When operating a drone, a crew often helps ensure smooth operations. Naturally, everyone needs to know their job.
Crafting a comprehensive drone pilot crew briefing is crucial for safe and efficient operations. Therefore, this article delves into the essential components that keep every member well-informed and prepared.
Short Answer
From The TC Aeronautical Information Manual
The crew needs to be briefed on the following points before takeoff:
- Roles and responsibilities of each individual crew member;
- Flight plans and anticipated procedures (e.g. command hand-off);
- Emergency and contingency plans;
- Location of the safety equipment and who is trained to use it;
- Public management plan
This explanation has enough to get you through. However, if you’d like more detail on some of these aspects, read on!
Long Answer
‘Roles and responsibilities’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Specifically, it should include keeping the aircraft in line of sight, watching for bystanders, and similar duties. The Regulations lay out the roles and responsibilities of a Visual Observer. These include;
- The ability to conduct Reliable and Timely communication with the Pilot in Command
- Communicate to the Pilot in Command the presence of conflicting aircraft, hazards to aviation, or bystanders to the pilot
The regulations also state that a Visual Observer can only observe one RPAS at a time. However, an RPAS designed for multi-aircraft operations changes that. In such cases, an Observer may handle up to five, unless operating under an SFOC.
Most of this is beyond the scope of day-to-day operations for most pilots. Therefore, the important things to tell your VO are their responsibilities and a communication plan. Most crew members will act as observers. Even so, Crew Member and VO are not synonyms by definition. Consequently, if there are specific tasks, you’ll need to brief those crew. 901.21 states that any crew member must comply with all PIC instructions.
Some Miscellaneous Points on Crew Briefing
Pilot In Command Handovers
Perhaps you plan on handing over PIC responsibilities during a flight. In that case, you’ll need to prearrange it and have an established procedure in place. (Canadian Aviation Regulation 901.42)
Crew Readiness
All crew members must also be fit and ready for the flight. This includes No alcohol within 12 hours and no cannabis products within 28 days.
For more information, check out our blog on Crew Readiness!
Emergency Equipment
As per the regulations, all crew members also need to know the location of emergency equipment. In addition, they must know the checklists, procedures, and the aircraft manual. (CAR 901.28 (b -ii))
Flight Reviewers as Crew Members
The regulations do not treat the flight reviewer as a ‘crew member’ in the traditional sense. However, you’re welcome to use them as a crew member on the review, with 2 caveats.
- If you want them to act as a traditional crew member in any way, they need to be briefed as if they were a crew member
- They may not be able to perform all tasks, as they are there primarily to assess your abilities. If the reviewer is unable to perform a task during the review they will let you know
In conclusion, if you’re employing a crew for your operation, you need to brief them on their duties and responsibilities. We therefore recommend that all pilots working with crew write a crew briefing procedure, so nothing is missed.