Unmanned Aircraft System Operations 00.11.00.00 11.05.00 Organization and Administration. 15.02 Instructor UAS Training. Conducted by the Manufacturer – attendees selected by the The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Lieutenants UAS Lieutenants based on recommendations of shall be responsible to the Assistant Chief Pilot for the Team Leaders. administrative control and direction/oversight of the Aircraft Section UAS Program. It will be the 15.03 Department UAS Team Training. responsibility of the UAS Lieutenants to assign UAS Conducted by the Team quarterly, at minimum, as operation base locations, approve missions, develop designated by the Team Leaders. Departmental UAS Program policy, submit annual budget requests/purchases for approval, and to 15.04 Department UAS Operator Currency review and submit to all Federal Aviation Requirement. Team members are required to Administration (FAA) required reports. have 3 landings every 90 days to remain current as Department UAS Vehicle Operators. The designated UAS Team Leaders shall be responsible to the UAS Lieutenants for the direction 15.05 Department UAS Standardization and and coordination of UAS Team missions and training Evaluation. activities. The UAS Team Leaders will be responsible for tracking team missions and currency, 1. Unless otherwise approved by the Aircraft and for completing the required monthly and annual Section Chief Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot or UAS FAA reports for submission to the UAS Lieutenants. Lieutenants, Department UAS Operators shall comply with the manufacturer’s operator’s manual 11.10.00 Operating Procedures. in all Department UAS operations. 10.01 Weather Operating Limitations. Without 2. All Department UAS Team members shall the prior approval of the Chief or Assistant Chief undergo annual Mission Operator and Vehicle Pilots, Department UAS will not be operated with Operator evaluation/qualification, as determined less than a 1000’ ceiling and 3 miles visibility. by the Team Leaders. 10.02 Mission Activation Procedures. 11.20.00 UAS Maintenance Program Requests for Department UAS resource deployment should be directed to the UAS Team Any maintenance discrepancies will be noted on the Leaders for submission to the UAS Lieutenants Manufacturer’s and DPS flight logs, and reported to for approval. The UAS Team Leaders, or their the UAS Team Leaders, as soon as practical. designee, will contact the requesting agency and Maintenance on Department UAS will only be gather the information and details necessary to accomplished by the personnel and facilities, and to apply for the Certificate of Authorization (COA) the extent listed below, unless otherwise approved. application and approval. This will be accomplished by completing the Emergency COA 20.01 Department UAS Operators. Authorized – Data Requirements (Annex 1). The UAS Team to conduct field repairs in which they have Leaders, or their designee, shall assign UAS received instruction. equipment and minimum of two UAS operators to complete approved missions. 20.02 Other repairs will be performed by authorized service providers as approved by the 10.03 Emergency COA Application The Team Chief Pilot. Leaders, or their designee, make the request to the FAA, by providing the COA application 11.25.00 Reports. information, and scope of request. 25.01 Records Maintenance All UAS operators 11.15.00 Training & Standardization. shall complete both the Manufacturer’s and DPS flight logs, any time a Aircraft Section UAS is Department UAS Operator training and operated. standardization will consist of the following. 15.01 Initial UAS Training. Conducted by UAS Instructors as approved by the Chief Pilot. 1-1 25.02 Required Reporting Procedures. 30.02 Activity. Operation of the UAS in The following information is required to class G airspace at or below 400 feet AGL document unusual occurrences associated (Above Ground Level) is under the with UAS activities in the NAS (National Air jurisdiction of the Austin Approach Control Space). (ATC). 1. The Texas Department of Public 30.03 Purpose. To prescribe UAS Safety Aircraft Section shall provide the operating requirements, outside of following information to the FAA - Restricted and / or Warning Area airspace Required Report Contact listed in in the NAS for the purpose of training Annex 1, on a monthly/annual basis, and/or operational flights. using the report form (Annex 2): 11.35.00 Renewal of Training COAs. a. Number of flights conducted under this COA Renewal of the Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Section Training COAs shall be b. Pilot duty time per flight. applied for by advising the FAA, in writing, no later than 60 days prior to the requested c. Unusual equipment malfunctions effective date. (hardware / software). 