Drone	Finder,	LLC - Unmanned	Aircraft	Systems	Operations	Manual

Drone	Finder,	LLC,	9454	N	Adrian	Place,	Kansas	City,	MO,	64154 1

Drone	Finder,	LLC

Small	Unmanned	Aircraft	Systems

Operations	Manual

January	2016
Drone	Finder,	LLC - Unmanned	Aircraft	Systems	Operations	Manual

Drone	Finder,	LLC,	9454	N	Adrian	Place,	Kansas	City,	MO,	64154 2

TABLE	OF	CONTENTS

1.	PREFACE .................................................................................................................. 1

2.	PHILOSOPHY	&	MISSION	STATEMENT...................................................................... 1

3.	PROTECTION	OF	RIGHTS	AND	PRIVACY.................................................................... 1

4.	DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................ 2

5.	ADMINISTRATION.................................................................................................... 2

5.1 OPERATIONS	MANUAL ..................................................................................................... 2

5.2 ORGANIZATION .............................................................................................................. 2

5.3 PERSONNEL ................................................................................................................... 3

5.4 FACILITIES ..................................................................................................................... 4

5.5 SCHEDULING.................................................................................................................. 4

5.6 MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................................................. 4

6.	SAFETY .................................................................................................................... 4

6.1 SAFETY	POLICY ............................................................................................................... 4

6.2 OPERATIONAL	HAZARD	AND	OCCURRENCE	REPORT (OHOR) AND	INVESTIGATION........................... 5

6.3 SAFETY	OFFICER	– OPERATOR/OBSERVER/COORDINATOR ........................................................ 6

6.4 SAFETY	TRAINING............................................................................................................ 6

6.5 MEDICAL	FACTORS .......................................................................................................... 6

7.	TRAINING ................................................................................................................ 7

7.1 OBJECTIVE..................................................................................................................... 7

7.2 INSTRUCTORS ................................................................................................................ 7

7.3 TRAINING	PLANS............................................................................................................. 7

7.4 INITIAL	TRAINING............................................................................................................ 7

7.5 RECURRENT	TRAINING...................................................................................................... 8

7.6 MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................................................. 8

8.	GENERAL	OPERATING	PROCEDURES ........................................................................ 8

8.1 REQUEST	FOR	UAS	SUPPORT.............................................................................................. 8

8.2 CALL-OUT	PROCEDURE ..................................................................................................... 8

8.3 DEPLOYMENT	PRIORITIES ................................................................................................ 10

8.4 FLIGHT	BOUNDARIES...................................................................................................... 10

8.5 MINIMUM	PERSONNEL	REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................. 10

8.6 PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES	FOR DEPLOYMENTS ................................................................ 10

8.7 PERSONAL	EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................. 11

9. PRE-FLIGHT/POST-FLIGHT	ACTIONS ....................................................................... 11

9.1 INSPECTIONS ............................................................................................................... 11

9.2 WEATHER ................................................................................................................... 12

9.3 DOCUMENTATION	........................................................................................................ 12

9.4 PLANNING................................................................................................................... 12
Drone	Finder,	LLC - Unmanned	Aircraft	Systems	Operations	Manual

Drone	Finder,	LLC,	9454	N	Adrian	Place,	Kansas	City,	MO,	64154 3

9.5 CHECKLISTS ................................................................................................................. 13

9.6 MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................. 13

9.7 OTHER........................................................................................................................ 13
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1.	Preface

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

of	the	DRONE	FINDER,	LLC unmanned	aerial	system	(UAS).	Safety,	above	all	else,	is	the	

primary	concern	in	each	and	every	operation,	regardless	of	the	nature	of	the	mission.

2.	Philosophy	&	Mission	Statement

It	shall	be	the	mission	of	those	personnel	of	DRONE	FINDER,	LLC	who	are	trained	in	the	

use	 of	 unmanned	 aircraft	 systems	 (UAS),	 to	 use	 this	 resource	 to aerial	 photography,	

videography,	and	data	collection	for	real	estate, construction,	and	marketing	purposes.

It	shall	be	 the	intent	of	every	UAS	operator	 to	make	 reasonable	effort	 to	not	invade	a	

person's	 reasonable	 expectation	 of	 privacy	 when	 operating	 the	 UAS.	When	 operating	

the	 UAS,	 DRONE	 FINDER,	 LLC	 operators abide	 by	 all	 FAA	 Regulations	 for	 flight	 and	

receive	the	proper	authorization	for	flight.	

