How Does a Professional Drone Pilot Plan for a Mission?

In Canada, effective June 2019, drone (sRPAS) pilots function as fully-fledged members of the national air navigation system under the legal requirements of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), as administered to by Transport Canada, and the operational requirements of NAV CANADA. Pilots of drones weighing between 250 g and 25 kg MUST have one of either a Transport Canada Advanced or Basic sRPAS pilot license.

There are many aspects of mission planning which are required to achieve a successful outcome in an sRPAS mission. A capable pilot-in-command (PIC) will be diligent in addressing the many factors and considerations which can influence the successful and safe disposition of a drone mission.

Site Survey

Under mandatory Canadian aviation law (CAR 901.27), drone pilots are required to prepare a site survey prior to commencing flight operations. Specifically, the site survey must address, at minimum, the following factors:

• the boundaries of the area of operation;
• the type of airspace and the applicable regulatory requirements;
• the altitudes and routes to be used on the approach to and departure from the area of operation;
• the proximity of manned aircraft operations;
• the proximity of aerodromes, airports and heliports;
• the location and height of obstacles, including wires, masts, buildings, cell phone towers and wind turbines;
• the predominant weather and environmental conditions for the area of operation; and
• the horizontal distances from persons not involved in the operation

The site survey is an integral component of the flight planning process. In many ways, it is analogous to a pilot's flight plan in manned aviation.

Boundaries of the Area of Operations

The PIC will have his or her first look of the mission site using one of the popular online GIS viewing tools such as Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Street View. These tools allow the pilot to remotely view the area of operations and its surroundings from the overhead, ground level, and 3-D perspectives.

Airspace Classification

Upon being given a location for a drone mission, the pilot's next order of business is to determine the classification of airspace in which the mission is situated; that is, whether the mission lies in controlled or uncontrolled airspace. This is critical for several reasons. First and foremost, the pilot must determine their eligibility to fly in the subject airspace, as only Transport Canada Advanced sRPAS pilots are permitted to fly in controlled airspace. The airspace analysis may require the use of specialized flight software to make this determination in complex airspace environments. For the purposes of this article, we will assume that our notional mission is located within controlled airspace in Toronto.

From the information above, we have determined that our notional mission most definitely lies within controlled airspace from surface to 17,999 feet MSL (referenced to Mean Sea Level). As a result, only Transport Canada Advanced sRPAS pilots are permitted to conduct flight operations in this airspace.

Second, assuming that the pilot is eligible to fly in controlled airspace, the sRPAS pilot must then obtain and be approved for an RPAS Flight Authorization Request from NAV CANADA to enter the airspace.

Proximity to Manned Aircraft Operations & Aerodromes

The pilot must then conduct an aerodrome search to determine the mission's proximity to manned aircraft operations (aerodromes). This is extremely important, as the PIC must ascertain the type and amount of air traffic likely to be encountered, and the potential risk for air-to-air conflict with manned aviation to occur during the mission. Emergency communication procedures must also be established in the event of an emergency such as an RPA flyway.

In the notional mission, as illustrated above, an aerodrome search shows the following manned aircraft operations within a 10NM (nautical mile) radius of the mission area. From nearest to furthest, they are:

• CNY8: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Heliport (Toronto, ON), 2.8NM NW, 118.35MHz, 416.480.4589
• CTM4: St. Michael's Hospital Heliport (Toronto, ON), 3.0NM SW, 118.35MHz, 416.864.5323
• CNW8: Hospital for Sick Children Heliport (Toronto, ON), 3.2NM SW, 118.35 MHz, 416.813.5599
• CPZ9: Billy Bishop Toronto Seaplane Base (Toronto, ON), 4.4NM SW, 416.361.1100
• CYTZ: Billy Bishop Toronto Airport (Toronto, ON), 4.7NM SW, 118.2 MHz, 416.203.6942
• CYZD: Downsview Airport (Toronto, ON), 6.8NM NW, 133.4 MHz, 416.375.3933

Based on this aerodrome analysis, the area of operations is located in active, controlled airspace. The PIC must be aware of this and take the necessary precautions to maintain flight safety during the mission planning process. The proximity of the mission to aerodromes is an important consideration as well. Drone pilots are also required to consult with any NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) which may be posted at aerodromes in proximity to the area of operations. A Notice to Airmen is a notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight.

Pilots with Transport Canada Basic sRPAS licenses are NOT permitted to fly within 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of an airport, or 1 nautical miles (1.9 km) of a heliport. As noted earlier, Basic sRPAS pilots are also NOT permitted to conduct flight in controlled airspace.

In contrast, pilots with Transport Canada Advanced sRPAS licenses are permitted to fly within 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of an airport, or 1 nautical miles (1.9 km) of a heliport, upon proper coordination with the aerodrome. They are also permitted to conduct flight operations in controlled airspace.

In this instance, aerodrome coordination is not required.

Altitudes and Routes to be Used in the Operation

Based on the foregoing airspace analysis and aerodrome search, our notional mission lies within active controlled airspace. The PIC, in selecting the mission altitude, must balance the requirements for the mission against the potential risks to flight safety. Under normal circumstances, RPAS pilots may fly to a maximum altitude of 400 feet AGL (above ground level). Based on the aerodrome and airspace mission parameters, the RPA flight altitude may need to be reduced in order to gain airspace approval by NAV CANADA. Flight routes near aerodromes may also need to be modified to take into account manned air traffic patterns. High-altitude drones flights (at altitudes in excess of 400 feet AGL) are possible if the drone operator obtains a Special Flight Operations Certificate from Transport Canada for the mission.

