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Operational Plan

30 Points
Nathan Tyler Rose
Last edited 58 days ago by Lucas Toppe.

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.

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.
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Operation ASREC


Objectives

We are training to learn manual and automated flight with the MFE Believer (GCS, Safety Pilot)
Strengthening our communication as PIC, GCS op, and VOs
Adhere to our waiver operations under Part 107.51(b)
Practice emergency procedures
Practicing efficient mission planning

Roles and Responsibilities

PIC: Main operator of aircraft, and person in charge over operation. Maintains communication with GCS Operator, ensures Part 107 compliance.
VO: Maintains line of sight with aircraft and surveys the surrounding area for hazards. Will communicated with other operators in the operation if they see something off.
Instructor: There for possible buddy box system, and able to take over control and hand it over when necessary. Has the most knowledge on the aircraft so able to observe operation and ensure proper execution.
GCS Operator: Individual in charge of observing/operating QGroundControl. Ensures proper flight path of aircraft, and monitors health status and flight control readings. Communicates with PIC and is their “eye in the sky”.

Emergency Contacts:

KLAF ATC - WX ASOS - (765) 743-9687
Prof Rose (Instructor) - via Microsoft teams or
rose196@purdue.edu
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Clayton Brown (Responsible person under waiver) - (260) 908-5052

Operational Area


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40.49568º N, 86.99624º W
When turning off of W 500 N street, turn into gravel driveway next to the house in front of the garage, follow windy gravel road until the gravel turn around point.
Bathrooms in main building
Moderate Cell Signal
Limited Power Accessibility (Power at Main Building)
Soft Ground
Open and Flat Farming Field

Checklists


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Screenshot 2026-03-28 at 4.49.32 PM.png
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Screenshot 2026-03-28 at 4.49.39 PM.png
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Pre Departure Checklist
Technology
Charged Computers and Batteries
Mission Planned
Personal Items
Sunglasses
Purdue Safety Vest
Valid ID + License
Snacks/Water
Mission Info
Understand Weather
NOTAMS Checked
Deliberation With Team
Physical Field Checklist
Complete FRAT
Safety
Understand Emergency Contacts
Fire Extinguisher
Tool Box + Extra Parts (if needed)
First Aid Kit

Return Checklist

Aircraft
Perform Inspection + Clean
Disassemble as Needed
Log Any Maintenance Needed
Technology
Gather Chargers, Antennas, or Other Tech Used in Operation
Save Flight Logs + Data Recorded
Ensure Battery Undamaged
Recharge All Necessary Equipment
Misc
Gather Personal Belongings
Debrief With Team/Instructor
Clean Up Area of Operation

Operation Guide


Preflight Box
Set aircraft on ground or flat surface
Begin inspection
check props, battery, wings secure
Load/create mission for flight
Look over potential hazards with team and possible callouts

Takeoff
Announce launch
Lunch aircraft and gain stability
Begin climbing

During Flight
Maintain communication and VLOS as needed
Monitor GCS and flight status
Follow mission plan

Landing
Communicate intention to land and gain approval from team
Descend at a constant rate
Announce go around as needed
Flare and land aircraft
Disarm

Risk Assessment

Hazard
Category
Severity (1–5)
1: Negligible
2: Minor
3: Moderate
4: Major
5: Catastrophic
Likelihood (1–5)
1: Rare
2: Low possibility
3: On occasion
4: Probable
5: Frequent
Mitigations
Risk
Telemetry Failure/loss of link
Aircraft/System
5
1
Rally Point integrated into Mission Plan, Failsafe built into parameters
Low
GPS Signal Loss
Aircraft/System
4
2
Constant GPS health check, calibration, PIC takeover, Failsafe built into parameters
Medium
Propeller Failure
Aircraft/System
5
2
Pre/post-flight inspection, torque tests, spare props available
Medium
Battery Failure / Power Loss
Aircraft/System
5
2
Battery health checks, voltage check, no overuse on battery
Medium
Cube Failure (Autopilot)
Aircraft/System
5
1
Verified firmware/parameter upload, GCS monitoring, PIC able to take over
Low
Ground Control Station Failure
Aircraft/System
4
2
Fully charged laptop, backup device, mission created before hand
Medium
Waypoint Error
Operational
3
2
Communication between PIC and GCS Op, map verification in GCS
Low
Manned Aircraft Conflict
Airspace
5
2
Airspace authorization, NOTAM, ADS-B awareness, VO support, Altitude ceiling built into parameters/Mission.
Medium
Farmland (Tractors, crops)
Environment
4
1
VO communication with those on property, Mission Plan outside of farm operations
Low
Wind/Gust Conditions Exceed Limits
Environment
4
3
Weather briefing;, wind limits understood, will delay mission if needed
Medium
Reduced Visibility
Environment
3
2
Weather requirements, visibility check prior to takeoff
Low
Terrain/Obstacle Collision
Operational
5
2
Understand terrain, altitude buffer, GCS operator + VO communication, Mission Plan set to work around obstacles.
Medium
Signal Interference
Aircraft/System
4
1
Check strength pre-flight, Area of operation has very little to no interference
Low
Human Error Checklist Skipped/Misunderstanding
Human Factors
4
3
Standardized checklist use, team briefings, proper communication between team + instructor
Medium
Pilot Fatigue/ Reduced Awareness
Human Factors
3
2
Crew rest, auto mode, FRAT completion
Low
Human Interference (Those watching/not involved with operation)
Human Factors
3
2
Ensure those not involved in operation, stay out of operation, Will keep surveyors outside of Area of Operation, proper communication
Low
There are no rows in this table
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Emergency and Contingency Procedures


Crash
Contain site as necessary, alert instructor, and document
Severe Weather Change
Land Immediately
Lost Link/DATX
Will RTL or Rally after 3 seconds of disconnect
Flyaway
Try reconnection, alert airspace/airport as necessary
Low Battery
Land Immediately
Emergency Contacts
KLAF Airport, West Lafayette Police, Instructor, or FAA Office

Compliance and Approvals


PIC must have a valid Part 107 License
Duplex communication between those involved in operation (PIC, VO)
Must maintain VLOS
VO must be able to see 2 statute miles
Mitigations have to be documented
Comprehensive documentation for maintenance, those operating, and missions.
Must have boundary file loaded

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IMG_9957.jpg
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Believer_Alt_COA_26_111325.pdf
1.1 MB
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107W-2025-04214 Clayton Brown - CoW.pdf
1.2 MB
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Mission Files

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ASREC_Believer_Mission_Toppe_At219.json
3.5 KB
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ASREC_Airspace-Toppe.json
6.5 KB
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ASREC_RallyPoint_Toppe.json
391 B
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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.
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Open Form
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Deliverables

Upload a completed copy of this document (as a PDF) to brightspace by the due date listed in the
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Mission Files
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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
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Overview
Resources
Operation ASREC
Objectives
Roles and Responsibilities
Emergency Contacts:
Operational Area
Checklists
Operation Guide
Risk Assessment
Emergency and Contingency Procedures
Compliance and Approvals
Mission Files
Waiver Quiz
Deliverables
Rubric
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