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Rescue International Training Academy © RITA2015

 DRAFT 2015.07.01

Rescue International 

UAS General Operational Flight Guidelines

Supplement to RI’s UAS Flight SOP

Not Airframe specific! National and Inter-National Missions

Pre-Flight

● Weather: Carefully check the latest weather and wind forecasts for the area that 

will be surveyed. Keep in mind that different terrains will generate different wind 

patterns, e.g., mountains and valleys, forests and open plains. Also note that 

wind patterns change at different altitudes. So just because there’s relatively no 

wind at 100 feet in altitude, doesn’t mean that there won’t be at 300 feet. For 

wind speed forecasts, see http://www.windfinder.com.

● Hazards: Make every effort to ensure that flight operations will not pose any

undue risk to the personnel directly involved with the effort and to members of 

the public who are not directly involved. Likewise, make every effort to ensure 

that operations will not pose any undue risk to any property in the area.1

. 

● Controlled Airspace flights shall be performed only with permission of -RA- and in 

constant communication with all required parties and agencies and the 

controlling authority of the airspace. The controlling authority maintains the right 

to abort any UAS/UAV flights regardless of the stage the operation is in. Comply 

with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, covenants, and restrictions as 

they relate to UAS/UAV operations. Formally request permission from local 

government and local communities before flying over their airspace whenever 

possible or required. Likewise, request permission from both local government 

and local communities to take aerial photographs/videos. For high-quality, 

professional mapping, flying at 300 meters is often necessary. If these levels 

exceed the legal altitude limits in the country of operation, seek formal 

permission whenever possible and notify the nearest airport operator of the 

intended flight plan

● Airspace: Ensure that all operations take place at least three (5) miles (or the 

minimum distance required by local regulations) from any controlled airspace 

such as an airport or active airfield. Prior to taking off, be sure to scan the skies 

 

1

This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search 

& Rescue and Law Enforcement. http://www.suasnews.com/first-to-deploy
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Rescue International Training Academy © RITA2015

for any signs & sounds of aircraft. When flying, continue to look for aircraft. If you 

spot or hear any, immediately land your UAS/UAV. Operations within contr

● Launch & Landing Sites: The selection of launch and landing sites is based first 

and foremost on safety and thus dependent on the following2:

○ Site is away from nonessential participants, utility wires, and poles;

○ Ability to maintain adequate buffer zones between aircraft and personnel;

○ Minimize departures and landings over populated areas; 

○ Take-off site should be chosen to take into account local topography, 

ensuring a visible line of sight towards the UAV at all times. 

○ Typically the landing site is the same as the launch site. However, an 

alternative landing site should be identified if the primary landing site 

becomes unusable or unsafe. To this end launch/landing sites should be 

selected based on the availability of an alternative landing site;

○ The availability of a mission “abort site” is not required but recommended. 

An abort site is one where the UAV may be “dumped” in the event of an 

emergency situation.

○ If landing site includes other flight staff announce out loud “Clear Prop” 

before turning “engines” on.

● Safety Software: UAVs increasingly have a number of failsafe options in case of 

failures or unexpected situations. These often include using methods of 

stabilization and an automated Return/Home option. Other features include failrecovery software3

and UAV parachute.4 Make sure to test these fail safe 

mechanisms before you start flying. Do not fly without these failsafe 

mechanisms.

● Hardware: Carry out a thorough inspection of the UAV airframe before the first 

flight by5:

○ Verifying all transmitter, on-board aircraft and camera batteries are 

fully charged; 

○ Checking all control surfaces for signs of damage, loose hinges, 

 

2

This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search 

& Rescue and Law Enforcement. http://www.suasnews.com/first-to-deploy

3

Ackerman, Evan, “Every Quadrotor Needs This Amazing Failsafe Software,” IEEE Spectrum, March 4, 

2014, http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/aerial-robots/every-quadrotor-needs-this-amazingfailsafe-software#.UxdDHIzx33Y.hackernews.

4

“DIY parachute deploy mechanism for Multicopter,” DIY Drones, August 11, 2013, 

http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/diy-parachute-deployment-mechanism-for-multicopter.

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This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search 

& Rescue and Law Enforcement. http://www.suasnews.com/first-to-deploy
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Rescue International Training Academy © RITA2015

and overall condition; Looking over the wing/rotors to ensure they 

are in good structural condition and properly secured; 

○ Checking the motor/engine and mounting system to make sure it is 

firmly attached to the airframe; Studying the propeller or rotor 

blades for chips, cracks, looseness and any deformation; Checking 

`the landing gear (if applicable) for damage, secure attachment and 

functional wheels; 

○ Testing all electrical connections, making sure they are plugged in 

and secured to the airframe; 

○ Ensuring that all photography equipment and mounting system are 

secure and operational.

○ Check 3D location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot. Also check 

the IMU movements in the ground control software. If available check the 

UAV in stabilization mode, ensuring that the control surfaces move 

towards the correct positions

● Mission Plan: The mission plan shall contain all actions and contingencies for the 

mission planned. Any limiting factors in the flight environment may alter the 

intended operation and modify the mission plan accordingly. Contingency

planning should include safe routes in the event of a system failure, degraded 

performance, or lost communication link, if such a failsafe exists.6 Mission plans 

will also include a flight plan when flying large UAVs and/or when flying complex 

missions. Complex missions include areas that have several ongoing UAV 

projects; are in dense urban areas and or close to airports. Small UAVs, 

especially when flown line-of-site, do not require formal flight plans. Mission 

plans and flight plans should be shared with other operators when flying complex 

missions. 

