1 

# Flight Operations and

Procedures Manual

Updated : February	1

, 201 6

# Table of Contents

Glossary of Abbreviations...

................................ ................................ ............ 3

About

................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 4

Preface

................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 5

Mission Statement

................................ ................................ ........................ 5

Protection of Privacy

................................ ................................ .......................... 5

Administration

................................ ................................ ................................ . 6

Organization...

................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 6

Personnel...

................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 6

Scheduling

................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 8

Safety

................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 8

Training

................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 9

Flight Operation...

................................ ................................ ........................... 9

Emergency/Accident

................................ ................................ ...................... 9

Protocols and Controls.

................................ ................................ ............... 10

Flight	Log

- Flight Safety

................................ ................................ .......................... 123 

# Glossary	of Abbreviations

AGL Above	Ground Level

ATC Air Traffic Control

COA Certificate	of Authorization

FAA Federal	Aviation Administration

FAR Federal	Aviation Regulation

GCS Ground Control Station

GPS Global Positioning System

LOL Loss	of Link

NAS National	Airspace System

PIC Pilot	in Command

RTH Return	to Home

sUAS Small	Unmanned Aircraft Systems

VFR Visual Flight Rules

VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions

VO Visual Observer

VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions

VLOS Visual	Line	of Sight4 

# About RoboSkies

RoboSkies	is	a	drone	services company located	in Central	Pensylvania

. RoboSkies

utilizes	DJI and	3DR sUAS platforms	for	the	purpose aerial	photography,

videograph y,	data	collection	and	document	imagery in	controlled	access	areas.

RoboSkies is	committed	to	offering	safe	and	responsible sUAS flight operations.

Current	applications	of sUAS are	flown	in	low	risk,	controlled	access	areas

including:	commercial	development,	land	use	planning,	economic

development,	construction	progress	(legal)	documentation,	corporate

marketing	&	promotions,	3D	building/landscape	modeling,	golf	course

promotion, government/civic	photography	and videography, and	regional

tourism	promotion ,	data	collection	and	document	imagery	for	multiple	uses

including	filmmaking,	training	and	flight	analysis .	Protocols	and	controls	are	in

place	to	ensure	safety	of	property	and	n onparticipating	people.	Protocols	and

controls	are	executed	before, during, and after every flight to ensure safety,

and are outlined within	these documents.

Flight	operations	will	be	conducted by visual	line	of	site	(VLOS),	utilizing	a	visual

observer (V O) for safety, during	daylight	hours	in	visual	meteorological	conditions

(VMC)	under	visual	flight	rules	(VFR). For	safety, all sUAS utilize	an	onboard	global

positioning	system	(GPS)	that	records	takeoff	location	so	that	should	loss	of	link

(LOL)	occur,	the sUAS will	automatically	return	to	home	(RTH).	The	public	can

benefit	greatly	with	the	addition	of sUAS photography	and	videography in	the

local	market by providing	safer	photography	and	videography	than	that	provided

by traditional	manned	aircraft.	Current	use	of	manned	airplanes	are	noisy	and

operate	with	greater	potential	risk. RoboSkies can	perform	tasks	at	a lower risk

level	whil e	at	the	same	time	not	disrupting	the	surrounding community. Benefits

of sUAS photography	and	videography	include:	less	noise	(electric	motors	vs	gas

powered	engines),	significantly	reduced	aircraft	size	and	weight (sUAS are	less

than	55	lbs),	slower	fligh t	speeds	(1	MPH	to	50	MPH),	carrying	no	pilots	or crew,

no	gallons	of	flammable	fuel	onboard,	and	greater	versatility	to	safely	capture

closer, lower altitude	shots.

RoboSkies ’	first	priority	is safety. All	operations	performed	will	meet FAA safety

standa rds,	along	with	operational	guidelines	outlined	within	these documents.5 

## Preface

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

operation	of RoboSkies ’	small	Unmanned	Aircraft	Systems	(sUAS). Safety,	above

all	else,	is	the	primary	concern	in	each	and every operation.



## Philosophy	& Mission Statement

RoboSkies ’ mission is to provide the safe and professional use	of sUAS. We

provide	professional sUAS services	to	local	businesses,	government,	and	civic

groups. We are	committed	to	promoting	the	safe	and	responsible

implementation of sUAS into the community and NAS.

