When a drone falls (no)

Pedagogical value

Drones are a technological tool that provides significant benefits in police operations. High standards are set for drone pilots, and the Norwegian police drone pilots undergo a specialized education program designed specifically for police drone operations. During training, pilots learn about external factors affecting drone flight, such as aerodynamics and meteorology, drone construction, and relevant legislation. The digital part of the police drone training is varied and tailored to the students’ learning styles. People learn in different ways, and for many, demonstrations, simulations, and real-life examples are among the most effective methods. All videos, animations, texts and tasks in the e-learning are designed to make complex theoretical topics practically understandable and directly relevant for future drone pilots. The main goals of the training are that police officers: – Fly legally – Fly with the lowest possible risk topersons on the ground and other airspace users – Maximize operational effectiveness and use drones as efficiently as possible The selected film from the digital training program, «When a Drone Falls», has the following detailed learning objectives: – Understand how a drone pilot can assess the potential for damage when a drone falls or collides with other aircraft – Be aware of the various consequences of such damage, including reputational, physical, and financial impacts – Understand that kinetic energy is the energy of motion, and that mass and speed determine kinetic energy – Know what actions can be taken to avoid causing harm The police have logged approximately 10,000 flight hours since 2022 and have experienced two incidents where drones fell due to technical failure. No injuries occurred. «We actively avoid areas with high population density and traffic whenever possible, precisely to minimize the risk of personal injury» says Andreas Aalstad Nilsen, training coordinator at the Norwegian Police Unmanned Air Support unit.