UAVSA Release 1.1 July 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation

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General Operations Manual

Preface

The following procedures are intended to promote safe, efficient and lawful operation of unmanned 

aerial system (UAS), Safety, above all else, is the primary concern in each and every operation, 

regardless of the nature of the mission.

Philosophy

It shall be the mission of the UAS Team to perform controlled flights for multiple operations in 

various practices as defined and detailed in the 333 Exemption Letter of Petition. The use of 

unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as a complete aerial resource created by the UAS Team provides

a system that at its core will illuminate a digital path to real world matching needs. The UAS 

Team’s unique aerial UAS system will deliver to its user desired mission services, situational 

awareness and logistical information. UAS Team’s research will help in developing plans that can 

be utilized in many scenarios and circumstances which would deliver the most efficient and safe 

mission hundreds of times without flaw.

The use of the UAS Team’s UAS Systems provides important information and data that can’t be 

supplied by any other means. Additionally, the UAS Systems can provide a digital foot print of an 

operating area or an entire city. Such information and data provides for endless opportunities of 

application specific operations flying hundreds if not thousands of missions. It shall be the intent of 

every UAS Team’s PIC to make every reasonable effort to not invade a person's reasonable 

expectation of privacy when operating the UAS in all situations. When operating the UAS, the UAS 

Team’s instruction will be to abide by all FAA Regulations for flight and receive the proper 

authorization for flight. Additionally, the need, availability and use of the UAS will not supersede 

the issuance of the master training program that has a strategy and objective for each 

deployment.

Protection of Rights and Privacy, 

UAS Team’s trained leaders, PICs and VOs will assure that the protection of citizen’s civil rights 

and reasonable expectations of privacy as a key component of any decision made to deploy the 

UAS. UAS PICs and VOs will be trained on their accountability for ensuring that operations of 

the UAS intrude to a minimal extent upon the citizens in the wake of a disaster. To accomplish 

this primary goal we will:

a) In the event of a minor deployment such as fire and other centralize emergency when the 

UAS is being flown, the onboard cameras will be turned so as to be facing away from 

occupied structures to minimize inadvertent video or still images of uninvolved persons.

b) All video and still images will be maintained in strict compliance with state and federal 

privacy policies and procedures.

c) A website for public input will be maintained and regularly monitored to address citizen 

concerns and recommendations.

d) Trained UAS Teams will not conduct random surveillance activities. The use of the UAS 

will be tightly controlled and regulated.
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e) The authorized missions for trained UAS Teams are:

 Aerial photogrammetry and precision property aerial surveying research.

f) A trained UAS Team committee will be formed and meet semi-annually for the purpose of 

reviewing the existing UAS procedures as well as new technologies, laws and regulations on 

UAS usage. The committee will consist of UAS Team’s personnel from the UAS research 

Team. The committee will follow the leadership of the UAS vision for the use of aerial 

research and operations UAS for who will help present all proposed policy and procedures 

changes and the needs from the City Council, legal and community groups. Additionally, the 

UAS committee will solicit feedback prior to meetings referencing to research strategies and

policy changes.

g) The UAS program will operate, strictly within the law and regulations and will balance all 

operations with the need to accomplish the mission while maintaining public safety, privacy 

and the, freedom from intrusion.

Definitions

COA (Certificate of Authorization) — Given by the FAA which grants permission to fly within 

specific boundaries and perimeters. Education and Research flights cannot take place without the

UAS research Team mission critical personnel who will be the only people authorize. 

Administration

5.1 Operations Manual

The policies and procedures contained in this manual are issued by authority of UAS Team leaders. 

As such it is an official document of the UAS leadership Team. This manual is not intended to be 

all-inclusive, but as a supplement to other department guidelines, Federal Aviation Administration 

regulations, aircraft manufacturers' approved flight manual, etc.

This manual has been written to address UAS Team’s operations as they existed when it was drafted

for aerial research, agriculture and education. Equipment, personnel, environment (internal and 

external), etc., change over time. The management of change involves a systematic approach to 

monitoring organizational change and is a critical part of the risk management process. Given this, it 

is essential that this manual be continually updated as necessary. The entire manual will be reviewed, 

at a minimum, annually to assure it is up to date. Any changes to the manual will be communicated as 

currently dictated by department policy. A copy of the manual (electronic and/or paper) will be issued 

to every person having UAS and civil responsibilities.

