Remote Pilot Operating Instructions

Remote Pilot Operating Instructions. The FAA requires a manufacturer to provide
remote pilot operating instructions for a small UAS qualified to conduct Category 2 or
Category 3 operations upon sale, transfer, or use of the small UAS by someone other than
the manufacturer. In addition, the manufacturer should keep the instructions up-to-date to
account for any changes it makes to a small UAS.
The remote pilot operating instructions must include, at a minimum, the following
information:
1. General information, system description, and system limitations, including the
category or categories of operations over people that the small UAS is eligible
to conduct. This information must describe whether the small unmanned
aircraft must include a specific component on the aircraft in order to fulfill the
performance-based requirements of Category 2 or Category 3, or both. For
example, if a manufacturer has designed the small unmanned aircraft to have a
parachute system or other device affixed to the aircraft and that component is
provided separately, the remote pilot operating instructions must clearly
identify the component that must be attached. Similarly, the remote pilot
operating instructions must list components that are eligible or necessary for
inclusion on the aircraft.
2. A statement concerning whether the small UAS can be modified.
a. If modifications are permitted, the remote pilot operating instructions must
include a complete description of modifications the manufacturer has determined
do not change the category of operation over people for which the small UAS has
been declared compliant. Such required descriptions of modifications include
descriptions of the small unmanned aircraft itself as well as any payload that any
person may include on the aircraft.
b. Modifications the manufacturer describes in the remote pilot operating
instructions must be consistent with the basis for the FAA’s acceptance of the
Declaration of Compliance. Any person, however, who modifies a small UAS in a
way that could affect the eligibility of the small UAS to operate over people under
Category 2 or Category 3 is required to submit a new Declaration of Compliance
before the small UAS is eligible to operate over people.
3. A statement regarding whether the small UAS has variable modes or
configurations. For a small UAS that has such variable modes or
configurations, the instructions must describe how a remote pilot can verify
what mode or configuration the small UAS is in at any given time, and how to
switch between modes or configurations. This information would facilitate a
remote pilot’s verification that his or her small UAS is in the correct mode or
configuration to conduct a certain category of operations over people.
Similarly, if a remote pilot chooses to operate in a different category of
operations over people, or in a mode or configuration that is not permitted for
operations over people but is permitted under part 107, that person must be

able to discern the necessary information from the remote pilot operating
instructions.
The remote pilot operating instructions must be specific to the particular small UAS
design. A manufacturer may update existing instructions to include the required
information with the small UAS, or the manufacturer may create a new set of instructions
that are specific to operations over people.
The FAA does not require the manufacturer to provide the remote pilot
operating instructions in a particular format. A manufacturer could choose to
provide the operating instructions as part of the packaging of a small UAS,
make them available electronically, or by any other means. Regardless of the
manner in which the manufacturer transmits the instructions to remote pilots,
the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring instructions remain up-to-date.
Remote pilots in command must be able to discern clearly the set of operating
instructions that are in effect at the time of the intended operation of the small
UAS over people.
Information contained in the remote pilot operating instructions should
provide enough detail to enable remote pilots to understand clearly how to
configure the small UAS to ensure compliance with applicable requirements
for operating over people. This information informs the remote pilot and aids
in decision-making. While the remote pilot operating instructions can aid a
remote pilot in operating safely, it is ultimately the responsibility of the
remote pilot in command to determine the safe operational parameters for the
operation. A description of each of the elements the FAA requires in remote
pilot operating instructions follows.
Required Components and Category Declared. The remote pilot operating
instructions must include general information, a system description, and
system limitations of the small UAS. Manufacturer-required components that
make up the small UAS must be listed in the remote pilot operating
instructions to help the remote pilot ensure that all components of the small
UAS are present. This is necessary because, if the small UAS is missing any
components, the small UAS may not be in compliance with the category of
operations over people for which the manufacturer declared compliance. The
remote pilot operating instructions must also include the category or
categories of operations over people with which the small UAS manufacturer
has declared compliance.

Sample Remote Pilot Operating Instructions.

[Small UAS Make and Model]

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL INFORMATION
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Category 2
Category 3
REQUIRED COMPONENTS
OPTIONAL COMPONENTS

INTRODUCTION
The [Small UAS make and model] is a high performance aerial imaging aircraft that the
FAA has determined is eligible to operate over people. The system comes fully assembled and
includes the aircraft, touch screen ground station and 3-axis gimbal camera capable of
16 megapixel still photos and full HD 60 FPS videos. Operating the [Small UAS make and
model], will enable you to capture remarkable photographs and video footage for a wide variety
of applications.

GENERAL INFORMATION
IMPORTANT: This small UAS is eligible to fly over people in category 2 and category 3
operations provided the remote pilot comply with the instructions contained in this manual.
Please take the time to read through this entire instruction manual for more information on
operating safety and according to the Federal Aviation Regulations.
NOTE: Before any person may conduct operations of the [small UAS make and model], you
must create an account online with [manufacturer’s name], at [manufacturer’s website]. This will
enable you to receive important updates regarding the small UAS and its eligibility to operate
over people, as well as updates, bulletins, instructional videos and more.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Selection of the FLIGHT MODE
The [small UAS make and model] is programmed with three (3) flight modes. The flight mode
can be selected via the Flight Mode Control Selection Switch located just above the left-hand
control stick. IMPORTANT: Selection of the flight mode determines the category of operations
that the [small UAS make and model] may conduct over people. The following selection options
are available:
Flight Mode G: Any operation not conducted over people.
Flight Mode 2: Any operation conducted in accordance with category 2 operations over people.
Flight Mode 3: Any operation conducted in accordance with category 3 operations over people.

REQUIRED COMPONENTS
Category 2 Required Components
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

The [small UAS make and model] Airframe
Transmitter and Ground Station
USB to Micro USB Cable
USB Interface/Programmer
3400mAh 9.1V LiPo Battery
9.1V LiPo Balance Connector Charge Lead
AC to DC Adapter/Power Supply
16GB microSD Card w/Adapter
CAT 2 Rotor Blades & Guards

Category 3 Required Components
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

The [small UAS make and model] Airframe
Transmitter and Ground Station
USB to Micro USB Cable
USB Interface/Programmer
5600mAh 11.1V LiPo Battery
11.1V LiPo Balance Connector Charge Lead
AC to DC Adapter/Power Supply
16GB microSD Card w/Adapter
CAT 3 Rotor Blades & Guards

OPTIONAL COMPONENTS
The [small UAS make and model] is already equipped with a high-definition camera. If you
intend to conduct operations over people in accordance with category 2 or category 3, you may
replace the camera only with a pre-approved camera listed on the [manufacturer’s] website.
In addition, for operations over people in accordance with category 2 or category 3, you
may not affix any other payload to the [small UAS make and model] unless it is listed on the
[manufacturer’s] website. Any permissible payload you affix to the small UAS must be securely
attached throughout the duration of all operations that occur in accordance with category 2 or
category 3. Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in the ineligibility of the [small
UAS make and model] to operate over people in accordance with category 2 or category 3.