UAS Pilots Code
Condensed
Version
 Version 1.0Â
Tools to advance UAS safety and professionalism
Â
Permanent Editorial Board
of the
Aviators Code Initiative
and the
University Aviation Association
Dear
UAS Pilot:
This
letter introduces version 1.0 of the UAS
Pilots Code (UASPC). Developed by
a team of aviation and UAS professionals, the UASPC recommends operating practices to enhance the quality and
safety of your operations. The UASPC
applies to a range of operating environments and experience levels, from the
UAS novice to experienced UAS pilots.
Pilot
conduct and professionalism affect the entire aviation community, including its
safety culture. Correspondingly, organizational safety culture affects pilot
conduct. A voluntary, aspirational code of conduct promotes pilot proficiency
and operational safety. The UASPC is
just such a tool: a set of guidelines, and recommended practices adaptable to
each pilot and organizational need.
The
UASPC reflects years of safety
practices and lessons learned in manned and unmanned aviation that are
applicable to UAS operations. We encourage you to adopt it, and to commit to
the highest principles of aviation safety.
The UASPC was developed as a volunteer effort and is provided as a free
public service.
The UAS Pilots Code (UASPC)
offers recommendations to advance flight safety, ground safety, airmanship, and
professionalism. It presents a vision of excellence for UAS pilots
and operators, and includes general guidance for all types of UAS. The UASPC offers broad guidance�a set of
values�to help a pilot interpret and apply standards and regulations, and to
confront the real world challenges to avoid incidents and accidents. It is designed to help UAS pilots
develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), effective risk management, safety
management systems (SMS), and to encourage UAS pilots to consider
themselves aviators and participants in the broader aviation community.
The FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
establish the pilot certification testing standards. Regulations and standards
alone, however, do not necessarily prepare a pilot to handle every unusual or
unanticipated situations, especially those beyond the scope of standard procedures,
checklists or operating manuals. The UASPC�s principles
complement and underscore legal requirements. Because regulation may lag behind
technology developments, the UASPC can
be particularly helpful in providing guidance.
The UASPC is designed to be a living
document, intended to be updated periodically to reflect changes in aviation
practices and the aviation environment.
This document is applicable to civil unmanned
aircraft system (UAS) pilots, ground crew including visual observers,
operations managers, safety officers, and other interested or responsible
parties. The UASPC may also serve as
a supplemental resource for other UAS operations.
The UASPC
is a model, not a standard. Users may customize this document to suit their
needs including title, length, and organization, and level of technical detail
or sophistication. The UASPC is most
effective if users commit to the pursuit of professionalism as well as a firm
grasp of the fundamentals of UAS flight and flight safety. Three versions of
the UASPC are available:
�
Annotated Version - unabridged,
with supplemental materials and extensive supporting endnotes, including
drafting considerations,
�
Condensed Version - without annotation, intended for pilot implementation,
and
�
Abbreviated Version - core
principles only, introducing and promoting the UASPC.
Organization: The UASPC has
seven sections, each presenting Principles and Sample Recommended Practices
(SRPs).
The Sections:
I. General Responsibilities of UAS Pilots
II. Manned Aircraft & People on the Surface
III. Training and Proficiency
IV. Security and Privacy
V. Environmental Issues
VI. Use of Technology
VII. Advancement
of UAS Aviation
The Principles: The Principles are recommended best practices
addressing safety, training, risk management, and technology. General and
concise, the Principles are designed to provide a foundation for building
professionalism and a safety culture.
The Sample Recommended Practices: Sample
Recommended Practices (SRPs)
are suggestions for applying the principles of the UASPC and tailoring them to individuals and organizations. SRPs may be reordered, modified, or
eliminated when not applicable, to satisfy the unique capabilities and
requirements of each pilot, mission, unmanned aircraft, organization, and
flight environment.
Benefits of the UASPC: The UASPC
benefits UAS pilots and the UAS community by:
� recommending practices to support safety and
professionalism among UAS pilots,
� encouraging UAS pilots to recognize themselves
as aviators and members of the broader aviation community,
� promoting improved training, airmanship,
conduct, personal responsibility, and pilot contributions to the UAS community
and society at large,
� encouraging the development and adoption of
ethical practices and good judgment,
� advancing self-regulation and responsibility
in the UAS community, and
� supporting improved communications between
pilots, regulators, and others in the UAS industry to further enhance safety within the National
Airspace System (NAS).
