operations manual - civil aviation department · web view3.5.2the visual observer shall also...

[Organisation Name & logo]

Operations Manual

For Conducting Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations in Hong Kong

Issue [x] – [DD MMM YYYY]

Operations Manual Template for Conducting Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations in Hong Kong

Revision History

Any amendments made to this document should be recorded in the table below and sent to the CAD. The latest version of the Operations Manual should be used for all UAS operations.

Issue Number

Amendment Date

Amendments Incorporated Amended By

Issue [x] – [DD MMM YYYY] Page


Compliance Statement

To ensure safe operations of UAS, [Organisation Name] will comply with all the regulations in Hong Kong and operate in accordance with the conditions set out in any permission or exemption. The instructions, procedures and information detailed in this document will be adhered to by all personnel involved in the concerned UAS operations.

For and on behalf of [Organisation Name], [Identification of the organisation, e.g. Certificate of Incorporation No. / Company Registration No. xxx]

Address: [add details here]Phone: [add details here]

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Abbreviation DescriptionAGL Above ground levelAIP Aeronautical Information PublicationATC Air traffic controlCAD Civil Aviation Departmentft Feetg GramGPS Global Positioning Systemkg Kilogramkm/hr Kilometre per hourm MetreNOTAM Notice to AirmenUAS Unmanned aircraft systemVLOS Visual line of sight

… [Insert or delete as appropriate]


Signature :Accountable Manager : [Name of Responsible Person - for the safe

conduct of all of the Organisation’s operations]Position : [e.g. Manging Director, etc.]


Table of Contents

Revision History..........................................................................................................................i

Compliance Statement...............................................................................................................ii

Acronyms and Abbreviations......................................................................................................ii

Table of Contents......................................................................................................................iii

Part A – General.............................................................................................................1Section 1 Organisation...........................................................................................................1

1.1 Structure of Organisation................................................................................................1

1.2 Nominated Personnel......................................................................................................1

1.3 Responsibilities and Duties.............................................................................................2

1.4 Brief Technical Description of UAS.................................................................................4

1.5 Area of Operations..........................................................................................................4

1.6 Type of Operations..........................................................................................................4

1.7 Operating Limitations and Conditions.............................................................................5

Section 2 Operational Control...............................................................................................8

2.1 Supervision of UAS Operations......................................................................................8

2.2 Accident Prevention and Flight Safety Programme........................................................8

2.3 Flight Team Composition................................................................................................8

2.4 Operation of Multiple Types of UAS................................................................................8

2.5 Qualification Requirements.............................................................................................9

2.6 Crew Health....................................................................................................................9

2.7 Logs and Records...........................................................................................................9

Part B – Operating Procedures...................................................................................10Section 3 Flight Planning / Preparation..............................................................................10

3.1 Determination of the Intended Tasks and Feasibility....................................................10

3.2 Operating Site Location and Assessment.....................................................................10

3.3 Risk Management.........................................................................................................10

3.4 Communications...........................................................................................................12

3.5 Pre-notification..............................................................................................................13

3.6 Site Permission.............................................................................................................13

3.7 Weather.........................................................................................................................13

3.8 Preparation and Serviceability of Equipment and UAS.................................................13

Section 4 On-site Procedures and Pre-flight Checks........................................................14

4.1 Site Survey....................................................................................................................14

4.2 Selection of Operating Area and Alternative.................................................................14



4.3 Cordon Procedure.........................................................................................................14

4.4 Communications...........................................................................................................15

4.5 Weather Checks............................................................................................................15

4.6 Battery Management / Refuelling..................................................................................15

4.7 Loading of Equipment...................................................................................................16

4.8 Preparation and Correct Assembly of UAS...................................................................16

4.9 Pre-Flight Checks of UAS and Equipment....................................................................16

Section 5 Flight Procedures................................................................................................17

5.1 Start...............................................................................................................................17

5.2 Take-off.........................................................................................................................17

5.3 In-flight..........................................................................................................................17

5.4 Landing.........................................................................................................................18

5.5 Shutdown......................................................................................................................18

5.6 Post-flight......................................................................................................................18

Section 6 Emergency Procedures.......................................................................................19

6.1 Motor / Propeller Failure................................................................................................19

6.2 Fire................................................................................................................................19

6.3 Loss of Command and Control Data Link.....................................................................19

6.4 Loss of GPS Signal.......................................................................................................20

6.5 Low Battery...................................................................................................................20

6.6 Flyaway.........................................................................................................................20

6.7 Public Encroachment....................................................................................................21

6.8 Aircraft Encroachment...................................................................................................21

Part C – Training..........................................................................................................22Section 7 Training Requirements........................................................................................22

7.1 Training Programme.....................................................................................................22

Part D – Appendices....................................................................................................23Form A Flight Log...............................................................................................................23

Form B Battery Log.............................................................................................................24

Form C Maintenance Log...................................................................................................25

Form D Incident Log...........................................................................................................26

Form E Site Survey Form...................................................................................................27

Form F Risk Assessment Form..........................................................................................28

Form G UAS Operation Checklist.......................................................................................29



PART A – GENERAL

Section 1 Organisation

1.1 Structure of Organisation

Editorial Note 1: Editorial notes within the following text indicate where the organisation applying for permission needs to add text to describe their specific operations. The editorial notes must be replaced with the organisation’s own text before submission to CAD.

