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Josh Owen

Learn to plan your drone missions properly - not the way the schools teach and not the way that you might be thinking.

This course teaches you everything that proper flight planning entails: how to find legal documents, where to learn about regulations, how to read aeronautical charts, and even more. In this course, we dive into everything to do with drone planning that you could possibly imagine, right down to the very basics.

Read more

Learn to plan your drone missions properly - not the way the schools teach and not the way that you might be thinking.

This course teaches you everything that proper flight planning entails: how to find legal documents, where to learn about regulations, how to read aeronautical charts, and even more. In this course, we dive into everything to do with drone planning that you could possibly imagine, right down to the very basics.

Some of the topics that will be looked at include technical drone information, aviation documentation, air law, airspaces, aeronautical charts, risk assessment, emergency response, and so much more - and it's done to an international standard.

My name is Josh. I am an internationally accredited, CAA approved Drone Operator and Instructor. Having worked in the industry for over 4 years, going through various training and examination procedures, I know what information is lacking in the industry and I know that it's the most important information for overall drone operation. It is also worth mentioning that my ratings come from the South African CAA, which is the highest rated drone pilot license in the world, and I am the known South African drone instructor.

If you want to plan a drone mission safely and efficiently, do this course. If you want to protect yourself and your team from the law, do this course. If you want to prevent drone accidents and fly with confidence, do. this. course. Bottom line, if you fly drones, you should do this course. Give me your money :) and complete this course ;)

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Safely and legally plan a drone flight for anywhere in the world.
  • Plan drone flights according to regulations, equipment limitations, and airspace restrictions.
  • Navigate different sources of information to help establish the boundaries of the mission.
  • Plan a flight using information that is often overlooked or disregarded in schools or government training facilities.
  • Identify and know how to execute a drone mission from start to finish.

Syllabus

Understand the style and purpose of the course. Understand some fundamental basics regarding drone systems.

This lecture will let you see who I am and how I operate in front of the camera. It is there as an informal course introduction to help you know what to expect from me for the rest of the course.

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This lecture will introduce you to the style of the slides and the manual we will be using to work our way through the course. It also introduces me as an Instructor and provides evidence to my knowledge of the subject.

This lecture will introduce you to some fundamental basics of drone systems and what they are. It will create a general technical understanding of drones and why we use them.

Understand the way forward with the course, how it is structured, what to expect, and what the details of the course are.

This lecture will provide you with a formal introduction to the course (not that we haven't already had introductions but you know). It will formally inform you of the structure and format of the course in all its detail.

Understand technical details of drone systems and equipment, and how they operate. Know where to find drone equipment information.

This lecture will provide you with more of an understanding of what a drone or RPAS is and how it works, as well as what info to look for when figuring out what equipment is best for your mission type. It also informs of various other drone technicalities that need to be considered for drone flight planning.

Understand how to properly set up a drone and all accompanying equipment for safe flight.

This lecture will walk you through a step-by-step actionable guide to setting up your RPAS for first-time flight, and all other flights thereafter. It will provide you with information on how to set up your drone and where to find the information you need to be able to do so.

Learn how to find the right drone for your mission. Understand the concept of drone limitations and performance capabilities.

This lecture will teach you about the performance characteristics of different drone systems, and how to know what drone is best for your mission type based on these characteristics. It will help you to identify the different capabilities and limitations to look at when deciding on the right drone for your purposes.

Understand how the flight planning part of the course is structured. Identify aviation regulation standards, understand aviation documentation, and comprehend the importance of pilot and crew safety.

This lecture is introducing the Flight Planning elements of the course, including the structure and layout from here on, and the different subjects we will be looking at for our flight planning work.

This lecture will leave you with the knowledge of what aviation law is, who makes the law, and where we can find the information we need to be able to properly follow the law. You will learn about air law procedures, aviation regulatory bodies, and the documentation pertaining to the rules and standards of the law.

This lecture will establish the importance of aviation documentation. It will teach you about the documents and what they are used for, how to find these documents, and what to do with them once you find them. It will also clarify the differences between the various types of aviation documents that exist in the aviation world.

This lecture will introduce you to the human factors and performance elements of flight planning. You will learn about team management according to individual strengths and weaknesses, as well as the importance of using the right person for the right job.

