FLIGHT MANUAL
CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the Typhoon Q500 when 

weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other 

aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are not 

permitted.

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the aircraft 

manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This 

requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or 

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the 

visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to 

satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The 

VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; electronic messaging or 

texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC must be designated before the 

flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC 

must ensure that the VO can perform the duties required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its operations 

in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of exemption, are 

hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating documents must be 

accessible during UAS operations and made available to the Administrator upon request. 

If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in this exemption and the 

procedures outlined in the operating documents, the conditions and limitations herein 

take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the 

procedures as outlined in its operating documents. The operator may update or revise its 

operating documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present 

updated and revised documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official 

upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it 

petitions for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator 

determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA 

granted this exemption, then the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of 
exemption. The FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) may be contacted if questions 

arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or 

flight characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a 

functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such a 

manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in 

a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the UAS 

is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all potential 

discrepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals 

a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from 

operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to 

be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, 

inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety 

bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a 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 

Colombia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC 

must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft 

in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability 

to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining 

appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification 

flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b). 

Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (training, proficiency, 

and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a 

manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are permitted 

under the terms of this exemption. However, training operations may only be conducted 

during dedicated training sessions. During training, proficiency, and experience-building 

flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and 

the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in 

accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119. 
15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. 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 for airports not denoted 

with an ARP, 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 with the airport management must be made available to the Administrator or 

any law enforcement official upon request.

17. 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.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a

predetermined location within the private or controlled-access property.

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

20. 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.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The exemption 

holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct operations that 

cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. 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 

(NNumber) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be

as large as practicable.

23. 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.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities 

at all times.

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.
26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

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; and

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 closer to those objects and determined that it does not present 

an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered nonparticipating 

persons under this exemption.

27. 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.

28. 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: www.ntsb.gov.
Flight Operation Checklists

Pre-Flight:

1. Before the first flight of the day, verify all transmitter, on-board aircraft, and camera 

batteries are fully charged.

2. Check all control surfaces for signs of damage, loose hinges, and overall condition.

3. Check the motor/engine and mounting system to make sure it is firmly attached to the 

airframe.

4. Check the propeller or rotor blades for chips, cracks, looseness and any deformation.

5. Check the landing gear for damage and for secure attachment

6. Check all electrical connections making sure they are plugged in and secured to the 

airframe.

7. Check that the photography equipment and mounting system are secure and operational.

8. Perform an overall visual check of the aircraft prior to arming any power systems.

9. Repair or replace any part found to be un-airworthy in the pre-flight prior to takeoff and 

record in maintenance log.

10. Perform assessment of operational area to identify hazards that may interfere with 

operation.

11. Determine if barriers or crowd control personnel are needed to protect public from harm.

12. Install barriers and/or assign duties to Visual Observer (VO).

Control Systems Check:

1. Make sure that all of your body parts, clothing, other obstructions, and bystanders are 

well away from any propeller or rotor and its arc before turning power on to any systems. 

Make sure the aircraft is secure and will not move if the motor was suddenly powered up.

2. Announce out loud – “CLEAR PROP”.

3. Turn on the transmitter. Confirm display information is correct (Camera, battery of 

aircraft, battery of transmitter, GPS satellite acquisition).

4. Make sure that the throttle stick on the transmitter is in the neutral position.

5. Connect the battery and/or turn on the power switch to the aircraft.

6. Check that all servos are steady and not chattering or making any other abnormal noise 

when in operation or idle.

7. Check the motor/engine for proper operation. 

8. Check that photo/video equipment power is on. Check to make sure the triggering device 

is working correctly.
Before Takeoff:

1. Confirm transmitter trims settings in proper position.

2. Check that the takeoff area is clear of obstructions and people.

3. Double check weather conditions and review potential emergency landing areas.

4. Set flight timer alarm.

5. Announce out loud – “TAKEOFF”.

6. Launch aircraft.

In-Flight:

1. Climb to a safe altitude away from potential hazards and check control systems. Reset 

trims if necessary.

2. Keep aircraft at a safe operating distance from people and buildings.

3. If aircraft must be flown over buildings or people, maintain a safe altitude for recovery & 

make every effort to minimize that time.

4. Continually scan the flight and ground areas for potential hazards.

Landing:

1. Check the control systems and set the trims that if necessary, an emergency abort landing 

can be made.

2. Scan landing area for potential obstruction hazards and recheck weather conditions.

3. Announce out loud – “LANDING”.

4. Carefully land the aircraft away from obstructions and people.

Post-Flight:

1. Turn the power off to the aircraft.

2. Turn off the transmitter.

3. Visually check aircraft for signs of damage and/or excessive wear.

4. Remove the battery from aircraft.

5. Secure the aircraft.
MAINTENANCE LOG

DATE N# PIC/VO DESCRIPTION OF 

SQUAWK/MAINTENANCE ACTION TAKEN