References to civil aviation authorities (CAAs)
and the FAA are used as examples. In all jurisdictions, applicable laws and
regulations must be followed.
Principles
and
  UAS pilots should:
a. make safety a top priority,
b.
seek excellence in airmanship (knowledge,
skill, ability, and attitude that promote safe and efficient operations),
c. Â adopt sound
principles of aeronautical decision-making (ADM) (the process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of
action in response to the circumstances), and develop and exercise good judgment,
d. Â use sound principles of risk management,
e. Â maintain situational
awareness (the accurate perception and
understanding of your operation and environment), and adhere to prudent
operating practices,
f.  aspire to professionalism,
g. Â act with responsibility,
integrity, and courtesy, and
h. Â adhere to
applicable laws, regulations, and industry guidance.
Explanation:Â These General
Responsibilities serve as a preamble to the UASPC�s
other principles.
Sample Recommended Practices:
�
Recognize,
plan for and accept the costs of implementing effective safety practices.
�
Organizations
of any size and scope should apply the principles of a safety management system
(SMS): understand the risks in your operations, take steps to control them, and
monitor operations to assure that these controls are working.
�
Improve
safety margins and reduce unnecessary risk by planning and flying conservatively.
�
Recognize
that use of a visual observer enhances safety, even when not required.
�
Do not
carry hazardous payloads unless authorized.
�
Do not
assume that the altitudes prescribed in UAS Facility Maps are necessarily
accurate or appropriate for flight.
�
Create an emergency response plan, and
implement it in the event of an incident or accident.
�
Identify
and adapt to changing flight conditions based on airmanship, sound principles
of UAS safety and risk management. Be prepared to alter your flight plan or
discontinue your flight accordingly.
�
Ensure
UAS flight controllability is not adversely affected by payload weight,
placement, and loading. Follow manufacturer's instructions if provided. In the
absence of provided guidance, use conservative loading practices.
�
Consider
conducting a stability and controllability test at the start of each flight.
�
Understand
the unique relationship between UAS piloting and aeronautical decision-making,
ethical choices, and flight safety.
�
Recognize
the difficulty of visually estimating UAS altitude and distance.
�
Incorporate
Threat and Error Management (TEM - process
of detecting and responding to threats and errors) into your operation to
aid in identifying errors and external threats that could compromise safety.
�
Employ
Crew Resource Management (CRM - the
effective use of all available resources: human resources, hardware, and
information) techniques to foster effective crew coordination, teamwork,
and enhance safety culture.
�
 Consider the effect of weather such as wind,
precipitation, and temperature on power, fuel reserves, and performance, and
their impact on the safe completion of flight.
�
Refuse to
operate a UAS that is unsafe for flight because of mechanical, electrical or
control system discrepancies, failure to meet applicable inspection
requirements, airworthiness (suitability
for safe flight), or any anomaly that adversely affects airworthiness.
�
Discontinue
UAS operations in the event of potential conflict with other aircraft,
mechanical anomaly, low power or fuel condition, adverse weather, or any other
condition that may compromise safety.
�
Use risk
management tools to identify, evaluate and mitigate the effects of hazards, and
do not subject anyone to unnecessary risks.
�
Keep
operations well clear of airports, heliports, and seaplane bases. Conduct such
operations only when safety can be reasonably assured. Where applicable, make
notification, and obtain authorization from proper authorities.
�
Recognize
the restrictions associated with flying near airports or other aircraft, in
controlled airspace, over people, in inclement weather (including reduced
visibility environments), and at night. Be aware of the increased risk
associated with flying in congested, urban, or confined areas; near obstacles;
over water, rugged, mountainous, or forested terrain; in high density altitude
conditions; and in other circumstances that may adversely affect safety.
�
Have a
ground safety plan for and ready access to appropriate fire suppression and
other emergency equipment and the ability to contact emergency services.
�
Recognize
that aviation or other charts may not accurately reflect all obstructions and
hazards that
could affect UAS operations. Maintain chart currency. Supplement
aeronautical charts with visual observers, site survey, and other mapping
resources.
�
Prevent
distractions that could lead to errors and compromise safety by limiting
unnecessary tasks or communication during launch, recovery, and other critical
phases of flight.
