STATE OF CALIFORNIA

THE NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY

DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Operations Manual

June 2016

Edmund G. Brown Jr. John Laird Mark Cowin

Governor Secretary for Resources Director
State of California The Natural Resources Agency Department of Water Resources
Department of Water Resources UAV Operations Manual

Contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Use of this Manual ................................................................................... 1
1.2 UAV Safety .............................................................................................. 2
2 UAV Purpose, Scope and Objectives ............................................................ 2
2.1 Purpose ................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Scope and Objectives .............................................................................. 3
2.2.1 Adopting DWR Safety and Health Standards .................................... 4
2.2.2 Expectations...................................................................................... 4
3 Definitions, Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................... 4
3.1 Definitions ................................................................................................ 4
3.1.1 sUAV ................................................................................................. 4
3.1.2 Acronyms .......................................................................................... 4
3.2 Roles and Responsibilities ....................................................................... 5
3.2.1 UAV Coordinator ............................................................................... 5
3.2.2 UAV Operator and Crew ................................................................... 6
3.2.2.2 UAV Operator………………………………………………………….…..6
3.2.2.2 UAV Visual Observer ………....………………………………………….6
4 Qualifications and Training ............................................................................ 7
4.1 Training .................................................................................................... 8
4.1.1 Recurrent Training ................................................................................ 8
4.1.2 Degree of Suitability .............................................................................. 8
4.1.3 Good Judgment .................................................................................... 9
4.1.4 Suspension ........................................................................................... 9
5 UAV Planning Documents and Safety Procedures ........................................ 9
5.1 Documenting Planned UAV Activities ...................................................... 9
5.1.1 UAV Hazard Analysis ...................................................................... 10
5.1.2 Emergency Contact List .................................................................. 10
5.2 Pre-UAV Mission Procedures ................................................................ 10
5.2.1 UAV Operations at a SWP Facilities ............................................... 11
5.2.2 UAV Operations at Non-SWP Facilities........................................... 11
5.2.3 Safety Briefing ................................................................................. 11
5.2.4 Equipment Inspection and Flight Checklist ...................................... 11
5.3 Post-UAV Flight Procedures .................................................................. 11
5.4 General UAV Safety Procedures ........................................................... 12
5.4.1 Safety Precautions Applicable to All UAV Activities ........................ 12
5.4.2 Minimum Manning Requirements .................................................... 13
5.5 Limits and Termination of UAV Activities ............................................... 13
6 Equipment, Inspections, and Maintenance .................................................. 13
6.1 Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Battery Management ........................................ 13
6.2 UAV Crew Equipment Requirements ..................................................... 14
7 Emergency Procedures ............................................................................... 14
7.1 Incident Reports..................................................................................... 14
7.2 Reporting and Investigation Responsibilities ......................................... 15
7.2.1 UAV Coordinator ............................................................................. 15
8 UAV Activities Conducted by Non-DWR Personnel ..................................... 15

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8.1 Contracting Out UAV Services ............................................................... 15

8.1.1 UAV/UAS Submittal Package .......................................................... 16
9 Glossary of Terms ....................................................................................... 17
Appendices ......................................................................................................... 19
APPENDIX I .................................................................................................... 20
Process for Planning and Conducting UAV Mission Activities (Overview) ...... 20

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1 Introduction
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) plans to implement the use of
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for several of its programs in support of its mission “to
manage water resources of California in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the
state’s people, and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.”
In order to ensure public safety, employee safety and regulatory compliance while carrying
out UAV activities, DWR has developed this UAV Operations Manual (manual). This
manual is intended to be the baseline for UAV policy and is designed to address the most
common UAV activities and applies to all UAV activities conducted by DWR personnel or
contractors during the course of their job duties. DAM 3890 establishes the DWR UAV
safe practices policy and procedures for both DWR and contractors performing UAV
activities under DWRs authority.
Currently the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not allow the use of UAVs by
public entities without an approved Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). This UAV
Operations Manual is part of the process for DWR to plan for the use of UAVs. DWR will
apply for an FAA COA and then must adhere to the requirements and guidelines stipulated
in that authorization.
On February 15, 2015 the FAA submitted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM –
Docket No. : FAA-2015-0150; Notice No. 15-01) for public comment on “Operation and
Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems”. Final ruling is not anticipated until
June 2016. In addition to current general standards in the industry, DWR is incorporating
into this manual, many of the anticipated methods and procedures identified in the NPRM
framework. Once the FAA proposed rules are finalized, DWR will include any rule
changes into this manual.

