WHAT IS A LICENSED DRONE PILOT?

The Drone Pilot is called in on special cases requiring aerial search. These are usually emergency situations involving a dog that has medical issues, possible senility or may be entangled by a leash.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A LICENSED DRONE PILOT FOR THE RETRIEVERS?

• Part 107 remote operator certificate
• Familiarity with Google Earth, Google apps, and UAS piloting apps
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a team environment
• Strict adherence to client and team confidentiality
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Facebook account (needed to access the Retrievers’ team internal group communications) and access to Messenger
• Willing and able to use your own drone if a team drone is not available to assign to you
  • If using a personal drone, you must have a MN Commercial Operations License and carry liability insurance
  • Pilots may not accept payment or donations for lost dog searches conducted through the Retrievers or independently
• Desirable:
• • Flexible schedule to deploy on an emergency basis
  • Willingness to respond to cases within one hour of the pilot’s home
  • Experience with thermal drones

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ASSIGNING A PILOT TO A CASE?

• The Drone Pilot is one of a team of licensed operators who may be called at a moment’s notice to search for a dog in danger
• Whether a case is appropriate for a drone search will be determined by the team’s Drone Pilot Coordinator, the Case Manager and/or Operations Director
• When a case requires a drone search, the Drone Coordinator will notify the Pilots via a Facebook Messenger group text
• An available Pilot informs the group that they will volunteer for the search, then contacts the Case Manager to coordinate
• The Case Manager (or other designated team member) will be on site to provide input to the Drone Pilot, help identify the search area and/or appropriately respond if the dog is found by drone