UAV Operator Code of Conduct 

Pre-Flight

● Uphold the humanitarian principle of Do No Harm which must include a risk 

assessment and mitigation strategy. The ‘Do No Harm’ principle is derived from 

medical ethics. The principle was introduced into the humanitarian domain by 

Mary Anderson in her book “Do No Harm” and requires humanitarian 

organisations to strive to minimize the harm they may inadvertently be doing by 

being present and providing assistance. At the very least, appropriate measures 

should be taken to ensure potential benefits outweigh any mitigated risk of harm 

that may inadvertently result from the use of UAVs. The use of UAVs should also 

take a rights-based approach (which includes the right to privacy) and a Safety 

Management Based Approach (in accordance with ICAO).

● Only fly small (preferably less than 4.5lbs) and clearly non-threatening UAVs and 

only fly these when the added value to humanitarian efforts is clear. Only fly 

heavier, larger UAVs if there is a very clear and dire need such as airlifting or 

needing to reach a longer range of locations.

● Respect all federal, state and local laws with respect to UAVs. Follow regulations 

regarding insurance. Request additional permissions when needed. Respect the 

privacy of individuals. 

● Do not fly UAVs within 5 miles of airports and airfields without prior written 

permission. Do not fly UAVs in areas where responders are using piloted aircraft 

and helicopters for disaster response without prior written permission.

● Use failsafe and redundancy mechanisms such as go home functions. Follow 

appropriate pre-flight checks to ensure UAVs are airworthy and fit for mission.

● Engage local communities when possible to ensure they are aware of UAV flights 

and to provide an avenue for learning. Seek local partnerships to ensure UAV 

projects are relevant and appropriate. Train local partners and communities on 

how to use/fly UAVs.

● Create flight plans for complex UAV operations and pro-actively share these with 
other UAV operators flying nearby.

● Check latest weather and wind forecasts in the area to be surveyed. Also check 

for local air traffic in addition to other UAV operators.

In-Flight

● Select safe takeoff and landing sites (e.g., areas devoid of crowds, animals, 

power lines, trees, etc.)

● Use a Observer when possible and appropriate and keep the UAV in line of site. 

Only fly beyond line of site if there is a clear and dire need and only if the UAV is 

flown autonomously with multiple fail-safe mechanisms.

● Do not fly in a careless or reckless manner. Do not take risks.

● Respect altitude limits and other relevant airspace regulations as stated by 

national and local laws. 

● Use radio-control frequencies that are allowed in the country in question.

Post-Flight

● Keep a logbook of all flights.

● Request permission from local communities to share the resulting imagery, either 

privately or publicly. Respect personal privacy and remove identifiable 

information when requested and reasonably possible. 

● Use safest possible data transfer methods in order to safeguard data from 

unauthorized access through intermediary servers or services

● If obtaining permission to share publicly imagery is clearly not possible, consider 

sharing meta-data of aggregated features extracted from this imagery. Provide 

contact information if anyone wishes to request that the features be made 

private.

● Share imagery and/or extracted features with local communities whenever 

possible (keeping in mind the above privacy issues).