�
Where
practicable, enhance visibility through appropriate use of aircraft lighting
and bright paint schemes or markings. Ensure aircraft lighting does not impair
night vision.
�
See and
be seen. Maintain a robust scan and practice techniques for seeing and avoiding
other aircraft. Recognize that manned aircraft pilots are unlikely to
anticipate or see your UAS.
�
Fly at an
altitude appropriate to the mission. Consider the risks associated with higher
altitude flights, such as higher wind speeds, maintaining separation from other
aircraft and potential crash impact velocity with respect to people, structures
or property on the surface. Be aware of the risks of flying at low altitudes,
such as manned operations, obstructions, turbulence induced by urban
structures, and other relevant hazards.
�
Make an
honest evaluation of your mental and physical fitness a precondition of each
flight�for example, by using the I�M SAFE
(Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion) checklist.
�
Recognize
that some emergency scenarios should not be practiced in the absence of an
experienced UAS pilot or knowledgeable mentor.
�
Improve
situational awareness by using sound principles of airmanship, crew resource
management, scenario-based training, and risk management.
�
Become
familiar with and monitor appropriate aviation frequencies to enhance your
awareness of other aircraft in proximity to your UAS operation. Where
authorized, accurately inform other pilots of your position and intentions on
appropriate frequencies, and air traffic control of emergencies including loss
of separation with other aircraft, or loss of control of your UAS.
�
For
flights to, from, at, or in proximity to airports, contact the controlling
facility, and review applicable Chart Supplements (formerly Airport
Facilities/Directory (AF/D)) and other resources to ascertain each airport�s
environment, operational conditions, surrounding terrain and obstructions.
�
Remain
aware of changing or deteriorating weather and other circumstances that may
make continued flight unsafe. Be particularly aware of crosswinds, tailwinds,
and gusty wind/turbulent conditions when landing, departing, or hovering. In
such cases, make an informed risk management decision whether to continue the
flight.
�
Avoid the
flow of all manned aircraft traffic unless directed otherwise by air traffic control
(ATC). For off-airport flights, include review of relevant maps, and local
knowledge.
�
Plan for
the possibility that curious onlookers may approach your UAS operation creating
a potential distraction or hazard.
�
Check
relevant Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) including Temporary Flight Restrictions
(TFRs) prior to commencing flight operations, and update as practicable during
extended or multi-flight operations. When appropriate, file and
update NOTAMs regarding your flight.
�
Complete
a comprehensive preflight inspection prior to commencing flight operations to
determine that the UAS is airworthy.
�
Ensure
that your aircraft�s firmware (software that controls essential system
functions) and other software is up to date. Recognize that various systems may
require update, including aircraft, ground station, control application or
display tablet and power supply. Be sure you understand the impact of any
firmware/software updates.
�
As part
of preflight planning, identify options for emergency landing locations.
�
Develop,
use, periodically review, and refine checklists and personal minimums (an
operational envelope within which the pilot is adequately trained and
competent) for all phases of flight. Review these materials regularly with an
experienced UAS pilot or knowledgeable mentor.
�
Before
takeoff, understand your mission plan. The mission plan should include
consideration of the objectives, pilot capabilities, UAS platform, operations
area, environmental conditions, and other external factors affecting flight
safety.
�
Maintain
an altitude and configuration that will permit an emergency landing without
undue hazard to people or property.
�
As part
of preflight planning, identify locations where either manned or unmanned
aircraft may be encountered and develop contingencies for avoidance. UAS pilots may encounter VFR
aircraft at lower than normal altitudes during periods of reduced visibility or
limited ceiling height.
�
Be aware
of personal susceptibility to, and seek to avoid or manage distraction,
fatigue, and stress.
�
Be aware
of your personal susceptibility to attitudes that adversely influence good
aeronautical decision-making.
�
Develop
conservative personal operating limitations reflecting experience, and
proficiency, especially in challenging conditions.
�
Approach
UAS operations with seriousness, commitment, and diligence, recognizing that
your actions may jeopardize the lives, well-being, and property of people in
manned aircraft and on the surface.
�
Understand
and comply with the privileges and limitations of your certificates,
authorizations, and waivers.
�
Adhere to
rules and operating practices of your airport or operating location, employer,
flight school, or flight center, and recommendations from recognized UAS
organizations.
