Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide (2025)

Chapter: Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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APPENDIX B

Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources

Table B-1. Summary of TxDOT UAS Training Courses.

FAA Part 107 Test Preparation CourseOnline3 weeksProvides students with in-depth explanations of FAA laws relative to regulations, weather, airspace, payload and operations critical to remote pilot safe flight operations and essential to passing mandatory FAA Part 107 exam.
Drone Flying and Safety IntroductionHybrid -1 week in-person -4 weeks remote -1 week in-person80 hrsStudents will learn how to safely operate a small, unmanned quadcopter from set up to launch to flight landing, become proficient in basic/emergency launch & landing operations, and culminate in a variety of mission specific operations.
Small UAS (sUAS) Visual ObserverOnline8 hrsThis course is designed to train learners how to monitor the airspace in which the UAS is flying for any potential collision hazards and to maintain awareness of the position and conditions of the UAS at all times, in order to support the remote pilot.
Legal Considerations for Unmanned VehiclesOnline8 hrsThe course provides students with in -depth explanations of FAA laws relative to regulations, weather, airspace, payload and operations critical to remote pilot safe flight operations and essential to passing mandatory FAA Part 107 exam.
sUAS Operations for Emergency ManagementOnline16 hrsIn course the learner will understand Part 107 and Certificate of Authorization’s (COA) legal authority to fly; understand critical elements relative to resources, environments and missions; identify equipment, hazards and liabilities; understand sUAS in National Incident Management System & local Incident Management.
MeteorologyOnline16 hrsIn this course students understand how weather patterns develop, how weather can affect drone performance, how to read weather reports, interpret weather information for safe flight operations, and exploration of software systems that aid remote pilots.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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Crew Resource Admin and ManagementOnline16 hrsThe course includes applications designed to address the overview of Crew Resource Management for various careers, defining crew members, defining other resources, and determining appropriate crew members and resources for various missions.
Drone Flying and Safety RefresherIn-person8 hrsAn annual refresher course that updates students on any changes in the past year to UAS regulations and TxDOT SOPs. Students complete multiple proficiency evaluations.

Source: TxDOT.

Table B-2. FAA Part 107 Test Preparation Course Overview.

HoursDays
Module 1Introductions, Syllabus, Calendar, Objective0.5
Chapter 1 –Regulations3.0
Blackboard Test –25 questions0.5
Module 2Chapter 2 –Airspace, Topography3.0
Blackboard Test –25 questions0.5
Module 3Chapter 3 –Weather2.0
Blackboard Test –25 questions0.5
Module 4Chapter 4 –Loading and performance2.5
Blackboard Test –25 questions0.5
Module 5Chapter 5 –Operations2.5
Blackboard Test –25 questions0.5
Module 6Aeronautical Decision-Making1.0
Scenarios1.0
Blackboard Final Exam –50 questions1.0
Webinar / Zoom Review –Day 13.0
Webinar / Zoom Review –Day 23.0
Total Hours24.015

Source: TxDOT.

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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Table B-3. FAA Part 107 Test Preparation Course Schedule.

Week 1MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
Self-Study Module 1Instructor review Module 1Self-Study Module 2Instructor review Module 2Self-Study Module 3
4 hours1 hour3.5 hours1 hourInstructor by request
Week 2MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
Self-Study Module 3Instructor review Module 3Self-Study Module 4Instructor review Module 4Self-Study Module 5
2.5 hours1 hour3 hours1 hourInstructor by request
Week 3MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
Self-Study Module 5Instructor review Module 5Self-Study Module 6Instructor review Module 6Final Exam
3 hours1 hour2 hours1 hour1 hour

Source: TxDOT.

Table B-4. Introduction to Flying and Safety Operations Course Overview (In-Person Component Schedule).

