Every course follows the same pattern. Topics are written from the controlled documents, clause by clause, with figures and chart images where a picture says it better; each topic has practice questions with feedback; and the course closes with an exam that is scored only when it is submitted. Results are kept as training records under section 3.2 of the Operations Manual for seven years, with the manual versions each exam was taken against, and the Chief Remote Pilot signs off any practical items separately.

The first course is the Operations Manual and Procedures Library certification, the Policy and Procedure induction that Part C of the Operations Manual requires before commercial operations. Its exam covers every question in the bank with a pass mark of 100 percent, and until it is passed a pilot or observer cannot be assigned to an operation. Type training for the aircraft we operate, night VLOS, operations near people and observer training follow the same shape and are on the programme.

Where our two manuals differ from each other the training says so rather than choosing silently, and the differences are on the amendment list for the next revision. Whether a course is repeated on a schedule is a decision for the Chief Remote Pilot; each course shows a pilot where they stand.