Editorial Note 2: The following organogram and corresponding nominated personnel and responsibilities and duties should be amended as appropriate.

1.1.1 The following organogram illustrates the persons involved in UAS operations carried out by [Organisation Name]. To ensure safe operations, the responsibilities and duties of Chief Remote Pilot, Co-Remote Pilot and Visual Observer are to be performed by at least three individuals during the entire flight.

1.2 Nominated Personnel

1.2.1 The nominated persons listed in Table 1 have received the required training with relevant competencies to perform the concerned UAS operations.

Table 1 – Nominated personnelNominated Position Name Post Mobile Number

Chief Remote Pilot

Co-Remote Pilot

Visual Observer


[Position of Accountable Manager (please update)]

Chief Remote Pilot

Co-Remote Pilot Visual Observer


1.3 Responsibilities and Duties

1.3.1 [Position of Accountable Manager] (hereafter referred to as “Accountable Manager”) is accountable for the overall safety and compliance of any UAS operations conducted by [Organisation’s Name]. His duties include the following:

Oversee the training programme and ensure the nominated personnel have the relevant competencies;

Ensure all UAS operations are conducted in accordance with the conditions set out in any permission or exemption and the procedures detailed in this document;

Ensure logs and records in relation to all UAS operations are properly kept; and Ensure any amendments made in this document are recorded and sent to the

CAD.

1.3.2 Chief Remote Pilot is responsible for supervising and issuing command for UAS operations on-site. His duties include the following:

Brief and debrief all members of the flight team and associated staff and ensure they are aware of their responsibilities for the particular UAS operation;

Prepare the required documents for the applications for permission for conducting UAS operations in Hong Kong;

Conduct risk assessment to identify any hazard for the operation and determine risk mitigating measures to be implemented;

Conduct site survey to determine if the prevailing conditions are suitable for UAS operations and complete the associated forms;

Work out the flight details including flight time, flight duration, take-off and landing area, flight path, etc. and execute accordingly;

Perform pre-flight check to ensure the UAS is in good condition and functioning properly prior to take-off or launching; and

Ensure that all logs and records in relation to the operations are properly completed and signed.

1.3.3 Co-Remote Pilot is responsible for assisting the Chief Remote Pilot for the safe operations of UAS. His duties include the following:

Assist in the completion of all checks such as pre-flight and post-flight checks, and logs and records such as flight log and battery log;

Keep the Chief Remote Pilot updated constantly on an independent monitor on flight parameters of the UAS including battery level and satellites tracked as the Chief Remote Pilot may be focused on keeping the UAS within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS);

Assist in ensuring the operation is executed according to plan such as flight path followed and image captured.

Alert the Chief Remote Pilot in case of any emergencies such as battery level and satellites tracked reaching the minimum level for safe operations; and

Take over control of the UAS in case of incapacitation of the Chief Remote Pilot.



1.3.4 Visual Observer is responsible for monitoring the area around the UAS operations and alerting the flight team in case of any emergencies. His duties include the following:

Maintain constant visual lookout for any uninvolved people, vehicles, vessels or structures within or getting close to the minimum lateral separation required;

Monitor the airspace visually and aurally for any other aircraft and assess the risk of collision;

Maintain close communication with the Chief Remote Pilot and alert him in case of any emergencies; and

Contact the parties concerned such as ATC prior to and upon completion of the operations if required.

Note: Reference in this document to male gender should be understood to include both male and female genders.



1.4 Brief Technical Description of UAS

1.4.1 Table 2 shows all UAS that will be used by [Organisation Name] for conducting any UAS operations in Hong Kong.

Table 2 – UAS to be usedManufacturerModel / Type of UASSerial NumberTake-off Weight of UAS (without fuel)Maximum Flying AltitudeMaximum SpeedWind Speed Limitation

ManufacturerModel / Type of UASSerial NumberTake-off Weight of UAS (without fuel)Maximum Flying AltitudeMaximum SpeedWind Speed Limitation

1.5 Area of Operations

1.5.1 The area of operations is to be limited to the site(s) specified in the flight plan submitted to the CAD and in accordance with any conditions set out in the permission or exemption.

1.6 Type of Operations

Editorial Note 3: This section should be modified as appropriate to specify the scope of UAS operations to be conducted by the Organisation applying for permission.

1.6.1 The following type(s) of UAS operations will be conducted:

a) Aerial photography / filming;

b) Aerial survey;

c) Aerial inspection; or

d) [Others (to be specified)].

1.6.2 The flight team shall observe the operating limitations and conditions specified in Part A section 1.7 for all operations, unless otherwise permitted by CAD.



1.7 Operating Limitations and Conditions

1.7.1 All operations shall be in compliance with the safety parameters as published on CAD’s website (https://www.cad.gov.hk/english/Unmanned_Aircraft_Systems.html), unless otherwise permitted by CAD. The flight team shall keep themselves updated on the latest safety parameters.

1.7.2 Area of operations

a) UAS shall normally not be flown in the vicinity of an airport and aircraft approach and take-off paths, which include:

Areas within 5 km of Hong Kong International Airport; North Lantau coastal area; Coastal areas from Tai Lam Chung to Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi Island; Victoria Harbour and its coastal areas; and Shek Kong area.

b) UAS shall not be flown over or within 50 m of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the UAS operator; except that during take-off and landing, the UAS must not be flown over or within 30 m of any person other than the person in charge of the UAS or a person necessarily present in connection with the operation of the UAS. Further conditions on flight safety clearance may be imposed on the operation of the UAS as necessary.

c) The UAS operation site (including emergency operation zone and any safety zone for the operation of the UAS) shall be under the operator's full control.

d) The take-off and landing area should be properly segregated from public access.

