NIST Open Test Lane Basic Proficiency Testing

 Date: 10/18/2023

Objective: Complete Basic Proficiency Testing using the open test lanes

Weather Conditions: Cloudy, 60 degrees F, Sustained winds 4m/s, gusts 10m/s,

Class D airspace, LAANC clearance obtained by Jeremy England

VO: Westin Miley

Proctor: Westin Miley

Aircraft: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (Mavic H)

Score:40/40

Link to all bucket photos: https://purdue0-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/kwittme_purdue_edu/Emr0IMBgzORFjmssjaVPesABhAYwwYQfrpNj9_CcnXmEsA?email=kwittme%40purdue.edu&e=juFETi

Link to Score Logbook: https://purdue0-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/kwittme_purdue_edu/ET0ryS42fItPscFGvNdOgTwBmzl1g0UU8u1LBVdlOD0pTQ?email=kwittme%40purdue.edu&e=afYeLC

The setup of the open test lane followed the procedure outlined in the Open Test Lanes and Scenarios guidebook. We set up in the northeast corner of the grass turf research center, as this provided a large, open area that was not being used for research. For this lab, we were conducting Basic Proficiency testing, therefore only three omni buckets were needed per test lane. The standard spacing used for this test was 10ft., meaning 10ft. between each bucket and 10ft. from the landing pad to the first bucket. 

The Basic proficiency test consists of three flights. The first flight involves a vertical takeoff over the landing pad followed by a series of left and rightward yaws along with forward and backward pitching, while taking photographs with each movement to verify accuracy. The second flight involves a vertical takeoff followed by an oval clockwise orbit around the open test lane, while stopping to photograph each bucket. The third and final flight is the same as the second flight, except in a counterclockwise orbit around the test lane.

As previously mentioned, accuracy is judged based on the photographs taken between movements. In the basic proficiency testing the requirement for a point is that the outer green ring on the stick in the bottom of the bucket be unbroken, so while the entire green ring is not visible, as long as there is green all along the outside a point is scored. I scored a 40/40 on this test, meaning in each of my photos the green ring was visible. However, this was a very basic and simple test, whereas the payload functionality and maneuvering trials may prove to be more difficult. Also, this test was conducted in position mode meaning the drone will hold its position when there are no inputs from the controller, as opposed to ATTI mode, in which the drone will continue to drift in whichever direction it is heading until the pilot inputs in the adverse direction. 

Here is a photograph of bucket 1A, taken after the first instruction to launch and hover over stand #1 to align with. In this photo, while the entire green ring is not visible, there is a visible unbroken green ring on the outside circle, therefore 1 point is scored.

This photo was taken of bucket 3B, on step 14 which states "roll leftward to stand #3 to align with". In this one, a full green ring is visible, and 1 point is scored. 

Here is the score sheet showing all of the movements and metadata involving the test