DATEITEMHOURS
Week 1 Day 1: Course OrientationInstructor/Student Introductions0800–0815
TxDOT Drone Policy & Procedures (SOPs)0815–0900
Break0900–0915
Ground School Review0915–1000
NOTE: No morning flight session!
Mavic Mini Distribution & inventory DJI Setup1000–1200
Lunch1200–1300
iPad Mini 3 and DJI Fly - Communications Reqs - Card & call outs1300–1500
Break / Head outdoors1500–1515
Basic Flights (Line, Box patterns - No iPads in use)1515–1700
Week 1 Day 2: Software/Mission PlanningTypical software and apps0800–0945
Break / Head outdoors0945–1000
Basic flights (box patterns all directions, serpentine - No iPads)1000–1200
Lunch1200–1300
Mission Planning and deployment1300–1445
Break / Head outdoors1445–1500
Intermediate Flights (Advanced Box, Fig 8, etc.- No iPads)1500–1700
Week 1 Day 3Payload Operation and first-person view (FPV)
Principles of Drone Photography - Basic0800–1000
FPV and iPad Use
Break / Head outdoors1000–1015
Manual Orbits – Point of Interest (POI) Photography - Use iPads1015 – 1200
Lunch1200 – 1300
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Man1300–1500
1/Pay 1 and Theory
Break / Head outdoors1500 – 1515
Fly NIST Course (Camera Views using iPads)1515–1700
Balloon Race
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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DATEITEMHOURS
Week 1 Day 4: Air Boss, Ramp Checks, Weather, Night OpsAir Boss, Ramp Checks, Emergency protocols0800–1000
Break and Head outdoors1000–1015
Intermediate Flight - Practice all exercises1015–1200
Lunch1200 – 1300
Weather / Night operations1300 – 1500
Break and head outdoors1500 – 1515
Advanced Flights - /Outdoors fly around trees

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*10 minute break given every hour when not moving to flight areas.		1515–1700
Week 1 Day 5: Weather Makeup daySlack Time and fly Austin Community College (ACC) aircraft
Week 2 Day 1: Automated FlightsDronelink Setup and initiation
Break and head outdoors0800–1000
Fly automated mission1000–1015
Lunch1015–1200
Building and Roof Inspection1200–1300
Break and head outdoors1300–1500
Fly Roof Inspection - Exterior ACC Public Safety Training Center1500–1515
1515–1700
Week 2 Day 2: Laws and LiabilityTxDOT iTwin Capture Modeler training0800–1200
In lieu of another automated flight use Day 1 data
Lunch1200–1300
COA’s; Waivers; Hazards;1300–1500
Case laws, decisions, issues
Break and head to Force On Force room1500–1515
Confined Space Flying - Obstacle Course - (Option - Timed)1500–1700
Week 2 Day 3: Data AnalysisSensors and Payloads – forward-looking infrared (FLIR), near-infrared (NIR), red green blue (RGB)0800–1000
Break and head outdoors1000–1015
Flight advanced (Automated Flight - Execution only)1015–1200
Lunch1200–1300
Image analysis techniques “squinting”1300–1500
Break and head outdoors1500–1600
Image Analysis flights – Emergency Vehicle Obstacle Course1600–1700
Quick Squint session to locate objects1600–1700
Week 2 Day 4: FinalWritten Exam0800–0900
Scenario Description0900–1000
Break and respond to assigned mission1000–1015
Scenario Flights1015–1200
Lunch1200–1300
Class Presentations1300–1500
Break and return to class1500–1515
Drone Collection; Class Evals1515–1600
Certificates awarded1615–1700
Week 2 Day 5NIST Test Man 1/Pay 1 Baseline Collection

Source: TxDOT.

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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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The data given in the text box are as follows: This course is 80 hours of training using online learning, classroom, and practical field environments. Because the majority of time is dedicated to actual flight operations, students taking this course must be ready to commit substantial time to practicing flight skills outside of the classroom and lab environments. Students will learn how to safely operate small unmanned aircraft systems and will be exposed to basic crew resource management. Students must possess a valid 14 CFR part 107 license prior to enrollment in this course. Part 1: Administration: Syllabus and Objectives, Online Netiquette, PSTC FAQs. Module 1 - DJI manual. Module 2 - Drones in Industry. Module 3 - DJI Fly App and Camera Operations Introduction to NIST. Module 4 - Liability of sUAS Operations. Module 5 - History, CRM, ADM, Confined Space. Module 6 - Drones and Inspections - Pros, Cons, and Positive Results. Module 7 - Automated Flights and Data Analysis. Module 8 - The Big Picture Robotics and Beyond; Air Boss and Remote Pilots. Each of these modules shows an option for opting towards the right.
Source: TxDOT.

Figure B-1. Introduction to Flying and Safety Operations Course Overview (Online Component Outline).
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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Suggested Citation: "Appendix B: Texas Department of Transportation UAS Training Program Resources." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Implementation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Operational Capabilities: A Guide. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29132.
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