Aerial Patrol . 

InC. 

Unmanned Aerial Systems 

Operations Manual 

COPY# 1 

Issued To: 

Bakersfield, CA 

Revision 1.0 May 8, 2015 

Destroy or Discard Previous Versions 
Table of Contents 

1. Preface 

2. Philosophy & Mission Statement 

3. ,P(i~~cy a11d ov~r~il···l\):u,b,ti~ -~~f.e,t_y~ .·: .. , .. :' 

4. Definitions ·· · · " · · ' ... •"'' - ·. 

5. Administration 

5.1 Operations Manual 

5.2 KCSI Aerial Patrol Staff 

"--5.3-Facilities"·-: ,:;-,. ,,, ~· -,· .:; ·:_. '· !: ·'···· .-, r 

5.4 Scheduling ,,- - •' (" ;·, r 

6. Safety 

6.1 Safety Policy . 

6.2 Safety Operator/Observer/Supervisor 

6.3 Safety Training 

6.4- Medical Factors 

7. Training 

7.1 Objective 

7.2 Instructors 

7.3 Initial Training 

7.4 Recurrent Training 

8. · Geherai-Operating Procedures-

·8.1 Operating Procedures · 

8.2 Preflight Inspection 

8.3 Weather 

8.4 Post Flight·. · 

8.5 Checklists 

8.6 Maintenance • -·1· 

9. Emergency Procedures 

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9.1 Low Battery Capacity Warning Function 

9.2 Failsafe Function 

10. Appendix 

. · · - A. UAS Maintenance Log' 

·B. UAS Flight Log 

C. Phantom II User'Manual 

D. KCSI Operation Manual 

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KCSI Aerial Patrol 

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1. Pref~ce 

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The following procedures are intended to promote safe, efficient'aQdlawful'b'perati'on of l<CSI AeriaL 

Patrol'~~unmanned aerial system (UAS). Safety, above all else, is'tH'~'-'~'drh~'tVc~ht~tn'1i{€!ath ~nd every 

operatfqn, regardless ofthe nature ofthe mission. ' .;; r• • •• _, •• ~:-·- .;. ·.: '·(" ""< > ·c< :, .• 

2. Philosophy & Mission Statement 

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It shall be the mission ofthose personnel of KCSI Aerial Patrol who are trained inJhe use: of unmanned 

aerial systems (UAS), to use this resource to capture video and still photographyfot;our customer's 

needs. ·using these UA Systems will provide a greater level of safety for the inspection of oilfield 

equipment and construction sites to fly a UAS in a way that would otherwise .pe-volatUe to a person or 

person:s life and wellbeing. ·· . -

UAS's can be used for many missions in a safe and never before aspect use~_to,fitou,r customer's needs. 

With advances in technology the UAS is a growing industry that will further our company's growth. 

It shall be the intent of every UAS operator to make an effort to not invade a person's reasd~able 

expectations of privacy when operating the UAS. When operating the UAS, KCSI Aerial Patrol will abide 

by all FAA Regulations for flights and receive the proper authorization for operation: 

3. Privacy and overall public safety 

The UAS operator will fly in a manner that will not put any GA aircr:afitatsri~kof injuryr <;>rdea:th" ~·As a GA 

company KCSI Aerial Patrol understands that UAS's could cause a very· real hazard for low flying aircraft. 

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The UAS operator will fly in a manner that will not put bystanders on the gro'und.~t r,isk. Operator will 

not fly directly over any person(s) that are not directly involved with the mission at hand. 

The UAS operator will fly in a manner that will not invade privacy of any individual or husiness. KCSI 

Aerial Patrol will work and cooperate with any law enforcement to ensure that this is being followed. 

In addition all KCSI UAS's will have N-Numbers to be identified by. 

4. Definitions 

COA (Certificate of Authorization): is an authorization issued by the Air Traffic Organization to a 

public operator for a specific UA activity. After a complete application is submitted, FAA,conducts a · 

comprehensive operational and technical review. If necessary, provi~[ons Qr limitations rnay.be imposed 

as part of the approval to ensure the UA can operate safely with other airspace users. ln·most cases, FAA 

will provide a formal response within 60 days from the time a completed application is submitted. 