�
Maintain
awareness of local laws, regulations, or ordinances that may affect UAS
operations.
�
As soon
as practicable but no later than 10 days after an occurrence, report UAS
accidents to the FAA; immediately report accidents that meet NTSB thresholds to
the NTSB, and report near mid air collisions to the FAA�s Near Mid Air
Collision System (NMACS), and/or safety incidents via the Aviation Safety
Reporting System (ASRS).
�
Comply
with manufacturer�s operating manuals and instructions, especially with regard
to performance, limitations, and abnormal/emergency conditions.
�
Understand
the requirements and benefits of complying with manufacturer�s recommended
inspections and maintenance guidance, and in the absence thereof, consider
developing a scheduled maintenance plan that achieves the longest and safest
service life of the UAS.
�
Complete
post-flight procedures such as ATC flight completion notification, cancellation
of flight plan, post-flight inspections, and discrepancy reporting. Keep a log
of UAS maintenance and operational status and ensure that appropriate measures
are taken to correct system deficiencies.
�
Identify
safety and compliance issues, and communicate them appropriately.
�
Confirm
availability of all required or recommended ground support equipment before
initiating flight operations.
�
Learn and
remain familiar with lost control link, stabilization, and other automation
failure procedures. Follow
manufacturer�s or builder�s instructions if provided.
�
Use
caution when charging, transporting, discharging, storing, disposing or otherwise
handling batteries to minimize risk to persons or property.
**
UAS pilots should:
a. manage and avoid unnecessary risk to manned
aircraft, and to people and property on the surface, and
b. avoid operations that may alarm or disturb
people on the surface or in manned aircraft.
Explanation: UAS pilots must avoid harming persons or
property. Civil aviation authorities accommodate flight operations with the
expectation that UAS pilots exercise due care and adequately mitigate risks to
others and their property.
Sample Recommended Practices:
�
Recognize that responsible
planning precedes every UAS mission.
�
Give
right-of-way to all manned aircraft.
�
Do not
operate over people without authorization, proper training and equipment. Â Consider using a covered area or safety line
to segregate flight operations from non-participants and minimize risk to
people.
�
To the
extent practicable, use aircraft and payloads composed of frangible or
energy-absorbing materials, propeller guards, and other available mechanisms to
mitigate risk of injury to persons.
�
Monitor
people within the proximity of your intended operations closely. Keep them
informed and clear of potential UAS hazards including propellers, rotors, and
hazardous materials.
�
UAS
pilots and crew members should consider the use of protective, highly-visible
clothing (such as safety vests and other markers), helmets, and eye protection.
Use high visibility area markers such as traffic cones to denote takeoff and
landing areas to protect everyone.
�
Maintain
adequate insurance coverage for all UAS operations. Understand and comply with
all policy terms and limitations.
�
Brief all
participants on the planned UAS operation to mitigate the potential for injury.
�
Instruct
non-crewmembers to avoid touching or obstructing equipment and payload.
�
Develop and maintain an operations manual
to help identify and describe the system and operations characteristics,
including specifications of the aircraft, responsibilities of the crew, scope
of operational decision-making authority, pre- and post-flight checklists, and
processes that promote risk management.
�
Collision
avoidance may require UAS pilots to perform an aggressive maneuver. During such
maneuvers be aware of the increased risk of impact with aircraft and people or
structures on the surface.
�
Consider
the use of visual observers to aid the UAS pilot in maintaining situational
awareness as well as identifying both airborne and ground hazards.
�
Ensure
adequate separation from people, other aircraft, and unauthorized airspace.
�
Avoid
manned aircraft traffic patterns unless authorized and operationally required.
�
Act
professionally towards all people affected by your UAS operations.
�
Tactfully
disclose risks to all affected parties and address their concerns regarding
flight operations, and seek to accommodate their needs.
�
Take
responsibility for any harm you may cause to people, property, or wildlife.
**
III. Training and Proficiency
 UAS pilots should:
a. participate in
regular training to maintain and improve proficiency beyond minimum
requirements,
b. pursue a
rigorous, lifelong course of aviation study,
c. remain vigilant
and avoid complacency,
d. train to recognize and
effectively respond to emergencies, and
e. maintain an accurate
log to document your experience and improve future aeronautical decision-making
and risk management.
