UAV INFO

UAV Details:

The UAV is a 8 motor X8 Coaxial configuration - meaning it has 8 motors with 4 arms. This provides the most stable 

platform in outdoor conditions by having physical mass but low surface area. With this coaxial design we are able to safely 

fly in winds up to 20 knots. The UAV’s carbon fiber material is used on 90% of the aerial rig, giving it superior strength to 

weight ratio. Our UAV is not an “off the shelf” internet purchase. We acquire materials from all the top manufactures and 

custom build our own rig to insure it is the best and safest for ourselves and clients. Also by building a UAV you know 

every little detail to do proper maintenance to prevent issues during flights.

- Airframe: Carbon Core X8 coaxial “8 Motors”

- GPS Autopilot: DJI WKM v02 (latest most reliable technology made)

- Motors: Tiger 3520 (2.8kg thrust per motor)

- Props: Xoar Beachwood Matched Pair (low vibration) 

- Gimbals: Cinestar 3 Axis 

Operating Weight:

- Weight w/o payload: 7 kilo

- Payload: 6 kilo

- MTOF: 13 kilo (rated to 23 kilo)

Estimated Usage of UVA:

- Lifetime 400+ hours

- Monthly Average per month +40hrs depending on production schedules and testing. Longest monthly average was 27 

consecutive days (4hrs per day) with and Imax crew in Hawaii w/ permits from NOAA

Failsafes:

Using DJI WKM v02 GPS autopilot software/hardware to man our UAV’s electronics. Features include GPS Auto Pilot, On 

Screen Telemetry (flight statistics “battery voltage, altitude, longitude, velocity, rates, etc), Failsafe Go-Home (automatic on 

low power, can be invoked or canceled by pilot), Quad or Dual 6S Lipo flight batteries for voltage redundancy plus external low voltage alarms that sound off at pre defined voltage. Only use high discharge rate batteries 65C for constant voltage curve throughout flight (no drop in voltage discharge as battery power is used). 8 motors/props for redundancy (if 1 or 

2 fail the UAV will still fly). Besides these features we also do routine maintenance and preflight safety checks prior to all 

flights, systems checks between each battery exchange and replace props at the slightest sign of wear (chips/nicks/etc).

Risk Management:

I was a former professional athlete (snowboarding & snow mobiling) so I’m very used in assessing risk. For our UAV we 

gather as much info as possible prior to flying. We do location & tech scout to asses dangers like (weather, obstacles, 

trees, power lines, traffic, pedestrians, etc). View Canada Flight Suppliment & VFR Nav Charts. We only fly if we have 

multiple take off and landing options (which are marked/flagged) incase of an unplanned landings (which we have never 

had - zero failure). Only if all the assessed info will make a safe flight, then we fly with the below restrictions.

Operations / Ground Supervisor - Jason Toth (604) 722-3885 / jason@rvrd.com / 13277 Tulsy Place Surrey, BC 

V3W 6C7 - I (jason Toth) am owner, operator, supervisor. I have built and operated many heavy lift multi-rotors over the 

past 16 months. I have worked on many shows for clients such as (Imax, A&E Network, Lifetime Network, Digital Hydra). 

I have prior RC flight experience of 4 years using single rotor helicopters. I work in the film industry as a cinematography, 

photographer, VFX supervisor (for the past 12 years). We are film makers using this valuable tool for filming (not RC pilots 

trying to get into the film industry which is unsafe because they do not understand onset etiquette and safety).

Camera Operator - Derek Heidt (604) 935-2045 / derek@rvrd.com / Box 223 Lions Bay, BC, V0N2E0

Our camera operator has worked on 100’s of commercials, tv shows and feature films as 1st and 2nd camera op. There 

are not many in the industry who have more experience.

