Operations 

Manual

Version 1.0 

July 01, 2015

Aerial NET Inc
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Manual

Copyright Aerial NET Inc 1

1 Mission Planning

1.1 Initial Customer Meeting

All missions start with initial conversations with customers at the requesting 

mission location. A full briefing of the customer on vehicle performance, 

specifications and flight capabilities will be done. A detailed conversation with 

the customer on the excepted data to be gathered during a mission, and the 

flight requirements needed.

All clients will be made aware of the flight limitations imposed on UAS 

operations and any requests that do not comply with current FAA regulations 

will not be executed. 

1.2 Site Survey

The proposed operation site will be located on a current FAA Sectional airspace 

map. Operations within controlled airspace will be cleared with the respective 

management authority prior to operations. 

An Aerial NET certified Pilot in Charge will be responsible for doing a detailed 

pre-mission site survey. The site survey will include an on-site walkthrough of 

the entire operational area. 

1.2.1 Potential Flight Hazards

During the walkthrough potential flight hazards ( trees, light poles, power 

poles, ...) will be noted. 

1.2.2 Ground Control Location

Based on the mission requirements, a location for the Ground Control Station 

and PIC to operate from during the mission will be selected. This location must 

have at least 10 sq feet of open space for UAS takeoff and landing, as well as 

clear site lines to as much of the operational zone as possible. 
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1.2.3 VO Requirements 

If the mission requirements or the site layout will require the UAS to ever leave 

the direct site of the PIC, a trained spotter will be required for in the mission. 

The location of the spotter will be determined and all site lines will be 

confirmed. Given the amount of communication required between a PIC and a 

VO, no more than 1 spotter can be used during any mission. In the event that 

site conditions would require multiple spotters, multiple Home locations and 

mission plans will be developed where the PIC and the VO will move between 

missions. 

1.3 Mission Planning

Using the most up to date imagery available, a certified PIC will develop a 

proposed flight plan for the operation. While every flight will be different the 

following general guidelines must be followed.

The UAS must stay within the direct line of site of the PIC as much as possible. 

Design of the flight plan must take this into account, and all other 

considerations will be placed second to this. In the event of a flight with a 

spotter, the UAS must spend a minimal amount of time out of site of the PPIC 

and the VO must have clear line of site during all times when the UAS is under 

its supervision. 

All flight operations must take place over the customer’s property. If a flight 

requires flying over property belonging to someone not the client, the property 

owner must be notified and permission to perform operations over their 

property must be obtained in writing. All effort will be made to minimize 

operations over non-client property.

All potential flight hazards identified in the site survey must be noted and 

addressed in the flight plan. A minimum straight line distance of at least 20 feet 

must be maintained from any obstacles. 

Flight plans will be designed to be as short as possible, while still following the 

above guidelines. 
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1.4 Final Customer Briefing

After the Site Survey and Mission Plan are developed, a meeting with the 

customer will be held. During this meeting the Mission Plan will be gone 

through in detail and any feedback regarding safety and operational outcomes 

will be taken. The customer must approve of the Mission Plan in writing prior 

to any UAS operations. 

If operations are planned to occur at a location with non Aerial NET employees, 

the customer must appoint an on-site safety contact. This contact must be 

present at the site during all Aerial NET flight operations, and is responsible for 

communicating Aerial NET safety procedures to all personnel present.
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2 Mission Operations

Following customer approval, missions will be carried out at the scheduled 

time, assuming safe flight conditions prevail. The following procedures for 

mission operations must be adhered to at all times. 

Aerial NET Flight operations are typically separated into seven phases ; Site 

Pre-Flight, UAS Pre-Flight, Control Systems Check, Before Take Off, In-Flight 

Operations, Landing, and Post-Flight Operations.

2.1 Site Pre-Flight:

Check local weather forecast for the operation site. Ensure weather is within 

operational parameters for the UAS being flown.

Confirm with customer safety officer that the minimal amount of personnel is

present within the operational zone.

Verify that all personnel within the operational zone are aware of UAS 

operations, and have the appropriate training and gear. 

Confirm that no new flight hazards have appeared since the site survey and the 

Mission Plan is still the safest possible plan.

If applicable, set the VO up and establish voice communications.

2.2 UAS Pre-Flight:

Before the first flight of the day, verify all transmitter, on-board aircraft, and 

camera batteries are fully charged.

Check all control surfaces for signs of damage, loose hinges, and overall 

condition.