Explanation:Â Training and proficiency underlie aviation safety. Regular training is
a primary component of proficiency and should include both air and ground
training. Training and proficiency each contribute significantly to flight
safety and neither can substitute for the other.
Sample
Recommended Practices:
�
Develop
and follow a training regimen that incorporates the assessment of your
progress. Obtain guidance and seek feedback from an experienced UAS pilot or
mentor.
�
Obtain
equipment and operational training before commencing flight operations.
�
Learn
appropriate use of the UAS manufacturer�s manual or instructions to conduct
flight planning, properly secure payloads, determine aircraft limitations,
performance, and power or fuel requirements, assess weight and balance, and
safely undertake flight operations.
�
Recognize
applicable safety or informational placards placed on the UAS platform, components,
attachments, related devices, or manuals. Understand and comply with all
placard instructions, limitations, or information. Ensure placards are visible
and properly affixed.
�
Become
familiar with orientation or aircraft status lighting and their related meaning
to enhance situational awareness.
�
Learn and
adhere to airspace classes, requirements, and restrictions.
�
Integrate
manual flight, autonomous flight, and scenario-based training (real-world
situations that meet flight training objectives in an operational environment)
in the training regime.
�
Incorporate
simulation into your training program, with an emphasis on abnormal/emergency
conditions, including loss-of-control and traffic conflicts.
�
Learn how
your automated systems work and understand their limitations.
�
Learn and
practice obstacle and wire avoidance techniques.
�
Complete
training appropriate to specialized operations or unique mission requirements.
�
Develop a
systematic approach to obtaining timely and reliable weather information and
evaluating flight conditions.
�
Learn and
remain familiar with aviation regulations and associated guidance material.
Understand their intent and implications.
�
Train for
flight over challenging environments such as water, remote areas, desert, or
mountainous terrain, woodlands, urban areas, and understand that such
environments may compromise or degrade the performance or functionality of some
UAS.
�
Learn how
to determine and adhere to airworthiness requirements for each UAS you fly, and
confirm its airworthiness before each flight by conducting a thorough preflight
inspection.
�
Develop a
practical understanding of the mechanics, systems, and unique risks of each UAS
you fly.
�
Conduct a
periodic review of recent accidents, incidents, and unsafe conditions focusing
on probable causes.
�
Periodically
demonstrate mastery of applicable Airman Certification Standards (ACS); study
and train to exceed ACS requirements.
�
Select an
appropriate training area, taking into consideration property ownership,
airspace, local restrictions, and potential safety and privacy issues.
� Fly often enough to maintain proficiency consistent with your certificates and authorizations.
� Use flight simulators and other training devices that appropriately reflect your system�s automation.
� Invite and accept constructive criticism from your fellow aviators and provide the same when asked.
� Attend aviation training programs, FAA Pilot Proficiency Program (�WINGS�) safety seminars, and complete online FAAST courses and training materials.
�
Participate
in organizations that can improve your UAS platform knowledge and flight skills
regarding their capabilities, limitations, and safe operation.
� Achieve and maintain proficiency in the operation of UAS systems, manual flight controls and automation.
�
Commit to
and maintain an ongoing course of training in both flight skills and
aeronautical knowledge.
� Register at www.faasafety.gov to receive announcements of safety meetings and literature, and to review appropriate safety courses.
� Stay current with relevant aviation publications.
�
Obtain
adequate training before flying an unfamiliar UAS, or operating unfamiliar UAS
automation or systems, even if you have flown a similar make or model in the
past.
�
Ensure before each flight that your
safety, failsafe, and other settings are configured appropriately.
� UAS pilots who are not certificated to fly manned aircraft may benefit from introductory ground and flight training in manned flight. Such training will help the UAS pilot better understand the unique challenges of operating manned aircraft, including detecting and avoiding UAS operations.
� Manned aircraft pilots who intend to fly UAS should obtain additional training to address the unique challenges of conducting UAS operations. Such training may cover command and control (C2) systems, including telemetry, data management, failure modes, autonomous operations, and aerodynamics.
�
Recognize
the vulnerability of UAS to wind, turbulence, and other weather conditions, and
how these effects may vary in fixed-wing, multirotor, and hybrid unmanned
aircraft.