Ground Station Tech & Safty P.A. - Jesse Norsworthy (604) 720-6491 / jesse@rvrd.com / Box 1132, 2480 Hastings 

St Est Vancouver, BC, V5K1Z1 Our ground station/safety assistant is also our 2nd camera operator. Again working in 

the industry as a camera op for many years. He has been trained to fully know the aerial rig and on making sure the flight 

area is secure at all times.
PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

Environmental:

□ Check for people, animals, property in the flight vicinity.

□ Notify any bystanders or nearby property owner of your intentions.

□ If flying in controlled airspace, notify airspace authority of your intentions.

□ First Aid / Safety Kit on hand, stocked, readily accessible, and visible to anyone in the area

Equipment:

□ Cracks (especially in high stress areas like joints)

□ Loose or damaged screws / fasteners / bands / straps / ties

□ Loose or damaged wiring

□ Loose or damaged connections (solder, plugs, etc)

□ Inspect prop mounts & screws & apply slight counter pressure on arms to check for loosened construction

□ Battery/batteries fully charged, properly seated & secured

□ Remove props and test fail-safe behavior (if applicable)

□ Props are smooth and free of damage/defect (check blade, surface, & hub)

□ Tighten prop adapters (careful not to over tighten which may damage prop)

□ Ensure voltage alarm is connected

□ Ensure arming/idle timeout is properly configured (6-15 seconds is generally acceptable)

□ Check whether the right model is selected in the transmitter (if applicable)

□ Check your RC transmitter shows the right range and centering for all sticks

□ If desired, perform range test

Pre Flight:

□ View Canada Flight Suppliment / VFR Nav Charts and notify terminals

□ Secure Location

□ Set up boundries with cones/markers

□ Saftey meeting with all crew and production personnel

□ Have all none essential production personnel leave landing/take off zones

□ Batteries charged & secured

□ Position quad in a level, safe location for takeoff

□ If using onboard video recorder (i.e., Gopro), turn on camera

□ All transmitter controls move freely in all directions, Trims neutral, switches typically away

□ Transmitter throttle to zero

□ Radio transmitter on

□ Connect/power on battery to airframe

□ Ensure led indicators & audible tones are all correct

□ Scan for nearby people, animals or obstructions again

□ Stand clear - audibly, loudly announce the word "CLEAR, ARMING MOTORS!"

□ Arm flight controller

□ Increase throttle slightly listening for any abnormalities

□ Short 20-30 second hover at 3-5 feet (listen for any vibrations or anything that sounds abnormal)

Imposed Restrictions:

- We change props every 100hrs or any sign of wear

- We rebuild the UAV every 200hrs - checking wires, welds, connections, etc

- We do not fly within 3 meters of any obsticals

- We do not fly over an persons or moving object unless following are meet and approved by SFOC / Production.

- We fly only line of sight with a maximum distance & hight of 50m unless required in which we reassess the risk

- Since we fly for film/commercial our average velocity does not exceed 1.5m per sec

- We require a tech survey and rehearsal day on all productions

- We lock off the location to none production personnel (either by using productions assistants, police and tape)

- All production personal have to sign and liability/property release form to be allowed onset

- All personnel have to stand behind the UAV operator at no less than 10 meter distance

- We go though our safety/pre flight checklist and have safety meeting with production personnel

- Once the above have been meet we are then able to arm engines which is called out and count down begins

- We do a quick takeoff and landing checking all systems before we begin shooting - we only take off a Manual type mode 

since GPS is unreliable.

- Inflight we monitor the system with our OSD telemetry

- We land the UAV at no less than 22.5volts loaded (we use 6S batteries so this is 3.8 volts per cell loaded which relates 

to 20% life left in batteries loaded or 30% none loaded (we only fly with dual/parallel batteries for redundancy).
Property Public Safety

Locations locked off to public by Police

and / or Production Crew

Time of Flight

LOCATION SITE SURVEY

Business within 50 meters to 

be notified (owners, property 

managers, security)

Dusk / Dawn / Night

Morning - 

Afternoon

PROCEED

NO FLY

Safety meeting with all 

production personnel

RVRD - UAV RISK ASSESSMENT

Onsite medic provided by 

production

Film permits obtained

Determine the Risk

Manage the Risk

Battery Transport

Batteries are in "Lipo Fire Safe 

Bags" & in Pelican Case. 