It shall be the intent of every RoboSkies sUAS operator to make	a responsible

effort to not invade a person's reasonable expectation of privacy	when

operating	the sUAS. When	operating	the sUAS, RoboSkies ’	operators	will	abide

by all FAA Regulations	for	flight	and	receive	the	proper	authorization	for flight.



## Protection of Rights and Privacy

sUAS Pilot in Command, Camera Operator, Visual Ob server or any other	person

involved in flight mission is to observe privacy rights or expectations of	the

public.	Any	person	involved	in	any	unlawful	flights	that may jeopardize

someone's	privacy	rights	or	expectations	will	be	held	accountable	for	their

actions.

To accomplish this:



### • When the sUAS is being flown operators must do their best to

minimize inadvertent video or still images of uninvolved persons.



### • Any video obtained inadvertently that is violating someone's privacy

shall be destroyed immediately.



### • When able, have clients advise any surrounding neighbors of our presence.



### • All	flights	will	be	conducted	within	the	rules	and	regulations	of	the FAA.



### • Any PIC of a sUAS must meet current rules and regulations of the FAA. PIC is

responsible	for	abiding by these	rules	and	staying	up

- to

- date	on any

ongoing training that may be required to stay compliant.



## Administration

Operations Manual

a) The policies and procedures contained in this manual are issued

by RoboSkies

.6 b) As such, it is an official document of RoboSkies

. This manual is	not

intended	to	be	all

- inclusive,	but	as	a	supplement	to	other	company

guidelines, FAA regulations,	aircraft	manufacturers	approved	flight

manuals, etc.

c) This	manual	has	been	written	to	address sUAS operations	as	they

existed	when	it	was	drafted.	Equipment,	personnel,	environment

(internal	and	external,	etc.),	change over time.	The	management	of

change	involves	a	systematic	approach	to	monitoring	organizational

change and continually updated as necess ary, 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 to all RoboSkies

PIC/personnel, etc.

d) A	copy	of	the	manual	(electronic	and	or	paper)	will	be	issued	to every

person	having sUAS responsibilities.



## Organization

a) Any people involved in sUAS flights shall be comprised of personnel

approved by RoboSkies and	includes	operators,	visual	observers

and	others	deemed necessary.

b) Any documentation such as logbooks, maintenance records etc. are

the	responsibility of the PIC to complete every time an entry is

needed.

c) PIC must have all documents pertaining to flight and sUAS on persons at

all	times	during	flight.	This	includes	but	not	limited	to	logbook,	pilot

license, COA etc.

d) Any and all logbooks must be in accordance the

manufacturer	guidelines.



## Personnel

Personnel Manual

a) RoboSkies has authorized one ( 2 ) PIC for company sUAS

operation,	pursuant	to	current FAA laws	and COA guidelines.

b) In	the	event	of	another	PIC	joins	the	company	they	will	also	assume	the

responsibility	of	PIC	once	they have met	all	relevant requirements.7 PIC Responsibilities:

1. Maintaining all training, flight and maintenance records for

each	operator as well as individual airframes.

2. Maintain contact with the FAA and regulations as they change.

3. Evaluate airframes based on mission needs.

4. The sUAS PIC	must	maintain	a	current	standards	recommended by FAA.

5. Perform	all	pre	flight	checklist	objectives	before every flight.

Operators

a) All	PIC	must	meet	current FAA minimum	requ irements	regarding

regulations for operator status.

b) Operators	interacting	with	Air Traffic Control (ATC) shall have sufficient

expertise	to	perform	that	task readily. Operators	must have an

understanding	of,	and	comply	with FAA Regulations	applicable	to	the

airspace	where	the sUAS will operate.

c) The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the sUAS

to	ensure that it is for safe for operation.

d) Prior	to	each	flight,	the	PIC	must	conduct	a	pre

- flight	inspection	and

determine	the sUAS is	in	good	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 sUAS, the	aircraft	is	prohibited

from	operating	until	the	necessary	maintenance	has	been	performed

and	the sUAS is found to be safe flight.

e) Operators may be	temporarily	removed	from	flig ht	status	at	any	time

by RoboSkies for	reasons	including	performance, proficiency, physical

condition, etc. Should this become necessary, the operator will be

notified	verbally	and	in	writing	of	the	reason,	further	action	to	be

taken,	along with expected duration of such removal.

f) RoboSkies shall	maintain	a	file	for	each	operator	which	shall	include

copies of FAA certifications, training records, etc. This file will be

reviewed in accordance with current company policy and procedures.

