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ALTERNATIVES RENEWABLE SOLUTIONS, LLC 1725 I Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006

ARS FLIGHT SAFETY &

PROCEDURES MANUAL
ARS Flight Safety and Procedures Manual Rev. 3.13.15 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS.....................................................................................................................................1

1.0 Flight Plan & Assessment..................................................................................................................0

2.0 PRE-FLIGHT CHECK LIST.....................................................................................................................1

3.0 Flight Procedures..............................................................................................................................3

4.0 Pre/Post Landing Procedures............................................................................................................4

5.0 Equivalent Level of Safety Requirements.........................................................................................5

6.0 Specific Operational Procedures for Pilots .......................................................................................7

6.1 Specific Operational Procedures for Aerial Building Photography & Inspections .............................7

6.2 Specific Operational Procedures for Construction Sites.....................................................................7

6.3 Specific Operational Procedures for Temporary Tower Crane Assembly Verification Inspections....8

6.4 Specific Operational Procedures for Substructure Bridge Inspections.............................................10

6.5 Specific Operational Procedures for the DC Special Flight Rules Area (DC SFRA), including the DC

Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (DC FRZ)................................................................................11
1.0 Flight Plan & Assessment

A. Flight Plan for Subject Location: _________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________ B. Check weather conditions for rain, fog and wind speed.

1. Weather: _____________________________

2. Visibility: ____________________________ 3. Wind Speed (NOAA):____________________

4. Proximity to Airport:____________________

i. Was Airport notified: Yes or No Date:______ Time:_______

ii. POC:______________________(if yes)

C. What is the nearest intersection:___________________________

1. Distance to intersection or road:___________________

2. Distance & location to driveways or parking structures:________________

D. Distance to nearest home or building structure:_______________________

1. Is property land locked on sides (Left, Right or Both):_________________ 2. Is property land locked in rear (with access or not):__________________

E. Obstacles:

1. Are phone/cable lines in flight plan zone? Yes:_____ No:______

If yes, note areas(s)_____________________________________________

2. Are trees in flight plan zone? Yes:_____ No:______

If yes, note areas(s)_____________________________________________

3. Are structures or obstacles in flight plan zone? Yes:_____ No:______

If yes, note areas(s)_____________________________________________

F. Flight Plan Adjustments: If required, provide new flight plan to adjust to

obstacles: ____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________ G. Mark off flight plan zone with yellow tape and signs . 1. Close off ground level area for the flight path of UAS.

2. Place orange cones outlining ground flight area.

H. Begin Pre-Flight Checklist.
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2.0 PRE-FLIGHT CHECK LIST

A. Visually inspect shell and other plastic components for cracking/damage (landing

skids, camera mounting plates, etc.)

1. Check tightness of motor retaining screws and shell retaining screws with

2mm hex.

2. Check data springe pins and battery contact pads for erosion. Clean as

needed.

B. Check remote controller, smart battery, and range extender are properly

functioning and are fully charged.

C. Ensure gimbal clamp and lens cap has been removed.

D. Check camera for any damage.

E. Check anti-drop kits have been mounted correctly.

F. Place micro-SD card into camera and ensure its locked. G. Put on neckstrap and hook up remote controller

H. Set S1 and S2 Switches to up position.

I. Move antenna to vertical position.

J. Install 4 props on UAS using proper protocols.

K. Install main battery and check battery levels in UAS.

L. Check gimbal is functioning as normal and camera angel.

M. Start FPV App and check functionality.

N. Begin Flight Procedures.
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3.0 Flight Procedures

A. Was the Pre-Flight Checklist conducted? Yes or No.

B. Place UAS on open flat ground or surface with battery indicators facing pilot.

a. UAS should be placed in clear and safe launch and recovery position if it

returns to home.

C. Power on remote controller and range extender, then the UAS smart battery.

a. Power ON remote controller.

b. Power ON flight battery.

c. Power ON range extender.

d. Power ON FPV device (tablet or smartphone).

D. Launch UAS app or Pix4d mapper (FPV Application) application and start to bind it

with FPV device (tablet and/or phone).

a. Connect to UAS WiFi.

b. Wait until rear LED flight indicator lights have initialized and is green.

c. Check7+ satellites on application.

E. Initiate Calibration procedures of UAS compass.

a. Calibrate compass (toggle S1 switch 6 times and rate UAS 360 degrees

horizontally and vertically).

