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Aerial Impact Southeast, Inc. 

sUAS Flight Operations Manual 

Aerial Impact Southeast is a Aerial Photography Company located 

in Lawrenceville, Ga., whose primary business is providing aerial 

photography services to the Commercial Real Estate industry. The 

owner, David W. Cullens, PIC, holds a FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate 

with instrument rating, with 3000+ total hours and 2500+ of those 

hours accumulated in the course of conducting an Aerial Photography 

business. Currently, all work is performed using Cessna Single Engine 

Airplanes, C172's and C152's. The proposed sUAS operations outlined 

herein are services to be offered in addition to those already offered 

using full scale aircraft. PIC has also completed one of the few UAV 

training programs in the United States, FlySafe. The proposed 

operations will use (2) multirotor small UAV's, a DJI Phantom 2 & DJI 

S900. The PIC and observer have extensive experience and maintain 

proficiency in both of the proposed aircraft. Both of these airframes, 

along with their associated flight controllers and video downlink 

systems with on screen telemetry, are used extensively throughout the 

world and have excellent safety records. PIC is familiar with the User 

manuals and operational procedures for both aircraft and controllers. 

All operations will be conducted below 200'agl with the majority of 

work being done below 100'agl. Operations will only be conducted 

under Day Visual Meteorological Conditions and coordinated with the 

appropriate ATC facility when operating within the vicinity of any 

controlled airports. Proposed operations would include, but not be 

limited to, shooting aerial video and still photography of High End 

Residential properties, Industrial and Commercial properties, Golf 

Courses, Resorts and Marina's. As all of our photography and video will 

be custom work, no flights will be made without the property 

owners/managers prior knowledge and consent. 

 
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Aerial Impact Southeast respects individual privacy rights and will at all 

times make best efforts to avoid infringing on those rights. Aerial 

Impact Southeast will also not accept assignments that blatantly 

infringe on those rights. 

 Upon arrival at a property shoot, the PIC and/or the flight 

observer will survey the site for any possible obstructions for safe flight 

and to plan the flight so as to capture all of the desired images in the 

available flight time. No flights will be made over persons or property 

not associated with the shoot. Property boundaries will be noted and a 

suitable takeoff and landing area will be established. Depending on the 

particulars of the shoot, one or both aircraft could be used, though not 

at the same time. Following are more specific operating procedures for 

the two different aircraft Aerial Impact Southeast uses. The Primary 

aircraft is the DJI S900 carrying a Sony NEX-7 camera, The secondary 

aircraft is a DJI Phantom 2 carrying a GoPro Hero3+ camera. 

S900 Checklist 

Unpacking/Prep

• Upon arrival, survey the site for any obstructions that may 

interfere with a safe flight. If any are present, devise a plan to 

avoid them or consider aborting the mission. PIC to determine the 

appropriate actions. 

• Establish a safe takeoff/landing area. This should be a minimum 

10' x 10' area that can be kept clear, even during flight. 

• Establish a flight plan so as to capture all of the desired images. 

• Remove aircraft from the transporting vehicle and place on a solid 

level surface. 

• Inspect for any obvious damage that may have occurred in transit. 

• Extend the GPS mount to the vertical position. Ensure it snaps into 

position and is secure. 
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• One at a time, lift each of the (6) folding arms and lock into place 

with the red latches. As you lift each arm, inspect the Power and 

ESC connections for security. If any non satisfactory conditions 

exist, aircraft will be grounded until repairs are made. 

• One at a time, remove the prop protectors, first from the boom 

and then from the propeller blades. Unfold and check propeller 

blades for any nicks or cuts that may degrade flight performance. 

Replace props as needed. 

• Inspect the vibration dampers that are used to mount the motors 

onto the booms. Replace as necessary. 

• Install (2) battery packs, connected with the parallel adapter 

cable, into the battery tray and secure with the Velcro straps. 

• Attach battery voltage monitors to each battery pack. These will 

give a readout of total and individual cell voltage as well as an 

audible warning when voltage drops below a safe level. 

• Check flight battery for sufficient capacity to complete the flight. 

Do not takeoff with less than 75%. A 100% charge would indicate 

4.2 volts per cell, a 25% charge would indicate 3.8 volts per cell. 

• Install battery tray to aircraft, using the side clamps and rear 

latch. Ensure it is secure. 

• Check Camera battery. Charge or replace as necessary. 

• Format SD memory card and set camera to desired settings. Be 

sure "remote" shutter and HDMI are enabled. 

• Mount the camera to the gimbal. First connect the HDMI 

connector and then, holding the camera in place, secure it with 

the 1/4-20 mounting screw. 

• Check Ground Station battery. Use a voltage monitor to prevent 

inadvertently over discharging. 

• Mount Ground Station on tripod and place in an area easily 

viewed by the PIC and/or observer. 
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Before Takeoff/Takeoff

• Review the Flight Plan with all persons involved. 

• Clear the area of persons not involved in the shoot. While there 

may be spectators wanting to observe the operation, ensure they 

maintain a safe distance from the perimeter of the shoot. 

• Turn the Ground Station power on.

• Turn Camera Power on and remove lens cap. 

• Turn Camera Transmitter power on. Ensure adequate battery 

level. 

• Turn Aircraft Transmitter power on. Ensure adequate battery 

level. 

• Check that transmitter is in GPS mode using Normal control. 

• Power on the S900. Connect the battery using the "bullet" style 

connectors, first the negative and then the positive. 

