UAS in EM Standard Operating Guide

Introductory text, etc.

Introduction

Overview

The Center for Disaster Risk Policy (CDRP) at Florida State University established the Unmanned Aircraft System research project to assess and improve the usability of small unmanned aircraft systems in the context of state, local, and federal disaster management. This project examines UAS hardware, software, policies and procedures, data collection methodologies, and crew training and education to develop best practices for UAS applications in emergency management.

CDRP is the applied and field research arm of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program at FSU, and CDRP faculty and staff have decades of operational emergency management, communications, and information technology experience.

UAS are gaining national attention as a new and exciting technology. Hobbyists and private citizens are acquiring UAS and using them to capture imagery and other data from a vantage point that was previously reserved for those with access to manned aircraft. Governments at all levels are expressing interest in how UAS can be applied to emergency management processes, including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Purpose of this Document

This Standard Operating Guide includes all non-aircraft specific information and operational guidelines for CDRP personnel operating a UAS.

Further, this document may be used as a template for any entity conducting UAS operations in support of emergency or disaster response agencies.

Published Location

This guide and all supporting documents is published at http://uas.cdrp.net

Administration

Administrative Control

This unmanned aircraft system research project is under the administrative control of the Center for Disaster Risk Policy at Florida State University. All research and operations must comply with CDRP polices and procedures, University policies and procedures, as well as state, local and federal laws and regulations.

The UAS research project director is the Director of the Center for Disaster Risk Policy at Florida State University.

Authority to Task

Only the Directors of the Center for Disaster Risk Policy and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program at Florida State University or their delegates have the authority to task or assign any UAS resources (including but not limited to aircraft, personnel, or equipment) to any project, mission, or other assignment.

Maintenance of this Document

This Standard Operating Guide is maintained and updated by the Center for Disaster Risk Policy and approved by the Director of CDRP.

Coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration

For purposes of correspondence with the FAA, to include (but not limited to) aircraft registration, Certificate of Authorization (COA) applications, incident reporting, operational reporting, etc., this research program should be identified as:

Center for Disaster Risk Policy
Florida State University
113 Collegiate Loop
Bellamy 638
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2250
850.644.9961
uas@cdrp.net

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Limitations and Requirements

Limitations and Requirements Overview

All UAS operated by the Center for Disaster Risk Policy will meet the following requirements and limitations, without exceptions. These limitations and requirements are in effect to ensure safe operation of the UAS and ensure the safety of the crew, onlookers and other personnel not directly involved in the operation.

Weight

The UAS will weigh less than 55lbs. at takeoff. This is gross weight including fuel sources (battery) and mission payload.

Performance and Altitude

The UAS will not exceed 50 knots of airspeed.

The UAS will not exceed 400' AGL unless specifically authorized by the FAA.

Preflight Inspection

Prior to any UAS flight, the Pilot in Command will conduct a thorough inspection of all components of the UAS, including the air vehicle, ground control station, and communication devices. Systems not found to be in condition for safe flight or operation will not be utilized.

Any discrepancies found during pre-flight inspections should be logged in the aircraft logbook.

Minimum Crew

All UAS operations will be conducted by a Pilot in Command (PIC) and Visual Observer (VO). The PIC has the final authority and responsibility for the safe operation of the UAS and the safety and well-being of UAS crewmembers. While not required, an Aircraft Operator (AO) is recommended for safe operation.

Failsafe Mode

All UAS operated by CDRP must be equipped with a failsafe mode in case of primary control link failure. This mode must return the aircraft to the launch area. 3.7 - Emergency Procedures Defined

All UAS must have documented emergency procedures covering (at a minimum): engine or power failure; fire; loss of control link; loss of GPS; loss of telemetry data link; loss of video downlink.

Flight Controls

All UAS must have a Primary Flight Controller (PFC) allowing the pilot manual (or a close approximation of manual) control over the aircraft. All UAS must have an autopilot capable of autonomous and user-directed flight.

The PFC must be in the direct possession of the pilot or pilot-in-command at all times. 3.8.1 Required Flight Modes/Autopilot Modes

Each aircraft and autopilot combination provides different flight control modes. While the aircraft or autopilot may provide additional modes, the following are required:

• Manual/Stabilized Mode - Allows the pilot or pilot-in-command to manually control the aircraft. This mode may provide stabilization if required (as on a multi-rotor).
• Loiter Mode - Allows the aircraft to hold lateral position and altitude with minimal pilot input. Fixed-wing aircraft may circle a specific point.
• Return to Launch - Directs the aircraft to begin an automated least-time/least-distance return to the launch point. Useful as a failsafe mode.

Battery Reserve

Battery voltage is the 'fuel' for electric UAS. With this in mind, all UAS flights will end while the aircraft maintains a 25% battery reserve. Battery voltage and capacity should be measured using voltage of the battery per the aircraft POH.

Aircraft Markings

CDRP will register all UAS with the FAA and mark each UAS with the corresponding registration number (N-number).

If required by the FAA, all UAS will be marked as 'Experimental'. This marking will be visible and permanent.

Aircraft Documentation

Each UAS operated by CDRP for research or operational purposes will have a Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) specific for the model. The POH will be located with the Ground Control Station and will be familiar to each crewmember.

The POH will include all documentation required by this section and this SOG and will be available for inspection during all UAS operations.