During the recent lab session, our team ventured to the Boys and Girls Club in Lafayette to engage in a practical exercise focused on indoor drone flight scenarios. The lab was structured with half of the lab members designated as hostages and the remaining half as assailants. The primary goal was to gain valuable experience in flying drones indoors and explore challenges associated with beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

Key Objectives:

1. Indoor Flying Experience:
Participants were tasked with navigating drones through the indoor environment of the Boys and Girls Club, simulating real-world scenarios that demand precision and control in confined spaces.

2. Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS):
The lab aimed to provide hands-on experience in managing BVLOS situations, a critical aspect in drone operations, especially in scenarios involving potential risks or obstacles.

3. Hostage and Assailant Simulation:
The team dynamically divided into two groups – hostages and assailants – to create a realistic environment for the exercise. This added a layer of complexity, requiring effective communication and coordination during flight operations.

Execution Challenges:

Unfortunately, as the lab progressed, unforeseen circumstances arose. Toward the conclusion of the exercise, there was a shift from the indoor part of the Boys and Girls Club to an outdoor setting. Regrettably, this transition limited our ability to adhere to the original plan, resulting in an altered scenario with only approximately four hostages available for the flight operations.

Adaptation and Mitigation:

Despite the unexpected challenges, the team adapted to the situation as best as possible. Adjustments were made on the fly to accommodate the change in environment and participant distribution, ensuring that the exercise retained educational value.

Lessons Learned:

1. Flexibility in Execution:
The unforeseen shift emphasized the importance of adaptability in real-world scenarios. Drones are often deployed in dynamic environments, and the ability to adjust plans on the fly is a crucial skill.

2. Communication Protocols:
The exercise highlighted the significance of clear and effective communication, especially when coordinating complex flight operations with a divided team and a remote visual observer.

Conclusion:

While the lab did not unfold precisely as planned, the challenges encountered provided valuable insights and practical experience in managing unexpected scenarios in drone operations. As we continue to refine our skills, these lessons will undoubtedly contribute to our proficiency in handling diverse and dynamic situations in the field of indoor and BVLOS drone flight.