Perform successful risk assessment and mitigation procedures, plan responsibly for any potential emergencies, and learn about Flyaways and how to prepare for them.

This lecture establishes the fundamentals of assessing and mitigating risk, using the tried and tested methods of the risk assessment matrix tables. Assess whether a flight is worth the potential risk, or how t lessen the risk of the flight in order to fly it without being reckless.

This lecture will tie up all the knots of the topic of emergencies which has come up through the course. It will teach you what to look for when thinking about potential emergencies, how to react to an emergency, how to plan for a potential emergency, and how to create an Emergency Response Plan (ERP).

This lecture will grow your knowledge on the topic of a flyaway, introducing your first potential emergency and the procedures to follow to prepare for it. Learn about flyaway prevention, how to make flyaway charts, and what a flyaway actually is.

Understand the differences between the airspace types, find weather reports and forecasts effectively, and locate aviation specific weather readings and understand how to read them.

This lecture will identify the differences between the various types of airspaces that we look at in the drone industry, and will differentiate between airspace and aerodromes. It will create understanding of what airspace really is and how we can find out about these airspaces.

This lecture will teach how to find and understand the different types of weather systems that can be used to perform your weather assessments. Learn about informal and formal weather sources, how to locate and use these sources, and what apps and sites are recommended for the weather checks to be done at their best.

This lecture will teach you about the difference between basic weather checks and aviation-specific weather checks. Learn about what these specific sources are and how to find them. Find a resource that will help to break down and decode these complicated weather sources to assist with reading them effectively.

Read and understand aeronautical charts and other mapping systems, identify the important map information and how to locate it, and utilise other flight planning sources such as apps and software.

This lecture dives into the nitty gritty of how to read an aeronautical chart and why to use it. You will learn how to become proficient at reading these charts and how to use one for your flight planning. You will understand the differences in airspace markings, symbols, aerodrome types, and how to find out about anything not covered.

This lecture shows how to utilise Google Earth, plain and simple. We use Google Earth to determine details about our site location, such as coordinates, nearby roads and emergency services, and if you are able to find an aviation service data file online, you can even use the software for the same purposes as an aeronautical chart.

This lecture showcases the recommended apps and software to use for efficient flight planning. It lists these apps/softwares and tells what their best use is. It also showcases the benefits of these apps.

Finish up the course by understanding the concept of an FOM and running through a quick de-brief of what was covered through this course.

This lecture is finishing up the course. Learn about the benefits of using a Field Operations Manual (FOM) which will be worked through in the second course. It will also highlight the important elements of this course and provide a de-brief of what was covered in a quick manner.

Learn what has changed on the SACAA website since last updated, and what has changed with regards to our courses.

This tutorial will show off the new SACAA website, how to find it, and how to navigate the new layout.

This tutorial will show you how to find the AIPs using the newly updated website.

This tutorial will show you how to find the Regulations using the newly updated website.

This tutorial will show you how to find the Fees using the newly updated website.

This video explains the connection between and importance of both the first and second course.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to find legal documents and understand regulations, which is essential for operating drones safely and legally worldwide
Instructor is an internationally accredited drone operator and instructor, which lends credibility to the practical advice and techniques taught
Explores risk assessment and emergency response planning, which are critical for safe drone operations and preventing accidents
Requires learners to take a second course to work through a Field Operations Manual (FOM), which may be inconvenient for some learners
Focuses on South African CAA standards, which may not be directly applicable in other regions without additional research
Covers topics such as air law and aviation documentation, which may be against the law in certain jurisdictions

