Midstream Integrity 

Services - Unmanned

Aircraft Division

ROAV Pilot in Command / Visual Observer Syllabus

18615 Tuscany Stone

San Antonio, TX 78015

p. 623-203-6804

f. 210-587-6050

steven.fargo@midstreamintegrity.com

landon.phillips@midstreamintegrity.com
Table of Contents

I. Scope of Instruction .............................................................................................. 2

Weather Requirements

Safety

Unaccomplished Tasks

Student Gradebooks

II. Pilot in Command (PIC)....................................................................................... 3

GI - 1

SIM-1

SIM-2 (If Required)

ROAV-1

ROAV-2

ROAV-3

SENSOR-1

SENSOR-2

GI-2

ROAV-4

III. Visual Observer (VO)............................................................................................ 8

VO-1

IV. Appendix................................................................................................................ 9

Glossary of Terms
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 2

Scope of Instruction

The purpose of this document is to outline the required training for an individual holding a private pilot certificate (or 

higher qualification) to become certified in an unmanned aircraft operated by Midstream Integrity Services. Instruction 

will be a combination of classroom, simulator, and flights. There are no restrictions on the number of syllabus events 

that can be accomplished in one day.

At the completion of the training requirements outlined herein, the trainee will be certified as a Pilot In Command (PIC) 

or Visual Observer (VO.)

Weather Requirements

All flight operations require the following:

 VMC conditions (1500’ / 3 nm)

 No forecast or actual thunderstorm activity within 5 nm

 Forecast / actual surface wind conditions less than or equal to 15 knots (steady state.) (Max gust of 20 knots)

Safety

Safety is the top priority in all missions. At no time will training events jeopardize persons or property. Instructors and 

trainees must exercise sound judgment to prevent mishaps. Any mishaps that occur will be reported through MIS safety 

channels. These mishaps include, but are not limited to, motor failures, prop failures, GPS degradation / failures, real 

world lost link procedures required, and any unplanned impact with structures.

Prior to flight, the PIC will:

 Ensure appropriate NOTAM has been issued for the flight

 Review GPS NOTAMS and NOTAMS at the nearest airfield

 Review weather plus and minus one hour of planned flight time

 Ensure non-participating persons are outside a 500’ radius of the planned flight path

 Ensure flight awareness placards are clearly displayed

 Review the flight plan and mission objectives with the Visual Observer (VO)

 Provide a safety briefing for any participants not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft (observers, 

company representatives, etc.)

 Review the aircraft maintenance forms

 Visually inspect the aircraft (Pre-flight walk-around)

 Identify a primary and alternate landing location.

Unaccomplished Tasks

All training items are to be accomplished by the end of the course. Items that are not completed during a syllabus event 

will be documented in the student’s gradebook as an “unaccomplished task.” Students may progress to the next training 

event in the syllabus. Every reasonable attempt should be made on the next syllabus event to complete all 

unaccomplished tasks. 
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 3

Student Gradebooks

Gradebooks will be maintained by the student. Instructors will document student progression utilizing the grade sheet

associated with each event.

Pilot in Command (PIC)

The following are the requirements to be certified as a Midstream Integrity Services ROAV Pilot In Command (PIC.) 

Prerequisites:

 Midstream Integrity Services Visual Observer (VO) Certification

 4 missions (actual or training) as certified VO

 Current Private Pilot Certificate

 Current FAA Class III (or better) medical

GI - 1

SIM-1

Method of Instruction: Ground Instruction Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP

Events Complete Incomplete

Customer Service Expectations

National Airspace Review

FAA petition reivew

Aircraft Components

Aircraft Forms / Maintenance

Aircraft Flight Theory

Instructor Comments:

Method of Instruction: Simulator Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP

Events Complete Incomplete

Normal Takeoff

Normal Landing

Horizontal Figure 8

Vertical Figure 8

Box Pattern

Lost Visual Procedure

Instructor Comments:
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 4

SIM-2 (If Required)

*SIM-2 may be proficiency advanced if all tasks are completed to a satisfactory level on SIM-1. Annotate “Proficiency 

Advance” in the Instructor name block; Z-out all blocks on the grade sheet.

