PILOT OPERATIONS MANUAL – READ BEFORE FLIGHT

 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.

 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. 

 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. 

 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. 

 The operating documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request.

 The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a 

condition for safe operation. 

 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. 

 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. 

 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. 

 PIC qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 

61.51(b)

 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)

 The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) unless a 

letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a 

COA issued to the exemption holder. 
 The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies. 

 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 5 minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the 

manufacturer if greater. 

 The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all 

times. 

 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. 

 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. 

This excludes over-water operations.

 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. 

 For flights involving non-participants, The operator must have a motion picture and television 

operations manual (MPTOM) as documented in this grant of exemption. 

 At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this exemption must 

submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) with 

jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The plan of activities must include at least the 

following: a. Dates and times for all flights; b. Name and phone number of the operator for the 

UAS aerial filming conducted under this grant of exemption; c. Name and phone number of the 

person responsible for the on-scene operation of the UAS; d. Make, model, and serial or 

N−Number of UAS to be used; e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial 

filming; f. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners and/or 

local officials to conduct the filming production event; the list of those who gave permission 

must be made available to the inspector upon request; g. Signature of exemption holder or 

representative; and h. A description of the flight activity, including maps or diagrams of any 

area, city, town, county, and/or state over which filming will be conducted and the altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation. 

 Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons consenting 

to be involved and necessary for filming productions, as specified in the MPTOM. 
Pre Flight Checklist

 Safety and field kit available.

 Site survey completed.

 All necessary operational documents, including MPTOM (if necessary) are available.

 25 foot diameter TO/LA area markings installed.

 Observer briefed and ready.

 Propellers properly installed.

 SD card properly installed.

 Check flight battery status

 Install flight battery

 Camera lens check.

 Gimbal lock removed.

 Antennas for transmitter fixed and deployed as needed.

 Transmitter s1 and s2 verified up, camera tilt controlled zeroed.

 Power on transmitter

 Power on range extender (if equipped)

 Power on sUAS

 Establish telemetry

 GPS lock verified

 Check area clear, observer is ready for flight and declare engine start

 If other sUAS are operating, flight is prohibited without briefing of other operator(s).

 Engine start, check telemetry is normal.

 Lift off to 10 feet and verify control responsiveness, check telemetry is normal
In-flight Incident Checklists (this document must be available during flight)

Unexpected control response

 Check GPS lock via telemetry.

 S1 switch to ATTI mode (mid position).

 S2 switch check full up.

 Return to landing zone immediately.

 If control loss, follow LOC checklist.

Loss of Control

 In the event of suspected or confirmed LOS, execute RTH (return to home), S1 switch 

full down.

 If the drone remains out of control, and it is practicable and deemed safer than 

continued uncontrolled flight, execute CSC (shut down command).

 If no response, power down controller.

 No further flights until maintenance is performed and sUAS is deemed safe for 

operations.

Loss of telemetry or Line of Sight observation

 Return to landing zone immediately in the event of telemetry loss.

 Once landed, attempt to re-establish telemetry.

 If sUAS is not visibly observable, execute RTH (return to home) S1 switch full down. 

Injury or Property Damage

 In the event of injury, instruct observer to call 911 if necessary

 Attempt to provide aid to the injured, offer use of safety kit.

 Attempt to get information for any injured party.

 Contact insurance provider.

 File necessary reports.

 In the event of property damage, inspect and photograph damage.

 Give contact information to property owner/authority.

 Contact insurance provider.

 File necessary reports.
Landing and post-flight checklist

 Check landing area clear.

 Land within 25 foot exclusion zone.

 Once stable on the ground, perform CSC to shut down engines.

 Shut down sUAS power.

 Shut down transmitter power.

 Shut down RE power.

 Install gimbal lock.

 Remove flight battery.

 Remove SD card.

 Remove propellers.

 Dismantle antennas as necessary.

 Place sUAS in storage.

 Clear TO/LA area and markings.

 Record flight in Log book.