● Public Awareness: Pro-actively raise public awareness about intended flight 

plans/paths so as to avoid scaring local communities and passersby. Consider 

using flyers, local radio and newspapers for disseminating this information, 

particularly when flying complex missions. Meet with the local community to 

propose and discuss the flight plan whenever possible. In addition, explain the 

technology and ask for their authorization before flying. Ideally, give something 

back to the community whenever possible (training, printed maps, etc).7Team-up

a local operator who has experience in the country, speaks the language and 

understands the culture.8

 

6

This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search 

& Rescue and Law Enforcement. http://www.suasnews.com/first-to-deploy

7 Drawn from DroneAdventures best practices.

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Taken from DroneAdventures best practices.
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Rescue International Training Academy © RITA2015

● Public Awareness: Pro-actively raise public awareness about intended flight 

plans/paths so as to avoid scaring local communities and passersby. Consider 

using flyers, local radio and newspapers for disseminating this information, 

particularly when flying complex missions. Meet with the local community to 

propose and discuss the flight plan whenever possible. In addition, explain the 

technology and ask for their authorization before flying. Ideally, give something 

back to the community whenever possible (training, printed maps, etc).9Team-up

a local operator who has experience in the country, speaks the language and 

understands the culture.

● Camera & Settings: Ensure that the camera settings are appropriate to your 

mission. Make sure the camera batteries are fully re-charged and that there is 

sufficient memory on the SD card to record the footage for your mission. 

Remember to start the video or photos before launching your UAV (you’d be 

surprised how easy that step is to overlook).

● Insurance: Make every effort to secure individual insurance and assume all 

liability for your actions. UAS NGOs and companies who collaborate with our 

network are also required to secure insurance.

● Obvious but for the Record: Do not operate UAVs while under the influence of 

alcohol or while using any drug that could adversely affect the ability to safely 

control the model.

In-Flight

● Basics: If flying manually, always keep your fingers on the controller/transmitter. 

Never let the UAV out of your sight even for a second. Climb to a safe altitude 

away from potential hazards and to reduce noise pollution. Keep aircraft at a safe 

operating distance from people, electric utility lines and buildings. If the UAV 

must be flown over buildings or people, use a lightweight UAV and maintain a 

safe altitude for recovery and make every effort to minimize exposure.10

 

9 Drawn from DroneAdventures best practices.

10 This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search 

& Rescue and Law Enforcement. http://www.suasnews.com/first-to-deploy
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Rescue International Training Academy © RITA2015

● Spotter: Use a spotter whenever possible and appropriate, especially when flying 

by First Person View (FPV).11

● Laws: Do not fly UAVs within five miles (or whatever is defined by local laws) of 

any private/commercial airport/helipad or a pre-existing UAV flying site without a 

frequency-management agreement.12 Do not interfere with operations and traffic 

patterns at any airport, heliport or seaplane base except where there is a written 

mixed-use agreement. Respect altitude limits as stated by local/national laws. 

● Landing: Regardless of whether of a manual or automated UAV landing, scan 

landing area for potential obstruction hazards. Announce out loud “Preparing to 

Land”. Carefully land the aircraft away from obstructions and people.13

Post-Flight

● Shutting Down: Turn the power off to the aircraft and/or disconnect the batteries. 

Turn off the transmitter. Turn the power off to the photo equipment. Visually 

check aircraft for signs of damage and/or excessive wear. Remove the unused 

fuel if applicable. Secure the aircraft.14

● Check pictures: Verify that the UAV camera actually took the pictures. If not, or of 

bad quality, consider redoing the mission with a spare set of batteries.

● Logs: Keep a detailed logbook of all flights.

● Information Sharing: Request permission from local communities to share the 

resulting imagery, either privately or publicly for humanitarian purposes. Freely 

share imagery with local communities whenever possible. Consider printing the 

imagery on banners as these are much more durable than paper.

 

11 Academy of Model Aeronautics, “ Document #540-D ‘See and Avoid’ Guidance,” August 2012, 

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/540-D.pdf. 

12 Academy of Model Aeronautics, “Document #922 Procedure for RF Interference Testing between 

Model Sites,” http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/922.pdf; Academy of Model Aeronautics, “Document #923 

From the 2011 Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code,” 

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/923.pdf

13 This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search 

& Rescue and Law Enforcement. http://www.suasnews.com/first-to-deploy

14 This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search 

& Rescue and Law Enforcement. http://www.suasnews.com/first-to-deploy

Special thanks to UAViators for use of this information and its development 
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Rescue International Training Academy © RITA2015

Ethics and Privacy: Fully respect privacy and remove identifiable information when 

requested and reasonably possible. For example, if aerial imagery is to be made public, 

blurr, obscure or remove any recognizable faces and/or related personal identifying 

information when this is technically feasible. 

This manual is provided by Rescue International Training Academy (RITA) as part of its 

UAS flight training program no re-production is allowed without written permission of 

RITA or it contributors.

www.rescueinternational.org

Special thanks to UAViators and all the listed contributors for use of this 

information and help in its development

© RITA2015

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