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This course was created to achieve measurable student outcomes utilizing blended learning, classroom facilitation, and scenario-based training for critical incident commanders. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply intuitive sense-making strategies while working in a fast-changing, chaotic environment by using the 5 tenets of Working in The Edge of Chaos ©.

The training begins online prior to the two in-class training sessions. This class is intended for first- and second-line supervisors who will be the first-responding incident commander at the scene of a large-scale, critical incident. When possible, RTC staff select students from the iteration registration list that reflect diversity related to agency size, structure, and regional resources to maximize student contributions and learning. 

This class consists of three days of intensive scenario-based, hands-on, and precision flight training designed to increase piloting skills and to provide students with the ability to operate in all sUAS environments. Students will be exposed to the equipment, tools, and techniques necessary to make their sUAS program fulfill the desired mission sets. This course is NOT for beginners!

Advanced Operators Course:

Course Length: 3 days (24 hours)

• August 12-14, Fountain Valley, CA

Advanced & Nighttime Combo

Course Length: 5 days (40 hours)

• May 18-22, Fountain Valley, CA
• June 8-12, Kauai, HI
• December 7-11, Fountain Valley, CA

The ATAK for UAS Operations Course was designed to enable public safety with the knowledge and ability to use the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) effectively. This two-day course leads attendees through a progression of understanding and application. The course is essential for professionals seeking to leverage ATAK’s capabilities for critical missions to be well-equipped to handle complex ground and aerial data coordination scenarios.

ATAK for UAS Operations was explicitly structured to engage learners of varying expertise, from beginners to seasoned users. The first day serves as an intensive ATAK orientation, laying the groundwork for integrating UAS into your ATAK skill set. This approach ensures all participants, regardless of their starting point, gain the proficiency needed to apply ATAK confidently in their UAS operations.

Course Length: 2 days (16 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• New Dates Coming Soon

This course was created to equip public safety personnel with essential skills for effective drone operation in tactical scenarios and critical incidents using the DJI Avata. The comprehensive curriculum enables pilots to grow from a basic to an advanced skill level, emphasizing indoor and confined space operations. Participants will become adept at managing the UAV settings and software and gain a deep understanding of the drone’s full capabilities.

Students learn insights, tips, and tricks for operating in GPS-denied environments and will use multiple control methods, including the DJI FPV handheld remote controller, DJI RC Motion Controller, FPV goggles, and remote screens to fly in lit and no-light environments.

Course Length: 2 days (16 hrs)

Upcoming Presentations:

• April 9-10, Fountain Valley, CA

The UAS Basic Pilots Course is 32 hours of instruction designed specifically and ONLY for agencies with an established UAS program, flying missions with protocols, and a comprehensive policy in place. The curriculum focuses on piloting skills and training in UAS safety and general UAS program operations. Training begins online with FAA Part 107 test preparation, culminating with an in-class test review and test scheduling assistance.

Course Length: 8hr + 3 days (32 hrs)

This course includes an at your own pace virtual FAA 107 test preparation classroom.

Upcoming Presentations:

• January 28-30, Fountain Valley, CA
• April 20-22, Fountain Valley, CA
• May 28-30, Klamath, CA
• June 15-17, Fountain Valley, CA

This course was created to equip rescue personnel with the knowledge and skills to operate UAVs in confined space rescue operations. The comprehensive curriculum enables pilots to grow from a basic to an advanced skill level, emphasizing confined space operations with multiple UAV platforms. Attendees will become adept at managing UAV settings and software to maximize the drone’s full capabilities while learning insights, tips, and tricks for operating in GPS-denied, and no-light environments.

Course Length: 2 days (16 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• New Dates Coming Soon

DHS/FEMA has determined that threats from unmanned aircraft systems is a national priority and should be addressed by allocating specific percentages of SHSP and UASI funds. These low-cost, high-tech, and easily weaponized aerial vehicles can cause terror just about anywhere. This 2-day course provides students with the latest technology and “boots and the ground” tactics to prevent and respond to a drone attack.

