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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.

Philoso phy

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

. T he use of

u nmanned aerial p rograms (UAS), as a complete aerial resource provide s 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

mission s 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 opera ting 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.

P rotection of Rights and Privacy

Empower ’s trained leaders

, PIC s and VO s will assure that the protection of citizen ’ s civil rights

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

UAS. UAS PIC s and VO s will be trained on their accountability for ensuring that operations of

the UAS i ntrude to a minimal extent upon citizens

. To accomplish this pri mary goal Empower

will provide training for a variety of scenarios :

a) In the event of services being deploye d 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 t ightly controlled and regulated.UAVSA Release 1.1

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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 cover ed :

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 Re search

- 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

Runw ay 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

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f) A trained Empower committee will be formed and meet semi

- annually for the pu rpose of

reviewing the existing UAS procedures as well as new technolog ies, 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 Council s , legal and comm unit y 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 program s will operate, strictly within the letter of the

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

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 fli gh ts 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 leaders hip

. As such it is an official document of Empower

- “Aerial Robotics Education Company”

. This

manual is not intended to be all

- inclusiv e, but as a supplement to Federal Aviation Administration

regulations, aircraft manufacturers' directives and approved flight manual guides

.

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

existed the date published. Technology advancement in a e ri a l e q uipment, 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 PIC s, VO s

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

Empower student s and personnel

. c) UAS Training Director

Responsibilities:

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

VO as well as individual airframes,

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

iii. E valuate 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 t o be considered for selection a s a UAS PIC instructor are

required to possess a

n FAA sport pilot ’ s certification a Class II I FAA physical

examination and a current state driver’s license

.

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

task readily. UAS PIC s 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 sa fe and effective operation of UAS in accordance with the

manufa cturers' approved flight manual and FAA regulations policies and procedures. UAS PIC s

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 VO s

To b e 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 VO s must have been provided with sufficient training to communicate clearly

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

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 VO s must hav e in their possession a current 14 CFR 91.17, Alcohol or

Drugs, test as applies to UAS VO s.

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

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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 s tudents and personnel will be required as part of their

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

. Student

t raining will be coordinated through Empower and announced in advance for scheduling

purposes for participating student s and personnel

.

5.6 Miscellaneous

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

UAS Director. Should the request involve an immediate th reat 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 oper ations shall be referred to Empower ’s UAS

Training Director for immediate cure and a ccountability then referred to Empower

.

6.1 Safety Policy

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

a) The students and personnel wil l at all times protect and prevent d amage to equipment, the

environment and property.

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

.

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

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

procedures and practices with all Personnel members

.

e) The UAS Training Director continuously m onitors the UAS comm unit y 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 PIC s , VOs or student and personnel have knowledge of unsafe or dangerous act s

committed by anyone, the UAS Training Director is to be notified immediately so that correctiveUAVSA Release 1.1

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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 Director s to g et 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 officer s , or any other student and personnel who has the technical skill

necessary.

d) UAS o perational 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 PE RS ONNEL 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 c opy and circulate pertinent safety information.

f) Such incidents should be c opy and circulate emergency safety bulletins.UAVSA Release 1.1

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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 PIC s. VO s 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 pre

flight activities.

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

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

determined that the medica tion being taken could hamper an UAS PIC s, VO s or student s 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 eight een

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 I nstructors

a) F AA 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 fall s 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) VO s 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 (e ither 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 fl ight training

exercises and airframe knowledge

. This must be accomplished to show their ability and

general knowledge of UAS.

7.5 Recurrent Training

a) Student s 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 tra ining 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

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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 a nd VO from the list of available U AS trained

VO s 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 re quired 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 concern s to the UAS Training

Director.

UAS PIC s 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 en danger personnel and

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

refusing to operate th e UAS

. The UAS will not be flown in this circumstanc e 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 assoc iated 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 b oundaries of training deployment , the

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

UAS T raining 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 A ir space 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 mission s , the m inimum personnel required for all missions will

be the UAS PIC and VO

. Under no circumstances will an UAS PIC attempt to complete a

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Personnel Responsibilities for Deployments

“ OPEN COMMUNICATION S 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 PIC s have absolute authority to reject a ny 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 PIC s 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 PIC s shall see

- and

- avoid any obstacle that will lessen safety during the mission.

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

mission

.

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

flight books. b) VO

viii. VO s shall see

- and

- avoid any obstacle that will lessen safety during the training mission.

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

.

x. VO s 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. VO s shall remain alert of suspicious persons or activities on the ground and coordinate

response by ground students and perso nnel

.

xii. VO s shall monitor the radio flight and safety updates.

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

.

xiv. VO s shall be re sponsible for documentation of training mission s and the updating of flight

logs

.

8.7 Personal Equipment

a) UAS PIC s/ VO s shall wear eye sun protection at times when required while the UAS is in

flight.

b) Although there is no specific uniform s required for proper operat ion of the UAS, the

UAS PIC

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professional matter and assure that they are recognized via standard group colors to be

determined by the student and personnel a t the start of the course

.

c) UAS PIC s, VO s 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 radio s or cellular phones during the training mission, are used only as backup

communication resources. UAS PIC s, VO s and student and personnel should at all time s

take into consideration safe operati on of the UAS when using radio s or another

communication electro nic device s . (Use of personal radio s or other device s are strictly

prohibited during all flight s .)

9. Pre

- Flight/Post

- Flight Actions

9.1 Inspections

a) UAS PIC s/ VO s are both responsible for a thorough preflight inspection of the UAS and

other important inspection operations with regards to UAS equ ipment

.

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 pre

flight 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 PIC s, VO s 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

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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 landin g area should be identified pre

- mission deployment.

e) UAS PIC s 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 PIC s shall utilize checklists to ensure the highes t 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 PIC s/ VO s 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.