UAV = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle = DRONE!
Basic PilotCourse
The UVA Flying Academy's Basic PilotCourse will take even a novice learner through 18 exercises designed to teach you the fundamentals of piloting your drone, from initially learning to safely launch and land to performing complex skills to gain experience and increase your confidence in your equipment and your skills. Please follow these exercises in sequential order so that each exercise builds upon skills previously learned. If any of these exercises concern you or you feel uncomfortable performing at this time, feel free to skip it and move on. While you miss out on learning a critical skill, your comfort level is of paramount importance.
Exercise 01
Lift Off & 411
Objective: you will repeatedly take off and land, building good muscle memory of the proper flight procedures to ensure vehicle functionality.
Exercise 02
Forwards & Backwards
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft along the longitudinal axis setting different distances.
Exercise 03
Side 2 Side
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft along the lateral axis setting at different distances.
Exercise 04
Target Practice
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft along the lateral axis setting different distances.
Exercise 05
Crab Square
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft along the longitudinal and lateral axis setting different distances.
Exercise 06
True Square
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft along the longitudinal and lateral axis setting different distances.
Exercise 07
Max Height
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft to a height of 350’ above grade level (A.G.L.).
Exercise 08
There & Back Again
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft to a height of 50’ above grade level (A.G.L.)., 100’ from the launch pad.
Exercise 09
Rocket POI
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft to a height of 100’ above grade level (A.G.L.), gimbaling the camera to face the ground. This duplicates the QuickShots Rocket shot.
Exercise 10
Emergency
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft and simulate an emergency condition where you have to return the aircraft to the launch pad.
Exercise 11
Dronie POI
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft to a height of 10’ above grade level (A.G.L.), and we will exit the scene by flying backwards and having the aircraft ascend simultaneously. This duplicates the QuickShots Dronie shot.
Exercise 12
Circle POI
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft to a height of 10’ above grade level (A.G.L.), and we will circle an object. This duplicates the QuickShots Circle shot.
Exercise 13
Close By
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft to a height of 10’ above grade level (A.G.L.), and we will move to within 5’ of an obstacle.
Exercise 14
Fly without GPS
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft without GPS to simulate flying in enclosed spaces or with loss of GPS signal.
Exercise 15
Come Fly with Me
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft in all 3 modes, CINE, NORMAL and SPORT and try to ascertain the different flight characteristics of each.
Exercise 16
Top Down
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft in at maximum height and while the camera is looking straight down.
Exercise 17
Figure 8
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft into a confined area. and through gates.
Exercise 18
Final Exam/Helix POI
Objective: after establishing a proper RTH height, you will now fly the aircraft to a height of 10’ above grade level (A.G.L.), and we will fly away from an object while circling it. This duplicates the QuickShots Helix shot.
