New Partnership with Praxis Aerospace Supports Drone (UAS) Workforce

ASTM International announced today a new partnership with Praxis Aerospace Concepts International aimed at meeting the need to evaluate the growing number of training programs for drone operators, maintenance technicians, instructors, and others in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry.

The new joint offering, the UAS Approved Training Provider Program (UATPP), will evaluate curricula of training programs to see if they are in compliance with standards. The UATPP is based on technical standards being created by a group of ASTM International members including drone experts, manufacturers, and others in a subcommittee (known as F38.03) focused on personnel training, qualification, and certification. 

The UATPP’s first offering evaluates training programs that seek to be recognized as in compliance with a standard published this year, called the “standard guide for training and remote pilot command of unmanned aircraft system endorsement” (F3266). The guide describes at a high level the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to safely operate drones (e.g., powered fixed-wing, vertical-take-off-and-lift, and rotorcraft) for commercial purposes. 

The UATPP also evaluates compliance to the “specification for training and the development of training manuals for the UAS operator” (F3330), which outlines requirements and best practices related to documentation and organization. The specification supports both internal training programs as well as programs offered to the public. 

Applicant organizations found to be in compliance with standards will receive a UATPP Approved Training Provider certificate. They can then market their training programs to prospective trainees as such. Each application costs $750 per training provider location seeking approval. 

According to Praxis, the UATPP certification could also help civil aviation authorities (e.g., the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration) and other organizations who are seeking to support standardization of training and workforce development in this space.

For more information on the program, go here. Also, see this new article in ASTM International’s Standardization News magazine.

About ASTM International 

Committed to serving global societal needs, ASTM International positively impacts public health and safety, consumer confidence, and overall quality of life. We integrate consensus standards – developed with our international membership of volunteer technical experts – and innovative services to improve lives… Helping our world work better. 

About Praxis Aerospace Concepts International, Inc

Founded in 2011, PACI is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business based in Southern Nevada. PACI develops and operates laboratory and field facilities for multi-modal (ground-air-sea-industrial) response robotics, unmanned systems (UxS). PACI uses a mix of proprietary technology, unique team domain expertise, and unique partnerships to provide clients with research, development, test, evaluation, deployment, commercialization, and training solutions across the globe. 


Media Inquiries: Nate Osburn, tel +1.610.832.9603; nosburn@astm.org

Program Contact: Jon Daniels, tel +1.702.586.1160; jon.daniels@praxisaerospace.com 

Release #10665

Committee
F38
October 29, 2018