1.7.3 Control of UAS

The UAS operator shall be on site and keep the UAS within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) during the period of the flight. Operating within VLOS means that the UAS operator is able to maintain direct, unaided (other than corrective lenses) visual contact with the UAS, and is able to monitor the UAS flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vessels, vehicle and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions.

1.7.4 Other related issues

a) The UAS operator is responsible for ensuring that no person and property would be endangered by the UAS, and shall not fly the UAS unless he has reasonably satisfied himself that the flight can be safely made.

b) No hazardous material may be carried nor objects be dropped from the UAS in order to avoid endangering persons or property on the ground.

c) The person in charge of the UAS shall not fly the UAS unless before the flight he has satisfied himself that the mechanism that causes the UAS to home and land in the event of a failure of or disruption on any control systems, including the radio link, are in working order.


https://www.cad.gov.hk/english/Unmanned_Aircraft_Systems.html


d) The UAS operator shall maintain records of each flight made pursuant to the permission and makes such records available to CAD on request.

e) A site safety assessment has been completed by the UAS operator, and can be made available to CAD on request.

f) Permission of the land / property owner on whose land / property the UAS is intended to operate has been obtained.

g) The operation is carried out in accordance with the operations manual submitted to CAD.

h) The UAS operator shall perform a safety check on UAS (including its fuel or lithium batteries) before operating UAS.

1.7.5 Altitude of Operations

The altitude of UAS shall not exceed 300 feet (~90 m) above ground level.

1.7.6 Altitude keeping performance capability

The UAS operator shall describe the means of altitude keeping to ensure that the actual altitude flown is accurate.

1.7.7 Time of Operations

a) UAS operations shall be conducted during daylight hours only.

b) No more than one UAS will normally be permitted at any one time within the same block of designated airspace.

1.7.8 Weather Criteria

a) Ground visibility warrants the UAS operator to maintain effective monitoring and control of the UAS operations;

b) UAS is kept clear of cloud for the planned flight (i.e. not operated in or out of cloud);

c) Wind does not exceed the wind speed limitation specified by the manufacturer;

d) The UAS operator shall have a hand-held anemometer to monitor surface wind speed on site; and

e) The UAS operator must not launch the UAS when Rainstorm Warning, Tropical Cyclone Warning or Strong Monsoon Signal is in force.

1.7.9 Heavy UAS

Except with CAD's endorsement, heavy UAS weighing more than 7 kg is not allowed to fly in Hong Kong.

1.7.10 Pilot Qualification



Evidence of pilot competency is required when making an application for permission to operate UAS.

1.7.11 Operations Manual

The UAS operator is required to submit an operations manual covering the procedures to be followed for all envisaged operations of the UAS. This document is a key requirement to enable CAD to accurately assess the application and the safety case before deciding whether to grant permission.

1.7.12 Communication with ATC (if required)

a) The UAS operator shall inform the CAD / Aerodrome Supervisor before launching and on completion of the UAS operation.

b) The UAS operator shall provide his contact phone number to the CAD / Aerodrome Supervisor, who may instruct to stop the operation when necessary.

1.7.13 Frequency spectrum and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

The UAS operator is required to comply with the regulations set by Office of the Communications Authority on the use of radio frequencies and to ensure that no RFI is caused to air traffic operations and air navigation equipment.



Section 2 Operational Control

2.1 Supervision of UAS Operations

2.1.1 The Accountable Manager shall monitor the compliance of UAS operations conducted by the flight team with the relevant conditions and procedures to ensure safe operations.

2.1.2 The Chief Remote Pilot is responsible for supervising UAS operations on-site.

2.1.3 The Co-Remote Pilot will take over the supervision in case of incapacitation of the Chief Remote Pilot.

2.2 Accident Prevention and Flight Safety Programme

2.2.1 The flight team shall record any accident or incident regarding any UAS operations using the Incident Log (Form D) and submit a report to CAD within three calendar days from the date of occurrence by email to [email protected] using the form DCA 234.

2.2.2 The following events shall be recorded and reported:

Loss of control datalink (where the loss resulted in an event that endangers the safety of any person or property);

Navigation failures; Structural damage incurred that adversely affects the performance or flight

characteristics of the UAS; Any collision with or loss of separation from another aircraft; Unintended contact between the UAS and persons, structures, vehicles, vessels,

etc.; or Any incident that injured a third party.

2.2.3 Every accident or incident recorded will be investigated to find out the root cause of the event. Preventive measures such as additional training, more stringent conditions, etc. where necessary will be implemented for future UAS operations. All nominated personnel, whether directly involved in the event or not, will be briefed about the case and any lessons learnt.

2.3 Flight Team Composition

2.3.1 The responsibilities and duties of Chief Remote Pilot, Co-Remote Pilot and Visual Observer are to be performed by at least three individuals at all times during any UAS operations.

2.4 Operation of Multiple Types of UAS

2.4.1 Only one UAS will be operated at any one time. Multiple UAS may be brought to the site as back-up but they will be switched off.


https://www.cad.gov.hk/english/applications.html

mailto:[email protected]


2.5 Qualification Requirements

Editorial Note 1: This section should be modified as appropriate to reflect the training and testing requirements to be qualified members of the flight team of the Organisation applying for permission.

