LORBORN Energy Company, LLC’s Standard Operating 

Procedures (SOP) for sUAS Flight Operations

Enclosed are mandatory guidelines to be used during all sUAS operations conducted by 

LORBORN Energy Company, LLC. This guide may be more stringent than the guidelines 

received via the FAA 333 Exemption. In the case of conflict between two guidelines, the more 

restrictive of the two must be used.

1. The sUAS will weigh less than 35 pounds.

The DJI Phantom 3 Pro weighs 1280 grams (approximately 3lbs) with camera payload. If a 

difference piece of equipment is to be added to the “fleet” of sUAS’s that LORBORN Energy

Company plans on operating then a new Exemption, or Amendment to the current Exemption, 

will be applied for to ensure that the Exemption stays as up to date as possible.

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of the

Operator.

All sUAS operations that are conducted by LORBORN Energy Company personnel will do so 

with a minimum of two people. One being a licensed pilot to operate the sUAS, and the other to 

be a Visual Observer. The sUAS shall not be operated outside of unaided (other than corrective 

lenses or contacts) visual line of sight of the Pilot in Command of the sUAS. Operating outside 

of visual line of sight of the PIC will result in reprimand for failing to follow LORBORN Energy

Company’s Standard Operating Procedures.

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight

will be limited to the amount of time the sUAS can be

flown and still maintain a reserve battery power of 

no less than 25%.

When calculating flight time the PIC will use the approximate flight time listed for the 

battery for the sUAS in use, multiply that number by 25%, subtract that total from the 

approximate battery life of the sUAS in use to determine flight time allowed. For the DJI 

Phantom 3 Pro the approximate battery time is 23 minutes. 23 minutes multiplied by 25% is 

5.75 minutes. Subtracted from the original 23 minutes leaves 17 minutes and 15 seconds of 

flight time is allowed. The sUAS must be landed prior to that time. Any operation outside of 

that timeframe can only be done under “Emergency Situations”. Intentional operations in the 

“reserve” time is forbidden.
4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than

500 feet above ground level ("AGL").

In order to avoid any potential manned aircraft sUAS operations are prohibited at an altitude 

higher than 500 feet above the ground. 

5. Flights will be operated at a safe lateral distance from,

and not directly above, any inhabited structures,

buildings, vehicles, vessels, or people not associated with

the operation or who have not signed a waiver in

advance of the operation.

Any sUAS operations conducted by LORBORN Energy Company will be done so in a way that 

provides the least distraction or disruption from people and property. Any property that is to be 

flown over must have permission from the landowner prior to sUAS operations via a signed 

sUAS Operations Permissions Form prior to operations taking place.

6. The sUAS Pilot will be an FAA licensed airman with at

least a private pilot's certificate.

At no time will anyone other than the PIC operate the sUAS unless said person is also an FAA 

licensed airman with, at least, a private pilot’s certificate. 

7. The sUAS Pilot with Pilot in Command responsibilities

for the flight will be the designated Operator

("Operator").

At no time during sUAS operations will the PIC and Visual Observer change roles mid 

operation. The sUAS pilot designated at the beginning of the operation will be the PIC for the 

duration of the operation. 

8. The sUAS will operate only within a confined area as

described in this Flight Operations Guideline.

Unless discussed with, and approved by, the landowners operating outside of the agreement in 

the signed sUAS Operations Permission Form is forbidden.

9. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned

sUAS operations prior to each day's missions. It will be

mandatory that all personnel who will be performing

duties within the boundaries of the safety perimeter be

present for this briefing.
No sUAS operation will be allowed to commence without a briefing prior to operations. All 

personnel involved in the operation must be present for the briefing. The briefing will include 

the designated roles of the individuals, the flight path/plan, any obstacles that may be incurred, 

plans for emergency procedures and any safety issues involved.

10.The Operator will have been trained in operations

of sUAS generally and received up-to-date

information on the particular sUAS to be operated

as required in the Standard Operating Procedures.

All pilots involved in sUAS operations will undergo training prior to beginning operations. 

Training will consist of familiarization with the SOP’s for LORBORN Energy Company,

reading of the Operators Manual for the sUAS to be used for the specific operation and 

show proficiency in operating the sUAS in a safe manner prior to operating in the field.

11.Written and/or oral permission from the relevant

property holders will be obtained.

Prior to operating in the field LORBORN Energy Co must receive written permission, via a 

“sUAS Operations Permission Form” that shall be signed by at least one owner of the 

property to be traversed, signed by a representative of LORBORN Energy Co and by one 

witness. The Form will consist of a date, approximate time, duration and location of 

operations so that the landowners are fully aware of the operations that are taking place. If, 

while in the field, it is found that a piece of property must be flown over that was not known 

prior to operations beginning in the field, oral permission from said landowner will suffice. 

At no time will any representative of LORBORN Energy Co fly over any property without 

approval from the landowner first. Doing so will result in immediate termination without 

the ability to be rehired.

12. If the sUAS loses transmission signal, the sUAS will

have the capability to return to a pre-determined

location and land.

Prior to taking off, the sUAS will have its home location marked in accordance with the 

Operators Manual so that, in the event there is a loss of transmission signal or in the event 

the PIC has lost visual sight of the sUAS, the sUAS will return to original designated point. 

There are capabilities to override the GPS function, which controls the “Return Home” 

function, but using any mode other than the GPS mode is prohibited. Also, the PIC will

confirm the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. The 

PIC will use the GPS altitude indicator to constantly monitor the sUAS's height, thus

ensuring operation at safe altitudes during all operations.
13.The PIC of the sUAS will have the capability to

abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies.

Emergency procedures will be discussed in the Pre-Operations Brief with all parties 

involved. If, at any time, anyone on station during the operation sees an unsafe situation 

that person will call “Abort” without fear of repercussions. Safety is the number one 

priority and safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just the PIC.