5.2 Organization

a) The UAS Team shall be comprised of those personnel approved in part by the Federal 

Aviation Administration, UAS Team’s UAS personnel that will include UAS PICs, VOs 

and others deemed necessary such as IT personnel, and those personnel with an

assignment as part of the UAS Team.

b) The UAS Team will be comprised of UAS Team personnel only and will not utilize any 

public or private officers and will only involve UAS Team personnel and military 

assigned to the UAS Team that have project knowledge and available for research.
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5.3 Personnel

a) The Project Director is responsible for the overall direction and performance of the UAS 

Team and will exercise their control.

b) The UAS Director is responsible for the day to day supervision and management of the UAS 

Team.

c) UAS Director

Responsibilities: 

i. Maintaining all training, flight and maintenance records for each UAS PIC and 

VO as well as individual airframes, 

ii. Maintain contact with the FAA and regulations as they change, 

iii. Evaluate airframes based on mission needs. 

iv. The UAS Director must maintain a working knowledge and proficiency on all UAS 

operated by the Team. 

v. UAS PICs to be considered for selection as a UAS PIC are required to possess an

FAA sport pilot’s certification a Class III FAA physical examination and/or a current 

state driver’s license. Applicants must meet the requirements in order to be accepted 

into the UAS Team.

UAS PICs interacting with Air Traffic Control (ATC) shall have sufficient expertise to perform that 

task readily. UAS PICs must have an understanding of, and comply with FAA and Military 

Regulations applicable to the airspace where the UAS will operate. 

A UAS PIC's primary duty is for the safe and effective operation of UAS in accordance with the 

manufacturers' approved flight manual and FAA regulations policies and procedures. UAS PICs 

must remain knowledgeable of all FAA regulations; UAS manufacturer's flight manual and 

bulletins and City and State UAS policy.

UAS Director may temporarily remove any one from flight status at any time for any reasons 

including; performance, proficiency, physical condition, etc. Should this become necessary, the UAS 

PIC will be notified verbally and in writing of the reason, further action to be taken and expected 

duration of such removal.

The UAS Director shall maintain a file for each UAS PIC which shall include copies of FAA 

certifications, training records, etc. This file will be reviewed in accordance with current Federal State 

and City policies and procedures.

UAS VOs

To be considered for selection as a VO, applicants are not required to already possess a Class II 

FAA certification (private pilots) or a Class II FAA physical examination.

 

a) UAS VOs must have been provided with sufficient training to communicate clearly to the 

UAS PIC any turning instructions required to stay clear of conflicting traffic. VOs will 

receive training on rules and responsibilities described in 14 CFR 91.111, Operating Near 

Other Aircraft, 14 CFR 91.13, Right-of-Way Rules, cloud clearance, in-flight visibility, 

and the pilot controller glossary including standard ATC phraseology and 

communication. 
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b) UAS VOs must have in their possession a current 14 CFR 91.17, Alcohol or Drugs, test 

as applies to UAS VOs.

c) A UAS VO's primary duty is to operate the UAS's equipment including cameras, sensors, 

radio communications as well as be an VO for anything that may affect the UAS PIC's 

primary duty (see and avoid).

d) The department UAS Director shall maintain a file for each VO which shall include 

copies of FAA certifications, training records, etc. This file can be reviewed in accordance 

with current Federal policies and procedures.

5.4 Scheduling

a) To facilitate the broad use of data acquired by the UAS Team, it shall be made available to 

UAS Team departments and other groups.

b) To maintain a level of proficiency with the UAS, personnel will be required as part of their 

continued participation in a UAS Team, to attend online training updates as they are made 

available. UAS Team training will be coordinated through the UAS Team and announced in 

advance for scheduling purposes to participating personnel.

5.6 Miscellaneous

a) UAS PICs and VOs shall follow currently established UAS Team policies regarding 

interactions and inquiries from the media in for all research environments and situations.

b) UAS Team requests for support from other government agencies such as within, or 

outside a given state or city, will be responded to by the UAS Director. Should the request 

involve an immediate threat to life, or property, the UAS Team trained UAS PIC is 

authorized to accept or decline such request based on previously approved authorization 

from the UAS Team, the Federal, State or City governing groups. Proper policy and 

procedure, as well as FAA regulations shall be followed when accepting mutual aid 

support for the UAS Team.

c) Complaints or inquiries regarding UAS operations shall be referred to UAS Team’s UAS 

Director for immediate cure and accountability then referred to UAS Team’s offices. 

