Skip to content

Operational Plan

30 Points
Nathan Tyler Rose
Last edited 33 days ago by Aditya Satish Musale.

Overview

Using the resources below and your experience performing flight operations, complete an operational plan for the flight training missions that we will complete throughout the next 6-7 weeks. The objective is to build a comprehensive operational plan document outlining the training exercise. You may use AI to help you complete this assignment, but you may not copy-paste text directly.
How AI might help:
How to format a checklist?
Am I missing anything in my risk assessment?
I have this number of emergency and contingency plans. What else can I add?
My operational waiver states that I need duplex communication between the PIC and the VO. What does that mean?

Resources

NSF EAGER Plan
Link
Description
Operational planning website for NSF EAGER trip to Tonopah, NV.
SCALES Flight Week
Link
Description
Large scale coordinated flight in Tulsa, OK to support the WMO UAS Demonstration Campaign.
Lab 05 - Intro to Mission Planning
Link
Description
This lab includes information on mission planning and the believer checklist.
Lab 06 - Advanced Mission Planning
Link
Description
This lab includes an example of a FRAT.
FAA Risk Assessment Video
Link
Description
This video outlines risk and hazard assessments.
FAA AC 107-2
Link
Description
Appendix A includes risk assessment guidance
FAA 107.51(b) Waiver
Link
Description
This is Clayton’s issued waiver.

Operation ASREC

Use the headings below to build your operational plan. Remove all supporting text in grey.

Objectives

Our objective is to perform a flight over Purdue ASREC and complete a kidney bean pattern flight plan using a Believer UAS drone. The aircraft will be hand launched and will maintain a consistent pattern as well as low passes. This operation also focuses on improving coordination between the PIC and VO and maintaining safe flight operations.

Roles and Responsibilities

Professor Rose: Will be the instructor who will oversee the mission and and makes sure all the procedures and objectives are completed. He many also intervene and give feedback
Aditya Musale: Will be the Pilot in command who is responsible for reviewing checklists, going through flight procedures, and make the go/no go call. He is aresponsible for the operation and flight of the aircraft
Sam DuBouis: Will be the Visual Observer who will remain a visual ine of sight of the aircraft and call out the position of the aircraft as well as check for any obstacles the aircraft may fly clsoe to. He will check if the takeoff area is clear.
Austin Oliveria: Will be a both GCS and VO who will rotate with Dylan and Sam. He is responsible for making sure the primary GCS operator is setting current points and focusing on the aircraft data.
Dylan Vnaderploeg: Will be the GCS operator who is responsible for setting current points on the pattern for the Believer dorne flight. he will also check the drone position and altitude to get a graps of the aircraft current location.

Operational Area


Screenshot 2026-03-27 224004.png
40°29'42.6"N 86°59'18.4"W
The main route to acess the field aread is by N 425 W which runs vertically down the green stip of grass.
There is a T intersection which shows the enterance into the mssion area.
There is a water field station nearby as well as multiple little house like posts which surround the mission area.
There are power lines, tree lines, tractors, and vegetaion all surrouding the field
There is not power, internet, or bathrooms on site so batteries and equipment must be prepared befroehand.
IMG_4497.jpg
IMG_4505.jpg
IMG_4496.jpg
IMG_4495.jpg

Checklists

Believer Pre-Flight Checklist

Pre-Departure Checklist

__ Flight batteries fully charged
__ Controller battery charged
__ Spare batteries packed
__ Aircraft packed and secured for transport
__ Propellers and spare parts packed
__ Tools and repair kit packed
__ Laptop needs to be fully charged
__ Mission plan reviewed
__ Weather checked prior to departure
__ SD cards / recording equipment ready
__ Personal safety gear packed
__ Transportation arranged

Return Checklist

__ Aircraft powered down safely
__ Battery disconnected and stored properly
__ Airframe inspected for any damage
__ Propeller checked after flight
__ All equipment accounted for
__ Flight logs and data saved
__ Batteries stored safely (no overheating)
__ Area cleared of equipment
__ Any issues documented for future flights

