DVerse UAS Flight Operations Manual

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DVerse	UAS MPTOM

Docket No. FAA-2015-4906

Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual (MPTOM), which is required by Order 

8900.1, Volume 3, Chapter 8, Section 1

Introduction

This manual describes the operations of DVerse Corporation. This includes roles and responsibilities, 

mission phases and emergency procedures for operating in an open and closed set for filming.

The aim is to complete and fly safely in regulations determined by the FAA.

All Regulations, all agencies and authorities will be aware of area operations and flying. The area and 

operation will be given permission to continue of all traffic and agencies before proceeding to film. 

Roles	and	Responsibilities

Pilot	

● Flying the UAS in Manual or assisted mode. This may include takeoff, landing or during 

emergency procedures 

● Prepping the UAS and acting as a point of contact during preflight checks

● The Pilot and the Backup Pilot/Spotter will be the only team members in operation of the 

UAS

Backup/Co-Pilot	

● Assists the Pilot with their tasks.

● If the Pilot is unavailable, performs preflight tasks

● The Pilot and the Backup Pilot/spotter will be the only team members flying

● Acts as communications link between pilot and Ground 

Airframe	and	Navigation	

● Monitors the state of the UAS - altitude, speed, roll, pitch, etc

● Monitors the UAS’s progress waypoints flying area

● Ensures that the correct waypoints have been loaded (if required)

● During emergency situations, ensures the UAV diverts to the correct waypoint/loiter

● Monitors the time, ensuring the UAV will finish the search pattern within the allocated time 

limit.

Camera	and	Payload	Control	

● Confirms the Camera is capturing correcting

● Monitors the camera capture and image processing

● Makes the call as to where the UAS is located, in consultation with other people
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Safety	and	Procedures	(ALL)

● Monitors other teams members to ensure a safe environment

● Ensures team is following the Procedures and Operations Manual provided by DJI. 

● Maintain visibility of controlled area of flight

● Proper channels through the FAA is approved for operation

● Crew communication at all times

Setup

Assembling	the	UAS

● Assemble rotors

● Check for physical damage

● Check all electronics present and connected

● Check for working flight surfaces

● Confirm all batteries charged

● No physical damage to airframe, engine, propellers or avionics

● All hatches closed and secured on aircraft

Setup	of	the	Ground	Station	

● Radio links active and working 

● All batteries (x4 plus Iphone, Capturing Device) working, networked, and charged

● All radio software working correctly

● All team members confirm safety and clear

Pre-startup	checks

● Verify

○ All servos and flight control surfaces responsive

○ APM(s) running

○ RC radio link working

● Confirm GPS Lock

● Confirm compass enabled, COMPASS_USE=1

● Confirm Altitude lock

● Ensure flight mode MANUAL

● Airspeed calibration and check

● Receiver failsafe check

Post-start-up Checks

● Servos running nominally

● Ensure flight mode Automatic/MANUAL

● Confirm GPS gives the correct location

● The UAS current waypoint should be set to 0

Takeoff	and	hover

● Takeoff may be automatic or manual, depending on weather conditions and how confident 

we are feeling.
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○ For automatic takeoff, the pilot switches to AUTO via APP and then right switch. For 

manual takeoff, allow the pilot to set to Manual mode. After takeoff and when the 

UAV is at least 1m off the ground. Pilot can either switch to auto or manual.

● The pilot will stand watch the UAS. The UAS will not be operated out of sight.

● While the UAS is locating, ensure that:

○ The UAV manoeuvres correctly (good parameters)

○ GPS has a solid lock (we check for a signal strength)

○ Batteries on radios is acceptable

○ Camera is showing good quality images

○ If needed, switch off USE_COMPASS

Filming	

● Keep a general eye on the UAS - tracking in filming area, etc.

● Communicate with the pilot/co-pilot about the estimated time of takeoff and time of landing

● Smooth, fluid flight to maintain control

● Keep watch of surrounding areas to be sure equipment is clear

● Coordinate with all personnel of UAS and area of filming

Landing	

● Landing may be automatic or manual, depending on weather conditions and how confident 

we are feeling.

● By default it will automatically land

○ In automated mode, the pilot will keep a careful eye on the speed and altitude of 

the UAS

○ The pilot will confirm when the UAS is clear to land

○ The pilot will switch of the RC transmitter when they are confident of Manual 

control. They should ensure the Transmitter is set to the right modes/switches 

before power-on. The pilot/co-pilot should be informed when this happens

○ If, at any point during the landing, we are not confident in the auto landing the pilot 

will manually take over

● During a manual landing, the spotter will inform the pilot/ that the area is clear 

Emergency	Procedures

Loss	of	Datalink

● Occurs if the both data links are lost (no heartbeat) for more than 10 seconds

○ If combined with a loss of GPS, the UAS must terminate

○ The RC link fails during manual flight, the UAS must terminate

● The UAS will fly to the (pilot GPS) location 

● The UAS will fly to the Airfield Home waypoint 

● If the data link is not re-established in this time, the UAV will terminate

Loss	of	GPS

● If the GPS reports a loss of lock, this mode must be activated immediately

● The UAS will automatically loiter around the point of GPS lock loss (via dead reckoning) 

● The UAS will navigate to the Airfield Home waypoint (via dead reckoning)

● RC control will be established and the UAV landed, otherwise flight termination

● We are allowed a maximum of 1 GPS loss during the mission
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APM	Software	crash	(Failure	of	Autopilot	software	/	Failure	of	SAS)

● If no heartbeat is heard from the APM for more than 1 second, this mode is activated

● Flight termination must be immediately activated

Loss	of	engine	power

● If the UAS's airspeed and altitude drop, the servos has most likely stopped

● The GCS will do wp set AF_HOME and the UAS will attempt to make and emergency landing.

● If hardware failure, the secondary GCS control will change and take over the UAS

● Same as loss of datalink mode