6.1 Safety Policy

UAS Team is committed to promoting a safe and healthy workplace, including:

a) The UAS Team will at all times in this research project protect and prevent damage to 

equipment, the environment and property.

b) UAS Team culture of open reporting of all safety hazards or incidents in which the UAS 

Team leadership will not initiate disciplinary action against any personnel who, in good faith, 

discloses hazards or safety occurrences due to unintentional conduct.

c) UAS Team will support all UAS safety training and awareness programs.
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d) The UAS Team is trained on conduct regular reviews of safety policies, procedures and 

practices with all Team members.

e) UAS Team continuously monitors the UAS community at large to, ensure that best safety 

practices are incorporated into the UAS research projects and operations.

f) It is the duty of every member within the UAS Team to contribute to the goal of continued 

safe operations. This contribution may come in many forms and always includes operating 

in the safest manner practicable and never taking unnecessary extreme risks.

g) Any safety hazard, whether procedural, operational or maintenance related should be 

identified if possible before, an incident occurs, Any suggestions in the interest of safety 

should be made to the UAS Team firstly, then directly to the UAS Director.

If any member UAS PICs or observes, have knowledge of an unsafe or dangerous act committed by 

another member (s), the UAS Director is to be notified immediately so that corrective action(s) may 

be taken. Hazards requiring immediate attention will be brought to the attention of the UAS Director 

or the UAS Team, verbally, without delay.

6.20 Operational Hazard and Occurrence Report (OHOR) and Investigations

Occurrences are unplanned safety related events, including accidents and incidents that could 

impact safety or a hazard that has the potential to cause harm, requires a systematic identification 

and control of all major UAS operations and is foundational to safety.

a) The OHOR concept provides a mechanism to report hazards and occurrences, real and 

perceived, to those responsible for UAS Team and operations.

b) There is no specific format for the OHOR as the information provided is what is important, 

not the format and should be used without hesitation to report any anticipated, current, or 

experienced safety hazard, or occurrence. OHOR can be submitted anonymously to 

UAS Director, and to whatever level in the UAS Team UAS Director, to get the matter 

proper attention, without fear of reprisal.

c) Every hazard and/or occurrence that involves UAS will be investigated, with the results 

and corrective action taken communicated to all members. The investigation will be 

conducted by UAS Director and Team under the direction of the UAS Team’s officers, or 

any other member of the department who has the technical skill necessary. UAS Team’s

services of an independent subject matter expert may be necessary in some cases to assure a 

thorough and complete review and investigation.

d) UAS operational Hazards requiring immediate attention will be brought to the attention of 

the UAS Director, verbally, without delay firstly, then to the attention of UAS Team.

e) ALL PERSONNEL ARE AUTHORIZED TO TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT A 

HAZARD if in that personnel's opinion delay will result in accident or injury. The UAS 

Team UAS Director will be notified immediately in such situations.

6.3 UAS Director, Safety Officer, UAS PIC, VO and Team

In regards to safety, all Team members of the UAS Team are responsible for the following:
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a) Ensuring all UAS flight operations personnel understand applicable regulatory requirements, 

standards and organizational safety policies and procedures.

b) Observe and control safety systems by monitoring all operations.

c) Review standards and the practices of UAS department personnel as they impact UAS 

operational safety.

d) Communicate all reported safety related problems and the corrective action taken. If there 

were any in-flight problems (or learned experiences), the proper procedures for handling that 

problem should be discussed and documented.

e) Such incidents should be copy and circulate pertinent safety information.

f) Such incidents should be copy and circulate emergency safety bulletins.

g) Place any electronic copies of safety information or bulletins on the Company’s UAS

website for UAS Team member access.

It is emphasized again that safety is the responsibility of ALL members of the UAS Team.

6.5 Medical Factors

a) UAS PICs. VOs and all Team members shall only deploy the UAS when rested and 

emotionally prepared for the tasks at hand.

b) Physical illness, exhaustion, emotional problems, etc., can seriously impair judgment, memory 

and alertness. The safest rule is not to act as a UAS PIC or VO when suffering from any of 

the above. UAS Team members are expected to "stand down" when these problems could 

reasonably be expected to affect their ability to perform UAS flight duties.

c) A self-assessment of physical condition shall be made by all UAS Team members during preflight activities.

d) Performance can be seriously hampered by prescription and over the counter drugs. The 

UAS Director will be advised anytime such drugs are being taken. If it is determined that 

the medication being taken could hamper an UAS PIC or VO, that member shall be prohibited 

from the deployment or exercise.

