X-Flite Aerial Operations Safety Manual

Conduct of all UAS operations by X-Flite Aerial will prioritize the safety of full scale aircraft, persons and property on the ground, 

and ground crew personnel. 

1. X-Flite Aerial will utilize only models named in this operations manual for UAS operations. X-Flite Aerial will operate the 

following UAS aircraft: a) DJI Phantom 2, b) DJI Phantom 3 Professional, c) DJI Inspire 1, d) DJI Spreading Wings S900, e) DJI 

Spreading Wings S1000 Series. All UASs will weigh less than 55 pounds, including payload. 

2. All operations will occur at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level and at airspeeds of 45 miles per hour or less. 

3. All UASs will be operated as directed by manufacturer guidelines, procedures, limitations, and specifications for the particular 

make and model of aircraft. 

4. The UAS will be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. The PIC will use human vision, unaided by any 

device other than corrective lenses or sunglasses, as specified on the PIC's FAA-issued airman medical certificate or U.S. driver's 

license. 

5. All UAS operations will utilize a visual observer (VO). The UAS will be operated within VLOS of both the PIC and VO at all times. 

The PIC and VO must be able to communicate verbally at all times. The PIC will be designated before the flight and cannot transfer 

his or her designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC is responsible for ensuring that the VO can perform the duties required 

of the VO. 

6. All operating documents, including those issued by the FAA will be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. X-Flite Aerial will revise and update operating documents to reflect the latest manufacturer 

information regarding aircraft operating parameters and procedures as well as any information pertinent to the safety of flight. 

7. Maintenance. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect UAS operation or flight characteristics must 

undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations. Functional test flights will only be conducted by a PIC with a 

VO and must remain at least 500 feet from other people. The functional test will be conducted in such a manner so as not to pose 

an undue hazard to persons or property. X-Flite Aerial will follow the UAS manufacturer's maintenance, overhaul, replacement, 

inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components. X-Flite Aerial will comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins. 

8. X-Flite Aerial is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation. Prior to 

each flight, the PIC will conduct a pre-flight inspection to determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection 

will account for all potential discrepancies and will follow all available manufacturer guidelines. If the inspection reveals that the 

UAS is not in a condition for safe flight, X-Flite Aerial will not operate the aircraft until the necessary maintenance has been 

performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. 

9. The PIC will hold a commercial pilot certificate and a current FAA airman medical certificate, or a valid U.S. driver's license issued 
by a state. 

10. X-Flite Aerial will only conduct operations under visual meteorological conditions. 

11. X-Flite Aerial will not conduct operations within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as denoted in the current 

FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD), or for airports not denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the 

current FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport's management is obtained or otherwise 

permitted by a COA issued to X-Flite Aerial. The letter of agreement must be made available to the administrator or any law 

enforcement official upon request. 

12. X-Flite Aerial will not operate a UAS less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility 

is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC. 

13. Emergencies. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies. If the UAS loses 

communications or it's GPS signal, the PIC will return the UAS to a pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access 

property. If the UAS suffers a flight malfunction which allows limited control effectiveness, the PIC will immediately land the UAS in

a clear area so as not to cause any undue hazard to persons or property on the ground. 

14. The PIC will not begin a flight (considering all factors to include wind and weather conditions) unless there is enough available 

power for the UAS to conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least 3 minutes or with the reserve power 

recommended by the manufacturer. 

15. The PIC will insure that the UAS remains clear of and gives way to all manned aviation operations and activities. 

16. X-Flite Aerial will conduct all UAS flight operations at least 100 feet laterally and vertically from all non-participating persons, 

vessels, vehicles, and structures unless: 

a) Barriers or structures are present and sufficiently protect non-participating persons from the UAS and/or debris in the 

 event of an accident. X-Flite Aerial will ensure that non-participating persons remain under such protection. In this case 

 the PIC will not operate any closer than 30 feet to protected non-participating persons. If a situation arises where non-

 participating persons leave such protection and are within 100 feet of the UAS, flight operations must cease immediately in 

 manner ensuring the safety of non-participating persons; and 

b) The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating closer to those objects and 

 the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not pose 

 an undue hazard. 

c) The PIC, VO, operator trainees, or essential persons are not considered non-participating persons. 

17. All UAS operations shall be conducted over a private or controlled-access property with permission from the property 

owner/controller or other authorized representative. Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will 

be obtained for each flight to be conducted. UAS operations may also be conducted in non-privately owned areas (wilderness, 

remote areas, over water, public spaces where UAS operations are not prohibited) if all other safety requirements outlined in this 

manual are met. 

18. X-Flite Aerial will create a secured area or perimeter when needed, to ensure that non-participating personnel do not enter a 

UAS operations area. The secured area or perimeter will be created with plainly visible markings such as tape or rope as well as 

signs which indicate "Drone Operations in Progress: KEEP BACK". If necessary, observers will be placed as needed to ensure people do not 

cross into the secured area unintentionally.