Flight proficiency · NIST methods
Practical flight proficiency courses
Dates coming
Structured flight training with a measurable score, built on standard test methods developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Dates for the coming season are being finalised, and booking opens once they are set.
01The programme
Four courses, one scoring system
Level 1 · Basic flight proficiency
One day on the NIST lane: Position, Traverse, precision landings and a final timed, scored evaluation.
Level 2 · Payload & thermal
Zoom, focus and thermal sensor under time pressure — flying with divided attention and a separate payload score.
Level 3 · Operational scenarios
Two days of systematic search, identification, mission planning and a night module — built on real emergency-response tasks.
Company package
Mobile test lane at your site with your own equipment — individual scores per pilot and a summary report for management.
02The method
Open standards — read along
The NIST methods are the international standard for measuring drone pilot proficiency. They are standardised through ASTM E54.09 and referenced as job performance requirements in NFPA 2400, the standard for small unmanned aircraft in public safety. In the United States they are used for state-wide credentialing of emergency responders, and fire services, law enforcement and search and rescue apply them internationally.
They are not yet widespread in Denmark. That is why this course exists.
The courses are built on open, publicly documented test methods. Here are the sources if you want to see what you are signing up for — and samples of the certificate and the report you take home. The brochures are in Danish; the report and the certificate are in English.
- NIST — Standard Test Methods for Aerial Drones
- NIST — Levels of Proficiency brochure (PDF)
- NIST — Level 1–3 exercise presentations (PDF)
- NIST — frequently asked questions about the test methods
- DRONERESPONDERS — NIST training and proctor courses
- ASTM E54.09 — the committee behind the standardisation
- NFPA 2400 — standard for small unmanned aircraft in public safety
- Droneregler.dk — Danish drone regulations
- See a sample certificate of proficiency (PDF)
- See a sample report (PDF)
04See a sample report
You take the documentation home
Everything you do on the lane is compiled into a single evaluation report: each exercise with time and score, the images your targets were photographed with, a summary of the flight log, and an assessment of what to train next. The full log file from the aircraft comes with it — machine data that cannot be edited after the fact.
The certificate says you passed. The report says what you did — and it can go in a personnel file or be attached to an application.
See a sample report (PDF)03First in line
Want to know when the dates are ready?
Dates for late autumn 2026 and for winter and spring 2027 are being finalised, and they go up here as soon as they are set. Send an email and you will hear from me before the courses open. Call if you want to discuss a company course already now.
Training and evaluation based on standard test methods developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST does not certify pilots or courses.
Enrolment, cancellation and the right of withdrawal are set out in the terms of business, sections 06 and 07.