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# Standard Operating Procedures: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Used for Construction Projects by

## O’Haver Contractors Page: 2 

# Contents

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Definitions .................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

General Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................. 5

Description of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) .................................................................................................................. 6

Unmanned Aircraft Pilot-in-Command (PIC) .......................................................................................................................... 7

Operation of the Unmanned Aircraft ................................................................................................................................... 8

Regulations for Operating UAS ....................................................................................................................................................... 9

Appendix A – Open Pilot Pre-Flight Checklist ........................................................................................................................ 13

Appendix B – UA Maintenance Log ......................................................................................................................................... 14

Appendix C – UA Flight Log ..................................................................................................................................................... 15

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# Executive Summary

O’Haver Contractors (OHC) operates unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for surveying, showing clients project progress, monitoring job sites, inspecting structures, construction safety and keeping the project on-track and on-budget. These operations are conducted in strict compliance with the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and all other authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Procedures are described in this SOP to safely conduct operations in a manner to minimize risk to the national air space (NAS) or to persons and property on the ground. The pre-flight procedures include but are not limited to pre-flight inspections, maintenance, and repair to ensure that the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. A risk assessment and following flight operation procedures addressing these risks is required.

The type of UAS used by OHC (DJI Phantom III Professional), and qualifications for OHC operators of UAS are described.

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# Definitions

Aircraft: any contrivance invented, used, or designed to navigate, or fly in, the air (Title 49, United States Code (49 USC) § 0102).

National Airspace System (NAS) : the common network of U.S. airspace; air navigation facilities, equipment and services, airports or landing areas; aeronautical charts, information and services; rules, regulations and procedures, technical information, and manpower and material.

Operational Control: with respect to a flight, means the exercise of authority over initiating, conducting or terminating a flight (14 CFR § 1.1).

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).

Unmanned aircraft (UA): any aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft (P.L. 112-95, Section 331).

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. 12-95, Section 331).

UAS Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) : an authorization issued by the Air Traffic Organization to an operator for a Specific unmanned aircraft activity.

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): unaided (corrective lenses and/or sunglasses excepted) visual contact between a pilot in command and an unmanned aircraft sufficient to maintain safe operational control of the aircraft , know its location, and be able to scan the airspace in which it is operating to see and avoid other air traffic and objects aloft or on the ground.

Visual Observer (VO): A trained person who assists the unmanned aircraft pilot in the duties associated with collision avoidance. This includes, but is not limited to, avoidance of other traffic, clouds, obstructions and terrain.

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# General Requirements

1. The safety of individuals on the ground and any other aircraft in the NAS is the primary objective and first concern of
any OHC UAS flight operation.

2. This document, the UAS user’s manual and regulatory exemptions will be in the possession of the Pilot-in-Command
(PIC) during UAS operations.

3. This document will be reviewed by the Principal of OHC annually and whenever the UAS manufacturer or FAA issues

applicable new information.

4. Based on the reviews above, this document will be revised by the Principal of OHC accordingly

. 5. Any changes to this document, the UAS user’s manual or applicable regulatory requirements will be communicated
immediately to OHC PIC.

6. OHC will hold a monthly safety meeting organized by the Principal. Attendance is mandatory for all OHC PIC.

7. UAS flight operations will be conducted in accordance with all federal, state and local regulations; applicable industry

standards and the UAS manufacturer’s recommendations.

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# Description of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

OHC will use the DJI Phantom III Professional UAS (Phantom). The Phantom users’ manual contains a description of all design and operational characteristics for the Phantom.

OHC will operate the Phantom according to recommendations in the most recent Phantom manual. This includes proce

dures for pre-flight inspections, maintenance, and repair, to ensure that the UAS is in a condition for safe flight.

Figure 1: DJI Phantom III Professional

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# Unmanned Aircraft Pilot-in-Command (PIC)

The following qualification requirements must be met for any OHC PIC operating a UAS:

1. Possession of a pilot certificate.

2. Training and practical experience consisting of:

a. a DJI New Pilot training course or the equivalent and 20 hou rs of documented safe flight time with the
type of UAS operated by OHC,
b. 40 hours of documented safe flight time with the type of UAS operated by OHC,

or c. 80 hours of documented safe flight time with a UAS other than the type of UAS operated by OHC and
20 hours documented safe flight time with the type of UAS operated by OHC.1

3. Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local regulations ; this document, industry standards and the UAS manufacturer’s recommendations.

4. Possession of a valid third-class airman medical certificate.

Whenever the OHC PIC does not have a Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) to the UAS, a visual observer (VO) will be used. The VO will have a direct means of verbal communication with the PIC and will provide relative flight safety information to the PIC. Before flight, the PIC will instruct the VO on where to be positioned safely and what to look for

. The following qualification requirements must be met for any VO before assisting an OHC PIC to maintain VLOS:

1. Knowledge of potential general hazards to individuals on the ground and the NAS from the planned UAS operations.

2. Familiarity with the site-specific hazards to individuals on the ground and the NAS from the planned UAS operations.

3. At least 4 hours observing UAS operations.2

4. Possession of a government issued driver’s license and use of corrective vision if required by the license.

5. Must not be disqualified for possessing explosives by any of the prohibitions listed in the Federal Explosives

Law.3

1 

## The PIC must demonstrate the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours must be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b).

