Solutions 101 LLC Aerial Operations Manual

Platforms

DJI Inspire 1

3DR Aero

Department Leads

Aaron Sykes (FAA Certificate # 3051016)

Elav Anderson (FAA Certificate # 2836821)

Version 1.0

Published 24 August 2015
DJI Inspire 1

In order to maintain the continued safe operation of the DJI Inspire 1 platform and to maintain it 

running at its optimal performance, we will maintain the DJI Inspire 1 aircraft at the following 

intervals:

If any part of the DJI Inspire 1 or its support equipment show signs of fatigue or damage, it will 

be immediately grounded until the component has been properly replaced by PIC per 

manufacturer recommendations. 

Safety Inspection Each Flight 

 Inspect the batteries for any signs of damage or abnormality as well as operating voltage. 

 Inspect motors for any signs of abnormal wear, rough movement, or contact. 

 Inspect propellers for any cracks, debris, or abnormalities.

 Inspect main body and arms for any cracks or abnormalities. 

 Clean dusty components with compressed air or a soft cloth. 

Safety Inspection every 30 days or 10 hours of flight (whichever comes first) 

 Cycle flight batteries -Perform Safety Check -Run motors and observe for any wobble, 

abnormal sound or roughness. 

 Inspect motor mounts and fasteners to ensure tight and secure. 

 Inspect main body and arms for any cracks or abnormalities. 

 Inspect all wires and connectors 

 Inspect landing gear for cracks or wear 

 Inspect condition and voltage of PIC controller and controller battery

Safety Inspection every 300 hours of flight or Annual (whichever comes first)

 Inspect motor mounts 

 Replace motors 

 Replace propellers 

 Replace all flight battery sets 

 Replace PIC controller battery 

 Inspect and clean all electrical connections 

 Check for firmware update 

 Recalibrate magnetometer 

 Inspect all wires and connectors

 Perform Safety Check

 Inspect landing gear for cracks or wear
DJI Inspire 1 Maintenance Procedures (Each Flight)

Aircraft Name: Serial Number:

Maintenance 

Procedure

Date Completed By Comments

Inspect Batteries for 

any signs of 

damage/abnormality 

and operating voltage

Inspect Motors for 

any signs of abnormal 

wear, rough 

movement, or contact

Inspect main body of 

any cracks, debris, or 

abnormalities

Clean dusty 

components with 

compressed air or soft 

cloth

Perform safety check

DJI Inspire 1 Maintenance Procedures (10 Hour/30 Day)

Aircraft Name: Serial Number:

Maintenance 

Procedure

Date Completed By Comments

Cycle Flight Batteries

Run motors and 

observe for any 

wobble, abnormal 

sound, or roughness

Inspect motor mounts 

and fastners to ensure 

tight and secure

Inspect main 

body/arms for any 

cracks or 

abnormalities

Inspect wires and 

connectors

Inspect landing gear 

for cracks and wear

Inspect condition and 

voltage of PIC 
transmitter and 

transmitter battery

Perform Per Flight 

Safety Check

DJI Inspire 1 Maintenance Procedures (300 Hour/1 Year)

Aircraft Name: Serial Number:

Maintenance 

Procedure

Date Completed By Comments

Inspect Motor Mounts

Replace Motors

Replace Propellers

Replace all flight 

battery sets

Replace PIC 

controller battery

Inspect and clean all 

electrical connections

Check for firmware 

update

Recalibrate 

magnetometer

Inspect all wires and 

connectors

Inspect landing gear 

for cracks or wear

Perform per flight 

safety check
3DR Aero

In order to maintain the continued safe operation of the Aero platform and to maintain it running 

at its optimal performance, we will maintain the Aero aircraft at the following intervals:

If any part of the Aero or its support equipment show signs of fatigue or damage, it will be 

immediately grounded until the component has been properly replaced by PIC per manufacturer 

recommendations. 

Each Flight

 Inspect the batteries for any signs of damage or abnormality as well as operating voltage. 

 Inspect motor for any signs of abnormal wear, rough movement, or contact. 

 Inspect propeller for any cracks, debris, or abnormalities. 

 Inspect fuselage for any cracks or abnormalities. 

 Clean dusty components with compressed air or a soft cloth. 

 Perform Safety Check 

Safety Inspection every 30 days or 10 hours of flight (whichever comes first) 

 Cycle flight batteries 

 Perform Safety Check 

 Run motor and observe for any wobble, abnormal sound or roughness. 

 Inspect motor mount and fasteners to ensure tight and secure. 

 Inspect fuselage for any cracks or abnormalities. 

 Inspect main wing, vertical and horizontal stabilizers for cracks or warps 

 Inspect all control linkages and connectors. 

 Inspect all surface hinges for cracks or tears 

 Replace main wing rubber bands. 