11.40.00 General Provisions. d. Deviations from ATC instructions. The review of the UAS activities is based on e. Operational/coordination issues. the current understanding of the FAA of UAS operations, and the impact of such operations f. All periods of loss of link (telemetry), in the NAS, therefore such review should not command and or control. be considered a precedent for future operations. As changes occur in the UAS 2. The following shall be reported via industry, or in the understanding of the FAA of email or phone (202) 385-4542, cell it, there may be changes to the limitations and (443) 569-1732 to the FAA - Required conditions for similar operations in the future. Report Contact listed in Annex 1 within All personnel connected with the UAS 24 hours. operation must comply with the contents of the COA and its provisions. The COA will be a. All accidents or incidents involving reviewed by the FAA and amended as UAS activities, including lost link. necessary to conform to changing FAA UAS policy and guidance. b. Deviations from “Special Provisions” contained in the COA. 11.45.00 Safety Provisions. 11.30.00 Florence and Thrall Training COAs Unmanned aircraft (UA) have no on-board pilot to perform see-and-avoid responsibilities, and 30.01 DPS COA Responsibilities. The therefore, when operating outside of restricted COAs assigned to the Texas Department of areas, special provisions must be made to Public Safety Aircraft Section does not in ensure an equivalent level of safety exists for itself, waive Federal Aviation Regulation operations, as had a pilot been on board. In (FAR) nor any state law or local ordinance. accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, General Should the proposed operation conflict with Operating and Flight rules, subpart J-waivers, any state law or local ordinance, or require 91.903, policy and procedures, the following permission of local authorities or property provisions provide acceptable mitigation of 14 owners, it is the responsibility of the Texas CFR Part 91.113 and must be complied with. Department of Public Safety Aircraft Section to resolve the matter. The COAs do For the purpose of see and avoid, visual not authorize flight within Special Use observers must be utilized at all times except Airspace without approval from the using in Class A airspace, restricted areas, and agency. Texas Department of Public warning areas. The observers may either be Safety Aircraft Section is authorized to ground based or in a chase plane. The UA operate the UAS in the operations area must remain within a lateral distance of no depicted in the shaded area of the more than ¼ nautical mile and 400’ vertically Aeronautical sectional chart “San from the visual observer. UAS pilots will Antonio” (See Annex 3). ensure there is a safe operating distance 1-2 Unmanned Aircraft System Operations 00.11.00.00 between manned and unmanned aircraft at all times NAVAIDS, and waypoints. Use of Latitude/Longitude in accordance with 14 CFR 91.111, Operating Near is NOT authorized. Other Aircraft, and 14 CFR 91.113, Right of Way Rules. Cloud clearances and VFR visibilities for 11.65.00 Observer Qualifications. Class E airspace will be used regardless of class of airspace. Additionally, UAS operators are advised to Observers must have been provided with sufficient operate well clear of all known manned aircraft training to communicate clearly to the pilot any operations. The dropping or spraying of aircraft turning instructions required to stay clear of stores, or carrying of hazardous materials outside of conflicting traffic. Observers will receive training on active Restricted, Prohibited, or Warning Areas is rules and responsibilities described in 14 CFR prohibited unless specifically authorized in the 91.111, Operating Near Other Aircraft, 14 CFR Special Provisions of this COA. 91.113 Right of Way Rules, cloud clearance, in-flight visibility, and the pilot controller glossary including 11.50.00 Airworthiness Certification Provisions. standard ATC phraseology and communication. Observers must have in their possession a current Unmanned aircraft must be shown to be airworthy to second class medical or higher airman medical conduct flight operations in the NAS. Public use certificate that has been issued under 14 CFR 67, aircraft must maintain one of the following; A civil Medical Standards and Certification, or a military airworthiness certification from the FAA, or a equivalent. 14 CFR 91.17, Alcohol or Drugs, applies statement specifying that the Department of Defense to UA observers. Handbook “Airworthiness Certification Criteria” MIL- HDBK-516 as amended, was used to certify the 11.70.00 Pilot in Command (PIC) Visual Flight aircraft or an equivalent method of certification. Rules (VFR) as Applicable. 11.55.00 Pilot / Observer Provisions. The PIC is the person directly responsible for the operation of the UA. The responsibility and authority Pilot Qualifications - Unmanned aircraft pilots of the pilot in command as described by 14 CFR 91.3 interacting with Air Traffic Control (ATC) shall have (or military equivalent), applies to the UAS PIC. sufficient expertise to perform that task readily. Pilots must have an understanding of and comply with FAA The PIC operating a UA in line of site must pass at a Regulations and Military Regulations applicable to minimum the required knowledge test for a private the airspace where the UA will operate. Pilots must pilot certificate, or military equivalent, as stated in 14 have in their possession a current second class CFR 61.105, and must keep their aeronautical medical or higher airman medical certificate that has knowledge up to date. There is no intent to suggest been issued under 14 CFR 67, Medical Standards that there is any requirement for the UAS PIC to be and Certification, or a military equivalent. 