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General Operations Manual

Preface

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

aerial system (UAS), Safety, above all else, is the primary concern in each and every operation, 

regardless of the nature of the mission.

Philosophy

It shall be the mission of Empower to perform controlled flights for multiple operations in 

various practices as defined and detailed in the 333 Exemption Letter of Petition. The use of 

unmanned aerial programs (UAS), as a complete aerial resource provides a system that at its core 

will illuminate a digital path to real world matching needs. Empower’s unique aerial UAS 

operations, research, education and training program will deliver to its students and personnel UAS 

knowledge for UAS operation, desired mission services, situational awareness and logistical 

information. Empower’s services, research and education will help in developing plans that can be 

utilized in many scenarios and circumstances which will deliver the most efficient and safe 

missions hundreds of times without flaw.

The use of Empower’s UAS Edu Programs provides important information and data that can’t be 

supplied by any other means. Such important education and training information and data provides 

for endless opportunities of application specific operations flying hundreds if not thousands of 

missions. It shall be the intent of every Empower’s trained and qualified pilots to make every

reasonable effort to not invade a person's expectation of privacy when operating the UAS in all 

situations. When operating the UAS, Empower’s PIC will abide by all FAA Regulations and receive 

the proper authorization for flight. 

Protection of Rights and Privacy 

Empower’s trained leaders, PICs and VOs will assure that the protection of citizen’s civil rights 

and reasonable expectations of privacy as a key component of any decision made to deploy the 

UAS. UAS PICs and VOs will be trained on their accountability for ensuring that operations of 

the UAS intrude to a minimal extent upon citizens. To accomplish this primary goal Empower

will provide training for a variety of scenarios:

a) In the event of services being deployed and a minor training deployment the UAS is being 

flown, the onboard cameras will be turned so as to be facing away from occupied structures 

to minimize inadvertent video or still images of uninvolved persons.

b) All video and still images will be maintained in strict compliance with state and federal 

privacy policies and procedures.

c) A website for students, personnel and public input will be maintained and regularly 

monitored to address students, personnel and citizen concerns and recommendations.

d) Empower students and personnel will not conduct random surveillance activities. The use 

of the UAS will be tightly controlled and regulated.
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e) There are hundreds of UAS applications and uses for service and training missions for 

Empower students and personnel, some of the segments that will be covered :

 Pipeline Inspection

 Stratospheric Telecommunications

Motion Picture Production

Event Performances

News Gathering

Security Operations

High Altitude Imagery

Maritime Surveillance

Environmental Sensing

Media and Traffic Monitoring

Law Enforcement

Emergency Management Natural disasters

Real Estate Photography

Meteorology

Hurricane Monitoring

Cryospheric Research - Arctic and Antarctic

Bridge Inspection

Transmission Line Inspection

HAZMAT Inspection

Emergency Medical Supply

Traffic Monitoring

Aerial Surveying

Damage Assessment

Insurance Claim Appraisal

Real Estate Marketing

Concert Security

Sports Video

Runway Inspection

Virtual Tours

Landmark Inspection

Coffee Harvest Optimization

Crop Disease Management

Herd Tracking and Management

Entomology

Forestry Inspection

Fisheries Management

Species Conservation

Wildlife Inventory

Mineral Exploration

Remote Aerial Survey

Forest Fire Surveillance

Forest Fire Mapping

Volcano Monitoring

Remote Aerial Mapping

Oil Spill Tracking

Snow Pack Avalanche Monitoring

Ice Pack Monitoring

Poaching Patrol
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f) A trained Empower committee will be formed and meet semi-annually for the purpose of 

reviewing the existing UAS procedures as well as new technologies, laws and regulations on 

UAS usage. The committee will consist of Empower’s personnel from the UAS research and 

education. The committee will follow the leadership of the UAS vision for the use of aerial 

research and education operations UAS for who will help present all proposed policy and 

procedures changes and the needs of City Councils, legal and community groups. 