Check the control linkages are secured and the condition of the control horns 

and brackets.
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Check the wing to make sure it is in good structural condition and properly 

secured and aligned to the airframe.

Check the motor/engine and mounting system to make sure it is firmly attached 

to the airframe.

Check the propeller or rotor blades for chips, cracks, looseness and any 

deformation.

Check the landing gear for damage, for secure attachment, and if applicable, the 

wheels are in good shape and rotate freely.

Check that the servos are firmly attached to the airframe and all receiver 

connections are secure.

Check all electrical connections making sure they are plugged in and secured to 

the airframe.

Check that any onboard sensors, and mounting systems are secure and 

operational.

Perform an overall visual check of the aircraft prior to arming any power 

systems.

Repair or replace any part found to be un-airworthy in the pre-flight prior to 

take-off.

Fill fuel tank if applicable.
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2.3 Control Systems Check:

Make every effort to assure that no one in the area is using your radio’s 

frequency before turning on your transmitter.

Make sure that all of your body parts, clothing, other obstructions, and 

bystanders are well away from any propeller or rotor and its arc before turning 

power on to any systems. Make sure the aircraft is secure and will not move if 

the motor was suddenly powered up.

Announce out loud – “CLEAR PROP”.

Start the Ground Control software and ensure proper loading.

Turn on the transmitter. If it displays information such as aircraft memory and 

battery voltage, be sure these numbers are correct.

Make sure that the throttle stick on the transmitter is in the power off position.

Connect the battery and/or turn on the power switch to the aircraft.

Follow the recommended range test procedures as outlined in your radio 

transmitter/receiver owner’s manual.

Check for proper operation of control surfaces.

Check that all servos are steady and not chattering or making any other 

abnormal noise when in operation or idle.

Verify that any flight plans and operational instructions are properly loaded 

from the GC to the UAS. 

Check the motor/engine for proper operation. Firmly secure the aircraft and 

gradually increase the throttle to full power and back down to idle – checking 

for lack of thrust, vibration or other possible anomalies. Check that the motor 

stops completely when the throttle stick is at the off position.

Check that any sensing equipment power is on. Check to make sure the 

triggering device is working correctly.
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2.4 Before Take Off:

Confirm transmitter antenna is fully extended.

Confirm transmitter trims settings in proper position.

Confirm receiver antenna is fully extended.

Confirm GPS satellite lock.

Check that the take off area is clear of obstructions and people.

Double check weather conditions and review potential emergency landing 

areas.

If applicable, inform the VO of immanent takeoff.

Set flight timer alarm.

Announce out loud – “TAKE OFF”.

Launch aircraft.

2.5 In-Flight:

Climb to a safe altitude away from potential hazards and check control systems. 

Reset trims if necessary.

Manually fly the aircraft near the starting point of the mission plan.

Place the aircraft into the appropriate mode for mission operations.

Continually scan the flight and ground areas for potential hazards.

2.6 Landing:

Check the control systems and set the trims that if necessary, an emergency 

abort landing can be made.

Scan landing area for potential obstruction hazards and recheck weather 

conditions.

Announce out loud – “LANDING”.

Always be prepared to go around.
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Carefully land the aircraft away from obstructions and people.

2.7 Post-Flight:

Turn the power off to the aircraft and/or disconnect the batteries.

Turn off the transmitter.

Turn the power off to any sensor equipment.

Visually check aircraft for signs of damage and/or excessive wear.

Remove the unused fuel if applicable.

Secure the aircraft.
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3 Flight Logs

All Aerial NET operations must be logged in an Aerial NET provided logbook. 

Logbook entries must contain the following information, at a minimum.

Date of Operations

Pilot Name

UAS Model and Aerial NET UAS Serial Number

Ground Control Station GPS Coordinates

Aerial NET Mission Plan ID

If applicable, GPS coordinates of mission VO

Mission Start Time

Mission End Time

Any notes regarding flight including sensor package flown

In the event of an incident, a thorough log of the incident must be made. 

Recording any details regarding the environment, aircraft status and potential 

causes of the incident must be recorded. Photographs of relevant items should 

be taken as well.

4 Maintenance Logs

Every UAS operated by Aerial NET will have a log book describing the 

maintenance done. Each logbook will bear identifying marks that specify the 

UAS aircraft type as well as the Aerial NET serial number assigned to the UAS. 

Each log entry will contain at least the following infomraiton.

Date of Maintenance

Maintenance Technician Name

Reason for Maintenance (fault or scheduled)

Description of Work