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Ronald	Knox

Flight	Operations	Manual

and	Motion	Picture	and	Television	Operations	Manual	(MPTOM)

Revision	1.0,	Updated:	November	16,	2015

Operator	Information:

Ronald	Knox

634	Glenwood	Dr.

Lafayette,	CO	80026

(720)	320-0539
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Revisions

Revision	Number Effective	Date Description	of	Changes

1.0 November	16,	2015 Original	version
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Ronald	Knox Flight	Operations	Manual &	MPTOM

Introduction

Ronald	Knox conducts	all	flight	operations	in	accordance	with	the	procedures	in	this	manual,	the	respective	

manufacturers’	user	manuals	and	safety	bulletins,	and	relevant	Federal	Aviation	Regulations	(FARs).	To	the	extent	

that	any	conflict	may	arise	in	the	aforementioned	documents,	the	FARs	shall	prevail.	

Makes	and	Models	of	UASs	Operated

Flights	Operations	are	limited	to	the	following UAS:

Manufacturer: DJI

Model: Inspire		1	Pro

User	Manual (contains	specifications,	checklists,	and	maintenance	procedures):	

http://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/inspire_1_pro/en/Inspire_1_pro_Quick_Start_Guide_en_v1.0.pdf

Pilot	Qualifications

A	sport	pilot,	private	pilot,	commercial	pilot,	or	airline	transport	pilot, with	a	third-class	medical	or	valid	state	

drivers’	license must	act	as	pilot-in-command	(PIC)	for	each	flight.	In	addition	to	this	FAA	requirement,	any	pilot	

shall	receive	proper	training	on	the	proper	and	safe	operation	of	the	UAS,	to	include	all	procedures	listed	in	this	

document.	Training	shall	be	conducted	in	an	area	that	is	clear	of	all	uninvolved	persons	within	500	feet.	The	

training	pilot	must	demonstrate	safe	and	proficient	operations	using	the	aircraft	before	operating	within	500	feet	

of	consenting	persons,	and	must	be	well	versed	in	all	procedures	contained	in	this	manual. A	minimum	of	10	flights	

and	2	hours	of	flying	time	is	required	for	a	training	pilot	to	be	qualified	for	a	commercial	flight.

Operating	Procedures

Limitations

q At	no	point	shall	a	UA	be	operated	at	an	altitude	of	more	than	400	feet	above	ground	level	(AGL)	as	

indicated	by	the	GPS-altitude.

q All	operations	shall	be	conducted	in	a	sterile	environment	as	specified	under	“Operating	Area.”

q The	flight	shall	be	terminated	as	soon	as	practicable	if	any	of	the	following	occurs:

o Loss	of	radio	communication	with	the	drone

o Loss	of	GPS	signal

o Unpredicted	obstacles	or	emergencies

o 25%	battery	or	flight	duration	of	30	minutes
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o A	mechanical	condition that	renders	the	aircraft	unsafe	for	continued	flight

o Entry	of	an	non-consenting	person	within	100	feet	of	the	UA

q All	flights	shall	be	conducted	with	a	Visual	Observer	(VO)	in	addition	to	the	PIC,	and	the	VO	&	PIC	must	be	

within	voice-range	at	all	times. The	VO	must	be	trained	in	safe	operation	of	the	UA	and	be	knowledgeable	

of	what	types	of	obstacles	and	hazards	to	watch	for.	

q The	PIC	must	maintain	a	Visual	Line	of	Sight	(VLOS)	with	the	UA	at	all	times	except	that	the	VO	may	satisfy	

the	requirement	of	visually	monitoring	the	UA	while	the	pilot’s	eyes	are	diverted	elsewhere,	such	as	at	

the	remote	control.

Permissions

Obtain	a	COA	(Certificate	of	Waiver	or	Authorization)	from	the	relevant	FSDO	or	other	responsible	Air	Traffic	

Organization.

For	closed-set	motion	picture	and	television	filming,	submit	a	plan	of	activities	to	the	FSDO	having	geographical	

jurisdiction	3	days	in	advance	of	filming.	These	must	be	filed	at	least	3	days	in	advance	of	the	flight.	At	the	

discretion	of	the	FSDO,	the	3-day	notification	may	be	waived.	Justification	of	the	exception	to	the	3-day	

requirement	should	be	provided.	The FAA must	indicate	their acceptance	of	the	plan	of	activities	prior	to	beginning	

filming	operations. The	following	information	must	be	included	in	the	plan	of	activities:

q Dates	and	times	for	all	flights

q Name	and	phone	number	of	the	person	responsible	for	the	filming	production	event

q List	of	pilots	to	be	used	during	filming,	including	pilot	certificate	numbers

q List	of	UASs	to	be	used	(including	Make,	Model,	and	N-number	or	serial	number)

q A	statement	that	permission	has	been	obtained	from	property	owners	and/or	local	officials	to	conduct	

the	filming	production	event

q Signature	of	waiver	holder	or	a	designated	representative.

q A	general	outline	or	summary	of	the	flight	activity	schedule,	including	maps	or	diagrams	of	the	specific	

filming	location,	if	necessary.

If	local	laws	require,	obtain	permissions	from	the	relevant	local	government	agency.

