Atlas 

Images

FLIGHT OPERATIONS MANUAL

ABSTRACT

This is a comprehensive Flight Operations 

Manual to be used in conjunction with any 

and all applicable FAA rules, regulations 

and recommendations concerning the 

safe use of UAS.

Jeremy Bushnell

Director of Flight Operations
Revision date: 5/15/2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 General ................................................................ 2

2 Pilot In Command Qualifications and Duties. 2

3 External Observer Qualifications and Duties.. 3

4 PREFLIGHT ACTION: ............................................. 4

5 FLIGHT OPERATIONS:........................................... 4

6 MAINTENANCE AND LOG BOOK RECORDS:... 5

7 LIMITATONS:.......................................................... 6

8 SECTION 333 EXEMPTION COMPLIANCE:......... 6
Revision date: 5/15/2015

1 GENERAL

The UAV operator (Pilot In Command) shall: 

 Not operate in a careless or reckless manner. 

 Not operate in locations where model aircraft or UAV activities are prohibited. 

 Not operate within 5 nautical miles of any airport or within the landing zone of 

a designated Heliport without prior ATC coordination.

 Yield the right of way to all human-carrying aircraft. 

 See and avoid all aircraft and a spotter must be designated and present 

when appropriate. (AMA Document #540-D.) 

 Not fly higher than 400 feet above ground level* 

 Not interfere with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport or 

seaplane base except where there is a mixed use agreement. The Pilot in 

Command will not launch the UAV within visual range of a designated 

heliport. 

 Not exceed a maximum takeoff weight of 55lbs including power modules 

 Not operate model aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or while using 

any drug that could adversely affect the pilot’s ability to safely control the 

remotely piloted aircraft. 

* Altitude and distance limits are set within aircraft firmware and controlled by GPS

2 PILOT IN COMMAND QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

Qualifications

 Be in possession of a valid minimum FAA Third Class Medical Certificate

 Hold a minimum FAA Private Pilot Certificate 

 Ensure adherence to pilot currency requirements as stated in 14 CFR 61.
Revision date: 5/15/2015

Duties

 The Pilot In Command (PIC) shall be aware of and abide by all FAA regulations, 

NOTAMs, and TFRs 

 Ensure manned aircraft have right-of-way at all times 

 The Pilot In Command (PIC) shall remain in line of sight with the aircraft at all 

times 

 The Pilot In Command (PIC) shall have a clear understanding of the FAA 

regulations and airspace applicable to the flight

 Flight operation will not be undertaken unless the aircraft is deemed airworthy by 

the Pilot In Command. 

 Follow the pre-flight/post-flight checklist 

 Record all flight operations, tests and maintenance on the Flight Log Form. 

3 EXTERNAL OBSERVER QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

Qualifications

 Possess a basic understanding of system limitations

 Be able to perform duties as an External Observer (EO)

 Be familiar with the AtlasFlight Operations Manual

Duties

 Ensure manned aircraft have right-of-way at all times 

 The External Observer (EO) shall remain in line of sight with the aircraft at all times 

 Mark and maintain a Restricted Operational Area (50 ft) around Launch Area 

 Do not allow anyone other than Pilot In Control (PIC) and Observer/Spotter within 

the Restricted Operational Area 

 Observe and Discuss all power lines, light poles, buildings and other obstructions 

with the PIC prior to take-off 

 Watch for and notify the PIC of any approaching aircraft

 If assigned note Remote Altitude readings

 Alert any observers to take offs and landings
Revision date: 5/15/2015

4 PREFLIGHT ACTION:

Prior to any flight the Pilot In Command (Operator) will: 

 Monitor aircraft communications prior to launch and during flight (where 

warranted) 

 The designated Observer shall be briefed on flight and safety procedures 

prior to launch. 

 Ensure launch area will be clear of all individuals except the Pilot in 

Command and the designated Observer before take-off. 

 The flying area must be clear of all utility wires or poles and the Remotely 

Piloted Aircraft will not be flown closer than 50 feet to any above-ground 

electric utility lines. 

*It shall be the Observer/Spotter's primary task to make the Pilot In Command aware of obstructions 

and hazards including the approach of manned aircraft or any unauthorized persons entering the 

designated flight operations area.