Additionally, the UAS committee will solicit feedback prior to meetings referencing to 

research and education strategies and policy changes.

g) The UAS research and education programs will operate, strictly within the letter of the 

law and regulations and will balance all operations with the need to accomplish the mission 

while maintaining public safety, privacy and the, freedom from intrusion.

Definitions

COA (Certificate of Authorization) — Given by the FAA grants permission to fly within specific 

boundaries and perimeters. Training flights cannot take place without UAS research and 

education mission critical personnel who will be the only people authorize to perform such 

training missions. 

Administration

5.1 Operations Manual

The policies and procedures contained in this manual are issued by authority of Empower leadership. 

As such it is an official document of Empower- “Aerial Robotics Education Company”. This 

manual is not intended to be all-inclusive, but as a supplement to Federal Aviation Administration 

regulations, aircraft manufacturers' directives and approved flight manual guides.

This manual has been written to address Empower’s research, education and training operations as 

existed the date published. Technology advancement in aerial equipment, personnel and operations

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

organizational change and is a critical part of the risk management process provided through 

education. Given this, it is essential that this manual be continually updated as necessary. The entire 

manual will be reviewed, at a minimum, annually to assure it provides current information. A copy 

of the manual (electronic and/or paper) will be issued to every students and personnel having UAS

flight operations responsibilities.

5.2 Organization

a) The Empower shall be comprised of those personnel approved in part by the Federal 

Aviation Administration, Empower’s UAS personnel that will include UAS PICs, VOs 

and others deemed necessary such as IT personnel, and those personnel with an

assignment as part of Empower training team.

b) The Empower training team will be comprised of Empower personnel that have research

and educational training knowledge.

5.3 Personnel

a) The Training Director is responsible for the overall direction and performance of Empower

and will exercise their control.
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b) The Training Director is responsible for the day to day supervision and management of 

Empowerstudents and personnel.

c) UAS Training Director

Responsibilities: 

i. Maintaining all training, flight and maintenance records for each UAS PIC and 

VO as well as individual airframes, 

ii. Maintain contact with the FAA and regulations as they change, 

iii. Evaluate student and personnel based on mission type and need. 

iv. The Training Director must maintain a working knowledge and proficiency on all 

UAS operated by the students and personnel. 

v. UAS PIC trainers to be considered for selection as a UAS PIC instructor are

required to possess an FAA sport pilot’s certification a Class III FAA physical 

examination and a current state driver’s license.

UAS PICs interacting with Air Traffic Control (ATC) shall have sufficient expertise to perform that 

task readily. UAS PICs must have an understanding of, and comply with FAA and Military 

Regulations applicable to the airspace where the UAS will operate. 

A UAS PIC's primary duty is for the safe and effective operation of UAS in accordance with the 

manufacturers' approved flight manual and FAA regulations policies and procedures. UAS PICs 

must remain knowledgeable of all FAA regulations; UAS manufacturer's flight manual and 

bulletins and City and State UAS policy.

Training Director may temporarily remove any students and personnel or UAS PIC instructor from 

flight status at any time for any reasons including; performance, proficiency, physical condition, etc. 

Should this become necessary, the students and personnel or UAS PIC will be notified verbally and 

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

UAS VOs

To be considered for selection as a students and personnel VO, applicants are not required to 

already possess a Class II FAA certification (private pilots) or a Class II FAA physical 

examination.

 

a) UAS Student VOs must have been provided with sufficient training to communicate clearly 

to the UAS PIC any turning instructions required to stay clear of conflicting traffic. VOs 

will receive training on rules and responsibilities described in 14 CFR 91.111, Operating 

Near Other Aircraft, 14 CFR 91.13, Right-of-Way Rules, cloud clearance, in-flight 

visibility, and the pilot controller glossary including standard ATC phraseology and 

communication. 

b) UAS Student VOs must have in their possession a current 14 CFR 91.17, Alcohol or 

Drugs, test as applies to UAS VOs.

c) A UAS Student VO's primary duty is to operate the UAS's equipment including cameras, 

sensors, radio communications as well as be an VO for anything that may affect the UAS 

PIC's primary duty (see and avoid).
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d) The department Training Director shall maintain a file for each Student VO which shall

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

accordance with current Federal policies and procedures.

