13. Identify safety rules while flying a drone. 14. Practice DGCA safety regulations, Do's and Don'ts. 15. Recognise issues Drone pilots encounter including airspace, traffic patterns etc. 16. Practice Radio telephony using Standard radio terminology and RT Phraseology. 17. Communicate with virtual ATC including Position, Altitude Reporting etc. 18. Identify specific Flight Planning Procedures for specific drone flights. 19. Recognise importance of Weather and meteorology in drone flight. 20. Take METAR from MET office/ ATC before flying. Importance of adopting a “safety attitude” when flying a drone. Workshop safety norms and outdoor flying safety regulations. Regulations of DGCA, Civil Aviation Requirements: Classification, Basic Air Regulations, Salient points, Do's and Don'ts. Issues aircraft pilots encounter including airspace, traffic patterns, and safe attitudes. Understanding ATC operations Airspace Structure and Airspace Restrictions with knowledge of No Drone Zones Communicating with ATC including Position and Altitude Reporting Flight Planning Procedures Collision avoidance Radio Telephony (RT) techniques Standard radio terminology and RT Phraseology Practice Session in Radio Communication. Weather and meteorology : The standard atmosphere ,Measuring air pressure, Heat and temperature Wind Moisture, cloud formation Met Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR).
9 Identify & select different Airframes & Propellers in drone flying. 21. Recognize multi rotor design, various configurations, airframe sizes and construction materials. 22. Identify different propeller designs and choose appropriate propeller. History of helicopter design, early multi rotor design, various Configurations, airframe sizes and construction materials. History of propeller design, fixed-pitch and constant speed blades, airfoil design, size, pitch, and blade-count including balancing tips and construction materials.
10-11 Explain & apply knowledge of Power systems viz. Electric motors, Batteries, Chargers, Connectors etc. in drone flying. 23. Electricity fundamentals (Wattage, voltage, Amperage and their relationship) and soldering techniques 24. Calculate motor ratings for load capabilities for a drone build. 25. Identify parallel vs. serial arrangements of batteries. 26. Practice charging, cell balancing and explore various connectors. History of batteries, various makeup’s, reactions and chemistry, parallel vs. serial arrangements, rechargeable batteries, LiPo battery characteristics, charging, cell balancing and various connectors. AC/DC motor differences, amperage and voltage ratings, history of electric motors, brushed vs. brushless motors, Kv ratings, and calculations of motor capabilities for a drone build.
12-13 Identify & select various Controllers like Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC), Transmitters, Receivers & flight Controllers for Drones. 27. Identify different role of ESCs. 28. Calibrate and mount ESCs. 29. Recognise different sensors & their applications in drones. 30. Apply sense-and-avoid technology. 31. Identify GPS applications in drone flying. 32. Distinguish open source vs. closed source programming. 33. Compare current FCs on the market. 34. Identify different radio control systems, controllers, transmitters and receivers, Frequency bands and programming transmitters. Introduction to the history radio control systems, controllers, transmitters and receivers, Frequency bands and programming transmitters. Introduction to role of ESCs, how they work, PWM, PPM, ESC calibration, SimonK Vs. BLHelifirmware options and BEC, OPTO, and UBEC. Introduction to role of flight controllers, how they work, Introduction to sensors, sense-and-avoid technology, GPS, open source vs. closed source programming, and comparison of current FCs on the market.
14 Plan & estimate different payload considerations like Cameras, Gimbals & other payloads and make use of them in drone flying/ maintenance. 35. Plan & estimate payload considerations, camera options, resolution etc. & other pay load possibilities. 36. Identify different payloads including cameras like Lidar, Thermal, RGB, Hyper spectral etc. Payload considerations, camera options, resolution, still photography, video photography, vibration and Jello effect, exposure settings, camera lenses, video Frame rate, image files, delivery payloads, and other pay load possibilities.
15 Apply knowledge of Ground Control Stations & FPV. 37. Track data using telemetry. 38. Plan Drone missions. 39. Perform 3D mapping and modelling. 40. Carry out First-person-view (FPV) flying. Introduction to telemetry, data tracking, mission planning, and 3D mapping and modelling. First- person-view (FPV) flying, safety and drone racing options.
16 Perform Assembling, MRO & battery care of Drones. 41. Perform assembling & disassembling of drones. 42. Carry out Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the drone. 43. Apply safety precautions while handling LiPo batteries. Assembling & disassembling of the drone equipments & Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO)of the drone. safety when using LiPo batteries including proper charging methods, discharging, handing, and disposal.
17 Identify Basic operating features of a Drone Flight Simulator. 44. Identify Basic operating features of a drone flight simulator. 45. Select different aircrafts/drones and aerodromes. Basic operating features of a drone flight simulator, How to select different aircrafts/drones and aerodromes, knowledge of Demo flight.
