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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?
Pre-departure Believer Firmware up to date Battery fully charged Plane is airworthy Documents FAA 107 certificate Government issued photo id FAA waiver Cover letter ASREC waived boundary Drone’s registration Control station Ground Control LaptopsPower SupplyDownloaded ParametersRecording Device (Video & Pictures)NOTAMWeather Mission plan Pre-flight follow the believer checks Post-flight make sure all trash is picked up all equipment is brought back to comp document any issues
Things to keep in mind: duplex PIC-VO communication, NOTAM, No higher than 650 AGL
Completed the quiz on 3/26/26 - got 100%
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AT 219 - Operational Plan
30 Points
Nathan Tyler Rose
Last edited 1 minute ago by Venkata Rehan Devapatla.
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:
Resources
Operation ASREC
Objectives
The purpose of these ASREC flights is to train and refine both manual and automated flight skills while practicing a complete mission-planning workflow, including assessing weather, reviewing NOTAMs, completing a FRAT, and conducting thorough pre-flight briefings. These flights are designed to build strong communication proficiency between the PIC and VO, ensure operations are conducted in compliance with waiver requirements under 107.51(b), and strengthen the team’s ability to identify and mitigate hazards. Additionally, they provide hands-on experience with critical emergency procedures, including lost link scenarios, RTL activation, low battery responses, and flyaway management, ensuring safe and effective operations in real-world conditions.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Pilot in Command (PIC) holds final authority over the mission and is responsible for ensuring compliance with Part 107 regulations and any applicable waivers. The PIC conducts the preflight inspection and briefing, maintains control of the aircraft at all times, and ensures continuous, two-way (duplex) communication with the Visual Observer (VO). The Visual Observer maintains visual line of sight (VLOS) with the aircraft, calls out hazards and proximity to operational boundaries, sustains continuous two-way communication with the PIC, and alerts the PIC to any unsafe conditions. The Ground Control Station (GCS) Operator manages the mission software and telemetry, monitors critical systems such as battery levels, GPS status, and link quality, and verifies that rally points and failsafe settings are properly configured. Overseeing all operations, the Instructor ensures safety and training objectives are met, provides feedback and intervention when necessary, and confirms that all required checklists and the FRAT have been properly completed.
Operational Area
The operation takes place at ASREC (40.49568° N, 86.99624° W), a rural area consisting primarily of agricultural fields with minimal obstacles, providing wide-open terrain and good visibility for flight operations. The site is accessed via Route 43, commonly identified by the turn near the cow pasture. Infrastructure is limited, with power and bathroom facilities available at the main building, while internet connectivity in the field is weak.
There isn’t much parking there so our group will be car pooling. There are also few research trailers in we need to keep in mind as they pose potential hazards.
Checklists
Windracer’s Checklist:
SCALED PLATFORM TRAINING CHECKLIST- DRAFT 2024-08-13 02_32_31.pdf
85.7 KB
Venky’s Checklist:
Operation Guide
Before departing for ASREC, a thorough pre-departure process is essential to ensure safety, compliance, and mission success. The aircraft (“Believer”) must be checked to confirm firmware is up to date, batteries are fully charged, and the aircraft is airworthy; these steps help prevent in-flight failures, ensure compatibility with control systems, and reduce the risk of avoidable malfunctions. All required documents—including the FAA Part 107 certificate, a government-issued photo ID, applicable FAA waivers, a cover letter, the ASREC waived boundary documentation, and the drone’s registration—must be verified and brought along to ensure legal compliance and readiness for any inspection or operational verification. The control station setup, including ground control laptops, a reliable power supply, downloaded parameters, and a recording device for video and photos, should be prepared in advance so that mission execution, monitoring, and data collection can proceed without interruption. Additionally, checking NOTAMs and weather conditions is critical to avoid restricted airspace, identify hazards, and ensure conditions are suitable for safe flight, while a finalized mission plan provides structure, efficiency, and clarity for all crew members.
During the pre-flight phase, the team should follow the established “Believer” checks again to verify that no issues have arisen since arrival on site. This redundancy is important because conditions can change during transport or setup, and catching issues before takeoff significantly reduces operational risk.
After the flight, post-flight procedures ensure accountability and preparedness for future missions. All trash should be collected to maintain a professional presence and preserve the operating environment. Equipment must be accounted for and returned to the lab to prevent loss or damage and ensure readiness for subsequent flights. Finally, documenting any issues encountered during the operation is crucial for continuous improvement, as it allows the team to identify trends, address problems, and enhance overall safety and efficiency in future missions.
Risk Assessment
The ASREC flight operations involve several key hazards, including potential GPS loss, battery failure, flyaway events, boundary violations, changing weather conditions, the presence of bystanders, and loss of command/control link. Each of these hazards carries inherent risks that could impact the safety and success of the mission if not properly addressed.
To mitigate these risks, multiple layers of control are implemented. Manual flight proficiency is emphasized so the Pilot in Command (PIC) can safely recover the aircraft in the event of GPS degradation or automation failure. Thorough battery checks before and during flight reduce the likelihood of unexpected power loss, while properly configured Return-to-Launch (RTL) settings provide an automated safety response in cases such as low battery or link loss. The Visual Observer (VO) plays a critical role in continuously monitoring the airspace, identifying hazards, and ensuring the aircraft remains within operational boundaries. Physical markers such as cones help define the flight area and prevent boundary violations, while strict adherence to weather minimums ensures operations are conducted only under safe environmental conditions.
With these mitigations in place, the overall residual risk associated with these hazards is reduced to a low-to-medium level. While no operation is entirely risk-free, the combination of trained personnel, proper planning, and layered safety measures ensures that risks are effectively managed to an acceptable level.
Emergency and Contingency Procedures
If the link is lost, switch to RTL after 3 seconds and attempt reconnection. In the event of a low battery, immediately return and land. For a flyaway, the VO should call out the direction while the PIC attempts to override control and report if a boundary breach occurs. In case of a crash, secure the site, document the incident, and notify the instructor. If weather conditions deteriorate, abort the flight and land immediately. Emergency contacts include the instructor, Purdue Police, NTSB, if applicable, and the FAA regional office.
KLAF ATC: 765-734-2611
KLAF AWOS: 765-743-9687
NOTAMS: 877-487-6867
Purdue Emergency Number: 911
Purdue Police Non-Emergency Number: 765-494-8221
Purdue Firefighter Non-Emergency Number: 765-494-6919
Compliance and Approvals
Venkata Devapatla -
FAA Part 107 Certificate: 5076259
Government Issued Photo ID: NC Drivers License 00004428259
Clayton’s Wavier:
107W-2025-04214-Clayton-Brown-CoW.pdf
1.2 MB
Mission Files
20260331_AT219_OperationalPlan_Airspace_VenkyDe....webloc
373 B
20260331_AT219_OperationalPlan_MissionPlan_Venk....webloc
376 B
20260331_AT219_OperationalPlan_RallyPoint_Venky....webloc
375 B
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
Broken link
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
30
Sum
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