F. Check charging levels for safe flight.

G. Setup FPV app for camera/GPS shooting mode.

H. Initiate CSC command to start motors.

I. Ready to Fly with GPS mode.

J. Start Mission

K. Hover approximately 10 feet above the ground to confirm UAS is under control.

a. Verify all sticks operate correctly while in hover mode.

L. Conduct mission as determined from flight plan.

a. Missions are no longer than 15 minutes.
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4.0 Pre/Post Landing Procedures

A. Initiate camera in full up position.

B. Stop video recording.

C. Check landing zone is secure and safe.

D. Land UAS in landing zone.

E. Power off with left toggle in down position.

a. After UAS has landed, initiate CSC power off with both toggle switches.

F. Power Off flight battery.

G. Remove battery from UAS.

H. Remove props and place within case.

I. Power Off remote controller.

J. Power Off range extender.

K. Power Off FPV device (tablet and/or smartphone).

L. Replace gimbal clamp and lens cap.

M. Replace UAS, remote controller, and batteries in case.
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5.0 Equivalent Level of Safety Requirements

 All Pilot(s) or PICs must have experience and understanding of how the NAS

works and how to communicate with the observers.

 To be hired with ARS, all PICs must have a private pilot’s airmen certificate.

 All PICs must have 100 hours of training on both the mUAS and sUAS assets.

 The flight manual will be with the Pilot or ground station at all times.

 The PIC will take all required preflight actions-including reviewing weather,

flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distance, and aircraft

performance data, prior to flight.

 Both the Manufacturer Flight Manual and ARS Flight Safety & Procedures

Manual will be located at the ground station with the pilot at all times.

 The operator will confirm the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS

altitude indicator before flight.

 The PIC will use the GPS altitude indicator to constantly monitor either the

mUAS or the sUAS height, thus ensuring operation at safe altitudes.

 During flight operations, both the mUAS and sUAS will yield right-of-way to

other aircraft, manned or unmanned.

 All flight operations will be in Class G Airspace.

 mUAS flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above

ground level (AGL) or no more than 100 feet above a structure being

inspected, if that structure exceeds 400 feet.

 sUAS flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 500 feet above

ground level (AGL) or no more than 100 feet above a structure being

inspected, if that structure exceeds 500 feet.

 Flights will be operated at a lateral distance of at least 500 feet from any

structure or structure or vehicle unless permission has been granted by the

owner or controller of the property in advance of the flight. Flights will not be

conducted within 500 feet of any person who is not essential for the conduct

of the flight unless that person is in a position where they are shielded from

the aircraft and any possible debris resulting from an aircraft failure. Flight

will be terminated if a person/s breaches safety zone.

 At a minimum, the crew for each operation will consist of the Pilot, Visual

Camera Observer, Engineer Inspector, and one or more State or local

government inspector.

 The mUAS pilot will be an FAA licensed airman with a private pilot’s certificate

with rotorcraft experience, along with 100 hours of training.
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 The sUAS pilot will be an FAA licensed airman with a private pilot’s certificate

with rotorcraft experience along with 100 hours of training.

 All Pilots will be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration.

 The mUAS Pilot will be trained in flight, operations, and safety procedures in

accordance with the ARS Flight Safety and Procedures Manual.

 Both the mUAS and sUAS Pilots will be Pilot in Command (PIC). If a pilot

certificate holder other than the UAS Pilot, who possesses the necessary PIC

qualifications, is also present, that person can be designated as PIC.

 The mUAS shall not operate in wind gusts greater than 10 mph.

 The sUAS shall not operate in wind gusts greater than 18 mph.

 Both the mUAS and sUAS will only operate within a confined “Sterile Area”. A

sterile area is defined as a safety zone surrounding the subject property that

has been cleared of all individuals or animals that aren’t part of the

inspection. In addition, the Petitioner shall establish a security perimeter for

the flight operations area.

 A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned mUAS and sUAS

operations prior to each day’s missions. It will be mandatory that all

personnel who will be performing duties within the boundaries of the safety

perimeter be present for this briefing.

 The Pilot, Visual Camera Observer, and Inspection Engineer will have been

trained in operations of UAS generally and will have experience in flying the

particular UAS used for any operations.

 The Pilot, Visual Camera Observer, Inspection Engineer and State or local

inspector will at all times be able to communicate by voice or text via cellular

or similar device.

 All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state,

county or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire or other

appropriate governmental agencies.

 The Petitioner will make available to the FAA, upon request, both the mUAS

and/or sUAS for inspection or testing, and any associated documents/records

required to be kept under the proposed rule.