18-24 Simulator training & live training: Broad Area: -Fly a Drone with instructor and then perform solo flight (Virtual reality training & live Drone flying).Carry out entire flying operations from pre-flight checks to after flight checks while flying a drone in simulator training & live training. Application of drones in different domains and how different cameras can be used for different surveys. Introduction to Photogrammetry for stitching and analysis of drone pictures. Handling In flight emergencies, fail safe mechanisms.
25 Specific Course content as per DGCA Guidelines
26 Revision & Examination

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS (Duration: - 55 Hours)

1. English Literacy Duration : 10 Hrs. Marks : 09
Reading Reading and understanding simple sentences about self, work and environment.
Writing Construction of simple sentences Writing simple English.
Speaking / Spoken English Speaking with preparation on self, on family, on friends/ classmates, on know, picture reading gain confidence through role-playing and discussions on current happening job description, asking about someone's job habitual actions. Cardinal (fundamental) numbers ordinal numbers. Taking messages, passing messages on and filling in message forms Greeting and introductions office hospitality, Resumes or curriculum vita essential parts, letters of application reference to previous communication.
2. I.T. Literacy Duration : 10 Hrs. Marks : 09
Basics of Computer Introduction, Computer and its applications, Hardware and peripherals, Switching on-Starting and shutting down of computer.
Word processing and Worksheet Basic operating of Word Processing, Creating, opening and closing Documents, use of shortcuts, Creating and Editing of Text, Formatting the Text, Insertion & creation of Tables. Printing document. Basics of Excel worksheet, understanding basic commands, creating simple worksheets, understanding sample worksheets, use of simple formulas and functions, Printing of simple excel sheets. Use of External memory like pen drive, CD, DVD etc.
Computer Networking and Internet Accessing the Internet using Web Browser, Downloading and Printing Web Pages, Opening an email account and use of email. Social media sites and its implication.
3. Communication Skills Duration : 08 Hrs. Marks : 07
Introduction to Communication Skills Communication and its importance Principles of Effective communication Types of communication - verbal, non verbal, written, email, talking on phone. Non verbal communication -characteristics, components-Para-language Body language, Barriers to communication and dealing with barriers.
Listening Skills Listening-hearing and listening, effective listening, barriers to effective listening guidelines for effective listening.
Motivational Characteristics Essential to Achieving Success.
Training The Power of Positive Attitude. Self awareness, Importance of Commitment Ethics and Values, Ways to Motivate Oneself Personal Goal setting and Employability Planning.
Facing Interviews Manners, Etiquettes, Dress code for an interview Do's & Don'ts for an interview.
4. Entrepreneurship Skills Duration : 07 Hrs.Marks 06
Concept of Entrepreneurship Entrepreneur - Entrepreneurship - Enterprises: - Conceptual issue Source of business ideas, Entrepreneurial opportunities, The process of setting up a business.
Institutions Support Role of Various Schemes and Institutes for self-employment i.e. DIC, SIDA, SISI, NSIC, SIDO, Idea for financing/ non financing support agencies to familiarizes with the Policies /Programmes& procedure & the available scheme.
5. Productivity Duration : 05 Hrs. Marks 05
Benefits Productivity, Definition, Necessity. Improvement in living standard.
Affecting Factors Skills, Working Aids, Automation, Environment, Motivation - How improves or slows down.
Personal Finance Management Banking processes, Handling ATM, KYC registration, safe cash handling, Personal risk and Insurance.
6. Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Education Duration : 07 Hrs. Marks 06
Safety & Health Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health importance of safety and health at workplace.
Occupational Hazards Basic Hazards, Chemical Hazards, Vibro-acoustic Hazards, Mechanical Hazards, Electrical Hazards, Thermal Hazards. Occupational health, Occupational hygienic, Occupational Diseases/ Disorders & its prevention.
Accident & safety Basic principles for protective equipment. Accident Prevention techniques - control of accidents and safety measures.
First Aid Care of injured & Sick at the workplaces, First-Aid & Transportation of sick person.
7. Labour Welfare Legislation Duration : 03 Hrs. Marks 03
Welfare Acts Benefits guaranteed under various acts- Factories Act, Apprenticeship Act, Employees State Insurance Act (ESI), Employees Provident Fund Act.
8. Quality Tools Duration : 05 Hrs. Marks : 05
Quality Consciousness Meaning of quality, Quality characteristic.
Quality Circles Definition, Advantage of small group activity, objectives of quality Circle, Roles and function of Quality Circles in Organization, Operation of Quality circle. Approaches to starting Quality Circles, Steps for continuation Quality Circles.
House Keeping Purpose of House-keeping, Practice of good Housekeeping.
Quality Tools Basic quality tools with a few examples.