Awating additional info from 

Trabsport Canada

Privacy

Businesses / neighbours 

notified by production and/or 

locations. Issues are rectified 

otherwise no fly

ONLY FLY IF ALL IN FLOW CHART STATES "PROCEED)

Film Location Manager & 

Producer take care of this 

before we arrive on site

Security of Location

Film Location Managers & Producer make sure to: 

- notify all businesses about filming

- notify and secure buildings if being film for production 

- obtain all releases forms property owners 

- obtain proper film permits from city/parks/etc

- lock off locations to all non-essential personnel via PA or police

- have signage for closures and areas of interest

- obtain production insurance for personal/liability/property

- To lock off a location police are hired and the area is closed to all nonproduction personal/traffic/etc. Then "locations" would have a crew of 2-6 

people closing off the set to non-important personnel from entering the area. 

Public roads are closed by 

police or production so 

there is no risk to any noneproduction personnel since 

the streets are clears of 

people/cars. If the road can't 

be close, they would do 

controlled closure while 

filming.

Traffic

RISK ASSESSMENT - LOCATION SURVEY
Flight Area

PROCEED

15-50 meters

(15% of projected flights)

Between 50-100 meters

(4% of projected flights)

100 to 120 meters

(1% of projected flights)

Up to 15 meters

(80% of projected flights)

 Determine parties to notify: 

- terminal to notify

- frequency to notify

View "Nav Canada Vancouver VTA / VFR Chart" 

Determine airspace

- areas and boundaries

- ceiling of indicated class of airspace

- class of airspace / agency / frequency

- floor of indicated class of airspace

 Determine airspace risk of the area:

- via map & manual

- visually on site

Notify terminal: 

- ask what restrictions are impose

- get approval on flight plan / dates / time

- state presence day of flying

- file NOTAM if needed

- give SFOC permit number

Canada Flight Supplement Manual - review additional info

Above Approved

YES NO NO FLY

RISK ASSESSMENT - AREA AIRSPACE
Power-lines Trees Obstacles Buildings

+30 

-30m

NO FLY

PROCEED

 If failure would occur, could there be damage/impact

PROCEED w/ CAUTION NO FLY

NO YES

Has location been locked 

off to general public

Has all crewed been 

safety briefed and signed 

liability/property release 

waver

YES NO

Main Obstructions

-30m

Businesses / neighbours would 

be notified of flight

No personnel allowed on roofs, 

near windows or entrances

If there would be disturbance 

to the occupancy or working of 

the occupancy of building there 

would be "no fly" if production 

could not address 

compensation

NO FLY

Permission is granted

SFOC Permitting +30meter Flight

NO FLY

NO YES

RISK ASSESSMENT - OBSTRUCTIONS
WEATHER

Clear / High Clouds Wind Under 10knots Drizzle Wind Over 15knots Fog Rain

NO FLY

PROCEED

UVA VISIBILITY Obstructed "Line of Sight"

NO FLY

PROCEED

Clear "Line of Sight"

PROCEED w/ CAUTION

We DO NOT fly if we can not 

see the UVA 

(FULL LINE OF SIGHT)

RISK ASSESSMENT - WEATHER
Payload 

Loss* low** low

UAV RISK WHILE IN OPERATION

Proceed to Preflight Checklist 

"see section 01 in SFOC permit request submission"

Loosing sight of UAV * low** low

Pilot medical emergency* low** low

Take off / landing operations* low** low

Radio Interference* low** low

Obstacle Strike* low** low

Identifying risk

Battery Failure* low** high

Propeller Failure* low** med

Motor Failure* low** med

Under 5 KG (rated 

for 13kg)

Multiple spotters 

used

First Aid 

Medic 

always on 

site

No less 

then 3 

landing 

sites

Dual batteries used for 

redundancy

Frequency of "FASST" shifts 

hundreds of times per 

second, so there are no 

signal conflicts or 

interruptions. 

