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Fresno County Sheriff’s Air Squadron
DRONE UNIT PROCEDURES & OPERATIONS MANUAL
Revision Log: 20170815, Initial Draft, Text in Italics is placeholder text straight from TFO manual, not intended as final - dxb 20170901, 2nd Draft for Drone Unit Team & Exec Board Review 20180210, Review draft w/initial training group
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW This procedures and operations manual is to provide policy and procedure guideline for the operations of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Air Squadron Drone Unit (hereafter referred to as the “Drone Unit”. This outline provides mission definitions as well as requirements for certification, training and operations. The Drone Unit seeks to support the mission of the FCSAS which in turn exists to support of the mission of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. The FCSAS Drone Unit operates within the general policies and procedures of the FCSAS except as called out within this document where differentiation is required due to differing mission, FAA and/or training requirements. The Drone Unit operates specifically to support the Search & Rescue (SAR) organization and operations of the Fresno Sheriff’s Office. The FCSAS Drone Unit will not operate or accept missions as a law enforcement entity rather, Drone Unit activities will be authorized under FSO SAR rules.
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DRONE UNIT PROCEDURES AND OPERATIONS Table of Contents MISSION DEFINITIONS
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ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT
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DRONE UNIT QUALIFICATIONS BY ROLE
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EQUIPMENT OWNERSHIP STRATEGY
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MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
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MISSION PREPARATION and BRIEFING
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MISSION DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
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DUTIES BY MISSION DEFINITION
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DUTIES BY MISSION DEFINITION (continued)
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OTHER STUFF WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT
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APPENDIX
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MISSION DEFINITIONS As stated in the overview, Drone Unit missions will primarily be assigned in support of SAR operations, providing Search and Locate capability. A Mission is an authorized flight conducted by the Drone Unit of the Fresno Country Air Squadron (FCSAS) on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office. The Mission shall be authorized through the FCSAS Operations Officer in accordance with the “Fresno County Sheriff’s Air Squadron Procedures Manual” and conform to all requirements of the Sheriff’s Office, as well as with the requirements herein. 1. Search and Locate: Search and Locate is the primary function performed by the Drone Unit. Missions are conducted in support of search and rescue operations. Participation in SAR Missions will be in conjunction with the law enforcement agency in charge of the search at the request of the SO. SAL flights may include training and mission testing functions. 2. General Observation in support of SO Operations: Observation Missions if requested by the SO, will be conducted over specific locations where a mobile airborne camera or video capability may improve safety or acquire useful information, or act as a deterrent to unlawful activities (example: fly over parking areas near river hot spots similar to fixed wing use today). 3. Training: Training Missions are conducted to enhance the proficiency of the Drone Unit in all facets of Squadron Missions, operations and practice for competitive events. They may be self-initiated or scheduled by the SO or FCSAS Operations Officer. 4. Patrol and Surveillance: Patrol and Surveillance Missions are not expected to be requested at this time. The FSO intends to have its own drone capability in place for Law Enforcement (LE) activities. FCSAS DSW coverage may not allow LE related activities.
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ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT Per FAA guidelines for safety and effectiveness, the typical Drone Unit deployment should include the following roles, agreed to prior to launch: 1. Pilot a. Direct control of drone flight b. Overall responsibility for mission operations and safety c. Insure constant unaided visual contact with UAS either personally, or with a designated Observer. 2. Observer a. To assist Pilot with safety and observation b. Facilitate communication with SO during flight c. Maintain constant visual contact with the UAS. d. IF pilot has eyes on, then use of binoculars is allowed to support the pilot situational awareness on drone. If pilot does not have eyes on the UAS, then Observer must maintain unaided visual contact with UAS (example: Pilot wearing VR goggles requires Observer to maintain unaided visual contact w/UAS). 3. Camera Operations/Support (optional) a. Facilitate communication with SO during flight b. Operate any additional control units for camera control and/or screen use Ideal squadron size for deployment on a particular mission is two or three qualified individuals to fulfill the three roles above, with one or more drones ready and available to the squad. To allow for flexible and responsive mission capability and to ensure that the Drone Unit is as responsive as possible, a minimum deployment of one drone and one pilot/operator who will fulfill all three roles is allowed where mission safety and effectiveness is not compromised.
