UAS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

MOUNTAIN DRONES INC.

June 3, 2015

Drafted By:

Robert Blank – Chief Compliance Officer

COL. (R) Edward C. Gassman – Director of Operations

NOTE: Detailed procedures for Mountain Drones’ UAS operations 

may be found in the provided Operator’s Manual and 

ATTACHMENTS B THRU H. This document serves as an overview of 

Mountain Drones safe operation of UAS aircraft

Mountain Drone’s Standard Operating Procedure outlines company 

policy and procedures that are carried out during each mission for 

the purpose of safe, efficient, and FAA compliant operations.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Mission Planning

II. Transportation of Aircraft and Equipment

III. Personnel Considerations

IV. Pre-Flight Actions

V. Pre-Flight Checklist

VI. Securing the Mission Area

VII. Operational Limitations

VIII. Overview of Fail Safes and Redundancies 

IX. Completing the Mission

The Mountain Drones Operator’s Manual and Attachments B 

thru H are intended to supplement this document as referenced.

I. MISSION PLANNING

MISSION PLANNING DETAILS

1) Project Scope Team Discussion

2) Safety/Risk Assessment

a. Regulatory concerns

b. Location identification/population concerns

c. Weather-related concerns

d. Technical limitations

3) Waypoint/Autonomous VLOS Missions: “Mission Planner” 

or “Ground Control” Software

a. Construct digital ‘geo-fence’ if necessary

b. Plan waypoint flight paths

c. Confirm mission feasibility using software estimates on 

flight times

d. Run mock mission simulation (no actual UAS flight)

e. Save mission details to GCS computer

4) For manual operations, #1, and #2 will be addressed prior to 

mission.
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II. TRANSPORTATION OF AIRCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT

Note: Aircraft and necessary equipment will remain under the watch 

and control of qualified Mountain Drones’ employees for the duration 

of the mission, from planning to transport, to mission completion. 

For any projects that involve the transportation of aircraft and 

equipment on a commercial airline flight, a thorough inspection of 

aircraft, components, software, and communications equipment will 

take place prior to actual operation.

Ground Control Station (GCS):

The ground control station is a comprised of a locking hard case 

with equipment mounted and/or secured inside. All components are 

transported in either a ‘power-off’ position, or are not connected to a 

power source. 

Communication/RF Equipment:

Although most equipment is contained within the GCS case, any 

ancillary/backup equipment is transported in a designated hard 

case.

Aircraft:

Aircraft is typically transported in the trunk of a motor vehicle. Due to 

its larger size, the Gryphon X8 is designed by the manufacturer to 

allow for the removal of each arm using a quick-release system. For 

smaller models, no breakdown is necessary. In all cases, UAS will be 

secured to minimize the risk of damage during transport.

Batteries:

Under no circumstances will aircraft and battery be connected 

during transportation, eliminating the risk of incidents. Batteries are 

stored in sealed fireproof “LIPO GUARD” bags, manufactured 

specifically for this purpose.

Aircraft will be closely inspected after transportation to make sure 

nothing changed during transport. This includes, but is not limited 

to, making sure the motor mounts are parallel to each other, props 
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and tightened, camera is fixed in right position, bolts / screws are 

tight.

III. PERSONNEL CONSIDERATIONS 

Requirements and Conditions

• PIC is required to hold a current sport pilot’s license, at a 

minimum

• PIC will have a current medical examination (Class III Medical 

or higher)

• Both a PIC and a VO are required for all flights

• Both PIC and VO must have a mutual understanding of the 

mission scope

• Communication must be clear and uninterruptible between the 

PIC and VO 

• PIC and VO will have been trained according to the Mountain 

Drones Operator’s Manual, (ATTACHED), Mountain Drones 

UAS Training Program (ATTACHMENT B) and the 

manufacturers recommendations for operations of the specific 

UAS hardware/software.

o Working knowledge of sUAS hardware and software 

configurations and limits

o sUAS and environment check procedures prior to takeoff

o Proper takeoff and landing procedures 

o Adverse (e.g., wind, rain) condition flying and its 

consequences 

o Recognition and recovery from out-of-limit conditions

o Emergency procedures

o Basic physics of flight

• Trainer considerations

o Trainer must be a qualified pilot for the UAS

o Trainers must have had at least 20 hours experience in 

flying the UAS 
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On-Site Personnel Operating Procedure and Communication:

All non-essential on-site personnel will be outside of a 200 ft. virtual 

fence from the UAS at all times. Essential on-site personnel will take 

part in a safety meeting prior to the start of the mission to discuss 

specific roles and responsibilities, current / future weather, flying 

obstructions, emergency protocol, and other mission details. Once 

roles have been defined, each essential on-site personnel will 

dutifully perform his or her task to completion. If any on-site 

personnel see or sense any possible dangers that the rest of the 

crew is not aware of, it is their responsibility to speak up and inform 

the crew.

