Vertical)Access)LLC April)2015 1 

# Flight Operations Manual:

Vertical Access UAS OperationsVertical)Access)LLC April)2015 2 

# Contents

I. Overview

II. Training Manual and Logs

III. Operations Manual

IV. Maintenance

V. AppendicesVertical)Access)LLC April)2015 3 

## I. Overview

Vertical Access LLC intends to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to aid and enhance its inspection services of buildings, chimneys, bridges, dams, and other infrastructure. UAS operations will involve a minimum of two (2) qualified persons: a pilot in command (PI C) and visual observer (VO). Vertical Access has developed this Flight Manual to ensure the safety of its UAS operations and the safety of the general public.



## II. Training Manual and Logs

Vertical Access will follow a training regimen to ready its em ployees for potential UAS operations. Vertical Access will designate a PIC that is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed airman with a t least a private pilot certificate and a third

class medical certificate.

Prior to any official UAS operatio ns, the PIC will have logged 25 hours of UAS flight training. This training will include 250 flight cycles and 10 of the 25 hours will involve the particular UAS to be used in Vertical Access’ UAS operations. All pilot training will

be documented in Vert ical Access’ fli ght logs.

To ensure development of safe practices, the VO will assist the PIC during the 25 hours of training. This will allow the VO to further their knowledge of safe flight practices and familiarize them with UAS flight operations.

During training, the PIC and VO will follow the UAS manufacturer’s training guides provided with the aircraft. The PIC and VO will maintain pilot, aircraft, and

maintenance logs during training . All training manuals, logs, and certifications will be present during UAS operations and made readily available upon request. Please refer to

t he Appendices section for pilot, aircraft, and maintenance logs , as well as manufacturer’s training manuals.

In addition to initial training, the PIC and VO will be subject to test, or currency flights, in between and leading up to official operations to ensure skills and safety. Currency flights will occur on a monthly basis

, as needed

, and require one (1) hour of flight time

and 10 take

- offs and landings.Vertical)Access)LLC April)2015 4 

## III. Operations Manual

All Vertical Access UAS operations are subject to a n FAA Exemption under Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and reform Act of 2012 (the Reform Act).

FAA Exemption No. __________________________

 With a FAA granted exemption, Vertica l Access will obtain an Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for each UAS operation. In accordance with the COA, Vertical Access will request a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) not more than 72 hours in advance, but n o less than 48 hours prior to the operation.

 All UAS operations will involve a minimum of two (2) Vertical Access personnel, consisting of the PIC and VO.

 Flights will only occur in favorable weather conditions during daylight hours.

Weather will be a ssessed by PIC, and flights will be postponed or immediately suspended due to weather. Weather affecting operations include, but are not limited to, precipitation, wind above 15 knots, limited visibility due to fog or clouds, and lightning.

 All UAS flig hts will remain in visual line of sight (VLOS).

 When flights occur within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point, Vertical Access will obtain a letter of agreement with the airport’s management and conduct operations in accordance with a NOTAM, as required by the obtained

COA.

 UAS flights will be terminated at 30 minutes or when battery power is reduced to 25%, whichever comes first.

 The UAS will be programmed to not fly above 400 ft above ground level (AGL).

 When necessary, the UAS may also be pr ogrammed to not fly outside of a designated, sterile area.

 PIC will be a n FAA licensed airman with a t least a private pilot license and a

third

- class medical certificate.

 The UAS will weigh less than 3 pounds including payload.

 The UAS will not operate at speeds over 27 knots.

 The UAS has the capability to hover in place, and move in the horizontal and vertical planes simultaneously.

 The PIC will routinely reference the Vertical Access UAS Flight Checklist and

the Vertical Access Flight Operations Manual du ring operations to ensure the maintenance and airworthiness of the aircraft, and to ensure general safety during flight operations.

 Vertical Access will follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requireme nts. Please see Section IV.

Maintenance.Vertical)Access)LLC April)2015 5 

## IV. Maintenance

Vertical Access will institute and follow a maintenance program to ensure the

airworthiness of its aircrafts. Vertical Access will use the UAS manufacturer’s recommendation and requirements whenever applicable. The Vertical Access maintenance program and maintenance logs will work in unison with the pre

- flight checklist and flight logs to track the use and care of the aircraft.

Vertical Access will use staff members with experience in the maintenance of unmanned aircraft systems to oversee the overall UAS maintenance program. Staff members ha ve several years of experience building, maintaining, programming, and repairing an array of UAS frames, electronics, and programs.



## V. Appendices

Please find the attached, supporting documents:



### Vertical Access Supporting Documents:

 Vertical Access UAS Flight Checklist

 Unmann ed Aircraft S ystem: Site S pecific Safety Plan

 Vertical Access UAS Pilot Log

 Vertical Access UAS Aircraft Log

 Vertical Access UAS Maintenance Log



### DJI Supporting Documents:

 DJI Phantom 2 User Manual v1.4

 DJI Phantom Advanced Manual v1.4

 DJI Phantom Pilot Training Guide