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Aerial Impressions Operations Manual

Table of Contents

Glossary of Abbreviations....................................................................2 

About.....................................................................................................3

Preface...................................................................................................4

Mission Statement.................................................................................4 

Protection of Privacy ............................................................................4

Administration ......................................................................................5 

Organization...........................................................................................5

Personnel................................................................................................5

Scheduling.......................................................................6

Training..........................................................................7

Safety..............................................................................7 

Flight Operation......................................................................................8 

Emergency/Accident............................................................9

Pre Flight Checklist.............................................................10
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Glossary of Abbreviations

AGL Above Ground Level

ATC Air Traffic Control

COA Certificate of Authorization

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FAR Federal Aviation Regulation

MAAP Mid Atlantic Aviation Partnership

NAS National Airspace System

PIC Pilot in Command

SUAS Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

VFR Visual Flight Rules

VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions

VO Visual Observer

VLS Visual Line of Sight 
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Aerial Impressions

Aerial Impressions is a small business located in southeastern Wisconsin that 

intends to use two current DJI model sUAS platforms, to gather images for the use of 

Real estate video/photography, Precision Framing, Geo -Reference Mapping and Golf 

course photography/video. Aerial Impressions is committed to offering safe and 

responsible sUAS flight operations

Current applications sUAS are flown in low populated areas with the exception 

of some Real estate. In the case of Real estate, homeowners and surrounding 

neighbors are asked to stay inside a during flight operations. sUAS is flown above that 

property with the camera pointed at that property only. Operators understand the need 

for privacy and discretion while operations are in progress in residential areas. Preflight 

procedures are in place to also ensure safety of property and civilians; these are 

executed before every flight to ensure safety. These will be outlined within these 

documents. 

Golf Course operations are conducted by line of site, image gathering is done on 

a hole by hole basis. Golf courses offer a safe and controllable environment to execute 

UAS operations, Golf industry can benefit greatly with the addition of sUAS platform in 

their market by providing safe flyovers for their course. Currently planes are used which 

can be noisy and ad added risk. Aerial Impressions can perform tasks at a lower risk

level while at the same time not disrupting the surrounding community. .

Agriculture operations performed will consists of unmanned line of sight flights. 

During flights the PIC will at all time stand ready with a transmitter to take over controls 

in an event of a ground station error or impending obstacles. Images taken from sUAS

collect data to help landowners more efficiently manage resources. Referred to as 

Precision Farming, aerial images are used to provide landowners with accurate data to 

manage their corps. Data collected increases efficient usage of water and fertilizers. 

Aerial Impressions first priority is safety. All operations performed are within safety 

standards that the FAA requires along with operational guidelines that will be outlined

within these documents. 
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Preface 

The following procedures are intended to promote safe, efficient and lawful 

operation of Aerial Impressions unmanned aerial system (UAS), Safety, above all else, 

is the primary concern in each and every operation. 

Philosophy & Mission Statement:

Aerial Impressions mission is to provide the safe and professional use of 

unmanned aerial systems services. Providing professional sUAS services to local 

business owners and civilians. Promoting the safe and responsible implementation of 

sUAS into the community. 

It shall be the intent of every sUAS operator to make a responsible effort to not 

invade a person's reasonable expectation of privacy when operating the sUAS. When 

operating the UAS, Aerial Impressions operators will abide by all FAA Regulations for 

flight and receive the proper authorization for flight. 

Protection of Rights and Privacy

sUAS Pilot in Command, Gimbal Operators and Spotter or any other person involved 

in flight mission is to observer and privacy rights or expectations of the public. Any 

person involved in any unlawful flights that may jeopardize someone's privacy right or 

expectations will be held accountable for their actions. 

