APSA Drone Training Program

APSA and BPERP

The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) has also developed an APSA-NIST Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilot (BPERP) Certificate in accordance with the NIST Open Lane Test Methods for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Zephyr offers a BPERP training scenario and Virtual Certification option, too.

The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) Virtual Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (Virtual BPERP) emulates the widely used in-person Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (BPERP) currently being administered by over 450 APSA trained proctors. The Virtual BPERP provides the added advantage of utilization of a remote proctor, eliminating the need to locate a local proctor, and permitting certification in all weather conditions.

The Virtual BPERP and BPERP provide a robust solution to the absence of a practical skills evaluation in the Federal Aviation Administration's Remote Pilot Certificate process. The combination of completing the requirements for the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (merely a written exam, online application, and TSA background investigation) AND biennially completing the Virtual BPERP/BPERP and FAA Remote Pilot Refresher Course, is an excellent way of ensuring sUAS pilot knowledge AND practical skills competency.