DRONENAUTIX 

FLIGHT OPERATION SAFETY HANDBOOK - UAV/UAS

This user guide serves to outline pre and post UAS flight operations. Included are safety procedures and 

instructions for ground station control in case of an emergency. 

Please adhere to the following guidelines for the safety and wellbeing of civilian and UAS operation 

personnel. Failure to comply is not acceptable.

Safety Guidelines1. Secure or Sterile perimeter must be established at location of filming – 5 meter circumference.

2. The UASs will weigh less than 55 pounds 

3. Flights will be operated within line of sight of a UAS, pilot and/or observer. 

4. Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 20 minutes. Flights will be terminated at 

25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 20 minute limit. 

5. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL.

6. UAS will be fitted with propeller guards to enhance the safety of surrounding personnel. 

7. Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UAS Pilot, the Visual Observer, and the 

Camera Operator. 

8. A UAS pilot will be registered with FAA and pass an approved FAA Aeronautical knowledge exam 

when it becomes available.

9. A UAS Pilot will be Pilot in Command (PIC). 

10. PIC will wear visible work vest indicating recording or flight progress.

11. The UAS will only operate within a confined “Sterile Area” as defined in the FOSH. The FOSH 

requires the establishment of a “Security Perimeter” for the flight operations area. 

12. A briefing will be conducted for planned UAS operations prior to each day’s flight. All personnel 

performing duties within the boundaries of the safety perimeter are required to attend. 

13. The operator will obtain consent of all persons involved in the photography/recording and 

ensure that only consenting persons will be allowed within 10 feet of the flight operation, in 

accordance with equivalent level of safety determination, as required under the FOSH. With the 

advanced permission of the project manager, operations at closer range can be approved. 

14. The Pilot and observer must be trained in UAS operations and have received current information 

on the particular UAS to be operated as required by the FOSH. 

15. The Observer and pilot will at all times be able to communicate by voice, radio and/or text. 

16. Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holders will be obtained. 

17. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county, or city 

jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate governmental agencies. 

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have “failsafe” capabilities 

to return to a pre-determined location within the Security Perimeter and land. 

19. The UAS is equipped with alarm triggers to notify PIC of stage one battery decrease, making the 

PIC aware of near 25% reserve. 

20. Failsafe for low battery (25%) will also trigger a return to secure destination procedure. 

21. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies. 14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) and (b): Private Pilot
DRONENAUTIX 

Ground Station Communication

The following guidelines are essential to flight operations. UAV/UAS personnel must always stay in 

communication range with (PIC).

Communication Methods:

Always maintain Visual Line Of Site (VLOS) with all personnel 

1. Phone, via Bluetooth hands free method only

2. Text messaging when hands free methods or voice is not available

3. Push to talk communication via mobile application (fastest method)

4. Direct line of sight must always be kept with UAV PIC and other personnel 

Fig. 1 – Sample Flight with Visual line of site

Pilot - PIC

Observer

Camera 

Operator

 

VLOS

VLOS

VLOS

VLOS

VLOS

UAV

Secure 

Perimeter