IV. PRE-FLIGHT ACTIONS

GCS, Communications Equipment, Batteries:

§ All internal equipment intact and attached to case, no visible 

damage

§ Check cables, wiring damage,

§ Data cables still connected to appropriate ports

§ LiPO Batteries are not “puffy” – visual inspection to check 

battery integrity

Aircraft

• Landing gear and airframe secure and undamaged;

• Study propellers / mounting hardware (tight) / rotor blades for 

chips and deformation;

• Check motor/engine and mounting attached to the airframe;

• ESC’s are undamaged and secure;

• Servos - Check all control surfaces and connections to servos

and control horns;

• GPS Receiver, Compass, and Cable secure and undamaged

• RC Rx & Connections secure and undamaged

• RC Satellite Rx and cable secure and undamaged

• Telemetry Module and Cable secure, undamaged, with proper 

antenna orientation 

• Flight Controller secured to airframe

• Flight Controller connection – check all connections - secure 
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• Velcro Battery Straps secured, undamaged, and tested to 

ensure Velcro ‘bonding’ capability

• Wires – check that wires are undamaged and secure

• Fixed Wing

• Main wings are attached and secure

• Center of Gravity – ensure balance with payload

V. PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST

See ATTACHMENTS C & D for a copy of the Flight Operations 

Checklist from 3D Robotics, adapted for use by Mountain Drones. 

Additional items have been included below as a supplement to the 

attached checklist to ensure the highest level of safety:

• Verifying all laptop/computer/tablet, transmitter, on-board 

aircraft and camera batteries are fully charged; (confirm 

voltages)

• Ensure no frequency conflicts with both video and transmitter / 

receiver

• Checking all control surfaces for signs of damage, loose 

hinges, and overall condition; Looking over the wing/rotors to 

ensure they are in good structural condition and properly 

secured;

• Test electrical connections, plugged in and secure

• Check location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot.

• Check the IMU movements in the ground control software.

• UAS in stabilization mode, ensure control surfaces move 

towards the correct positions

• Test Rudder, Ailerons and Elevator for proper range of 

movement and direction

• UAS / Drone is in a level location safe for takeoff

• FPV / Power up ground station

• FPV / Power up Video receiver 

• If using Video recorder turn on camera system
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• Camera settings are correct (still images, video, framerate)

• SD camera memory clear and inserted into the camera

• Action / Start filming

• All transmitter controls move freely in all directions

• All transmitter trims in neutral position

• All transmitter switches in correct position

• Transmitter throttle to zero

• Radio transmitter on

• Connect / power on battery to airframe

• Ensure led indicators and audible tones are correct

• Timer on (if applicable)

• FPV, confirm video is in monitor

• Scan for nearby cars / people / animals

• Say “CLEAR!”

• Arm flight controller

• Increase throttle slightly listening for any abnormalities

• Short 20-30 second hover at 3-5 feet (listen for vibrations / 

loose items)

• Confirm Voltage levels are correct

VI. SECURING THE MISSION AREA

Also see ATTACHED Mountain Drones Operator’s Manual

It is the role of the site manager to secure the mission area and 

coordinate with the PIC, as well as any other personnel on-site to 

ensure safety prior to, and during each mission. The site manager is 

responsible for ensuring that the mission will be conducted in a 

manner that will not expose non-essential personnel to operations 

conducted within the pre-defined space. Site security responsibilities 

include tasks such as perimeter checks, defining and executing safe 

and legal operating altitudes and flight paths, ensuring reliable radio 

communication as necessary, communicating with ATC, landowners, law enforcement, etc. as necessary to notify appropriate 
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individuals of the mission to be conducted. The site manager will 

also ensure that no non-essential personnel enter the defined 

mission area. 

VII. OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS

Also see ATTACHED Mountain Drones Operator’s Manual

Unless weather or other outside factors dictate a change, the 

mission will be flown strictly following the plan and rules set out in 

the pre-flight safety planning meeting. The UAS will spend as little 

time in the air as possible to complete the mission

safely. Communication is required between on-site personnel, PIC, 

and VO to ensure safety for VLOS operations. The Mountain Drones 

Operator’s Manual contains a detailed summary of flight operations. 

Below are the items that 

• Unmanned aircraft must weight less than 55 lbs. (25kg).

• Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only; the unmanned aircraft must 

remain within VLOS of the operator or visual observer

• At all times the small unmanned aircraft must remain close 

enough to the operator for the operator to be capable of seeing 

the aircraft unaided by any device other than corrective lenses.

