Lesson 3: Reporting accidents

Welcome back, remote pilots in training! Let’s start today off with a review of the three roles in a drone mission.

Who is responsible for the entire drone mission?

• Airspace Coordinator (AC)

• The Remote Pilot in Command (rPIC)

• Visual Observer (VO)

• Drone Supporter (DS)

Who helps the rPIC by looking out for the drone and surrounding airspace?

• Airspace Coordinator

• Person Manipulating the Controls

• Visual Observer

• Flight Navigator

Who physically controls the drone?

• Mission Planner

• Person Manipulating the Controls

• Visual Observer

• Air Traffic Monitor

Awesome job! Now, can you remember at least one responsibility that the remote pilot has to have? 

The Remote Pilot in Command - Summary of Responsibilities

1. I carry all the important documents 

2. I know the area’s local flight rules 

3. I identify hazards (people & buildings) 

4. I check the weather first 

5. I manage the team & assigns roles 

6. I make sure the drone works & is charged

7. I keep flight logs! 

Now that we’re confident with the three roles in a drone mission, let’s talk about some more important things to know about being a drone pilot before you start flying. 

Payloads 

A drone’s weight can impact the safety of its flight. Now, let’s talk about something pilots call ‘payloads’! A payload is basically all the stuff you attach to a drone – and, it can impact how heavy it is. It’s not just drones! Did you know that different types of vehicles and machines have ‘payloads’ too? For example, an airplane’s payload refers to the number of passengers, luggage, and cargo that an aircraft carries.  A rocket’s payload can include satellites and scientific instruments, and a truck or ship’s payload can be the goods and cargo on it. 

Can you guess what a drone’s payload would be? 

Right! Everything attached to the drone, besides the drone itself: like the camera, any cool extra modifications, and cargo it might carry. A payload is basically the weight or cargo that a vehicle or machine carries. For a drone, a payload is anything it carries besides its main parts, like cameras or packages. Payloads are important to know about because the weight they add affects how well the drone can fly, and how long it can stay in the air. If the payload is too heavy, the drone might not work well, run out of battery quickly, or fall down! So part of a drone’s weight is the payload, not just the drone itself. 

And, keeping last week’s lesson in mind, why do you think we should even care about ‘payloads’? 

Nice answers! We talked about how you have to register a drone if it’s heavier than a certain weight, and how the FAA categorizes drones by weight. 

Let’s see if you remember! You have to register your drone if it’s more than  0.55  pounds! Any UAS that weighs over 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds must be registered.

Anyways, let’s get back to why we should care about payloads. A drone’s payload can even change what category a drone falls under. 

Do you remember how many there were? And by the way, the answer was indeed 4!

We touched on categories of operations in the last lesson, but now, let’s review! 

Flying Over People, Moving Vehicles and At Night

If your drone falls into one of the 4 categories, you can fly your drone over people, moving vehicles, and (if you have permission to) at night. 

Let’s start with Category 1. These drones are super small, weighing less that 0.55 pounds. You can fly it over people, but not over big crowds like concerts or sports games. This drone usually causes zero damage to people because they're so tiny. You can fly it over people, but not over big crowds like concerts or sports games.

Next up is Category 2. This drone can be a bit heavier, less than 55 pounds, but it still can’t hurt people too badly if it bumps into them. It can fly over people, but not over crowds –  unless it meets strict safety requirements.

Category 3 is similar to Category 2, but it involves more detailed testing and safety standards to make sure it’s safe. It can only fly over people if they are aware of it, and are participating in the drone mission. So that means that you can fly over a crowd of people, if you have their permission, and if your drone is safe enough to be qualified as a Category 3. 

P.S. – Want to learn more about flying this drone? The Pilot Institute offers a free class about it! https://pilotinstitute.com/course/parrot-anafi-usa-deep-dive/ 

Cool tip! And finally, Category 4 is usually for massive drones doing things like deliveries. The main thing you need to know about them is: they’re the only category that needs an Airworthiness Certificate because they’re just so big. 

An Airworthiness Certificate is like a report that proves that a Category 4 drones is safe and good to fly. It's approved by the FAA after the drone goes through a bunch of tests and checks to make sure it won't fall out of the sky or cause any accidents.Having this certificate means the drone has passed all the safety exams, and is trusted to fly in different situations, without posing a risk to people or property.Remember: Only Category 4 Operations need drones to have an Airworthiness Certificate!

Now, let’s guess. What does all this have to do with payloads?

A drone's category of operations can change depending on the payload it carries.

Exactly! Let’s look at an example.

If a tiny drone has a heavy payload (let’s say, a camera) that pushes its total weight past the Category 1 limit of 0.55 pounds (let’s say, to 4 pounds), it may no longer qualify for Category 1, so it can’t fly over people.

Drone Pro Tip: Always read the manual! 

Your drone’s manual has tons of useful information about it, like what category of operations your drone is suitable for, and what kind of payload would change it. The manual should provide information about the drone's weight, safety features, and any certifications or standards it meets. And based on this information, you can determine which category of operations the drone falls under according to your payload and the FAA's guidelines.

Great Tip. Let’s look at one more example!

For Category 1 operations over people, drones must have certain safety features to make sure they can fly safely, without being risky to people on the ground. Does it make sense? This includes its weight being less than 0.55 pounds, including the payload. So, put that scale in the bathroom to good use! Another reason it’s good to read the drone manual: flying a drone is fun but it’s not a toy– it’s a tool!

