Sky Commander Academy

SkyCommander.ca
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Welcome to Sky Commander Academy – the elite podcast for Canada’s drone pilots. Hosted by aerial aces Sky Tracer and Ace Talon, this high-octane series from SkyCommander.ca is your command center for mastering drone flight. Start with your Basic RPAS Certificate, crush Transport Canada regs, and rise through the ranks with expert tips, tactical Q&As, and real-world mission insights. We don’t just fly—we command the skies. SkyCommander.ca – See Above. Go Beyond. Get Ahead.

  1. 3H AGO

    S4E30 – Mission Complete: The Post-Flight Ritual That Separates Pros from Hobbyists

    The flight may be over—but your job isn’t.Every professional drone pilot knows that post-flight discipline is what keeps your aircraft in the sky, your data safe, and your certification spotless. Sloppy record-keeping or ignored maintenance logs can come back to haunt you long after the propellers stop spinning. In S4E30 of Sky Commander Academy, we break down Section 6.4.1: Post-Flight Procedures & Maintenance Logs, showing you how to secure your data, inspect your equipment, and maintain the detailed records that keep both regulators and clients confident in your operation. In this episode:🧾 The anatomy of a post-flight log – what to record, how to timestamp, and how to make your logs inspection-ready for the FAA⚙️ Maintenance documentation – tracking component wear, firmware updates, and service intervals that prevent mid-air failures💽 Data security 101 – how to offload imagery, encrypt flight data, and back up records to meet privacy and audit requirements📊 Digital tools for professionals – recommended apps and workflows for automated logging, cloud storage, and analytics📡 Incident and anomaly tracking – when to file maintenance notes vs. reportable events (and how to do both correctly)💡 Pro tips – integrating post-flight logs into your SMS (Safety Management System) and building your traceability story for clients or authorities The flight ends when the paperwork is perfect. Learn how to log like a professional aviator, protect your data like an engineer, and prove your safety culture like a fleet manager. 🌐 SkyCommander.ca🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever elite pilots debrief before their next mission. #SkyCommanderAcademy #DroneTraining #FAA107 #DroneMaintenance #PostFlightChecklist #DataSecurity #FlightLogs #DroneSafety #MissionReady #FlySmart

    59 min

  2. 1D AGO

    S4E29 – Signal Down: How to Survive Abnormal Situations and Lost Link Events Mid-Flight

    When your drone stops listening, the clock starts ticking.A lost link, GPS dropout, or flyaway isn’t just stressful—it’s a live test of your training. And in those few seconds between confusion and correction, only preparation separates professionals from panic. In S4E29 of Sky Commander Academy, we dive into Section 6.3.1: Abnormal Situations & Lost Link Response, breaking down the exact steps, systems, and decision trees you need to turn chaos into control. Because once your aircraft starts drifting, it’s too late to start Googling. In this episode:📡 Lost link logic – what happens when control or GPS is lost, how your drone decides its next move, and what youmust do first🛰 GPS and compass loss scenarios – how to recognize signal degradation before total failure, and safe-mode strategies to regain control🚨 Flyaway containment protocols – how to protect people, property, and airspace when your drone won’t obey📞 ATC and FAA notification requirements – when and how to report incidents, and what phrases to use on the radio or in follow-up reports🧭 Return-to-home vs. manual recovery – which to trust, when to override, and how to prevent secondary loss💡 Pro tips – simulating failure modes, testing redundancy, and building muscle memory for recovery procedures under stress Every pilot loses link eventually—but not every pilot recovers gracefully. Learn to anticipate failure, execute with calm precision, and maintain control when your aircraft stops cooperating. 🌐 SkyCommander.ca🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever serious drone pilots prepare for the unexpected. #SkyCommanderAcademy #DroneTraining #FAA107 #DroneSafety #LostLink #FlyawayRecovery #AbnormalOps #GPSLoss #ATCReporting #MissionReady #FlySmart

    54 min

  3. 2D AGO

    S4E28 – The Art of the Launch: Mastering Normal Flight Operations Like a Pro

    Smooth takeoffs and clean recoveries aren’t luck—they’re skill.Every professional drone pilot knows that the safest flights are the ones that look boring. Precision, discipline, and awareness make the difference between a mission that looks cinematic and one that ends in a crash report. In S4E28 of Sky Commander Academy, we unpack Section 6.2.1: Normal Operations & Best Practices, showing you how to execute every launch, flight, and recovery with confidence and precision. Whether you’re running commercial mapping missions, inspections, or cinematic shoots, this episode helps you build bulletproof habits that define elite RPICs. In this episode:🚀 Perfecting the launch – ground prep, stability checks, takeoff sequencing, and safe throttle application🧭 Maintaining VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) – the FAA standard explained, and how to build muscle memory for spatial awareness and distance control🪂 Precision recovery – the pro’s approach to landings in tight zones, wind compensation, and surface hazard management📡 Situational awareness tactics – how to read the environment dynamically and anticipate changes before they affect your aircraft🧠 Crew coordination best practices – VO communication, callouts, and how to execute seamless handoffs mid-mission💡 Pro tips – mission logging, in-flight adjustments, and how to maintain composure when conditions shift unexpectedly Launch and recovery aren’t just the bookends of a flight—they’re the most critical phases of your operation. Master these fundamentals and you’ll not only pass your FAA Part 107 with confidence—you’ll fly like you were born in the cockpit. 🌐 SkyCommander.ca🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever serious drone pilots prepare for takeoff. #SkyCommanderAcademy #DroneTraining #FAA107 #DroneSafety #VLOS #NormalFlightOps #MissionReady #LaunchAndRecovery #DroneBestPractices #FlySmart #ProfessionalPilot

