O’Haver Contractors Unmanned Aircraft Standard Operating Procedures 12.22.2015

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Standard Operating Procedures: 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

Used for Construction Projects 

by
O’Haver Contractors Unmanned Aircraft Standard Operating Procedures 12.22.2015

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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 procedures 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 hours 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, gradually 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.
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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 permitted 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 conditions and limitations stated in this grant of exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 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 follow 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 exemption. The FAA’s UASIntegration Office (AFS-80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the 

operating documents.
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8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight characteristics, e.g. replacement 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 requirements 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 exemption. 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.
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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 accordance 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 structures 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 persons 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. 
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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)

 Loose 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, inspect / 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 selected 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 off

 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 nearby 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 anything 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 

Time 

End of Flight 

Time

Total Flight 

Time 

Cumulative 

Flight Time Remarks

EXHIBIT: C UA FLIGHT LOG