HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING (HDD) FOR PILOTER (2DAYS)

Course Outlines:

• Introduction to HDD
• HDD Guidence System
• HDD Bore Plan
• Advancement Technology

Target Participant:

• New & experienced HDD Piloter
• Site supervisors
• Contractors involved in HDD projects

Benefits:

• Training Handouts
• Certificate of Achievement
• 20point CCD Points

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) for Piloter is a two-day technical course focused on the knowledge and decision-making required to guide a pilot bore accurately and safely. It is intended for pilot operators, locators, drill operators, supervisors, and personnel who support bore navigation. The course combines theory with practical discussion so that participants understand how planning, locating, steering, communication, and ground response affect the final bore path.

The programme reviews the purpose of the pilot bore and its relationship to the approved bore plan. Participants learn about entry angle, depth, alignment, bend radius, target points, exit location, and clearance from existing utilities. The course discusses common locating principles, transmitter data, pitch, roll, depth readings, signal interference, and the importance of confirming information before steering decisions are made.

Participants examine steering behaviour and how drill-head orientation, soil conditions, push length, tooling, and operator technique influence bore direction. The course emphasizes that corrections should be planned gradually and remain within equipment, drill-rod, and product-pipe limitations. Communication between the locator and drill operator is treated as a critical control. Standard commands, confirmation practices, and stop-work expectations are discussed to reduce misunderstanding.

The programme also covers typical problems such as signal loss, inaccurate depth readings, unexpected utilities, hard or mixed ground, excessive deviation, fluid loss, and difficulty reaching the intended exit point. Participants learn when to pause, reassess, verify conditions, or escalate the issue rather than continuing blindly. Documentation and recording of bore data are included because accurate records support quality, troubleshooting, and future reference.

By the end of the course, participants should have a stronger understanding of pilot-bore planning, locating information, steering principles, communication, and risk control. Practical competence still depends on supervised field experience, equipment-specific training, and site conditions, but the course provides a structured foundation for safer and more accurate pilot operations.