UAV FAILURE & 

SOLUTION

8 Props (6 needed 

to fly)

Radio Batteries * low** low

Payload attached via 

aluminum and carbon 

fiber

**consequences of the event (low / med / high)

*probability of event occurrence (low / med / high) 

Radio will not start UAV 

without proper battery 

voltage. 8 Motors (6 

needed to fly) High discharge 

rated to hold 

voltage Props 

checked 

before/after 

takeoff

Voltage alarm & meter on 

the radio Motors checked 

before takeoff

Spare battery available 

on site

Dozen 6S 

batteries used to 

share usage

Auto Home w/ Manual Override 

Auto Pilot / Home if 

needed

Land only 

in a locked 

off / 

controlled 

area

If landing has to happen due to failure

Land in designated area or divert UAV from pubic or property

Camera 

operator is 

trained to 

take over 

and use 

autopilot to 

gain control 

The system seamlessly 

select the best reception 

between two receiver 

antennas, so there's no loss 

of signal. 

ONCE ALL OF THE ABOVE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED - 

PROCEED

Failsafe would go 

home

ROGUE / No 

Control

* low

**med

DO NOT FLY GPS 

MODE!!!

Only fly Manually Only fly line of 

sight

IF LANDING / CONTROL IS NOT POSSIBLE 

PARACHUTE DEPLOYMENT WOULD ACCURE

DUAL RADIO USED AS FAILSAFE IF ONE RADIO IS NONE RESPONSIVE

INSURANCE: full UAV & Production insurance obtained 

UVA, liability, equipment, property, personal with limits well above T.C. 

recommendations

ROGUE NOTES:This is due to people operating UAV's using GPS which they rely upon. GPS is not reliable and UAV's should only be flown in manual mode! What happens in GPS mode is the GPS triangulates between satellites, if the GPS single drops below the recommended amount of satellites (usually 5), it will automatically switch to manual mode. If the operator is not prepared for this they would most likely loose control of the UAV (hence why you should only operate in manual). Also departing/rogue should be impossible with proper failsafe set ups in manual mode:1) we fly manual only - so we are in total control of UAV at all times!2) all our batteries are fully charged and have alarms when below 30% or 3.9v loaded3) with a flick of a switch we can make our failsafe activate which makes the UAV pause for 15 seconds, then go to 30m altitude, pause for 15 seconds, return to starting position at 30m elevation, then descend at 0.5m per second. All of this can be canceled at any time remotely.4) if we lost radio reception (impossible since we fly line of sight and radio transmission is 600meters), #3 will automatically engage and can be canceled anytime via radio or computer.5) we have parachutes that are remote triggered which sounds alarms and reduces the rate of decent to 2-3m per second as a final failsafe6) there is nothing else that would cause the UAV to become rogue (it would user error)

RISK ASSESSMENT - OPERATING RISK SUMMARY





602 – 1788 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1Y1 P: 604 684 3411 F: 604 684 3437 Toll Free: 1 866 690 3456

BINDER NO. DC60112709 

This binder provides evidence of insurance that, in consideration of payment to be made by the insured of 

premiums specified, the Insurance stated below has been placed with the Insurer named. 

The term of this binder is as stated below or when replaced by delivery of the Insurer’s written contract. 

NAMED INSURED: Jason Toth dba Revered Cinema 

ADDRESS OF THE INSURED: 518 Newdale Place 

 West Vancouver, BC V7T 1W5 

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 24, 2013 

EXPIRY DATE: September 18, 2014 

COVERAGES: PER SCHEDULE “A” ATTACHED 

PREMIUM: $2,250 ($1,500 Minimum and Retained) 

INSURER: Premiere Insurance Underwriting Services/ 

 Everest Insurance Company of Canada (EvCan) 

TERRITORY: CANADA/ U.S.A. 

