Fixed Wing sUAS Flight Training

• New Pilot Tendencies

• Maneuvers

• Set up and flight around structures

• Pilots for Pinnacl X must be flying at the AMA 

instructor level

• Pilots must be able to land there aircraft at any 

point and attitude when the Pinnacl X instructor 

reduces the engine throttle to idle

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014 1
New Pilot Tendencies

• No established procedure

• No memorized or written down check list of go/ no go decision making

• Forgets to check props, frame, bat voltage, GPS lock, security of 

electronics wire connections

• Forgets the mode on start up

• Orients aircraft in wrong direction

• Takes off in wind conditions beyond pilots or aircrafts capabilities

• Wants to keep the aircraft close to pilot

• Wants to land the aircraft ASAP (you have to get it away and up and fly it 

around)

• Flips incorrect mode switch and it crashes or flies away

• Gets disoriented while flying fixed wing aircraft

• Does not have the experience to detect when an aircraft is starting to go 

out of control. Example flight in wind shear zone.

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014 2
Manned Aircraft Flight Procedures

• Process of doing procedures with same 

sequence of operations

• This aids in producing the same outcome (a 

successful flight)

• The procedures will identify problems early on 

which can be resolved

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014 3
Transmitter Set up for fixed 

wing aircraft similar to a 

multicopter

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014 4
Autopilot Familiarization

• Goal: Getting use to control switches on transmitter and the flight 

modes

• The pilot must be able to operated the transmitter, flight modes 

with out looking at the transmitter.

• In flight autopilot and switch familiarization

• Fly in manual mode

• Switch to semi-auto fly and switch back

• Fly aircraft a ways away and switch to return to land (switch back to 

manual and fly)

• Repeat above

• Fly in manual and stall and spin aircraft switch to semi-auto

• Fly aircraft in manual switch to auto and switch back to manual

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Takeoff and Landing

• Set up T/O point such that flight will not be over 

people or roadway traffic. Turn on the aircraft at 

the takeoff point. The autopilot will remember 

that point as the home point.

• Landing point can be at another point. The 

aircraft should be landed in manual or semi-auto. 

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© Alfred A. Gates, 2014
Flight Training

• Use a flight simulator 

• Buy a cheep remote control airplane and fly it

• Fly at different locations

• Fly at different heights/distances

• Fly next to trees

• Fly different patterns

• Practice in front of other people

• How can you tell if the aircraft is facing you when 

you can’t tell since its too far away

• Flip modes while flying

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014 7
Flight Training

• Join an AMA approved flying club and receive 

a check out by an AMA flight instructor

• Become an AMA flight instructor

• The Pinnacl X flight test will involve engine 

failure or mode failure at the worst possible 

condition

• The Pinnacl X instructor will be able to 

recover the aircraft

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014 8
Required Flight Maneuvers

• Right and left traffic pattern

• Figure 8

• Climbing and descending turns

• Rolls loops

• Stall, power on, power off

• Stall spin

• Inverted flight in right and left traffic pattern

• Engine out in all flight maneuvers followed by a touch 

down roll to stop with in 75 feet of the pilot

• Flight in all modes

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Official Flight Equipment 

• Main aircraft

• Spare aircraft/ parts/ battery's

• Tools

• Carpet or platform

• Check list

• Documents

• Phone number of near by airport

10

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014
Flying Site Evaluation

• Locate T/O and landing points direction of flight location inspection or 

testing, you want to be down wind, not always possible

• Size: How big is the landing and take off area

• Shape: Is it set up to easily fly in and out of

• Surface: Sand, grass, pavement

• Slope: Is it flat

• Surroundings: What are the obstructions that could cause a problem like 

trees buildings power lines. Is there anything that helps show the direction 

of the winds. Anything that could cause a GPS signal loss or autopilot 

failure. (High tension power lines building over hangs)

• Forced landing Area: Locate areas next to where you will be flying taking 

your pictures to land or crash. Can you see the ground at the forced 

landing area.

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Preferred takeoff and Landing Point Based on Winds

If possible fly from a down wind position: 

• If you lose orientation the winds will blown the aircraft towards you

• Flight back to you will be faster

Winds

Take off 

and landing 

point

Direction of flight

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Forces landing 

locations around 

the building

Next to building 

GPS signal loss

possible
Winds and Up Drafts

• Wind velocity will increase between building 

• Thermal up drafts will occurs over parking lots and 

fields

• Aircraft will get hit by winds over tree canopies, above 

buildings 

• Wind shear (turbulence) will occur next to trees, 

buildings etc.

• Trying to get the aircraft down from up drafts and 

turbulent air, move it to a different position. Do not put 

throttle at lowest position there may be a timed shut 

off. In open areas fly a circular pattern with a reduce 

throttle.

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Weather Evaluation

• Tweed New Haven Airport weather. Example

• WX ASOS: Phone 203 466-6205

Guilford

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Weather Evaluation

• Tweed New Haven Airport weather

• WX ASOS: Phone 203 466-6205

• Winds Direction, Velocity, Gust Velocity

• Example

• Winds 240 at 05 Gust 10

• Winds are coming out of the south west at 5 KTS and gusting to 

10KTS N 360

90

180

270

© Alfred A. Gates, 2014 15
Pilot Decision Making

• Is the aircraft flying correctly

• Are the winds and updrafts moving the aircraft around

• Yes looks good continuing flying

• No aircraft is drifting off position

– Are winds to high: Yes flip into Semi-Auto mode and control aircraft hold position

– Winds are ok: Let the aircraft move back into position after gust dies down or over 

ride with control

• Aircraft moving off position circle in calm winds

– Possible GPS signal loss flip into Semi-Auto mode (show video)

– Compass may need calibration

– Continue flight in Semi-Auto mode

• You will have a few seconds to determine action

• Aircraft moving off position in Auto mode and not responding as expected

– Yell to bystanders to look out (aircraft landing)

– Reduce throttle and land

• Aircraft moving rapidly off position in Auto mode and not responding

– Yell to bystanders to look out (aircraft landing)

– Anticipated direction of flight identify a safe crash location

– Cut throttle and allow aircraft to crash

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Pilot: Always 

watching the aircraft

Observer: Operating 

the camera and 

advising the pilot on 

the surroundings

Landing pad

Spare aircraft

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