UAS Operations
This page is a works in progress, first is to get the right useful information here, then we will make it pretty.
Table of Contents
Getting your Remote Pilot License
Area of Interest
Flight Planning
Flight Operations
General Information
PDF of Part 107, the regulations for commercial applications of drone activities
The local CMH Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) FAA contact for UAS operations is:
John Welsh
Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness)
Columbus,. Ohio Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
2780 Airport Drive, Suite 300
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Getting your Remote Pilot License
The first step in the process is to go to the FAA FAAST site login page. If you have previously registered, login. If you have not registered before, create an account and login.
Main FAA website for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) [click here]
Main FAA page on becoming a UAS Pilot [click here]
Part 107 Rules Summary from the FAA website pdf click here
Remote Pilot Test Prep
Suggested Study Materials
- Airmen Certification Standards (PDF)
- Knowledge Test Instructions (PDF)
- Knowledge Test Study Guide (PDF)
- Knowledge Test Sample Questions (PDF)
- Part 107 Advisory Circular (PDF)
- Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Quick Links
- Part 107 Course on FAA Safety Team website
- FAA Integrated Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application system (IACRA)
Marie (614) 255-3151 at the Columbus FSDO can help with the IACRA process
B4UFLY
FAA B4UFLY Smart Phone App [click here]
B4UFLY is an easy-to-use smartphone app that helps unmanned aircraft operators determine whether there are any restrictions or requirements in effect at the location where they want to fly. iOS and Android.
For more information, view the B4UFLY Q & A (PDF)
UAS Operational Procedures
Area of Interest
- Confirm area of interest, and type of data collection with customer and or Midwest
- Assure the selected area is flyable
- Check that all certification and documentation is in place to be able to fly
- Create flight area KML
Flight Planning
- Take KML and begin planning the proposed flight lines
- Create take off, landing plans for the area to ensure a proposed plan of safety
- Take into consideration the data type and collect platform
- Look over area and asses possible safety risks
- Do not forget to check airspace and towers in area
- If towers or airspace require notam file appropriate paper work
Flight Operations
- Ensure that all required equipment is present and that all is operational
- Ensure that the weather conditions, for the estimated flight time will be appropriate
- Begin flight operations
- Maintain control and orientation of aircraft at all times
- Be aware of manned aircraft and remember to give right of way if needed
- Conclude flight operations, land, return to base, etc.
- Disarm and remove data storage immediately and create a secondary or tertiary copy of the data
- Pack up
- Head home
- Processing
- Take copy of data and insert into processing software
- Insert any GCP data or support data into software
- Be sure that data is correct to customer’s specifications
- Deliver data
Drone Software
ArduPilot
ArduPilot Open Source Mission Planner website [click here]
Pix4D
Pix4D’s website [click here]
Pix4Dmapper software automatically converts images taken by hand, by drone, or by plane, and delivers highly precise, georeferenced 2D maps and 3D models.
Pix4D Support page [click here]
Pixhawk
Pixhawk’s website [click here]
Pixhawk is an independent, open-hardware project aiming at providing high-end autopilot hardware to the academic, hobby and industrial communities at low costs and high availability.
Pixhawk’s Autopilot [click here]
PIXHAWK is a high-performance autopilot-on-module suitable for fixed wing, multi rotors, helicopters, cars, boats and any other robotic platform that can move.
UMap
UMap’s website [click here]
YouTube
Cardinal Systems UAS Accuracy Case Study [click here]