�
Practice
emergency procedures regularly. Recognize that improper responses to simulated
emergencies can lead to actual emergencies.
� Understand your authority and responsibilities as a UAS pilot including recognizing an emergency when it occurs, and communicating that knowledge to crew, bystanders or external authorities as appropriate.
� Understand and train to use appropriate procedures in the event of system malfunctions or failures such as electrical, rotor, propulsion, or loss of control link.
�
Debrief
each flight. Review your objectives, identify mistakes and any unnecessary
risks to enhance safety and improve your performance on future flights.
Maintain a log to track errors and lessons learned during each flight.
**
IV. Security and Privacy
  UAS pilots
should:
a. take measures to maintain the security of persons and property
affected by UAS activities,
b. remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious, reckless, or
illegal UAS activities,
c. become familiar with current security and privacy rules and best
practices,
d. avoid controlled and special activity/special use airspace except
when approved or necessary in an emergency, and
e. recognize and respect the publicâ��s reasonable expectation of
privacy.
Explanation:Â Security pertains to measures taken to protect people, property, and
information from criminal or terrorist acts. It also includes measures taken by
UAS pilots to avoid inadvertently becoming a real or perceived security threat.
In addition, UAS operations present a new and unique potential to compromise
privacy. This section addresses the UAS pilot�s essential role in promoting
national security, preventing criminal acts, and respecting privacy rights.
Sample Recommended Practices:
� Secure your UAS if it will be unattended.
�
Determine
the ownership of property on which you desire to launch or recover, and seek
prior permission where required.
�
Do not
deactivate or degrade geo-fencing or other security features on your equipment
unless they present a flight hazard or impede authorized operations.
�
To the
extent practicable, seek to avoid even the appearance of a security threat.
UAS operations may be
perceived as a threat by property owners, security, military, or law
enforcement personnel, and may put the UAS at risk of being disabled, damaged,
destroyed, or confiscated in response to a perceived threat. If your UAS
operation may have been perceived as a threat, move away, change the
flight path, or consider landing the UAS and explaining your intentions.
� Become familiar with the means to report and deter suspicious activities, such as a call to law enforcement and follow-up to the FAA Hotline https://hotline.faa.gov/.
� Comply with applicable UAS registration requirements, including the proper display of registration number.
� Comply with applicable requirements for electronic identification, tracking, and authorization.
�
Comply
with all rules relating to UAS payload or cargo, such as the carriage of
hazardous materials, weapons, ammunition, or other contraband.
�
Consider
use of systems that improve data security (including encrypted command and
control systems, and relevant security standards), and provide at least the
level of security required to satisfy information security requirements.
� Complete any required or recommended security training applicable to your flight operations.
�
During preflight preparation, check
airspace and location restrictions applicable to your operation, including
NOTAMs and temporary flight restrictions (TFRs).
�
Avoid
TFRs, public safety/emergency operations or other areas of intensive manned
aircraft operations, and events that may attract other aircraft or crowds.
� Avoid UAS operations near prisons, power plants, military bases, and other critical infrastructure. Notify such entities prior to operating nearby.
�
Be
cognizant of operations that may be subject to privacy, trespass, nuisance,
intrusion upon seclusion, or other considerations.
� Query applicable charts, available/approved applications, Flight Service (air traffic facilities that provide preflight briefings, flight plan processing, and inflight advisories), or ATC to avoid operating in special activity/special use airspace or other areas not authorized for UAS flight.
� Comply with airspace restrictions and authorized operational limitations approved for your flight and UAS platform.
�
Understand
and respect the public�s reasonable expectation of privacy rights of others by
conducting your UAS operations with prudence and restraint.
�
Seek to
avoid even the appearance of impropriety regarding potential violations of
privacy with your operations.
�
Limit
data capture to mission-related objectives.
�
Retain
personal data only when legally and purposefully collected, and only for the
duration necessary.
�
Avoid the
collection of personal data without the subject�s consent. Delete such data
immediately upon discovery, and maintain a de-identified log of the deletion.
�
Implement
a written privacy policy that is appropriate and responsive to your UAS
operations.
�
Recognize
that limited societal experience may cause some people to consider unmanned
aircraft harassing, invasive, or threatening. Respond with courtesy and
professionalism.
**
V. Environmental
Issues
 UAS pilots should:
a. recognize and
seek to mitigate the environmental impact of UAS operations,
b. minimize the
discharge of fuel, oil, and other chemicals into the environment during
refueling, preflight preparations, servicing, and flight operations,
c. recognize that
some UAS components, including batteries, other fuels, and lubricants, may be
hazardous and require special handling procedures,
d. respect and
protect environmentally sensitive areas, and
e. avoid flight over
noise-sensitive areas, and comply with applicable noise-abatement procedures.
Explanation:Â Environmental issues can cause harm, hamper operations, and increase
regulatory burdens. Mitigating the environmental impact of UAS operations will
improve public health and society's perceptions of the industry. Through the
thoughtful exercise of responsible practices, most environmental issues are
manageable.
Sample Recommended Practices:
� Learn and adopt environmentally responsible methods for all aspects of UAS care.
� Adopt organizational policies for managing
environmental issues.
� Complete a post-flight assessment to ensure
that the UAS operations did not cause environmental harm. If the UAS operation
causes damage to property or the environment, restore it to its previous condition.
� Patronize service providers that adhere to
environmentally friendly practices.
� Adopt environmentally sound and legally
compliant procedures for battery or fuel transportation, storage, fueling
sampling, defueling, disposing of batteries or fuel samples, and remediating
fuel spills.
� Consider the potential impact of UAS on animal life, and comply with recommended practices when flying near wilderness, wildlife, marine sanctuaries, and other environmentally sensitive areas. Recognize that UAS may attract, frighten, or injure birds and other animals. Remember that UAS may be mistaken as predators by nesting birds and other wildlife, causing harmful stress or abandonment of nests and habitat.
� If practicable, avoid residential and other noise-sensitive areas.
� Be aware of the noise signature of your aircraft, take steps to limit ambient UAS noise, and consider system modifications that do so.
VI. Use of
Technology
 UAS pilots should:
a. become familiar with UAS equipment and related technologies,
b. make effective use of technology by integrating technical guidance
and solutions into your standard operating procedures,
c. practice effective system monitoring and ensure you are prepared to
revert to manual operations if available,
d. Identify failure modes, and where practicable, test and deploy
fault-tolerant or redundant equipment, and
e. use, and understand the limitations of, position-indicating
technologies including detect-and-avoid (DAA), if available and authorized.
Explanation:Â Innovative, compact, and inexpensive aviation technologies offer
expanded capabilities and enhanced safety. This section encourages the use and
promotion of such safety- and capability-enhancing technologies.
Sample Recommended Practices:
�
When
practicable, invest in new technologies that enhance your proficiency, knowledge,
situational awareness, and advance flight safety.
�
Recognize
that new technologies will increasingly provide enhanced safety capabilities,
including, e.g., detect-and-avoid, obstacle avoidance, graceful
degradation, and advanced UAS traffic management (UTM) capabilities supporting
beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
�
Do not
engage in UAS operations unless the instruments and equipment needed for the
type of flight operation, including controls, transmitters, and sensors, are
installed and in an operable condition.
� Recognize conditions that may induce control signal attenuation, interference, or disruption. Electromagnetic fields near power lines, transmission towers, or other transmitting devices may disrupt control signals. Determine the potential impact and develop contingency plans if the UAS encounters signal interference.
� Recognize many UAS contain magnetic sensors critical for navigation. Consider conditions that may induce magnetic interference,
� Understand how to interpret and respond to weather radar imagery and other advanced weather tools, and become apprised of new weather products that may inform and enhance flight planning and safety.
� Understand the currency of weather information sources, and obtain weather updates as appropriate.
� Consider the use of flight data monitoring, tracking, and flight recording to improve training, flight operations, post-flight review or debrief, and post-crash/injury investigation.
� Use web-based flight planning, compliance, and management tools to enhance safety, situational awareness, and efficiency.
� Understand and comply with any licensing requirements for use of certain radio frequency bands.
�
Understand
the accuracy limitations of the aircraft�s altimetric equipment.
�
Understand
the accuracy limitations of your GPS and other navigation systems, learn to
identify degradation or failures, and how to apply effective recovery
procedures.
�
Familiarize
yourself with your UAS�s entire feature set, and configure all systems to
ensure safe operations. Do
not assume that factory default settings are necessarily safe or adequate. Modify
factory default settings as needed.
