ASTM Standards Program Established for Public Safety UAV Training

The National Public Safety UAS Conference, sponsored by DRONERESPONDERS in Busch Gardens, Virginia, saw a significant announcement in the advancement of UAV training for public safety professionals. Chief Donald Shinnamon (Ret.), Vice President of Operations at the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI), and Chief Charles Werner (Ret.), Director of DRONERESPONDERS, introduced the first ASTM standards program for UAV training. This initiative represents a critical step in establishing consistent and verifiable training protocols for public safety drone operators.

Bridging the Gap in UAV Training

David Crabtree of Appalachian UAV Academy underscored the importance of this program, emphasizing the disconnect between obtaining a Part 107 license and becoming a proficient operator in real-world public safety scenarios.

“There is definitely a gap between the Part 107 license and being an effective operator out in the field. This fills that gap,” said Crabtree.

To address this need, DRONERESPONDERS partnered with ASTM and USI to develop an audit program aligned with existing ASTM standards for public safety UAV operations. While the ASTM standards offer a framework for UAV training, navigating them has been challenging for many public safety agencies. This initiative provides clarity and structure to ensure compliance and effectiveness in training programs.

The Role of ASTM in UAV Training Standards

Chief Shinnamon provided background on ASTM and its significance in aviation and UAV training. ASTM International, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, has been developing industry standards since 1898. Today, it oversees more than 12,800 industry standards, including consensus standards adopted by the FAA for aviation applications.

The UAV training program incorporates three specific ASTM standards:

• ASTM F3379: Training for Public Safety Remote Pilots in Command of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• ASTM F3266: General training standards for remote UAS pilots
• ASTM F3330: Requirements for training programs and training manuals

These standards collectively provide a structured training framework tailored to public safety professionals, ensuring consistency and quality across training programs.

Appalachian UAV Academy: First to Achieve Compliance

The Appalachian UAV Academy, under the leadership of David Crabtree, became the first commercial public safety UAV training provider to achieve compliance with these ASTM standards. The process involved a rigorous document review to ensure the training materials met all required benchmarks. Unlike traditional audits, which may require on-site evaluations, this compliance review focuses solely on documentation, making it a cost-effective solution for training providers.

“This is an independent review that validates training programs, ensuring that public safety remote pilots receive essential instruction,” said Shinnamon. “For agencies hiring commercial training providers, this verification guarantees that their pilots are receiving training aligned with industry standards.”

The Future of Public Safety UAV Training

The compliance review process establishes a benchmark for other commercial training providers, setting a new industry standard. As UAV applications continue to expand into areas such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), foundational training programs like this will be critical in preparing operators for evolving industry demands.

David Crabtree emphasized the broader impact of this initiative: “Moving forward, I think this will be a foundational training that we can build upon to meet the needs coming in the next five years.”

In recognition of this achievement, Charles Werner presented Crabtree with a certificate acknowledging Appalachian UAV Academy as the first training provider compliant with ASTM standards.

Setting the Standard for the Industry

With this milestone, the UAV training landscape for public safety is entering a new era of standardization and accountability. The Appalachian UAV Academy’s achievement serves as a model for other training providers, encouraging broader adoption of ASTM standards across the industry.

As the UAV sector grows, ensuring that operators receive high-quality, standardized training will be essential for the safe and effective deployment of drone technology in public safety missions. This initiative lays the groundwork for continued advancements in training and certification, strengthening the role of UAVs in public safety operations nationwide

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