Evaluation of the Pilot Training Concept for Flying a Helicopter UAV

In Europe, there are no adequate training programs or requirements for rotary wing UAVs over 25 kg. This does not reflect the fact, that there are increasing numbers of developed systems with higher maximum takeoff mass. As such systems are evaluated to be much more hazardous for their environment in case of malfunctions or pilot mistakes, the training of crew and pilots has to accommodate this fact. In the course of a UAV development project, a training plan for the remote pilots was established, in order to enable them to operate a prototype coaxial helicopter UAV with a maximum takeoff mass of 600 kg. In this stringent training plan, pilots go above the level of existing license requirements. The developed training program is for pilots to fly the aircraft manually not only in stabilized modes but also in directlaw. This operational safety concept (fail safe protocol) allows to switch off any control law in case of failure or misbehavior. And together with the training plan it was part of the operational authorization of the National Enforcement Body (LBA) of Germany. The remote pilots flew the unmanned helicopter for more than 30 flight hours, directly controlling the UAV in different control assistance levels. This paper gives an overview of the defined training concept and lessons learned.