1. INTRODUCTION TO UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS
DRONES 101
United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers

2. “An unmanned vehicle (air, land or sea) that can navigate autonomously, without human control or beyond the line of sight”.
What is a drone?
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Unmanned Ground Vehicle
Unmanned Underwater Vehicle
United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers

3. “An unmanned aerial vehicle can be multi-rotor or fixed wing”
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers

4. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
“An unmanned aircraft system is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the equipment necessary for the safe and efficient operation of that aircraft. A UAV is a component of a UAS.”
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers

5. Recreation vs. Commercial
“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for the safe operation of all aircraft operating in the National Airspace System. The FAA has established different rules for drone operators flying for fun, and for drone operators that are operating for hire.”
Recreation vs. Commercial
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6. United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers
“Recreational use is flying for enjoyment and not for work, business purposes, or for compensation or hire.
Recreation
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7. United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers
RECREATION
Fly in accordance with the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (Public Law Section 336)
Fly for hobby or recreational purposes only
Follow a community-based set of safety guidelines
Fly the UAS within visual line-of-sight
Give way to manned aircraft
Provide prior notification to the airport and air traffic control tower, if one is present, when flying within 5 miles of an airport
Fly UAS that weigh no more than 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization
Register the aircraft (UAS over 0.55 lbs. and less than 55 lbs. can be registered online at registermyuas.faa.gov; UAS 55 lbs. or greater must be registered through the FAA's paper-based process)
United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers

8. Commercial “Commercial use is flying for work, business purposes, or
for compensation or hire.
Commercial
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9. United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers
COMMERCIAL
There are two ways to fly a UAS for work, business, or non-recreational reasons:
Following the rules in a Section 333 grant of exemption
Following the requirements in the Small UAS rule (Part 107)
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10. COMMERCIAL: Section 333 vs Part 107
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11. COMMERCIAL: Section 333 vs Part 107
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12. How do I know where it is OK to fly and where it is not OK to fly?
The FAA has developed a mobile app called B4UFLY to help recreational UAS operators know whether there are any restrictions or requirements where they want to fly.
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13. United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers
FAA Registration
Federal law requires that all aircraft (which includes UAS and radio/remote controlled aircraft) flown outdoors must be registered with the FAA and marked with a registration number. UAS weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds may register online at or by using the legacy paper based registration process. The weight limit includes everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft at the time of takeoff.
United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers

