Standard operating conditions — transcript

00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:05.093 Before you fly, know the standard operating conditions: the drone safety rules.

00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:12.598 One drone, one pilot, and a set of invisible boundaries. Let's light them up.

00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:18.158 First, one pilot flies one drone at a time. No second aircraft.

00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:24.874 Keep it in visual line of sight: see it, orient it, navigate it. Glasses are fine.

00:00:24.874 --> 00:00:26.013 Binoculars aren't.

00:00:27.900 --> 00:00:32.524 Fly no higher than 400 feet above ground level. That's about 120 metres.

00:00:33.900 --> 00:00:36.120 Fly in daytime only. No night flying.

00:00:39.400 --> 00:00:42.638 Keep at least 30 metres laterally from other people.

00:00:42.638 --> 00:00:47.158 Specific exceptions apply to people assisting with control or navigation.

00:00:47.508 --> 00:00:51.923 Never fly over a populous area, where a failure could put people at risk.

00:00:54.008 --> 00:00:55.780 Stay out of prohibited areas.

00:00:55.780 --> 00:00:59.441 Restricted areas need the controlling authority's permission,

00:00:59.441 --> 00:01:03.987 and keep clear of emergency operations unless the person in charge approves.

00:01:04.337 --> 00:01:09.281 Drones over 250 grams must stay 5.5 kilometres, or 3 nautical miles,

00:01:09.281 --> 00:01:15.085 from a controlled aerodrome. Lighter drones have their own limits near airports,

00:01:15.085 --> 00:01:16.876 so check before you fly.

00:01:17.226 --> 00:01:21.028 That's your safe flying box. Planning a flight outside these limits?

00:01:21.028 --> 00:01:24.775 Check the approvals and qualifications required for your operation.

00:01:26.226 --> 00:01:30.850 Quick check. Which flight stays inside the standard operating conditions?

00:01:32.926 --> 00:01:38.124 C. Daytime, in sight, below 400 feet, and well clear of the public.

Visual knowledge check

Question: Which flight stays inside the standard operating conditions?

• A: Daytime, 150 feet, over a crowded beach.
• B: Daytime, 200 feet, 2 kilometres from a controlled aerodrome.
• C: Daytime, 300 feet, in sight, 40 metres from the public.

Answer C. A is over a populous area. B is inside 5.5 kilometres (3 nautical miles) of a controlled aerodrome. Check the operation and applicable exceptions before flying.

The video asks you to identify standard operating conditions: the height limit is 120 metres above ground level (400 feet); keep at least 30 metres from people who are not essential to control and navigation; keep the drone in visual line of sight and fly by day. The marked flying box is a schematic illustration, not a scale diagram.

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