3.	Protection	of	Rights	and	Privacy

UAS	operators	and	observers	ensure the	protection	of	private	individuals’ civil	rights	and	

reasonable	 expectations	 of	 privacy	 before	 deploying the	 UAS.	 UAS	 operators	 and	

observers	 ensure	 and	 are held	 accountable	 for	 ensuring	 that	 operations	 of	 the	 UAS	

intrude	to	a	minimal extent	upon	the	private	persons	and	businesses. To	accomplish	this	

primary	goal,	DRONE	FINDER,	LLC	observes	the	following:

1. When	the	UAS	is	flown, the	onboard	cameras	are turned	so	as	to	be	facing	away	

from	 occupied	 structures,	 etc. to	minimize	 inadvertent	 video	 or	 still	 images	 of	

uninvolved	persons or	property.

2. DRONE	FINDER,	LLC	does not	conduct	random	surveillance	activities.	The	use	of	

the	UAS	is tightly	controlled	and	regulated.

3. All authorized	missions	for	DRONE	FINDER,	LLC	UAS	are for:

a. Aerial	 photography,	 videography,	 and	 data	 collection	 for	 real	 estate,	

construction,	and	marketing	purposes

4. A	 committee	 is formed	 and	 meets semi-annually	 for	 the	 purpose	 of	 reviewing	

the existing	UAS	procedures	as	well	new	technologies,	laws, and	regulations	on	

UAS	usage.	The	committee	consists of	personnel	 from	DRONE	FINDER,	LLC	and	

business	partners	and	advisors.

5. DRONE	 FINDER,	 LLC	 UAS	 operate	strictly	 within	 the	 law	 and	 regulations.	 If	 in	

doubt,	 prior	 to	 operating	 the	 UAS	 we	 ensure	 that	 the	 proper	 forms	 and	

applications are	 applied	 for	 and	 obtained.	 We	 balance	 all	 operations	 with	the	

need	 to	 accomplish	 the	 mission	 while	 maintaining	 public	 privacy	 and	 the	

freedom	from	intrusion.
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4.	Definitions

1. Aircraft:	any	 contrivance	 invented,	 used,	 or	 designed	 to	 navigate,	 or	 fly	 in,	 the	

air.

2. Airport:	 a	 landing	 area	 used	 regularly	 by	 aircraft	 for	 receiving	 or	 discharging	

passengers	or	cargo.

3. Civil	aircraft: an	aircraft	except	a	public	aircraft.

4. Landing	 area:	 a	 place	 on	 land	 or	 water,	 including	 an	 airport	 or	 intermediate	

landing	field,	used,	or	intended	to	be	used,	for	the	takeoff	and	landing	of	aircraft,	

even	 when	 facilities	 are	 not	 provided	 for	 sheltering,	 servicing,	 or	 repairing	

aircraft,	or	for	receiving	or	discharging	passengers	or	cargo.

5.	Administration	

5.1	Operations	Manual

1. The	 policies	 and	 procedures	 contained	 in	 this	 manual	 are	 issued	 by DRONE	

FINDER,	LLC.	As	such	it	is	an	official	business	document	of DRONE	FINDER,	LLC.

2. This	 manual	 is	 not	 intended	 to	 be	 all-inclusive,	 but	 as	 a	 supplement	 to	 other	

company guidelines,	 Federal	 Aviation	 Administration	 regulations,	 pre-flight	

safety	checklists,	aircraft	manufacturers'	approved	flight	manual,	etc.

3. This	manual	is been	written	 to	address	UAS	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 is	a	 critical	 part	 of	 the	 risk	management	

process.	 Given	 this,	 it	 is	 essential	 that	 this	 manual	 be	 continually	 updated	 as	

necessary.	 The	 entire	 manual	 must be	 reviewed,	 at	 a	 minimum,	 annually	 to	

assure	 it	 is	 up	 to	 date.	 Any	 changes	 to	 the	 manual	 will	 be	 communicated	 as	

currently	dictated	by	company policy.

4. A	copy	of	the	manual	(electronic	and/or	paper)	is	issued	to	every	person	having	

UAS	responsibilities.

5.2	Organization

1. The	UAS	unit	is comprised	of	those	personnel	approved	by DRONE	FINDER,	LLC	

and	 includes	 operators,	 observers	 and others	 deemed	 necessary and	 an	 have	

assignment	as	part	of	the	UAS	crew.

2. Assignment	 to	 the	 UAS	 crew is	 carefully	 selected	 by	DRONE	 FINDER,	 LLC	from	

specially	 trained	 staff	 members	 of	DRONE	 FINDER,	 LLC with	 knowledge	 of	 the	

airspace	 within	 which	 the	 operation	 will	 take	 place	 and	 how	 that	 airspace	 fits	

into	the	National	Airspace	System	(NAS).
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5.3	Personnel

1. The	 UAS	 flight	 coordinator	 or	 pilot-in-command	 (PIC)	 is	 responsible	 for	 the	

overall	direction	and	performance	of	 the	UAS	unit	and	exercises	command	and	

control	over	it.	