• UAV may not operate over any person not directly involved in 

the operation.

• Operations may only be conducted during daylight. This is 

defined as operation from official sunrise to official sunset, 

local time)

• Must yield right-of-way to other aircraft, manned or unmanned. 

PIC and VO will communicate effectively in order to sense and 

avoid other aircraft at all times. 

• Aircraft will operate below the maximum airspeed of 100mph 

(87 knots).

• Aircraft will operate under the maximum altitude of 400ft AGL.

• Minimum weather visibility of 3 miles from ground control 

station will be adhered to during operations

• No operations are allowed in Class A airspace. 
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• Operations in Class B, C, D, and E airspace are allowed with 

the required ATC permission

• Operations in Class G airspace are allowed without ATC 

permission.

• No person may act as an operator or VO for more than one 

unmanned aircraft operation at one time

• No careless or reckless operations

• Requires preflight inspection by the operator

• A person may not operate the UAS if he or she knows or has 

reason to know of any physical or mental condition that would 

interfere with the safe operation of a UAS. 

VIII. OVERVIEW OF FAIL-SAFE’S AND REDUNDANCIES

Mountain Drones’ flight systems employ several commercially 

available products and standard military practices to maximize 

redundancies for safe operations. Mountain Drones’ Operator’s 

Manual (ATTACHED) provides an in-depth technical explanation of 

these systems and their function as they relate to increased safety.

§ Return to Home Failsafe (RTH)

Upon mission launch, the aircraft stores information on it’s 

launch position and altitude, indicated to the PIC and VO by 

emitting series of flashing lights (explained in detail in

attachment D). This process may be initiated manually, or 

automatically based on pre-programmed warning signals. 

Once the Return to Home process has been initiated, the craft 

will climb to a safe altitude, assess its current GPS location 

and altitude, and then begin autonomous flight towards the 

home location. Once the aircraft arrives at the point of launch, 

it will briefly hover, and then begin a slow descent until landing. 

Upon safe landing, the aircraft will disarm itself and power 

down propeller rotation.

o Commercially available hardware and software from 

trusted manufacturer - DJI

o Can be initiated manually by pilot at any time from RC 

controller by toggling the GPS switch to the “FS” 
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(failsafe) position

o Triggered automatically when the second low battery 

voltage warning reaches user-defined threshold 

§ Auto-Land Failsafe

Low Battery Voltage Warning

There are two low voltage warning settings, creating a redundant 

system. The first warning provides a visual and audible warning to 

the pilot, indicated by the on-board (UAS) high-output LED flashing 

RED once the battery has been depleted to 25% remaining capacity. 

This visual indicator can be easily seen by crewmembers operating 

the UAS within VLOS. In addition, the onscreen FPV display and RC 

controller provide warnings to pilots and operators. Mountain 

Drones’ requires all operators to terminate the mission upon 

receiving this notification. If for any reason there is a loss of 

communication with the aircraft at this time, the second low voltage 

warning will trigger either the RTH function or the auto-land 

function.

Multiple Batteries Wired in Parallel

Mountain Drones aircraft are equipped with at least two batteries, 

wired in parallel. In many cases, 3-4 batteries are used. These 

batteries are solely dedicated to the flight-critical components. This 

redundancy not only provides increased flight times, but also 

increases reliability and lowers safety risk in the event of a battery 

failure. In all cases, the aircraft is capable of sustaining flight after a 

single battery/connection failure.

Independent Power Systems for Non-Flight-Critical Components

All FPV, payload, GCS, etc. systems are powered by either 

standalone power sources, or use power supplied from a source that 

is not dedicated to the critical components for flight. 

Wiring Redundancies

Each motor is wired independently to the power distribution board. 

For example, two sets of wires and ESC’s are used to power each 

motor on a single arm of the aircraft. This minimizes the chance of 
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total power loss to an arm of the aircraft. 

VIII. COMPLETING THE MISSION

Also see ATTACHED Mountain Drones Operator’s Manual

The pilot will confer with the on-site personnel via two way radio that 

the mission has been completed and the UAS is ready to land. Once 

confirmation has been received agreed upon that the mission is 

completed, the pilot will announce the landing area and that the UAS

is on final approach. All on-site personnel will get to a safe distance 

of at least 50ft. from the landing area. The pilot will slowly bring the 

UAS down to the landing zone and execute a perfect landing. The 

pilot will then disarm the UAS, by keeping the throttle below 10% for 

more then 5 seconds. Once the propellers have completely stopped 

rotating, the pilot or on-site personnel will approach the craft and 

disconnect the main battery source(s), thus making the craft safe to 

be around and touch. Once all power has been cut, on-site 

personnel will begin breaking down the craft.