Operation Guide

Before heading over the the ASREC field, all the equipment must be pre packed. All batteries, tools,weather, spare parts, and flight plan must be reviewed and packed into the vehicle in order to drive to the ASREC.
Once reaching the designated location, the PIC begins going over the checklist and making sure the drone has no debris or damage to the wing surfaces as well as the motors. The propeller must also be inspected and free of damage.
After checkign the airframe and important components, the PIC must check the wing surfaces are working properly. The rudder, elevator, and ailerons must be checked for full range of motion via DATX controller. The PIC checks the battery is secured safely as well as the ESC.
The DTX transmitter must be connected and calibrated for the selected believer drone. The GPS must be activated before flight and telemetry should be confirmed by the GCS. The PIC verifies the drone telemetry and return function will work properly.
Before a mssion is used, it must be uploaded beforehand and PIC and VO check for obstalces and weather conditions before flying
The believer is hand launched at a 20 degree angle above the horizon. The throw must be sufficent for the aircraft to gain lift and the VO will confirm the sucessful takeoff.
Once airborne, the aircraft will enter the kidney bean flgiht plan and the PIC will fly the drone at the required altitude and speed.
The VO monitors the airspace and provides callouts regarding aircraft position, altitude, and any potential hazards. Communication between the PIC and VO must remain active and acknowledged at all times.
The GCS operator will update the drones current status in flight like battery life, and flight mode, and GPS.
During low passes, the aircraft must maintain proper centerline alignment and a controlled glide slope. The PIC adjusts throttle and control inputs to ensure a stable approach.
For landing, the drone must land smoothly and and make throttle and pitch imputs to make sure the drone comes down safely and on centerline.
After landing, the aircraft is powered down and the battery is disconnected. The airframe is inspected for any damage or wear during flight.
Make sure all the equipment is packed and the battery is checked and removed before packing up. The flight data and logs are saved for review for de brief of what went well and what coudl be improved on.

Risk Assessment


Risk Assessment Matrix
Improper hand launch (nose drop / stall)
Medium
Medium 2
Practice launch technique; enforce ~20° launch angle; instructor supervision
Low
Loss of control during pattern turns
Maintain stable airspeed and use smooth control inputs
Low
Glide slope errors during low pass
Monitor descent rate
Low
Crosswinds and wind gusts
Check wind limits before flight
Low
Manned aircraft entering airspace
VO scans continuously
Low
Loss of signal
RTL programmed PIC ready to take control
Low
Loss of GPS during flight
Switch to stabilized/manual mode
Low
Battery status during flight
Monitor telemetry and land before critical threshold
Low
Launch and landing area obstruction
Establish clear launch zone. Maintain sterile cockpit
Low
Vehicle or farm equipment near field
Maintain awareness of access roads. Avoid operations near movement
Low
There are no rows in this table


Emergency and Contingency Procedures

Lost signal with drone

The aircraft will initiate Return to home after approximately 3 seconds
PIC announces loss of signal
VO maintains visual of the aircraft
PIC prepares to regain control if signal is restored

Manned aircraft are close to the flight operation

VO or PIC calls out aircraft using clock position
PIC immediately descends and prepares to land
All UAS operations yield right of way

Low Battery

PIC monitors battery through telemetry
Aircraft is returned and landed before reaching critical levels

Total loss of aircraft

PIC reduces throttle and stabilizes the aircraft
Aircraft is landed as soon as possible
Operation is paused and reassessed before continuing

Compliance and Approvals

IMG_4638.jpg
IMG_4639.jpg
Screenshot 2026-03-30 215445.png

Here is the waiver
107W-2025-04214-Clayton-Brown-CoW (1).pdf
1.2 MB
The waiver key points are:
: May be conducted above 400 ft AGL up to a maximum of 650 ft AGL
: Operations must remain within the waived ASREC boundary
: A NOTAM must be filed 24 hours prior to flight
: The Visual Observer is required to maintain awareness of airspace
: Communication between PIC and VO must be full duplex
: Must occur during daylight only
: The aircraft must be equipped with anti collision lighting visible for at least 1 statute mile
: The Ground Control Station must display real time telemetry of the drone.


Mission Files

In Ground Control build and export the following (attach them here):
Musale Mission-2026-03-10T16_59_10 (1) (2).json
3.6 KB
The rally point is a reference in case the mission needs to be paused. The rally point is at final in the flight pattern.
Screenshot 2026-03-30 220027.png


Waiver Quiz

Complete the form below. If it does not load, click the button below to open in a new window. You must be logged into your Purdue account.

Deliverables

Upload a completed copy of this document (as a PDF) to brightspace by the due date listed in the
Broken link
.
See
to add this page to your own doc.
See
to create a PDF of your doc for submission.
Upload files from to brightspace.
See
for file naming requirements.

Rubric

Generate with AI
Section
Max Points
Criteria summary
1. Objectives
3
Clear, specific training objectives tied to the upcoming missions; not generic.
2. Roles and responsibilities
3
All key roles defined (PIC, VO, instructor, GCS operator) with clear responsibilities.
3. Operational area
4
Map, coordinates, and navigational cues; description of site features and constraints.
4. Checklists
4
Believer checklist included; tailored pre‑departure and return checklists that are complete and usable.
5. Operation guide
4
Expands checklist into a readable, step‑by‑step “how‑to” narrative aligned with course practices.
6. Risk assessment
5
Uses FAA‑style risk matrix (e.g., AC 107‑2 / risk video); clear hazards, mitigations, and residual risk.
7. Emergency and contingency procedures
5
Comprehensive list of emergencies with concrete, safe responses and communication steps.
8. Compliance and approvals
2
Correctly references Part 107, currency, and 107.51(b) waiver; shows how plan complies. Completes waiver quiz with 100%.
There are no rows in this table

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ··· in the right corner or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.