2.5.1 All nominated personnel shall get themselves familiarised with the regulations in Hong Kong, CAD’s guidelines for safe operations of UAS, normal operational procedures as well as emergency procedures detailed in this document.

2.5.2 The Chief Remote Pilot and Co-Remote Pilot shall be competent for the type(s) of UAS operations to be conducted. They are required to complete satisfactorily the required training and assessment in accordance with the training programme as detailed in Part C of this document.

2.6 Crew Health

2.6.1 All members of the flight team shall declare they are fit to fly during the brief given by the Chief Remote Pilot before any UAS operation is conducted.

2.6.2 If a person is unfit to perform his duties as part of the flight team (e.g. suffering from fatigue), the UAS operation shall not be conducted unless another nominated person is able to take over his position.

2.6.3 A person shall not be a member of the flight team if he is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, unless medical advice has been sought to ensure that the drugs will not impair his ability to perform his duties in relation to the UAS operation.

2.7 Logs and Records

2.7.1 Apart from the electronic flight log which records basic flight parameters in the UAS, the following logs and records shall also be kept using the forms in the appendix:

Flight Log (Form A) Battery Log (Form B) Maintenance Log (Form C) Incident Log (Form D) Site Survey Form (Form E) Risk Assessment Form (Form F)

2.7.2 The Chief Remote Pilot shall ensure that all logs and records in relation to the operations are properly completed and signed.

2.7.3 The Accountable Manager shall ensure that logs and records in relation to all UAS operations conducted by [Organisation’s Name] are properly kept until a date two years after the UAS has been destroyed or has been permanently withdrawn from use.



PART B – OPERATING PROCEDURES

Section 1 Flight Planning / Preparation

3.1 Determination of the Intended Tasks and Feasibility

3.1.1 Before taking on a job, the Accountable Manager shall determine the UAS operations required for achieving the purpose of the job and assess the feasibility taking into account the following considerations:

Date and time constraints; Location and surroundings of the area of operations; Details of and permission from the land owner / property manager; and Any other relevant information (e.g. other airspace users, public access, etc.).

3.2 Operating Site Location and Assessment

3.2.1 After taking on a job, the Chief Remote Pilot shall conduct a site survey and work out the flight details before the UAS operations. During the operating site assessment, the following aspects shall be considered:

Boundary of the area of operations (including likely take-off / landing area and alternative site);

Location and height of obstructions (e.g. buildings, trees, etc.); Proximity of other aircraft operations; Flight restrictions related to the area of operations (e.g. temporary Restricted

Flying Zones established, local by-laws at country parks, etc.); Hazards / possible radio interference associated with industrial sites or activities

such as live firing, fuel tank, high tension cables, high-intensity radio transmission, etc.;

Habitation and recreational activities nearby; Security measures required to limit public access to the area of operations; Altitudes and routes to be used on the approach to and departure from the area

of operations; Permission from the land owner / property manager concerned; and Weather conditions for the planned event (e.g. ground visibility, cloud base, wind

speed, precipitation, etc.).

3.2.2 After conducting the operating site assessment, the Chief Remote Pilot shall complete and sign the Site Survey Form (Form E).

3.3 Risk Management

3.3.1 After taking on a job, the Chief Remote Pilot shall conduct a risk assessment to identify any hazard before the UAS operations and determine risk mitigating measures to be implemented.



3.3.2 Due diligence should be exercised in identifying reasonably foreseeable hazards related to the operation. Open and clear communication should be maintained with stakeholders who may be affected.

3.3.3 The likelihood of occurrence (Table 3) and severity of consequences (Table 4) for each identified hazard shall be assessed to determine the risk rating (Table 5).

Table 3 – Likelihood of occurrenceLikelihood Meaning ValueFrequent Likely to occur many times (has occurred frequently) 5

Occasional Likely to occur sometimes (has occurred infrequently) 4

Remote Unlikely to occur, but possible (has occurred rarely) 3

Improbable Very unlikely to occur (not known to have occurred) 2

Extremely Improbable

Almost inconceivable that the event will occur 1

Table 4 – Severity of consequencesSeverity Meaning ValueCatastrophic UAS / equipment destroyed

Multiple deathsA

Hazardous A large reduction in safety margins, physical distress, or a workload such that operational personnel cannot be relied upon to perform their tasks accurately or completely

Serious injury Major equipment damage

B

Major A significant reduction in safety margins, a reduction in the ability of operational personnel to cope with adverse operating conditions as a result of an increase in workload or as a result of conditions impairing their efficiency

Serious incident Injury to persons

C

Minor Nuisance Operating limitations Use of emergency procedures Minor incident

D

Negligible Few consequences E



Table 5 – Risk rating

Safety Risk Severity

Probability CatastrophicA

HazardousB

MajorC

MinorD

NegligibleE

Frequent 5 5A 5B 5C 5D 5E

Occasional 4 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E

Remote 3 3A 3B 3C 3D 3E

Improbable 2 2A 2B 2C 2D 2E

Extremely Improbable 1 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E

shall deter

3.3.4 With reference to the risk rating, an evaluation of each identified hazard shall be conducted to determine which is acceptable and which requires further mitigating measures according to the classification below. The results are to be recorded in the Risk Assessment Form (Form F).

a) Intolerable (red) – Take immediate action to mitigate the risk or stop the activity. Perform priority risk mitigation to ensure additional or enhanced preventative controls are in place to bring down the risk rating to tolerable.

b) Tolerable (yellow) – The risk can be tolerated based on risk mitigation. For example, cones or security personnel could be placed for restricting people from the area of operations to prevent unauthorized access during the UAS operation. If in doubt, the Chief Remote Pilot may seek advice from the Accountable Manager on whether the risk could be accepted.

c) Acceptable (green) – The risk can be acceptable as is. No further safety risk mitigation is required.