Pilot in Command (PIC): the person who has final authority and responsibility for the operation 

and safety of the flight; has been designated as PIC before or during the flight; and holds the appropriate 

category class and type-rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight (14 CFR § 1.1) 

KCSI Aerial Patrol '2 
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS): an unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including 

communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft, that are required for the 

pilot in command to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system (P.L. 112-95, Section 

331} 

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): unaided (corrective lenses and/or sunglasse~ ~xc~pted) visl!.aL.- .. '·:-::. ~ r, .: ... ·I ~· ~ :.; _... ••• .• 

contact between a pilot in command and an unmanned aircraft sufficient to maintain safe operational 

control of the aircraft, know .its.locatiqn,::ar;t.d 11>e able. to. sc;an.the;-9-i.rspa.ce.oio wl;!ich i~ is operating to see 

and avoid other air traffic or ~bj~cts al~ft .or on th~ grou~d . . . . . . '· .. '. . . .. 

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Operational Con~f~l,: lfi.i.it~}~s)ie:ct to a flight, m~~ns,th~ ~~!7rp!sf~f,a.~.~~rity over initiating, 

conducting or terminating a flight ('14 CFR § 1.1) · · ' · · · ··· · • · ,.,. • ', I'''}· ; {;.. 

5. Administration ··./ 

5.1 Operations Ma11ual. ·' 

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a. This manual is notintendecl 'to be all-inc;tusive, but !'iS a supplement to KCSI Aerial patrol's 

flight manual, Sp~cific UAS manufacturer fn~rilia(and 'i=AA'regulation§. . . . . ·. . . . ..."':. c~ ~-> ~- ~· , . 

b. This manual has been written to address UAS oper~tion as tney existed when it was drafted. 

Equipment, personnel, environment (internal and external), ·etc./change over ti'me. The 

management of change involves a systematic approach to monitoring organizational change and 

is a critical part of the risk management process. Given this, it is essential that the manual 

continually be updated as necessary. The entire manual will b.e revieiA(ed, at a minimum, 

annually to assure It is up to date. ·, .. ·' 

c. A copy of the manual will be issued to every person having UAS responsibilities. 

d. The Director of Operations is r~~ponsibl~-t~ i~~~;~·that only current revisions of the 

Operations ~Y,~anual are in u~e.. . ....... ·~· .. .. .. , 

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KCSI ,, Aerial Patrol 3 
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'" Pers6riner Assignmenf and-Areas of Res·ponsioility ·. ... · n'd).: ;:: ::·· ~ 1 ';. ··~· ::c~·h :,.-·_ .... -·._:1·:·~('; ~.~.i ., · · 

f;.... .President. .. . . ·j· . . .• _ 

B. biredor·otbperati6.n ' ~-

c. Chief Pilot 

D. Regional Chief Pilots 

E. Director of Maintenance 

F. Regional Maintenance Lead 

G. Director of Safety . . 

H. R~gfonal Di~€l.ct9r of ~aJe~y· 

1. Patrol Pilots/Obser-Vers 

.J, , . , Adrnini~tratioiJ Personnel . 

, .... 13.~n.dy Griff.ith, - ' ·" 'Sna'rie E:: 'Ellis· . ·· · ~fo~h VVhi.p'p, • · - Alan Storey 

Hollie Hernandez 

Dan Liming' 

Nick Mclean 

·· · • stepY1en Dawson 

As· Assigned 

Tracy Davis 

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., K. M~intenance Leads.:·: • .Aaron Hernandez 

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································~ President :lr\~ .. ~~:.:~:·:::·.;· .. ·:· .. _: .... , .: .... 

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.I , ~irector ~I ~~;;atio~s I 

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Administration Director of Chief P Director of Safety ilot 

Maintenance 

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Regional Director of 

Safety 

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.- . . .... L 1 Pilots j !Regional Chief Pilots! 

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I Observers 

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I Senior/IA Regional 

MXT MXT Leads 

Mechanics 

Technicians 

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5.3 Facilities 

a. KCSI Aerial Patrol Is located at 410 E. Planz Bak~rsfield, CA 93307 . 

