Commercial Drone Services | Chief Remote Pilot Background

Background: Founder &

Chief Remote Pilot (CRP)

Here’s a bit of background about the Founder of Commercial Drone Services and its Chief Remote Pilot, Peter Muir, written by himself.

“My background is Electronics Engineering (5 years experience), Enterprise IT&T Sales (25 years), and now Drone Operations (2017 onwards).

I have always loved solving problems by using technology, especially with electronics, and operating a commercial drone business provides ample opportunity to do just that!

I’ve been interested in flying since studying to be a Commercial Pilot and taking flying lessons at the age of 27.

Most importantly, I’ve always been interested in talking to people from all walks of life, finding out what makes them tick, and applying my knowledge and expertise to solving their problems. I’ve never lived on a farm, but “bull at a gate”, “dog with a bone”, and “energiser bunny” are some of the terms people have used to describe me, especially when setting up this business!

I’ve been flying drones commercially since 2017 (and recreationally for years before that), and have logged hundreds of missions, and over 70 flying hours, often flying in densely populated areas such as Melbourne’s CBD and surrounding suburbs.”

Certifications / Experience

CASA Remote Pilot’s license (RePL) for flying Multirotor drones up to 25kg, number: 423728

Aeronautical Radio Operator’s Certificate (AROC), to communicate with other aircraft

CASA Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC), number: 6673, so I can operate under my own license

Photogrammetry / Mapping / 3D Modelling;

Completed Pix4Dmapper “Essentials” and “In-Depth” course
Passed Pix4Dmapper Essentials certification exam (this is the only exam that Pix4D offer)
Experience with various data capture hardware (eg P4 RTK, thermal cameras, etc)
Experience with multiple mission planning software packages, and manual capture
Experience in processing photogrammetry datasets with Pix4Dmapper (visual and thermal)

Thermography;

Completed FLIR’s online training course for thermal cameras on drones (FLIR is the thermal camera OEM). This is the only course available anywhere that specifically focuses on the use of thermal cameras on drones! Other thermography courses are available, however they all focus on the use of hand-held thermal cameras for applications such as detecting anomalies in electrical switchboards. There are huge differences in the applications and environmental factors, between thermal cameras on drones outdoors, and handheld thermal cameras indoors!!! Beware of any drone thermal camera operator that has only been trained on the latter.

Specific Operational Risk Assessment (SORA);

Completed Aviassist’s SORA course (click on “Course Information” tab). This is a risk assessment framework used by CASA to evaluate flight plan applications involving more complex scenarios, such as BVLoS (Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight). Completing this course means I have an excellent understanding of flight plan risk assessment, so that I am in a much better position to have my complex flight plan applications approved by CASA.

Extended Visual Line-of-Sight (EVLoS);

Completed Aviassist’s EVLoS course (click on “Course Information” tab). EVLoS allows drone flight Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLoS), using trained observers to keep track of the drone at all times. EVLoS Class I essentially facilitates First Person View (FPV) of the drone (eg the pilot wears goggles), using a co-located observer to lookout for hazards. This is particularly useful for filming fast-moving sporting activities and the like. It also allows extended operations out to 1.5km, by allowing the observer to use visual and technology aids in keeping track of the location and airspace risks around the drone. EVLoS Class II allows BVLoS flight and extends the range of operations, by using strategically placed observers. EVLoS is an especially useful tool, as approvals can be obtained quickly and relatively cheaply, and approvals apply Australia-wide (but still subject to other restrictions).

Instrument Rating (IREX);

I am currently studying for my IREX, and hope to achieve this sometime in 2022. This is the same exam that commercial pilots must sit, in order to fly by instruments only. An IREX is a mandatory requirement for the remote pilot in command of a Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLoS), or Extended Visual Line-of-Sight (EVLoS) Class II operation. This exam is probably the toughest exam a pilot can take, it is known in the industry as the “exam from hell”.

I also have tickets in;

Construction Induction (White Card)
Working at Heights
ERP license for scissor lifts (Yellow Card)
High Risk Work license (for operating boom lifts)
Open Cabling license
National Police Check (for both Criminal History, and Working with Children)
Full Victorian Driver’s license – manual
Completed Site Inductions for roof access of most tall buildings in Melbourne

I am an Australian citizen, with full working rights.