The KR Droneworks GSAR Program is an enhanced RPAS Training Program for Search and Rescue (SAR) mission planning and operations with an introduction to the use of Infrared/Thermal Imaging concepts in GSAR drone aerial search operations.
 
Unlike a general thermography course that usually focus on industrial building inspections or mechanical troubleshooting, this course is designed for Public Safety and Search and Rescue professionals. It integrates an introduction to RPAS thermal knowledge with the legal and operational requirements for flying drones (RPAS) in Canada, specifically touching on areas that industrial thermography courses typically ignore.
 
Legal Aspects: Transport Canada
 
The course incorporates several legal requirements from Transport Canada for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). These are critical for SAR operations but are rarely part of a standard thermography curriculum:
 
Operational Roles: The course defines the legal responsibilities of the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) and the Visual Observer (VO).
Operational Constraints: It discusses BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, which are often necessary in wide-area SAR missions but require specific Transport Canada waivers or advanced certifications.
Aviation Standards: There is a specific focus on CSA Standards (Canadian Standards Association) as they relate to the manufacturing and operation of drones in regulated airspace.
 
2. General Law and Liability
 
Beyond aviation-specific rules, the course covers the broader legal implications of using thermal sensors for public safety:
 
Privacy Laws: The use of thermal imaging involves capturing data on individuals, which touches upon privacy regulations that a standard industrial thermography program does not need to consider.
 
Evidence Handling: Because SAR missions can involve criminal investigations or formal coroner inquiries, the course references the use of GSAR Mission Logs. These logs serve as legal documentation of search efforts, demonstrating that a "due diligence" search was conducted.
 
3. RPOC (Remote Pilot Operating Certificate) Manuals to apply for TC RPOC Certification, a mandatory requirement to fly BVLOS in Canada
 
Standard thermography training focuses on the camera; this course focuses on the pilot and the aircraft's integration with the mission. It references materials from the RPOC Manuals, which include:
 
Pre-Flight and Mission Checklists: Specifically, the Thermal Mission Planning Checklist, which ensures that the sensor is properly configured for human detection (gain settings, palettes, etc.) before takeoff.
 
Site Surveys: Legal requirements to assess terrain, weather, and obstacles (like power lines or trees) before deploying a thermal-equipped drone.
 
Emergency Procedures: The manual includes protocols for equipment failure, which is vital when operating expensive thermal sensors over potentially sensitive areas or in harsh environmental conditions like Snow or during Thermal Cross Over periods.
 
In summary, this is a tactical operations course that treats the thermal camera as a life-saving tool within a highly regulated aviation and legal framework.