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Sky Aerial Productions

General Operations Manual

PURPOSE:

To establish and maintain the official Sky Aerial Productions General Rules, and 

Guidelines to governing employees, licensing, commercial Insurance and flying with the 

highest qualifications to promote safe conduct of radio controlled aircraft.

SCOPE:

The requisites concerning Sky Aerial Productions employees, UAVSA membership, 

general rules/prohibitions, equipment requirements, and setup, flight safety/flight 

restrictions, flight instruction and proficiency examinations

Pilot:

ALL EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO PASS A FLYING EXAM BEFORE FLYING 

ANY AIRCRAFT FOR THE COMPANY. An employee of Sky Aerial Productions who has 

passed a Flight Examination (soloed) can now fly for the company (only with a spotter). All 

new employees are required to demonstrate their flying ability by completing both, Fixed,

and the Rotary Wing Novice Flight Examination prior to flying a company remote control 

aircraft.

Aircraft:

Authorized Models - The only models authorized to be flown for Sky Aerial Productions are 

designated aircraft, fixed and rotary wing, glow, gas or electric powered, not in violation of 

these rules, and regulations.

EQUIPMENT:

Non FCC approved transmitting devices are not prohibited.

1) All team members (employees) will obtain a BCI before employment at their own 

cost.

2) Their will be no alcohol eight (8) hours before, or during work hours. Drugs are 

prohibited.
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3) All FAA rules, and regulations pertaining to RC aircraft will be followed, and no one 

on the team will divert from them.

4) All Employee Team members will be members of the UAVSA at their own cost.

5) Any un-airworthy aircraft will not be flown: 

(a) No flying in a careless or reckless manner. 

(b) No flying at location where model aircraft activities are prohibited. 

6) Model aircraft pilots will: 

(a) Not fly near spectators, or unauthorized people other than company personnel. 

(b) See and avoid all aircraft and a spotter must be used when appropriate. (UAVSA

Document #540-D.)

(c) Not fly higher than approximately 400 feet above ground level within three (3) miles 

of an airport without notifying the airport operator. 

(d) Not interfere with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport or seaplane 

base except where there is a mixed use agreement. 

(e) Not exceed a takeoff weight, including fuel, of 55 pounds unless in compliance with 

the UAVSA Large Model Airplane program. (UAVSA Document 520-A.) 

(f) Ensure the aircraft is identified with the name and address (Sky System Imaging) or 

UAVSA number of the owner on the inside or affixed to the outside of the model aircraft. 

(g) Not operate aircraft with metal-blade propellers or with gaseous boosts except for 

helicopters operated under the provision s of UAVSA Document #555. 

(h) Not operate model aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or while using any 

drug that could adversely affect the pilot’s ability to safely control the model.

(i) Not operate model aircraft carrying pyrotechnic devices that explode or burn, or any 

device which propels a projectile or drops any object that creates a hazard to persons or 

property. 

6) When and where required by rule, helmets must be properly worn and fastened. 

They must be OSHA, DOT, ANSI, SNELL or NOCSAE approved or comply with 

comparable standards. 
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7) All pilots shall avoid flying directly over unprotected people, vessels, vehicles or 

structures and shall avoid endangerment of life and property of others. 

8) A successful radio equipment ground-range check in accordance with manufacturer’s 

recommendations will be completed before the first flight of a new or repaired model 

aircraft. 

9) At all flying sites a safety line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes 

place. 

(a) Only personnel associated “Sky Systems Imaging” are allowed at or in front of the 

safety line designated. 

(b) At air shows or demonstrations, a straight safety line must be established. 

(c) An area away from the safety line must be maintained for spectators. 

(d) Intentional flying behind the safety line is prohibited. 

10) RC model aircraft must use the radio-control frequencies currently allowed by the 

Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Only individuals properly licensed by the 

FCC are authorized to operate equipment on Amateur Band frequencies. 

11) RC model aircraft will not knowingly operate within three (3) miles of any preexisting flying site without a frequency-management agreement. (UAVSA Documents 

#922 and #923.) 

12). With the exception of events flown under official UAVSA Competition Regulations, 

excluding takeoff and landing, no powered model may be flown outdoors closer than 25 

feet to any individual, except for the pilot and the pilot's helper(s) located at the flight 

line. 

13) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch an outdoor model aircraft 

in flight while it is still under power, except to divert it from striking an individual. 

