Basic Drone Pilot DP01 Standards
DronePilotsForUS
Basic Drone Pilot (DP-01)
Course Description & Standards
Course Description
The Basic Drone Pilot (DP-01) course is an introductory, standards-based program designed to
build student understanding of aviation systems, unmanned aircraft design, aeronautical charts,
autonomous flight concepts, and safe recreational drone operations. This course introduces
learners to the foundations needed for continued study in drone technology while providing
structured opportunities to explore flight systems, chart interpretation, programming concepts,
and operational safety.
Students will study and apply concepts including:
- Foundations of aviation systems
- Airspace classifications and regulatory constraints
- Aerodynamic principles and forces of flight
- UAS subsystems, components, and configurations
- Aeronautical charts, legends, and supporting documents
- Autonomous flight systems and basic programming concepts
- Mission planning, recreational safety procedures, and TRUST preparation
Through classroom instruction and hands-on application, students develop the foundational
knowledge and skills needed to operate drones safely, understand key aviation concepts, and
prepare for more advanced drone pilot coursework.
Course Purpose
- Introduce students to the foundations of aviation and drone technology
- Develop understanding of UAS systems, flight principles, and airspace awareness
- Build beginning skills in chart reading and autonomous flight concepts
- Promote safe and responsible recreational drone operations
- Prepare students for progression into more advanced drone pilot coursework
Course Outcomes
- Explain the foundations and evolution of aviation systems
- Interpret basic airspace and regulatory considerations for sUAS operations
- Describe aerodynamic principles affecting drone flight performance
- Identify UAS components and compare platform configurations
- Interpret aeronautical charts, symbols, and supporting references
- Apply basic programming and autonomous flight concepts
- Demonstrate safe recreational mission planning and operational procedures
Course Alignment
Foundational Aviation Knowledge | UAS Systems | Charts | Autonomous Flight | Recreational Safety
Basic Drone Pilot Core Course Standards
| Standard ID | Standard Description | % of Course |
|---|---|---|
| 101.00 | Understand the Foundations of Aviation Systems | 35% |
| 102.00 | Understand Unmanned Aircraft Systems Design and Functionality | 25% |
| 103.00 | Understand aeronautical charts for small unmanned aircraft systems. | 20% |
| 104.00 | Apply Autonomous Flight Systems and Programming Concepts | 15% |
| 105.00 | Apply Regulatory and Safety Procedures for Recreational sUAS Operations | 5% |
Detailed Course Standards
| Standard ID | Standard Description | Course Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 101.00 | Understand the Foundations of Aviation Systems | 35% |
| 101.01 | Understand the evolution of manned and unmanned aviation systems | 5% |
| 101.02 | Understand airspace classifications and regulatory constraints relevant to small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operations. | 5% |
| 101.03 | Understand aerodynamic principles and physical forces that govern flight performance and stability | 5% |
| 102.00 | Understand Unmanned Aircraft Systems Design and Functionality | 25% |
| 102.01 | Understand UAS subsystems and components in relation to functionality, performance, and operational constraints | 20% |
| 102.02 | Differentiate between categories/configurations of UAS based on use cases and design characteristics | 5% |
| 103.00 | Understand aeronautical charts for small unmanned aircraft systems. | 20% |
| 103.01 | Understand aeronautical chart components to determine airspace structure and operational boundaries. | 10% |
| 103.02 | Interpret chart symbology and legends to support safe and compliant flight planning. | 5% |
| 103.03 | Apply chart supplements and supporting documentation to inform sUAS operational decision-making. | 5% |
| 104.00 | Apply Autonomous Flight Systems and Programming Concepts | 15% |
| 104.01 | Apply foundational programming concepts to develop and modify autonomous behaviors in sUAS platforms. | 10% |
| 104.02 | Understand preprogrammed flight applications and mission-automation tools, including their operational effectiveness and limitations. | 5% |
| 105.00 | Apply Regulatory and Safety Procedures for Recreational sUAS Operations | 5% |
| 105.01 | Apply structured mission planning procedures to recreational sUAS operations. | 2% |
| 105.02 | Implement operational safety protocols and risk management strategies in UAS flight activities. | 2% |
| 105.03 | Apply procedures used to obtain “The Recreational Unmanned Safety Test” (TRUST). | 1% |