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b. UAS units will be kept in a secure room in KCSI Aerial Patrol's office. 

C. All personnel are equally responsible to maintain the facility in a ne~t', ·clean and orderly 

fashion.. _ ,. . ., . 

5.4 Scheduling 

All UAS operations will be on request of client(s). Also scheduling of UAS flights will be as 

, needed for pilot training and profidel)cy. The c;:hief Pilot will be in charge of scheduling. 

6. Safety 

6.1 Safety Poii~y . ; ~ . .· . ' 

a. KCSI Aerial p·atfol is corrunitted to having a safe 'and h'e-althy workplace~ includir'lg: ·< ' r, 

1. The ongoing pursuit of an accident free workplace, including no har,m to-.people, no 

damage to equipment, the environment and property. 

·2. A culture--Df open reporting of.all safety hazari:ls·in which managem~ntwill not initiate 

disciplinary action against any personnel who, in good faith, disclose a hazard or 

safety os;currence due to unintention9l condtJ_ct .. 

3. Support for-safety-training a'nd awa~~ness progr~r;,s . 

.4. Conducting regular aw;Jits pf~afe.ty pplici~s, procedure_s and practices. 

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5. Monitoring the UAS community to ensure best safety practices are incorporated into 

the organization. 

b. All UAS operation's will be conducted using the KCSI UAS Operations Manual and KCSI Aerial 

Patrol Manual together to perform flights following company guidelines. 

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· ·t: r;t 'is.·th~ duty 'of ev~nv .. m,ernqfr,~it"hi[hth~ KCSI staff ~9 ~q~t'rlb:uteto the go~ g:tJ•oJ1~-~-Ufd safe 

·cfp'efations. Tbis contribution may come inmany form's.ati'd1 1i1dudes always operating 1n the ·. 

-safest manner practicable and never ~?king unnecessar-y r.Is~S::.. Any. safety hazard,wl:leth_er -.-.: 

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- procedural,-operatlonalor-m::~fntenan·cerelatedshoulci·'be'ideritified and correcte~:as:stion·as 

possible, pref~ra_blybefor~ !3nig,~i9~nt_<?c<;urs,, Any sugg~~tJQ~.~ in the interest qf,!?~f~-W ~hp~Jd 

~be rt:J~deto thc{Directoi<otsafety. :'- · ·- · - ·"'· \. · _· __ . -~- · ·"'· ~--r 

6.2 Safety Operat6'r/Obser~ei-/Supe..Visor 

a. In regards to safety, all UASroJ:>eratorbre responsible ·for the following: 

1. Ensuring all flight oper~tions personnel understancf'applicable regul'a'tofy r~~ulrements, 

standards and orga_niz~ti<:>IJal ~9fety policies and procedures. 

2. Observe and control' safety systems by monitoring all operations. 

3. Review standards and the practices of company personnel as they impact operational 

safety. _ 

4. Communicate all reported safety related problems and the corrective action taken. If 

there were any in-flight problems (or learned experiences), the proper procedures for 

handling that problem should be discussed. . ·i 

5. Copy and circulate pertinent safety information. 

6. Copy and circulate emergency safely bulletins. · -

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7. It is emphasized again that safety is the responsibility of all members of KCSI. : 1.:. •• : .: '.: '.. 1 1 • ' c - ' ·• • • 

6.3 Safety Training 

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All UAS pilots and observers will receive the appropriate training in UAS operations and in 

specific UAS platforms. See section 7 for additional training info. ·.~..::-

6.4 Medical Factors ,> I 

a. Operator and Observers shall only deploy the UAS when rested· and emotlonally'prepared for 

the tasks at hand. ''' f .~ 1 t~ 

b. Physical illness, exhaustion, emotional problems, etc., can seriously imp(3ir judgment, memory 

and alertness. The safest rule is not to act as an operator or observer w~~~:suffe~irig frbm any 

of the above .. Mer:nbers are e.xpected to "stand down" w:hen these .problems could reasonably ' ' . ' ·~ ' ' ~ ' l ' - . . 

be expected to affect their ability to perform flight duties. Reference Fit for Duty 

Program(Appendix D) . ,- -. 