5.4 Scheduling

a) To maintain a level of proficiency UAS students and personnel will be required as part of their 

continued participation to attend online training updates as they are made available. Student 

training will be coordinated through Empower and announced in advance for scheduling 

purposes for participating students and personnel.

5.6 Miscellaneous

a) Student requests for immediate training support and assistance will be responded to by the 

UAS Director. Should the request involve an immediate threat to life, or property, Empower

trained UAS PIC is authorized to accept or decline such request based on previously 

approved authorization from Empower. Proper policy and procedure, as well as FAA 

regulations shall be followed when accepting such important support.

b) Complaints or inquiries regarding UAS operations shall be referred to Empower’s UAS

Training Director for immediate cure and accountability then referred to Empower. 

6.1 Safety Policy

Empower is committed to promoting a safe and healthy workplace, including:

a) The students and personnel will at all times protect and prevent damage to equipment, the 

environment and property.

b) Student culture of open reporting of all safety hazards or incidents.

c) The students and personnel will support all UAS safety training and awareness programs.

d) The UAS Training Director is trained on conduct regular reviews of safety policies, 

procedures and practices with all Personnel members.

e) The UAS Training Director continuously monitors the UAS community at large to, ensure that 

best safety practices are incorporated into the UAS research and education programs and

operations.

f) It is the duty of every students and personnel to contribute to the goal of continued safe 

operations. This contribution may come in many forms and always includes operating in 

the safest manner practicable and never taking unnecessary extreme risks.

g) Any safety hazard, whether procedural, operational or maintenance related should be 

identified if possible before, an incident occurs. Any suggestions in the interest of safety 

should be made directly to the UAS Training Director.

If any UAS PICs, VOs or student and personnel have knowledge of unsafe or dangerous acts

committed by anyone, the UAS Training Director is to be notified immediately so that corrective 
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action(s) may be taken. Hazards requiring immediate attention will be brought to the attention of the 

UAS Training Director verbally, without delay.

6.20 Operational Hazard and Occurrence Report (OHOR) and Investigations

Occurrences are unplanned safety related events, including accidents and incidents that could 

impact safety or a hazard that has the potential to cause harm, requires a systematic identification 

and control of all major UAS operations and is foundational to safety.

a) The OHOR concept provides a mechanism to report hazards and occurrences, real and 

perceived, to those responsible for Empower and operations.

b) There is no specific format for the OHOR as the information provided is what is important, 

not the format and should be used without hesitation to report any anticipated, current, or 

experienced safety hazard, or occurrence. OHOR can be submitted anonymously to 

UAS Training Directors to get the matter proper attention.

c) Every hazard and/or occurrence that involves UAS will be investigated, with the results 

and corrective action taken communicated to all student and personnel. The investigation 

will be conducted by UAS Training Director and Personnel under the direction of 

Empower’s officers, or any other student and personnel who has the technical skill 

necessary. 

d) UAS operational Hazards requiring immediate attention will be brought to the attention of 

the UAS Training Director, verbally, without delay firstly, then to the attention of 

Empower.

e) ALL EMPOWERED PERSONNEL ARE AUTHORIZED TO TAKE ACTION TO 

CORRECT A HAZARD if in that student, personnel's opinion delay will result in accident 

or injury. The Empower Training Director will be notified immediately in such situations.

6.3 UAS Training Director, Safety Officer, UAS PIC, VO and Students

In regards to safety, all Personnel are responsible for the following:

a) Ensuring all UAS flight operations student and personnel understand applicable regulatory 

requirements, standards and organizational safety policies and procedures.

b) Observe and control safety Edu Programs by monitoring all operations.

c) Review standards and the practices as they impact UAS operational safety.

d) Communicate all reported safety related problems and the corrective action taken. If there 

were any in-flight problems (or learned experiences), the proper procedures for handling that 

problem should be discussed and documented.

e) Such incidents should be copy and circulate pertinent safety information.

f) Such incidents should be copy and circulate emergency safety bulletins.
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g) Place any electronic copies of safety information or bulletins on Empower’s UAS website

for students and personnel access.