 Report an accident to the FAA within 10 days of any operation that results

injury or property damage.

 If both the mUAS or sUAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, both

assets will have the capability to return to a pre-determined location within

the operational area and land.
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 All flight operations will only operate in optimal weather conditions with

visibility of at least 3 miles from control station.

 Both the mUAS and sUAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of

unpredicted obstacles or emergencies. The Pilot will then safely terminate

mission and gain control of UAS and return to a pre-determine location.

 The Petitioner will use a blanket 200-foot Certificate of Waiver or

Authorization (COA) for all flights anywhere in the country except in restricted

airspace and other areas such as major cities, where the FAA prohibits UAS

operations. Moreover, the Petitioner will obtain an Air Traffic Organization

(ATO) issued COA for flights above 200 feet prior to conducting any operation

under this petition of exemption.

6.0 Specific Operational Procedures for Pilots

6.1 Specific Operational Procedures for Aerial Building Photography & Inspections

1. Ten days before flight operations, the operator will contact the State & local

government inspection agency that aerial inspection of vacant or occupied

buildings will be occurring.

2. The operator will enforce a safety zone covering 500 feet outside the perimeter

of the subject building during flight operations. The safety zone will be

established by the operator by using yellow safety tape and the posting of aerial

inspection signs (see Supporting Documents).

3. mUAS flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 200 feet above

ground level (AGL).

4. Report an accident to the OSHA and the State & local government agency

requesting the inspection within 10 days of any operation that results injury or

property damage.

6.2 Specific Operational Procedures for Construction Sites

1. Ten days before flight operations, the operator will contact the State & local

government inspection agency that aerial inspection of the construction site will

be occurring.

2. The operator will enforce a safety zone covering 500 feet outside the perimeter

of the construction site during flight operations. The safety zone will be

controlled by the general contractor with flaggers and other staff and the posting

of aerial inspection flight signs (see Supporting Documents).

3. sUAS flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 300 feet above

ground level (AGL).
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4. Report an accident to the OSHA and the State & local government agency

requesting the inspection within 10 days of any operation that results injury or

property damage.

6.3 Specific Operational Procedures for Temporary Tower Crane Assembly

Verification Inspections

1. The operator will file a FAA form 7711-1, or its equivalent with the local Flight

Standards District Office (FSDO).

2. At least five days before schedule inspections, the operator of both the mUAS

and sUAS affected by this exemption must submit a written Scope of Work

Activities to the local FSDO with jurisdiction over the area of proposed

infrastructure inspection. The 5-day notification may be waived with the

concurrence of the FSDO. The Scope of Work includes the following, but not

limited to:

a. Dates and times of flights.

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS inspections

conducted under this petition of exemption.

c. Name, phone number, and certificate number of the PIC.

d. Make, model, and N-number of UAS asset used in operation.
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e. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property

owners and/or local officials to conduct the infrastructure inspection

event; the list of those who gave permission must be made available to

the inspector upon request.

f. A description of the flight mission, including maps or diagrams of any area,

city, town, county, and/or state over which infrastructure inspection will

be conducted and the altitudes essential to accomplish the operation.

3. Ten days before flight operations, the operator will contact the State & local

government inspection agency that aerial inspection of the tower crane will be

occurring on a construction site.

5. The operator will enforce a safety zone covering 500 feet outside the perimeter

of the construction site during flight operations. The safety zone will be

controlled by the general contractor with flaggers and the operator will impose a

non-fly zone and post aerial inspection in progress signs (see Supporting

Documents).

4. Both mUAS and sUAS flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400

feet above ground level (AGL).

5. Prior to inspection, the general contractor will be required to move the hook (#2)

and jib/trolley (#3) in a lock position that provides the best and safe flight path

without any obstruction of buildings, people or roadways.

6. The flight operations will be restricted to a spherical flight path surrounding the

tower crane starting with the concrete footing (#11), continuing up the mast (#10

-#7), then moving then horizontally to the counter-jib ballast (#1), the counter-jib

block (#4), the hoisting drum (#5), continuing past the cabin (#6) and jib-trolley

(#3) and finally to the hook (#2). Then the operator will repeat the flight path

backwards in the following order: #2, #3, #6, #5, #4, #1, #7-#10, #11, and then

land the UAS (see Figure 1).

