This manual was created by Matt Waite of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Drone Journalism Lab and Ben Kreimer of Buzzfeed's Innovation Lab through a generous grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The Drone Journalism Lab Operations Manual is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

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The number one goal of any drone journalism operation is safety. At no time should safety be compromised. If there is any doubt, return the UAS to landing zone and terminate the flight. Ethical journalism is responsible journalism and flying a drone means taking responsibility for the safety of those on the ground and in the air near you. In any operation, the three roles defined in the Drone Journalism Lab Operations Manual are: The Pilot In Command:The PIC is responsible for all flight operations. It is the PIC who has the ultimate authority on any flight. The PIC determines if the aircraft is airworthy and capable of conducting the proposed operations. The PIC is responsible for determining if the airspace allows the proposed operation. The PIC is responsible for conducting operations within all FAA regulations and any restrictions set forth by a grant of exemption. 

# The Drone Journalism Lab Operations Manual
Credits

License

PreambleThe Observer:The Observer is responsible for monitoring the operational area to ensure that there are no hazards that may endanger the flight or people outside the control of the operation. The Observer is the only member of the team who can speak to the PIC during flight operations. The Observer is to alert the PIC immediately if any aircraft come into the area, or if any person or vehicle comes within 500 feet of the operation. The Observer must remain close enough to the PIC to be able to alert the PIC verbally. The JournalistThe Journalist is responsible for communicating flight goals to PIC before flight and verifying results after. The Journalist can act as Observer, however during flight operations, the only communication with the PIC is about hazards only. The Journalist determines what is needed for the story and communicates that to the PIC. The PIC is responsible for determining if the Journalist's goals are possible under the conditions presented. 

# Normal Operating Checklists Pre-tripItem Action Batteries Charge Controller Batteries Charge Propellers Balance Propeller nuts Check and tighten if necessary Landing strut screws Check and tighten if necessary Motor mount screws Check and tighten if necessary Gimbal wiring harness Check and tighten if necessary Gimbal mounting screws Check and tighten if necessary Gimbal camera harness Check and tighten if necessary Compass wiring harness Check and reseat if necessary Camera battery Charge Camera memory card Check and empty if necessary Mission planning meeting Record goals of the flight Airspace check Consult current sectional chart, NOTAMs Airport check If within controlled airspace, contact airport manager NOTAM File with FAA if necessary 

### Pre-flightItem Action Wind conditions 1 Measure with anemometer for > 5 min Wind conditions 2 Record gusts. If > 20 mph, cancel operations. Flight area Visually inspect for hazards. Flight area Note hazards: Determine flight status Takeoff/landing area Delineate flat open area Takeoff/landing area Clear of debris, leaves, sticks Operations area Delineate > 15 feet from takeoff area Pre-flight meeting Review goals Observer Leave takeoff area if present Journalist Leave takeoff area if present Controller Pilot in command turns on Battery Pilot in command connects Compass Pilot in command calibrates if necessary Pilot in command Leave takeoff area before launch Telemetry Check wireless connection Video monitor Check wireless connection All clear check Check takeoff area, airspace, flight area Power up Unlock motors, increase throttle Final pre-mission check At low hover, check telemetry status 

### During FlightItem Action Airborne hazard check Observer reports immediately Ground hazard check Observer reports immediately Battery check Note battery levels frequently At 30ft linear distance from takeoff point Set course lock Flight parameter check Pilot in command evaluates altitude Low battery alert Return to landing area Battery change Pilot in command changes the battery Battery change meeting Evaluate mission goals 

### Post-flightItem Action Battery removal Pilot in command removes the battery Controller Turn off after battery removal Camera Turn off Memory card Remove from camera Propellers Visual inspection, log changes Landing struts Visual inspection, log changes Gimbal Visual inspection, log changes Housing Return UAV to case after inspection Flight log Record times in flight log

General Operational Guidelines: The UAS has two radio links (Bluetooth and RC), both capable of controlling the UAS. The RC link is for Pilot In Command to directly control the aircraft. Bluetooth is for automated flight via GPS waypoint. If the Bluetooth link on the UAS is lost, the UAS will revert to RC control and the Pilot-In-Command will take over flight, return it to the landing zone to land it. If the RC link is lost, the UAS is configured to execute an Return To Home procedure created by the manufacturer to prevent drift outside of the operation area. In a Return To Home scenario, the aircraft will stop, elevate or descend to 60 feet AGL, and take a direct course to the original takeoff spot as recorded by GPS. Once over the home point, it will land itself. In this case the pilot and observer will attempt to verbally warn anyone in the area to be aware of the UAS. Loss of RC control is considered a more significant event. 

# Emergency Procedures
Lost Link/Mission ProceduresLost Bluetooth Procedure Checklist Actor Action PIC Verifies lost link PIC Verifies positive control of UAS via RC PIC Verbally notifies Observer PIC PIC assumes control via RC Observer Observer notifies other operations personnel PIC Returns UAS to pre-determined landing area as safely practical PIC Land UAS Lost RC Control Procedure Checklist Actor Action PIC Verifies lost link PIC Verbally notifies Observer Observer Verbally notifies other operations personnel PIC Turns off RC controller PIC Turns RC controller on PIC If positive control returns, PIC lands immediately PIC If positive control does not return, PIC alerts Observer PIC Verifies that Return to Home function has engaged. PIC/ObserverVerifies that landing area is clear, clear if necessary PIC Upon UAS landing PIC turns off battery immediatelyDuring any automated flight, if there is any concern that the UAS is not flying the planned mission or that control characteristics are abnormal, the PIC will take manual control of the UAS with RC control, return it to the landing zone if able, and land it. There may be minor problems that do not require emergency assumption of control. In these cases, the GCS communication can direct the UAS to land or the PIC can manually land the UAS. Emergency Assumption of Control Checklist Actor Action PIC Verifies abnormal operation PIC Verbally notifies Observer Observer Verbally notifies other operations personnel PIC Assumes control of UAS using RC PIC If necessary, begin emergency landing at a safe location PIC If practical, return UAS to pre-determined landing zone, execute landing

Regulations require that the UAS remain within Visual Line of Sight(VLOS) at all times. If, that VLOS is broken, the PIC should return to VLOS immediately if possible. If PIC cannot return UAS to VLOS, using the GCS, the PIC should execute a preprogrammed flight path to return to the landing zone. Loss of Sight Checklist 

### Emergency Assumption of Control

Loss of SightActor Action PIC Notifies Observer of broken VLOS Observer Reports if UAS is within Observer's VLOS Observer If UAS is out of VLOS, alert PIC to begin Loss of Sight procedures PIC If possible, reverse course to return to VLOS as soon as safe PIC If course reversal is not possible, execute return to home procedure via GCS PIC Report when UAS is in VLOS Observer Report when UAS is in VLOS PIC Post flight, record conditions that led to loss of VLOS

In most emergency situations, the general protocol is to land as soon as is safely practical. In many emergency situations, landing at the pre-determined landing zone will not be possible. The goal is a controlled, safe landing. Loss of Power/Motor Actor Action PIC Attempt control the UAS to land in open, safe area PIC Alert operations personnel of emergency situation ObserverAlert others to emergency situation PIC Post flight, record details of flight for report In-flight Fire 

### Other in-flight emergenciesActor Action PIC Attempt control the UAS to land in open, safe area PIC Alert operations personnel of emergency situation ObserverAlert others to emergency situation PIC Post flight, record details of flight for report