It is emphasized again that safety is the responsibility of ALL personnel.

6.5 Medical Factors

a) UAS PICs. VOs and all student and personnel shall only deploy the UAS when rested and 

emotionally prepared for the tasks at hand.

b) Physical illness, exhaustion, emotional problems, etc., can seriously impair judgment, memory 

and alertness. The safest rule is not to act as a UAS PIC or VO when suffering from any of 

the above. Students are expected to "stand down" when these problems could reasonably be 

expected to affect their ability to perform UAS flight operations.

c) A self-assessment of physical condition shall be made by all student and personnel during preflight activities.

d) Performance can be seriously hampered by prescription and over the counter drugs. The 

UAS Training Director will be advised anytime such drugs are being taken. If it is 

determined that the medication being taken could hamper an UAS PICs, VOs or students and 

personnel that person shall be prohibited from the training exercise.

e) No personnel shall act as an UAS PIC, VO or students and personnel pilot within eighteen

hours after consumption of any alcoholic beverage, while under the influence of alcohol, or 

while having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 (FAR 91.17)

7. Training

7.1 Objective

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

first step in this process is establishing minimum qualifications and the second step involves 

training those student and personnel.

7.2 On-site Basic Instructors

a) FAA certified flight instructors will be given instructor duties. Such duties can include 

developing training courses, provide full knowledge training and students and personnel

evaluation and documentation.

b) Duties for the training of new students and personnel falls upon the UAS Training Director or 

to the PIC that has the most flight time and knowledge of UAS operations. Instructors will be 

designated by the UAS Training Director.

7.3 Training Plans

a) All student and personnel will have a UAS training plan on file that outlines training 

objectives. This training plan will be held in conjunction with the new student, personnel's 

normal training file.

b) Empower approved training plan can be developed by Empower or the UAS Training 

Director.
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c) All UAS deployments or exercises will be documented and count toward a student, 

personnel’s time in operations training.

d) It is the student, personnel’s responsibility to verify their training file contains all pertinent 

information.

7.4 Initial Training

a) Upon acceptance the UAS Training Director shall review the FAA UAS operations 

requirements as defined in the 333 Exemption grant.

b) VOs must have completed sufficient training to communicate to the pilot any instructions 

required to remain clear of conflicting traffic. This training, at a minimum, shall include 

knowledge of the rules and responsibilities described in 14 CFR 91.111, Operating Near 

Other Aircraft; 14 CFR 91.113, Right-qt.-Way Rules: Except Water Operations; and 14 CFR 

91.155, Bask VFR Weather Minimums; knowledge of air traffic and radio communications, 

including the use of approved ATC/pilot phraseology; and knowledge of appropriate sections 

of the Aeronautical Information Manual.

c) UAS PIC instructors will enroll in appropriate (fixed wing) training in order to obtain their PPL 

private pilot license/certificate if not already in possession of one (either fixed wing or 

rotorcraft).

d) UAS PIC instructors who fail to successfully complete the initial training may be re-scheduled 

for additional UAS training.

e) Before a UAS PIC instructors can provide training, they must complete at least 8 hours of 

flight training with the UAS Training Director to show proficiency of the flight training 

exercises and airframe knowledge. This must be accomplished to show their ability and 

general knowledge of UAS.

7.5 Recurrent Training

a) Students who do not have any documented training or flight time within a span of 90 days 

will have to attend UAS update training programs to show proficiency..

b) Recurrent training is not limited to actual UAS flight skills but also includes knowledge of 

all pertinent UAS operations and aviation matters.

