Search and Rescue, Thermal, & Night Operations Navigate terrain ground teams can't access. Cover vast areas quickly. Decrease cost of air support. Learn to fly SAR missions utilizing drones.
In-Person Two Day Course
Save Lives Using Drones
Drones allow public safety teams to move beyond ground vehicles and expensive helicopters in order to execute aerial search and rescue missions more efficiently. In this two-day search and rescue drone training course, our expert public safety instructors provide hands-on experience in aerial search and rescue missions, thermal imaging, and night operations. Learn to successfully fly SAR missions.
View Available ClassesSearch and Rescue Drone Training Course
Prerequisites
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5+ Hours of Flight Time
Not flying drones yet? Check out our Drone Pilot Training Courses
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Part 107 Certificate
Not FAA Certified to Fly Commercially yet? Check out our Part 107 Test Prep In-Person (or Online)
Day 1
12:00PM - 8:30PM
Thermal Imaging & Night Operations
- Lesson 1: Thermal Imaging Basics
- Lesson 2: Subject Detection
- Lesson 3: Operating the Zenmuse XT
- Lesson 4: Leveraging Isotherms
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FLIGHT SESSION
Thermal Imaging - Lesson 5: sUAS Night Operations Basics
- Lesson 6: Night Physiology & Visual Illusions
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FLIGHT SESSION
Night Operations
Day 2
8:30AM - 5:00PM
Aerial Search & Rescue
- Lesson 7: Intro to sUAS SAR
- Lesson 8: SAR Progression
- Lesson 9: Aerial Search Patterns
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FLIGHT SESSION
Search Patterns - Lesson 10: Preflight SAR Stages
- Lesson 11: Coordination & Execution
- Lesson 12: SAR Conclusion
- Lesson 13: sUAS SOPs
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FLIGHT SESSION
SAR Scenario
Search and Rescue Drone Training Course Schedule
Course Curriculum
Search and Rescue Drone Training Course Schedule
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Lesson 1Introduction to sUAS for Search and Rescue
- sUAS and SAR
- Common SAR Scenarios
- Search Classifications
- sUAS Platforms
- sUAS Imagery Payloads
- sUAS Auxiliary Payloads
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Lesson 2Search and Rescue Progression
- The Five Stages of a Search and Rescue Operation
- Awareness Stage
- Initial Action Stage
- Planning Stage
- Operations Stage
- Conclusion Stage
- Purpose of Each Stage
- Necessary Action Steps
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Lesson 3Aerial Search Patterns
- Aerial Search Pattern Overview
- Types of Aerial Search Patterns
- Search Pattern Considerations
- Aerial Search Pattern Execution
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Lesson 4PreFlight Search and Rescue Stages
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- Awareness Stage Actions
- Initial Action Stage Actions
- Planning Stage Actions
- Lost Person Behavior
- Weather Considerations
- Terrain Considerations
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Lesson 5Coordination and Execution
- Coordination with Other Assets
- Communication Procedures
- Search Pattern Selection
- Dissemination of Sensor Information
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Lesson 6Search and Rescue Conclusion
- Search Conclusion Classifications
- Subject Found Scenarios
- Suspension or Termination Scenarios
- Post Flight Debrief Procedures
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Lesson 7sUAS Standard Operating Procedures
- How to Create Your Own Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
- Common sUAS SOP Sections
- SAR Checklist within an SOP
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Lesson 8Thermal Imaging Basics
- Thermal Imaging for Search and Rescue
- Common Thermal Imaging Platforms
- Standard vs Radiometric Thermal Cameras
- Fundamentals of Thermal Imaging
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Lesson 9Subject Detection
- Image Resolution
- Lens Size Impacts on Detection Capability
- Ideal Lenses for SAR
- Field of View
- Scattering
- Absorption
- Environmental Conditions
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Lesson 10Operating the Zenmuse XT
- Using the DJI GO App with the Zenmuse XT
- Zenmuse XT System Capabilities
- Shooting Mode
- Region of Interest
- Scene Function
- Gain Modes
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Lesson 11Leveraging Isotherms
- Isotherm Capability of the Zenmuse XT
- How Isotherms can be used to Improve SAR Detection Capability
- Standard Isotherm Temperature Settings for SAR
- Pitfalls of Using Isotherms
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Lesson 12sUAS Night Operations Basics
- Regulations Governing sUAS Night Flight Operations
- Civil Twilight
- Requirements for Night Waivers
- Use of VOs to Augment SA and Maintain VLOS at Night
- Process of Assessing a Site for a Night Operation
- Anti-collision Lighting Requirements
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Lesson 13Night Physiology and Visual Illusions
- Physiology of Night Vision
- Visual Illusions
- Night Flight Execution
- Tips and Best Practices for Night Flights
Upcoming Classes
Looking for a course near you? Reach out and let us know where our next course should be held.
Request a LocationOur Search and Rescue Drone Training Flight Instructors
Our instructors are police officers, fire fighters, and EMTs with real world expertise in launching successful search and rescue drone missions.
Mike Uleski
Michael is an active Sergeant with a public safety department in Florida, where he is cross-trained as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, and EMT. He has extensive aviation expertise with a degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle, a commercial pilot certificate with single engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings, and 17 years of experience building and flying remote controlled aircraft.
Roger Hall
Roger became interested in drone aviation soon after retiring from a 25-year career in the fire service. He served as a firefighter on the Nashua New Hampshire Fire Rescue team, and as a member of the Hazmat & dive rescue teams. He is a licensed sport pilot and Certified Level 1 Thermographer. Roger enjoys training public service departments & assisting them with the implementation of UAS into their organizations as well as using drones to film at live events.
Chris Grazioso
Chris has over 28 years of experience in the EMS field focusing on EMS Special Operations and Emergency Management. He is also a member of a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team and started using drone technology in their operations. Chris has been interested in aviation his entire life and received his pilot’s license in 2010.
Search and Rescue Drone Training Course FAQs
I am new to drones. Is this the right course for me?
DARTdrones Search and Rescue Drone Training Course is designed for public safety departments to learn more advanced drone operations such as aerial search and rescue, thermal imaging, and night operations. You will need to have 5+ hours of flight time as well as a Part 107 Certificate.
Will the course be hosted in more cities in the future?
We will continue to add more locations as we get closer to those dates. This course is also available to be taught as a private group training. Contact our sales team to learn more.
Can my department host this course as a private group training?
Yes. DARTdrones specializes in training events held at public safety departments. Contact our sales team to get your department trained.
How many students are in the class?
The Search and Rescue Drone Training Course may have between 6 – 16 people in the course. For every 8 students, we will add an additional instructor to ensure ample flight time for participants.
Do I need to bring a drone to the class?
Our instructor will provide a drone for you to fly in the class.
How much flight time is in the class?
This Workshop features 4 flight sessions scattered throughout the two days. We will rotate indoor to outdoor.