ROAV-1

Method of Instruction: Simulator Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP

Events Complete Incomplete

Normal Takeoff

Normal Landing

Horizontal Figure 8

Vertical Figure 8

Box Pattern

Lost Visual Procedure

Instructor Comments:

Method of Instruction: Flight Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP / VO

Events Complete Incomplete

Normal Takeoff

Normal Landing

Horizontal Figure 8

Vertical Figure 8

Box Pattern

Lost Visual Procedure

Motor Failure Takeoff

Motor Failure Box Pattern

Motor Failure Landing

Instructor Comments:
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 5

ROAV-2

ROAV-3

Method of Instruction: Flight Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP / VO

Events Complete Incomplete

Normal Takeoff

Normal Landing

GPS Flight Plan

GPS Sortie Execution

Lost Link Procedure

Motor Failure Takeoff

Motor Failure Box Pattern

Motor Failure Landing

Instructor Comments:

Method of Instruction: Flight Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP / VO

Events Complete Incomplete

Normal Takeoff

Normal Landing

GPS Flight Plan

GPS Sortie Execution

Point Of Interest Holding

Motor Failure Takeoff

Motor Failure Box Pattern

Motor Failure Landing

Instructor Comments:
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 6

SENSOR-1

SENSOR-2

Method of Instruction: Flight Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP / VO

Events Complete Incomplete

Normal Takeoff

Normal Landing

GPS Flight Plan

Visual (EO) Camera Use

Video Downlink Use

Motor Failure Takeoff

Motor Failure Box Pattern

Motor Failure Landing

Instructor Comments:

Method of Instruction: Flight Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP / VO

Events Complete Incomplete

Normal Takeoff

Normal Landing

GPS Flight Plan

Thermal Camera Use

Video Downlink Use

Motor Failure Takeoff

Motor Failure Box Pattern

Motor Failure Landing

Instructor Comments:
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 7

GI-2

ROAV-4

At the completion of ROAV-4, Evaluator Pilot (EP) will certify that the Upgrading Pilot (UP) is proficient in all tasks 

listed and is henceforth permitted solo operations with a qualified Visual Observer (VO.)

I hereby certify that _______________________________ has satisfactorily completed all required course work and 

has demonstrated proficiency in the DJI S900 aircraft and in the processes essential to an outstanding customer 

experience for clients of Midstream Integrity Services.

EP Name (Printed)__________________ Date:___________ EP Signature ____________________________

Method of Instruction: Ground Instruction Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP

Events Complete Incomplete

Video File Download

Report Building

Report Delivery

End of Course Knowledge Test

Instructor Comments:

Method of Instruction: Flight Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UP / IP / VO

Events Complete Incomplete

Ground Operations

Normal Takeoff

Normal Landing

GPS Flight Plan

GPS Sortie Execution

Point Of Interest Holding

Lost Link Procedure

Lost Visual Procedure

Visual (EO) Camera / Downlink

Thermal Camera / Downlink

Motor Failure Takeoff

Motor Failure Box Pattern

Motor Failure Landing

Instructor Comments:
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 8

Visual Observer (VO)

The following are the requirements to be certified as a Visual Observer. 

Prerequisites:

 Current FAA Class III (or better) medical

VO-1

Method of Instruction: Ground Instruction Instructor Visual Observer

Duration: 1.0 hours

Required Persons: UVO/IP

Events Complete Incomplete

Customer Service Expectations

National Airspace Review

FAA petition reivew

Aircraft Components

Aircraft Forms / Maintenance

Aircraft Flight Theory

Crew Resourse Management

Instructor Comments:
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 9

Appendix

Glossary of Terms

EP Evaluator Pilot

IP Instructor Pilot

PIC Pilot in command

UP Upgrading Pilot

UVO Upgrading Visual Observer

VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions

VO Visual Observer
MIDSTREAM INTEGRITY SERVICES - UNMANNED AIRCRAFT DIVISION - FEBRUARY 2015 10