e) No member shall act as an UAS PIC or VO within eighteen hours after consumption of 

any alcoholic beverage, while under the influence of alcohol, or while having an alcohol 

concentration of 0.04 (FAR 91.17)

7. Training

7.1 Objective

The key to continued safe operations is by maintaining a professional level of competency. The 

first step in this process is establishing minimum qualifications for selecting members, and the 

second step involves training those personnel.
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7.2 On-site Basic Instructors

a) If any members are FAA certified flight instructors, they will be given instructor duties by 

UAS Team as part of its focused UAS Team support. Such duties can include developing 

training courses, provide full knowledge training and student evaluation and documentation.

b) Duties for UAS Team training fall upon the UAS Team instructing of new UAS department 

personnel shall fall upon those who have the most flight time and knowledge of UAS 

operations. Instructors will be designated by those within the Team and approved by the 

UAS Director.

7.3 Training Plans

a) All UAS Team members will have a UAS training plan on file that outlines training objectives 

for the upcoming year. This training plan will be held in conjunction with the member's 

normal training file per company and or organization department policy.

b) The UAS Team approved training plan will be developed by UAS Team.

c) All UAS deployments or exercises will be documented and count toward a UAS Team

member's time in operations training.

d) It is the UAS Team member's responsibility to verify their training file contains all 

pertinent information.

7.4 Initial Training

a) Upon acceptance to the UAS Team, the new VO Team member shall review the FAA UAS 

operations requirements as defined in the UAS Team 333 Exemption grant.

b) VOs must have completed sufficient training to communicate to the pilot any instructions 

required to remain clear of conflicting traffic. This training, at a minimum, shall include 

knowledge of the rules and responsibilities described in 14 CFR 91.111, Operating Near 

Other Aircraft; 14 CFR 91.113, Right-qt.-Way Rules: Except Water Operations; and 14 CFR 

91.155, Bask VFR Weather Minimums; knowledge of air traffic and radio communications, 

including the use of approved ATC/pilot phraseology; and knowledge of appropriate sections 

of the Aeronautical Information Manual.

c) UAS PICs will enroll in appropriate (fixed wing) training in order to obtain their PPL private 

pilot license/certificate if not already in possession of one (either fixed wing or rotorcraft).

d) In conjunction with fulfilling all FAA requirements for UAS PIC and VO duties as a new 

Team member will be to become familiar with UAS Team operations, the aircraft and its 

equipment.

e) UAS Team members who fail to successfully complete the initial training may be denied as a 

member of the UAS Team or re-scheduled for additional UAS training.

f) Before a UAS PIC can fly, they must complete at least 8 hours of flight training with the 

UAS Team instructors to show proficiency of the flight training exercises and airframe

knowledge. This must be accomplished to show their ability and general knowledge of the 

UAS.
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7.5 Recurrent Training

a) All UAS Team members within the Team shall maintain proficiency in their UAS PIC and 

VO abilities. UAS Team members who do not have any documented training or flight time 

within a span of 90 days will have to attend UAS update training programs to show 

proficiency before being an UAS PIC or VO during a deployment or exercise.

b) Recurrent training is not limited to actual UAS PICs or VO skills but also includes 

knowledge of all pertinent UAS operations and aviation matters.

c) Failure to prove proficiency can result in removal from UAS Team responsibilities.

7.6 Miscellaneous

a) Depending on the nature of the training request, all efforts will be made to accommodate the 

UAS hours of training so as little impact is made to staffing levels.

b) All requests for UAS training shall be approved through the Team member's UAS Director 

and timekeeping during those training hours will be marked by the member's supervisor.

c) UAS Team members are encouraged to attend, and forward information on FAA sponsored 

safety seminars and may do so while on-duty with the approval of the UAS Project 

Director.

d) Training shall only be conducted at approved UAS locations and follow the provisions 

approved by UAS Project Director, the FAA and flights within the COA.

8.2 Call-out Procedure

a) A UAS Team officer will screen all initial requests to use a UAS from any and all

investigation and other departments and non-UAS Teams.

b) The UAS Director will designated UAS representative who will screen all requests using 

the following factors:

i. Is the proposed use of the UAS within the capabilities of the UAS equipment and 

personnel trained to perform?

ii. Does the proposed use of the UAS fall within the FAA and department policies and 

regulations for UAS usage?

iii. Can the UAS be deployed safely given current weather and other conditions?

iv. If the UAS deployment requires special operations assistance have they been 

requested and approved?

v. Are sufficient UAS trained and qualified personnel available to safely operate the 

UAS?

