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Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 

 Pilot Training Manual 

Rev - NEW

 STRATIS IMAGING, INC 

June 2015 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

I. INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE...................................................................................................... 3

II. QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................... 3

III. SET UP ............................................................................................................................................... 3

IV. BASIC FLIGHT MANEUVERS ...................................................................................................... 4

V. SKILLED FLIGHT MANEUVERS ................................................................................................ 4

VI. ADVANCED FLIGHT MANEUVERS ........................................................................................... 5

VII. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ......................................................................................................... 5

VIII. ADDITIONAL FLIGHT MODES ................................................................................................... 6

IX. PILOT FLIGHT PROFICIENCY LEVELS................................................................................... 7
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I. Introduction & Purpose 

The purpose of this document is to outline the steps to train pilots on Stratis Imaging 

UAVs. By following these steps, the pilot will become aware of the basic flight 

characteristics of the UAVs as well as the UAV control mechanisms. The Flight Manual 

must be reviewed prior to the start of training and must also be available for reference 

during training. Also, the visual observer who will be accompanying the pilot should be 

familiar with the UAV capabilities and training steps outlined in this document. 

II. Qualifications and Responsibilities 

The following are the pilot and visual observers qualifications and responsibilities for 

operating a Stratis UAV for clients: 

• Pilot – 

o Must have a sports’ pilots’ license, at minimum for commercial 

operations. 

o Must be knowledgeable of UAV flight regulations 

o Must review and be knowledgeable with the Stratis UAV Flight and 

Maintenance Manual. 

o Must demonstrate the ability to successfully utilize the UAV monitoring 

and video recording systems to ensure flight safety and regulatory 

compliance. 

o The Pilot is responsible for the UAV readiness 

o The Pilot must ensure that the Visual Observer is capable to conduct his or 

her duties 

o Must demonstrate successful completion of the steps within this 

document up to Level VII and a total minimum UAV flight time of 20 

hours. 

• Visual Observer – 

o Must have a US issued driver’s license 

o Must be knowledgeable of UAV flight regulations 

o Must review and be knowledgeable with the Stratis UAV Flight and 

Maintenance Manual. 

o The Visual Observer must be capable of communicating with the pilot 

clearly as well as able to aid the pilot in observing the UAV. 

o Must demonstrate the ability to successfully utilize the UAV monitoring 

systems to ensure flight safety and regulatory compliance. 

III. Set Up 

The below instructions are to be followed prior to training start: 

 Ensure that there are no distractions 
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 Conduct training in a large open area. Be aware of your surroundings. Always 

fly in areas with no obstacles and away from traffic or people. 

 Make sure the UAV is ready for training. This includes having the calibrations 

complete, telemetry checked, and the UAV properly configured. These 

instructions are found in the UAV Flight and Maintenance Manual. Note that 

this document must be available either electronically or hardcopy during flight 

training for reference. 

Cautions: 

 Never fly over 400 feet AGL (122 meters). 

 During training, never allow the UAV to fly behind yourself. 

 Abort the flight by landing if there is any concern

 Do not touch the propellers after UAV start. 

 Follow proper battery handling as described in the Flight and Maintenance 

Manual. 

IV. Basic Flight Maneuvers 

The following are a set of basic flight maneuvers that are to be performed on the Stratis 

UAV intended for operational flight. These maneuvers are to be practiced repeatedly 

until the pilot can demonstrate a controlled execution of each step. The pilot must 

demonstrate proficiency prior to moving on to the more skilled maneuvers. 

Set up the UAV in Stabilize Flight Mode, then perform the following: 

1) Take off & Landing with UAV facing you. 

2) Hover in one spot with the UAV facing you. Make sure to control the 

Left/Right/Forward/Back movement. 

3) Rotate Right and left while trying to keep the UAV facing you. 

4) Slowly fly Forward, Back, Left, and Right with the UAV pointed away from 

you. 

5) Fly to a spot 20-30 feed away, then fly back keeping the UAV pointed forward. 

6) Mark a spot on the ground, hover and fly to the spot and last. Then bring the 

UAV back to the original take off point. 

7) Fly Left 10 feet from take off point, then fly right 10 feet from the take off point 

while keeping the UAV pointed forward. 

8) With the camera facing forward, fly to a 4 point square box going clockwise. 

Stay in control of the UAV and hover at each point before proceeding to the 

next point. 

9) Repeat step 8 in the counter clockwise direction. 

V. Skilled Flight Maneuvers 
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The following are a set of more skilled flight maneuvers. These maneuvers are to be 

practiced repeatedly until the pilot can demonstrate a controlled execution of each step. 

The pilot must demonstrate proficiency prior to moving on to the more advanced 

maneuvers. 

Continue with the UAV in Stabilize Flight Mode, then perform the following: 

1) In hover, rotate the UAV 360 degrees clockwise. 

2) In hover, rotate the UAV 360 degrees counter-clockwise. 

3) Starting with the UAV pointed away, go into a hover. Then rotate 90 degrees 

facing Left, and fly a 4 point box going clockwise. Stay in control of the UAV 

and hover at each point before proceeding to the next point. 

4) Repeat Step 3 in the counter clockwise direction. 

5) Fly the UAV in a counter clockwise circle keeping the camera pointed in the 

direction of travel. Keep the altitude as level as possible, and the circle as 

uniform as possible. 

6) Fly the UAV in a counter clockwise circle keeping the camera pointed to the 

center of the circle. Keep the altitude as level as possible, and the circle as 

uniform as possible. 