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Drone Flight Planning 101 - A Practical Guide! with these activities:
Review Aviation Regulations
Strengthen your understanding of aviation regulations to ensure legal and safe drone operations.
Browse courses on Aviation Regulations
Show steps
  • Identify the relevant aviation authority for your region.
  • Locate and review the latest drone-specific regulations.
  • Summarize key regulations related to flight planning.
Read 'Remote Pilot Test Prep'
Reinforce your knowledge of aviation concepts and regulations by studying a Part 107 exam preparation guide.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of a recent Part 107 exam preparation book.
  • Review the chapters on airspace, weather, and regulations.
  • Take practice quizzes to assess your understanding.
Aeronautical Chart Reading Practice
Improve your ability to quickly and accurately interpret aeronautical charts.
Show steps
  • Obtain several aeronautical charts for different regions.
  • Identify airspace classifications, airports, and obstacles.
  • Practice locating specific coordinates and altitudes.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Flight Planning Checklist
Develop a personalized checklist to ensure all critical steps are followed during flight planning.
Show steps
  • Review the course materials on flight planning steps.
  • Identify key tasks and considerations for each step.
  • Organize the tasks into a logical checklist format.
  • Test the checklist on a sample flight plan.
Design an Emergency Response Plan Template
Solidify your understanding of emergency procedures by creating a template for drone-specific emergency response plans.
Show steps
  • Review the course lecture on emergency response planning.
  • Research common drone-related emergencies (e.g., flyaways, crashes).
  • Develop a template with sections for procedures, contact information, and equipment.
  • Share the template with other drone pilots for feedback.
Read 'Unmanned Aircraft Operations'
Expand your knowledge of unmanned aircraft operations with a comprehensive textbook.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of 'Unmanned Aircraft Operations'.
  • Focus on chapters related to flight planning and regulations.
  • Take notes on key concepts and terminology.
Develop a Flight Planning Presentation
Deepen your understanding by creating a presentation that explains the key steps and considerations in drone flight planning.
Show steps
  • Outline the key topics to cover in the presentation.
  • Gather relevant information and visuals from the course and other sources.
  • Create a clear and engaging presentation using presentation software.
  • Practice delivering the presentation to an audience.