14). RC night flying requires a lighting system providing the pilot with a clear view of the 

model’s attitude and orientation at all times. Hand-held illumination systems are 

inadequate for night flying operations. 

15) The pilot of an RC model aircraft shall: 

(a) Maintain control during the entire flight, maintaining visual contact without 

enhancement other than by corrective lenses prescribed for the pilot. 
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(b) Fly using the assistance of a camera or First-Person View (FPV) only in accordance 

with the procedures outlined in UAVSA Document #550. 

(c) Fly using the assistance of autopilot or stabilization system only in accordance with 

the procedures outlined in UAVSA Document # 560. 

16) The flying area must be clear of all utility wires or poles and a model aircraft will not 

be flown closer than 50 feet to any above-ground electric utility lines. 

17) The flying area must be clear of all nonessential participants and spectators before 

the motor(s) are started.

18) All fixed wing models operating on the ground which are required to have a tail 

restraint devise installed shall do so prior to starting and running the engine.

19) Fuel spilling is prohibited. The use of an overflow containment device is mandatory. 

(I.e., overflow tank or return line used during all fueling operations).

20). All fixed wing models without spinners must be equipped with an UAVSA approved 

safety nut.

21). Do not stand in line of the prop arc of a running engine.

22). No flying while intoxicated.

23). Proper clothing and the wearing of shoes, pants, and, shirts are mandatory.

24). Do not leave a running engine unattended unless the model is taking off, or ready 

to fly.

Equipment:

1) All equipment will be safety checked, and in good working order before flight. The 

aircraft must be flight worthy.

2) Transmitter(s) are to be OFF upon arrival at the work site, and batteries will not be in 

the aircraft.

3) Perform a radio range check before the first flight of the day.

4) Perform a Preflight check and flight control operational check before first flight of the

day. 
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5) Wearing of safety glasses is recommended but not mandatory

6) Spectators are not allowed within 50’ of a running model, or on the runway.

7) Announce your intentions, and look both ways for landing models before crossing 

any runway, or landing site.

8) Any model deemed not airworthy will not be allowed to fly until the situation has been 

remedied. Any employee may inspect any model at any time

Flight:

1) Only Sky Aerial Productions designated pilots shall fly any company aircraft; no 

exceptions will be made under any circumstances. No exceptions of this policy are 

allowed under any circumstances, and can be grounds for expulsion of an employee.

2) A pilot is an employee who has demonstrated significant R/C flight proficiency, is well 

versed in FAA rules, and regulations, understands R/C flight fundamentals, and has 

been nominated by a Safety Committee member to pilot an RC aircraft for the company. 

Must have successfully completed the Instructor Pilot Qualification Practical Exam“. See 

flight exam below,

ROUTINE PRE FLIGHT INSPECTION

(FIXED WING)

INTERNAL (Before attaching wing):

1) Check all servo mounts, servos, and servo arms for security.

2) Check push rod security.

3) Check receiver and battery pack placement and attachment.

4) Check for loose items/wires that could foul servo/push rod movement.

5) Check fuel system for fuel leaks.

6) Check LIPO batteries for, balance voltage, and puffiness. 
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Sky Aerial Productions

Pilot Exam (Fixed Wing)

1) Execute three complete takeoffs and three complete landings in either a left hand or 

right hand traffic pattern, depending on the wind conditions and the location of the 

spectator area.

2) Execute three consecutive passes, both upwind and downwind parallel to the runway 

in a reasonably straight line and at a constant altitude.

3) Execute a simulated “dead stick” landing on the runway or reasonably close to the 

runway, but away from the spectator area.

4) Execute two complete loops parallel to the runway in a reasonably formed manner 

away from any spectators. .

MANDATORY:

Model used for your qualification flight must be capable of performing a running 

take off and landing (NO hand launching), utilizing 4 channels (i.e., throttle/speed 

control, ailerons, rudder, and elevator controls).

Model Name:___________________________ 

Type: (circle one) Gas Glow electric

EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE OBSERVED BY THREE MEMBERS OF THE 

SAFETY COMMITTEE AS TO YOUR ACCEPTABLE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE 

ABOVE MANEUVERS. UPON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION, YOU WILL 

RECEIVE YOUR “WINGS”, ATTAINING PILOT STATUS TO FLY SOLO WITHOUT 

THE ASSISTANCE OF A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR

.

Candidate Name:

_________________________ 

UAVSA #________________

Observed By: _______________________________ Date: ________________
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Sky Aerial Productions

Pilot Exam (Rotary Wing)

1) Check that all links are secure.