POLICY NO. DC60112709 

CONDITIONS: -Based on estimated annual gross production costs of $220,000

-Adjusted based on a rate of 0.55 per $100 in actual annual gross 

production costs with a minimum/retained premium of $1,500. 

 

 -Maximum Cost of Any One Production: $40,000.

 

 -Production media: 100% Digital 

 

 -Number of Productions: 20 

-Includes coverage for UAVs and equipment mounted to 

UAVs, subject to UAV and Miscellaneous Equipment 

endorsements 

 

 -No coverage for post-production work done for others 

COVERAGES ARE AS PER SCHEDULE “A” ATTACHED 

This binder is Subject to the same terms and conditions as policy documentation issued by the 

Insurer. All limits, deductibles and premiums are shown in Canadian (CAD) dollars. 

E & OE/AD/JASON01 
602 – 1788 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1Y1 P: 604 684 3411 F: 604 684 3437 Toll Free: 1 866 690 3456

SCHEDULE “A” ATTACHED TO AND FORMING PART OF BINDER NO. DC60112709 

Coverages Limits of Liability Deductibles 

Negative Film/ Videotape Protection $220,000 NIL 

Still Photography and Library Stock $25,000 NIL 

Faulty Stock, Camera & Processing Protection $220,000 $1,000 Tape 

$5,000 Film 

Props, Sets, and Wardrobe $500,000 $1,000 

Increase Sub-limit for antiques objects of art, rugs, fur, 

jewellery 

$50,000 $1,000 

Sub-limit for Railroad Cars – in motion $50,000 $1,000 

Sub-limit for watercraft – in motion $50,000 $1,000 

Sub-limit for short circuit or other electric disturbances $50,000 $1,000 

Miscellaneous Equipment 

Owned Fixed Not Covered N/A 

Owned Mobile $14,500 $1,500 

Rented $25,000 $1,500 

Sub-limit for short circuit or other electric disturbances $25,000 $1,500 

Sub-limit for watercrafts used as safety vessels or 

camera platforms – in motion 

$25,000 $1,500 

Third Party Property Damage Liability Protection $2,000,000 $1,500 

Living Quarters for Cast and Crew (Buildings) $250,000 $1,500 

Living Quarters for Cast and Crew (Contents) $100,000 $1,500 

Extra Expense $50,000 $1,000 

Mechanical Breakdown- if fully tested $50,000 $1,000 

Disruption of Power – Canada/US only $50,000 $1,000 

Civil Authority – Excl Terrorism – Canada/US only $50,000 $1,000 

Non Industry Strike $50,000 $1,000 

Sub-limit for short circuit or other electric disturbances $50,000 $1,000 

Business Personal Property Protection $75,000 $1,000 

$2,500 laptops 

Valuable Papers $50,000 $1,000 

EDP $50,000 $1,000 

Sub-limit for short circuit or other electric disturbances $50,000 $1,000 

Crime – Money & Securities $10,000 $1,000 

Employee Dishonesty $5,000 $1,000 

Animal Mortality Protection 

Unscheduled $10,000 $1,000 

Any One Animal $10,000 $1,000 

Aggregate $50,000 $1,000 

Vehicle Physical Damage Protection $250,000 per vehicle 

$750,000 aggregate 

10% of loss, 

min $1,500, 

max $7,500 

**/*** No coverage applies under the above noted sections to Negative Film which is accumulated for shipping and 

processing for a period in excess of 5 shooting days or consecutive days whichever is less. Longer periods 

available. 

**/*** No coverage applies under the above noted sections unless ALL equipment is fully tested and proved to be 

sound at the commencement of filming/taping. 

Note: Higher limits may be available upon request