Observers

a) The	main	responsibility	of	a	Visual	Observer (VO) is	to	help	ensure	safe

flight by communicating	with	the	PIC	of	the sUAS, any	impending	object,

traffic,	or	other	condition/situation	that may hinder	safe flight.

b) Designated VO will	only	perform	the	task	of	observer,	and	has	no	direct

control	of	any sUAS functions	while	assigned	the	role	of VO.8 c) A VO may also	control	equipment	connected	to	the sUAV i.e.	cameras,

gimbals	etc.	when	an	additional	designated VO is	utilized.

d) VO is	to comply	with FAA recommended guidelines.

e) VO will	be	trained	to	communicate	with PIC.



## Scheduling

a) When required/necessary, PIC is responsible to schedule any flights

with	nearest air traffic control tower.

b) PIC are responsible for submitting any flight documents the FAA requires

before flights within their given time frame.

c) As a redundancy, PIC are to also contact air traffic control even if prior

permission was granted to ensure NAS safety and awareness.



## Safety

Our	National	Airspace	System	(NAS)	is	the	safest	in	the	world. RoboSkies ’	goal	is

to	continually	improve	safety	standards	within	the	company	to	maintain	the

safety	of	the NAS.

Safety Manual

a) PIC must meet current FAA standards for a sUAS operator

b) VO will always be	used.

c) Before flight PIC and VO must walk the grounds in which sUAS operations

will	proceed,	and	establish	an	area	for	the GCS.

d) PIC must always use checklist listed in Protocols and Controls.

e) Any persons involved in sUAS operations will will do so in a safe and

responsible manner that complies with FAA standards.

f) sUAS are equipped with ceiling functions so sUAS don't go higher/farther

then programed, these are only to be changed by an administrator.

g) All sUAS are	equipped	with	GPS	and RTH functionality	should	LOL occur.

h) sUAS operations will be conducted by VLOS, utilizing a VO for safety, during

daylight	hours	in	VMC	under	VFR.	The sUAS will	not	be	operated	less	than

500	feet below, or	less	than	2000	feet	horizontally	from	a	cloud	or	when

visibility	is	less	than	3	statute	miles	from	the PIC.9 

## Training

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.

a) Any PIC involved in sUAS operations must complete the manufacturer’s

recommended	training	standards	for	that	particular unit.

b) Any PIC or VO for sUAS operations must have completed any FAA training

required	to hold	the	position.

c) In addition PIC and VO must be trained in operational procedures

outlined	in	this document.

d) PIC	must have 10	logged	flight	hours	for	each	airframe used.



## Flight Operations

Guidelines set in place in which any sUAS operator working with RoboSkies must

abide by to ensure safe, responsible flight. All flights are	subjected to follow

these guidelines.



### • Visual	line

- of

- sight	(VLOS)	only;	the	unmanned	aircraft	must	remain

within	VLOS	of	the	operator	or	visual observer.



### • At all times the sUAS must remain close enough to the operator for

the operator to be capable of seeing the aircraft with vision unaided

by any	device other than corrective lenses.



### • sUAS may not operate over any nonparticipating persons.



### • Daylight

- only	operations	(official	sunrise	to official	sunset,	local time).



### • The sUAS must	be	operated	at	an	altitude	of	no	more	than 4 00	feet

above ground level (AGL).



### • The sUAS must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation

operations	and	activities	at	all times.



### • First

- person view camera cannot satisfy “see

- and

- avoid” requirement

but can be used as long as requirement is satisfied in other ways.



### • Maximum	airspeed	of	50	mph	(44 knots).



### • Minimum	weather	visibility	of	3	miles	from	ground	control	station (GCS).



### • No person may act as an operator or VO for more than one

unmanned aircraft	operation	at	one time.



### • The sUAS may not	be	operated by the	PIC	from	any	moving	device or

vehicle.



