ADM 

~ ADM Crop Risk Services 

ADMCRS 

UAS 

Standard 

Operations 

Manual 

January 2015 Version 2.0 
Table of Contents 

I. Introduction 

A. Specifications and Design 

B. Chain of Escalation 

II. Safety 

Ill. Maintenance and Permissions 

IV. Flight 

A. Pre-Flight Checks 

B. Flight Operations 

c. Post-Flight Checks 

Appendix A: Technical Specifications 

Appendix B: Pre-Flight Check list 

Appendix C: Flight Check list 

Appendix D: Post-Flight Check list 

Appendix E: Flight Log 
UAS Standard Operations Manual 

UAS SPECIFICATIONS AND DESIGN 

ADMCRS currently uses the DJI Phantom Vision class of UAS. All specifications are 

detailed in the DJI Manual Section 15. Proper use of UASs for crop scouting and damage 

assessment is the goal of our UAS program. This standard operations manual is intended to be 

used in conjunction with the DJI Phantom Vision manual at all times. 

CHAIN OF ESCALATION 

The one flying the UAS system will be known as the Pilot in Command (PIC). If there are 

any questions or concerns about operation, maintenance, or repair of UAS systems, they should 

flow first to the PIC's supervisor I UAS project coordinator. Once the supervisor I UAS project 

coordinator have been notified, it is their responsibility to discuss next steps including 

troubleshooting or repair if needed. 
SAFETY 

Safety is extremely important when operating any UAS. PIC should always abide by 

guidelines stated below. If safe flight cannot be assured, wait for another day. If PIC is unsure 

of any surroundings that could result in unsafe flying conditions, the PIC should always take the 

safe route and not fly. OJI manual section 11 (page 31) gives additional guidelines to ensure 

safe flight of the UAS. This section also details the go home functionality, flight limits and low 

battery warnings. Warnings should never be ignored as they compromise the safety of the UAS 

and any personnel in the immediate area. ALWAYS fly safe. 

NEVER fly at night. 

NEVER fly near airports or airfields. 

NEVER fly in urban or densely populated areas. 

NEVER fly with wind gusts that exceed 17 miles per hour (consult Weather Bug or other 

weather info) 

ALWAYS fly UAS under the 400 foot ceil ing. 

ALWAYS fly UAS with hat and/or sunglasses to mitigate sun glare as conditions dictate 

ALWAYS heed battery warnings or other UAS warnings that may occur during flight 

ALWAYS fly within visual line of sight (VLOS) 

ALWAYS have a second observer with you to help scout the UAS 

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MAINTENANCE 

DJI Manual Section 14 (page 65) describes troubleshooting steps if issues arise. PIC 

should follow the chain of escalation for any questions regarding UAS issues. Repair and 

maintenance issues will be handled by the UAS project coordinator in conjunction with the 

manufacturer as necessary. 

Never fly with chipped or aging propellers. It will be the responsibility of the PIC to 

inspect propellers as part of the pre-flight routine check. 

OJ I Manual Section 7 (page 23) describes proper battery use, storage, charging and 

discharging steps. PIC flight logs will document the use and rotation of batteries. 

PERMISSIONS AND PERMITTING 

Only trained personnel wi ll be allowed to fly UASs for ADMCRS. The definition of a 

trained individual is one that has successfully completed the ADMCRS training course. These 

include, but are not limited to the following: 

Successful completion of two day orientation class (16 hours) 

Thorough review of the user manual for the OJI Phantom Vision class of UAS 

Understanding of the operation standards set forth by ADMCRS 

Successfully flown at least five crop scouting missions with training supervisor 

(8 hours) 

Flights will be authorized based on the need for the technology. In the case of ADMCRS, 

fields that need flown will be allowed with supervisor authorization. Flights will be conducted 

for crop scouting in rural and/or country landscape areas with the goal of surveying fields 

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looking for crop health and/or damaged acres of the field. All mandates in the safet y section of 

this document will be followed while flying. 

OPERATIONS PRE-FLIGHT (see Appendix B for Quick Check List) 

During pre-flight, the PIC should visually inspect the UAS. Pre-flight inspection would 

include checking over the unit for cracks in the plastic frame, unsecured wires and propeller 

movement is functioning normally. A visual inspection does not take long, but can help 

mitigate unsafe flying. Once a physical inspection of the equipment is complete, the PIC should 

survey the surroundings for obstacles either on the ground or in the air. Obstacles may include 

power lines, trees, bushes, etc. PIC must assess surroundings before flight to mitigate any 

potential hazards. The point of launch and landing needs to be level and free of debris. If these 

conditions cannot be met, flight should be scheduled for another day. 

If unit is now in a location a considerable distance (100 miles) since its fast flight, the 

UAS will need to be re-calibrated. DJI Manual Section 10 of the manual details how to do the 

compass calibration and when to do it. This process of re-calibration will ensure correct flying 

and mitigate any safety concerns. 

Once a pre-flight inspection of the UAS and surrounding area are complete, it is time to 

fly what we can call the systems check. A systems check is the last process to ensure that the 

UAS is functioning properly before it goes off to execute a mission. Before a systems check is 

performed, take off of the UAS should occur downwind of the PIC at a comfortable distance of 

twenty to twenty five feet. This will ensure a safe take off and mitigate the risk of the UAS 

flying at the PIC upon take off. 