3.3.5 UAS operations shall only be conducted when all the risks have been mitigated down to an acceptable level.

3.4 Communications

3.4.1 The Chief Remote Pilot shall determine an effective means of communication within the flight team during the UAS operations. Depending on the size and environment of the area of operations, the use of walkie-talkie or direct verbal communications may be considered.



3.4.2 In case of an emergency which may affect the safety of other airspace users (e.g. a flyaway), the flight team shall notify the Aerodrome Supervisor of the Air Traffic Control unit (Tel: 2910 6822) with the following information as soon as possible:

Time of the incident; Heading of the UAS; Remaining battery life of the UAS; and Brief description of the UAS (e.g. brand, model, colour, size, number of rotors,

etc.)

3.4.3 The flight team shall also report to the Hong Kong Police Force immediately for necessary actions, as appropriate.

3.5 Pre-notification

3.5.1 For flying in the vicinity of an airport and aircraft approach and take-off paths (i.e. the areas specified in Part A section 1.7), prior permission from CAD must be obtained. On the day of operations, the Visual Observer shall inform the relevant parties (e.g. Aerodrome Supervisor, helicopter operators, etc.) in accordance with the conditions set out in the permission before launching and on completion of the UAS operation.

3.5.2 The Visual Observer shall also provide his contact phone number to the relevant parties (e.g. Aerodrome Supervisor, helicopter operators, etc.) who may instruct to stop the operation when necessary.

3.5.3 Depending on the location and nature of operations, the Chief Remote Pilot shall ensure that all the necessary authorisation or permission from other Government Departments has been obtained.

3.5.4 The Chief Remote Pilot shall also ensure that the land owner / property manager has been given sufficient notice about the UAS operations in accordance with the conditions (if any) set out in the permission.

3.6 Site Permission

3.6.1 The Chief Remote Pilot shall ensure that permission from the land owner / property manager concerned has been obtained prior to conducting the UAS operations. Written consent letter is preferred and shall be attached to the Site Survey Form for record keeping.

3.7 Weather

3.7.1 Weather forecasts shall be obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory during flight planning, with consideration on ground visibility, cloud base, wind speed, precipitation, etc. for the planned event.



3.8 Preparation and Serviceability of Equipment and UAS

3.8.1 All UAS listed in Part A section 1.4 and the associated components such as remote controller, propellers, batteries, camera, etc. shall be checked by the Chief Remote Pilot prior to and after every UAS operation.

3.8.2 Any findings and maintenance conducted on the equipment shall be recorded in the Maintenance Log (Form C). A test shall be conducted to confirm the serviceability of the equipment after any maintenance actions.

3.8.3 The Chief Remote Pilot shall ensure all equipment required for the intended tasks are serviceable with software and firmware updated before the UAS operations.

Section 2 On-site Procedures and Pre-flight Checks

4.1 Site Survey

4.1.1 Upon arrival at the area of operations, the flight team shall walk around the site to confirm the details in the Site Survey Form (Form E) and Risk Assessment Form (Form F) prepared at the flight planning stage are still valid.

4.1.2 If there are any additional hazards identified, actions shall be taken to ensure the UAS operations can be safely conducted.

4.2 Selection of Operating Area and Alternative

4.2.1 The Chief Remote Pilot shall identify a suitable area which is flat enough to enable safe take-off and landing. This area shall be kept clear for landing as automatic return-to-home may be activated during the operations.

4.2.2 The selected operating area shall be clear from obstructions and shall be of a size which allows the flight team to maintain full-time VLOS with the UAS during the operations.

4.2.3 An alternative area close to the operating area shall also be selected for emergency landing and shall be made known to the flight team.

4.3 Cordon Procedure

4.3.1 The operating area (including the take-off and landing area) shall be cordoned off from uninvolved people, vehicles, vessels and structures during the UAS operations, with minimum lateral separation as stated in Part A section 1.7, unless otherwise permitted by CAD.

4.3.2 Clear warning signs, cones and/or safety tape shall be used to indicate UAS operations in progress. Extra Visual Observer(s) may be required to advise the public of the dangers of entering the operating area for sites with potential public access.



4.3.3 Should there be any public encroachment, the Visual Observer(s) shall inform the Chief Remote Pilot who shall then land the UAS or shift the UAS to a safe position such that minimum lateral separation can be maintained.

4.4 Communications

4.4.1 Before the UAS operations, the Chief Remote Pilot shall brief all members of the flight team to ensure they are aware of the flight details and their responsibilities.

4.4.2 The Chief Remote Pilot shall also ensure the means of communication within the flight team is effective and all relevant parties (e.g. Aerodrome Supervisor, helicopter operators, other Government Departments, land owner / property manager, etc.) have been informed of the operations if required.

4.4.3 The Visual Observer shall ensure that emergency contact numbers and a fully charged mobile phone with stable reception are available during the UAS operations.

