After you have completed the Ground School section of your PfCo course, and have put together your Operations Manual you can take the Operational Evaluation Flight Test.
Practice Flights
It is sensible to practice flying as much as possible before your Operational Evaluation.
You can now buy mini drones (such as the Husband X4) that you can fly safely indoors with the correct safety procedures in place. Buying and practicing with a drone such as the Husband X4 help as they do not have a GPS mode, thereby further honing your flying skills. You are also not affected by inclement weather.
What To Expect During your Operational Evaluation
Once you have booked your Operational Evaluation Flight Test you will be provided with a job briefing and a location.
You will perform the Operational Evaluation Flight Test as if it is a real job for a paying client. This includes carrying out a pre-site survey, a risk assessment and putting together a briefing for all those involved so they are fully informed on what you will be doing. You will need to follow the procedures outlined in your Operations Manual and include airspace awareness, risk management and any other skills or tools that you were taught in the Ground School.
Once you are at the location you will need carry out an on-site survey. If necessary you should just your briefing to cater for anything that you have found. You will need to put in place control measures in response to your risk assessment.
The Flight
After setting up your Take Off and Landing Area and preparing your drone you will commence the flight.
You will have to carry out the task given to you (for example, taking a number of aerial photographs of an area of interest for publicity purposes) in a controlled and safe manner.
During the flight you will be given exercises to carry out. You will have to fly your drone in both GPS and ATTI modes. There will be a number of mock emergencies to deal with (for example, school children have wondered into the area or a fire has broken out onboard your drone). You will have to deal with these emergencies in a safe and efficient manner.
Whilst flying in ATTI mode you will be asked to perform manoeuvres to display your flying proficiency. These manoeuvres may include flying in a figure of 8, or other manoeuvres that display your control and competence when flying a drone.
During your Flight Test you will be expected to pay attention to the battery status of your drone, be aware of the airspace that you flying in and follow all procedures that are outlined your Operations Manual.
Post Flight
Once you have landed your aircraft you should carry out all post flight procedures. It is only once these procedures (including inspecting your equipment, filling out any paperwork and post flight administration) have been performed that the test is over.
It is at this point that your examiner will tell you whether you have passed or failed the Operational Evaluation.
If you have passed you can now look at submitting the necessary forms to the CAA.