In order to further unmanned aircraft auto pilot technology and provide proof of concept Unmanned 

Systems Inc. (USI) would like to request a waiver to the sections of Exemption number 11287A 

Regulatory Docket number. FAA-2014-0950 which require the Pilot In Command (PIC} to maintain 

visual line of sight with the unmanned aircraft at all times. .. ··· 

Objective: Using the APM 2.6 auto pilot system to safely fly a Skywalker X-8 FPV I UAV Flying Wing from 

Sands Private Airport near Columbia Falls, Montana located at 48-15.57 N, 114-10.22 W to the Polson, 

Montana airport (K8S1) located at 47-41.7 N, 114-11.1 W, a distance of approximately 40 statute miles 

and delivering a small symbolic payload to the Polson Airport. 

USI's proposed flight path of approximately Forty (40) miles was chosen due to its sparsely population, 

with seventy (70) percent of the flight being conducted over Flathead Lake, (see fig. 1) maximum 

altitude of these flights will not exceed four hundred (400) feet Above Ground Level (AGL). USI's 

dedicated visual observer will maintain visual line of sight of the X-8 unmanned aircraft while following it 

at an altitude of five hundred (500) feet AGL and at a safe distance of 1000 feet in a Schweitzer model 

333 helicopter. In the unlikely event that manned aircraft or other hazards are encountered the onboard 

visual observer has the ability to take control of the X-8 unmanned aircraft and either maneuvering the 

UA to safely avoid the hazard or to terminate the flight. 

USI has conducted extensive testing of the APM 2.6 auto pilot over the past three years and has logged 

over 80 hours of flight time in a controlled environment. Pilots who are flying the mission hold at least a 

Private Pilot Certificate with a class two medical. Mission profile is broken down into three parts Launch, 

cross country and Recover. 

USI's proposed mission is outlined in the following manner. USI's safety helicopter is a Schweitzer model 

333, which will be staged in an area adjacent to the hanger and facing the X-8 launch area so that the X8 unmanned aircraft will remain in full view of the Pilot in Command (PIC) of the safety helicopter at all 

times. The X-8 Unmanned Aircraft will depart Sands Airport flying south away from the launch area and 

toward the first way point and on to the Polson Airport. USI's safety helicopter will depart Sands airport 

shortly after the X-8 maintaining visual line of sight with the X-8, while simultaneously maintaining the 

safe distance previously stated. 

Coordination with Vince Jennison, Polson Airport manager and local pilots will be conducted to ensure 

safety of all flights. Vince Jennison, the Airport manager for (8S1) has given his support and written 

authorization. Mr. Jennison may be contacted at (406) 883-2482 or (406) 471-6581 

Launch 

1. 12x transmitter on check voltage check correct model memory 

2. Receiver on UAV is turned on all batteries fully charged. Stand by for IMU calibration 

3. Connect to APM via 900 MHz link. 

4. Load preprogrammed mission to APM 2.6 board. 

5. Flight control check. Manual, Stab, Auto, functions crosschecked with 12X transmitter 

6. Power check function check. Launch aircraft in manual mode. 

7. Climb to pre-determined altitude 

8. Engage auto mode from Safety pilot transmitter 
9. Initiate loiter mode from laptop at a point 900 feet away over a known land mark (i.e. south 

pivot) loiter radius is 300 feet. Altitude is 400 feet AGL. 

10. GCS operator enters helicopter with laptop 

11. Safety pilot enters helicopter with transmitter 

12. Helicopter hover check eyes on UAV loiter 

13. Engage UAV on mission on a trajectory straight away to first way point. 

Mission Profile 

1. Following UAV to first waypoint to determined altitude. Following slightly above and behind at 

700-1000 feet. 

2. UAV will waypoint track to destination with a waypoint radius of 60 feet. Waypoints are at a 

distance Of 1000 feet apart. The mission routing will be over the least populated area at 400 

feet. AGL. 

3. Upon reaching the destination GCS operator will engage a loiter above a safe zone at an altitude 

of 400 feet. Loiter radius of 300 feet. 

4. Observers at the landing location will be on Unicorn frequency 122.8 to update traffic inbound 

Recovery 

1. Safety aircraft will land facing the UAV in a loiter at a distance of 1000 feet away. 

2. Safety pilot exits the helicopter 

3. GCS operator exits the helicopter 

4. Safety pilot engages manual flight mode 

5. Safety pilot lands UAV at the desired location 

Safety procedures 

The waypoint mission must be reviewed and signed off by Safety pilot and GCS Operator is to ensure all 

waypoints are correct with altitude verification. 

Should the UAV vary in heading the Safety pilot can override the autopilot "nudging" it back on course. 

Safety pilot does have the ability to fly manually on course as well. 

A boat will also be used to chase and be an observer from the ground. They will monitor 122.9 with a 

hand held transceiver. 

Should the UAV be forced to abort it will land in an open area on water or land and be retrieved by 

ground crew or chase crew immediately. 

A ground crew and additional safety observers will be stationed at the recovery location on the airport 

Monitoring 122.8 and advising incoming traffic and updating flight crew within 10 miles of the airport. 
Notes 

Ground speed of 40 mph 60 minutes at 4400 Mah. Batteries are 8000Mah 

12 miles from Sands to north shore of flathead lake. 

40 miles from Sands to Polson airport (8S1) 

Emergency procedures 

Lost link 

If lost link the aircraft will return to launch up to the half way point. Upon reaching the home location 

the aircraft will loiter at a 300-foot radius at 200 feet above ground level. It will continue to do so until 

link has been established with either the 12X transmitter or ground control station. If no link can be 

acquired, then it will run out of batteries trying to maintain the 300-foot radius at the home location. 

See and Avoid 

Since the safety aircraft will be monitoring 122.8 and 122.9 Unicorn frequencies. All efforts will be made 

to communicate with local traffic. Should there be a conflict with traffic the safety pilot can turn away 

the uav from the traffic while flying chase. 

Time Period 

USI would like to conduct the flights in a window between July pt and July 3Pt day VFR only. USI would 

like to conduct a minimum of two flights no more than ten flights during that window. 

Contact Info 

Justin Sands 

1375 Middle Road 

Columbia Falls Mt 

Email: Justin.Sands@unmannedsystemsinc.com or Sandsconcepts@gmail.com 

Phone: 406.471.3996 
Figure 1