Skip to content
LAB 02- NIST OTL Flight
This lab consisted of conducting a NIST OTL Flight which is a standardized testing method to check pilot proficiency of UAS pilots. This consisted of setting up the test site, conducting the evaluation, proctoring other group member’s evaluations, and being a visual observer for their evaluations.
Metadata: LAT: 40.441292
LONG: -86.930922
Location: Purdue Turf Farm
Date/Time: 09/04/2025- 1340-1550
Group Members: Joseph Salcik, Mason Cramer, Maddie Baker, Ryan Pirror
Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2 E
Airspace: Class D, within FRIA and active LAANC
The image above is the setup for the evaluation. It consisted of 3 groups of buckets with circles inside them to test pilot proficiency and flying abilities. Each bucket was separated by 10 feet in between. The landing pad was situated 10 feet in front of the first group of buckets and the pilot 10 feet behind the landing pad. The evaluation was a VLOS flight so the pilot was expected to gauge positioning of the drone mostly by eye and glancing down at the controller to determine camera positioning for capturing of images.
Position Test- Flying Along Centerline
The first section of the evaluation was a Position Test flying along the centerline. This consisted of taking off, flying up to 10 feet and hovering above the first set of buckets. After in position, I had to take a picture of the top barrel (1) and the barrel 45 degrees in front of the first set (2A). Next I had to yaw 360 degrees left, take the same pictures, yaw 360 degrees right, take the same pictures then climb above bucket 1 to align with 1 and 3A. I had to take the same picture of 1 again and then of 3A. Afterwards, I descended then pitched forwards to align with 2 and 3A to take those photos. Then I aligned with stand 2, yawed 180 degrees left, took a picture of 2 and 1C, then aligned over the landing pad, yawed 180 degrees right and took pictures of the landing pad and 1A. This was only the first section of the evaluation. The time keeps running until all three sections are completed. This section was not too difficult as the hardest part was being in line with the bucket below while also being able to be aligned with the bucket 45 degrees ahead of the drone while relying on the VOs and the pilot’s position.
Traverse Test- Flying Leftward
This section consisted of flying around the groups of buckets and capturing images of the inside, however, this time going left around them instead of flying straight and back. This included orbiting 90 degrees around the bucket stands to capture images of 1B, 2B, 3B, orbiting another 90 degrees left to take a picture of 3C, orbiting another 90 degrees left to capture 3D, 2D, 1D, orbiting another 90 degrees left to take a picture of 1A then landing. This section of the evaluation was definitely harder as orbiting is a difficult skill to master and be good at with flying drones. Being precise with the movements while being on a significant time crunch adds to the pressure and nerves to not make a mistake.
Traverse Test- Flying Rightward
This section consisted of flying around the groups of buckets and capturing images, however, flying the same route as the leftward flight but in the opposite direction. This section went about the same as the other orbiting and traverse test. As I am more used to orbiting right this was a bit easier than the left.
Conclusion
Overall, this test I believe does a good job of testing the basic skills required of a drone pilot and the variability of the proctor or organization requiring the evaluation makes it a fantastic method. For all images to reference and the score sheet see the file linked at the top of the page (current version of Coda does not allow me to upload any more images to the page directly).
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ··· in the right corner or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.