2) Check the tail drive system belt or shaft to make sure it's secure or tight.

3) Check blade grip tightness of all blades. 

4) If a nitro engine, make sure fuel tube is secure and not punctured.

5) If a LIPO battery operated check the voltage, and for any puffiness..

6) Make sure you turn on transmitter before the receiver.

7) Turn on receiver. 

8) Make sure transmitter is set for present model (if transmitter has multi model 

capability)..

9) Wait for gyro to initialize.

10) Verify switch positions on transmitter are correctly set.

11) Check throttle position to make sure it’s not at full throttle.

12) Make sure all trims are centered.
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Sky Aerial Productions

Flight Exam

MANEUVER POSITION 

-

Pilot position for most of the maneuvers shall be from the position of Tail-in towards the 

pilot but not directly in front of them for safety purposes. All hovering will be done with 

model (skids) above head height. Satisfactorily completing the following maneuvers only 

demonstrates that the candidate has competent control of the model and will not be 

graded or be expected to achieve perfection in their performance. This is a pass, fail 

practical exam only. If retesting is needed the entire sequence WILL be flown again.

Take-Off:

1) The take - off should be performed straight up from the landing area, at a constant 

rate of climb, with little lateral deviations. 

2) Come to a complete stop without any vertical bounce or dip, and little to no lateral 

wobble or drifting Stationary Hovering:

1) After the take-off, coming to a complete stop with little to no vertical 

bounce, dip, lateral drifting, or wobble.

2) Hold in the stationary hover for one (1) minute.

3) The stationary hover should give the appearance of being under total 

control.

Lateral Hovering:

1) From take - off area hover forward ten (10) feet, hold for ten (10) seconds.

2) From there hover backward twenty (20) feet, hold for ten (10) seconds.

3) From there hover forward ten (10) feet until you are over the landing area, 

then hover to the left ten (10) feet, hold for ten (10) seconds.

4) From there hover to the right twenty (20) feet and hold for ten (10) seconds.

5) From there hover back to the left ten (10) feet until you are over the landing 

area.

6) Land with the skids completely within the landing area. 
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Multiple Level Hovering:

1) Take - off, hover for five (5) seconds.

2) Climb straight up six feet (two meters); hold for five (5) seconds.

3) Descend vertically six feet (two meters) hold for five (5) seconds.

4) Land with the skids completely within the landing area.

Rear View Hovering:

1) Take-off to a hover, hold for five (5) seconds.

2) Hover laterally ten (10) feet, rotate the nose of the aircraft left or right (90) 

degrees, hold for five (5) seconds.

3) Rotate the nose of the helicopter back to straight ahead then hover laterally 

twenty (20) feet hold for five (5) seconds.

4) Continue rotating the nose of the aircraft (90) degrees to the other side, hold 

for five (5) seconds.

5) Rotate the nose back to straight ahead, hover back to center pad and hold for 

five (5) seconds.

6) Land with the skids completely within the landing area.

Constant Heading Circle:

1) Take-off, hold hover for five (5) seconds.

2) Move the helicopter to the right, keeping the tail pointed in the same direction; 

complete a ten (10) meter circle in front of the pilot until the helicopter is 

hovering over the take-off point.

3) Move the aircraft to the left, repeating step b above.

4) Land with the skids completely within the landing area.

EACH EMPLOYEE MUST EXHIBIT PROFICIENCY IN THE ABOVE MANEUVERS 

WHILE OBSERVED BY A CERTIFIED PILOT FROM SKY AERIAL PRODUCTIONS
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.

UPON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION, THE EXAMINEE WILL RECEIVE THEIR

PILOT STATUS TO FLY WITH A SPOTTER.

Candidate Name:

______________________________ 

UAVSA ___________________

Observed By: ______________________________ Date: ___________________
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Sky Aerial Productions

ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT REPORTING PROCEDURE

PURPOSE 

To promote a safe environment for all

SCOPE 

The Accident/Incident reporting procedure provides a mechanism for informing the club 

Safety Coordinator that an accident or incident has occurred involving a prohibited or 

restricted area model aircraft crash, or that a field safety rule was violated and the 

violator involved would not respond informally (i.e., told; what they were doing violated 

the club's Safety rules and no cooperation resulted). 

This procedure also provides a means of determining the SEVERITY LEVEL based on 

where the accident/incident occurred. In addition, this procedure defines what 

disciplinary action(s) to be taken by the company. 