### • No careless or reckless operations.10 

## Emergency/ Accident

a) In	the	event	of	an	accident	PIC	and	there	is	injury	call 911.

b) All crashes must be reported immediately.

c) Any sUAS incidents,	accidents	or	flight	operations	that	transgresses	the

lateral	or	vertical	boundaries	of	the	operational	area	as	defined by the

applicable COA shall	be	reported	to	the FAA’s UAS Integration Office

(AFS

- 80)	within	24	hours.	Accidents	shall	be	reported	to	the National

Transportation	Safety	Board	(NTSB)	per	instructions	contained	on	the NTSB

Web site: www.ntsb.gov

.



## Protocols	and Controls

Safety for public on the ground as well as manned aircraft above is an essential

and	utmost	consideration	for	aerial	videos	and photography. As	such,	safety

protocols	and	controls	must	be	implemented	through	pre

- flight	preparation

and	during flight.

Pre

- Flight Protocol:



### • Check batteries to insure fully charged and ready for use.



### • Inspect batteries for damage or leakage that may affect proper operation.



### • Inspect propellers for cracks, chips or damage that may cause sudden

loss of propulsion or unmanageable/uncontrolled flight.



### • Check weather forecasts for wind advisory or other conditions that

my impact flight.



### • Consult	five	(5)	mile	radius	map	for	airport vicinity.



### - If necessary, contact respective airport to advise of estimated flight

time, estimated flight duration, estimated elevation of flight, and any

other pertinent information.



### • Inspect flight area for



### - vicinity of public safety helipads/heliports



### - vicinity of medical helipads/heliports



### - vicinity	of	light poles



### - vicinity or utility wires



### - vicinity	of trees



### - flocks of birds that may cause interference and potential flight impact11 

### - vicinity of any elevated obstructions that may pose potential

flight hazard



### - vicinity of roadways with moderate to heavy traffic which could

be distracted



### - public	gatherings	that may attract viewers



### - optimal point for GCS for best VLOS of sUAS while in flight



### • Takeoff and landing



### - inspect area for best and safest point for takeoff and landing



### - if	in	an	area	that	is	within	150	feet	of	nonparticipating	people,	post

warning	sign(s)/stand(s) “Attention!	Remotely	Piloted	Aircraft Operating.

Aircraft May Be OVERHEAD.	For Your Safety	Please	Locate	& Remain	Back	150 Feet”

Flight Protocol:



### • Takeoff and	land	from	same location.



### • Remain alert to birds, sounds of aircraft, curious public, and

approaching vehicles.



### • Do not allow anyone to engage in conversation or distract the PIC.



### • Restrict flight to minimal elevation sufficient to acquire desired results.



### • Remain prepared for emergency landing at all times.



### • Pay attention to flight time and battery levels.



### • Land sUAS and shut down propulsion immediately following landing.

Post flight:



### • Disconnect battery to prevent accidental activation of propulsion system.



### • Secure sUAS in a safe location.



### • Remove	all	warning	signs	from	public	access areas.

Emergency or Suspected Hazard:



### • Immediately land sUAS at safest and closet ground location in the event



### - manned aircraft is heard or seen in vicinity of flight



### - there is a public gathering within established safety boundary

wanting to observe flight



### - pilot is being distracted from focusing on flight and safety



### - sudden	change	in	weather	(wind bursts)



### - birds enter into proximity of flight



### - any sudden unsafe event that can cause collision, distraction

or interruption	of control12 Flight Log

- Flight Safety

Safety for public on the ground as well as manned aircraft above is an essential and an utmost consideration for

aerial	videograph y, photography ,	and	data	collection

.

Maintaining a record of safe flight for FAA request and for determining future sUAS safety protocols is imperative.

Date: Location: Initials:

Pre

- flight Inspection: Yes No Comment:

Elements (circle) (circle) Comment

Weather Good Fair

Visibility Good Fair

Wind Speed Low Medium

Nearest Major Intersection:

Approx. Takeoff Time

Approx.	Landing Time

Estimated Elevation

Safety	Concerns:

Additional	Comments:

Unedited	flight	video/photos available for FAA upon	written request within	180 days of flight: Yes No Proximity to airport:

Airport Notified: Yes No Date: Time:

Phone Number: Contact Name: