RDASS Standard Operating Procedures 

All aircraft operations will be conducted in accordance with all applicable 

FAR, local and national laws, aircraft manuals and this Manual. Aircraft will be 

operated in an airworthy condition at all times. Aviation personnel are expected to 

utilize sound, conservative judgment in their approach to their duties. Safety is the 

primary objective of the Department.

Helicopter Flight Operations (General)

The policies and procedures in this section are supplemental to those listed 

in the General Section of this manual. 

Flight Crew Check-in and Post-Flight Period

Flight crewmembers shall check-in for flights no less than one hour and 15 

minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. An earlier check-in time may be 

designated by the PIC when, in his/her judgment, the conditions warrant additional 

time prior to departure.

The post-flight period is assumed to be 30 minutes.

Flight Planning

The PIC is responsible for flight planning and related logistics information 

(i.e. ground transportation, servicing requirements, reservations, etc.). He/She may 

assign this duty to the other pilot but retains the responsibility for the task. There 

must be no confusion as to which pilot is to do this function. Both pilots will 

thoroughly review the flight plan. Any discrepancies or questions should be 

reviewed with the dispatcher. The pilot accomplishing the flight planning shall 

make the maximum use of available information and specialized equipment 

(computer flight planning and commercial weather services) provided by the 

Department.

Background Information 

The PIC and flight team will review the location and flight plan for the day. 

They will brief as a team 1 hour before the flight operation. Items to review are 

 Airspace

 Weather

 Flight Plan
 Take-Landings

 Safety Review

 Post Flight Activities

Weather

Prior to each flight, the PIC will obtain aviation weather reports and 

forecasts and analyze the following data to determine the effect on the proposed 

operations:

• Latest NOTAM for the point of departure, route of flight, the destination 

and the alternate destination.

• Surface weather observations for flight location.

• Forecasts for all flight location.

• Reports or forecasts of severe weather, turbulence or icing which could 

affect the proposed flight.

• Any known air traffic delays.

Pilots will check weather forecasts sufficiently in advance of a proposed 

flight and notify Flight Dispatch of any conditions that may affect passenger 

schedules. This includes checking weather forecasts the night before an early 

morning scheduled departure. The PIC may delegate some of these duties; 

however, he/she maintains the responsibility.

Weather Limitations

This section sets forth operational limitations for the Department rotorwing aircraft with regard to weather conditions. This section’s provisions are 

intended to simplify decision-making in critical areas. No pilot may operate over 

1,200 Fft AGL (As specified by the Experimental Certificate Guidelines) VFR 

with one statute mile visibility and/or a ceiling less than 500 feet for day 

operations. 

Severe Weather and Weather Detection Devices

Flights into forecast severe weather will be avoided to the maximum extent possible. 
Approach and Departure

A clear approach and departure path, consistent with aircraft shall be 

utilized.

Observer - Line Operations

Pilots who are not designated as Pilots In Command (PIC) 

NOTE: All flight operations are at the final discretion of the PIC for that flight.

Noise Abatement

Pilots will adhere to published noise abatement procedures and voluntary 

curfews except when the safety of flight is involved.

Special VFR Routes/Noise Abatement Routes

Helicopter flights shall utilize special VFR routes when available. These 

helicopter routes shall be flown whenever possible. The highest acceptable 

altitude shall be flown on the prescribed routes to reduce the impact to noise 

sensitive areas.

Landing Sites -

An optimum location for a Take-off and landing site is one that is clear, 

flat, level with good divisibility. The PIC will use his/her best judgment when 

considering a potential take-off and landing site. A suitable landing site will be a 

minimum, 20 x 20 ft

Some factors that must be reviewed include:

• obstruction clearance.

• ground slope.