2 

## VO qualification hours must be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b).

3 

## Title 18 U.S. Code, Chapter 40 § 842(i).

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# Operation of the Unmanned Aircraft

OHC will operate UAS to provide enhanced safety and security for blasting operations using explosives in four major

phases. Use of UAS in a manner other than described below is not permitted.

1. Surveying - Drone will be used to quickly survey your job site and build maps. Instead of using human resources, heavy
machinery & expensive surveying tools, that produce complex data, the job can be done in half the time & money, with

greater accuracy.

2. Showing Clients the Progress - When clients stay away from the job site and cannot afford to come to the site again &
again & your current pictures are just not doing justice, drones can be an inventive way to keep them happy

.

3. Monitoring Job Sites - When you have to frequently shuttle between multiple job sites, or have taken up simultaneous
renovation & facelift for multiple properties; putting up a drone to monitor the progress, work, safety standards and much
more can save you a lot of energy, time & money.

4. Inspecting Structures - Instead of employing heavy software, lots of people and relying on complex readings, you can
employ a drone to get a first hand view of how solid your structures are, how aesthetically pleasing they are coming up, and
where they are moving out of the plan, all in a jiffy.

5. Better Safety Records - With your eyes & ears in the sky, all the time, you will be in a much better position to locate that
unstable pillar, precariously balanced laborer and not deep enough excavations. If, you keep up the drone – survey, gradu

ally you will build an excellent safety system and your reputation.

6. Keeping the Project On-track, On-Budget - By identifying the parts of the project that are going off-track, having the ability

to prevent any causalities, rigorously monitoring your job sites; you will be much better prepared to remove any additions

to project time and cost.

## Page: 9 OHC will operate UAS under the following conditions:

1. Operations if authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the Phantom III Professional when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are not permitted.

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL). Altitude must be reported in

feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical

certificate or U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; electronic messaging or texting is not permit

ted during flight operations. The PIC must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its operations in accordance with the condi

tions and limitations stated in this grant of exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The oper

ating documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must fol

low the procedures as outlined in its operating documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemp

tion. The FAA’s UASIntegration Office (AFS-80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating documents.

## O’Haver Contractors Page: 10 8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight characteristics, e.g. re

placement of a flight critical component, must under go a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all potential discrepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit require

ments for the aircraft and aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemp

tion. However, training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as denoted in the current FAA Airport/ Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current FAA published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

## Page: 11 17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility

is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a predetermined location within the private or controlled-access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All operations shall be conducted in ac

cordance with an ATO-issued COA. The exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (NNumber) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all times.

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, vessels, vehicles, and struc

tures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating pe rsons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of nonparticipating persons;

and b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

## O’Haver Contractors Page: 12 27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with permission from the property owner/ controller or authorized representative. Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov. If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply

.

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# Preflight Checklist

ENVIRONMENTAL:

 Check for people, animals, property in the flight vicinity

.  Notify any bystanders or nearby property owners of your intentions.

 If flying FPV, discuss flight plan with your check pilot.

 If flying in controlled airspace, notify airspace authority of your intentions.

 First Aid / Safety Kit on hand, stocked, readily accessible, and visible to anyone in the area.

HARDWARE / EQUIPMENT:

==VISUALLY INSPECT THE AIRFRAME ==

 Cracks (Especially in high stress areas like joints)

 L oose or damaged screws / fasteners / bands / straps / ties

 Loose or damaged wiring

 Loose or damaged connections (solder, plugs, etc)

 Inspect prop mounts and screws and apply slight counter pressure on arms to check for loosened construction

 For FPV, inspe ct / clean FPV and /or Gopro camera lens and insure that camera is secured

 Battery / Batteries fully charged, properly seated and secured

 Remove props and test fail safe behavior( if applicable)

 Props are smooth and free of damage / defect ( check blade, surface, and hub)

 Tighten prop adapters (careful not to over tighten which may damage prop)

 Ensure voltage alarm is connected

 Ensure arming / idle timeout is properly configured (6

- 15 seconds is generally acceptable)

 Check whether the right model is selec ted in the transmitter (if applicable)

 Check your RC transmitter shows the right range and centering for all sticks

 If desired, perform range test

PRE

- FLIGHT:

==POWER UP==

 Batteries charged and secured

 Position quad in a level , safe, location for take o ff

 For FPV, power up ground station , video receiver, goggles, etc

 If using onboard video recorder (i.e. Gopro), turn on camera

 All transmitter controls move freely in all directions

 All transmitter trims in its neutral position

 All transmitter switches in correct position (typically away)

 Transmitter throttle to zero

 Radio transmitter on

 Connect / power on battery to airframe

 Ensure led indicators and audible tones are all correct

 Timer on (if applicable)

 For FVP, check video in goggles

 Scan for nearb y people or animals

 Stand clear

- audibly, loudly announce the word “CLEAR!”

 Arm flight controller

==PRE TAKEOFF==

 Increase throttle slightly listening for any abnormalities

 Short 20

- 30 second hover at 3

- 5 feet
{Listen for any weird vibrations or anythin g that sounds loose} 

## EXHIBIT: A PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

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# Maintenance Log

UA Serial Number:

.

Date Person Type of Maintenance Performed 

## EXHIBIT: B MAINTENANCE LOG

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# UA Flight Log

UA Serial Number

.

Date PIC Signature Start of Flight

T ime End of Flight

Time Total Flight

Time Cumulative Flight Time Remarks 

## EXHIBIT: C UA FLIGHT LOG