Rescue International UAS Flight Operations Section

DJI UAS Flight Operations Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs)

and Pre & Post Flight Check Lists

Version 2015.07

This sheet shall be used for all flights and completed and signed by the PIC.

This sheet shall become part of the airframe flight records for 

UAS UA Number ___________ PIC ___________________ VO ___________________ FVSO ________________

Mandatory Operating Conditions

1. ALL Operations to occur below 200 feet AGL per FAA Blanket COA

2. Operators to avoid congested or populated areas, which are depicted in yellow on VFR charts.

3. Operations to be conducted over private or controlled-access property.

4. Permission from land owner/or public safety agency required before commencing any flights.

5. Operations to occur during Visual Flight Rules Meteorological Conditions (VMC).

6. Aircraft to remain within Visual Line of Sight (VMOS).

7. Aerial Search Operations to occur during daylight hours.

8. Above Ground Level (AGL) altitude to be restricted to 200 feet. This is to comply with the 

FAA Blanket COA for flights under 200 feet.

9. All operations conducted in vicinity of airport to remain more than 2.5 NM from centerline 

azimuth of runway centerline measured from runway thresholds.

10. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from federal, territorial, state, county or 

city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire or other appropriate governmental 

agencies as required.

11. All operations will include one pilot for flight control (PIC) and one observer for VLOS 

enhancement of surrounding area near the aircraft. A third VO/FVSO (flight video system 

operator) will be used if the second Aspire Camera controller is deployed

12. A safe security zone shall be determined for the launch zone area of operation.

13. Acceptable wind and weather conditions

14. Is Flight Plan completed with mission objectives

Flight Operating Requirements (PIC) Flight Automation

1. PIC is required to check and verify solid GPS Fix on home position.

2. PIC to verify that all sensors are operating this includes sonar, barometric pressure and external 

site wind speed.

3. PIC is required to verify data-link is operating fully in automated pre-flight system performance 

check.

4. PIC is required to verify “Flight Emergency or Home Return Mode” is operating of which the 

mode is to be activated via radio and verify via ground control acknowledges mode switch and 

that pre programmed altitude is set for 80ft AGL flight path return to home location.

5. Pre-define responses to include behavior such as attempting to re-establish radio 

communications, return to home position, return to home and land, or land in current position.

6. Verify in case of Lost GPS, a manual flight mode will be enabled in a “Ultrasonic/Video 

Stabilized” mode which will allow for safe flight and to manually provide navigation inputs to 

assist in landing the vehicle under the PICs control.

7. PIC is required to perform Pre-flight Safety Checklist before flight as listed on DJI flight 

controller and as listed in this SOP.

8. PIC is required to perform a pre-flight briefing of all flight staff and participants to include a 

launch and flight risk assessment, payload operations. 
9. Only a PIC with a payload flight rating to include actual payload training flights shall deploy

payloads under actual recue conditions.

Pre-Flight Check List:

o Complete all items on the flight controller check list

o Check flight log and maintenance log for any found deficiencies and confirm that they have been 

repaired before flight.

o Confirm that the Flight Controller Tablet has sufficient power for the flight planned.

o Is a UAS tracking transponder active on the UA for this flight ID # _______________________

o Wind speed is less than 20 MPH for mission flights and under 8 MPH for training or other nonmission flights. Confirmed by a weather report, stationary or handheld anemometer, if not 

indicated to be null to human senses.

o PIC Visibility of no less than 1 mile.

o SD Card is inserted and has space for required mission duration recording.

o Rescue payload bag has been checked for required rescue missions

o Are Operational DJI UAS manual, Flight system SOP’s, Flight Log Book with maintenance log

and required FAA documents are on site with the PIC

o Log book or online logging is available or flight logging.

o A trained VO is present for the flight

o Launch area is clear of non-authorized persons and is secure

o No airport restrictions apply

o Verbal or written permission have been obtained as need by Federal, State and Local laws and 

regulations. 

o Is there a public safety land access exception law applicable to this flight?

 YES ____ (see notes)

o ALL CHECK LIST ITEMS ARE COMPLETED on both this list and DJI controller and 

confirmed , YES _____ NO _____ FAILED TO CLEAR LISTS Flight cancelled (see notes)

Post Flight Check List:

o Record any maintenance issues in the flight log for attention before the next flight

o Record any maintenance issues as repaired, not found or in progress if not fixed

o Place the RED 3x5 or larger NOT READY FOR FLIGHT card in the airframes flight log until 

such time as the airframe has been repaired and is now ready for flight

o Any FAA reportable incidents YES ____ List details in Flight Log book, Make required RI 

notifications to UAS Flight Director and one Board Member notification ASAP by calling RI 

800 emergency number or a direct contact call. Log theses calls in the Flight Log Book 

o RI UAS Flight tracking system number has been recorded on the RI UAS FTS, online system.

Flight process start time: _____________________ Flight processes finish time: __________________

RI UAS Flight Tracking System, Number ________________________

Signature PIC _________________________________________ Date _____________.

Note: