By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks Academy, 29 May 26 In our previous deep dive into Human Factors, we explored how the "silent danger" of complacency can erode a pilot’s proficiency. But there is another member of aviation’s "Dirty Dozen" that strikes with much more speed and noise: Distraction. While complacency is a slow drift into overconfidence, distraction is an immediate hijacking of your cognitive resources. For a drone pilot—especially those operating in

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks Academy, 22 May 26 The Canadian drone industry is undergoing a historic transformation. With Transport Canada’s regulations allowing expanded horizons—including Extended Visual Line-of-Sight (EVLOS), sheltered operations, and lower-risk Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) flights under the Level 1 Complex Operations framework—the technical capabilities of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) have reached unprecedented height

By Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks Academy, 26 April 26 I In the high-stakes world of aviation—whether you are piloting a commercial jet or operating a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) under Level 1 Complex requirements—technical skill is only half the battle. The other half is managing the human element. The "Dirty Dozen" refers to twelve specific human factors identified by Transport Canada and the FAA that are responsible for the vast majority of flight

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks Academy, 11 April 26 The aviation world was recently rocked by a sobering event at LaGuardia Airport: an Air Canada Express jet, operated by Jazz Aviation, collided with a fire truck during its landing roll on March 22, 2026. The collision sheared off the nose of the aircraft, tragically claiming the lives of both pilots and injuring dozens. Preliminary data reveals a chilling breakdown in communication: the tower cleared the ai