I recently applied for a night waiver and got the following follow up question:
Describe how the RPIC will see and avoid other aircraft, people on the ground, and ground-based structures and obstacles during darkness.
Your application covered some of this guideline, but appeared to omit the need to see and avoid unmanned aircraft, as well as manned. Please readdress the following elements of this guideline and include "unmanned" aircraft as you describe in detail, "how" and "what" you will be doing to see and avoid other aircraft, people on the ground, and ground-based structures and obstacles during darkness.
My waiver included the following,
How will the PIC and/or VO locate other persons, aircraft, obstacles, and structures in the dark?
When possible, missions will include a daylight scouting of the operational flight area for obstacles as well as a launch and recovery area. All VOs will be advised to be vigilant while scouting the skies and ground during mission for manned aircraft, people, structures and vehicles.
What will they do if other persons/aircraft are located during flight?
If manned aircraft approaches, PIC will immediately be informed. PIC will verbally confirm notification. PIC will put the sUAS into a stationary hover and if possible, Navigation lights on the aircraft will be used to determine direction of travel. If no threat is determined, operation will continue with special attention given to the spotted aircraft.If aircraft altitude and direction cannot be determined in a safe amount of time, PIC will lower aircraft as quickly and safely as possible. If needed, PIC will return sUAS to launch area. As a last resort, PIC will institute an emergency flight termination procedure over a predetermined safe area. This will only be used as an emergency last resort due to the PIC losing all control of the sUAS at that point. In the event a non-participatory person or vehicle gets close to, or enters into the flight area, the same VO/PIC notification and confirmation procedure will be performed as above. The PIC will hover the sUAS. The sUAS will be directed to land if any safety situation exists and return procedures will be performed, with the added safety precaution of keeping the sUAS from flying over, or too close to, other people or vehicles.
How will they avoid hitting obstacles/structures during flight?
Daylight scouting and knowledge of the area will be the primary method to avoid hazards. If necessary, PIC or VO will use flashlights, or any other means, to illuminate any obstacles when the sUAS reaches a predetermined distance from said object. All launching and landing zones will be sufficiently lit to maintain a safe area for operations.
If flight operations occur in an area with lighting sufficient for the PIC and VO to see the sUAS and other obstacles, persons, and aircraft, how will they determine the lighting is sufficient before flight?
PIC and VO will use identifiers such as color and distance between members to verify sufficient lighting. If safety is as concern of any crew member on sufficient lighting, additional lighting will be used as described above.
My question is the this, the simpleton in me says to changed manned to "manned or unmanned" and resubmit. However, I feel like they are looking for more than that. Any thoughts on how I can improve the above before submission??
Any help is apprecaited!
Describe how the RPIC will see and avoid other aircraft, people on the ground, and ground-based structures and obstacles during darkness.
Your application covered some of this guideline, but appeared to omit the need to see and avoid unmanned aircraft, as well as manned. Please readdress the following elements of this guideline and include "unmanned" aircraft as you describe in detail, "how" and "what" you will be doing to see and avoid other aircraft, people on the ground, and ground-based structures and obstacles during darkness.
My waiver included the following,
How will the PIC and/or VO locate other persons, aircraft, obstacles, and structures in the dark?
When possible, missions will include a daylight scouting of the operational flight area for obstacles as well as a launch and recovery area. All VOs will be advised to be vigilant while scouting the skies and ground during mission for manned aircraft, people, structures and vehicles.
What will they do if other persons/aircraft are located during flight?
If manned aircraft approaches, PIC will immediately be informed. PIC will verbally confirm notification. PIC will put the sUAS into a stationary hover and if possible, Navigation lights on the aircraft will be used to determine direction of travel. If no threat is determined, operation will continue with special attention given to the spotted aircraft.If aircraft altitude and direction cannot be determined in a safe amount of time, PIC will lower aircraft as quickly and safely as possible. If needed, PIC will return sUAS to launch area. As a last resort, PIC will institute an emergency flight termination procedure over a predetermined safe area. This will only be used as an emergency last resort due to the PIC losing all control of the sUAS at that point. In the event a non-participatory person or vehicle gets close to, or enters into the flight area, the same VO/PIC notification and confirmation procedure will be performed as above. The PIC will hover the sUAS. The sUAS will be directed to land if any safety situation exists and return procedures will be performed, with the added safety precaution of keeping the sUAS from flying over, or too close to, other people or vehicles.
How will they avoid hitting obstacles/structures during flight?
Daylight scouting and knowledge of the area will be the primary method to avoid hazards. If necessary, PIC or VO will use flashlights, or any other means, to illuminate any obstacles when the sUAS reaches a predetermined distance from said object. All launching and landing zones will be sufficiently lit to maintain a safe area for operations.
If flight operations occur in an area with lighting sufficient for the PIC and VO to see the sUAS and other obstacles, persons, and aircraft, how will they determine the lighting is sufficient before flight?
PIC and VO will use identifiers such as color and distance between members to verify sufficient lighting. If safety is as concern of any crew member on sufficient lighting, additional lighting will be used as described above.
My question is the this, the simpleton in me says to changed manned to "manned or unmanned" and resubmit. However, I feel like they are looking for more than that. Any thoughts on how I can improve the above before submission??
Any help is apprecaited!