2. UAS	Coordinator	Responsibilities:

a. maintaining	all	training,	flight	and	maintenance	records	for	each	operator	

and	observer	as	well	as	individual	airframes;

b. maintain	contact	with	the FAA	and regulations	as	they	change

c. evaluate	airframes	based	on	mission	needs;

3. Operators:

a. To	be	considered	for	selection	as	an	operator,	applicants	must	meet	the	

requirements	 for	 and	 successfully	 pass	 a DRONE	 FINDER,	 LLC	

administered	UAS	Operators	Course in	order	to	be	accepted	into	the	UAS	

crew.

b. Operators	 interacting	 with	 Air	 Traffic	 Control	 (ATC)	 or	 Terminal	 Radar	

Approach	 Control	 Facilities	 (TRACON)	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	UAS	

operates.	

c. An	operator's	primary	duty	is	the	safe	and	effective	operation	of	the	UAS	

in	 accordance	 with	 the	 manufacturers'	 approved	 flight	 manual,	 FAA	

regulations	and	company policy	and	procedures.	Operators	must	remain	

knowledgeable	of	all	FAA	 regulations;	UAS	manufacturer's	 flight	manual	

and	bulletins	and	company policy	and	procedures.	

d. Operators	may	be	temporarily	removed	from	flight	status	at	any	time	by	

the UAS	 coordinator,	 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	and	expected	duration	of	such	removal.

e. The	UAS	Coordinator	shall	maintain	a	 file	 for	each	operator,	which shall	

include	 copies	 of	 training	 records,	 flight	 incidents,	 etc.	 This	 file	 is

reviewed	in	accordance	with	current	company policy	and	procedures.

4. Observers

a. Observers	 must	 have	 been	 provided	 with	 sufficient	 training	 to

communicate	clearly	to	the operator	any	turning	instructions	required	to	

stay	 clear	 of	 conflicting	 traffic and	 obstacles.	Observers	 receive	 training	

on	rules	and	responsibilities	described	in	14	CFR	91.111,	Operating	Near	

Other	 Aircraft,	 14	 CFR	 91.13,	 Right-of-Way	 Rules,	 cloud	 clearance,	 inflight	 visibility,	 and	 the	 pilot	 controller	 glossary	 including	 standard	 ATC	

phraseology	and	communication.	14	CFR	91.17,	Alcohol	or	Drugs,	applies	

to	UAS	observers.

b. An	observer's	primary	duty	is	 to	operate	 the	UAS's	equipment	including	

cameras,	 FLIR,	 radio	 communications	 with	 other	 crew	 members	 and	
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property	owners as	well	as	be	an	observer	 for	anything	 that	may	affect	

the	operator's	primary	duty	(see	and	avoid).

c. The	UAS	 Coordinator	maintains a	 file	 for	each	observer,	 which includes

copies	of	training	records,	UAS	incidents,	etc.	

5.4	Facilities

1. UAS	 operations	 are	 housed	 and	 maintained	 at	 a	 facility	 designated	 by DRONE	

FINDER,	LLC.

2. Personnel	must not	 leave	 the	 designated	 facility	 without	making	sure	 the	UAS	

equipment	is	secured.

3. All	personnel	are	equally	responsible	for	maintaining	the	facility	in	a	neat,	clean	

and	orderly	fashion.

5.5	Scheduling

1. To	facilitate	the	broad	use	of	the	UAS,	it	shall	be	made	available	to	all	UAS	flight	

crew	members.

2. To	maintain	a	level	of	proficiency	with	the	UAS,	operators	are required,	as	part	

of	 their acceptance	 into	 the	 UAS	 flight	 crew,	 to	 attend	 training	 every	 two	

months.	Training	is coordinated	 through	 the	UAS	flight	crew and	announced	in	

advance	for	scheduling	purposes.

5.6	Miscellaneous

1. Inquiries	 from	 the	 news	 media	must	 be forwarded	 to	 the DRONE	 FINDER,	 LLC	

owner,	Brandon	Presley.	Operators/Observers	shall	 follow	currently	established	

company policy	regarding	interactions	and	inquiries	from	the	media.

2. Requests	 for	 support	 from	 third-parties will	 be	 responded	 to	 by	 the UAS	

coordinator.	Should	the	request	involve	an	immediate	threat to	life,	or	property,	

the	 operator	 is	 authorized	 to	 accept	 or	 decline	 the	 request.	 Proper	 policy	 and	

procedure,	as	well	as	FAA	regulations	must be	followed	when	accepting	mutual	

aid	support	for	the	UAS.

3. Complaints	 or	inquiries	 regarding	UAS	 operations	must be	 referred	 to	 the UAS	

coordinator.