VI. Advanced Flight Maneuvers 

The following are a set of advanced flight maneuvers. These maneuvers are to be 

practiced repeatedly until the pilot can demonstrate a controlled execution of each step. 

1) Fly a figure 8 without rotating the UAV. Keep the altitude as level as possible, 

and the circles as uniform as possible. 

2) Fly a figure 8 while keeping the camera pointed in the direction of travel. Keep 

the altitude as level as possible, and the circles as uniform as possible. 

3) Fly a figure 8 experimenting with different camera orientations. Keep the 

altitude as level as possible, and the circles as uniform as possible. 

Once these maneuvers are performed by the pilot with a high degree of proficiency, then 

this completes the pilot’s flight proficiency requirements. Determination of proficiency 

is determined by Stratis Imaging pilot trainers. 

VII. Emergency Situations 

1) Failsafe automatic Return to Land 

Ensure that you are in a large open area. Ensure the GPS has a good lock. Fly the UAV 

50 feet away from the take off point. Turn off the controller. The UAV will enter a failsafe mode and will execute a self-landing within 2 meters of the take off point. 

1) Intercepting Return to Land Mode 

Ensure that you are in a large open area. Ensure the GPS has a good lock. Fly the UAV 

50 feet away from the take off point. Turn off the controller. The UAV will enter a fail-
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safe mode and will begin to execute a self-landing. Turn the controller back on and 

resume control of the UAV. 

VIII. Additional Flight Modes 

The following additional maneuvers must be conducted to learn the UAV flight modes. 

Altitude Hold Flight Mode

Ensure that you are in a large open area. Launch the UAV while in Stabilize mode and 

fly to an altitude of 20 feet. Switch to Altitude Hold Flight Mode. Execute Basic Flight 

Maneuvers, Skilled Flight Maneuvers and Advanced Flight Maneuvers while in Altitude 

Hold Flight Mode.

Loiter Flight Mode

Ensure that you are in a large open area. Ensure the GPS has a good lock. Launch the 

UAV while in Stabilize mode and fly to an altitude of 20 feet. Switch to Loiter Flight 

Mode. Execute Basic Flight Maneuvers, Skilled Flight Maneuvers and Advanced Flight 

Maneuvers while in Loiter Flight Mode. 

Auto Mission Mode - Circling

Ensure that you are in a large open area. Prior to flight, program a simple circling 

mission using Mission Planner or Tower. The program should cause the UAV to circle a 

specified target at an altitude of 25 feet and with a radius of 25 feet. The nose of the 

UAV should be pointed at the target throughout the mission. Mission program should 

include both takeoff and land. 

Ensure the GPS has a good lock. Switch to Auto Mission Mode and raise the throttle to 

about 30 percent to start the mission. UAV should fly the programmed mission and 

automatically land once the program is completed. 

Auto Mission Mode – Grid Survey

Ensure that you are in a large open area. Prior to flight, program a grid survey mission 

using Mission Planner or Tower. The program should cause the UAV to grid survey a 

region of 100 square meters at an altitude of 25 feet. The nose of the UAV should be 

pointed in the direction of UAV travel throughout the mission. Mission program should 

include both takeoff and land. 

Ensure the GPS has a good lock. Switch to Auto Mission Mode and raise the throttle to 

about 30 percent to start the mission. UAV should fly the programmed mission and 

automatically land once the program is completed. 

Return to Launch (RTL) Mode

Ensure that you are in a large open area. Ensure the GPS has a good lock. Launch the 

UAV while in Stabilize mode and fly to an altitude of 20 feet. Switch to Return to 

Launch (RTL) mode. UAV should automatically fly to the launch point. It should then 

automatically land and disarm. 
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Land Mode

Ensure that you are in a large open area. Ensure the GPS has a good lock. Launch the 

UAV while in Stabilize mode and fly to an altitude of 20 feet. Switch to Land mode. 

UAV should immediately execute landing from its current position. Once landed, the 

UAV should automatically disarm. 

IX. Pilot Flight Proficiency Levels 

The following levels describe the level of proficiency achieved by the pilot. In order to 

conduct UAV operations, the pilot must complete all levels of training. 

LEVEL l 

(A) Aircraft pre-flight inspection 

(B) Introduction to flight 

LEVEL II 

(A) Straight & Level Flight, Left & Right Turns (at an altitude of approx 300’) 

 (B) Giant Circles - Left & Right (at an altitude of approx 300’) 

LEVEL III 

 (A) Oval Pattern- Left & Right (should be offered at 200’ or less, unless noted.) 

 (B) Figure Eights/ Reverse Figure Eights 

LEVEL IV 

 (A) Rectangular Pattern – Left & Right with Throttle 

(B) Three Point Fly-over Figure Eight Pattern 

(C) Traffic Pattern & Approach 

LEVEL V 

(A) Slow Flight (at safe altitude) & Stall Recovery 

(B) Orientation and Basic Maneuvers (at safe altitude} Loop, Climbing Turn, Roll, Stall 

Turn, Spin/Spiral Dive 

(C) Taxi & Take off 

LEVEL VI 

(A) Trim Adjustments 

(B) Normal Landings 

(C) Forced Landings & Emergency Procedures 

LEVEL VII 

(A) Additional Flight modes Altitude Hold, Loiter, RTL and Land 

(B) Additional Flight Mode Auto Mission Circling and Grid Survey