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Aerial Sciences Corp.

sUAS

Flight Standards
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Aerial Sciences Corporation is dedicated to ensuring safe flight operations are 

conducted in all aspects of its small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS)

operations. 

The following standards and procedures will be applied and adhered to:

1. Pilot in Command (PIC) Qualifications

• The PIC will be an FAA licensed airman with at least a private pilot’s 

certificate and third class medical. 

• The PIC will have a minimum of 10 hours sUAS experience of which at 

least 5 hours are with the specific make/model of sUAS to be operated.

2. Pilot in Command (PIC) Training and Currency Requirements

• Training of pilots who do not meet the sUAS experience will be gained 

within dedicated ground training sessions through use of a fixed wing 

computer simulator, and sUAS flight training as logged in a consistent 

manner per 14 CFR §61.5(b),. 

• A flight check will be conducted by an Aerial Sciences FAA certified Flight 

Instructor (CFI) prior to allowing a PIC to conduct flight operations. 

• PIC Flight currency will be maintained by having logged 30 minutes flight 

time within the proceeding 90 days within the specific make/model sUAS 

platform. 

• Regaining currency will be achieved in dedicated training/currency 

sessions. 

• In addition to flight proficiency, the PIC will be trained in use of the radio 

control transmitter, ground control station, pre-flight inspection of the 

sUAS, FAA Conditions and Limitations, and Aerial Sciences Flight 

Operation Standards. 

3. Flight Crew

• Minimum crew for each flight operation will consist of the sUAS PIC and 

Visual Observer (VO). 

• Flights will be conducted within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all 

times with VO duties assisting PIC in maintaining VLOS and situational 

awareness of obstructions, hazards and avoiding other aircraft. 

• Communication between the PIC and VO will be maintained through direct 

voice communications and/or through use of two-way radio or cell phone 

throughout the duration of flight.

• VO has no other duties than assisting the PIC during conduct of flight.
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4. Pre-flight Inspection

• Prior to each flight, the PIC will conduct a thorough pre-flight inspection to 

ensure the sUAS is in safe condition for flight. 

• The pre-flight will include physical inspection of components, battery 

voltage level checks, motor run-up, payload system, ground control station 

and communications checks in preparation of flight. 

• If the inspection reveals a condition that prohibits safe operation, the PIC 

will remove the aircraft from service until the necessary maintenance has 

been performed and the sUAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight 

by Aerial Sciences A&P licensed technicians. 

5. Pre-flight Planning

• The PIC will conduct pre-flight planning to include obtaining weather 

briefings, identifying hazards and obstructions, and establishing 

predetermined mission flight path and limited and controlled area for safe 

operation. 

• Aerial Sciences will submit to the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) a 

Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) prior to conducting any flight 

operations. 

• Aerial Sciences will request a Notice to Airman (NOTAM) not more than 

72 hours in advance, but not less than 24 hours prior to the operation. 

• All flight operations will be conducted within a limited area that is strictly 

controlled over private or controlled-access property.

• Aerial Sciences will obtain permission from the land owner or their 

authorized representative for each flight to be conducted. 

• The PIC will conduct pre-flight safety briefings with all personnel 

supporting flight activities in regard to the planned sUAS operations and 

mission plan prior to each flight. 

6. Flight Operations

• Flight operations will typically be conducted at least 500 feet from all 

nonparticipating flight operation people, vessels, vehicles, and structures 

unless there are barriers or structures that safely protects nonparticipating 

persons in event of accident. 

• In the event nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 

500 feet of the sUAS, the PIC will immediately cease flight operations. 

• If owner of vessels, vehicles, or structures provides permission and the 

PIC determines safe operations can be conducted with undue risk to 

operating personnel then flight operations may be conducted closer than 

500 feet. 
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• Aerial Sciences will not conduct flight operations over congested or 

densely populated areas.

• Flight operations will not be conducted within 5 miles of an airport unless a 

letter of agreement is obtained from the airport management and per 

NOTAM. 

• All flights will be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) 

during daylight hours.

• All flights will be conducted at less than 50 knots airspeed.

• All flights will be at an altitude no greater than 500 feet above ground level 

(AGL).

• Flights will not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 

feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles 

from the PIC. 

• Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 120 minutes for the 

ASC-RVJET, allowing for no less than 20% battery as indicated by realtime telemetry voltage/current data relayed by the aircraft sensors to the 

PIC control station.

• In event the PIC losses data link communications, the GPS equipped 

sUAS will be programmed to return to a pre-determined location and loiter.

• The sUAS will be programmed to provide the PIC capability to abort flight 

and initiate loiter and return-to-home. 

• If an in-flight emergency occurs, the PIC will immediately abort flight and 

initiate landing procedures. 

• In the event a sUAS crashes and outside assistance is needed, the PIC 

will conduct notification procedures to include county sheriff and fire 

departments, airfield operator/tower if applicable, and any other authority 

required to respond and mitigate the situation.

• Aerial Sciences will collect and maintain flight telemetry data to include 

sUAS voltage and current levels, GPS flight coordinates, altitude data, and 

other sources of information during flight operations to update and 

enhance safety protocols and operational efficiencies.

7. Maintenance

• A maintenance log book for each sUAS will be maintained by Aerial 

Sciences that documents maintenance history. 

• Pre-flight inspections will be conducted before each flight to ensure the 

aircraft is airworthy and ready for flight. 

• Aerial Sciences FAA licensed A&P personnel will conduct annual aircraft 

inspection and maintenance checks. This includes, but not limited to, 

review of system and telemetry data files logged from prior flights, 

inspection for loose or worn components, balancing of props, cleaning of 

motors, battery voltage and cell balancing checks, etc., and performing 
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any needed system repair and upgrades to include software/firmware for 

the GPS, Flight Controller/Autopilot, Radio Transmitter, and Ground 

Control Station. 

• All scheduled or unscheduled maintenance and repair actions will be 

documented within the sUAS maintenance log book. 

• Upon completion of any repair, modification or upgrade, the aircraft will be 

test flown by a qualified PIC and signed off within the maintenance log 

book as airworthy by an A&P technician prior to return to service.