Team W.A.S.P (S.O.P’s)

First-Time Pilot’s Part 107 

Please Read the following requirements for the first time remote pilots.

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English (exceptions may be made if the person is unable to meet one of these requirements for a medical reason, such as hearing impairment)
  • Be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a small UAS
  • Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center.

For more information visit: FAA Remote Pilot 

 Team W.A.S.P Field Operations SOP’s!!

All Drone Pilots Must Follow (ALL FAA REGULATIONS)! For Quick Regulations overview visit:  FAA Drone Regulation’s  

(This Site was updated on Feb 2018, The SOP’s will be altered from time to time in order to maintain  FAA and SAR -Regulation’s with in the United States)

101 Public Awareness

  • Be courteous and polite at all times
  • Be professional/and Appear professional at all times
  • You may address a UAV as a Drone or a UAV
  • Always check-in with ground personnel and or officers in charge
  • Before speaking to the media make sure it has no conflict with officers/personnel in charge of SAR mission.

102 Survey Area/Environment

  • Check for wires/Towers/Cables/Buildings
  • People/Animals
  • Minimize departures/landings over populated areas
  • Ensure a visible line of sight of UAV (LOS)
  • Have and alternative landing site in case primary landing site is obstructed
  • Are you in a No fly zone, or less than 5 miles from any small or large airports, heliport
  • Are they more than one UAV flying close to your location

103 Weather Conditions

  • Visibility/Precipitation/Temperature/winds

104 DO NOT FLY IN CONTROLLED AIRSPACE

105 Discuss Flight Plans

  • With spotter/authorities/bystanders/property owners
  • If more than one UAV performing missions, you will need one pilot in control (PIC) on the site

106 UAV Pilot and Spotter Psychological Condition

  • Well rested/rushed/being pressured by client/

107 First Aid Kit

  • Readily accessible/visible to anyone in the area/fully stocked

108 Mission Plan

  • Safe routes planned in case of a system failure or performance and or communication failure
  • Do I have enough batteries on site and are fully charged to complete mission
  • Make sure you and your spotter has plenty to drink and eat for the mission at hand
  • What search pattern; Creeping Line, Expanding Square, Sector

109 Equipment/UAV

  • Frame Structural condition/All fasteners/straps/screws All in good working order
  • Check All connections (solder, plugs)
  • Inspect props for any damages
  • FPV camera lens clean/SDK installed
  • Batteries fully charged/secured
  • Fail-safe functioning/RTH/Recovery Chute all in working order
  • Check RC transmitter voltage/range all in working order
  • Perform transmitter range test

110 Pre-Flight/Run-up

  • Check motors on spin up for wear
  • Ensure no frequency conflicts with both video/transmitter
  • Check and confirm GPS is working and has lock and has marked Home position
  • Is UAV level before take-off
  • FPV/power up ground station/check battery voltages/power up camera
  • FPV/power up goggles and video receiver check battery voltage
  • Turn on transmitter/check your voltage on run up on transmitter
  • Confirm video monitoring is working
  • Say “CLEAR” out loud increase throttle listening for any abnormalities.
  • Hover at 3-5 ft AGL for 30 seconds watch for any vibrations/loose items
  • Confirm voltage levels are correct

111 In-Flight

  • Keep UAV in LOS
  • Keep UAV in a safe operating distance from people/utility lines and buildings
  • Climb to a safe altitude not exceeding 400 ft AGL
  • Is spotter aware of the location of UAV
  • Keep in mind of your total flight time and do not exceed
  • “Preparing to Land” needs to be announced out loud
  • Land UAV away from people and obstructions

112 Post-Flight

  • Turn off power to UAV and all transmitters
  • Turn off power to camera/remove SDK from camera or ground station
  • Turn off power to googles/ground station and all receivers
  • Check pictures and or video
  • LOG FLIGHT TIME

Team W.A.S.P Standard Operating Procedures !

Standard Operating Procedures

  • Sop1 Team W.A.S.P is a worldwide volunteer partner network. Made up of Volunteers worldwide.
  • Sop2 Pilots should acquire an FAA Sectional Aeronautical Chart (WAC) from their local FAA field office. This chart gives information about airports in your area and the no-fly zones around them.
  • Sop 3 Always check-in with ground personnel or officers in charge
  • Sop4 NEVER fly without the necessary permission to do so. Flying without permission could put you and others at risk.
  • Sop 5 Extreme care and planning should be taken when there are more than one aircraft in the SAR area (especially conventional aircraft, helicopters etc.). Coordinate closely with the officer in charge.
  • Sop 6 Do NOT turn on radio or video transmitter BEFORE checking with officials/and UAV pilots on scene. Simply put follow Team W.A.S.P Field Operations SOP’s 101,102,103,105.
  • Sop 7 situation Contact Officer in charge before speaking to the media about the UAV operations and or the missing person. In many s, contact with the media has been very negative in the pass for the Drone’s (UAV’s) community. In the event that you DO speak with the media, keep it professional and represent Team W.A.S.P and our UAV’s with the utmost in professionalism. Only talk about what you KNOW to be the facts. Keep personal opinions out.
  • Sop 8 Team W.A.S.P is an organization that offers aerial search partner services to SAR groups and families of missing person across the world. Under no circumstances should any Team W.A.S.P organization member require compensation or any fee for their services. Only under special circumstances and arrangements made PRIOR to services rendered can the “pilot” be reimbursed for motel, food, transportation expenses this is permissible as long as it doesn’t come in the form of “compensation” for services. Team W.A.S.P Volunteers will not receive compensation for any damages or repairs while on a SAR missions.
  • Sop 9 At Team W.A.S.P we do ask before you accept a mission please make sure that you (pilot) are up to task refer to Team W.A.S.P Field Operations SOP’s 106 also make sure all battery’s and UAV is operating at the max performance Team W.A.S.P Field operations SOP’s 109 . Then and only then should you except a mission.
  • Sop 10 In order to fly a SAR mission with Team W.A.S.P you must be 18 years old or 16 years old with a senior pilot or guardian . All Pilots must have a  spotter at all times. All Pilots must have a minimum of 20 hours of manual stick flight time and 20 hours of auto flight time.
  • Sop 11 Team W.A.S.P members are solely responsible for any and all actions in the field. Members are advised to carry their own insurance, Team W.A.S.P and or its officers will not be responsible for any accident, injury or incident in the operation of your UAV or your participation in any and all SAR operations. We are ONLY an online resource for available Team W.A.S.P SAR volunteers.