Appendix	H Alexandra	Hoover

FLIGHT	OPERATIONS	MANUAL

CLOSED	SET	MOTION	PICTURE	&	TELIVISION	FILMING	&	PRODUCTION

(FOPM,	MPTOM)

ALL UAS	operations	will	take	place	under	the	strictest	safety	guidelines	set	forth	below	and	in	

the	FAA	Section	333	Grant

PRE-PRODUCTION

o Operator	will	complete	monthly	maintenance	on	all	aircrafts	in	rotation	

(monthly	maintenance	logs)

o Operator	will	ensure	PIC	and	VO	have	completed	the	required	number	of	UAS	

flight	hours	on	the	particular	UAS	being	used	in	the	production

o Operator	will	ensure	the	PIC	has	a	valid	sport	pilots	certificate	or	greater

o Operator	will	ensure	the	PIC	and	VO	are	both	in	mental	and	physical	

condition	to	operate	UAS	in	accordance	with	FAA	Section	333	Exemption	

rules	and	regulations.	

o PIC	will	follow	all	rules	and	regulations	set	forth	by	the FAA,	Operator,	and	

any	“set	rules”	set	forth	by	the	client	(production	company)

o PIC	or	Operator	will	complete	the	Plan	of	Activities	and	submit	to	the	local	

FSDO	(as	states	in	the	pre-flight	checklist) at	least	3	days	prior	to	any	UAS	

operations

o PIC	will	have	a	full	and	detailed	understanding	of	the	mechanics	of	the	UAS	

requested	by	the	client	and	will	be	able	to	perform	general	maintenance	and	

basic	repairs	at	the	very	least

PRODUCTION

o PIC	will	follow	the	Pre-Flight	Checklist	before	every	flight

o PIC	will	complete	a	daily	flight	log

o PIC	will	use	his/her	judgment	based	on	FAA	safety	rules	&	regulations,	

Operator	field	documents	(pre-flight	checklist,	field	safety	training),	and	

personal	good	judgment	to	make	field	decisions	on	safe	flying

o If	the	PIC	or	VO has	safety	concerns	with	specific	“shots”	or	flight	paths	

requested	by	the	Client,	PIC	will	immediately	voice	those	concerns	with	the	

safety	explanation to	the	Client and	contact	Operations.	Operations	will	stand	

behind	any	PIC	“field	call”	erring	on	the	side	of	safety

o PIC	will	follow	the	In-Flight	Safety	Checklist

o While	in	the	field	or	on	set	VO	will	answer	to	PIC

o VO	will	maintain	constant	visual	contact	with	the	UAS	whether	it	is	in	the	air	

or	on	the	ground	(fire	watch)
Appendix	H Alexandra	Hoover

o VO	will	have	constant	verbal	contact	with	the	PIC	while	PIC	is	operating	and	

will “have	eyes”	on	all	authorized	“participating	persons”	to	ensure	their	

safety.

o If	more	than	4	“participating	persons”	are	present	the	Client	will	provide	

additional	support	for	the	VO	(most	likely	Production	Assistants)	to	look	out	

for	bystanders	and	keep	people	clear	for	takeoff	and	landing	

o All	participating	and	non-participating	persons	“on	set”	will	have	attended	a	

brief	but	thorough	safety	meeting	held	by	the	PIC	where	upon,	assessing	the	

“set”	and	flight	plan,	the	PIC	will	inform	all	persons	of	where	to	go	and	what	

to	do	in	the	event	of	a	UA	emergency

o PIC	&	VO	will	work	a	standard	10-hour	day	with	1	hour	for	lunch.	If	

workdays	exceed	10	hours,	over	time	will	be	paid.	

o Work	days	will	not	exceed	12	hours	due	to	operational	safety

POST-PRODUCTION

o All	footage	will	be	offloaded	upon	completion	of	the	work	day on	to	2	drives

o Footage	will	be	either	mailed	or	personally	delivered	to	Operations	where	

backups	will	be	made	and	then	sent	to	the	Client

o Post	flight	maintenance	will	be	performed	on	the	UA,	remotes,	and	batteries