7.6 Miscellaneous

a) Depending on the nature of the training request, all efforts will be made to accommodate the 

students and personnel training.

b) All requests for UAS training shall be approved through the UAS Training Director and 

timekeeping during those training hours.

c) Students are encouraged to attend, and forward information on FAA sponsored safety 

seminars.
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d) Training shall only be conducted at Empower-UAS locations and follow the provisions 

approved by UAS Training Director for flights within the COA.

8.2 Call-out Training Procedure

The UAS Training Director will contact the UAS PIC and VO from the list of available UAS trained 

VOs requesting VO to meet the UAS PIC at the training location. The UAS PIC and the Personnel are

responsible for transporting the UAS and all required equipment to the location and setup the base of 

operations. 

Upon arriving at the requested location the UAS PIC will contact the UAS Training Director and 

receive a briefing on the training mission. The UAS PIC will make an on location determination of 

the UAS and students and personnel required to perform the requested mission safely within 

Empower’s and FAA policies and procedures.

If the UAS PIC determines that the use of the UAS would violate safety measures, Empower policy 

or directives then the UAS PIC will inform the UAS Training Director of the potential conflict 

along with recommendations for modifying the requested training mission to conform to safety 

measures and Empower’s policies and procedures. 

As this is a change from the original approved mission the UAS PIC will contact the UAS 

Training Director for direction on how to proceed. Upon completion of the training mission, the 

UAS PIC will make a full report of the circumstances and their concerns to the UAS Training 

Director.

UAS PICs will have sole discretion for declaring safety or violation of FAA rules. If the UAS PIC

determines that a requested training mission would violate FAA rules or endanger personnel and 

civilians, then the UAS PIC will respectfully inform the UAS Training Director of the reasons for 

refusing to operate the UAS. The UAS will not be flown in this circumstance and the authority of 

the UAS PIC is absolute.

If the UAS PIC determines that the requested training mission may potentially damage the UAS or 

its associated equipment the UAS PIC will inform the UAS Training Director of their concerns. 

8.3 Flight Boundaries

Although there may be requests for UAS support outside the boundaries of training deployment, the 

authorization for such uses of the UAS are restricted by its specific training mission as designed by the 

UAS Training Director. 

a) At no time shall UAS support be granted outside the flight plan without first obtaining an 

emergency FAA- COA and approval by the UAS Training Director.

b) Information regarding flight boundaries can be found in the FAA- COA and the use of the

NAS National Airspace System.

c) Maximum altitude (AGL) shall not be set more than 400' per the FAA COA.

8.4 Minimum Personnel Requirements

Due to the nature of the UAS training missions, the minimum personnel required for all missions will 

be the UAS PIC and VO. Under no circumstances will an UAS PIC attempt to complete a 

deployment alone.
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Personnel Responsibilities for Deployments

 “OPEN COMMUNICATIONS ACHIEVES SAFE OPERATIONS”

 a) UAS PIC

i. The UAS PIC is directly responsible for safety and is the final authority over the 

actual training operation of the UAS.

ii. UAS PICs have absolute authority to reject any flight training missions based on 

personnel safety or violation of FAA regulations. No one has the authority, regardless 

of their position, to order an UAS PIC to make a flight of any type when, in the opinion 

of the UAS PIC, it poses a risk to personnel or is in violation of FAA regulations.

iii. UAS PICs are responsible for compliance with this manual, Empower policy and 

procedure and FAA regulations.

iv. The UAS PIC's main duty during the mission of the UAS is to operate the UAS safely 

while accomplishing the goals of the training mission.

v. UAS PICs shall see-and-avoid any obstacle that will lessen safety during the mission.

vi. UAS PICs shall be responsive to the requests of the VO in order to accomplish the training 

mission.

vii. UAS PICs shall be responsible for documentation for mission training and updating of 

flight books. b) VO

viii. VOs shall see-and-avoid any obstacle that will lessen safety during the training mission.

ix. VOs are responsible for the ground safety enforcement aspect of a training mission.

x. VOs shall operate any attachments to the UAS, allowing the UAS PIC to maintain

complete focus on the operation of the UAS’s training mission.

xi. VOs shall remain alert of suspicious persons or activities on the ground and coordinate 

response by ground students and personnel.

xii. VOs shall monitor the radio flight and safety updates.

xiii. VOs shall assist the UAS PIC in the safe operations of the UAS training mission.

xiv. VOs shall be responsible for documentation of training missions and the updating of flight 

logs.