14 CFR qualified as a crew member of a manned aircraft. 91.17, Alcohol and Drugs, applies to UA pilots. Pilots flying a UA on other than instrument flight plans 11.60.00 Aircraft and Operations Requirements. beyond line of sight must possess a minimum of a current private pilot certificate, or military equivalent Flight below 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) – UA in the category and class, as stated in 14 CFR operations below 18,000 feet MSL in any airspace 61.105. generally accessible to aircraft flying in accordance with visual flight rules (VFR) require visual observers, 11.75.00 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) as either airborne or ground based. Use of ATC radar Applicable. alone does not constitute sufficient collision risk mitigation in airspace where uncooperative airborne The PIC is the person directly responsible for the operations may be conducted. operation of the UA. The responsibility and authority of the pilot in command as described by 14 Flights at or above 18,000 feet Mean Sea Level CFR 91.3 (or military equivalent), applies to the UAS (MSL) when operating on an instrument ATC PIC. The PIC must be a certified pilot (minimum of clearance, the unmanned aircraft pilot in command private pilot) of manned aircraft (FAA or military must ensure that an ATC clearance has been filed, equivalent) in category and class of aircraft flown. obtained and followed. Positional information shall be The PIC must also have a current/appropriate provided in reference to established NAS fixes, instrument rating (manned aircraft, FAA or military 1-3 equivalent) for the category and class 90.02 Cloud Clearances and Visibilities. of aircraft flown. VFR cloud clearances and visibilities for Class E airspace will be used regardless of 11.80.00 Pilot Proficiency – VFR/IFR as class of airspace in which the UAS is Applicable. operating. Special VFR is NOT authorized. Pilots will not act as a VFR/IFR PIC unless 90.03 Operations. Operations, including they have had three qualified proficiency lost link procedures), shall not be events within the preceding 90 days. The term conducted over populated areas, heavily “qualified proficiency event” is a UAS-specific trafficked roads, or an open-air assembly of term necessary due to the diversity of UAS people. Operations outside of active types and control systems. A qualified restricted areas, warning areas, prohibited proficiency event is an event requiring the pilot areas, (designated for aviation use) and/or to exercise the training and skills unique to the Class A airspace may only be conducted UAS in which proficiency is maintained. Pilots during daylight hours. Operators shall not will not act as an IFR/PIC unless they have loiter on Victor airways. When necessary, had 6 instrument qualifying events in the transit of Victor airways shall be conducted preceding 6 calendar months (an event that as expeditiously as possible. Operations requires the PIC to exercise instrument flight conducted under VFR rules shall operate at skills unique to the UAS). appropriate VFR altitudes for direction of flight (14 CFR 91.159). The UA PIC or 11.85.00 PIC Responsibilities. chase plane PIC (whichever is applicable) will notify ATC of any in flight emergency or Pilots are responsible for a thorough preflight aircraft accident as soon as practical. The inspection of the UAS. Flight operations will Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft not be undertaken unless the UAS is airworthy. Section and/or its representatives, is The airworthiness provisions of 14 CFR 91.7, responsible at all times for collision Civil Aircraft Airworthiness, or the military avoidance with non participating aircraft equivalent, apply. One PIC must be and the safety of persons or property on the designated at all times and is responsible for surface with respect to UAS. the safety of the UA and persons and property along the UA flight path. The PIC will be held 11.95.00 Special Provisions. accountable for controlling their aircraft to the same standards as the pilot of a manned 95.01 Number of UA Flown. Only one aircraft. The provisions of 14 CFR 91.13, UA will be flown at a time. Careless and Reckless Operation, apply to UAS pilots. 