14. United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers
FAA Registration
What is the difference between registering a UAS flown for fun vs. UAS flown for work or business?
If you fly your UAS for hobby or recreational purposes and you use the web-based registration process to register your aircraft, you only need to register once and then apply your registration number to as many UAS as you want. Recreational registrants only need to provide their name, address, and address. The $5 registration fee covers all recreational UAS owned by the registrant.
Unmanned aircraft flown for work or business must be registered individually by the owner, and each registration costs $5. Registrants must supply their name, address, and address, in addition to the make, model, and serial number (if available) for each UAS they want to fly.
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15. United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers
FAA Registration
Do I always have to have my Certificate of Aircraft Registration with me while flying my UAS?
Yes. You must have the FAA registration certificate in your possession when operating an unmanned aircraft. The certificate can be available either on paper or electronically. If another person operates your UAS, they must have the UAS registration certificate in their possession. You can give them a paper copy or a copy to them.
Federal law requires UAS operators to show the certificate of registration to any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer if asked. You can show it electronically or show the printed certificate.
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16. United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers
VIDEOGRAPHY / PHOTOGRAPHY
+ Home movies
+ Kids sporting events
+ Weddings
+ Golf Course
+ Promotional Videos for Products / Services
+ 360 Panoramas
+ Tourism Aerial landmark flyby
+ News
+ Sports Event Coverage
+ Live Event Coverage
+ Concerts
+ Traffic Reporting
+ Aerial cinematography for movies
+ Action/sports
Documentary / Expedition
REAL ESTATE (COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL)
+ Real Estate / Property Photos and Video
+ Residential Real Estate Marketing
+ Commercial Real Estate Marketing
360 Area Shots
UTILITIES
+ Radio Tower Inspections
+ Hydro-line / Power-Line Inspection
+ Wind Turbine Inspections
+ Vegetation management
NERC ROW monitoring
+ Surveying
+ Mining & Resources
+ Tree Mapping
MINING / OIL & GAS
+ Oil spill tracking
+ Pipeline monitoring
+ Environmental assessment
+ Pit Survey
AGRICULTURE
+ Pest control (eg corn borer)
+ Land Use
+ Crop type
+ Plant count
+ Canopy cover
+ Leaf area index
+ Soil type
+ Soil moisture
+ Growth stage
+ Plant Height
+ Nitrogen deficiencies
+ Plant health
+ Yield Monitoring
+ Soil Classification
+ Spectral Imaging
+ Cattle: Drone/UAV FPV Herding
MAPPING
+ Land cover mapping
+ Forestry mapping
+ Biomass
+ Forest health
+ Disease detection
+ Environmental mapping
+ Hydrology & Geological Mapping
+ Water management support mapping
+ Wind Farm Mapping
+ Solar power plant mapping
+ Transmission Line mapping
+ Emergency response mapping
+ Disaster Site Monitoring and mapping
+ Hazard Mapping
+ Archaeological Site Mapping
DISASTER RESPONSE
+ Search and Rescue
+ Marine Search and Rescue
+ Wildfire
+ Flooding
+ Damage assessment
+ Rapid response / 911
+ Emergency Uses (delivery of equipment or medicines)
+ Surf Lifesaving (flotation delivery)
+ Fire Detection (e.g. fire towers)
CITY/GOVERNMENT
+ Police surveillance
+ Border Patrol / Detection
+ Drug Enforcement
+ Grow-op Detection
+ Forestry and Fire Protection
+ Highway Patrol and Enforcement
+ Bridge Inspection
+ Asset Management
+ Military Uses
EDUCATION
+ University Science and Technology Studies
+ Aeronautical Engineering and Studies
+ Software Development Studies Courses
+ Industrial Engineering Studies Courses
+ Robotics Studies and Engineering
+ 3D Printing and Technology Studies Courses
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17. United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers
UAVUS Best Practices
PRE-FLIGHT:
¥ When required, notify the appropriate FAA facility of the launch schedule and location.
¥ Survey the area of operation for hazards – trees, utility poles and other obstacles that might compromise the flight, then make a judgment as to whether to proceed.
¥ Check the weather for wind speed, cloud cover and any forecast changes that might adversely affect flight safety and performance.
¥ Examine the aircraft ⎯ looking at connections and searching for cracks and loose parts.
¥ Determine that the electronic elements are performing correctly.
¥ Determine that the barometric altimeter reflects approximately 0 feet AGL.
¥ Following takeoff, the Pilot in Charge (PIC) will hover at an altitude of approximately 10 feet to assure that the home return point is established.
¥ Exercise all controls to confirm their functionality ⎯ if one of the controls is not functioning, the mission will be terminated immediately.
¥ Operate with a Visual Observer (VO) alongside the PIC who will double-check for possible flight hazards. The VO will provide a second pair of eyes to assist the PIC in keeping the UAV within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS). The VO will also assist in any emergency maneuvers due to unanticipated events that require a quick landing.
SAFETY/PRIVACY PROTOCOLS:
¥ Do not fly above dense traffic or crowds.
¥ Always give right-of-way to manned aircraft.
¥ Stay clear of FAA-controlled airspace at airports (generally a five nautical mile radius), as well as restricted and prohibited zones.
¥ Fly no higher than 400′ AGL and no further than 1000′ from the home point, recognizing that the primary responsibility is to safely keep the aircraft within VLOS.
¥ Perform a post-flight check of the UAV to determine its physical and electronic condition.
¥ Gain express permission to fly above any and all property within flight plan.
¥ Follow a preflight checklist confirming battery charge, propeller connection, motor function, etc.
¥ Calibrate compass before each flight.
¥ Never fly in high wind or threat of precipitation.
¥ Set maximum height and radius flight limits in intelligent controller if possible.
¥ Use low battery warning audible alarms from the controller to return to home, and land well before battery capacity falls below 30 percent.
In addition, UAVUS members pledge to:
¥ Never operate a UAV while under the influence of any substance including alcohol, narcotics whether prescribed, un-prescribed or over-the-counter medications.
¥ Never operate a UAV to harass, herd or alter the normal behavior of wildlife.
United States Association of Unmanned Aerial Videographers