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Date of Test: 2025-09-02Pilot: Aidan TottoriTeam: 2Proctor: Hunter HallDrone Organization: Purdue UASDrone Model: DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Skydio 2 PlusFacility Location: Turfgrass Research FacilityVisibility: Lighted 300+ LUXAirspace/LAANC: Operated under Class G airspace, LAANC ApprovedTeam Members: Hunter Hall, Lucas ToppeWind: Average Wind 3 MPH Gusts to 5 MPH
Setup and Flight Photos:Photos include the initial lane setup, bucket arrangement, and mid-flight maneuvers from both VLOS and BVLOS phases.LogbookScore Sheet:
Lab 02 – NIST OTL Flight
NIST Open Test Lane – Level 1 Basic Proficiency Test
Metadata
Test Procedure/Methods
The Level 1 Open Lane Basic Proficiency Test is used to evaluate Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) pilot proficiency in controlled conditions. The test used 8-inch buckets spaced at 10 feet apart as “targets”. We set up the course in an open area at the Turfgrass Research Facility, as this is a FRIA and one of our normal flight lab areas. A pre-flight inspection was conducted to verify airframe, battery levels, and connectivity on the aircraft we were using.
The flight portion of this lab began with a series of position tests requiring me to yaw, climb, descend, and tilt the gimbal to align with the designated bucket positions. Each task required me to maneuver and align with the buckets as notated on the test sheet. Scoring is based on alignment (Continuous visibility of the green ring), completing landings in the zone, and adhering to the required flight path as dictated by the proctor and test methods sheet.
Following the position test - flying along centerline, a traverse test was performed in both leftward and rightward flight orientations. I used the “orbit” manuver (simultanesous roll and yaw inputs to rotate the aircraft around a fixed point) as well as rolls between buckets as opposed to pitch and yaw movements for the position test. I ended the test by landing within the designated landing zone. My final time was 06:12.5 minutes, a passing score according to the NIST test sheet. We repeated this process a second time with the Skydio for the BVLOS section, with an identical process save for not being able to see the drone. It would have been a similar level of difficulty if not for the Skydio’s laggier controls.
Photos and Documentation
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