Range Safety Officer FPV Operations in Mesa

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Job DescriptionJob Description

Range Safety Officer (RSO) – FPV Operations

Position Type: Full-Time / Contract
Work Location: Indoor & Outdoor UAS Training Ranges
Reports To: Operations Manager

1. Position Summary

The FPV Range Safety Officer (RSO) is responsible for the safe conduct, oversight, and execution of all First-Person View (FPV) Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) training events on approved ranges. The RSO ensures compliance with governing safety policies, unit/agency instructions, applicable COIs, ORM measures, and EAP protocols.

The RSO has full authority to suspend, modify, or terminate FPV operations when unsafe conditions arise.

2. Essential Duties & Responsibilities

A. Pre-Range Duties

• Conduct full site inspection of FPV training area, airspace, and ground hazards.
• Verify all required ORM and EAP documents are complete and posted.
• Conduct environmental and weather assessment (winds, visibility, precipitation).
• Confirm the presence of required emergency medical support and equipment.
• Establish safe flight envelopes, stand-off distances, and launch/recovery zones.
• Validate personnel accountability and ensure all students/instructors have received the safety brief.
• Confirm battery charging/storage stations meet safety requirements (LiPo protocols).
• Ensure range boundaries, signage, and flight lanes are clearly marked and communicated.
• Verify all flight controllers, receivers, VTx devices, and goggles comply with approved frequencies and power limits.

B. During Operations

• Maintain constant visual oversight of flight zones and personnel movement.
• Enforce PPE requirements (eye protection, gloves when appropriate, hearing protection if applicable).
• Supervise battery handling, arming procedures, and pre-flight checks.
• Ensure strict separation of powered aircraft, soldering tools, charging stations, and spectator/observation areas.
• Monitor RF environment and prevent frequency conflicts/interference.
• Execute real-time risk management decisions.
• Enforce grounding procedures during lightning, excessive winds, or uncontrolled RF behavior.
• Manage flight sequencing to prevent mid-air collisions, loss-of-control events, or flyaways.
• Maintain radio/voice communication with OIC and training staff.
• Initiate CEASE FLIGHT or TERMINATE FLIGHT calls when unsafe conditions occur.

C. Post-Range Duties

• Verify all aircraft are safed, disarmed, and batteries removed.
• Oversee battery discharge, cooling, and storage according to LiPo safety requirements.
• Conduct site walkthrough for debris, FOD, and hazards.
• Ensure no equipment is left in controlled or restricted areas.
• Complete incident logs, near-miss reports, and range closure documentation.
• Participate in instructor debrief and submit recommendations for safety improvements.

3. Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of FPV systems, including:
  • Flight controllers, ESCs, VTx, receivers, radios
  • Betaflight / ArduPilot / INAV configuration
  • LiPo battery hazards, charging, and storage
• Familiarity with UAS-related risk factors (RF interference, failsafe behavior, latency, link loss).
• Strong situational awareness and ability to make rapid decisions under pressure.
• Clear communication skills for giving safety commands, signals, and briefings.
• Knowledge of airspace classifications, controlled areas, and local UAS regulations.
• Ability to identify unsafe actions or system configurations and redirect personnel immediately.

4. Minimum Qualifications

• Prior experience as an Instructor, RSO, Pilot, or UAS Operator (FPV ).
• Demonstrated expertise in FPV aircraft assembly, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to conduct ORM, hazard identification, and control implementation.
• Basic first aid/trauma training (CPR/First Aid minimum; TCCC ).
• Understanding of applicable training instructions, safety policies, and COIs.

5. Qualifications

• 100+ hours FPV flight experience across multiple platforms.
• Prior military/LE range safety or air operations background.
• Experience with UAS swarm, BVLOS training, or advanced RF systems.
• Certification in LiPo battery handling/fire prevention.
• Instructor or evaluator qualifications related to UAS or FPV.

6. Authority

The RSO has the authority to:

• STOP all training or FPV flight activities at any time.
• Remove unsafe personnel from the range.
• Reject aircraft or equipment that do not meet safety or maintenance standards.
• Modify training flow to mitigate identified hazards.

7. Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and observe outdoor flight operations for extended periods.
• Lift/carry up to 25 lbs of UAS support equipment (batteries, toolkits, cases).
• Function safely in hot, cold, or inclement conditions typical of training environments.

8. Working Conditions

• Both indoor (simulator, classroom) and outdoor (field range) environments.
• Exposure to noise, battery fumes, soldering equipment, and rapidly moving UAS.
• Occasional evening or early-morning flight periods depending on training schedule.
• Position contingent on contract award, anticipate first quarter 2026.

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