    36 min

  4. 3D AGO

    S4E27 – Mission Ready: The Ultimate Pre-Flight Site Assessment Checklist Every Drone Pilot Needs

    Most drone crashes don’t happen in the air—they start before takeoff.Skipping a site assessment or missing a single NOTAM can turn a simple flight into an incident report. Real pros know that the secret to flawless missions isn’t luck—it’s preparation. In S4E27 of Sky Commander Academy, we dive deep into Section 6.1.1: Pre-Flight Site Assessment Checklist, breaking down how to evaluate your environment, your equipment, and your risk exposure before every launch. Whether you’re shooting data, film, or infrastructure, this episode gives you the structure to think—and plan—like an air operations commander. In this episode:🌦 Weather assessment mastery – interpreting wind, temperature, and visibility for drone performance and battery endurance🗺 Terrain and obstacle evaluation – how to identify ground hazards, slope effects, magnetic interference, and GPS limitations📡 NOTAMs and TFRs – how to spot temporary restrictions and what they actually mean for your operational window⚠️ Environmental and human risk factors – proximity to people, property, and wildlife—and how to mitigate exposure🧭 Creating your pre-flight checklist – the essential elements every operator should include, from battery health to firmware checks💡 Pro tip – how to standardize your assessment into a repeatable mission log that impresses clients and inspectors A disciplined pre-flight check isn’t bureaucracy—it’s aviation safety in action. Learn the habits that elite pilots use to fly safer, smarter, and with complete confidence, no matter the environment. 🌐 SkyCommander.ca🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever serious drone pilots prepare for takeoff. #SkyCommanderAcademy #DroneTraining #FAA107 #PreFlightChecklist #DroneSafety #MissionReady #RiskManagement #NOTAM #WeatherForPilots #TerrainAwareness #FlySmart

    38 min

  5. 4D AGO

    S4E26 – Two Skies, One Mission: Flying the Border Between NAV Drone and LAANC

    If you can fly confidently in one country—you’re halfway to mastering the other.But when Canadian and U.S. airspace systems collide, even the best pilots can get tripped up by different apps, maps, and authorizations. In S4E26 of Sky Commander Academy, we go international—comparing how Transport Canada’s NAV Drone and the FAA’s LAANC system work, differ, and overlap. Whether you’re a Canadian pilot exploring cross-border operations or a U.S. operator eyeing Canadian airspace, this episode gives you the toolkit to stay compliant, efficient, and ready for either side of the 49th parallel. In this episode:🌎 Airspace comparison decoded – how Canada’s Class A–G structure maps to the U.S. system and what “controlled” means in each country📲 NAV Drone vs. LAANC – interface breakdowns, data sources, and how each system handles real-time airspace authorization🛫 Approval workflows – from instant LAANC grid authorizations to NAV Drone’s manual flight approval process📡 Cross-border flight planning – what to do when your operations or clients span both sides of the border⚖️ Legal realities – where jurisdiction changes, what Transport Canada vs. FAA expects, and how enforcement differs💡 Pro tips for dual-licensed pilots – syncing your workflow, staying sharp on differences, and using both systems like a professional airspace strategist Operating internationally isn’t just about crossing a line on the map—it’s about mastering two rulebooks at once. This episode teaches you how to think globally, plan legally, and fly anywhere with confidence. 🌐 SkyCommander.ca🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever serious drone pilots train for airspace dominance. #SkyCommanderAcademy #RPASCanada #FAA107 #NAVDrone #LAANC #DroneTraining #AirspaceAwareness #CrossBorderOps #DroneSafety #FlySmart #MissionReady

    28 min

  6. 5D AGO

    S4E25 – Green Light Granted: How to Master LAANC and Fly in Controlled Airspace (Legally)

    Instant airspace access isn’t magic—it’s LAANC.Behind every legal drone flight near an airport is a system that talks directly to the FAA in seconds. But if you don’t know how to read UAS Facility Maps or navigate the LAANC process, you’re flying blind—and one unauthorized takeoff could cost you your certificate. In S4E25 of Sky Commander Academy, we unlock the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system and teach you how to request, manage, and track real-time flight approvals like a pro. Whether you’re mapping a tower in Class D or inspecting a site near Class C, this episode shows you how to operate inside controlled airspace safely, confidently, and legally. In this episode:🗺 LAANC explained – how the FAA’s authorization system works in real time and why it revolutionized drone flight near airports📍 UAS Facility Maps decoded – understanding grid altitudes, ceilings, and pre-approved flight zones🧭 Step-by-step LAANC workflow – from app selection (Aloft, AirMap, or Kittyhawk) to request submission and automated approval⚙️ When instant authorization isn’t enough – how to identify when manual ATC coordination or an SFOC-style waiver is required🛰 Pro tip: mission prep with intent – syncing LAANC data into your flight plan and documenting your approval for compliance audits💡 Advanced insights – trends in real-time airspace automation and where UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) is taking us next LAANC turns bureaucracy into a tap on your phone—if you know how to use it. Learn to request, plan, and document flight authorizations like an airspace professional and never get caught off guard again. 🌐 SkyCommander.ca🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever elite drone pilots prep for takeoff. #FAA107 #SkyCommanderAcademy #DroneTraining #LAANC #AirspaceAuthorization #UASFMs #DroneSafety #ControlledAirspace #UTM #Part107 #MissionReady