7. Report an accident to the OSHA and the State & local government agency

requesting the inspection within 10 days of any operation that results injury or

property damage.
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6.4 Specific Operational Procedures for Substructure Bridge Inspections

1. The operator will file a FAA form 7711-1, or its equivalent with the local Flight

Standards District Office.

2. Ten days before flight operations, the operator will contact the United States

Coast Guard to notify all boaters, military and commercial ship operators that

UAS operations are being conducted and to request a Coast Guard Patrol or

State/Local Environmental Fishery Unit with boat(s) in the water to monitor the

safety zone.

3. The operator will conduct only bridge over waterway substructure inspections.

4. A no-fly zone will be established over bridge.

5. UAS flights will be operated underneath the bridge.

6. The operator will conduct a minimum of two missions, all over water, to inspect

the bridge substructures using both the mUAS and sUAS assets.

7. Report an accident to the United States Coast Guard within 10 days of any

operation that results injury or property damage.

8. At least five days before scheduled inspections, the operator of both the mUAS

and sUAS affected by this exemption must submit a written Scope of Work

Activities to the local FSDO with jurisdiction over the area of proposed
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infrastructure inspection. The 5-day notification may be waived with the

concurrence of the FSDO. The Scope of Work includes the following, but not

limited to:

a. Dates and times of flights.

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS inspections

conducted under this petition of exemption.

c. Name, phone number, and certificate number of the PIC.

d. Make, model, and N-number of UAS asset used in operation.

e. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property

owners and/or local officials to conduct the infrastructure inspection

event; the list of those who gave permission must be made available to

the inspector upon request.

f. A description of the flight mission, including maps or diagrams of any area,

city, town, county, and/or state over which infrastructure inspection will

be conducted and the altitudes essential to accomplish the operation.

6.5 Specific Operational Procedures for the DC Special Flight Rules Area (DC SFRA),

including the DC Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (DC FRZ)

1. Airspace surrounding the Whitehouse, the U.S. Treasury Building, the Mall, and

the U.S. Capitol building and grounds are prohibited from flight operations.

2. The operator will notify the U.S. Capitol Police of all flight operations.

3. The Pilot shall review all Notice-To-Airmen (NOTAMs) and file a DC SFRA Flight

Plan with the Washington Flight Standards Office.

4. The Pilot shall communicate with the Washington Flight Standards Office by cell

phone stating the current flight operation, location, altitude, and operational

timeframe when conducting operations within the DC SFRA, including the DC FRZ.

5. The Pilot shall provide battery level, altitude, and distance from PIC and location

for all flight operations to the Washington Flight Standards Office.

6. All flight operations in the District of Columbia will be 350 feet or below.

7. During flight operations, both the mUAS and sUAS will yield right-of-way to all

military, manned or unmanned aircraft.

8. At least five days before schedule inspections, the operator of both the mUAS

and sUAS affected by this exemption must submit a written Scope of Work

Activities to the Washington FSDO with jurisdiction over the area of proposed

infrastructure inspection. The 5-day notification may be waived with the

concurrence of the FSDO. The Scope of Work includes the following, but not

limited to:
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a. Dates and times of flights.

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS inspections

conducted under this petition of exemption.

c. Name, phone number, and certificate number of the PIC.

d. Make, model, and N-number of UAS asset used in operation.

e. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property

owners and/or local officials to conduct the infrastructure inspection

event; the list of those who gave permission must be made available to

the inspector upon request.

f. A description of the flight mission, including maps or diagrams of any area,

city, town, county, and/or state over which infrastructure inspection will

be conducted and the altitudes essential to accomplish the operation.

9. As part of preflight plans, the Pilotshall review all NOTAMs and file a DC SFRA Flight

Plan with the Washington Flight Standards Office. The pilot shall state that “we

would like to file a DC SFRA flight plan for a VFR flight at subject property located

at ___________________________________________ being inspected.” Next,

the operator shall remain only in Class G airspace and request approval to conduct

flight operations. During flight operations, the operator shall maintain

communications with the Washington Flight Standards Office stating current flight

operations, location, and altitude. Once flight operations ends, the operator shall

notify the Washington Flight Standards Offices by cell phone that flight operations

are closed.

10.All Pilots and visual camera operators shall have background checks conducted by

the TSA.

11.The Pilot shall engage and maintain contact with the Washington Flight Standards

Office by cell phone, without the need for the pilot to monitor VHF frequency 121.5

or UHF frequency 243.0. The Pilot will be notifying the Washington Flight Standards

Offices by cell phone of the start and end of flight operations in the DC FRZ and DC

SFRA.