Operating	Area

Operations	may	be	conducted	in	the	United	States	subject	provided	that	a	COA	has	been	obtained	and	a	plan	of	

activities	has	been	submitted	to	the	FSDO	responsible	for	the	specific	geographic	area	for	the	flight	operation.	In	

order	to	ensure	a	safe	and	legal	operating	area,	conduct	the	following	checks	prior	to	operations:

q Ensure	location	is	not	within	5	statute	miles of	an	airport	reference	point	(ARP)	as	denoted	in	the	current	

FAA	Airport/Facility	Directory	(AFD)	or	for	airports	not	denoted	with	an	ARP,	the	center	of	the	airport	

symbol	as	denoted	on	the	current	FAA-published	aeronautical	chart.	If	an	exception	to	this	is	needed,	

obtain	a	letter	of	agreement	with	the	airport’s	management	or	ensure	that	the	COA	permits	the	operation	

at	the	intended	location.

q Obtain	written	or	verbal	permission	property	owner(s)	over	which	the	flight	will	be	conducted.

q Inform	all	persons	within	500	feet	of	the	operation	and	obtain	their	verbal	or	written	consent.

q Any	person	who	is	an	essential	part	of	the	operation	who	will	be	within	100	feet	of	the	flying	UA	must	

attend	a	safety	briefing to	cover:

o Location	of	the	home-landing	location	and	necessity	to	keep	said	area	clear
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o Situational	awareness.	Instruct	participants	to	be	aware	of	the	location,	altitude,	and	movement	

of	the	UA	at	all	times.

o Intended	purpose	and	expected	duration	of	the	flight(s).

o Personnel	will	also	be	briefed	on	any	additional	provisions	that	may	be	issued	by	the	local	FSDO,	

including	the	location	of	boundaries	or	any	other	time	limits.

q Record	the	altitude	of	the	launch	site,	which	will	be referenced	during	pre-flight	inspection.

q Maintain	oral	communication	capability	with	all	participants	during	actual	operation	and	filming	and	keep	

participants	continuously	apprised	of	the	current	status	of	the	operation

Documentation

The	PIC	must	have	the	following	documents	present	during	all	operations:

q Flight	Operations	Manual

q Certificate	of	Authorization	or	Waiver

q Copy	of	Section	333	Exemption	Letter

q Any	applicable	written	permissions

Operating	Checklists

The	following	checklist	is	not	manufacturer-specific.	Follow	checklists	in	manufacturers’	documentation,	and	use	

this	checklist	as	a	supplement

BEFORE	DEPARTING	FOR	SITE	CHECK

q Aircraft	(AC)	and	Remote	Controller	(RC)	batteries	fully	charged

q Tablet	or	phone	fully	charged

q Ensure	SD	card	has	free	space	and	is	inserted	into	the	camera

q Ensure	Firmware	is	updated	on	AC	and	RC(s)

q Check	if	flight	location	is	in	No-Fly	Zone	(Check	here: airmap.io)

q Check	for	NOTAMs	and	Temporary	Flight	Restrictions	(TFRs)	(FAA.gov/notamSearch)

q Check	weather

o No	Precipitation

o Winds	under	20kts

o Cloud	layer	above	500'	(152M)

o 1	statute	mile	visibility

o KP	index	is	5	or	less	(Check	here: UAVforecast.com)

LOCATION	ON-SITE	CHECK

q Check	flying	area	free	of	overhead	obstructions

q Wires,	low	flying	AC,	trees,	tall	buildings

q Antennas	that	may	interfere	with	compass	and	GPS	reception

q Weather	meets	conditions

o Winds	under	20	kts	(23	MPH	or	10	meters	per	second)

o Clouds	above	500’	(152M)

o Visibility	for	1	statute	mile

o KP	index	5	or	less

q Confirm	flight	plan	with	camera	operator	and/or	visual	observer

q Conduct	briefing	as	prescribed	in	“Operating	Area”	section	of	this	manual
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PHYSICAL	AIRCRAFT	CHECK

q Desired	ND	filter	attached	to	camera

q Camera	locked	in	place

q SD	card	in	camera

q Motors	clear	of	Foreign	Object	Debris	(FOD)

q Check	propellers	for	any	melting,	misshapen,	or	cracks

q Propellers	hand	tight and	oriented	correctly

q Prop	locks	firmly	attached

q Inspect	all	other	areas	of	fuselage	for	damage

REMOTE	CONTROLLER	CHECK

q Antennas	oriented	properly

q Power	on	Remote	Control

q Check	battery	level	of	RC	for	minimum	75%

PRE-TAKEOFF CHECK

q Maximum	Flight	altitude set

o Note:	121	Meters	=	400’

q Confirm	indicated	GPS-altitude	is	accurate

q Failsafe	Mode,	Set	for	30M	Clearance	above	lowest	obstacle	in	flight	plan

q RC	Signal	Lost	set	to	Return-to-Home

q Check	Sensors

q At	least	75%	battery

q Start	video	recording

q Start	propellers

q Ensure	home	point	is	accurately	set	

q Ensure	elevation	reads 0	(zero)

q Make	sure	your	observer is	ready	for	take	off

q Make	sure	it	is	safe	to	take	off	and	people	are	not	in	harms	way

q Take	off!

Accident	Notification

Should	an	accident	occur	that	causes	injury	or	property	damage,	notification	must	be	made	to	the	NTSB	following	

procedures	published	on	its	website	within	24	hours.

Any	incident,	accident,	or	flight	operation	that	transgresses	the	lateral	or	vertical	boundaries	of	the	operational	

area	as	defined	by	the	applicable	COA	must	be	reported	to	the	FAA’s	UAS	Integration	Office	(AFS−80)	within	24	

hours.

Procedures	for	Revision

On	the	second	page	of	this	FOM,	Ronald	Knox shall	maintain	a	list	of	any	revisions	made	to	this	document.	Any	

revisions	must	be	submitted	to	the	local	FSDO	at	least	15	days	before	the	proposed	effective	date	of	the	revision.