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DRONE UNIT QUALIFICATIONS BY ROLE Within the FCSAS Drone Unit, deployable squad consist of one, two or three individuals who can fulfil the three required roles. One or more people can fulfill the three roles for the squad. Missions can have one or more Squads assigned, operating one or more drones in coordination with each other. All members of the squad should be familiar with SO radio procedures. Each Squad must have one pilot role, assigned to one qualified individual at any one time. Additional roles are observer and camera operator/support and can be assigned to others or taken on by the pilot. More than one person can act as observer or support camera at one time however only one PIC can exist at one time within each squad, with the Pilot operating one drone. Observer(s) must be dedicated to the one pilot. It is a goal that each member of the squad be competent and qualified to fulfill each role however this ‘rotation into role’ will require time and experience. Currently, requirements and qualifications for each role are: 1. Pilot (PIC) a. Experience appropriate to support mission execution and safety. TFO qualification is ideal. b. FAA Part 107 Certificate. c. Ability to carry out mission operations using all equipment deployed. d. Familiarity with SO Radio Procedures. 2. Observer a. Ability and experience to assist Pilot with safety and observation. b. Ability and experience to facilitate communication with SO during flight (TAF qualification is ideal). c. Familiarity with SO Radio Procedures d. Possession of other required equipment (binoculars etc.) 3. Camera Operations/support a. Ability and experience to operate any additional control units for camera control and/or screen b. Facilitate communication with SO before and during flight around camera/video requirements and goals. c. Familiarity with SO Radio Procedures Ideal squadron size for deployment on a particular mission is the three roles above, with one or more drones, one person in each role.
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EQUIPMENT OWNERSHIP STRATEGY Drone technology is evolving rapidly from the airborne unit, GPS capabilities to the camera/video capabilities. At the same time, mission requirements vs capabilities are also evolving as we learn what can and cannot be done effectively. Further, the FAA regulations are evolving. For these reasons, this document will not call out a specific model of drone equipment to be used. 1) Because deep familiarity with equipment and camera is required for safety and effectiveness, at this time, members will provide their own “core” equipment. a) “Core” equipment is the base drone unit, controller and minimum battery/spare propellers required for normal use (effectively the minimum kit sold in retail stores as a “kit”). b) SO will be asked to fund FCSAS for purchase of special cameras and expanded inventory of batteries or other equipment adjunct to the ‘core drone’ to insure mission ready status. FCSAS would retain ownership of adjunct equipment with that equipment checked out to the individual drone owner for use in support of mission and returned to FCSAS on request. i) Example 1: Owner has drone & 2 batteries allowing 40 minutes of light. MEL calls for 90 minutes capability, so owner may request FCSAS reimbursement for the purchase of three additional batteries and/or charging system subject to Commander/Drone Unit approval of purchase before made. ii) Example 2: Owner has drone which can adapt and carry an infra-red camera. Should SO desire that capability, owner may request FCSAS reimbursement for the purchase of such camera subject to Commander/Drone Unit approval of purchase before made. 2) Members of the Drone Unit may request a County PO for the purchase of additional batteries, propellers and other minor supplies required to meet the minimum equipment list called out below. a) Purchase requests must be approved in advance by the Commander after consultation with the members of the Drone Unit. 3) Training Drone(s). a) Two unit owned drone will be purchased by the FCSAS to allow familiarization and training, as well as mission support for members of the Drone Unit who do not yet own their own drone for mission use. This drone will be assigned to a member of the Drone Unit by the Commander in consultation with the members of the Drone Unit for a defined period.
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MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST Because members will be providing their own ‘core drone equipment’ and capabilities are rapidly evolving, the Drone Unit at this time will provide guidance and minimum capabilities as recommendations but will not set a “must adhere to” standard. Members are encouraged to consult with the Drone Unit and take advantage of learnings, however current policy is to allow open standards within minimum capabilities. Minimum capabilities are simply to insure we can field a squad that can deliver on mission requirements. a. Airborne unit capable of (operating specifications tbd …) i. Hard requirement One …(operational ceiling?) ii. Hard requirement Two …(camera specs?) iii. Hard requirement Three (flight endurance raw) iv. Hard requirement Four (flight endurance w/swapping batteries during mission) v. Recommended capabilities include: 1. External video presentation (via HDMI) 2. External camera control via tethered 2 nd controller or other technology)? 3. Recommended capability three?_______ 4. Recommended capability four?________ 5. Ability to adapt differing camera systems which may include: a. SO provided Infra-Red camera b. SO provided telescopic lense camera c. SO provided message drop equipment? b. Quantity of batteries sufficient to support mission flight for at least one hour with battery changes as required. (*or maybe indefinite if a charger can cycle batteries fast enough?? c. Power source for field battery recharging? d. One set of spare propellers e. Sufficient camera video storage systems (SDM/sims/? cards for video storage) to support anticipated mission duration. This storage may be turned over to the SO immediately after mission and will be reimbursed or returned to the owner in a timely manner (<30 days).