4.5 Weather Checks

4.5.1 Before the UAS operations, the Chief Remote Pilot shall ensure that the prevailing weather conditions are suitable for the UAS operations.

4.5.2 Weather information shall be obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory to ensure that the ground visibility warrants the flight team to maintain effective monitoring and control of the UAS operations, and that no Rainstorm Warning, Tropical Cyclone Warning or Strong Monsoon Signal is in force.

4.5.3 The wind shall not exceed the wind speed limitation specified by the manufacturer. A hand-held anemometer shall be used to monitor surface wind speed on-site.

4.5.4 The Chief Remote Pilot shall also ensure that the cloud base is at a sufficient altitude such that the UAS is kept clear of cloud for the planned flight (i.e. not operated in or out of cloud).

4.6 Battery Management / Refuelling

4.6.1 The Co-Remote Pilot shall be responsible for the charging, storage and record-logging of batteries.

4.6.2 Batteries shall be handled according to the manufacturer’s safety guidelines. Swollen, leaky or damaged batteries shall never be used or charged.

4.6.3 Batteries shall never be charged at a higher rate than recommended or left unattended during charging.

4.6.4 Batteries shall be stored at around half of its charge remaining in specifically designed battery bags at cool temperatures.



4.6.5 The date and time of charging for each battery shall be recorded in the Battery Log (Form B), and the maximum number of charge cycles shall be checked against the manufacturer’s guidelines.

4.6.6 The Co-Remote Pilot shall ensure that sufficient number of batteries are available for the UAS operations. The battery level of the flight battery, remote controller and mobile phone shall be at least 85% before the operations.

4.7 Loading of Equipment

4.7.1 The Co-Remote Pilot shall ensure that all UAS components and payload are secured and the SD card has sufficient capacity for the intended tasks.

4.8 Preparation and Correct Assembly of UAS

4.8.1 The Co-Remote Pilot shall prepare and assemble the UAS in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

4.9 Pre-Flight Checks of UAS and Equipment

4.9.1 The Chief Remote Pilot, with the Co-Remote Pilot’s assistance, shall perform pre-flight check on the UAS equipment using Part I of the UAS Operation Checklist (Form G) and ensure that all items are ready for the UAS operations.

4.9.2 The UAS should not be launched if the status of any item is “No” and fault report should be filed using Part III of Form G.

4.9.3 The minimum number of GPS satellites tracked shall be 8, and the geofencing boundary and maximum altitude of operations shall be set if geo-fencing is used.



Section 3 Flight Procedures

Editorial Note 1: This section should be modified in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions on the model(s) of UAS to be used.

5.1 Start

5.1.1 Prior to take-off, the Visual Observer shall check that the take-off area is clear of uninvolved people, vehicles, vessels and structures again.

5.1.2 The Chief Remote Pilot shall notify the flight team that the UAS is about to take-off.

5.2 Take-off

5.2.1 The Chief Remote Pilot shall start the motors. After take-off, the Chief Remote Pilot shall perform hover check by pushing the control sticks gently and observing the aircraft’s response.

5.2.2 The Co-Remote Pilot shall inform the Chief Remote Pilot of the number of satellites being tracked and battery level of the UAS and remote controller.

5.2.3 The Visual Observer shall check the surroundings and confirm if the UAS operations can proceed as planned.

5.2.4 If geo-fencing is used, the Chief Remote Pilot shall test the function by moving the aircraft towards the boundary of the geo-fence and observe its response.

5.3 In-flight

5.3.1 The Chief Remote Pilot shall conduct the UAS operations according to the conditions set out in the permission or exemption and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

5.3.2 The Co-Remote Pilot shall keep the Chief Remote Pilot updated constantly on flight parameters of the UAS including battery level and satellites tracked.

5.3.3 The Visual Observer shall maintain constant lookout for public and aircraft encroachment and alert the Chief Remote Pilot in case of any emergencies.

5.3.4 If the GPS signal falls to 7 satellites, the Chief Remote Pilot shall terminate the flight immediately. Switch the flying mode from ‘GPS mode’ to ‘attitude mode’ and manoeuvre the aircraft to the landing position for landing. ‘Return-to-home’ function is not recommended.

5.3.5 If the battery level of the aircraft reaches 30%, the Chief Remote Pilot shall terminate the operation immediately and manoeuvre the aircraft to the landing position for



landing. If the battery level of the aircraft reaches 15%, the aircraft will return to the ‘home’ position and land automatically.

5.4 Landing

5.4.1 Before landing the aircraft, the Chief Remote Pilot shall alert the team of the intention to land.

5.4.2 The Visual Observer shall check the landing area is clear for landing.

5.5 Shutdown

5.5.1 Upon touchdown, the Chief Remote Pilot shall stop the motors. Switch off the aircraft and then the remote control device after landing.

5.5.2 The Co-Remote Pilot shall disassemble the UAS (e.g. remove the flight battery) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

5.6 Post-flight

5.6.1 The Chief Remote Pilot, with the Co-Remote Pilot’s assistance, shall perform post-flight check on the UAS equipment using Part II of the UAS Operation Checklist (Form G) and file a fault report using Part III of the form if needed.

5.6.2 The Chief Remote Pilot, with the Co-Remote Pilot’s assistance, shall record the UAS operations using the Flight Log (Form A).