To accomplish this:

Aerial Impressions Operators and Employees Unmanned Aerial System Operations 

Manual 

a) a) When the sUAS is being flown operators must do their best to minimize 

inadvertent video or still images of uninvolved persons. 

b) Any video obtained inadvertently that is violating someone's privacy shall be 

destroyed immediately 

c) When able have clients to advise any surrounding neighbors of our presence if 

possible.

d) All flights will be conducted within the rules and regulations of the FAA.

e) Any PIC of a UAS must meet current rules and regulations of the FAA. PIC is 

responsible for abiding by these rules and staying up to date on any ongoing training 

that may be required to stay compliant.
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Administration

Operations Manual

a)The policies and procedures contained in this manual are issued by Aerial 

Impressions. 

b)As such it is an official document of the Aerial Impressions. This manual is not 

intended to be all-inclusive, but as a supplement to other company guidelines, Federal 

Aviation Administration regulations, aircraft manufacturers approved flight manual, etc.

c)Manual has been written to address UAS operations as they existed when it 

was drafted. Equipment, personnel, environment (internal and external, etc., change 

over time. The management of change involves a systematic approach to monitoring 

organizational change and continually updated as necessary, The entire manual will be 

reviewed, at a minimum, annually to assure it is up to date. Any changes to the manual 

will be communicated.

d) A copy of the manual (electronic and or paper) will be issued to every person 

having UAS responsibilities.

Organization

a)Any people involved in UAS flights shall be comprised of personnel approved 

by Aerial Impressions and includes operators, observers and others deemed necessary.

b)Any documentation such as logbooks, maintenance records etc. are the 

responsibility of the PIC to complete every time an entry is needed example, logbook 

entries. 

c)PIC must have all documents pertaining to flight and sUAS on persons at all 

times during flight. This includes but not limited to logbook, pilot license, COA etc. 

d)Any and all Logbooks must be in accordance the manufacturer guidelines

Personnel

Personnel Manual

a)Aerial impression is a small growing business, the owner/operator and is 

currently assuming control that of the PIC responsibilities. 

b.)In the event of another PIC joins the company they will also assume the 

responsibility of PIC.

PIC Responsibilities: 

1) Maintaining all training, flight and maintenance records for each operator as 

well as individual airframes, 
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2) Maintain contact with the FAA and regulations as they change,) evaluate 

airframes based on mission needs. 

3) The UAS PIC must maintain a current standards recommended by FAA, ) 

4) Perform all pre flight checklist objectives before every flight 

Operators

a) To be an operator (PIC), applicants are require to hold Third Class Medical 

and Private Pilot certificate. 

b)If less is required by FAA current regulations operators must meet those 

requirements. 

c)Operators interacting with Air Traffic Control (ATC) shall have sufficient 

expertise to perform that task readily. Operators must have an understanding of, and 

comply with FAA Regulations applicable to the airspace where the UAS will operate, 

Operators must have in their possession a current third class (or higher) airman medical 

certificate that has been issued under 14 CFR 67, Medical Standards and Certification, 

or a military equivalent. 

d)Operators may be temporarily removed from flight status at any time by Aerial 

Impressions owner/operator, for reasons including performance, proficiency, physical 

condition, etc. Should this become necessary, the operator will be notified verbally and 

in writing of the reason, further action to be taken and expected duration of such 

removal.

e)Aerial Impressions shall maintain a file for each operator which shall include 

copies of FAA certifications, training records, etc. This file will be reviewed in 

accordance with current company policy and procedures.

Observers

a)Observers main responsibility is to help ensure safe flight by communicating to 

the PIC of the UAS of impending object, traffic or anything that may hinder safe flight.

b)Observers may also control equipment connected to the UAV i.e. cameras, 

gimbals exc. 

c)VO is to comply with FAA recommended Guidelines 

d)VO will be trained to communicate with PIC 

e)VO can only perform the task of observer and has no direct control of sUAS 
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Scheduling 

Scheduling Manual 

a) PIC is responsible to schedule any flights with nearest air traffic control tower

b) PIC are responsible for submitting any flight documents the FAA requires 

before flights within their given time frame

c) As a redundancy PIC are to also contact air traffic control even if prior 

permission was granted to ensure NAS safety and awareness. 

Safety

Our National Air Space is the safest in the world, Aerial Impressions main goal is to 

continually improve safety standards within their company to contribute to this statistic. 

