Operational Flight and Imaging Skills

This unit develops practical operational knowledge and media-capture skills required for safe, compliant drone missions. Students deepen navigation, airspace, meteorology, emergency response, and camera/file management abilities while preparing for Part 107 responsibilities and real-world freelance operations.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze sectional charts, isogonic lines, elevations, airspace classifications (including Class C), towered versus non‑towered airport procedures, and radio communications to create compliant preflight and in-flight navigation plans.
• Apply meteorological and human factors principles—including wind, convection currents, night-vision limitations—and drone performance data to conduct risk assessments and implement mitigations such as altitude/route adjustments, VLOS management, and lost-link procedures.
• Demonstrate preflight inspection, routine maintenance, GPS configuration, camera cleaning, ND filter selection, and file format/resolution/FPS setup, and produce test media that meets specified image quality criteria.
• Evaluate emergency response procedures, FAA accident reporting requirements, Part 107 exam topics, and basic freelance business considerations to prepare operational checklists, documentation, and reasoned flight-judgment decisions.