Trusted Operator™ training, developed by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle and Systems International (AUVSI), provides a certification process for pilots beyond their FAA Part 107.
Trusted Operator™ fills the gap between Part 107’s minimally prescriptive operating regulations and a higher level of demonstrated knowledge, flight proficiency, safety and risk management practices that is valued by employers and customers of commercial uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operators. NC State is part of the select group of colleges and universities in the US that are certified by AUVSI to deliver all three levels of Trusted Operator™ drone pilot certification.
NC State’s drone training programs are housed within the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE), which offers a comprehensive range of transportation education programs. ITRE is an industry leader in the development of UAS capabilities and standards, and works with state, federal and industry partners to integrate uncrewed vehicles into the National Airspace System.
About NC State’s Trusted Operator™ Training Programs:
- All levels require participants to hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Students who complete a drone operator training program at NC State earn Trusted Operator™ certification through AUVSI, and can choose to be listed in the Trusted Operator™ Directory.
- Courses are available in an online, asynchronous format with instructors available as needed.
- Face-to-face courses will be offered at a later date.
- Levels 1 and 2 are FREE for current NC State students.
- Discounts are available for public safety, military/veterans, and employees of NC State University, State of NC, and other NC government entities.
Questions? Email drone-operations@ncsu.edu.
Workforce Development Initiative
Are you a student interested in a career as a drone pilot? Or an educator who wants to mentor future drone pilots?
You can earn your Trusted Operator™ Level 1 and 2 certifications for a total cost of just $160 – a savings of $650! You’ll also save $290 if you complete your training with Trusted Operator™ Level 3.
For more info and to request your registration discount code, email drone-operations@ncsu.edu. In your email, please include a very brief explanation of your interest in becoming a drone pilot or mentoring future drone pilots, as well as where you attend school or work as an educator.
Trusted Operator™ Level 1 Training
Level 1 operators are identified as skilled for flying missions that don’t utilize waivers and for aircraft weighing less than 5 pounds.
Course details
- Prerequisite: Requires a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Requires completion of 8 modules (12 instructional hours)
- Includes online assignments and quizzes
- Course is available for 30 days once activated
Key topics include
- Overview of the AUVSI Trusted Operator™ program
- Airmanship principles
- Air law and policies
- UAS operation and general knowledge
- Flight principles and performance
- Airspace and navigation
- Meteorology
- Resources
- Waivers
- Human performance
- Emergency planning and response
- Reporting accidents
- Night flight
Operations covered by the Level 1 training
- Routine operations in accordance with FAR Part 107 or equivalent in other countries
- Operations that do not require a waiver of FAR Part 107 or equivalent in other countries
- Operations in which the remote pilot is competent and proficient
- Flights using aircraft less than 5lb or 2kg
- Operations that do not have any of the characteristics mentioned in Level 2 or 3 such as operations close to airports, helipads, populated areas, people and livestock
- Safety Management System (SMS) complexity required: LOW
Cost
| Level 1 Registration Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| General Registration | $260 |
| Public Safety, Military, and Veterans | $130 |
| NC State University, State of NC, and other NC government employees | $130 |
| Current NC State University Students | FREE |
| Current students interested in drone pilot careers | $160 total for Levels 1 and 2 through our Workforce Development initiative |
| Educators interested in encouraging and mentoring future drone pilots | $160 total for Levels 1 and 2 through our Workforce Development initiative |
Code required for discounted registration; email drone-operations@ncsu.edu to request a discount code.
Register for Trusted Operator™ Level 1 Training
Trusted Operator™ Level 2 Training
Level 2 operators are skilled for flying missions that utilize waivers, visual observers, or sensor operators and operate with elevated risk factors and complexity.
Course details
- Prerequisites: Requires successful completion of Trusted Operator™ Level 1, and a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate that does not expire before the course is completed
- Requires completion of 6 modules (16 instructional hours) and an in-person flight evaluation
- Participants outside of North Carolina may complete a live flight evaluation via Zoom with instructor approval
- Includes online assignments and quizzes
- Course is available for 90 days once activated
Key topics include
- Meteorology and environmental elements
- Navigation and use of apps
- Responding to emergencies
- Roles and responsibilities
- Safety and risk management
- Crew resource management
- Use of a checklist
- Documentation and record keeping
- Training and proficiency
- Human factors and overcoming disorientation
- Practical flight assessment (PFA)
Operations covered by the Level 2 training
- Any operation that requires a waiver under FAR Part 107 or equivalent in other countries
- Operations that require a visual observer, or sensor operator
- Operations with elevated risk factors or complexity including but not limited to operations close to airports, helipads, populated areas, people and livestock
- Operations that do not have any of the characteristics mentioned in Level 3
- SMS complexity required: MEDIUM
Cost
| Level 2 Registration Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| General Registration | $550 |
| Public Safety, Military, and Veterans | $130 |
| NC State University, State of NC, and other NC government employees | $130 |
| Current NC State University Students | FREE |
| Current students interested in drone pilot careers | $160 total for Levels 1 and 2 through our Workforce Development initiative |
| Educators interested in encouraging and mentoring future drone pilots | $160 total for Levels 1 and 2 through our Workforce Development initiative |
Code required for discounted registration; email drone-operations@ncsu.edu for discount code.
Register for Trusted Operator™ Level 2 Training
Trusted Operator™ Level 3 Training
Level 3 operators are identified as skilled for flying missions in safety critical and complex areas that require higher levels of risk mitigation and for operations requiring development and testing of new procedures.
Course details
- Prerequisites: Requires successful completion of Trusted Operator™ Level 2, and a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate that does not expire before the course is completed
- Requires completion of 6 modules and an in-person flight evaluation
- Participants outside of North Carolina may complete a live flight evaluation via Zoom with instructor approval
- Includes online assignments and quizzes
- Course is available for 90 days once activated for the student
Key topics include
- First aid and how to stop bleeding
- Role and responsibility of an air boss
- Safety management
- Expanded theoretical knowledge (skills, proficiency, and roles)
- Spectrum analysis and radiotelephony
- Practical flight assessment (PFA)
Operations covered by the Level 3 training
Any of the characteristics of Level 2, plus the following:
- Operations in safety-critical and complex areas that require higher levels of risk mitigation
- Industrial and chemical facilities, including offshore oil rigs, mine sites, power plants
- Infrastructure, including wind turbines, powerlines, communications towers, rail and pipelines
- Operations in any hazardous or extreme environments including:
- From ships, moving vehicles, aircraft, confined areas and underground
- Within close proximity to and within severe weather (storm research)
- Remote, harsh or hostile locations, including wildlife considerations
- Operations requiring the development and testing of new procedures
- Operations with UAS over 55 pounds (25 kilograms)
- SMS complexity required: HIGH
Cost
| Level 3 Registration Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| General Registration | $700 |
| Public Safety, Military, and Veterans | $130 |
| NC State University, State of NC, and other NC government employees | $130 |
| Current NC State University Students | $130 |
| Current students interested in drone pilot careers | $410 through our Workforce Development initiative |
| Educators interested in encouraging and mentoring future drone pilots | $410 through our Workforce Development initiative |
Code required for discounted registration; email drone-operations@ncsu.edu for discount code.