Modern drones cannot operate completely autonomously. Even models with AI or computer vision need human assistance to perform their tasks properly. In the hands of an untrained operator, the most advanced machine turns into an ineffective toy. That's why high-quality training is becoming an essential factor in gaining an advantage on the battlefield.
UAVs are not only about technology, but also about operator skill
Flying a drone is a complicated business. It only seems that the operator only needs to press buttons. But in a real battle, it is up to the individual to determine how the UAV will perform. We should not forget about the influence of external factors, such as stress, EW, and flying in “red zones”. The pilot needs skills such as the ability to concentrate regardless of what is happening around him, make quick decisions, maintain the required altitude and adjust the course depending on the changing situation. What to do if the device breaks down and you don't have any tools at hand? How to deal with moral doubts? How do you maintain stealth and heading when there are jammers working around you and you can't see or hear? Only professional pilot skills will help you cope with the problems and complete the task.
Basic skills required to fly drones
What should a UAV operator be able to do? The range of skills required is quite wide:
- Be technically competent - understand the design of the device, be able to repair and tune it, and understand the principles of control and telemetry systems.
- Possess piloting skills that ensure precise control in various conditions, including poor visibility, precipitation, and strong winds.
- Be able to think in terms of tactical principles - assess circumstances, make quick decisions, plan a route, and be able to evade air defences and other people's “eyes”.
- Being resistant to stress and having a quick reaction means being able to make decisions in critical situations when there is no time to think. This can happen at any time - loss of signal, communication, route failure, enemy attack, etc.
- Be able to work in a team - a drone is not an independent unit. It will be effective only when it works in close cooperation with artillery, other teams, command, intelligence, etc.
Behind the success of every UAV is a person. Smart, strong, trained. It is impossible to acquire all the necessary knowledge and skills at school - experience is gained on the battlefield. But drone training courses - This is the first step that every future UAV pilot needs to take.
Training in real and simulated conditions
Training at a drone control school begins with theoretical foundations. Without a clear understanding of the theory, it is impossible to obtain a high-level practical result. Practice is first carried out on flight simulators. Simulators allow you to gain experience in a safe environment where a future pilot does not risk losing equipment but can learn the basic principles of drone control. But it is worth knowing that no simulator, even the most advanced, can create the conditions that a pilot faces in reality.
The simulator can imitate various conditions - create the illusion of wind or rain, turn on the electronic warfare system, or turn off communication. But it will never give you the feeling of being at war with a real enemy, when you need to make a “shot on target” - and the target can be either equipment or people.
An operator gains most of his experience in real life. And the beginning of such training is leaving the school to go to training grounds where there are no simulators, but there is open sky and real flight. It is here that the pilot really feels his equipment, gains experience in driving in different conditions, and learns to adapt to situations that cannot be predicted. This training scenario makes it possible to use drones in the most efficient way.
What are the courses at ArmDrones School like?
In Ukraine, many schools have recently opened to teach UAV operations. These aerial vehicles have become one of the main weapons that bring an advantage in modern warfare. ArmDrones is a training centre specialising in training of drone pilots and provides not only theoretical but also practical knowledge and the opportunity to gain flight experience outside the school. The courses are conducted in several stages:
- Acquaintance, study of basic theoretical points - the structure of the drone, safety.
- Training on simulators, flying in virtual space.
- Practical training in the open air - mission planning, real-world flights without the use of simulators.
- Working out simulated situations, interacting with various departments.
After graduation, the school's specialists do not stop contacting the students. They provide support to graduates, consultations and all necessary assistance.
ArmDrones - are courses for civilians and the military. The training is conducted by people with real combat experience, volunteers, and veterans. They know exactly how important knowledge and experience are for the effectiveness of UAVs.
Many ArmDrones graduates actively and effectively apply the knowledge they have gained in combat. These are the operators who, after completing the course, began to use their experience in real-world conditions The Group, which was formed from former civilians and military personnel who had no previous experience of flying UAVs, successfully engage enemy vehicles, gather intelligence, and conduct combat operations in difficult areas. This proves once again that people, not equipment, are the main weapon in the fight against the enemy. Modern UAVs are smart and almost fully automated machines. But without a professional pilot, they are worth almost nothing. It is the trained operator who becomes the key figure in a drone war.