 Inspect condition and voltage of PIC controller and controller battery 

Safety Inspection every 300 hours of flight or Annual (whichever comes first)

 Inspect motor mount

 Replace motor 

 Replace propeller 

 Replace all flight battery sets 

 Replace PIC controller battery 

 Inspect and clean all electrical connections 

 Check for firmware update 

 Recalibrate magnetometer

 Inspect all control linkages and connectors 

 Replace main wing rubber bands 

 Perform Safety Check 

 Inspect main wing, vertical, and horizontal stabilizers for cracks or warps 

 Inspect all surface hinges for cracks or tears 
 Inspect all movable surfaces for wear

3DR Aero Maintenance Procedure (Each Flight)

Aircraft Name: Serial Number:

Maintenance 

Procedure

Date Completed By Comments

Inspect Batteries for 

any signs of 

damage/abnormality 

and operating voltage

Inspect Motors for 

any signs of abnormal 

wear, rough 

movement, or contact

Inspect fuselage for 

any cracks, debris, or 

abnormalities

Clean dusty 

components with 

compressed air or soft 

cloth

Perform safety check

3DR Aero Maintenance Procedure (10 hour/30 day) 

Aircraft Name: Serial Number:

Maintenance 

Procedure

Date Completed By Comments

Cycle Flight Batteries

Run motors and 

observe for any 

wobble, abnormal 

sound, or roughness

Inspect motor mounts 

and fastners to ensure 

tight and secure

Inspect fuselage for 

any cracks or 

abnormalities

Inspect main wing, 

vertical and horizontal 

stabilizers for cracks 

or warps

Inspect all control 

linkages and 
connectors

Inspect all surface 

hinges for cracks or 

tears

Replace main wing 

rubber bands

Inspect condition and 

voltage of PIC 

transmitter and 

transmitter battery

Perform safety check

3DR Aero Maintenance Procedures (300 Hour/1 Year)

Aircraft Name: Serial Number:

Maintenance 

Procedure

Date Completed By Comments

Inspect Motor Mount

Replace Motors

Replace Propellers

Replace all flight 

battery sets

Replace PIC 

controller battery

Inspect and clean all 

electrical connections

Check for firmware 

update

Recalibrate 

magnetometer

Inspect all control 

linkages and 

connectors

Replace main wing 

rubber bands

Inspect main wing, 

vertical and horizontal 

stabilizers for cracks 

or warps

Inspect all surface 

hinges for cracks or 

tears 

Inspect all movable 

surfaces for wear

Perform safety check
Solutions 101 Flight Log

Date Platform Location

TimeTake Off 

TimeLanding 

TimeTotal Flight PIC Customer Comments
Procedures for flying in Controlled Airspace

Procedure for ATC Controlled Airports

 Initial Flight Request - Contact Airport Operator and ATC via email 48 hours before planned 

flight. 

o Launch time and flight duration

o Area of Operation or flight path

o Anticipated ceiling

o PIC and platform owner name and contact information

o Flight Commander contact information

o Platform Description – size, # of rotors, color, lights

o Operations Plan

o Emergency Operations Plan

 Confirm Flight Request Acceptance –If no email response, contact Airport Operator and 

ATC via phone 24 hours before planned flight to confirm flight request acceptance.

 Contact ATC via phone immediately prior to launch

 Follow Operations and Emergency Operations Plan

 Contact ATC via phone after landing

Procedure for Pilot Controlled Airports

 Initial Flight Request - Contact Airport Operator via email 48 hours before planned flight. 

o Launch time and flight duration

o Area of Operation or flight path

o Anticipated ceiling

o PIC and platform owner name and contact information

o Flight Commander contact information

o Platform Description – size, # of rotors, color, lights

o Operations Plan

o Emergency Operations Plan

 Confirm Flight Request Acceptance – If no email response, contact Airport Operator via 

phone 24 hours before planned flight to confirm flight request acceptance.

 Follow Operations and Emergency Operations Plan

48 Hour Email Request

 Flight Profile

o Launch Time UTC:

o Flight Duration:

o Area of Operation:

o Flight Ceiling:

o Purpose:

 Platform Description

o Size:
o # of rotors:

o Color:

o Lights:

 Pilot In Command Contact Information

o Name:

o Email:

o Phone Number:

Operations Plan

Flight Team Members:

The sUAS operation will include two members, the Pilot In Command and the Visual Observer. 

The PIC will fly the proposed flight profile with the described platform. The Visual Observer

will maintain situational awareness; stay vigilant for any aircraft, monitoring and, if necessary, 

calling on the active frequency.

Pre-Flight Duties:

 Pilot In Command

o Pre-flight checklist

 Airframe

 Electronics

 Weather

o Make go/no go decision

 Visual Observer

o Notifying ATC (controlled) or checking NOTAMs (pilot controlled)

o Pre-flight check of radio

In-flight Duties:

 Pilot In Command

o Maintain positive control of platforms

o Fly within flight profile

o Declare emergency

 Visual Observer

o Maintain Situational Awareness

o Operate radio

o Relaying emergency to ATC or local traffic

Post-Flight Duties:

 Pilot In Command

o Post-flight inspection

 Visual Observer

o Relay exit of airspace to ATC or local traffic
Emergency Operations Plan

 Pilot In Command

o Platform Malfunction

 Regain control of platform

 Land immediately

o Unanticipated Event

 Land immediately

 Visual Observer

o Platform Malfunction or Unanticipated Event

 Relay situational awareness to PIC

 Notify ATC/Local Air Traffic

Radio Conduct

 Pilot Controlled Airports

Prior to Lauch

“[airport] traffic be advised, drone in the vicinity. Operating [location in reference to the 

airport] at [maximum anticipated height] AGL. Any traffic, please advise.”

If aircraft enter vicinity

“[airport] traffic be advised, drone in the vicinity. Operating [location in reference to the 

airport] at [maximum anticipated height] AGL."

After Landing

“[airport] traffic be advised, drone operating [location in reference to the airport] has 

landed.”

 Emergency Communication (ATC and Pilot Controlled Airports)

Emergency Platform Malfunction

“Mayday. Mayday. Mayday. Be advised, drone is not under positive control. Platform is at 

[elevation] AGL, [location in reference to the airport], and [direction of travel]."

Emergency Recovery Callout

“[airport] traffic, be advised drone is under positive control. Landing platform at [location].