8.7 Personal Equipment

a) UAS PICs/VOs shall wear eye sun protection at times when required while the UAS is in 

flight.

b) Although there is no specific uniforms required for proper operation of the UAS, the 

UAS PIC, VO and students and personnel should take necessary measures to deploy in a 
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professional matter and assure that they are recognized via standard group colors to be 

determined by the student and personnel at the start of the course. 

c) UAS PICs, VOs and student and personnel will take into consideration the current weather 

conditions when planning a training mission and wear appropriate clothing to deploy 

comfortably.

d) Student use of radios or cellular phones during the training mission, are used only as backup 

communication resources. UAS PICs, VOs and student and personnel should at all times

take into consideration safe operation of the UAS when using radios or another 

communication electronic devices. (Use of personal radios or other devices are strictly 

prohibited during all flights.)

9. Pre-Flight/Post-Flight Actions

9.1 Inspections

a) UAS PICs/VOs are both responsible for a thorough preflight inspection of the UAS and 

other important inspection operations with regards to UAS equipment.

b) Before and after each training mission deployment the UAS PIC, VO and student and

personnel shall conduct a thorough inspection of the UAS in accordance with UAS

instructions contained in the manufactures user's manual.

c) Any issues found that could place in jeopardy the safe operation of the UAS shall be 

documented and resolved immediately prior to flight.

d) It has been recognized that the use of a checklist is a significant method to combat UAS 

accidents. A pre-flight checklist is contained at the Base Station and will be utilized prior to 

each flight.

e) Any physical equipment that cannot be resolved through inspection and testing on-site, 

that would have an impact on safety of the training mission will be not be used. All preflight issues with personnel or equipment will be resolved before flight.

9.2 Weather

Before each deployment the UAS PIC and or VO will ensure that he/she gathers enough 

information to make themselves familiar with the weather situation existing throughout the area 

of training deployment at the time of launch and through the duration period of the flight. 

a) The UAS PIC shall utilize FAA approved weather resources to obtain the latest and most 

current weather conditions.

b) An anemometer should be utilized at location in order to better estimate the wind speed 

and determine if it is within the capabilities of the UAS being flown.

c) UAS PICs, VOs and student and personnel should use the Beaufort scale when making 

deployment decisions in regards to wind conditions. This scale can be located in the UAS 

manufacture's user's manual. If not visit: www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html
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d) The weather conditions reported for the operation shall be recorded in the flight log.

e) The UAS PIC shall ensure that the training flight will occur within FAA VFR weather 

requirements.

9.4 Planning

a) The UAS PIC, VO and student and personnel shall familiarize themselves with all 

available information concerning the deployment including, but not limited to, the weather 

conditions, hazards, and the training mission goals.

b) UAS PIC will ensure that the location for take-off and emergency landing is adequate for 

a safe deployment.

c) The take-off/landing location should be clearly marked and identifiable with electric flares 

and short cones or by other appropriate methods.

d) At least one emergency landing area should be identified pre-mission deployment.

e) UAS PICs will ensure that they are aware of their surroundings in the event that an 

emergency landing is necessary. This includes the ability to recover the UAS.

9.5 Checklists

a) UAS PICs shall utilize checklists to ensure the highest level of safety.

b) Prior to flight, the flight log shall be initiated.

9.6 Maintenance

a) Although there are few parts on the UAS that need servicing, it is necessary that the 

manufacturer's maintenance schedule is followed and properly documented.

b) Any issues that arise during maintenance that cannot be resolved by routine methods shall be 

forwarded to the manufacturer for further technical support.

9.7 Other 

a) UAS PICs/VOs will ensure that no items are attached to the UAS prior to flight that are not 

required for safe operation and to complete the mission goal.