95.02 Provisions for the Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft 11.90.00 Standard Provisions. Section. The Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Section will contact Austin These provisions are applicable to all Approach Control, Gray Army Approach operations unless indicated otherwise in the Control, and Georgetown Air Traffic Control Special Provisions section. thirty minutes prior to commencing flight operations and immediately after flight The UA PIC will maintain direct two-way operations are completed. communication with ATC and have the ability to maneuver the UA per their instructions. The 95.03 ATC Notification. PIC shall comply with all ATC instructions Due to the close proximity of three Air and/or clearances. If equipped, the UA shall Traffic Control facilities, in the event of a operate with an operational mode 3/A lost link, the operator will immediately notify transponder, with altitude encoding, or mode S Austin Approach Control at (512) 369-7841, transponder (preferred) set to an ATC Georgetown Air Traffic Control Tower at assigned squawk. If equipped, the UA shall (512) 868-3580, and Gray Army Approach operate with position/navigation lights on at Control at (254) 553-2526, stating pilot all times during flight. intentions, and will comply with the following provision: 90.01 The UA PIC. The pilot in command (PIC) shall not accept any ATC clearance requiring the use of visual separation or sequencing. 1-4 Unmanned Aircraft System Operations 00.11.00.00 95.04 Loss of Link. The aircraft will climb or 00.02 Emergency UAS COAs Not Considered. descend to 250 feet AGL and fly to waypoint Echo Emergency UAS COAs shall not be considered (the center point of the approved COA operating for the following: area). If link is reacquired, the pilot then has the option to continue the mission if he determines the 1. Demonstration flights. aircraft can resume normal navigation without incident. Otherwise the aircraft will orbit at 2. Flights to test capabilities. waypoint Echo at 250 feet AGL until it has exhausted its powers supply and land in the 3. Training. approved operating area. 4. Flights in Class B Airspace. 95.05 Notam. A distance (Notam D) Notice to Airman shall be 5. Flights over populated areas. issued when UA operations are being conducted. This requirement may be accomplished through 00.03 FAA Definition of “Emergency”. your local base operations or NOTAM issuing For the process, the definition of “Emergency” is; authority. You may also complete this requirement either a distress or urgency condition where there by contacting Flight Service Station at 1-877-4- is or has the extreme possibility of loss of life. US-NTMS (1-877-487-6867) not more than 72 hours in advance, but not less than 48 hours prior 00.04 Emergency COA “On Request” Time. to the operation and provide; An emergency COA will require a time frame of .5 to 2.0 hours once the required data has been 1. Name and address of operator filing received by the FAA in Washington D. C. The NOTAM request. Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for notifying the appropriate Air Traffic Control facility 2. Location, altitude or the operating area. having jurisdiction over the geographical area in question and filing the NOTAM. 3. Time and nature of the activity. 00.05 All UAS Points of Contact – (Annex 4). 12.00.00 Emergency COA Application and Approval Procedures. Procedures for requesting an Emergency COA from the FAA in Washington D.C. are specific in nature. 00.01 Emergency Situation. An Emergency UAS COA may be considered when all of the following conditions apply: 1. A situation exists that is defined as a condition of distress or urgency where there is, or has the extreme possibility of loss of life. 2. Manned flight is not possible due to a hazard, or, the operation cannot be conducted safely with manned flight. 3. The proposed UAS is operating under a current COA. 1-5 ANNEX 1 Emergency COA – Data Requirements Date: Time: UTC/Local Caller: Name: Government Agency: Phone Number: E-Mail: FAX: Incident Commander /Requesting Official: Name: Phone Number: Mission Point of Contact: Name: Phone Number: Pilot in Command Communication Direct non radio communication number*: *(commercial preferred, not everyone has DSN) Nature of Emergency: Missing Person Fire National Disaster Local Disaster Other: Reason for Request: Temporary Flight Restriction: None 99.7 91.137 A1 / A2 / A3 Location/Altitude: Attach Chart or Map (if able) Closest NAVAID: Distance from nearest town/city Altitude: Operations area: Center point: Lat / Long Fix Radial Dist 1-6 ANNEX 1 Emergency COA – Data Requirements, Cont. Radius: NM Requested route (if known) Lat/Long Box: Affected ATC Facility: IFR / VFR / Class A / B / C / D / E / G Aircraft: Airworthiness Statement: Yes / No Line of sight? Yes / No Day / Night Transponder/Mode C Navigation/Position Lights Home base airport: Current aviation data base: Yes / No Current maps and charts: Yes / No Pilot Qualifications: VFR: Private pilot written: Yes / No Medical: 1st / 2nd / 3rd / None Current: Yes / No IFR: Current instrument rating w Cat/Class Yes / No Medical: 1st / 2nd / 3rd / None Observer Qualifications: Trained: Yes / No 1 mile lateral 3000’ vertical Medical: 1st / 2nd / 3rd / None Populated Area: Yellow on the sectional: Yes / No Open area assembly of people: Yes / No Heavy traffic roads: Yes / No Lost Link: VFR: Divert/Emergency Landing Area: IFR: Divert/Emergency Landing Area: 1-7 ANNEX 1 Emergency COA – Data Requirements, Cont. General