Now, we’re beginning to fly

Now that we’ve learned how to register our drone, let’s talk about some things that might happen once you’re ready to get out there!  Accidents! 

What counts as an accident?

An accident is when someone is seriously hurt, or if something besides the drone gets damaged and it costs over $500 to fix it.

Accidents

If your drone causes a big accident where someone gets seriously hurt, or there's more than $500 in property damage, you have to tell the FAA within 10 days! Got it! So you should tell the FAA within 10 days if you got into an accident that hurt someone badly or caused more than $500 in damage. 

What counts as an accident?

An accident is when someone is seriously hurt, or if something besides the drone gets damaged and it costs over $500 to fix it.

Next, how do we report an accident? You can report an accident in two ways: 

1. Report it through your FAA DroneZone account for free.

2. Contact the nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

Reporting Accidents

How to report an accident: If you’ve been in an accident, your report needs to contain
five things. 

1. Your contact information

2. Your remote pilot certificate number 

3. Your drone’s registration  number

4. The date, time, and place the accident happened

5. A description of the injuries and property damage

Makes sense, right? 

Now, let’s say a few more important things about  paperwork. 

What if you move to a new place? 

If your permanent mailing address has changed, you have to notify the FAA within 30 days to update them.

Paperwork

If someone from the FAA ever asks, you have to always be ready to show them any paperwork they need to see, like records or documents.

FAA-Compliance 

Don’t forget! At any time, an officer from the FAA can ask you if they can inspect: your drone, your role as the pilot and your crew, your flight logs, and any required documents. You have to carry all of your drone documents with you at all times while doing your mission, in case the FAA asks for them. You wouldn’t want to get caught driving a car without your license on you. Yikes! The same goes for flying a drone. 

Accidents Happen! 

All right, let’s take a look at some scenarios and decide whether they would count as an accident worthy of being reported.

• Yikes! Your drone crashes into a parked car. There’s a dent and scratches that will cost $600 to repair. Should you report it?

• Oh no! Your drone lands hard on a rooftop and damages some shingles which cost $450 to replace.Should you report it?

• Oops! Your drone hits a tree branch and falls. There were no injuries or damage to anything else. Should you report it?

• Your drone's battery dies mid-flight, and it crashes into a neighbor's window, with repair costs of $300. Should you report it?

Great job, everyone! Now think of your own scenario.

You have to report an accident if it causes $_____ or more in property damage.  

You have to report accidents within __ days.

Within 30 days, you have to tell the FAA

• A) Your new mailing address, if you moved 

• B) The details of any new drone you purchased

•  C) The number of hours you have flown your drone 

• D) Any changes to your drone's color or design

Flight Logging

What records do you need to keep for a safe flight?

Hold on… A Flight Log ?  

It’s time to peel the onion! 

Hey! It looks like I wasn’t really needed today.

But, I told you I’d be back to talk about flight logs! Here we go! 

Flight Logs

A flight log is a record of all the important details about a flight. It should include stuff like date, time, the length of the flight, weather conditions, and any issues the pilot runs into.

Why are flight logs helpful?

Flight Logs help us maintain and track drone parts and equipment.

How can you log a flight?

It’s best to use a physical journal or automated flight logging system, like Aloft or the Drone LogBook.

Flight Log Tips 

It’s important to follow the maintenance instructions from the  manufacturer to be safe and to make sure your drone lasts for a long time.

ADM & CRM

Making good decisions while we fly

In aviation, being clueless can be dangerous. Pilots use a system called Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) and Crew Resource Management (CRM).

ADM

ADM is like a toolkit of strategies for pilots. It’s a special way of thinking for pilots, designed to help you handle any situation and hazard that comes your way, from weather changes and obstacles that might get in your way, to unexpected technical issues. It’s all about using the best ways to make safe and smart choices during your flight. ADM relies on situational awareness, which means being fully aware of your surroundings. Situational awareness is a survival tool! It helps you manage risks, and it’s what everyone on your team should be doing, especially the rPIC. 

Situational Awareness

Situational awareness means being aware of everything happening around you. It helps you avoid accidents, stay safe, manage risks, and complete your tasks successfully. If you know what’s going on with your drone, the environment, your team, and other people or objects nearby, you can make better decisions and respond quickly to any changes or problems. You probably practice situational awareness in non-drone-related scenarios every day! Everything from crossing a busy street to swimming and playing a team sport requires situational awareness.

Which color code do you think it’s best for pilots to be in? 

If you want to learn more about awesome Situational Awareness Strategies for all pilots, read up on it in the Safe Blog! 

It also means anticipating and having plans for anything that might go wrong, and making sure that all your crew members are on the same page.

Speaking of crew members — often, you won’t (and shouldn’t) be navigating your drone missions alone.

Exactly! Your VO and PMC are there to help. 

But you also might talk to locals in the area you plan to fly in, FAA personnel, or even other drone pilots when gathering info for your mission.

Next, Let’s explore Crew Resource Management. It’s all about teamwork! Communicating effectively, sharing info, using all of the resources available to you, and supporting each other will make sure that your mission is safe and smooth. 

CRM

In a drone mission, everyone's skills and knowledge, and the tools you have, come together to make the flight successful!

Let’s sum it up!

ADM helps pilots make the best decisions, and CRM ensures you and your team work together seamlessly. 

They make your drone missions successful!