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c. A self-as~essrnent 9f p.hy:;ical, ~onqit!o_n.s s~all be made by a) I mernbers dyring pre-flight 

activitie~. ·r--· · .. ~ ;; ..... !' • 

d. Performance can be seriously ham.pered by pr~scription a~d ~ver the c~\J~ter drugs. I :., ... •· _,- . 'j ' •.: f 

e. No Operato·r'-s shall·ad as PIC Or observer Within '10 hours 'afti:!r consumption (company 

KCSI Aerial Patrol 
Minimum) of any alcoholic beve.rage; while qnder .the .infl.uence,.cif atcohol, ;or while· having 

alcohol concentration of 0.04 (FAR 91.17) .: ~ :: ' . . . I ) .~~' ' --. 'i: • ~ ~ .. 

7. Training 

7.1 Objective, 

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The key to continued safe operations is by maintaining a professional level of competency. 

Pilots· will have a~mihimum1rr2S ,hours oUogged .UAS' time. and 5 hours iin' speCific type:and 10 

hours multi. In addition Operator acting as PIC will have had logged at least 3 takeoffs and 

landings in the proceeding 90'day.' · · · ~<·~. · ··, : _,: - '· ·. · "·' · 

7.2 Instructors 

Duties of instrocting new members shalf fall upon those who have the mostflight ti'me and 

knowledge of UAS operations with any assistance of the Chief Pilot. 

7.3 Initial Training 

a. Observers must have completed sufficient training to communicate to the PIC any instructions 

required to remain clear of conflicting traffic. This training, at a minimum, ~haiiJnclude 

knowledge of the rules and responsibilities described in 14CFR 91.ii'1;''o,O~r~tlf'ig hear other 

aircraft; 14 CFR 91.113, Right. of way rules: Except Water Operations; and 14 CFR 91.155, Basic '1.' . . ,· .• ' 

VFR weather minimums;; knowledge of air traffic and radio communications, including the use 

of approved ATC/pilot Phraseology; and knowledge of appropriate sections of the Aeronautical 

Information Manual. 

b. Operators acting as PIC must meet the minimum time and currency requirements. 

c. Operators acting as both PIC and Observer will be trained in the specific equipment they will 

be operating by the manufacturer's Operating Maril:lal ofthe~spet:ifk 'UAS and additional 

equipment. 

7.4 Recurrent Training 

All Operator's acting as PIC will maintain proficiency in their abilities, 3 takeoffs and landings in 

the proceeding 90 day and any additional training that they request. · 

8. Gene~al Operating Pr~~edures. . .• ' . --~ . 

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-s.i Operating Procedures ·,. 

In addition to KCSI's Operation manual UAS crews will familiarize themselves with the specific 

UAS ni'anufacturer's User Manual> · · ' ' ·: · - · · ;, ' I ,_. 

a. All Crews operating a UAS will follow all manufacturer and FAA guidelines to ensure safe 

o-peration of th~e uAs:· ·-· · · ~ .. · · 

b.'AIIflights to becciriducted wi.ll have a minimum of a two person crew, one acting as PIC and 

one acting as observer. 

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~ IC.A-11 flights will be~ co.nducted.with line of.sight co.ntactwith the UA5; .. ~· , · 

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d. All flights will be conducted using a fully charged battery with a flight time not to exceed 15 

minutes with a 5 minute reserve. 

e. No flight is to be conducted above 400' agl or within 500' of person(s) not-cl'ire:et:lY.-invblved 

with the operation. 

