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Data Acquisition and Management�Unit 11 – Flying Drones Safely and Legally �(Updated: 12/1/2020; https://www.faa.gov/news/)� � �

Empowering Colleges:

Growing the Workforce

Based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants DUE 1304591, DUE 164409, DUE 1700496, DUE 1937177, Due 1938717 DUE 1937237, 2030206 and 2015927. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Author: Wing Cheung

Title: Professor, Palomar College

Assistant Director, GeoTech Center

Email: wcheung@palomar.edu

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DO YOU NEED A LICENSE?�WHAT IS PART 107?

FAA REMOTE PILOT CERTIFICATE

Source: DroneBase

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FAA part 107 rule

  • Effective August 29, 2016
  • Regulate civil commercial operations
  • Topics covered:
    • Remote pilot certification
    • Aircraft registration
    • Operation guidelines
    • Does not address local regulations or privacy issues

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TYPES OF CIVIL OPERATIONS:�COMMERCIAL VS. RECREATIONAL

NON-CIVIL OPERATIONS INCLUDE MILITARY AND PUBLIC OPERATIONS

Source: Scout Drone USA

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Two types of civil operations

Requirements

Commercial

Recreational

Registration

  • Register each aircraft
  • Register pilot

Pilot

  • At least 16 year old to get license
  • Must pass Part 107 initial aeronautical knowledge test (at least 14 years old)
  • Vetted by Transportation Safety Administration
  • At least 13
  • Need to pass online aeronautical knowledge and safety test*

Operation

  • Label aircraft
  • Do not fly under the influence
  • Aircraft must be less than 55 lbs.
  • Visual line of sight
  • Under 400 feet
  • Daylight operation only
  • Fly slower than 100 mph
  • Do not fly over people, emergencies, or sporting events
  • Research airports and airspace, or get authorization with LAANC

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COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL?

“…PERSON IS (1) NOT COMPENSATED, OR (2) ANY COMPENSATION RECEIVED IS NEITHER DIRECTLY NOR INCIDENTALLY RELATED TO THAT PERSON’S OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT.”

Source: FAA

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FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION’S �PART 107 INITIAL AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE �TEST �(NOT THE RECREATIONAL �AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE &�SAFETY TEST)

Source: DroneU

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FAA part 107 knowledge test

  • 60+ questions
  • At least 14 years old
  • Two hours
  • Score at least 70%
  • Register and pay $150

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  • Bring ID and simple calculator
  • Online prep courses and study resources
  • Good for two years

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Exam subject areas

  • Regulations (15-25%)
    • Types of operation
    • Certification requirements
    • Aircraft registration
    • Operational guidelines/waivers

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Exam subject areas

  • Airspace and requirements (15-25%)
    • Controlled vs. uncontrolled airspace
      • Six classes (A, B, C, D, E, G)
      • Floor and ceiling
      • Entry requirements
      • Airspace restrictions (Notices to Airmen: NOTAM)
      • Special use airspace (Prohibited, MOA, etc.)
    • Sectional aeronautical chart

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Source: FAA

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Exam subject areas

  • Weather (11-16%)
    • Air pressure, temperature, wind, precipitation, micrometeorology
    • Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)
    • Briefing types (1800WXBrief)

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Source: NOAA

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Exam subject areas

  • Loading and performance (7-11%)
    • Basic terminology (e.g. center of gravity, useful load)
    • Impacts of weight and balance issues
    • Calculation of weight and balance

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Exam subject areas

  • Operations (35-45%)
    • In-flight emergencies
    • Decision making and crew resource management
      • Hazardous attitudes: Anti-authority, Impulsivity, Invulnerability, Macho, Resignation
    • Airport operations

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PRE-FLIGHT AND POST-FLIGHT CHECKLISTS

KEY TO SAFE FLIGHTS AND OPERATIONS

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Sample Pre-flight checklist

  • Before heading to the field, check:
    • SD card
    • USB cable
    • Aircraft battery
    • Controller battery
    • Mobile device battery
    • Propeller condition
    • Firmware updates

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Sample Pre-flight checklist

  • Before flying the aircraft:
    • Install battery securely
    • Install propellers securely
    • Check for damaged or loose components
    • Connect mobile device to controller
    • Open App
    • Remove gimbal lock
    • Turn on controller
    • Turn on drone
    • Check status of drone, battery, SD card, camera settings in App

Source: Youtube

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Sample Pre-flight checklist

  • Before taking-off:
    • Check yourself and surroundings
      • Wires, trees, people
      • Airspace, TFRs
      • Weather (wind, visibility, precipitation)
      • Psychological consideration (sober, tired)
    • Drone in GPS mode
    • Start motor and idle (listen, watch, smell)
    • Check warning messages
    • Check home point

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Sample Post-flight checklist

  • After flying:
    • Power down drone
    • Power down controller
    • Install gimbal lock
    • Remove propellers and inspect
    • Visually check drone, battery, and components for damage
    • Log flight

Source: Airdata UAV

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UAS COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS

INDUSTRY SECTORS THAT ARE USING UAS

Source: Skycatch

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Surveying and mapping: �Onboard Drone GPS is Not Perfect

With onboard GPS only

Post GCP correction with RTK GPS

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Precision Agriculture (RGB Image)

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Precision Agriculture (NDVI Image)

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Search and rescue with UAS

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HOW TO FIND STRICKEN ANIMALS IN AUSTRALIAN WILDFIRES

Source: BBC

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3-D Reconstruction and accident investigation with drones

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Construction Updates and Volumetric Measurements

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Future UAS trends in the NAS and topics to be researched

Source: GAO

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See GeoTech Center website (https://geotechcenter.org) �for additional Model Courses and other curriculum resources.���Note: some content is a derivative of other CC authors�����

Author: Wing Cheung

Title: Professor, Palomar College

Assistant Director, GeoTech Center

Email: wcheung@palomar.edu

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