DEFINITIONS:

1) Safety Committee-The Safety Committee consists of the appointed Safety 

Coordinator. The company president can appropriate a designated Safety Coordinator, 

or will act as one.

2) Safety Coordinator - Responsible for the enforcement of all safety related rules 

(general/specific) dictated by the UAVSA and as outlined in Section I, of this Procedure 

(i.e.,members preparing/ground operating of their models as well as associated flying 

activities).. In addition, is responsible for the processing of Accident/Incident Reporting

Forms following the Accident/Incident Procedure outlined in this Section. 

4. Accident / Incident - All model aircraft crashes identified to be a Severity Level 1 

through Severity Level 4.

5. Model aircraft -Any model fixed wing/rotary wing aircraft.
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ACCIDENT / INCIDENTS

EVERITY LEVELS

1. LEVEL 1 

-

An unwanted incident, involving a company model aircraft.

2. LEVEL 2- An accident/incident involving a model aircraft (CRASH) in a prohibited 

over -fly area, not necessarily causing personal injury, equipment damage, or vehicle 

damages.

3. LEVEL 3 All accidents involving a model aircraft (CRASH) occurring within, or out of

the designated over -fly areas involving only damage to or loss of a model aircraft.

a. Accident occurred within the non-fly area.

b. No individual was injured.

c. No personal property damaged.

4. LEVEL 4 – All accidents / incidents causing personal, or property damage.
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ACCIDENT REPORT FORM 

SECTION I: MEMBER INVOLVED

Member's Name: ______________________________________ 

UAVSA No._______________ 

Address: ____________________________________________ 

City: ___________________________________State: ______________

Zip: _____________ 

Phone No: (___) ________________ Age: _______ 

SECTION II: TIME & PLACE OF ACCIDENT

Accident Date: ___________________ 

Location and Model Operated:

Address: ______________________________________________________________

:

SECTION III: DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT

Tell How the Accident Occurred. (What Happened and How) 

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

SECTION IV: PERSONAL INJURY TO

(Check One): Other Person: ____ Self: ____ 

Injured Person’s Name: ______________________________________ Age: ____ 

Address: __________________________City: ___________________ State: ____ 

Phone No: (____) __________________ 

Club Member: (Check One) Yes ___ No ___ UAVSA Member: Yes ___ No ___ 

If UAVSA Member, UAVSA No.: __________________ 
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Nature & Extent of Injury: 

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________

SECTION V: MEDICAL NEED

Was Medical Attention Required? Yes _____ No _____ 

Treated At: _______________________________________Phone No: (____) 

______________ 

Address: ___________________________City: 

__________________State: ____Zip: ___________ 

SECTION VI: PROPERTY DUAVSAGE

Property Owner's Name: ______________________________ 

Phone No: ( ____ ) _____________ 

Address: __________________________City: ____________ State: _____ 

Zip: _____________ 

Describe Damaged Property: 

__________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

________________________

SECTION VII: WITNESS(S):

Name: ___________________________________________ 

Phone No: ( ___ ) ___________________ 

Address: ____________________________ City: _________________ 

State: _____ 

Zip: ___________ 

Name: ___________________________________________ 
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Phone No: ( ___ ) ___________________ 

Address: ____________________________ City: _________________

State: _____ Zip: ___________ 

Name: ___________________________________________ 

Phone No: ( ____ ) __________________ 

Address: ____________________________ City: ________________ 

State: _____ Zip: ____________ 

Name: ___________________________________________ 

Phone No: ( ____ ) __________________ 

Address: ____________________________ City: ________________ 

State: _____ Zip: ____________ 

SECTION VIII: MODEL INFORMATION

: 

Type Model: Fixed Wing ______ Rotary Wing _______ 

Model Size: .25 ____ .40 ____ .60 ____ 1.20 ____ Other (State) __________ 

Engine / Motor Size (State): ________

Power Source: Glow: _____ Gas _____Electric:_____ Other (State) ____________ 

Type of Prop: Wood: ____ Fiber-filled: ____ Nylon: ____Other State) ____________ 

SECTION IX: AGENCIES REQUESTED

Local Police summoned: Yes ____ No _____ 

Rescue Squad summoned: Yes ____ No _____ 
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SECTION X: STATEMENT OF MEMBER

I state that all of the information given on this report is true and correct to the best of my 

knowledge and I have not knowingly withheld or falsified its contents. 

Employee Signature: __________________________________ 

Date: _______________________