•: t~ Before a flight is conduded:cfew m·ustlrec;~ive a COA:{€ertificate of. Author.izatio.n1;. ·_ 

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g. No flight ~ill be condu'cted after sunset or before su!'1.r~:i~e::,:. ::~; 1.:: c. c ··, (·,;::, .. ,., 

h. PIC may not operate UAS at a speed greater than 30knots. . ~ . ~: 

I. Hights qmduct~d 5 miles from 9 controlled airport must rave w.rit~en c;~ut.~ori:~;ation from 

airport staff. : . . ... , 

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8.2 Preflight _tnsp.ecti'o~ 

a. Before all flights'PIC will perform a preflight inspection: Including:·· _, ~ l 

i: Overall construction of UAS ,i 

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ii. Battery Level test 

iii. Correct orientation of flight control 

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iy. Desigpated·return to.~om.Ef.Procedyre,:~ ... 

v. Check for flashing green lights to indicate UAS is operating in GPS mod'e. · 

vi. Have all appropriate weather and COA documentation. 

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8.3 Weather " ',.•' 

a. Before each flight the PIC/Observer will ensure that they have gathered. enough information 

to make themselves familiar with the weather situation existing:th;f~ugho'ut t't~e' area' of' ' . 

operation. The Crew shall utilize FAA approved weather resourc.e:; to obtainthe lat,est1and most . ,,.·. ~·· ' .... ·~ . ··' 

current weather conditions. 

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b. An anemometer should be utilized in order to bette~ estim?t-te the wind speed and_determine 

if it is within the capabilities of the UAS being flown. 

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c. The weather conditions reported for the operations shall be recanted in the fl,ight lqg. 

d. The crew shall ensurethat the flight will occur vvithin F,AA VF.~v.ve,ath~~ r.equirerY:Jel'ilts:· 

8.4 Post flight ··:·. :r. 

KCSI Aerial Patrol 
. a. After every flrght BICwill inspect for. any apparerit·damage that may hav~ occurred .,;,during 

the mission. 

b. PIC will log the flight and note if any.mainten-ance needs to: be perform eeL . . ; ~ ::.; . '.: 

a. Operators shall utilize the checklists to ensure the highest level of safety for deployment. 

b. Prior to flight, the flight log shall be initiated. 

8.6 Maintenance 

a. Although there are few parts on the UAS that need servicing, it is necessary that the 

manufacture's maintenance schedule is followed and properly documented. 

b. Any issues that arise during maintenance that cannot be resolved by routine methods shall be 

forwarded to the manufacturer for further technical support. 

9. Emergency Procedures 

9.1 Low battery Capacity Warning Function 

a. The low battery capacity warning alerts users when the battery is close to depletion during 

flight. When it appears, users should promptly fly back and land to avoid accidental damage. 

The Phantom 2 has two levels of low battery capacity warning. The first appears when the 

battery has less than 30% and the second appears when it has less than 15% power. 

i. When battery power drops below 30% an LED indicator will blink red slowly. 

ii. At lower than 15% the LED indicator will blink red rapidly, the Phantom 2 will also begin to 

descend and land automatically. After it has landed, keep the throttle stick at its lowest point. 

iii. There is a hidden third low battery threshold in addition to the 1st and 2nd level warnings. 

This uses 10.65V as its threshold. Both this voltage threshold and the 2nd level battery warning 

will trigger auto-landing. 

9.2 Failsafe Function 

a. UAS will enter Failsafe mode when the connection from the remote controller is lost. The 

flight control system will automatically control the aircraft to return to home and land to reduce 

injuries or damage. The following situations would make the aircraft fail to receive a signal from 

the remote controller and enter failsafe mode: 

i. The remote controller is powered off. 

ii. The remote controller is powered on but the 51 is toggled in the position triggering the 

Failsafe (this must have been configured in the Phantom 2 Assistant). 

KCSI Aerial Patrol 9 
· dii. l:h.e aircraft ha$ flown,dut pt the:efte{ltivE;! ;commuhk:ati:en range:ofthe. remote controller . 

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iv. There is an obstacle obstructing the signal between the remote controller and the aircraft, 

essentially reducing the distance the,sjgnakan.traveL, ' · .. , •... ; ·~:· , , .. 

v. There is interference causing a signal problem with the remote controller:~:·:·'." .~ ·: .. 

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Appendix A 

UAS Maintenance Log 

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Date Pilot Weather 

Appendix B 

UAS Flight Log 

Flight Time Landings Comments 

KCSI Aerial Patrol