Appendix_4_USAFA_SUAS_OI_VOL_1_20140418.pdf

USAFA SUAS OI VOL 1 1 April 2014 1

USAFA SUAS OI V1

BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTOR OF STAFF, DEAN OF FACULTY

1 Apr 2014

Flying Operations

SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (SUAS)

TRAINING

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY

ACCESSIBILITY: This publication is available on the USAFA/UAS Share Point Server:

https://eis.usafa.edu/centers/uas/default.aspx

RELEASABILITY: Access to this publication is restricted. This publication is FOUO and requests for accessibility must be approved by the OPR.

Certifying Official: USAFA/DFV (Col Jennifer Alexander) OPR: USAFA/RPA (Col John C. McCurdy) Supersedes: 8 Jun 2013

This instruction establishes USAFA UAS training requirements. Submit suggested changes directly to the OPR using USAF Form 847.

SUMMARY OF REVISIONS

This OI represents a fundamental revision of all previous versions.

https://eis.usafa.edu/centers/uas/default.aspx

USAFA SUAS OI VOL 1 1 April 2014 2

Contents Policy

Training And Qualifications Standards

Initial Qualification Training (IQT)

Basic Aircraft Qualification Training (BAQ)

Continuation Training (CT)

Upgrade Training

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1. POLICY

1.1. General. This OI provides supplemental guidance to AFI 11-502V1 for USAF Academy

SUAS / Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations. Unless appropriate waivers are granted by the OPR, all AFI 11-502 guidance applies to USAFA crews.

1.2. Program Objectives. USAF Academy UAS program objectives are derived from DoD Directive 132.22, AFPD 36-35 and statements of the USAFA/CC’s intent. Unmanned systems will continue to shape the future of warfare. USAFA UAS programs bring joint mindedness and combat relevance as we prepare airpower leaders for the future. To that end, UAS will be used as tools to facilitate relevant research and learning as well as combat-realistic experiential airmanship, command and control, ISR and doctrinal training. USAFA’s UAS training program supports these goals by insuring the safe and fully AFI compliant operation of small UAS.

1.3. Waiver Authority. Unless otherwise specified in this instruction, the Director, USAFA UAS-RPA Programs is the waiver authority for this instruction. Waivers may be requested of the Director via USAF Form 847.

1.4. Responsibilities

1.4.1. Director, USAFA UAS-RPA Programs (“Director”) develops policy and oversees the safe operation of USAFA UAS.

1.4.1.1. Acts as the USAFA DRU SUAS OPR.

1.4.1.2. For the purposes of AFI 11-502V1 compliance, acts as Group Commander, USAFA SUAS.

1.4.1.3. Appoints SUAS instructors (SUAS-I) and SUAS evaluators (SUAS-E).

1.4.1.4. Appoints or acts as the Unit Commander IAW 11-502V1.

1.4.2. Director, Academy Center for UAS Research Center of Excellence (ACUASR) provides inputs to USAFA SUAS OI and ensures full compliance with this and all superior SUAS AFIs and policies during the execution of research-related UAS activities.

1.4.2.1. The ACUASR will normally establish a single training officer to oversee the ACUASR training program. This individual will be named by appointment letter to be filed with the Director, UAS/RPA Programs.

1.5. Currency Requirements.

1.5.1. Currency requirements are based on a semi-annual period. The semi-annual periods are 1 January - 30 June and 1 July - 31 December.

1.5.2. SUAS-Os require a minimum of six sorties per semiannual period.

1.5.2.1. One sortie (simulated or live flight) is required every 60 days, a live flight is required every 90 days, and a minimum of two live flights every semiannual period.

1.5.2.2. Night currency is valid for 180 days and may be regained by accomplishing a night sortie under the supervision of an SUAS-I.

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1.5.2.3. Handoff sortie currency is valid for 180 days and may be regained by accomplishing a handoff sortie under the supervision of an SUAS-I.

1.5.2.4. Mobile operations currency is valid for 180 days and may be regained by accomplishing a mobile sortie under the supervision of an SUAS-I.