6.	Safety

6.1	Safety	Policy

1. DRONE	 FINDER,	 LLC	 is	 committed	 to	 having	 a	 safe	 and	 healthy	 workplace,	

including:

a. The	ongoing	pursuit	of	an	accident	free	workplace,	including	no	harm	to	

people,	no	damage	to	equipment,	the	environment	and	property.
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b. A	 culture	 of	 open	 reporting	 of	 all	 safety	 hazards	 in	 which	management	

will	 not	 initiate	 disciplinary	 action	 against	 any	 personnel	 who,	 in	 good	

faith,	 disclose	 a	 hazard	 or	 safety	 occurrence	 due	 to	 unintentional	

conduct.

c. Support for	safety	training	and	awareness	programs.

d. Conducting	regular	audits	of	safety	policies,	procedures	and	practices.

e. Monitoring	 the	 UAS	 community	 to	 ensure	 best	 safety	 practices	 are	

incorporated	into	the	organization.

2. It	is	 the	 duty	 of	every	member	within	the	UAS	flight	 crew to	 contribute	 to	 the	

goal	 of	 continued	 safe	 operations.	This	 contribution	 comes in	many	 forms	and	

includes	 always	 operating	 in	 the	 safest	 manner	 practicable	 and	 never	 taking	

unnecessary	 risks.	 Any	 safety	 hazard,	 whether	 procedural,	 operational, or	

maintenance	related	must be	identified	as	soon	as	possible	after,	if not	before,	

an	incident	occurs. Any	suggestions	in	 the	interest	of	safety	should	be	made	 to	

the	UAS	Coordinator.

3. If	 any	 member	 observes,	 or	 has	 knowledge of an	 unsafe	 or	 dangerous	 act	

committed	 by	 another	 member,	 the	 UAS	 coordinator is to	 be	 notified	

immediately	so	that	corrective	action	may	be	taken.

6.2	Operational	Hazard	and	Occurrence	Report	(OHOR)	and	Investigations

1. Occurrences	 are	 unplanned	 safety	 related	 events,	 including	 accidents	 and	

incidents	that	could	impact	safety.	A	hazard	is	something	that	has	the	potential	

to	cause	harm.	The	systematic	identification	and	control	of	all	major	hazards	is	

foundational	to	safety.

2. The	 OHOR	 concept	 provides	 a	 mechanism	 to	 report	 hazards	 and	 occurrences,	

real	and	perceived,	to	those	responsible	for	UAS	operations.

3. There	is	no	specific	format	for	the	OHOR	as	the	information	provided	is	what	is	

important,	not	 the	 format	and	should	be	used	without	hesitation	 to	report	any	

anticipated,	 current,	 or	 experienced	 safety	 hazard,	 or	 occurrence.	 Further,	 the	

OHOR	 can	 be	 submitted	 anonymously,	 and	 to	 whatever	 level	 in	 the	 chain	 of	

command,	to	get	the	matter	proper	attention,	without	fear	of	reprisal.

4. Written	 memorandums	 fully	 explaining	 the	 problem	 will	 be	 given	 to	 the	 UAS	

coordinator for	investigation.

5. Every	 hazard	and/or	 occurrence	is investigated,	with	 the	 results	and	 corrective	

action	taken	communicated	to	all	members.	The	investigation	will	be	conducted	

by	 the UAS	 coordinator or any	 other	 member	 of	 the	 company who	 has	 the	

technical	skill	necessary	to	do	it.	The	services	of	an	independent	subject	matter	

expert	 may	 be	 necessary	 in	 some	 cases	 to	 assure	 a	 thorough	 and	 complete	

investigation.

6. Hazards	 requiring	 immediate	 attention	 will be	 brought	 to	 the	 attention	 of	 the

UAS	coordinator,	verbally,	without	delay.
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7. ALL	MEMBERS	ARE	AUTHORIZED	TO	TAKE	ACTION	TO	CORRECT	A	HAZARD	if	in	

that	 member's	 opinion	 delay	 will	 result	 in	 accident	 or	 injury.	 The	 UAS	

coordinator will	be	notified	immediately	in	such	situations.

6.3	Safety	Officer	- Operator/Observer/Coordinator

1. In	regards	to	safety,	all	members	of	the	UAS	flight	crew are	responsible	 for	the	

following:

a. Ensuring	all	flight	operations	personnel	understand	applicable	regulatory	

requirements,	 standards	 and	 organizational	 safety	 policies	 and	

procedures.

b. Observe	and	control	safety	systems	by	monitoring	all	operations.

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

operational	safety.

d. 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.

e. Copy	and	circulate	pertinent	safety	information.

f. Copy	and	circulate	emergency	safety	bulletins.

g. Place	 any	 electronic	 copies	 of	 safety	 information	 or	 bulletins	 in	 a	

conspicuous	location	for	all	employees	to	access.

h. It	is	emphasized	again	that	safety	is	the	responsibility	of	ALL	members	of	

the	UAS	unit.

6.4	Safety	Training

1. All	members	shall	receive	training	in	the	following	subjects	prior	to	operating	the	

UAS:	

a. Company	commitment	to	safety

b. Company	policy

c. UAS	member's	role	in	safety

d. Emergency	safety	procedures

2. All	 members	 shall	 review	 the	 company safety	 policy	 and	 procedures	 on	 an	

annual	basis	and	that	review	shall	be	noted	in	their	training	history.

