Overview

Use this Criteria for Learning or Refreshing

Students and existing pilots can reference this document's knowledge and performance requirements to assess readiness. Use it as a benchmark during study and review.

Oral Evaluations

You can work with an sUAS check pilot to conduct oral evaluations up to 30 days before an in-person check ride. This streamlines the evaluation process and saves time. An oral evaluation will cover:

• I. Oral Discussion: (All)

• II. Preflight Preparations: A, B, D, F, H

• IV. Airport/Traffic: (All)

• VII. Night Flight: (All)

• XI. Recreational Pilot Specific: (All)

<aside> ‼️ Backlinks Each lettered line item (A, B, C, etc.) throughout this guide has been backlinked to its respective section inside the CAP sUAS Flight Evaluation (Form 5U) Ground School. If the requirements for a letter don’t make sense below, just click on the letter to get training.

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I. Oral Discussion

A. Annual Online Exam (in Absorb)

• [ ] Complete 70-4 sUAS Exam (within 60 days of check ride)

B. Review CAPR 70-4 and Supplements

• [ ] Answer questions about CAPR 70-4. May use physical/digital copy for reference. Example questions: What is CAPR 70-4? Is the CAPF 70-5U Annual or Biennial? What CAPF 70-5U airframe and pilot endorsements are required to operate as PIC during AE/CP activities? What are the minimum number of people required for sUAS activities? What special form is required if flying your personal aircraft during training or missions? Who must approve personal aircraft use during corporate missions; AFAM missions?
• [ ] Discuss Programmatic Updates; why they’re important and where they’re found.

C. Review Flight Release Procedures

• [ ] Complete an sUAS ORM Matrix and simulate self-release if low risk
• [ ] Discuss medium/high risk and how those may be released.

D. Review WMIRS/ORM Requirements

• [ ] Can explain WMIRS/ORM requirements for AE/CP missions; missions for customers.
• [ ] Set up a sortie in WMIRS. sUAS ORM Matrix is uploaded to Sortie Files. (107 Only)

E. Review CAPS 74-1 and Supplements

• [ ] Answer questions about CAPS 74-1. May use physical/digital copy for reference. Example questions: What is CAPS 74-1? How does tracking drone flight time relate to maintenance? What is the only kind of approved decal allowed on drones? Can you paint drones? When engines hit 150hrs, where must we send them for replacement?
• [ ] Can find and describe sections in the UIF relevant to maintenance (Front Cover; Tabs 1 & 2.)

F. Emergency Procedures

• [ ] Discuss how to program fail-state sUAS parameters relevant to emergency scenarios
• [ ] Describe what emergency checklists or aircrew aids will be used during the examination.
• [ ] What is an SSO? Who do you call when one occurs? How long do you have to make a CAPSIS report and who do you involve in the CAPSIS process to help you?
• [ ] Who contacts the NTSB in the event of an accident or fly-away?

G. Electronic Flight Log (if applicable)

• [ ] Discuss or demonstrate how flight logs from the sUAS can be accessed (not all can be).

II. Preflight Preparations

A. Certificates and Documents

• [ ] CAP ID Card
• [ ] Logbook with sufficient PIC hours required for endorsement
• [ ] CAPF 70-5Q-U (Questionnaire) for make/model completed and ready for review
• [ ] TRUST Exam Certificate (Recreational Pilot Only)
• [ ] 107 certificate and proof of currency (If evaluating under Part 107)
• [ ] Complete National Check Pilot Standardization Course in Absorb (Check Pilot Only)

B. Obtaining Weather Information (107 Only)

• [ ] Collect the day's weather forecast and K/P index. Does it meet CAP’s weather maximums and minimums? Will that baseline be maintained during your flight operation window?

C. Weight and Balance [W/B] (107 Only)

Many COTS aircraft like Skydio 2 are pre-balanced, have no specified MTOW, and do not require W/B checks if no payloads have been added to them.

• [ ] What is the aircraft’s weight-as-equipped and the Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW)?
• [ ] Determine if the aircraft’s CG is ideal; Shift CG if not.

D. Demonstrate LAANC Filing

• [ ] Show a LAANC filed within the last 30 days, or file a LAANC for the evaluation. (Can’t use Aloft’s Air Control)