The UAS Director will either accept or decline the request for UAS support. If the request is denied 

the UAS Director will provide a reason for declining the support request to the UAS Director who 

will provide the requester this information along with the reason for declining. If the UAS Director 
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accepts the support request he or she will contact a UAS Team leadership or UAS PIC who will be 

provided all available mission information.

The UAS Director will contact the UAS PIC and VO from the list of available UAS trained VOs 

requesting a UAS VO meet the UAS PIC at the scene. The UAS PIC and the Team are responsible 

for transporting the UAS and all required equipment to the scene. 

Upon arriving at the requested location the UAS PIC will contact the UAS Director and will check 

in and receive a briefing on the mission requested. The UAS PIC will make an on scene 

determination of the ability of the UAS and the Team required to perform the requested mission safely 

and within department and FAA policies and procedures.

If the UAS PIC determines that the use of the UAS would violate safety measures, department 

policy or directives then the UAS PIC will inform the UAS Director of the potential conflict 

along with recommendations for modifying the requested mission to conform to safety measures and 

the department policies and procedures. 

As this is a change from the original approved mission the UAS PIC will contact the UAS 

Director for direction on how to proceed. As soon as possible after the completion of the 

mission, the UAS PIC will make a full report of the circumstances and their concern through the 

UAS Director.

UAS PICs will have sole discretion for declaring safety or violation of FAA rules. If the UAS PIC

determines that a requested mission would violate FAA rules or endanger civilians, then the 

UAS PIC will respectfully inform the UAS Director of the reasons for refusing to operate the 

UAS and contact the UAS Director immediately. The UAS will not be flown in this circumstance 

and the authority of the UAS PIC is absolute.

If the UAS PIC determines that the requested mission will potentially damage the UAS or its 

associated equipment the UAS PIC will inform the UAS Director of their concerns. If the Incident 

Officer, orders the UAS PIC to engage, the UAS PIC will contact the UAS Team and UAS 

Director after engagement as this was a deviation of the originally approved mission, The UAS 

PIC will fully document and send a report to the UAS Director.

8.3 Deployment Priorities

a) The UAS shall not be used for the purpose of random surveillance or photo or video 

production unrelated to the mission.

b) If several separate requests for UAS support are received simultaneously, they shall be 

prioritized.

c) In general terms, requests for UAS support are prioritized as:

i. Life Threating 

ii. Immediate Safety Measures 

iii. Complete its Chartered Mission

iv. Situational Awareness

v. Preventative Danger Documentation

8.4 Flight Boundaries
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Although there may be requests for UAS support outside the UAS Team’s terms for deployment, the 

authorization for such uses of the UAS Team are restricted by its specific mission as designed by the 

UAS deployment training and approved by Federal, State and City departments. Unless in time of 

disaster and air traffic communications have been lost, flight restrictions in the proximity of No Fly 

Zone locations such as airports will be approved.

a) At no time shall UAS support be granted outside the UAS’s Team base of operations without 

first obtaining an emergency FAA- COA and approval by the UAS Director.

b) Information regarding flight boundaries can be found in the FAA- COA and the use of the air 

traffic regional WIZ Terminal.

c) Maximum altitude (AGL) shall not be set more than 400' per the FAA COA unless directed 

by the disaster Incident Officer.

8.5 Minimum Personnel Requirements

Due to the nature of the UAS mission, the minimum personnel required on ALL missions will be the

UAS PIC and VO. Under no circumstances will an UAS PIC attempt to complete a deployment 

alone. Although training is not considered a mission, a VO and other Team members shall be used.

Personnel Responsibilities for Deployments

 “OPEN COMMUNICATION ACHIEVES SAFE OPERATIONS”

 a) UAS PIC

i. The UAS PIC is directly responsible for, and is the final authority over the actual 

operation of the UAS.

ii. UAS PICs have absolute authority to reject a flight based on personnel safety or 

violation of FAA regulations. No member of the police department, regardless of rank,

shall order an UAS PIC to make a flight when, in the opinion of the UAS PIC, it poses a 

risk to personnel or is in violation of FAA regulations.

iii. UAS PICs are responsible for compliance with this manual, department policy and 

procedure and FAA regulations.

iv. The UAS PIC's main duty during the deployment of the UAS is to operate the UAS 

safely while accomplishing the goals of the deployment.

v. UAS PICs shall see-and-avoid any obstacle that will lessen safety during the mission.

vi. UAS PICs shall be responsive to the requests of the VO in order to accomplish the 

deployment.