6.5	Medical	Factors

1. Operator	and	Observers	shall	only	deploy	the	UAS	when	rested	and	emotionally	

prepared	for	the	tasks	at	hand.

2. Physical	illness,	exhaustion,	emotional	problems,	etc.,	seriously	impair	judgment,	

memory	and	alertness. The	 safest	 rule	is	not	 to	act	as	an	operator	or	observer	

when	suffering	from	any	of	the	above.	Members	are	expected	to	"stand	down"	
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when	 these	 problems	 could	 reasonably	 be	 expected	 to affect	 their	 ability	 to	

perform flight	duties.

3. A	self-assessment	of	physical	condition	shall	be	made	by	all	members	during	preflight	activities.

4. Performance	 can	 be	 seriously	 hampered	 by	 prescription	 and	 over-the-counter	

drugs.	 The	 UAS	 Coordinator must	 be advised	 anytime	 such	 drugs	 are	 being	

taken.	 If	 it	 is	 determined	 that	 the	 medication	 being	 taken	 could	 hamper	 an	

operator	or	observer,	that	member	shall	be	prohibited	from	the	deployment	or	

exercise.

5. No	 member	 shall	 act	 as	 an	 operator	 or	 observer	 within	 eight	 hours	 after	

consumption	of	any	alcoholic	beverage,	while	under	the	influence	of	alcohol,	or	

while	having	an	alcohol	concentration	of	0.04	(FAR	91.17)

7.	Training

7.1	Objective

1. 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.

7.2	Instructors

1. If	 any	 members	 are	 FAA	 certified	 flight	 instructors,	 they	 are given	 instructor	

duties.	Such duties	can	include	developing	training	courses,	provide	training, and	

student	evaluation	and documentation.

2. Duties	 of	 instructing	 new	 members	 shall	 fall	 upon	 those	 who	 have	 the	 most	

flight	 time	 and knowledge	 of	 UAS	 operations.	 Instructors	 are designated	 by	

those	within	the	unit	and	approved	by	the	UAS	Coordinator.

7.3	Training	Plans

1. All	members	have	a	training	plan	on	file	that	outlines	training	objectives	for	the

upcoming	year.	This	training	plan	will	be	held	in	conjunction	with	the	member's	

normal training	file	per	company policy.

2. The	approved	training	plan	is developed	by the	UAS	coordinator.

3. All	 deployments	 or	 exercises	 are documented	 and	 count	 toward	 a	 member's	

training.

4. It	is	the	member's	responsibility	to verify	their	training	file	contains	all	pertinent	

information.

7.4	Initial	Training
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1. Observers	 and	 Operators must	 have	 completed	 sufficient	 training	 to	

communicate	to	the	pilot	any instructions	required	to	remain	clear	of	conflicting

traffic.	 This	 training,	 at	 a	 minimum,	shall	 include	 knowledge	 of	 the	 rules	 and	

responsibilities	 described	 in	 14	 CFR	 91.111,	 Operating	 Near	 Other	 Aircraft;	 14	

CFR	 91.113,	 Right-of-Way	 Rules:	Except	Water	Operations;	and	 14	 CFR	 91.155,	

Basic	 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.

2. In	 conjunction	 with	 fulfilling	 all	 training requirements	 for	 operator/observer	

duties,	 the	 new	 member	must also	 become	 familiar	 with	 UAS	 operations,	 the	

aircraft	and	its	equipment.

3. Any	new	member	who	 fails	 to	successfully	complete	 the	initial training	may	be	

denied	as	a	member	of	the	UAS	flight	crew.

4. Before	a	member	can	fly	as	an	operator,	they	must	complete	at	least	15	hours	of	

flight	training	with	the	UAS	instructors	to	show	proficiency	of	the	flight	training	

exercises	and	the	airframe.	This	must	be	accomplished	to	show	their	ability	and	

knowledge	of the	UAS.

7.5	Recurrent	Training

1. All	members	within the	unit	shall	maintain	proficiency	in	their	operator/observer	

abilities. Members	 who	 do	 not	 have	 any	 documented	 training	 or	 flight	 time	

within	 a	 span	 of	 90	 days	 will	 have	 to	 show	 proficiency	 before	 being	 an	

operator/observer	during	a	deployment	or	exercise.

2. Recurrent	training	is	not	limited	to	actual	operating/observer	skills	but	includes	

knowledge	of	all	pertinent	UAS/aviation	matters.

3. Failure	to	prove	proficiency	can	result	in	removal	from	UAS	responsibilities.

7.6	Miscellaneous

1. Depending	 on	 the	 nature	 of	 the	 training	 request,	 all	 efforts	 are made	 to	

accommodate	the hours	of	training	so	as	little	impact	is	made	to	staffing	levels.

