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18 July 2019 UAVAIR instructor “Mick” delivering MRUAS training Gallipoli Barracks
Large scale MRUAS training programs, successes and challenges.
A case study of the Australian Army 2018 MRUAS training program
David MannGeneral Manager
UAVAIR
Agenda
Page 2
1. Who is UAVAIR
2. Background & Project overview
3. Project objectives
4. The training
5. Challenges and Successes
6. Benefits
7. Questions
MRUAS training 1 Brigade Robinson Barracks Darwin
Who is UAVAIR & David Mann
Page 3
UAVAIR is part of the BASAIR group of companies. BASAIR is the largest Australian pilot training company.
❑ UAVAIR based in Newcastle NSW
❑ One of Australia’s premier drone training companies
❑ CASA and ASQA approved training provider AVI30316 Certificate III in Aviation – Remote Pilot, Visual
Line of Sight course
❑ General Manager UAVAIR
❑ 25 years plus in the aviation industry
❑ CASA approved helicopter winch operator & instructor
❑ Licensed helicopter engineer – CASA LAME
David Mann
Background
Page 4
During 2018 the Australian Army purchased 340 Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus MRUAS drone systems to enable general drone training across the whole of Army
❑ Latest generation of the DJI Phantom series
❑ Phantom 4 pro plus is a Sub 2kgs MRUAS
❑ Integrated DJI Crystal Sky control screen
❑ Additional features ▪ 30 minutes of flight time.▪ 5 directional obstacle sensing and 4 directional obstacle
avoidance.▪ 7 km of control range.▪ Draw, Active Track, Tap Fly, Return to Home, and Gesture
Mode.
Overview
Page 5
During late 2018 on behalf of the Australian Army, UAVAIR commenced the largest training program for Multi-Rotor Unmanned Aerial Systems (MRUAS).
2018 MRUAS Training delivery overview
• 721 Army students fully trained (+14 RAAF)
▪ 11 locations across Australia
▪ 661 MRUAS hours flown
▪ Completed in 4 months
MRUAS training 1 Brigade Robinson Barracks Darwin
Project Objectives
Page 6
The Australian Army had a project objective to increase “Drone Literacy”.
Objectives
1. Increase “Drone Literacy” across the whole of Army
2. Improve small UAS capability at a faction of the costs of Mil-Spec systems.
3. Expose as many defence personnel as possible to drone operations. “Normalise “ small UAS operations within Army
The Training Components
Page 7
The MRUAS drone training consisted of two parts.
❑ 5 x Skill flying lessons and 1 x Assessment
▪ Lesson 1: Introduction, Recap and Pre-Flight check ▪ Lesson 2: Basic MRUAS Operations ▪ Lesson 3: Advanced MRUAS Operations ▪ Lesson 4: Payload Operations ▪ Lesson 5: Automated Features
❑ 7 Units
❑ Self paced online training and questions
❑ Hosted by civil learning management system
Part 1: Online Training Part 2: Face to Face training
Online training expanded
Page 8
The MRUAS training consisted seven subjects with questions accessed via an online learning management system portal
Part 1: Online Training
1. Course Tutorial
2. Operators Manual & Technical Description
3. Weather and Terrain effects
4. Aviation Operations Principles
5. Privacy & Security
6. Setup & Pre/Post Flight Checks
7. Flight Profiles and File Capture
❑ Final Exam
Face to Face training expanded
Page 9
The MRUAS training consisted of five lessons and a final assessment.
Part 2: Face To Face
Face to Face Training Expanded
Page 10
The training consisted of 11 locations across Australia between August and November (four months )
❑ 11 Locations across Australia
❑ AM and PM training options
❑ Diverse weather conditions (Darwin to Albury)
❑ Logistical challenges - freight etc.
Final Assessment
Page 11
The final assessment required a demonstration of knowledge and a skills test to enable the students to get qualified
✓ Change geofencing to 80m and Return to home 20m
✓ Use auto take-off
✓ Fly out over a box to find out what is hidden inside
✓ Take photographic evidence for each item.
✓ Use Return to home and land.
✓ Show photographic evidence and format SD card
✓ 100% pass safety style questions
Final Assessment: 1 Brigade Robinson Barracks Darwin
On completion students received a qualification on
the services record
Challenges
Page 12
Issue Initial Management Notes
1 Booking process blocked by ADF firewall
UAVAIR Booking system refined to enable simplified booking system
• UAVAIR supplied after business hours support to resolve any issues
2 Darwin Trainees unavailable at scheduled date
UAVAIR realigned training schedule
4 Instructor fatigue management
4 instructors were provided although some courses are too long in duration
• Future programs to ideally:o Have no more than 3 consecutive training days; o Be set 2 months in advance to enable UAVAIR to
better plan logistics;o Have bigger gaps in between the delivery at each
training location
5 Technical support required
UAVAIR supplied technical maintenance support to units re Phantom 4 operations
• UAVAIR supplied after business hours support to resolve any issues
6 Extra student' numbersarrived on training day
UAVAIR’s system adjusted to requirements • UAVAIR staff responded to call outside business hours on numerous occasions to manage enrolment
7 Bad weather / cancellations
UAVAIR’s system adjusted to requirements • UAVAIR staff managed cancellation notifications via text and email
• Extra students trained on next available day
Like any training project of this size it had some challenges
Success – Summary
Page 13
The project has a number of additional successful outcomes.
Project Success summary
✓ Demonstrated a new delivery model - Online self paced training
✓ Demonstrated - Flexible face to face booking system model
✓ High level of calibration between Army and civil operations enabled a well-developed authority to operate
✓ Identified gaps in soldier airspace education
Interesting Benefits
Page 14
The project created some interesting benefits
Interesting benefits
✓ Enhance debriefs with aerial vision
✓ Demonstrated UAS benefits across army: Especially non combat units
✓ Created an environment to discuss airspace issues with soldiers
✓ Influence future procurement
Questions
Page 15
Thanks for your time…Any questions?