1.5.2.5. Document all simulator and live sorties in the Small UAS Manager (SUASMAN) web-enabled database.

1.5.3. Recurrency.

1.5.3.1. SUAS-Os failing to maintain currency will accomplish:

1.5.3.1.1. A review of system capabilities, emergency procedures, mission planning, flight procedures, and accomplish open and closed book exams.

1.5.3.1.2. A minimum of one live flight under the supervision of a unit Small UAS Instructor (SUAS-I). Additional training is at SUAS-I discretion.

1.5.3.1.3. Document completion of recurrency training in SUASMAN.

1.5.3.1.4. Loss of currency beyond six months requires all items in paragraphs

5.3.1.1 through 5.3.1.3 in addition to:

1.5.3.1.4.1.Open and closed book exams prior to sortie execution.

1.5.3.1.4.2.Handoff and mobile operations profiles and if possible night operations.

2. TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS

2.1. Only graduates from a formal initial qualification training (IQT) SUAS-O course (or for research, the AFSOC/A3OU equivalent) are authorized to perform SUAS-O activities at

USAFA.

3. INITIAL QUALIFICATION TRAINING (IQT)

3.1. IQT will be conducted IAW HAF and AFSOC directives. USAFA is not authorized to confer SUAS-O qualifications unless expressly approved by AFSOC/A3OU or higher.

3.2. Multiple qualifications are approved provided the platforms are within the same family of systems. Examples include:

3.2.1. All Aerovironment products.

3.2.2. AVs using the same autopilot system, e.g., Piccolo.

3.2.3. Multiple qualifications in disparate systems will be approved by the Director on a case-by-case basis.

4. BASIC AIRCRAFT QUALIFICATION (BAQ) TRAINING

4.1. BAQ

4.1.1. The USAFA SUAS mission consists of familiarization training and research activities. BAQ will provide SUAS-O/Is with the basic tools to safely conduct these activities. As such, USAFA BAQ differs in substance to operational unit mission qualification training, and will focus on either training or flight test proficiency as required.

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4.1.2. Only BAQ-complete SUAS-Os may conduct familiarization training. Non SUAS- I’s conducting familiarization training must be under the direct supervision of a Director-approved site lead.

4.1.3. BAQ training will consist of a full academic review of all local procedures along with the successful completion of an open book exam based on this OI.

4.1.4. In order to provide familiarization training on any given local scenario, a SUAS- O/I must have flown that scenario. In other words, a SUAS-O must have flown a mobile CT sortie prior to instructing mobile ops.

4.2. Local Checkout Certification.

4.2.1. Complete all familiarization sorties with local profiles and SUAS-I oversight.

4.2.2. Certification will include academic training in local administrative requirements associated with flying.

5. CONTINUATION TRAINING (CT)

5.1. CT requirements for SUAS-Os involved in the UAS airmanship program:

5.1.1. Complete each mission profile, for proficiency, at least once each training period

(fall, spring, summer). This CT requirement may be more frequent than the currency requirement for handoff, mobile, and night missions listed in para 1.5.2

5.1.2. Provide familiarization training at least once each training period.

5.2. CT requirements for SUAS-Os involved in UAS research: TBD

6. UPGRADE TRAINING

6.1. All USAFA SUAS-I and SUAS-E will meet or exceed the minimum requirements established by the appropriate AFIs, to include 11-series guidance.

6.2. Only BAQ SUAS-Os are eligible for SUAS-I upgrade training. Only SUAS-I’s are eligible for SUAS-E upgrade training.

6.3. SUAS-I upgrade training

6.3.1. SUAS-I upgrade training will include a complete review of AFI 11-502, AFI 11-1 (MDS specific), and USAFA UAS OIV1-3.

6.3.2. SUAS-I candidates will complete a formal fundamentals of instruction course and successfully pass an end-of-course exam. SUAS-I candidates will complete a formal practical instructor course based on the role-playing model.

6.3.3. The upgrade process will be complete when the candidate successfully passes the SUAS-I checkride and is formally certified in writing by the Director. The checkride will include closed and open book exams and a practical exam that will sample both proficiency and instruction. The open book exam will be based on local procedures as well as AFI and OI guidance.

6.3.4. Past experience as a military or civilian flight training instructor meets the intent of paragraphs 6.3.1 through 6.3.3.