Airforces

http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #367 OCTOBER 2018 // 33

developments. Regular drone test operator

courses, first held in 2015, reflect this

commitment. Colonel Caroff said: “We set

up this training because the need exists to

prepare and test the man-machine interface.

So far, drones have been designed by and

for engineers [rather] than pilots. It is no

surprise that numerous aircraft have been

lost or damaged because of a lack of logic in

the design of their aeronautical systems.”

Five people, already familiar with unmanned

vehicle operations, participated in the first

course. There are also modules for novices

but before starting at EPNER, they must attend

a two-week overview on drone technology.

“Our ambition is to teach beyond the sole

theory and have our trainees understand

and master the specific requirements of

drone test flying,” Caroff continued. “We

deal with specific questions such as

overflying populated areas, flight zone

segregation, risk control, performances

and handling qualities evaluation.”

To achieve this, the school is considering

using a light aircraft that will be controlled

from a ground control station as if it was

aboard a drone. The aircraft will be fitted

with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR)

sensor to serve as a UAV surrogate.

EPNER doesn’t face the same commercial

burden as the British ETPS, which operates

under the supervision of QinetiQ and within

a private-public partnership environment.

Although the French organisation still faces its

own economic pressures, it continues to excel

in what is a very competitive business.

Above left: An EPNER diploma is a highly

sought-after certifi cate in the career of a

military pilot, offering the opportunity to

clock fl ying hours in a range of exciting

types. Anthony Pecchi Above: Mirage 2000N

301 and Alpha Jet E60 prepare to leave the

Istres apron for a test fl ight, followed by a

‘photex’ with Anthony Pecchi in the backseat

of the PC-7. Frédéric Lert Right: Pilot and

fl ight engineer wear the same orange fl ying

suit, typical of the experimental world. The

use of a single belly tank was unusual for the

frontline Mirage 2000N, but typical for the

EPNER aircraft. Frédéric Lert Below right:

Alpha Jet E100 received this special paint

scheme to mark EPNER’s 70th anniversary in

2016. The austere landscape of the French
      Camargue is visible in the background.
      Anthony Pecchi Below: Flown by EPNER
      pilots, Alpha Jet E60 and Mirage
      2000N 301 (the fi rst production
      aircraft of the ‘N’ series) break
      away from the DGA’s Mystère XX.
      Anthony Pecchi

AFM

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