32

APPENDIX D

D’Avion LLC UAS Flight Operations and Training Manual

D’Avion LLC UAS Flight Operations and Training Manual

Introduction

This manual describes the flight operations of D’Avion LLC. This includes roles and 

responsibilities, mission phases and emergency procedures. The aim is to document everything that 

is needed to be done during a mission, so it can act as a reference point for team members.

Roles and Responsibilities

PIC

● Flying the UAS in Manual or Auto Pilot mode. This may include takeoff, landing or during 

emergency procedures (when the UAS is circling Airfield Home and needs to be landed)

● Assembling the UAS (Cameras, batteries, sensors) and acting as a point of contact on the 

flight line during preflight checks

● The PIC and the SO will be the only team members on the flight line

SO

● Assists the PIC with their tasks.

● If the PIC is unavailable, performs their tasks (if SO has proper credentials) 

● The PIC and the Backup PIC and SO will be the only team members on the flight line

● Acts as communications link between pilot and Ground Station

Airframe and Navigation (PIC)

● Monitors the state of the UAS - altitude, speed, roll, pitch, etc.

● Monitors the UAS’s progress through the mission waypoints

● Ensures that the correct waypoints have been loaded

● During emergency situations, ensures the UAS diverts to the correct waypoint/loiter

● Monitors the time, ensuring the UAS will finish the search pattern within the allocated time 

limit.

● Monitors position of UAS relative to the geofence, particularly in Manual mode

Camera and Payload Control (PIC)

● Confirms the Camera is capturing correcting

● Monitors the camera capture and image processing

● Makes the call as to where SO is located, in consultation with other UAS people

Safety and Procedures (PIC)

● Monitors other teams members to ensure a safe environment

● Ensures team is following the Procedures and Operations Manual

● Provides antenna pointing directions
33

Pre-startup checks (PIC)

● Verify

○ All servos and flight control surfaces responsive

○ Software running

○ RC radio link working

● Confirm GPS Lock

● Confirm compass enabled, COMPASS_USE=1

● Confirm Altitude lock

● Ensure flight mode MANUAL and/or auto pilot

● Airspeed calibration and check

● Receiver failsafe check

● Check barometric pressure sensor calibration

Post-startup Checks

● Engine running nominally

● Ensure flight mode MANUAL/Auto pilot as appropriate

● Double check barometric sensor is showing 0m altitude

● Ensures current waypoint set to 0

Flight Phases

Takeoff and cruise to search area 

● Takeoff may be automatic or manual, depending on weather conditions and how confident 

we are feeling.

○ For automatic takeoff, the pilot switches to AUTO via left switch and then right 

switch (depending on UAS type). The UAV then takes off

○ For manual takeoff, allow the pilot to set to Manual mode. After takeoff and when 

the UAS is at least 30m off the ground, switch to auto pilot mode as appropriate. 

Once the UAS has stable flight, the pilot switches to AUTO.

● The UAS should reach a target altitude of 399 AGL (or less) in approx 25 seconds.

● Once the UAS is in stable AUTO flight, the GCS will disable any stick mixing (prop

control)

● Before the UAS is outside RC control range, the pilot will switch off the RC transmitter for 

UAS to return to base launch site or will push RTH (Return to Home) button.

Return to Take Off Point (PIC)

● Always keep an eye on the UAS as it tracks to airfield/take off point, etc.

Landing (PIC)

● Landing may be automatic or manual, depending on weather conditions.

● By default it will automatically land

○ In automated mode, the PIC must keep a careful eye on the speed and altitude of the 

UAS.

○ The PIC will ensure the appropriate cameras are turned off once photography/video 

mission is complete. 

○ If, at any point during the landing, if the PIC is not confident in the auto landing the 

POC will manually take over and land the UAV.

○ During a manual landing, the VO will call out the airspeed and altitude for the PIC.
34

Emergency Procedures

Loss of Datalink

● Occurs if the both datalinks are lost (no heartbeat) for more than 10 seconds

○ If combined with a loss of GPS, the UAS must terminate

○ The RC link fails during manual flight, the UAS must terminate

● The UAS will automatically fly to the preset hold waypoint or return to take off point.

Loss of GPS

● If the GPS reports a loss of lock, the UAS will return to home or preset waypoint.

Loss of engine power

● If the UAS's airspeed and altitude drop, the engine has most likely stopped

● The PIC will do waypoint set for RTH or safe place to land if not enough distance above

AGL. 

UAS or Computer Software failure

● If the main UAS laptop AND the both radio links fail for more than 10 seconds, the UAS 

will RTH mode or to the preset waypoint.

The Waypoint ID’s are as follows: (may have more waypoints or less depending on mission of 

UAS).

ID# Name Comments

0 Airfield	Home

1 Way	Point	(WP)	1 Mission	starts	here	(after	manual	or	

auto	takeoff)

2 Preplanned	Emergency	WP	2

3 WP	3 Area	of	Photograph/video/sensor	

taking	depending	on	mission	assigned

4 WP	4 Area	of	Photograph/video/sensor	

taking	depending	on	mission	assigned

5 Preplanned	Emergency	WP	5

6 WP	6 Return	To	Home Begin	Flight	back	to	home	base