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A system check entails bringing the UAS up to a flight height of around ten to fifteen 

feet in the air and then to a hold position. Once it passes the hold position test, the PIC will do 

small movements at this low altitude to check left, right, forward and backward movements. 

Once the UAS passes this test, the PIC will do small movements of up, down, rotate right and 

rotate left. Doing these movements at low altitude will ensure the integrity of the unit before it 

flies higher or farther from the PIC. This system check at a lower altitude is also safer because it 

is an opportunity to identify an issue or problem before the main flight begins. 

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OPERATIONS FLIGHT (see Appendix C for Quick Check List) 

ADMCRS UASs will fly in rural settings and under the 400 foot ceiling. According to the 

OJI Manual Section 11, the PIC should be continually be aware of their surroundings as the 

flight continues. Maintaining visual line of sight (VLOS), will help ensure a good flight. If at any 

time the circumstances change with the UAS or the surrounding environment that pose an 

unsafe situation for the UAS or persons present, the PIC should land the UAS immediately. 

According to the DJI Manual Section 11, the PIC should be familiar with all UAS functionality 

including, but not limited to takeoff/landing procedures, failsafe functions, low battery capacity 

warnings and flight limits. Knowledge of these will allow the PIC to accomplish flights quickly 

and safely. 

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OPERATIONS POST-FLIGHT (see Appendix D for Quick Check list} 

Once the PIC lands the UAS, he/she should look over the unit to inspect for any 

compromise to its integrity while in the air. This would be a physical inspection much like the 

pre-flight examination. Flight information should be recorded for proper documentation 

purposes. Documentation would include, but is not limited to date, weather conditions, claim 

number and which battery pack was used. Flight information will also track preventive 

maintenance on the UAS such hours flown, propeller replacement, battery usage and count, 

etc. (See Appendix E) 

Battery usage should be monitored and rotated among several batteries. All batteries 

should be charged/discharged per the DJI Manual Section 7. This will ensure longer lasting 

battery life and safe flights for the UAS. Battery storage and use should be monitored closely to 

maintain the best possible safety. Proper disposal at the end of life for the batteries will be 

monitored as well. This is a safety and environment issue that ADMCRS takes seriously. 

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APPENDIX A 

DJI Phantom 2 Technical Specifications: 

http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2/spec 

Weight (Battery & Propellers Included) 

Hover Accuracy (Ready to Fly) 

Max Yaw Angular Velocity 

Max Tilt Angle 

Max Ascent Speed 

Max Descent Speed 

Diagonal Length 

Flight Time 

Operating Temperature 

Supported Battery 

Battery Type 

Capacity 

2.4GHz Remote Control Op Frequency 

Communication Open Area Distance 

Receiver Sensitivity (1%PER) 

Working Current/Voltage 

1000g 

Vertical: 0.8m 

Horizontal: 2.5m 

200 degrees /s 

35 degrees 

6 meters per second 

2 meters per second 

350mm 

25m ins 

-10 degrees C to 50 C 

DJI Smart Battery 

3S LiPo 

5200mAh, 11.1V 

2.4GHz ISM 

1000m 

-97dBm 

120 mA@3.7V 

DJI Phantom 2 operate using a transmitter frequency of 5. 72GHz- 5.8GHz. The 

operating frequency of the range extender is 2412-2462MHz. DJI Phantom 2 controllers are 

FCC compliant. 

http://wiki.dji.com/en/index.php/Phantom 2 Vision-Preparing the Remote Controller 

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APPENDIX B 

Pre-Flight Check List 

__ - Physical inspection of system. UAS is sound, does not have any 

cracks or damage to the plastic frame 

__ - UAS does not have any unsecured wires present 

__ - UAS propeller show no damage and movement is functional 

__ - UAS power on sequence is normal 

__ - UAS has GPS signal lock 

-Transmitter is functional with no technical issues 

__ - UAS camera, console and transmitter all function together correctly 

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APPENDIX C 

Flight Check List 

__ - UAS launches into the air successfully and can hover at 10-15 feet 

-Controls Check Successful 

__ - Left Stick- UAS Up and Down 

__ - Left Stick- UAS Rotate Left and Rotate Right 

__ - Right Stick- UAS Move Right and Move Left 

__ - Right Stick- UAS Move Forward and Move Backward 

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APPENDIX D 

Post-Flight Check List 

__ - Physical inspection of system is complete. UAS does not have any cracks or 

damage to the plastic frame 

__ - UAS does not have any unsecured wires present 

__ - UAS propellers look functional and movement is normal 

__ - UAS has GPS signal lock 

-Transmitter is functional with no technical issues 

__ - UAS camera, console and transmitter all function together correctly 

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APPENDIX E 

Flight Log 

Date Claim Battery Number Conditions Notes 

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APPENDIX F 

I, - -------------------hereby agree to comply with 

the rules and regulations set forth in the ADMCRS UAS Standards Operations Manual to ensure 

safe flights and the safety of those around me. 

As a Pilot in Command (PIC) I have a working knowledge of the DJI Phantom 2 series of 

UAS and have successfully completed the ADM Crop Risk Services training. I take responsibility 

as the PIC to fly safely as I execute flights as an employee for ADM Crop Risk Services. 

Signed--------------------

Date _______________ _ 

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