• environmental hazards

• good visibility of the helicopter
Minimum Landing Fuel-Battery Reserves

The battery levels of the helicopter should not exceed 80% of the total 

battery flight capacity. A battery log will be kept that identifies the flight batteries 

serial number and total flight capacity. The PIC will indicate the total flight 

duration of the flight based upon this information. The total flight time will be 

dependent upon historical atmospheric and payload information. The PIC and 

Observer will use the total flight time as the safety information for the Ground 

Station and the applicable flight timers. Upon post flight all batteries will be 

reviewed for voltage, Mah of power put back into the batteries, total flight time 

and visual of battery for any abnormalities. 

Flight Log

A flight log will be used to detail flight data and all flight information that 

observed from the flight. This includes pre/post flight of batteries and 

temperatures taken immediately upon landing. 

Airworthiness on Flight Line Determination (PIC)

The final responsibility for determining airworthiness of the aircraft rests

with the PIC. In addition to completing a pre-flight check, the PIC shall 

thoroughly review the flight plan and satisfy himself/herself that the aircraft is in 

an airworthy condition. These responsibilities include but are not limited to 

ensuring:

• compliance with all applicable pre-flight surface reviews/tests.

• that the planned flight or series of flights will not exceed the time 

identified by the battery flight logs. 

• that all inspections, maintenance and limits have been carried forward and 

are not past due.

• that all maintenance discrepancies have been corrected. All maintenance 

record entries shall be completed and signed by a Leptron certified 

technician approving the aircraft for return to service.

• that the deferred items do not render the aircraft unsuitable for the 

planned flight or series of flights.
Aircraft Pre-Flight Check

Pre-flight checks are to be accomplished by a pilot in accordance with the 

Pre-flight Check list (See Separate Document). 

Frost, Snow and Icing

No pilot shall attempt a takeoff if the aircraft has frost, snow or ice 

adhering to any, windshield, batteries, motors, rotors, control surfaces or other 

areas that could affect flight characteristics or performance. 

Aircraft that are found to have frost, snow or ice accumulations must be deiced prior to flight using industry standard procedures and materials. If existing 

conditions could cause accumulations to reoccur, the PIC must ensure that the 

aircraft is deiced as often as necessary based on deicing product specifications and 

observed conditions. Prior to takeoff, the PIC must determine that there is no 

accumulation that would affect performance of the aircraft.

Flight must not be attempted into known or forecast icing conditions.

Aircraft Battery Replacement Procedures

The PIC is responsible to ensure that all battery levels are of the proper 

voltage and quality and that the desired flight battery packs are attached to the 

vehicle prior to flight (See Attached Preflight Checklist). A suitable fire 

extinguisher must be readily available during all portions of flight.

Emergency Status

Each crewmember shall be familiar with the location, condition, procedures 

and phone numbers of the emergency personnel in the local area. 

Operation of Flight Controls

Only PIC and trained observers with listed Avenger B airframe training

may manipulate the flight controls of the helicopter.

Use of Checklist

The procedures are based on the systematic use of preflight checklist to 

accomplish the required checks (normal, abnormal, emergency etc.). These are 

attached in a separate PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST
Pre-Flight Takeoff Briefing

Prior to takeoff, the PF shall consider (at least) the following items, and 

brief the flight team, as appropriate:

• Special factors influencing this takeoff (wet runway, anti-icing 

requirements, cross-wind, deviations from the norm, etc.).

• Verify the flight velocity.

• Verify the GPS waypoint boundaries.

• Verify the any potential hazards, or flight obstacles 

• Review the emergency plan. Discuss any applicable plans for Lost 

Communication, or abnormal flight outputs. 

• PF will complete the briefing by asking “Do you have anything to add? “

Shutdown Checklist

Prior to either pilot leaving the any of the flight equipment (Helicopter or 

Ground Station) and shutdown, the PIC shall designate Shutdown procedures with 

the post flight checklist. 

Post-flight Check (Pilot) 

Post-flight inspection will be accomplished by PIC and observer with any 

other ground staff. 

Flight Crew Debriefings

In order to continuously evaluate and improve flight operations procedures 

crewmembers will conduct post-flight debriefings after each flight. The 

debriefings should include all crewmembers of the flight, as