1 Rescue International Training Academy © RITA2015 DRAFT 2015.07.01 Rescue International 

## UA**S General**  **Operational Flight Guidelines** 

**Supplement to RI ’s**  **UA S**  **Flight SOP Not A** **irframe 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 chang e 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 airpo rt 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 of f, 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-deploy2 Rescue International Training Academy © RITA2015 for any signs & sounds of aircraft. W hen flying, continue to l ook 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 i s based first and foremost on safety and thus dependent on the following 2 : ○ 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 shoul d 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 fail recovery software 3 and UAV parachute. 4 Make sure to test these fail safe mech anisms 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 Q uadrotor Needs This Amazing Failsafe Software,” IEEE Spectrum, March 4, 2014, http://spectrum.ieee. org/automaton/robotics/aerial - robots/every-quadrotor- needs -this-am azing failsafe-software#.UxdDHIzx33Y.hackernews. 4 “DIY parachute deploy mechanism for Multicopter,” DIY Drones, August 11, 2013, http://diydrones.co m/forum/topics/diy- parachute-deployment- mechanism -for- mu lticopter . 5 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-deploy3 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 fi rmly 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 s uch 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 fl own 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). 7 Team - 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. 8 Ta ken from DroneAdventures best practices.4 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 m aps, etc). 9 Team - 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-charge d 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 ind ividual 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 asecond. Climb to a safe altitu de 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 altitud e 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-deploy5 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 fl y UAVs within five miles (or whatever is defined by local laws) of a ny 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 l ogbook 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 Academ y of Model Aeronautics, “ Document #540 - D ‘See and Avoid’ Guidance,” August 2012, http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/540 - D.pdf. 12 Academ y of Model Aeronautics, “Document #922 Procedure for RF Interference Testing between Model Sites,” http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/922.pdf; Academ y 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 development6 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 UAV iators**  **and all the listed contributors for use of this** 

**information and help in**  **its developmen t** 

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