Presence of Obstacles

While this may be patently obvious, drone operations must take into consideration obstacles which lie within or in proximity to the area of operations. This is not always apparent from an online Google Earth perspective. In complex environments, it may require an onsite scouting trip by the PIC during the mission planning stage. A final obstacle analysis will be made by the PIC once onsite to determine the safest and most effective operational altitude.

Horizontal Distances from People

In general, sRPAS pilots must be aware of the horizontal distances, at any altitude, from people at all times during their operations. The ability to overfly people with drones is strictly regulated by Transport Canada. The parameters for drone pilots to fly over people are as follows:

• Transport Canada Basic sRPAS pilots must maintain a safety buffer of 100 feet (30m) minimum horizontal distance from people (CAR 901.26) at all times during an operation.
• Transport Canada Advanced sRPAS pilots are permitted to operate as close as 16.4 feet (5 m) from people when operating a Transport Canada approved drone for operations near people (CAR 901.69).
• Transport Canada Advanced sRPAS pilots are permitted to operate at distances closer than 16.4 feet (5 m) horizontally from people when operating a Transport Canada approved drone for operations over people (CAR 901.69). This rating allows the pilot to legally and safely overfly people. Our company, Digital Content Solutions Inc. (DCS), is certified by Transport Canada to fly the DJI Matrice 210 RTK V2 aircraft over people.

As a result of the foregoing requirements, the parameters of your mission and the proximity to people may constrain you in the choice of sRPAS pilot for the job.

Meteorological Conditions

A drone pilot will start to monitor weather forecasts up to a week before a mission, usually by conducting a daily check of the forecast weather at one of the many online weather sites. The pilot will have to make a final GO/NO GO decision on the day of the mission depending upon the prevailing weather conditions. The primary considerations for the Pilot-in-Command will be the presence or absence of precipitation, ambient temperature, and wind speed. At DCS, we consult with a professional aviation weather briefing service offered by NAV CANADA (Canada's air navigation authority) on the day of a mission. On sensitive sRPAS missions, we also deploy a portable weather station on-site to obtain real-time meteorological data during our operations.

Why is Weather So Important?

Under CAR 900.06, no person shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system in such a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of any person. In addition, under CAR 901.31, no pilot shall operate an RPAS unless it is operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

As a result, weather minima play an extremely role in determining the viability of flying conditions for the drone pilot. The law requires that drone pilots operate their aircraft in accordance with the manufacturer specifications to ensure flight safety. This includes the presence or absence of atmospheric precipitation, the ambient temperature rating of the drone, and the strength of prevailing winds and wind gusts.

The vast majority of RPA are not rated for flight in precipitation. Many drones are not rated for sub-zero temperature ratings (Celsius scale), and they also have upper operating temperature ratings as well. Smaller drones are powered by less powerful motors and are therefore less wind resistant. Weather-related phenomena such as those created by hills, valleys, and even man-made structures such as large buildings can also create atmospheric disturbances which can result in significant turbulence of which the pilot must be aware.

The industrial class drones operated by DCS are rated for all-weather flight conditions (IP43 Ingress Protection Rating), a wide operating temperature range of -20°C to 50°C for year-round operation, and can operate in steady-state wind conditions of up to 44 km/h.

Additional Considerations

In addition to the legal requirements for drone pilots to fly near aerodromes, some drones are manufactured with computerized geofencing systems which are designed to maintain safe distances from aerodromes. In some cases, the aircraft motors will not even start-up without submission of the proper authorizations from aviation authorities and pilot credentials to the aircraft manufacturer to unlock the aircraft flight controller.

The pilot-in-command will need to obtain permission from a property owner/property manager to take-off and land the drone. The pilot-in-command must also comply with provincial procedures and local by-law requirements, which often requires additional communication and coordination with the relevant authorities.

If the drone operation is situated in a very public location, the PIC may have to notify local police services. In some cases, local police enforcement may be required to control the flow of foot traffic around the area of operations.

Depending on the complexity and scope of the operation, the flight crew may be expanded to include one or more visual observers, payload operators, ground security, and an operations manager, all in support of the pilot-in-command.

Conclusion

Many elements of mission planning are required by a professional sRPAS pilot-in-command to conduct the due diligence required for a successful flight operation. These mandatory preparations must be completed by the drone pilot prior to commencing any flight operations and in addition to any actual flight time spent by the pilot in the air. This entire process requires considerable diligence and expertise on the part of a professional drone pilot to ensure a safe and successful mission. This preparation is reflected as part of the Pilot Fee for the mission, which is also commensurate with the degree of complexity of the mission and the expertise of the sRPAS pilot-in-command. An understanding of the mission planning process will help guide you when hiring a drone pilot for your next drone mission.

_______________________________

Grayson Lee is director and chief pilot of Digital Content Solutions Inc. Grayson is a Transport Canada Advanced sRPAS pilot, a Transport Canada compliant training provider and flight reviewer, as well as a Pix4Dmapper certified user, a FLIR Level I sUAS thermographer, and a certified confined space drone pilot. He specializes in aerial photogrammetry (mapping) and inspection of critical infrastructure and high-value assets.