5 FLIGHT OPERATIONS:

 The Pilot In Command of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft shall avoid flying directly 

over unprotected people, vessels, vehicles or structures and shall avoid 

endangerment of life and property of others. 

 Current Sector Charts will be obtained and be maintained at the flight site to 

ensure avoidance of restricted and prohibited areas. 

 Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch an outdoor model 

aircraft or UAV in flight while it is still under power, except to divert it from striking 

an individual.

 There will be no night flying (between 1 hour after local sunset and 1 hour before 

sunrise). 
Revision date: 5/15/2015

The pilot of a(n) unmanned aircraft shall: 

 Always be accompanied by an External Observer (EO) while an aircraft is in flight 

 Maintain positive control during the entire flight, maintaining visual contact 

without enhancement other than by corrective lenses prescribed for the pilot

 Fly using the assistance of a camera or First-Person View (FPV) only in 

accordance with the procedures outlined in AMA Document #550. 

 Fly using the assistance of autopilot or stabilization system only in accordance 

with the procedures outlined in AMA Document #560. 

6 MAINTENANCE AND LOG BOOK RECORDS:

 A successful radio equipment ground-range check in accordance with

manufacturer’s recommendations will be completed before the first flight of a 

new or repaired model aircraft. 

 Any damage or worn out parts are to be replaced or repaired before the next 

flight occurs. Log book records will be used to log aircraft flight times as well as 

all maintenance, repairs, and replacements. 

 Each aircraft should have an identifying (manufacturer's serial) number that can 

be connected to the aircraft and corresponding aircraft log book. 

 The flight and maintenance logbook forms shall be made available to the FAA 

for inspection upon request. 

 All repaired aircraft shall be tested, deemed airworthy, and so noted in the 

maintenance logbook before resumption of duties. 

 The flight log shall contain the names of the Pilot In Command and the External 

Observer, flight location, launch time, weather conditions, flight duration and 

notations about any incidents which may occur. 
Revision date: 5/15/2015

7 LIMITATONS:

 UAV may not fly above 400 ft AGL 

 UAV will Return to Home (RTH) at 30% battery life

 UAV may not operate within the boundaries of a National Park without advance 

approval

 UAV may not operate in proximity to any Heliport landing zone (hospital, etc.) 

 UAV may not operate within 5 miles of an airport without notification of the 

airport operator, Control Tower or Flight Services 

 UAV may not be flown in a reckless or hazardous manner 

 UAV may not be flown in Restricted Airspace or any Prohibited Area 

 UAV must be operated within Visual Line of Sight at all times during flight 

 UAV may not be operated between one hour after local sunset and one hour 

before local sunrise. 

 UAV may not obstruct emergency vehicles or aircraft

8 SECTION 333 EXEMPTION COMPLIANCE:

*The following are regulations and guidelines are set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration. These rules are to be adhered to and strictly 

followed to the fullest extent possible. All Atlas Imaging aircrew and aircraft will meet or exceed FAA standards. FAA documentation will 

ALWAYS take precedence over Atlas Imaging company procedures.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the following 

aircraft described in the operating documents as a quad-rotor aircraft weighing 

less than 10 pounds: DJI Inspire 1 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Proposed 

operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend 

this grant.

2. The UA may not be flown at an indicated airspeed exceeding 30 knots.

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

level (AGL), as indicated by the procedures specified in the operating 

documents. All altitudes reported to Air Traffic Control (ATC) must be in feet AGL.

4. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the Pilot In 

Command (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.
Revision date: 5/15/2015

5. All operations must utilize an external observer (EO). The UA must be operated 

within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the EO at all times. The EO may be used to 

satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS 

capability. The EO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times. 

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 functions prescribed in the operating documents.

6. The operating documents and this grant of exemption 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 (Atlas Images) must follow the procedures as outlined in this operating 

manual. The operator may update or revise its operations manual. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 

documents to the Administrator upon request. The operator must also present 

updated and revised documents if he 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 amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s UAS 

Integration Office (AFS-80) is to be contacted if questions arise regarding 

updates or revisions to the operating manual.

7. Prior to each flight, the PIC must inspect the UAS to ensure it is in a condition for 

safe flight. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of 

the UAS, the UAS is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance 

has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. The 

Ground Control Station must be included in the preflight inspection. All 

maintenance and alterations must be properly documented in the aircraft 

records.

8. Any UAS 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. The PIC who conducts the functional test flight must make 

an entry in the aircraft records.