2. All	 requests	 for	 training	 shall	 be	 approved	 through	 the	 member's	 chain	 of	

command	and timekeeping	during	 those	 training	hours	are marked	by	 the	UAS	

coordinator.

3. Members	are	encouraged	to	attend,	and	forward	information	on	FAA	sponsored	

safety seminars.

4. Training	shall	only	be	conducted	at	approved	locations	and	follow	the	provisions	

within	the approved	FAA	regulations.

8.	General	Operating	Procedures

8.1	Request	for	UAS	Support
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1. Requests	 for	UAS	support	shall	be	made	 through	the	UAS	coordinator who	has

the	most	current	list	of	UAS	operators	and	observers to	contact.

2. Requests	for	UAS	support	can	be	made	at	any	time	during	the	day	or	night.

3. The	 UAS	 coordinator	 will	 submit	 a	 written	 Plan	 of	 Activities	 to	 the	 local	 FAA	

FSDO	three	days	before	the	proposed	mission.

4. If	a	request	is	made	for	UAS	support	during	the	night, DRONE	FINDER,	LLC	must

contact	the local FAA	FSDO	for	approval.

8.2	Call-out	Procedure

1. The	UAS	coordinator will	screen	all	initial	requests	to	use	a	UAS.	

2. The	UAS	coordinator will	then	contact	the	PIC to	request	the	deployment	of	the	

UAS.

3. The	UAS	 Coordinator will also contact	 the	UAS	flight	 crew who	 will	 screen	 the	

request	using	the	following	factors:

a. Is	the	proposed	use	of	UAS	within	the	capabilities	of	the	UAS	equipment	

and	personnel	to	perform?

b. Does	 the	 proposed	 use	 of	 the	 UAS	 fall	 within	 the	 FAA	 and	 department	

policies	and	regulations	for	UAS	usage?

c. Can	the	UAS	be	deployed	safely	given	current	weather	conditions?

d. If	 the	UAS	 deployment	 requires	a	warrant	 has	 one	 been	 requested	and	

approved?	

e. Are	sufficient	trained	and	qualified	personnel	available	to	safely	operate	

the	UAS?

4. The	UAS	flight	crew will	either	accept	or	decline	the	request	for	UAS	support.	If	

the	request	is	denied	the	UAS	flight	crew will	provide	a	reason	for	declining	the	

support	 request	 to	 the	 UAS	 Coordinator who	 will	 provide	 the requestor	 this	

information	along	with	the	reason	 for	declining.	If	the	UAS	Coordinator accepts	

the	 support	 request	 they	 will	 contact	 a	UAS	 operator	 who	 will	 be	 provided	 all	

available	mission	information.

5. The	 UAS	 operator	 will	 contact	 a	 certified	 observer	 from	 the	 list	 of	 available	

trained	observers.	The	UAS	operator	is	responsible	for	transporting	the	UAS	and	

all	required	equipment	to	the	scene.	Upon	arriving	at	the	requested	location	the	

UAS	operator	will contact	the	requestor to check	in	and	receive	a	briefing	on	the	

mission	 requested.	 The	 UAS	 operator	 will	 make	 an	 on	 scene determination	 of	

the	 ability	 of	 the	 UAS	 to	 perform	 the	 requested	 mission	 safely	 and	 within	

company and	FAA	policies	and	procedures.

6. If	the	UAS	operator	determines	that	the	use	of	the	UAS	would	violate	company

policy	 or	 directives	 then	 the	 UAS	 operator	 will	 inform	 the	 requestor of	 the	

potential	 conflict	 along	 with	 recommendations	 for	 modifying	 the	 requested	

mission	to	conform	to	company	policies	and	procedures.	As	this	is	a	change	from	

the	original	approved	mission	the	UAS	operator	will	contact	the	UAS	coordinator

for	direction	on	how	to	proceed.	As	soon	as	possible	after	the	completion	of	the	
Drone	Finder,	LLC,	9454	N	Adrian	Place,	Kansas	City,	MO,	64154 13

mission,	the	UAS	operator	will	make	a	full	report	of	the	circumstances	and	their	

concern	through	the	UAS	coordinator.

7. UAS	 operators	will	 have	 sole	 discretion	 for	 declaring	 safety	 or	 violation	 of	FAA	

rules.	 If	 the	 UAS	 operator	 determines	 that	 a	 requested	 mission	 would	 violate	

FAA	 rules	 or	 endanger	 person	 or	 property,	 then	 the	 UAS	 operator	 will	

respectfully	inform	the	requestor of	the	reasons	for	refusing	to	operate	the	UAS	

and	contact	the UAS	coordinator immediately.	The	UAS	will	not	be	flown	in	this	

circumstance	and	the	authority	of	the	UAS	operator	is	absolute.