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MISSION PREPARATION and BRIEFING The main objective of the Drone Unit on any mission is knowing, understanding and being properly informed and prepared to act in a safe and professional manner for the successful outcome of the mission. It is the responsibility of at least one member of the Drone Unit to attend all pre-flight briefings and obtain the necessary information and equipment such as: Purpose of Mission. Mission I.D. Mission call sign(s). Probable location(s) of objective. Crew and pilot I.D. numbers as needed by FSO dispatch. Applicable equipment needed to complete the mission at hand. (Pencils through radios and GPS units. Name(s) and contact numbers for communication with all elements of the mission. Mission form Applicable equipment needed including, but not limited to: 1. Drone system & required equipment for mission 2. Charts and Maps: topographical, forest service, county, sectional 3. Radio(s) (normally SO radios) 4. Extra Batteries appropriate to mission endurance requirements 5. Headset(s), VR equipment if needed 6. Remote TV 7. 2nd Controller/viewer station 8. GPS(s) 9. Binoculars If the Operations Officer is not present for a formal briefing, the Drone Pilot should be in contact with the Operations Officer to determine the above information, should check out the needed equipment and study the appropriate material prior to take-off. As there is one PIC per flight, there is also only one Drone Pilot. All other participants are considered Observers or other crew members for the purposes of the mission. The Drone Pilot shall be qualified for the mission at hand and appointed in advance by the Operations Officer in collaboration with the PIC. The Drone Pilot will conduct a pre-flight briefing detailing the in-air responsibilities of the mission with the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and any other team members prior to departure. All briefings should clearly define the specific mission parameters. Questions by crewmembers must be addressed, understood and agreed to. Clear and well-defined responsibilities while in the air will be discussed and followed for the safe and successful outcome of the mission.
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DUTIES BY MISSION DEFINTION Duties common to all missions: Briefing Understand the request of the SO – what does SO need from us? How do we bring value? What is their expectation of us? Who are key contacts? With whom do we report/receive direction? Radio(s) Know and learn specific area of search. Charts, maps, GPS(s) Binoculars and other support equipment Equipment Drone and related drone equipment to meet mission parameters Charts and Maps: topographical, forest service, county, sectional; Thomas Guide Radios appropriate to mission Handheld GPS(s) Binoculars Personal supplies (water etc.) Communication Log on with Dispatch Know appropriate radio channels for log on and at destination. Give general description, ie “enroute to Search Area at (location)” Announce upon arrival to Dispatch, change to local channel. Keep transmissions to a minimum. Advise Dispatch upon completion of search and returning to airport. Documentation Keep log of area searched, major landmarks with time; other activities Complete mission log Attach fuel receipt(s) Debriefing Discuss mission with on-board officer/crew members and other aircraft Advise Operations Officer of mission details Make recommendations for future missions
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DUTIES BY MISSION, continued … Search and Locate: 1. Duties as common to all missions. 2. Assist directly with other SAR units providing views requested
General Observation in support of SO Operations: 1. Duties as common to all missions. 2. Assist directly with LE providing views requested
Training: 1. Duties as common to all missions. 2. Additional call out on mission form: What training objectives were met?
Patrol and Surveillance: 1. Duties as common to all missions. 2. Assist directly with LE providing views requested
OTHER STUFF WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT APPENDIX Key Contacts: 1. . 2. .
FAA Resources: 3. .
Universal Practices and Procedures: 4. .
Drone Unit Training Standards 5. . 6. .
Drone Unit Practical Test Design & Competencies Requiring Demonstration: 7. . 8. .
Summary of Drone Manufacturers and Capabilities 9. . 10. .
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