5.6.3 The flight team shall report all accidents or incidents (e.g. crash, temporary incapacity of team members or any other persons interfering with the flight operations, etc.) in accordance with Part A section 2.2, preferably within the same day of operation.



Section 4 Emergency Procedures

6.1 Motor / Propeller Failure

6.1.1 If any sign of motor / propeller failure is observed, the Chief Remote Pilot shall notify the flight team by calling “Falling Drone” and try to stabilize the UAS as far as possible.

6.1.2 If the aircraft is likely to pose danger to people in the vicinity, everyone in the flight team shall raise the awareness of the people by yelling “run away/散開 , run away/散開, run away/散開”.

6.1.3 The Chief Remote Pilot and Co-Remote Pilot shall maintain VLOS with the UAS. The Visual Observer shall confirm the landing area, or the alternative area, and the flight path to the site is clear for landing, and inform the Chief Remote Pilot accordingly.

6.1.4 The Chief Remote Pilot shall manoeuvre the aircraft to the landing position for landing as far as possible.

6.2 Fire

6.2.1 If any sign of fire is observed, the Chief Remote Pilot shall notify the flight team by calling “Aircraft Fire”, maintain VLOS with the UAS and terminate the flight immediately.

6.2.2 The Visual Observer shall confirm the landing area, or the alternative area, and the flight path to the site is clear for landing, and inform the Chief Remote Pilot accordingly.

6.2.3 The Chief Remote Pilot shall manoeuvre the aircraft to the landing position for landing and shut down the motors as soon as possible.

6.2.4 The Co-Remote Pilot shall stand by with a fire extinguisher and call the Fire Services Department for assistance if necessary.

6.3 Loss of Command and Control Data Link

6.3.1 If the command and control data link is lost, the fail-safe mechanism of the UAS will be activated and the aircraft will return to the ‘home’ position and land automatically.


6.3.3 The Chief Remote Pilot shall maintain VLOS with the UAS. If any abnormal behaviour is observed, the Chief Remote Pilot shall switch the flying mode from ‘GPS mode’ to ‘attitude mode’ to try to regain control of the UAS and manoeuvre the aircraft to the landing position for landing as soon as possible.



6.4 Loss of GPS Signal

6.4.1 If the GPS signal falls to 7 satellites, the Co-Remote Pilot shall notify the flight team by calling “GPS Lost”.

6.4.2 The Chief Remote Pilot shall terminate the flight immediately. He shall switch the flying mode from ‘GPS mode’ to ‘attitude mode’ to regain control of the UAS and maintain VLOS with it.


6.4.4 The Chief Remote Pilot shall manoeuvre the aircraft to the landing position for landing as soon as possible.

6.5 Low Battery

6.5.1 If the battery level of the aircraft reaches 30%, the Co-Remote Pilot shall notify the flight team by calling “Low Battery”.


6.5.3 The Chief Remote Pilot shall terminate the flight immediately and manoeuvre the aircraft to the landing position for landing.

6.5.4 If the battery level of the aircraft reaches 15%, the aircraft will return to the ‘home’ position and land automatically.

6.6 Flyaway

6.6.1 If the UAS has no response to any control inputs, the Chief Remote Pilot shall notify the flight team by calling “Flyaway” and maintain VLOS with the UAS as far as possible.

6.6.2 The Co-Remote Pilot shall take note of the following and notify the Air Traffic Control unit (Tel: 2910 6822) as soon as possible:

Time of the incident; Heading of the UAS; Remaining battery life of the UAS; and Brief description of the UAS (e.g. brand, model, colour, size, number of rotors,

etc.)

6.6.3 The Visual Observer shall also report to the Hong Kong Police Force immediately for necessary actions, as appropriate.



6.7 Public Encroachment

6.7.1 Should there be any public encroachment within or getting close to the minimum lateral separation required, the Visual Observer shall inform the flight team by calling “Public” and advise the Chief Remote Pilot of the position of the public spotted. The Chief Remote Pilot shall hold position of the UAS immediately.


6.7.3 If the above is confirmed, the Chief Remote Pilot shall land the UAS. Otherwise, he shall shift the UAS to a safe position such that minimum lateral separation can be maintained.

6.8 Aircraft Encroachment

6.8.1 Should there be any aircraft encroachment within or getting close to the minimum lateral separation required, the Visual Observer shall inform the flight team by calling “Aircraft” and advise the Chief Remote Pilot of the position of the aircraft spotted. The Chief Remote Pilot shall hold position of the UAS immediately.

6.8.2 The Visual Observer shall confirm the area immediately beneath the UAS is clear and inform the Chief Remote Pilot accordingly.

6.8.3 If the above is confirmed, the Chief Remote Pilot shall descend the UAS. Otherwise, he shall shift the UAS to a safe position to avoid collision.



PART C – TRAINING

Section 1 Training Requirements

7.1 Training Programme

7.1.1 All nominated personnel shall get themselves familiarised with the regulations in Hong Kong, CAD’s guidelines for safe operations of UAS, normal operational procedures as well as emergency procedures detailed in this document.

7.1.2 The Chief Remote Pilot and Co-Remote Pilot shall be required to complete initial training which comprises theoretical knowledge (e.g. aviation law, principles of UAS operations, flight operations, emergency handling, etc.) and practical flight training, and pass an assessment to ensure that they possess the required competencies for the type(s) of UAS operations to be conducted.