vii. UAS PICs shall be responsible for documentation for mission training and updating of 

flight books. b) VO

viii. VOs shall see-and-avoid any obstacle that will lessen safety during the mission.

ix. VOs are responsible for the law enforcement aspect of the deployment.
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x. VOs shall operate any attachments to the UAS, allowing the UAS PIC to maintain

complete focus on the operation of the UAS.

xi. VOs shall remain alert for suspicious persons or activities on the ground and coordinate 

response by ground Teams.

xii. VOs shall monitor the radio updates.

xiii. VOs shall assist the UAS PIC in the main objective of safe operations of the UAS.

xiv. VOs shall be responsible for documentation for mission training and updating of flight 

books.

8.7 Personal Equipment

a) UAS PICs/VOs shall wear eye sun protection at times when required while the UAS is in 

flight.

b) Although there is no specific uniform for the UAS Team or required for proper operation 

of the UAS, the UAS PIC, VO and Team members should take necessary measures to 

deploy in a professional matter and assure that they are recognized via special wear. 

c) UAS PICs/VOs will take into consideration the current weather conditions when planning to 

deploy, and wear appropriate clothing to deploy comfortably.

d) UAS Team member’s personal use of radio or cellular phones during the deployment of the 

UAS are used only as backup communication resources. UAS PICs, VOs and other Team

members should at all times take into consideration safe operation of the UAS when using 

the radio or another device. (Use of the radio or other device is strictly prohibited by the 

UAS PIC during flight per the COA.)

e) At a minimum, UAS PICs/VOs shall wear clothing that easily identifies them as part of the

UAS Team.

9. Pre-Flight/Post-Flight Actions

9.1 Inspections

a) UAS PICs/VOs are both responsible for a thorough preflight inspection of the UAS and 

other important operations equipment.

b) Before and after each deployment (whether an incident or training), the UAS PIC and VO

shall conduct a thorough inspection of the UAS in accordance with UAS instructions 

contained in the manufactures user's manual.

c) Any issues found that will put in jeopardy the safe operation of the UAS shall be 

documented and resolved immediately prior to flight.

d) It has been recognized that the use of a checklist is a significant method to combat UAS 

accidents. A pre-flight and post-flight checklist is contained at the Base Station and will be 

utilized prior to each flight.
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e) Any physical equipment that cannot be resolved on-site, and which have an impact on 

safety or the mission, will be not be used in the deployment. All pre-flight issues with 

personnel or equipment will be resolved before flight.

9.2 Weather

Before each deployment the UAS PIC and or VO will ensure that he/she gathers enough 

information to make themselves familiar with the weather situation existing throughout the area 

of deployment and the time of launch and the duration period of the flight. 

a) The UAS PIC shall utilize FAA approved weather resources to obtain the latest and most 

current weather conditions.

b) An anemometer should be utilized in order to better estimate the wind speed and 

determine if it is within the capabilities of the UAS airframe being flown.

c) UAS PICs/VOs should use the Beaufort scale when making deployment decisions in regards 

to wind conditions. This scale can be located in the UAS manufacture's user's manual. If 

not visit: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html

d) The weather conditions reported for the operation shall be recorded in the flight log.

e) The UAS PIC shall ensure that the flight will occur within FAA VFR weather 

requirements.

9.4 Planning

a) The UAS PIC/VO shall familiarize themselves with all available information concerning 

the deployment including, but not limited to, the weather conditions, hazards, description 

of the incident, deployment goals, etc.

b) UAS PICs will ensure that the location for take-off and emergency landing is adequate for 

a safe deployment.

c) The take-off/landing location should be clearly marked and identifiable with electric flares 

and short cones.

d) At least one emergency landing area should be identified per deployment.

e) UAS PICs will ensure that they are aware of their surroundings in the event that an 

emergency landing is necessary. This includes the ability to recover the UAS.

9.5 Checklists

a) UAS PICs shall utilize the checklists to ensure the highest level of safety for deployment.

b) Prior to flight, the flight log shall be initiated.

9.6 Maintenance

a) Although there are few parts on the UAS that need servicing, it is necessary that the 

manufacturer's maintenance schedule is followed and properly documented.
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b) Any issues that arise during maintenance that cannot be resolved by routine methods and 

shall be forwarded to the manufacturer for further technical support.

9.7 Other 

a) UAS PICs/VOs will ensure that no items are attached to the UAS prior to flight that are not 

required for safe operation and to complete the mission goal.