Description of Operation: (Government Agency/Unit) wants to fly a(n) (Aircraft) (Where). They will be (VFR/IFR) operating within (Class of Airspace) in (ATC Facilities Airspace / or no ATC). They want to operate starting at (Local/UTC) for (number of hours / days). (Will / will not) be using a (99.7 / 91.137) Temporary Flight Restriction. All operations will be conducted (day / night) under Visual Meteorological Conditions with a minimum of 3 miles visibility. The Pilot in Command will abide by all 14 CFR 91 rules and regulations. See and avoid will be mitigated by (ground observer / chase aircraft with airborne observer / active Restricted, Prohibited, or Warning Area airspace). Specific Information for the FAA UA Program Office: Doug Davis w: 202 385-4636 c: 202 345-0164 [AFS Alternate] General Description + If VFR: The (Aircraft) (will / will not) stay in line of sight of the Pilot/Observer. (The observer will be (ground / airborne) based.) Operations will be over (non-populated / populated) areas. They have a(n) (Agency) Airworthiness Statement. They have a lost link procedure to avoid all populated areas and return to (restricted area / warning area / prohibited area / airport or the ground control station). The entire operation will be conducted in (A/C/E/G) airspace. The pilot has (passed the Private Pilot Written / Private / Commercial / Air Transport Pilot / Instrument Rating) and has a current (3rd / 2nd / 1st / None) medical. The Observers (if used) are trained by (agency). They have current (3rd / 2nd / 1st / None) medical. If IFR: Departure and Arrival operations outside Class A airspace will be in (Restricted (Temporary or Permanent) / Prohibited / Warning Areas or Chased). All IFR operations will be conducted in Class A airspace. Operations will be over (non-populated / populated) areas. They have an IFR (Agency) Airworthiness Statement. They have a certified transponder w mode (c/s) and (navigation/position lights) and will operate them at all times. They will file, receive and follow an ATC clearance. They have a lost link procedure to avoid all populated areas and return to (restricted area / warning area / prohibited area / airport). (If to an airport – will chase up and down – or Temporary Flight Restriction). UASPO Restrictions For this process, the definition of “Emergency” is; either a distress or urgency condition where there is or has the extreme possibility of loss of life. As with all Certificate of Authorizations – the application must be made by the Government Agency (not the contractor/operator) Emergency COA Request – FAA Points of Contacts Ardith “Ardy” Williams, FAA Air Traffic Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems C – (202) 497-7688 Email: [email protected] Doug Davis, FAA Manager Unmanned Aircraft Program Office C – (202) 385-4636 Email: [email protected] John Page, FAA Unmanned Aircraft Program Office O – (202) 267-7477 C – (202) 329-5271 Email: [email protected] 1-8 Annex 4 UAS Related Points of Contact Signature Science, LLC, Austin, Texas Ed Tovar, Program Manager / Military Liaison O – (512) 533-2038 C – (512) 431-0545 Email: [email protected] Jim Minton, Chief Pilot / FAA Liaison / COA’s O – (512) 533-2000 ext. 3021 C – (512) 983-4442 H – (512) 343-7216 Email: [email protected] Aerovironment, Simi Valley, California Brian Walsh, Business Development Manager O – (805) 581-2198 C – (805) 433-4155 Email: [email protected] Bill Williams, Pilot – Instructor C – (805) 391-1355 Email: [email protected] Lee Gaudreau – Pilot – Instructor C – (805) 910-9651 Email: [email protected] Dirk Wenrich, Pilot – Instructor C – (805) 910-9655 Email: [email protected] Camp Bullis Military Base – San Antonio, Texas Patricia Jennings, Range Lead Scheduler O – (21) 295-7686 or (210) 295-7510 Email: [email protected] Ft. Hood Military Base – Killeen, Texas Mitchell Sheppard, Range Control Officer O – (254) 287-3616 Email: [email protected] Bob Ulrigg, ATC – Airspace Manager – NOTAMS/Military O – (254) 288-1424 Email: [email protected] Ft. Bliss Military Base – El Paso, Texas Bob McDonald, Airspace Manager O - (915) 569-9280 Email: [email protected] 1-9 Annex 4 UAS Related Points of Contact, Cont. Federal Aviation Administration – Required Reports Donald Grampp, Analyst UAS Programs Office - O – (202) 385-4542 C – (443) 569-1732 Email: [email protected] Federal Aviation Administration – Airworthiness / Training COAs - Renewal Randy Willis, Senior Analyst UAS Programs Office – Washington D C O – (202) 267-8565 Email: [email protected] Federal Aviation Administration - Emergency COA Requests Ardith “Ardy” Williams, FAA Air Traffic Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems C – (202) 497-7688 Email: [email protected] Doug Davis, FAA Manager Unmanned Aircraft Program Office C – (202) 385-4636 Email: [email protected] John Page, FAA Unmanned Aircraft Program Office O – (202) 267-7477 C – (202) 329-5271 Email: [email protected] Air Traffic Control (ATC) Austin Approach Control (512) 369-7841 Georgetown Air Traffic Control Tower (512) 868-3580 Gray Army Approach Control (254) 553-2526 1-10