    42 min

  7. 6D AGO

    S4E24 – Chart Smart: How to Read FAA Sectionals Like a Pro (and Never Fly Lost Again)

    The best pilots don’t just see a map—they decode it.FAA Sectional Charts are the language of the sky, filled with clues that separate recreational flyers from certified airspace masters. But if you can’t read the symbols, grids, and markings that define controlled airspace, towers, and obstacles—you’re flying blind. In S4E24 of Sky Commander Academy, we unlock the secrets of FAA Sectional Charts, teaching you how to read, interpret, and navigate using the same charts manned pilots rely on. You’ll learn to pinpoint your drone’s location with precision and plan missions that stay safe, compliant, and razor-sharp. In this episode:🗺 Sectional chart fundamentals – understanding chart scales, legends, and color coding for airspace and terrain📍 Latitude and longitude grid mastery – how to plot coordinates, read grid ticks, and locate airspace boundaries quickly🏙 Symbol decoding – airports, heliports, obstacles, towers, powerlines, and restricted zones—what they look like and what they mean🛰 VFR chart layers – interpreting elevations, contour shading, and Maximum Elevation Figures (MEFs) to stay obstacle-aware📡 Pro tip: sectional chart to app translation – how traditional charts connect to tools like ForeFlight, SkyVector, and B4UFLY💡 Practical mission planning – marking operational areas, identifying hazards, and briefing crew using map overlays A pilot who can read a sectional chart doesn’t guess—they know. Learn to visualize the airspace in 3D, interpret the grid at a glance, and fly with the precision of a crewed aviator. 🌐 SkyCommander.ca🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever pros prep for takeoff. #FAA107 #SkyCommanderAcademy #DroneTraining #AirspaceAwareness #SectionalCharts #DroneMapping #AirspaceSafety #Part107 #FlySmart #MissionReady

    36 min

  8. OCT 30

    S4E23 – Danger Zones: Mastering Special Use Airspace Before It Masters You

    Think the sky is open? Think again.Thousands of invisible boundaries carve up the national airspace—and one wrong flight path can put your drone inside a restricted zone, a military training area, or even a presidential TFR. The penalties? Fines, certificate suspension, or worse. In S4E23 of Sky Commander Academy, we pull back the curtain on Special Use Airspace (SUA) and teach you how to recognize, interpret, and avoid it before you ever take off. Because “I didn’t know” doesn’t fly with the FAA. In this episode:🚫 What is Special Use Airspace (SUA)? – The six main categories every Part 107 pilot must know: Restricted, Prohibited, MOA, Warning, Alert, and Controlled Firing Areas⚠️ TFRs explained – How Temporary Flight Restrictions pop up overnight (wildfires, VIP movements, airshows) and how to find them before they find you✈️ Military Operations Areas (MOAs) – Understanding why high-speed jets and UAS don’t mix, and what your maps aren’t telling you🗺 Chart-reading secrets – How to identify SUA on sectional charts, VFR maps, and digital overlays like LAANC and SkyVector📡 Pre-flight detection tools – Using FAA UAS Data, B4UFLY, and NOTAM systems to stay legal and situationally aware💡 Pro tips – Integrating SUA awareness into your preflight checklist and mission-planning SOPs to protect your aircraft and certificate Flying drones isn’t just about skill—it’s about airspace intelligence. Learn how to navigate the sky’s invisible walls like a pro and keep your operations clean, compliant, and unshakeably confident. 🌐 SkyCommander.ca🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you prepare for takeoff. #FAA107 #SkyCommanderAcademy #DroneTraining #AirspaceSafety #SpecialUseAirspace #TFR #MOA #RestrictedAirspace #DroneSafety #FlySmart #MissionReady

    47 min
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About

Welcome to Sky Commander Academy – the elite podcast for Canada’s drone pilots. Hosted by aerial aces Sky Tracer and Ace Talon, this high-octane series from SkyCommander.ca is your command center for mastering drone flight. Start with your Basic RPAS Certificate, crush Transport Canada regs, and rise through the ranks with expert tips, tactical Q&As, and real-world mission insights. We don’t just fly—we command the skies. SkyCommander.ca – See Above. Go Beyond. Get Ahead.

Information

  • Creator
    SkyCommander.ca
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    206
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © SkyCommander.ca
  • Show Website
    Sky Commander Academy