�
Understand
the capabilities, limitations, and proper operation of safety devices (such as
prop guards and parachutes).
�
Learn and
understand manual and automated features, limitations, and proper use of UAS
control system technologies.
� Properly manage autoflight systems. Understand that programming avionics during flight operations may cause distractions and that distractions may lead to errors, particularly during critical phases of flight
� Recognize that increasingly complex UAS may be subject to unpredictable anomalies.
� Maintain basic flying and navigating skills to enhance safety in the event of in-flight emergencies or abnormal conditions.
�
Test third-party applications and devices
before mission critical operations.
�
Consider
keeping backup devices accessible including extra batteries or power supplies.
�
Learn to identify and correct system
degradation or failures. Incorporate risk management practices into the
decision process to continue, modify, or cancel a flight under degraded system
conditions.
�
Report
inoperative GPS and other navigation signals and areas of poor radio/signal
coverage to the appropriate authority.
�
Understand
the limitations for the use of (DAA) detect-and-avoid technologies, and comply
with DAA alerts, cautions, and warnings.
**
VII. Advancement
of UAS Aviation
    UAS
pilots should:
a.  advance and promote aviation safety as well as adherence to the UASPC,
b. collaborate with or assist organizations that advance UAS aviation and
contribute to society at large; encourage other UAS pilots to do so as well,
c.  demonstrate appreciation for aviation professionals and service
providers,
d. advance an aviation culture that values openness, humility, positive
attitudes, and the pursuit of personal improvement,
e.  promote ethical behavior within the UAS community, and
f.   mentor new and future UAS pilots.
Explanation:Â Vigilance and responsive action are essential to ensure aviation
vitality and to enhance the aviation community.
Sample Recommended Practices:
� Strive to adopt the UASPC.
� Be aware of the impact of your UAS on manned aviation. As a UAS pilot, be a respectful user of the National Airspace System, recognizing that adherence to regulations, best practices, and safe operational procedures protects all users of shared airspace.
� Advocate and promote the development of unmanned aviation.
� Consider participating in local government efforts that advance flight safety and advocate appropriate enforcement of UAS regulation.
� Participate in local aviation and recognized UAS associations to learn and contribute to the knowledge base on the safe operation of UAS.
�
Participate
in the review of UAS Facility Maps to ensure they reflect safe altitude
separation between UAS and manned aircraft, or other safety hazards.
� Consider making charitable use of your expertise and resources such as participating in community events, humanitarian initiatives, or donating flight time to search and rescue organizations and environmental programs.
� Participate in FAA Safety Team meetings and events. Learn from and interact with other aviation professionals.
� Express appreciation to air traffic controllers, airport staff, and service personnel for their valuable assistance.
� Consider your responsibility to promote safe and appropriate behavior to other pilots and aviation professionals.
� Recognize that your actions can reflect upon the entire UAS community.
� Serve as an aviation ambassador to the public by providing accurate information, refuting misinformation concerning UAS activities, and encouraging prospective UAS pilots.
� Adhere to the highest ethical principles in all aviation dealings, including business practices.
� Seek to resolve disputes quickly and informally.
� Strive to engender professionalism, to serve as a role model and convey best practices to new and future UAS pilots.
**
Annotated
commentary, source materials, implementation examples, and supplemental
aids for the Codes of Conduct are available at secureav.com. Additional Codes of Conduct include: Aviation Maintenance Technicians, Aviators,
Flight Instructors, Glider Aviators,
Helicopter Pilots, Light Sport Aviators, Seaplane Pilots, Student Pilots,
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Model Codes of Conduct, and Safety Guidance for Manned Aircraft Pilots
Operating in the Presence of Drones.
The
UASPC is available at secureav.com. UAS Pilots Code
© Aviators Code Initiative (ACI) and University Aviation Association (UAA). All
Rights Reserved. Terms of Use: secureav.com/terms.pdf.
The UASPC
is a joint initiative between the ACI and UAA.
The UASPC does not purport to address every
possible safety concern. It is the responsibility of the user of the UASPC to establish appropriate safety
and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
prior to use. It is not intended to provide legal advice and must not be relied
upon as such.
Please send your suggestions, edits, errata, and
questions to: PEB@secureav.com.
Â
Reviewer Acknowledgements: www.secureav.com/ack.pdf.
***