Safety Manual 

a) PIC must meet current FAA standards for a sUAS operator 

b) Observers should always be used when the situation exceeds that at which a 

PIC can handle. 

c) Before flight PIC and VO must walk the grounds in which sUAS operations will 

proceed.

d) PIC must always use checklist, this can be found in the preflight document 

attached 

e) Any persons involved in UAS operations will will do so in a safe and 

responsible manner that complies with FAA standards.

f) sUAS are equipped with ceiling functions so sUAS don't go farther then 

programed, these are only to be changed by an administrator. 

g) sUAS Operations will be conducted under visual meteorological conditions 

(VMC). The sUAS will not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC. I 

Training

The key to continued safe operations is by maintaining a professional level of 

competency. The first step in this process is establishing minimum qualifications for 

selecting members, and the second step involves training those personnel. 

a)Any PIC involved in UAS operations must complete the manufacturer's 
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recommended training standards of that particular unit.

b) Any PIC or Observer for UAS operations must have completed any FAA 

training required to hold the position.

c) In addition PIC and Observers must be trained in operational procedures out 

lined in this document.

d)PIC must have 25 simulated hours logged as well as 10 logged flight hours

Flight Operations

Guidelines set in place in which any UAS operator working with Aerial Impressions must 

abide by to ensure safe, responsible flight. All flights are subjected to follow these 

guidelines. 

- Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only; the unmanned aircraft must remain within 

VLOS of the operator or visual observer.

- At all times the small unmanned aircraft must remain close enough to the 

operator for the operator to be capable of seeing the aircraft with vision unaided by any 

device other than corrective lenses.

-)Small unmanned aircraft may not operate over any persons not directly 

 involved in the operation.

- Daylight-only operations (official sunrise to official sunset, local time).

- Must yield right-of-way to other aircraft, manned or unmanned.

- First-person view camera cannot satisfy “see-and-avoid” requirement but can 

be used as long as requirement is satisfied in other ways.

- Maximum airspeed of 30 mph.

- Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level.

 -Minimum weather visibility of 3 miles from control station.

- No operations are allowed in Class A (18,000 feet & above) airspace.

-Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspace are allowed with the required ATC 

permission.

 -Operations in Class G airspace are allowed without ATC permission

- No person may act as an operator or VO for more than one unmanned aircraft 

operation at one time.
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 -No careless or reckless operations.

Emergency/ Accident

a)In the event of an accident PIC and there is injury call 911

b)all crashes must be reported to administration immediately. 

c)Any sUAS incidents, accidents or flight operations that transgress the lateral or 

vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA shall be 

reported to the FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours. Accidents shall 

be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.
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Pre Flight Checklist

Provided below is a flight check list that is responsibility of the PIC to preform. List 

contains preflight, inflight, and postflight operational checklist that are to be performed every 

flight. PIC most poses a copy of this list on hand. 

Check List

Arrival Checklist 

1. Upon arrival walk site to take note of any flying obstructions that could pose potential unsafe 

flight.

2. Secure a takeoff and landing point plus one extra landing point in case of emergency. 

3. Remove case and place on level surface. 

4. Check distance to nearest airport and/or controlled airspace using smartphone or tablet app.

5 . If required, use VHF aviation transceiver, to contact tower of field if closer than 5 NM. 

6. Inform tower / CTAF of UAS ops, location, and max height of flight.

Preflight Checklist 

1. Remove transmitter. 

2. Router - On 

3. Transmitter - On 

4. Toggle Switches - Full Up 

5. Video Monitor - On 

6. Remove UAS from case. 

7. Gimbal Lock & Lens Cap - Removed 

8. Micro-SD card - Inserted. 

9. UAS Battery - Inserted 

10. Place UAS in clear and safe launch and recovery position if it returns to home. 

11. UAS Battery - On 

12. Wi-Fi Connection to Monitor - Verified 

13. DJI Application - Load 

14. DJI application - Connect to Camera 

15. SD Card - Format 

16. Camera - Full Up 

17. Satellite Connections - Verified 

18. Charge Levels - Safe for Flight 

19. Video Recording - Start 20. Takeoff
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After Takeoff Checklist 

1. Hover approximately ten feet above the ground to confirm UAS is under control. 

2. All sticks operate correctly while in hover – Verified

Pre-Landing Checklist 

1. Camera - Full Up 

2. Video Recorder - Stop 

3. Landing Zone - Clear / Safe

Post-Landing Checklist - Returning to Flight Immediately 

1. Battery - Remove & Replace 

2. Wi-Fi Connection to Monitor - Verified 

3. DJI application - Connect to Camera

4. Takeoff

End of Ops Checklist 

1. Battery – Off

2. Transmitter - Off 

3. Router - Off 

4. Notify Tower/CTAF - End of Ops