• Check that the camera gimbal initializes OK. Camera should point 

forward after initialization. 

• Check gimbal and camera controls for correct operation. 

• Check that the ground station is displaying a camera view along 

with aircraft telemetry data. 

• Once the required GPS satellites are acquired, indicator on the 

aircraft will flash green, indicating a reliable fix. Telemetry data 

will indicate the number of satellites acquired. 

• Ensure the airspace and area around the aircraft is clear and 

announce "Clear". 

• Start flight timer(s). Both transmitters have timers. Use one or 

both. 

• Initiate motor start and ensure that all six rotors are turning 

smoothly and without vibration. 

• Announce "Taking off". Takeoff and climb to an altitude of 10 - 15 

feet and make sure all controls are working properly. 

• Check Telemetry information to ensure you are receiving accurate 

data; battery voltage, altitude, distance, GPS, etc. 
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• When satisfied with the systems and aircraft control, retract the 

landing gear and proceed with the flight plan. 

• Check Telemetry data throughout the flight to monitor battery 

level, distance, altitude, camera info, etc.. 

• Maintain constant voice communication with observer. 

• Though all operations will be conducted below 200', maintain 

visual scan for full scale aircraft. Yield to Full Scale aircraft at all 

times. 

Landing/After Landing

• When photo shoot is completed, or in the event flight has to be 

terminated for other reasons, maintain safe altitude and return to 

the landing area. 

• If any IOC control modes are being used (Home lock, Course lock, 

POI), turn them off when approaching the landing area and use 

normal control mode. 

• Announce "Landing" and ensure that the landing area is clear. 

• Lower the landing gear at approx 20' agl and proceed to the 

center of the landing area. 

• When over the center of the landing area, slowly descend and 

land with a minimum vertical velocity. 

• Shut down motors and make note of flight time. 

• Turn off aircraft power by unplugging the "bullet" connectors. 

• Turn off Aircraft and Camera transmitters. 

• Turn off Ground Station power. 

• Turn off Camera. 

 
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Phantom 2 Checklists 

Unpacking

• Place hard case on a solid level surface and open the lid 

• Remove Phantom and Transmitter from case and inspect for any 

obvious damage or conditions that may degrade flight 

performance. 

• Check propellers for any nicks or cuts that may degrade flight 

performance. Replace props as needed. 

• Check flight battery for sufficient capacity to complete the flight. 

Do not takeoff with less than 75%. Battery level is indicated by (4) 

green lights on the battery. 

• Check Camera battery 

• Format SD memory card 

• Check Ground Station battery 

• Mount Ground Station on tripod 

• Establish a safe takeoff/landing area 

• Survey site for any obstructions that may interfere with a safe 

flight. If present, have a plan to avoid. 

• Establish a flight plan so as to capture all of the desired images. 

Before Takeoff/Takeoff

• Review the Flight Plan with all persons involved. 

• Clear the area of persons not involved in the shoot. While there 

may be spectators wanting to observe the operation, ensure they 

maintain a safe distance from the perimeter of the shoot. 

• Turn the Ground Station power on. 

• Turn Camera Power/Bluetooth on. 

• Turn Transmitter power on. 

• Check that transmitter is in GPS control mode. 
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• Power on the Phantom. Press & hold power button. 

• Check that the camera gimbal has initialized OK. Camera should 

point forward and respond to the tilt control. 

• Check that the ground station is displaying a camera view along 

with aircraft telemetry data. 

• Once the required GPS satellites are acquired, the aircraft lights 

will flash green, indicating a reliable fix. 

• Ensure the area around the aircraft is clear and announce "Clear". 

• Initiate motor start and make note of all four rotors turning 

smoothly and without vibration. 

• Takeoff and climb to approximately 10 - 15 feet and make sure all 

controls are working properly. 

• When satisfied, proceed with the flight plan. 

Before Landing/Landing

• When photo shoot is completed, or in the event flight has to be 

terminated for other reasons, maintain safe altitude and return to 

the landing area. 

• If any IOC control modes are being used (Home lock, Course lock, 

POI), turn them off and use normal control mode. 

• Announce "Landing" and ensure that the landing area is clear. 

• Proceed to the center of the landing area, maintaining a safe 

altitude. 

• When over the center of the landing area, slowly descend and 

land with a minimum vertical velocity. 

• Shut down motors and write down flight time and battery voltage. 

• Turn off aircraft power by pressing and holding the power button 

on the battery 

• Turn off transmitter. 

• Turn off Ground Station power. 
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Maintenance

After each days' flying, once back at the shop, a thorough inspection is 

performed on each aircraft: 

Phantom 2 

• Remove SD memory cards and download images to computer. 

Make backup and format memory card. 

• Log aircraft times in the appropriate logs. 

• Check all propellers for nicks, cracks or other damage that may 

degrade flight performance. Replace as necessary. 

• Ensure that the video transmitter and mini iOsd are securely 

attached. 

• Charge/discharge batteries to a safe storage level.

S900 

• Check all propeller blades for nicks, cracks or other damage that 

could degrade flight performance. Replace as necessary. 

• Check that all prop hubs are secure. 

• Check all vibration dampers on the motor mounts. Replace as 

needed. 

• Check security of power and ESC connections on each arm. 

• Check security of the gimbal and accessories. 

• Check security of the GPS mount. 

• Check landing gear for any visible damage. 

• Check security of all electronic components. 

• Charge/discharge batteries to a safe storage level.
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Sample flight plan form