Career center

Learners who complete Drone Flight Planning 101 - A Practical Guide! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Drone Pilot
A drone pilot operates drones for various purposes such as aerial photography, videography, surveying, and inspections. This course is designed for drone pilots who want to enhance their operational skills, and it emphasizes critical elements like flight planning, regulatory compliance, and risk assessment which directly enhance a drone pilot's overall effectiveness and safety. Learning to read aeronautical charts and understand aviation documentation, as taught in this course ensures a drone pilot is well-versed in all aspects of drone operation, not just flying the drone, and this can set a successful drone pilot apart.
Drone Operations Manager
A drone operations manager oversees all aspects of drone operations, including planning, execution, and regulatory compliance. This course will help you learn about flight planning, risk assessment, and emergency response. A drone operations manager needs to ensure that drone missions are conducted safely and legally, and this course provides that foundation. The course's focus on international standards and documentation is particularly beneficial for managing drone operations in varied environments so it can ensure a drone operations manager is able to oversee complex and compliant operations.
Drone Instructor
A drone instructor teaches others how to safely and effectively operate drones. This course provides a great foundation in real-world flight planning techniques, beyond what is generally taught in standard training. Understanding regulations, aviation documentation, and risk assessment, as covered in the course, is crucial for a drone instructor to educate new drone pilots properly. The specific focus on international standards make the drone instructor versatile, and the course's emphasis on practical skills means instructors can prepare students for real-world challenges.
Aerial Photographer
An aerial photographer uses drones to capture images and videos from unique perspectives. This course provides critical knowledge about planning drone flights that are safe, efficient, and legally compliant, which are essential for an aerial photographer to operate professionally. The course teaches to navigate regulations, airspaces, and technical considerations for drones, which helps an aerial photographer focus on capturing the best shots possible while minimizing risks. Understanding the limitations of equipment, and the need for emergency planning, also helps an aerial photographer work with confidence.
Remote Sensing Analyst
A remote sensing analyst uses drone-captured data for various applications, such as environmental monitoring, agricultural analysis, and infrastructure inspection. This course's emphasis on flight planning, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance provides a strong foundation for working with aerial data, as such, a remote sensing analyst can be confident that the data they use is collected safely and legally. Learning to read aeronautical charts and manage flight logistics is beneficial for a remote sensing analyst because it ensures they understand the context in which the data was collected, and the limitations or potential biases that may exist.
Precision Agriculture Specialist
A precision agriculture specialist uses drones to collect data for optimizing crop management and yields. This course introduces the fundamentals of flight planning, drone technology and regulatory compliance, which can help a precision agriculture specialist effectively integrate drones into their work. Understanding how to conduct safe and legally compliant flights, as well as how to choose the right equipment, helps a precision agriculture specialist collect useful data. The course provides a strong foundation in the practical aspects of drone operation.
Geospatial Technician
A geospatial technician collects, analyzes, and interprets geographic data, often using drones for aerial surveys. This course may be useful since it teaches the planning and execution of drone flights, including how to adhere to regulations and how to correctly read maps and charts. Geospatial work involves accuracy and precision, and this course teaches crucial elements such as map reading and regulatory compliance that help a geospatial technician be successful. The ability to plan flights that satisfy those requirements is a critical skill for a geospatial technician to have.
Surveyor
A surveyor uses drones to collect data for creating maps and analyzing terrain. This course helps one prepare for the use of drones in surveying, as proper flight planning is critical. A surveyor must be able to plan safe, efficient, and legally compliant drone flights, and this course will help provide the necessary foundation. Understanding flight planning, regulations, and airspace management as taught in the course, enhances a surveyor's ability to utilize drones more effectively in their work.
Search and Rescue Drone Operator
A search and rescue drone operator uses drones to assist in search and rescue missions. This course may be particularly useful because of the emphasis on emergency response and risk assessment. A search and rescue drone operator benefits greatly from understanding the concepts of flight planning, legal requirements, and how to prepare for emergencies. The course’s approach to addressing safety and regulations is important for a search and rescue drone operator to maintain the highest level of operational effectiveness.
Infrastructure Inspector
An infrastructure inspector uses drones to inspect buildings, bridges, and other structures for maintenance and safety issues. This course introduces fundamentals of drone flight planning that are important for operating drones safely and legally. An infrastructure inspector needs to conduct secure and effective flights while adhering to regulations, and this course teaches the core elements for proper drone operation. Understanding flight planning, equipment limitations, and emergency response, as taught in the course, helps an infrastructure inspector conduct inspections with more precision and safety.
Environmental Scientist
An environmental scientist may use drones to monitor ecological changes, track wildlife, and assess environmental damage. This course may be useful because a strong foundation in safe drone flight practice can be applied to scientific data collection. An environmental scientist benefits from a course that focuses on flight planning, regulations, and risk management, as it ensures that the research conducted is done according to legal requirements. Learning to navigate regulations and plan flights effectively, as taught in this course, will help an environmental scientist utilize drones in their work more effectively.
Drone Data Analyst
A drone data analyst processes and interprets data collected by drones for various purposes. This course may be useful as it introduces one to the world of drone operations, from planning to execution. A drone data analyst benefits from an understanding of the planning, risks, and regulations involved in data collection, and this course provides that context. Understanding drone operations, as taught in the course, helps a drone data analyst better interpret the collected data and evaluate its accuracy and reliability.
Urban Planner
An urban planner may use drones for city planning and development, observing traffic patterns, and creating urban models. This course may help provide urban planners with a background in drone operations, giving them the ability to plan drone flights and to manage drone-acquired data. An urban planner may use drones to evaluate the area before making key decisions, and this course helps an urban planner understand the complexities of drone flight, including regulations and risk. This course provides a practical foundation for working with drone technology.
Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent may use drones to capture aerial photographs and videos of properties for marketing purposes. This course introduces real-world flight planning, drone limitations, and regulations, all of which may be useful to a real estate agent in capturing media in a legally and safe manner. A real estate agent looking to incorporate drone technology into their practice may appreciate a course that covers these practical issues. Understanding basic drone operation from a planning perspective may help them make a more informed decision on integration of drones in their work.
Film Maker
A filmmaker may use drones to capture cinematic footage from unique perspectives. This course may be useful as it introduces the fundamentals of drone flight planning and prepares a filmmaker to operate the drone safely. A filmmaker who understands drone regulations, flight dynamics, and documentation may be better prepared to integrate drone footage into their projects. Understanding drone limitations, safety and emergency procedures, as taught in this course, provides a filmmaker with the core technical knowledge for drone operation.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Drone Flight Planning 101 - A Practical Guide!.
Comprehensive guide to preparing for the FAA Part 107 exam, which is essential for commercial drone pilots in the United States. It covers airspace regulations, weather, airport operations, and other critical topics. While focused on the US, the underlying principles and concepts are broadly applicable to drone operations worldwide. This book is useful as a reference tool for understanding aviation concepts.
Provides a comprehensive overview of unmanned aircraft operations, covering topics such as regulations, airspace, weather, and human factors. It valuable resource for understanding the complexities of drone flight planning and operations. While it may be more valuable as additional reading, it provides a broader context for the specific topics covered in the course. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions.

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