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AUVSI 2014: Manned flight critical to RPA pilots, USAF finds

13th May 2014 - 12:20 GMT | by Joyce de Thouars in Orlando

RSS

A comparative study from the USAF’s 11th Reconnaissance Squadron suggests that manned flight experience is invaluable for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) pilots.

‘PPL [Private Pilot Licence] is a necessary foundation for an RPA pilot,’ said Maj Jack Antedomenico from Creech AFB, where launch and recovery (LR) training takes place.

The study involved samples of both MQ-1 and MQ-9 students on new RPA undergraduate pilot training and traditional undergraduate programmes.

Observations and lessons learned from the study are being presented at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems event in Orlando this week.

‘Undergraduate remote pilot training students required more check rides than undergraduate

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