Course Length: 2 days (16 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• April 27-28, Fountain Valley, CA

Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for scene documentation has emerged as an extremely accurate and efficient tool for public safety. It is remarkable to consider that scenes can be preserved forever if seen with the naked eye, enhanced magnification, thermal imagery, or with Lidar. Proper use of this technology has truly improved the level of service provided to the public. 

Course Length: 3 days (24 hours)

Upcoming Basic Presentations:

• March 25-27, Fountain Valley, CA

Upcoming Advanced Presentations:

• September 21-23, Fountain Valley, CA

The frequency of mass gathering events and organized protests, coupled with the increased public scrutiny of law enforcement practices, has exacerbated the need for public safety personnel to carefully balance First Amendment rights and other civil liberties with police intervention strategies. Thoughtful event managers integrate intelligent, less provocative, and even passive strategies to keep people safe. Leveraging the power of Unmanned Aircraft to manage public safety more effectively during mass gathering events is rapidly becoming the industry standard. This one-day course, developed by crowd management experts and UAS managers, equips attendees with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems into crowd management effectively. 

Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• August 24, Fountain Valley, CA

Created and taught by personnel from the most experienced DFR program in the United States, this course will equip students with the knowledge and skills to successfully implement and maintain a (UAV or drone as a first responder) DFR Program. Students are led through the entire process of standing up a DFR program. This course is restricted to public safety agencies only!

Course Length: 2 days (16 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• August 3-4, Fountain Valley, CA

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aeronautical Knowledge Test for the Remote Pilot Airman Certificate is required to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle commercially (including public service). This is particularly important for mutual aid use beyond jurisdictional boundaries. This online course contains all the material tested for the 107 pilot’s license. The course is self-paced but follows a progression of information with due dates to aid in completing the material in a timely manner. Online instructors engage students to answer questions and help with test preparation. Former students have identified common test questions and themes, which will be shared to increase focused study and student success rates.

Course Length: 8hr + 1 day (16 hrs)

This course includes an at your own pace virtual FAA 107 test preparation classroom.

Upcoming Presentations:

• April 22, Fountain Valley, CA
• June 17, Fountain Valley, CA

This course was created to equip public safety personnel with essential skills for effective drone operation in tactical scenarios and critical incidents. The comprehensive curriculum elevates students’ piloting skills, emphasizing indoor and confined space operations using advanced UAV tactics. Participants will learn to maximize the UAV settings and software to maximize the drone’s full capabilities. Students learn insights, tips, and tricks for operating in GPS-denied environments using multiple UAV platforms in diversely lit environments.

Course Length: 2 days (16 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• September 17-18, Fountain Valley, CA

Restricted to public safety agencies only!

This two-day course was specifically designed for the operational use of the LOKI 2 Tactical UAV. The RTC with Sky-Hero developed this comprehensive scenario-based, hands-on training to increase aircraft effectiveness and maintain operational function during critical events. The comprehensive curriculum elevates students’ piloting skills, emphasizing indoor and confined space operations using advanced UAV tactics. Participants will learn to maximize the UAV settings and software to maximize the drone’s full capabilities.

Course Length: 2 days (16 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• By request only

This life-saving technology provides tremendous opportunities to enhance public safety. However, operating in the dynamic realm of the National Air Space (NAS) can be challenging. Executives and decision-makers must carefully evaluate the implementation of UAS programs from a 360° perspective that analyzes priorities and constraints and considers all current and potential future stakeholders. The course starts by guiding students to fully realize potential unmanned aircraft applications and how they may specifically fit at their respective agencies.

Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• March 30, Fountain Valley, CA

Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV) are powerful tools for first responders. However, nighttime operations add complexity that requires specific training and equipment.

The FAA maintains that “an applicant must assure all required persons participating in the small unmanned aircraft operation have the knowledge to recognize and overcome visual illusions caused by darkness and understand physiological conditions which may degrade night vision”. In this course, students identify night visual illusions and the physiological degradation occurring in darkness, then develop mitigating strategies. Students use state-of-the-art equipment to perform nighttime UAS operations couched in reality-based public safety mission sets.

