KR Droneworks Academy
What Is Required to Qualify
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To ensure the integrity of the specialist designation, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:
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Pilot Certification: Must hold a current Transport Canada Advanced Pilot Certificate or Part 107 (USA).
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Technical Foundation: Basic understanding of RPAS flight operations and DJI Enterprise or equivalent flight controller ecosystems.
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Hardware Access: Access to a radiometric thermal-capable airframe (e.g., DJI M30T, M350 w/ H20T, or equivalent enterprise-grade sensor) is required for the Optional Field Lab Training.
What You Will Master
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Upon successful completion of the GTFS program, specialists will be able to:
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Operationalize Infrared Physics: Apply thermal inertia, emissivity, and atmospheric attenuation theory to predict the optimal "Golden Window" for a find.
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Execute Advanced Tactics: Master the "Ladder Tactic" for forest canopy penetration and the "Linear Offset Maneuver" to clear high-priority features with 90% statistical efficiency.
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Defeat Environmental Noise: Correctly identify "False Positives" (such as decomposing logs) and navigate the "Insulation Paradox" of space blankets and heavy clothing.
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Manage the Digital Pipeline: Utilize platform-agnostic tools including ATAK, SARTopo, and QGIS to bridge the gap between "Pixels and Pins," ensuring ground teams receive real-time coordinates instantly.
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Standardize Proficiency: Demonstrate scorable mastery of flight maneuvers mapped directly to NIST Standard Test Methods.
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Other Important Information:
The NIST Proficiency Scorecard
Unlike standard training, GTFS graduates receive a physical NIST Level 3 Scorecard. This provides your agency with empirical, scorable proof of your ability to meet National Standards for Public Safety RPAS operations.**
Agnostic Interoperability
We believe in "Beyond the Ecosystem." While we train heavily on the DJI Enterprise stack, we teach you how to bypass proprietary "walled gardens" using RTMP/SRT streaming to ensure your data works on any device, in any agency.
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"Dark Territory" Ready"
Learn to operate in the "Digital Desert." Our curriculum includes Offline Readiness training, teaching you how to maintain 100% functionality with local GIS servers and mesh networks when cell towers and cloud services are down.
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NOTES:
* In-person Ground School Training is provided via Google Meet video-conference
**The NIST Proficiency Scorecard will be an arms length evaluation for distance learning courses.
RPAS Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR)
Program
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Master the "Art of the Find" through Enhanced GSAR Mission Planning and the "Science of Heat."
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The KR Droneworks Academy GSAR Program is an elite, technically rigorous RPAS GSAR certification designed to transform standard RPAS pilots into high-tier mission specialists.
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This is an advanced program reflecting the "Level 1 Complex Operations" mindset of 2026. It is specifically engineered for professional responders operating in high-consequence environments where failure is not an option.
Meeting the Global Gold Standard
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Our program is built on a foundation of professional standards alignment to reduce agency liability and ensure "Police-Grade" interoperability.
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Standards Alignment: Our curriculum is mapped directly to NFPA 2400 (Standard for sUAS Used for Public Safety Operations) and NIST Proficiency Metrics.
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The NIST Proficiency Scorecard: Unlike standard training, GTFS graduates receive an arms-length evaluation resulting in a physical NIST Level 3 Scorecard. This provides your agency with empirical proof of your ability to meet National Standards for Public Safety RPAS operations. (Available in select locations across Canada.)
RPOC Compliance & Agency Scalability
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We don't just train pilots; we build programs. Our curriculum provides the "Special Inclusions" and SOP templates required for your agency to successfully apply for a Transport Canada RPOC (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operational Certificate). We guide you through the institutional requirements for BVLOS operations, including:
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Safety Management Systems (SMS): Documentation of the Accountable Executive and safety leads.
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BVLOS CONOPS: Professional Concept of Operations for deep wilderness canopy penetration.
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Advanced Visual Observer (VO) Protocols: Standardized communication and "Clock-Position" hand-offs for airspace deconfliction.
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BVLOS Emergency Recovery Plans (ERP): Specialized "Back-Track" procedures to account for signal lag and terrain masking.
Move your GSAR team from "Basic" to "BVLOS Ready" with documentation that meets the 2026 Gold Standard.
Who This Is For
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​This program is specifically engineered for professional responders who operate in high-consequence environments where failure is not an option:
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Public Safety Professionals: Police, Fire, and EMS personnel seeking to standardize their thermal operations under NFPA 2400 guidelines.
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GSAR Task Forces: Advanced teams requiring specialized tactics for canopy penetration and "Dark Territory" operations.
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Elite Private Contractors: Specialized drone pilots providing high-fidelity search support to government agencies.
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Agency Leads: Command leadership looking for adoptable quantifiable, NIST-compliant proficiency metrics designed to mitigate institutional liability.​
With an Introduction to Drone Thermography
In summary, this is a tactical RPAS GSAR operations program and not a formal thermography training course. The program provides an introduction to thermography concepts that treats the thermal camera as a life-saving tool within a highly regulated aviation and legal framework.
Pricing and Scheduling
We maintain a flexible scheduling model designed to meet the individual availability of our students.
The course is delivered via Virtual Classroom using Google Meet to maximize student to instructor interaction, anywhere in Canada.
Our current pricing for the program tiers is as follows:​
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GSAR Core Course Only: $1,995.00 CAD + taxes
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GSAR Core Course + RPOC Manual Suite ** (Minus NIST Evaluation): $2,295.00 CAD + taxes
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Full Course Program Bundle (GSAR Core Course plus NIST Evaluation & RPOC Manual Suite): $2,595.00 CAD + taxes
** NOTE: Transport Canada Mandates that pilots flying BVLOS MUST be affiliated with a RPOC Certificate holder. With our manulas
you can apply for your own TC RPOC Certificate
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For more information, and registration - Email: kr.droneworks@gmail.com