7.1.3 The Chief Remote Pilot and Co-Remote Pilot shall also maintain currency of their UAS operational experience by having at least two hours of total flight time logged within the last three months prior to the UAS operations. Such recurrent training requirement may be fulfilled with test flights, training flights, and/or actual UAS operations.

7.1.4 All training records shall be properly kept and updated by the Accountable Manager. These records serve as the evidence of remote pilots’ experience and competence in UAS operations.



PART D – APPENDICES

Form A Flight Log

Date UAS Used Time (LT) Location | Tasks Performed byStart End Name Sign



Form B Battery Log

Charge Cycle

Battery 1 Battery 2 Battery 3Date & Time Sign Date & Time Sign Date & Time Sign

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18



Form C Maintenance Log

Date UAS Component Test before Return to Service

(Y/N)

Remarks Inspected byName Sign

AirframePropellerBatteryRemote ControllerCameraOthersAirframePropellerBatteryRemote ControllerCameraOthersAirframePropellerBatteryRemote ControllerCameraOthersAirframePropellerBatteryRemote ControllerCameraOthersAirframePropellerBatteryRemote ControllerCameraOthersAirframePropellerBatteryRemote ControllerCameraOthers



Form D Incident Log

Part IFlight Team

Location

Tasks

Weather

Date & Time UAS Involved

Part IIDescription of the Incident

Severity Minor (No damage to equipment / persons) Major

Immediate Actions Taken

Reported by: Date:

___________________ __________________

Acknowledged by: Date:

_______________ _______________Investigation and Recommendations

Reviewed by: Date: Closed by: Date:



____________________ _________________ _______________ _______________

Form E Site Survey Form

Location

Tasks

Date & Time UAS to be used

Item Findings / Actions RequiredBoundary of the area of operations (including likely take-off / landing area and alternative site)

Location and height of obstructions (e.g. buildings, trees, etc.)

Proximity of other aircraft operations

Flight restrictions related to the area of operations (e.g. temporary Restricted Flying Zones established, local by-laws at country parks, etc.)Hazards / possible radio interference associated with industrial sites or activities such as live firing, fuel tank, high tension cables, high-intensity radio transmission, etc.Habitation and recreational activities nearby

Security measures required to limit public access to the area of operations

Altitudes and routes to be used on the approach to and departure from the area of operations

Permission from the land owner / property manager concerned

Weather conditions for the planned event (e.g. ground visibility, cloud base, wind speed, precipitation, etc.)

Conducted by:

Name: _____________________________ Signature: __________________________



Position: ___________________________ Date: ______________________________



Form F Risk Assessment Form

Location Tasks


Risk No.

Identified Hazard Associated Risk (What & How)

Existing Mitigation Current Risk Rating

Further Mitigation Revised Risk Rating

E.g. Public encroachment via a footpath leading to the area of operations

Minimum lateral separation cannot be maintained such that uninvolved people might be injured if the UAS gets out of control

Close the gate at the entrance of the area of operations

4C Warning signs shall be used to indicate UAS operations in progress. Extra Visual Observers will be stationed along the footpath to advise the public of the potential dangers of entering the area of operations.

1C

Conducted by:

Name: _____________________________ Signature: __________________________

Issue [x] – [DD MMM YYYY] Page 29


Position: ___________________________ Date: ______________________________



Form G UAS Operation Checklist

Location

Tasks


Part I – Pre-FlightItem Status (Yes / No)Operating area (including the take-off and landing area) have been cordoned off from uninvolved people, vehicles, vessels and structuresPrevailing weather conditions are suitable for the UAS operation

There is no flight restriction related to the area of operations based on the latest Restricted Flying Zones informationRemote control device, mobile device and flight battery are properly charged (at least 85%)All UAS components (e.g. flight battery) and payload are secured and SD card has sufficient capacityPropellers and propeller guards (if applicable) are in good condition and mounted correctly and firmlyThere is nothing obstructing the motors and they are functioning normallyCamera lens and sensors for Vision Positioning System / Obstacle Sensing System are cleanMobile application and the aircraft’s firmware have been updated to the latest versionsMobile application is successfully connected to the aircraft and telemetry readings such as GPS signal (at least 8 satellites tracked), command and control data link, etc. are normalIf prompted, follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate the compass and/or Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)Gimbal and camera are functioning normally

Geofencing boundary and maximum altitude (if applicable) have been set, and return-to-home position and altitude have been recorded

Conducted by:

Name: _____________________________ Signature: __________________________

Position: ___________________________ Date: ______________________________



Part II – Post-FlightItem Status (Yes / No)Motor is shut down normally

Aircraft and remote control device are off

Temperature of battery is normal with no swelling

Temperature of motor and remote control device are normal

Visual check on the aircraft is normal with no damage

Propeller(s) are checked with no cracks or damage

Conducted by:

Name: _____________________________ Signature: __________________________

Position: ___________________________ Date: ______________________________

Part III – Fault ReportFault Description

When was the fault was found? (tick all that are applicable) Pre-Flight Take-off Climb Hover In-flight Landing Accident MaintenanceLikely cause of fault Design Manufacture Fatigue Corrosion Maintenance Human Factors Operational Others _____________________________________________________Severity Minor (In-house repair / replacement by spares) Major (Return to manufacturer)Reported by: Date:

___________________ __________________

Acknowledged by: Date:

_______________ _______________Corrective Actions

Reviewed by: Date: Closed by: Date:



____________________ _________________ _______________ _______________

END


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