UAVSA Release 1.1 July 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation

Page 1

Pilot in Command (PIC)

Operating Manual

PIC leadership rule is to assure that all Company equipment may only be operated by

approved Company employees and can only be used properly for internal or external

Company business. 

PIC must always follow the Company Code of Conduct for the deployment and operation of

the Company’s UAS and its equipment.

PIC must always follow all FAA Rules and Regulations for the safe flight and operations of

the Company’s UAS as defined below but not limited to by these basic rules;

• PIC must always operate at or under 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL).

• PIC must always maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLS) at all times during flight

operations.

• PIC must always have a Visual Safety Observer at the location of flight.

• PIC must always file a flight plan with the local FSDO if the flight will be performed at

an altitude greater than 200 ft.

• Max flight times will be no greater than 30 minutes flight time or with 25% battery power

remaining, whichever occurs first. However, sUAS with hybrid power systems may

extend the flight time in the air based on 25% of remaining fuel onboard.

• Ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to

be involved and necessary for filming or other approved application uses of UAS.

• PIC must always be sure that the UAS is prepared for flight and that the batteries and or

fuel on board is adequate to perform the intended flight and return safely under the UAS

lost signal programming.

• PIC must always check the UAS Flight Log and Pilot’s Log for discrepancies and

maintenance issues.

• PIC must always check local weather of flight operations before launching the UAS.

• PIC must always fly with visual minims under the Visual Flight Rule (VFR). 

• PIC will not fly at any time with First Person Viewing (FPV) or any form other than

subscription corrective eye ware Electronic Enhanced Visualization (EEV).
UAVSA Release 1.1 July 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation

Page 2

• PIC must ensure that Bench-Check list has been performed before aircraft arrives on-set.

• PIC must perform all Pre-Flights and Post Flight Check List.

• PIC deems weather unreasonable he/she may cancel/ postpone flight until conditions are

deemed fly worthy.

• PIC’s main and number one responsibility is to the Safety of the entire crew, location

participants, the Company UAS and equipment. 

• PIC will always log his or her flying time in their PIC Log Book example shown:

~Continued on Next Page~
UAVSA Release 1.1 July 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation

Page 3

Emergency Procedures

Additional Emergency Communication can be found in the Flight and Communications Manual

A. Review Emergency Landing Zones

1. PIC, VO and other Ground Managers Review location for Emergency Landing

Zone (ELZ) Locations in the Flight Envelop.

2. In an Emergency Situation if possible bring the UAS to the ELZ and land, if

not, land as soon as possible.

3. If Major Failures have occurred that may endanger life or property, try and maneuver

the UAS to any clear area and land immediately.

B. Loss UAS Control Signal with the PIC Base Transmitter

1. PIC Announce: “I have lost Control of the UAS”

a. Identify clear areas in case of emergency landing.

(if possible us visuals from transmitter)

Notify Crew and Participants through Radio and Bull Horn

2. PIC Announce: “Be alert of Possible Danger”

 “Observer keep eyes on UAS” 

C. Emergency Transmitter Controller Protocol (each controller may have different locations

for switches and flight attitude)

1. Flip Antenna Switch to High Power.

2. If in GPS Flip Switch to ATT Test Control

3. PIC regains control, immediately land UAS

(if there is no response)

4. Flip toggle switch from GPS to Manual

5. Flip Throttle Curve all the way to Closed Switch Position.

6. Slow movements (Try to Regain Control)

7. PIC regains control, immediately land UAS

a. Notify and Alert Crew and Participants through Radio and Bull Horn

8. PIC Announce: “I have control of the UAS”

 “Be Alert, I’m landing UAS Now”

D. Wind or Weather Change

Weather rapidly deteriorates; heavy Rain, Strong winds, poor visibility.

1. PIC Notifies and Alerts Crew and Participants through Radio and Bull Horn

2. PIC Announce: “Weather Conditions Below Minims Landing”
UAVSA Release 1.1 July 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation

Page 4

E. UAS Down Protocol

1. PIC Announce: “UAS Down” Make sure everyone is safe!

If there are any injuries call emergency services immediately 911.

a. VO- get Crash safety kit on mobile cart includes fire extinguisher and a First

Aid Kit etc.

F. Severe Danger

If the battery is damaged there may be a Chemical fire that needs to be extinguished

with water or by other means identified and prepared for during the UAS Equipment

Check List.