Exemption Request Addendum

Operational Check-List 

Pre-Flight 

• Weather: Carefully check the latest weather and wind forecasts for the area that will be 

surveyed. Keep in mind that different terrains will generate different wind patterns, e.g., 

mountains and valleys, forests and open plains. Also note that wind patterns change at different 

altitudes. For wind speed forecasts, see http://www.windfinder.com. 

• Hazards: Make every effort to ensure that flight operations will not pose any undue risk to the 

personnel directly involved with the effort and to members of the public who are not directly 

involved. Likewise, make every effort to ensure that operations will not pose any undue risk to 

any property in the area. 

• Airspace: Ensure that all operations take place at least three (5) miles (or the minimum distance 

required by local regulations) from any controlled airspace such as an airport or active airfield. 

Prior to taking off, be sure to scan the skies for any signs & sounds of aircraft. When flying, 

continue to look for aircraft. If you spot or hear any, immediately land the sUAS. Operations 

within airspace shall be performed with permission of -- and in constant communication with -- 

the controlling authority of the airspace. 

• Launch & Landing Sites: The selection of launch and landing sites is based first and foremost on 

safety and thus dependent on the following: 

o Site is away from nonessential participants, utility wires, and poles; 

o Ability to maintain adequate buffer zones between aircraft and personnel; 

o Minimize departures and landings over populated areas; 

o Take-off site should be chosen to take into account local topography, ensuring a visible 

line of sight towards the UAV at all times. If flying beyond line of site (BLOS), ensure the 

telemetry connection is not obstructed. 

o Typically the landing site is the same as the launch site. However, an alternative landing 

site should be identified if the primary landing site becomes unusable or unsafe. To this 

end launch/landing sites should be selected based on the availability of an alternative 

landing site; 

o The availability of a mission “abort site” is not required but recommended. An abort site 

is one where the UAV may be “dumped” in the event of an emergency situation. 

o If landing site includes onlookers, announce out loud “Clear Prop” before turning 

“engines” on. 

• Safety Software: Test all fail safe mechanisms before you start flying. These mechanisms 

include, but are not limited to automatic stabilization, GPS connectivity, designated no-fly zones, 
and automated Return/Home option. Safety inspections shall be carried out prior to every flight, 

as well as Monthly and Yearly to ensure proper function. Prior to takeoff, ensure GPS connection 

has been established in order to enable assisted navigational control and ‘home base’ 

establishment. 

• Hardware: Hardware inspections shall be carried out prior to every flight, as well as Monthly 

and Yearly to ensure proper function. Carry out a thorough inspection of the sUAS airframe 

before the first flight by: 

o Verifying all transmitter, on-board aircraft and camera batteries are fully charged; 

o Calibrate Compass prior to each flight; 

o Checking all control surfaces for signs of damage, loose hinges, and overall condition; 

Looking over the wing/rotors to ensure they are in good structural condition and 

properly secured; 

o Ensure battery is fully charged prior to takeoff; 

o Checking the motor/engine and mounting system to make sure it is firmly attached to 

the airframe; Studying the propeller or rotor blades for chips, cracks, looseness and any 

deformation; Checking `the landing gear (if applicable) for damage, secure attachment 

and functional wheels; 

o Ensure all rotor blades are firmly attached; 

o Testing all electrical connections, making sure they are plugged in and secured to the 

airframe; 

o Ensuring that all photography equipment and mounting system are secure and 

operational. 

o Check 3D location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot. Also check the IMU 

movements in the ground control software. If available check the UAV in stabilization 

mode, ensuring that the control surfaces move towards the correct positions. 

• Mission Plan: The mission plan shall contain all actions and contingencies for the mission 

planned. Any limiting factors in the flight environment may alter the intended operation and 

modify the mission plan accordingly. Contingency planning should include safe routes in the 

event of a system failure, degraded performance, or lost communication link. 

• Public Awareness: Pro-actively raise public awareness about intended flight plans/paths so as to 

avoid scaring local communities and passersby. Consider using flyers, local radio and 

newspapers for disseminating this information. 

• Camera & Settings: Ensure that the camera settings are appropriate to your mission. Make sure 

the camera batteries are fully re-charged and that there is sufficient memory on the SD card to 

record the footage for your mission. Ensure the SD card is inserted properly and is working 

correctly prior to take-off. 

In-Flight 
• Basics: If flying manually, always keep your fingers on the controller/transmitter. Never let the 

UAV out of your sight even for a second. Climb to a safe altitude away from potential hazards 

and to reduce noise pollution. Keep aircraft at a safe operating distance from people, electric 

utility lines and buildings.

• Spotter/Visual Observer (VO): A spotter must be with the PIC at all times when operating the 

sUAS. Verbal communication must be possible. 

• Landing: Regardless of whether of a manual or automated sUAS landing, scan landing area for 

potential obstruction hazards. Announce out loud “Preparing to Land”. Carefully land the 

aircraft away from obstructions and people. 

Post-Flight 

• Shutting Down: Turn the power off to the aircraft and/or disconnect the batteries. Turn off the 

transmitter. Turn the power off to the photo equipment. Visually check aircraft for signs of 

damage and/or excessive wear. Remove the unused fuel if applicable. Secure the aircraft.

• Check Media: Verify that the goals of the mission were completed successfully and all 

pictures/video/data were captured as intended and at optimum quality.

• Logs: Keep a detailed logbook of all flights. Logbook should include information regarding the 

date, time, weather conditions, intended mission goals, success/failure of the mission, irregular 

occurrences, and any malfunctions of the sUAS during operation. 
Additional Notes 

Sterile & Controlled Environments 

Flight limits on height and distance can be set. The details of these flight limits are described in the 

following section. All unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators should abide by all regulations from such 

organizations as the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), FAA and their own national 

airspace regulations. For safety reasons, the flight limits function is enabled by default to help users use 

this product safely and legally. The flight limits function includes height limits, distance limits and No Fly 

Zones. When operating in P Mode, height, distance limits and No Fly Zones work together to manage 

flight. In A mode only height limits work and flights cannot go higher than 120 meters. Reference image 

below for visual representation of how the Flight Limits function can create and maintain a Sterile and 

Controlled Environment within which the sUAS is able to operate. This will ensure the sUAS never leaves 

the proposed Construction Jobsite boundaries.