ISO 23665:2023

Overview - What ISO 23665:2023 covers

ISO 23665:2023, "Unmanned aircraft systems - Training for personnel involved in UAS operations," specifies requirements and procedures for training people who operate or support unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The standard defines the knowledge, skills, attitudes and qualification criteria for remote pilots and other UAS personnel, sets out curriculum content for defined courses (notably VLOS pilot courses in Annex A), and establishes qualification, documentation and operational requirements for training organizations.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Training organization responsibilities
  • Designated roles for training & assessment and for safety.
  • Display of accreditation certificate (where applicable).
  • Retention of trainee records (minimum 7 years).
• Staff documentation & currency
  • Maintain staff identity, qualifications and duties; proof of qualifications updated at least every 2 years.
• Training curriculum and course content
  • Course-specific curricula (Annex A) for VLOS remote pilot-in-command and added low-risk VLOS operation pilot courses.
  • Annex A may include more restrictive requirements for particular courses.
• Theory and practical (flight) training
  • Theory delivery via classroom, online, VR or apps provided trainees can demonstrate mastery.
  • Flight training requires designated safe training airspace, consideration of third-party risk and conflict mitigation.
  • Use of simulators permitted where appropriate.
• Instructor and resource requirements
  • Instructors must be competent to deliver courses as specified.
  • Training organizations must provide teaching aids, facilities and appropriate equipment.
• Safety, emergency and records procedures
  • First-aid, communications to emergency services and means to contact ATC.
  • Introductory material to trainees covering course scope, prerequisites, assessments, insurance and legal aspects.

Practical applications - Who uses ISO 23665

• Training organizations developing and delivering UAS pilot and crew courses to align with international best practice.
• UAS operators ensuring personnel meet consistent competency standards for safe operations.
• Regulators and national aviation authorities referencing qualification criteria when assessing training approvals.
• Employers and contractors that hire remote pilots for inspection, surveying, agriculture, filming, security and delivery operations.
• Curriculum developers and instructors who need to design compliant theory and flight training modules (including simulators and VLOS courses).

Related standards

• ISO 21384-3:2019 - Unmanned aircraft systems - Part 3: Operational procedures
• ISO 21384-4 - Unmanned aircraft systems - Part 4: Vocabulary
• ISO 21895 - Categorization and classification of civil unmanned aircraft systems

Keywords: ISO 23665, UAS training, unmanned aircraft systems, remote pilot training, VLOS, training organization accreditation, UAS curriculum, flight training, instructor requirements.