8. If	 the	 UAS	 operator	 determines	 that	 the	 requested	 mission	 will	 potentially	

damage	 the	UAS	 or	its	associated	equipment	 the	UAS	 operator	will	inform	 the	

requestor	of	 their	 concerns.	 The	 UAS	 operator	 will	 fully	 document	 and	 send	 a	

report	to	the	UAS	coordinator.

8.3	Deployment	Priorities

1. The	UAS	shall	not	be	used	for	the	purpose	of	random	surveillance.

2. If	 several	 separate	 requests	 for	UAS	 support	are	 received	 simultaneously,	 they	

shall	be	prioritized.

3. In	general	terms,	requests	for	UAS	support	are prioritized	as:

a. Aerial	Photography	and	Videography	for	Real	Estate

b. Aerial	Photography,	Videography,	and	Data	Collection	for	Construction

c. Aerial	Photography	and	Videography	for	Marketing	Purposes

8.4	Flight	Boundaries

1. Although	 there	 may	 be	 requests	 for	 UAS	 support	 in	 restricted	 airspace,	 FAA	

regulations for	UAS	restrict UAS	deployment	inside	restricted	airspace.

2. At	no	 time	shall	UAS	support	be	granted	inside	restricted	airspace without	 first	

obtaining	permission from	the	local	FAA	FSDO	and	approval	by	local	authorities.

3. Maximum	altitude	 shall	 not	 be	set	more	 than	 400	 feet per	 the	 FAA	 regulatory	

standards.

4. The	operator	will	obtain	 the	consent	of	all	persons	involved	in	 the	mission	and	

ensure	that	only	consenting	persons	will	be	allowed	within	100	feet	of	the	flight	

operation,	and	this	radius	may	be	reduced	to	30	feet	based	upon	an	equivalent	

level	of	safety	determination.

8.5	Minimum	Personnel	Requirements

1. Due	 to	 the	 nature	 of	 the	 mission,	 the	 minimum	 personnel	 required	 on	 ALL	

missions	 will	 be	 an	 operator	 and	 observer.	 Under	 no	 circumstances	 will	 an	

operator	attempt	to	complete	a	deployment	alone.

2. Although	training	is	not	considered	a	mission,	an	observer	shall	be	used.

8.6	Personnel	Responsibilities	for	Deployments	
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OPEN	COMMUNICATION	ACHIEVES	SAFE	OPERATIONS

1. Operator

a. The	operator	is	directly	responsible	for,	and	is	the	final	authority	over	the	

actual	operation	of	the	UAS.

b. Operators	 have	absolute	authority	 to	 reject	a	 flight	 based	 on	 personnel	

safety	or	violation	of	FAA	regulations.	No	member	of DRONE	FINDER,	LLC,	

regardless	of	status,	shall	order	an	operator	to	make	a	flight	when,	in	the	

opinion	of	 the	operator,	it	poses	a	 risk	 to	personnel	or	is	in	violation	of	

FAA	regulations.

c. Operators	 are	 responsible for	 compliance	 with	 this	 manual,	 company

policy	and	procedure	and	FAA	regulations.

d. The	operator's	main	duty	during	the	deployment	of	the	UAS	is	to	operate	

the	UAS	safely	while	accomplishing	the	goals	of	the	deployment.

e. Operators	shall	see-and-avoid	any	obstacle	that	will	lessen	safety	during	

the	mission.

f. Operators	shall	be	responsive	to	the	requests	of	the	observer	in	order	to	

accomplish	the	deployment.

g. Operators	 shall	 be	 responsible	 for	 documentation	 for	 mission	 training	

and	updating	of flight	books.

2. Observer

a. Observers	shall	see-and-avoid	any	obstacle	that	will	lessen	safety	during	

the	mission.

b. Observers	are	responsible	for	the	operational aspect	of	the	deployment.

c. Observers	 shall	 operate	 any	 attachments	 to	 the	 UAS,	 allowing	 the	

operator	to	maintain	complete	focus	on	the	operation	of	the	UAS.

d. Observers	 shall	 remain	 alert	 for	 suspicious	 persons	 or	 activities	 on	 the	

ground	and	coordinate	response	by	other	UAS	flight	crewmembers.

e. Observers	 shall	 assist	 the	 operator	 in	 the	 main	 objective	 of	 safe	

operations	of	the	UAS.

f. Observers	 shall	 be	 responsible	 for	 documentation	 for	 mission	 training	

and	updating	of	flight	books.

8.7	Personal	Equipment

1. Operators/Observers	 shall	 wear	eye	 protection	 at	 all	 times	 while	 the	UAS	 is	 in	

flight.	

2. Although	 there	 is	 no	 specific	 uniform	 for	 the	 UAS	 unit	 or	 required	 for	 proper	

operation	of	the	UAS,	the	operator/observer	should	take	necessary	measures	to	

deploy	 in	 a	 professional	 matter,	 wear	 Hi-Visible	 vests	 when	 appropriate,	 and	

take	into	consideration that	all	deployments	are	subject	to	media	requests.

