AMC1 Article 16(2)(b)(ii) Remote Pilot Competence
CAA ORS9 Decision No. 16
MINIMUM COMPETENCE REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE UAS SAFELY
There is no exclusion from the need to demonstrate basic Open category pilot competence, when operating under an Article 16 authorisation. As such, every RP is expected to hold (as a minimum) a ‘Flyer ID’. This may either be obtained through the CAA, or issued on the CAA’s behalf by the association.
The association shall identify additional pilot competence requirements, based on the scope of their application for an Article 16 authorisation. This pilot competence scheme shall be set out within the Article 16 application, including the syllabus, assessment criteria, currency requirements and how the scheme is administered.
The level of pilot competence required will be dependent on the risk of the operation, but will always be at a level that is equal to, or greater than the Open category pilot competence requirement set out in UAS.OPEN.020(4)(b), and members will demonstrate this by holding a ‘Flyer ID’.
In order to meet the equivalent standard of the CAA Flyer ID test, the association pilot competence test must be comprised of at least 40 questions, which may be multiple choice. A verbal assessment of a selection of questions is not considered sufficient.
The pass mark shall be set by the association, but must be greater than 75%. The test may be ‘open book’, such that the candidate can make reference to copies of information material to support them during the exam, if the association decides that this is appropriate.
The subject areas to assess include:
- Aviation Safety
- Airspace restrictions
- Aviation regulation
- Human performance limitations
- Operational procedures
- Model aircraft general and technical knowledge
- Privacy and data protection
- Insurance
- Security
Some of these subjects may be of more relevance to some associations than others. The association should decide on the appropriate distribution of questions across these subject areas. If an association wishes to miss out an entire subject area, the reason for this must be detailed within the Article 16 application.
An association may wish to expand the selection of questions within the assessment, to cover a wider range of topics than is covered by the CAA DMARES test.
MODEL AIRCRAFT FLYING DISPLAY - PILOT COMPETENCE
Within the risk assessment for an Article 16 authorisation, if requesting the ability to permit model aircraft displays, the association should identify additional pilot competence and currency requirements.
In general, these include for the operation of large model aircraft within a display, or jet turbine powered model aircraft within a display. This is due to the large amount of kinetic energy carried by such aircraft, that may be transferred following a collision.
It is recommended that this includes additional training, and demonstration of currency – such as the flying of three complete display routines within the preceding 90 days of the event, one of which should have been flown within the preceding 30 days of the event- on an aircraft which is reasonably representative of the aircraft to be flown within the display- preferably on the same aircraft.
‘Reasonably representative’, in this context, refers to an aircraft of a similar mass, flying characteristics and type.
FLYER ID ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CAA
An association may apply for the scope of their Article 16 authorisation to enable them to issue a Flyer ID on behalf of the CAA, to their members. This means that their members do not need to read the CAA Drone Code and sit the CAA Flyer ID test, but that they may demonstrate competence through the association pilot competence scheme instead.
This Flyer ID is proof of competence to operate within the Open category, as well as forming part of the competence requirement to fly under the terms of the Article 16 authorisation.
A Flyer ID issued by the CAA following completion of a model aircraft association competence scheme, will last for 5 years, and may be renewed at any time during that period (after the first 11 months of validity).
The association will need to demonstrate that the training material and pilot competence test meets the requirements set out in UAS.OPEN.020(4)(b), and therefore is at least equivalent to the CAA Drone Code and Flyer ID test.
On application for an Article 16 Authorisation, the association will need to provide:
- A copy of all questions used in their pilot competence assessment;
- The procedures relating to the administration of the competence assessment;
o Exam conditions
o Pass mark
o Time limit
o Number of re-sits available
- The details of any practical assessment, if required;
- A copy of the training material used to support the competence scheme;
Upon request from the Association, the CAA will provide the Flyer ID to the Remote Pilot, and to the association, for each member who participates in the scheme.
The format of the Flyer ID will be identical to the format issued directly by the CAA to RPs, set out in section ‘AMC2 UAS.OPEN.020(4)(b) and UAS.OPEN.030(2)(a) and UAS.OPEN.040(3)‘ and the association may not alter the ID or the format of the ID.