Nighttime Operators Course:

Course Length: 3 days (24 hours)

• August 26-28, Fountain Valley, CA

Advanced & Nighttime Combo

Course Length: 5 days (40 hours)

• May 18-22, Fountain Valley, CA
• June 8-12, Kauai, HI
• December 7-11, Fountain Valley, CA

The Regional Training Center, utilizing the National Institute of Standards and Technology Aerial Test Methods, is honored to provide a Train-the-Trainer course for the NIST Level 3 Open, Level 4 Obstructed, and Level 5 Confined Test Methods for Small UAS. Incorporating the NIST testing methods into agency training has become the industry standard in public safety.

The RTC recognizes the incredible value of a reproducible method to objectively evaluate and measure the proficiency and control of UAV piloting. Graduates of this course will be certified RTC Proctors in Level 1 Basic Proficiency, Level 2 Maneuvering, Level 3 Open, Level 4 Obstructed Lanes, Level 5 Confined, and NIST Scenarios to reproduce at their respective agencies.

Course Length: 3 days (24 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• February 18-20, Fountain Valley, CA
• August 17-19, Fountain Valley, CA

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operators Course is 48 hours of instruction designed to provide organizations with skilled pilots with the depth of understanding necessary to safely operate in, maintain, or create an aviation program based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms. Training begins online with FAA Part 107 test preparation culminating with an in-class test review and test scheduling assistance. Students will:

• Prepare for the FAA UAG 107 test (test fee included in tuition)
• Identify and explain agency-specific mission sets
• Demonstrate the ability to create or modify a UAS safety management system
• Demonstrate the ability to create or modify a UAS maintenance program
• Explain UAS operations and limitations
• Create or modify a UAS training program
• Demonstrate the ability to apply for Public Use Certificates of Authorization and waivers under Part 107
• Demonstrate the ability to operate a UAV in basic mission sets

Each student will receive a minimum of 12 hours of flight instruction and log at least 3 hours of actual flight time. Students will be prepared for and scheduled to take the FAA's Part 107 Examination. Successful students will return to their respective organizations as trained operators with all the information required for a fully developed program ready for management review.

Course Length: 8hr + 5 days (48 hrs)

This course includes an at your own pace virtual FAA 107 test preparation classroom.

Upcoming Presentations:

• May 11-15, Fountain Valley, CA
• December 14-18, Fountain Valley, CA

The UAS Recurrent Pilot Training course was designed to maintain competency and currency for pilots operating under a COA and/or Part 107 in established programs. Attendees learn new and pending FAA regulations, law changes, and relevant case law. Flight training is conducted on agency-specific UAV platforms, and students learn how to maximize their flight management software and UAV software settings. Students will complete the objective National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Aerial Test, level 3 Open and level 4 Obstructed course.

Course Length: 2 days (16 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• New dates coming soon

This 8-hour course was specifically designed for pilots transitioning to the NDAA-compliant Skydio X10. The Regional Training Center is a Skydio Certified Master Instructor Organization. The RTC is qualified to instruct and certify users, and other instructors, in all Skydio products and issue certificates as a certified representative of Skydio the OEM. Students will:



• Adjust GCS settings for maximum mission readiness
• Explain the unique aspects of platform safety
• Describe platform capabilities
• Demonstrate mission-specific piloting maneuvers
• Explain proper platform maintenance
• Access and use Skydio software options
• Use 3D scan for the X10
• Demonstrate X10 trouble-shooting strategies
• Teleoperate the X10 (DFR)

Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• February 25, Fountain Valley, CA
• August 6, Fountain Valley, CA

This 8-hour Visual Observer course is designed to meet the needs of all public safety agencies with existing Unmanned Aircraft System programs. The curriculum focuses on the skills required by a UAS Visual Observer (VO) to support operations under Part 107 or a Certificate of Authorization (COA). The class will teach the student UAS safety, flying basics, team communication, and general program operations. This course is ideal for first responders working alongside a UAS team member to provide additional support during visual line-of-sight operations.

Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)

Upcoming Presentations:

• New Dates Coming Soon

California

17595 Mount Herrmann St.

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Texas

1610 Co. Road 115

Burnet Texas 78611

Florida

10370 Charles Bo Harrison Way

Land O Lakes, FL 34637