3. Operators/Observers	will	take	into	consideration	the	current	weather	conditions	

when	planning	to	deploy,	and	wear	appropriate	clothing	to	deploy	comfortably.
Drone	Finder,	LLC,	9454	N	Adrian	Place,	Kansas	City,	MO,	64154 15

4. There	 are	 no	 documented	 issues	 with the	 use	 of	 the	 radio	 or	 cellular	 phones	

during	the	deployment	of	the	UAS,	but	the	operator/observer	should	at	all	times

take	into	consideration	safe	operation	of	the	UAS	when	using	a radio	or	another	

device	 (use	 of	 the	 radio	 or	 other	 device	 is	 strictly	 prohibited	 by the	 operator	

during	flight).

5. Operators/Observers	 shall	 wear	 clothing	 that	 easily	 identifies	 them	 as	 DRONE	

FINDER,	LLC	UAS	Flight	Crew	members.

9.	Pre-Flight/Post-Flight	Actions

9.l	Inspections

1. Operators/Observers	are	both	responsible	for	a	thorough	preflight	inspection	of	

the	UAS.

2. Before	and	after each	deployment	(whether	a	mission	or	training),	the	operator	

and	observer shall	conduct	a	thorough	inspection	of	the	UAS	in	accordance	with	

the	instructions	contained	in	the	manufactures	user's	manual.

3. Any	issues	found	that	will	put	in	jeopardy	the	safe	operation	of	the	UAS	shall	be	

documented	and	resolved	immediately	prior	to	flight.

4. It	 has	 been	 recognized	 that	 the	 use	 of	 a	 checklist	 is	 a	 significant	 method	 to	

combat	 UAS	 accidents.	 A	 pre-flight	 checklist	 is	 contained	 with	 each	 UAS	 Base	

Station	and	is utilized	prior	to	each	flight.

5. Any	 physical	 equipment	 that	 cannot	 be	 resolved	 on-site,	 and	 which	 have	 an	

impact	on	safety	or	the	mission,	will	override	the	deployment.	These	issues	will	

be	resolved	before	flight.

9.2	Weather

1. Before	each	deployment	the	operator/observer	will	ensure	that	he/she	gathers	

enough	 information	 to	 make	 themselves	 familiar	 with	 the	 weather	 situation	

existing	 throughout	 the	 area	 of	 deployment.	 The	 operator	 shall	 utilize	 FAA	

approved	 weather	 resources	 to	 obtain	 the	 latest	 and	 most	 current	 weather	

conditions.

2. An	anemometer	 should	 be	 utilized	 in	 order	 to	 better	estimate	 the	wind	 speed	

and	determine	if	it	is	within	the	capabilities	of	the	airframe	being	flown.

3. Operators/Observers	 should	 use	 the	 Beaufort	 Scale	 when	 making	 deployment	

decisions	in	regards	to	wind	conditions.	

4. The	weather	conditions	reported	for	the	operation	shall	be	recorded in	the	preflight	checklist.

5. The	 operator	 shall	 ensure	 that	 the	 flight	 will	 occur	 within	 FAA	 VFR weather	

requirements.

9.3	Documentation	
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1. Inspection	and	weather	will	be	documented	prior	to	flight	within	the	log	book.

2. After	each	 flight,	the	operator	will	complete	a	statement	documenting	the	UAS	

operations.

9.4	Planning

1. The	operator/observer	shall	familiarize	themselves	with	all	available	information	

concerning	the	deployment	including,	but	not	limited	to,	the	weather	conditions,	

hazards,	description	of	the	incident,	deployment	goals,	etc.

2. Operators	 will	 ensure	 that	 the	 location	 for	 take-off	 and	 emergency	 landing	 is	

adequate	for	a	safe	deployment.

a. The	take-off/landing	area should	be	clearly	marked	and	identifiable	with	

short	cones.

b. At	 least	 one	 emergency	 landing	 area	 should	 be	 identified	 per	

deployment.

3. Operators	will	ensure	that	they	are	aware	of	their	surroundings	in	the	event	that	

an	emergency	landing	is	necessary.	This	includes	the	ability	to	recover	the	UAS.

9.5	Checklists

1. Operators	 shall	 utilize	pre-flight checklists	 to	ensure	 the	 highest	level	 of	 safety	

for	deployment.

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

9.6	Maintenance

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

the	manufacturer's	maintenance	schedule	is	followed	and	properly	documented.

2. Any	 issues	 that	 arise	 during	 maintenance	 that	 cannot	 be	 resolved	 by	 routine	

methods	shall	be	forwarded	to	the	manufacturer	for	further	technical	support.

9.7	Other

1. Operators/Observers	will	ensure	that	no	items	are	attached	to	the	UAS	prior	to	

flight	that	are	not	required	for	safe	operation	and	to	complete	the	mission	goal.