Foresight UA Operation

1. Qualifications

1.1. The Pilot in command (PIC) must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport 

pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license 

issued by a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government.

1.1.a.The only additional experience needed for operation of the drone is the training and ability to fly the 

drone safely in a similar manner to the operations that will be conducted.

1.2. A visual observer (VO) is required during all flights and only qualification is being able to see and communicate 

the location of the drone, hazards or other information regarding the safe operation of the drone.

2. Pre-location Operations

2.1. Obtain authorization from the property owner or property manager for drone operations.

1.1.b. Authorization can either be obtained in form of a signed contract, letter of agreement or an email and 

must be from the property owner or property manager and must acknowledge the use of the drone.

1.2. Ensure all of the drone Batteries, controller and mobile device have a sufficient charge for intended operations.

1.3. Check weather forecasts for available meteorological data for the scheduled flight.

1.4. Gather all documents necessary to present to an administrator upon request.

1.4.a.These documents include drone registration, section 333 exemption, owner’s manuals/quick start 

guides, and property owner authorization.

1.5. The PIC will review the surrounding airspace using FAA sectional charts to ensure no airspace violations. 

1.5.a. If the area lies within 5 miles of an airport or is within a restricted airspace a letter of agreement from 

the airport’s management or a certificate of authorization (COA) must be obtained prior to flight.

2. Pre-flight Operations

2.1. Develop a flight plan regarding the intended take-off location, flight path, elements to be photographed or 

recorded and final landing location and review the plan with the visual observer.

2.2. The PIC will ensure proper assembly of drone and ensure drone is in proper working condition before flight. 

2.3. All controller and app settings will be checked for proper set up and failsafe settings. Ensure that the GPS, 

compass and IMU are function properly. The compass should be calibrated before every flight.

2.4. Wind speed and weather to be verified on site by the PIC for potential limitation or termination of the flight. 

2.5. Notify onsite personnel and create a perimeter around the operating area where access will be restricted.
3. Flight Operations

3.1. When ready for flight the PIC will perform a brief test flight using basic maneuvers to ensure properly 

functioning flight controls.

3.2. The PIC will conduct safe flight practice to prevent damage of persons or property.

3.3. The drone may not be flown within 50 Ft. of any person except for the operator(s) and any others involved in the 

operation of the drone. 

3.3.a. Any persons wishing to enter the area must receive permission to do so.

3.3.b. If the Flight takes place next to or above a roadway signage should be placed for an advance warning. If 

the flight takes place over a road way traffic must be restricted from entering the area

3.3.c.If a non-participant enters the area operations must cease until the person has left the area of operation.

3.4. The drone may not exceed 400 Ft. from the ground and must maintain a visual line of sight by either the PIC and 

or the VO.

3.4.a.The PIC and the VO must remain in voice communication at all time during the flight.

3.5. The drone may not be flown in adverse weather, visibility must be sufficient to maintain clear line of site at all 

times and wind speed must be low enough to maintain steady and safe flight 20 knots max, <10 for closer shots. 

4. Post Flight

4.1. Visually inspect the drone for any apparent flaws or damages on the aircraft.

4.2. Collect and store the drone and all tools and barriers involved in the operation.

4.3. Fill out the flight log with the appropriate information about the flight.

5. Maintenance

5.1. Any maintenance or repairs may be performed my any knowledgeable person to the drone but the PIC must 

perform a test flight at least 500 Ft. away from other people to check for proper flight

5.2. DJI recommends regular maintenance every 200 flights or 50 Hrs. Refer to the maintenance manual for 

information on how to preform regular maintenance.

5.3. Check for firmware updates for the drone and ensure enough memory is available for capturing imagery. 

Firmware updates can be found at DJI.com > Products > Inspire 1 > Downloads

6. Limitations

6.1. Operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be conducted 

under visual meteorological conditions (VMC).

6.2. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as denoted in the current 

FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current FAA-published

aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained or otherwise 

permitted by a COA issued to the exemption holder. The letter of agreement must be made available to the 

Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.
6.3. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when 

visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC

6.4. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

6.5. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is 

enough available power for the UA to conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least five 

minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

6.6. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial number, registered in 

accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 

45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable.

6.7. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any documents required 

under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time 

the aircraft is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request.

6.8. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all times.

6.9. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

6.10.All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, vessels, vehicles, and 

structures unless: 

6.10.a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from the UA 

and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure that nonparticipating persons 

remain under such protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection 

and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the 

safety of nonparticipating persons.

6.10.b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating 

closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating close

6.11.All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with permission from the property 

owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission from property owner/controller or authorized 

representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted.

6.12.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. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site