9. The preflight inspection section in the operating documents must account for all 

discrepancies, i.e. inoperable components, items, or equipment, not already 

covered in the relevant sections of the operating documents.

10. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s aircraft/component, 

maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements.

11. Atlas Imaging must carry out its maintenance, inspections, and record keeping 

requirements, in accordance with the operating manual. Maintenance, 
Revision date: 5/15/2015

inspection, and alterations must be noted in the aircraft records, including total 

flight hours, description of work accomplished, and the signature of the 

authorized person returning the UAS to service.

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

Safety Bulletins.

13. The authorized person must make an entry in the aircraft record of the corrective 

action taken against discrepancies discovered between inspections.

14. UAS operations must be conducted by a PIC possessing at least a private pilot 

certificate and at least a current third-class medical certificate. 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.

15. Prior to operations conducted for the purpose of aerial 

videography/cinematography and augmenting real estate listing videos (or 

similar operations), the PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner 

consistent with 14 CFR 61.51(b), a minimum of 25 hours of total time as a UAS 

rotorcraft pilot including at least 10 hours logged as a UAS pilot with a multi-rotor 

UAS. Prior documented flight experience that was obtained in compliance with 

applicable regulations may satisfy this requirement. Training, proficiency, and 

experience-building flights can also be conducted under this grant of exemption 

to accomplish the required flight time. However, said training operations may 

only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During training, 

proficiency, and experience-building flights the PIC is required to operate the UA 

with appropriate distances in accordance with 14 CFR 91.119.

16. Prior to operations conducted for the purpose of aerial 

videography/cinematography and augmenting real estate listing videos (or 

similar operations), the PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner 

consistent with 14 CFR 61.51(b), a minimum of 5 hours as UAS pilot operating the 

make and model of the UAS to be used in operations under the exemption; 5 

hours make and model time may be included in the 10 hours of multi-rotor time 

prescribed above. The PIC must accomplish 3 take-offs and landings in the 

preceding 90 days (for currency purposes). Training, proficiency, experiencebuilding, and take-off and landing currency flights can be conducted under this 

grant of exemption to accomplish the required flight time and 90 day currency. 

However, said training operations may only be conducted during dedicated 

training sessions. During training, proficiency, and experience-building flights the 

24 PIC is required to operate the UA with appropriate distances in accordance 

with 14 CFR 91.119.

17. The operator may not permit the PIC to operate the UAS for the purpose of aerial 

videography/cinematography and augmenting real estate listing videos (or 
Revision date: 5/15/2015

similar operations), unless the PIC has demonstrated and logged in a manner 

consistent with 14 CFR 61.51(b), 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 people, vessels, vehicles and structures.

18. 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).

19. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point as 

denoted on a current FAA-published aeronautical chart.

20. 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.

21. If the UA loses communications or loses its GPS signal, it must return to a 

predetermined location within the planned operating area and land or be 

recovered in accordance with the operating documents.

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

emergencies in accordance with the operating documents.

23. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and 

forecast weather conditions) there is enough power to fly at normal cruising 

speed to the intended landing point and land the UA with 30% battery power 

remaining.

24. Atlas Imaging will obtain and maintain an Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued 

Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) prior to conducting any operations 

under this grant of exemption. 

25. 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, unless waived by the administrator.

26. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation 

and control of the UA must comply with the Federal Communications 

Commission (FCC) or other appropriate government oversight agency 

requirements.
Revision date: 5/15/2015

27. The 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 UAS is operating. 

These documents will be made available to the Administrator or any law 

enforcement official upon request.

28. The UA must remain clear and yield the right of way to all manned aviation 

operations and activities at all times.

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

30. The UA may not be operated over congested or densely populated areas.

31. 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 and/or; b. The aircraft is 

operated near vessels, vehicles or structures where the owner/controller of such 

vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 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, and; c. Operations nearer to the PIC, 

EO, operator trainees or essential persons do not present an undue hazard to 

those persons per § 91.119(a).

32. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property 

with permission from the land owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from land owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

33. 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
Revision date: 5/15/2015

Member:

I acknowledge that I have read, reviewed and will comply with 

the Atlas Images Flight Operations Manual:

Name: Signature: Date: 

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Revision date: 5/15/2015

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Revision date: 5/15/2015