Fixed-Wing, Rotary-Wing, and VTOL Drone Training with Japan Flying Labs

By Japan Flying Labs

1. Overview

This training program was conducted to enhance operational skills to take national certificate exams, technical knowledge, and data utilization capabilities related to fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and future VTOL drone operations. The program combined practical flight training with classroom lectures and skill-sharing sessions, aimed at disaster response and urban-area operations.

2. Training Venue and Management

We had a two-day training camp at Dream Drone Flying Field of D Academy in Kimitsu city, about 46 km Southeast from Tokyo. At the beginning of the training, Mr. Kenichi Yoda, operator of D Academy provided an introduction to the facility and its management structure. D Academy is operated through an alliance of multiple companies, ensuring neutrality and practical, field-oriented training.

The facility features a large training area with adjacent high-voltage power lines, enabling realistic infrastructure inspection and disaster-response training, distinguishing it from other facilities.

3. Background and Challenges for VTOL Operations

VTOL aircraft, combining the characteristics of multirotor and fixed-wing platforms, are expected to play a significant role in urban operations due to their ability to operate without runways and to collect wide-area data in a single flight. Applications include surveying, infrastructure inspection, disaster response, and logistics.

However, in Japan, the number of facilities where one can practice for national certificate or take training courses as registered fixed-wing unmanned aircraft pilot training are limited.  For Level 3.5＊ beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations in urban areas, pilots must hold national pilot certifications for both multirotor and fixed-wing aircraft in Japan. This presents a challenge for smooth Japan Flying Labs and DroneBird operations over residential areas.

4. Constraints of Fixed-Wing Pilot Certification

Fixed-wing pilot certification requires aircraft capable of at least 20 minutes of continuous flight, optimized balance between weight, battery capacity, and aerodynamic performance, and facilities with sufficient space to allow straight flight for at least 15 seconds.

Additionally, examiner dispatch costs are high and the number of examinees per day is limited, resulting in high examination fees. D-Academy addresses these challenges by arranging on-site examinations through examiner dispatch.

5. Fixed-Wing Flight Training

Due to differences in center of gravity and flight characteristics compared to multirotor aircraft, participants conducted actual takeoff and landing training using fixed-wing aircraft.

Prior to real flights, simulator training was conducted to compare aircraft with and without flight controllers. This allowed participants to understand the importance of flight controllers in certification examinations and safe operations.

While flight controllers enhance safety for less experienced pilots, experienced pilots may disable these systems during acrobatic maneuvers. All training was conducted using Mode 2 controls, consistent with certification standards.

6. Flight Training Activities

Flight training included confirmation of VTOL aircraft settings, autopilot flight training using the eBee X fixed-wing aircraft, and training with multirotor aircraft owned by individual members, enabling multi-platform operational experience.

7. Classroom Training and Skill Sharing

Classroom sessions covered high-precision GNSS and data logging using Drogger, RTK-based orthomosaic generation, SfM and Gaussian Splatting techniques, 360-degree panorama capture, Raspberry Pi and UNVT Portable GIS deployment, updates to the Open-Hinata 3 Web-GIS platform, and the development of Drone Tasking Manager for centralized airspace and task management.

8. Outcomes

The training achieved confirmation of the full orthomosaic generation workflow across the facility, simulation of accident aircraft recovery, improvement of individual pilot skills, resolution of technical challenges through knowledge sharing, and strengthened team cohesion.

9. Conclusion

This training provided a practical and valuable opportunity to address the institutional and technical challenges associated with fixed-wing and VTOL operations in Japan. It represents a significant step toward strengthening Japan Flying Labs and DroneBird’s operational readiness for urban and disaster-response missions.

Note: ＊Level 3.5 flight in Japan 

1. Relaxed Regulations: Allows BVLOS operations without strict ground safety measures, as long as digital safety checks (e.g., onboard cameras) are in place.
2. Practical Uses: Facilitates drone deliveries and infrastructure inspections over roads, railways, and other areas.
3. Safety Requirements: Operators must have certification, insurance, and use digital safety monitoring (like cameras) to ensure safe operations.