1.1 Use of this Manual

This manual provides details of procedures and requirements necessary to safely and
efficiently conduct UAV activities. The procedures and requirements outlined in this
manual are intended to comply with anticipated FAA regulations for the use of small UAVs
weighing less than 25 Kgs. (55 lbs.). Other rules, regulations, and guidelines that were
used to prepare this manual came from various sources including the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA), the Division of Occupational Safety and Health
(Cal/OSHA) in the California Department of Industrial Relations, the Seattle Police
Department Unmanned Aerial System Operations Manual, and the United States
Department of the Interior - Operational Procedures Memorandum (OPM) – 11 for the use
of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
While neither Cal/OSHA nor OSHA regulations specifically refer to UAV activities,
regulations do exist regarding personal safety devices and safeguards that are applicable
to UAV operations. The procedures described in this manual apply to all DWR UAV
activities. Depending on the nature of the task, a UAV unit chain of command may
prescribe additional requirements as needed. DWR personnel who participate in UAV
activities, who fail to follow these safety procedures are subject to disciplinary action and
may have their UAV privileges revoked.
This manual is published to meet the requirement of DWR Policy regarding Safety, Health,
and Accident Prevention [DAM 3801]. If regulations referenced in this manual change or

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safer and more effective operational methods are developed, it is the responsibility of all
UAV operations personnel to notify and provide input to their supervisory staff to effect
changes to this document. This manual and the policies and procedures provided herein
will be reviewed annually. The Management Analysis Office will be responsible for the
coordination of the annual review of the UAV policy and manual.
All UAV operations personnel shall have access to this manual. A copy of this manual
and all forms specified herein shall be available at every location where UAV operations
are conducted. DWR UAV operations personnel shall study this manual and have a
working knowledge of the policies and procedures contained herein. All personnel
involved in UAV activities shall submit a signed UAV Operations Manual
Acknowledgement (DWR 9760) to their supervisor confirming familiarization with the
manual, which will be kept in the employee’s official personnel file. This shall be done
prior to undertaking any UAV-related activities. The Human Resources Office may also
impose duty statement modifications for approved UAV operators. (Refer to Section 3.2)

1.2 UAV Safety

Safety is the fundamental consideration in all DWR UAV activities. Therefore, UAV
activities are to be conducted in a manner that provides an accident free workplace,
including no harm to people, no damage to equipment, the environment and property,
and to make every effort to not invade anyone’s reasonable expectation of privacy. DWR
encourages a culture of open reporting of all safety hazards in which management will not
initiate disciplinary action against any personnel who, in good faith, disclose a hazard or
safety occurrence due to unintentional conduct. DWR encourages monitoring of UAV
regulations, technology, practices, and laws to ensure best safety practices are
incorporated into the organization.
It is the duty of every member involved in UAV activities to contribute to the goal of
continued safe operations. This contribution may come in many forms and includes
always operating in the safest manner practicable and never taking unnecessary risks.
Any safety hazard, whether procedural, operational or maintenance related should be
identified as soon as possible after, if not before, an incident occurs. Any suggestions in
the interest of safety should be made to the applicable UAV unit Chain of Command.
Ultimately, each UAV unit member is responsible for their own safety. Each individual is
responsible for knowing their own limitations, and should inform their next in command
immediately when a task or conditions are beyond their capability or training, or if they
believe a situation is unsafe.

2 UAV Purpose, Scope and Objectives

2.1 Purpose
DWR has continuing requirements for the following activities in which UAVs could be used
in a beneficial way:

 Environmental
 Biological monitoring plants and animals
 Invasive species monitoring (aquatic and terrestrial)
 Habitat development monitoring and reporting

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 Scientific Research - Investigations

 Project Operations and Management

 Planning
 Aerial mapping and surveying
 Photogrammetry
 Design
 Permitting - Biological Assessments
 Construction monitoring
 Operations and maintenance monitoring

 Facilities Operations and Maintenance

 Planning
 Surveying
 Inspections
 Security
 Monitoring

 Emergency Operations
 Flooding
 Earthquakes
 Drought
 Levee failure
 SWP facilities

 Public Affairs
 Media Relations
 Public Outreach
 Education - Documentation (videography or photography) of Facilities
and Projects

To help meet these activity requirements, select DWR personnel shall be trained to
provide the necessary expertise in a concise and professional manner. DWR UAV
activities are carried out only by teams of trained employees.
DWR employees shall not use their own personal UAVs for departmental purposes.

2.2 Scope and Objectives

The scope of this safety manual includes all operations conducted by DWR UAV
personnel and is applicable to all locations, (e.g. dams, canals, pump stations,
aqueducts, reservoirs, levees, islands, and rivers) where UAV activities may be
conducted. This manual is also intended to achieve the following objectives:
 Facilitate administration of UAV activities;
 Ensure the safety of DWR UAV operation’s personnel and the public when
conducting UAV activities;
 Establish minimum guidelines for qualifications, safety, training, security,
and operational procedures when conducting UAV missions; and
 Ensure that operations of UAVs do not intrude upon the privacy and civil rights of

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citizens and the public generally.

The following procedures apply to all DWR personnel engaged in UAV activities during the
course of their job duties. These protocols are intended to protect the employee and the
public from hazards associated with UAV activities. It shall be the intent of every UAV
Operator to make all reasonable efforts to not invade a person’s reasonable expectation of
privacy when operating a UAV. When operating a UAV, DWR personnel will abide by FAA
regulations/guidelines for flight and receive the proper authorizations as outlined in this
manual.

2.2.1 Adopting DWR Safety and Health Standards

DWR UAV operations personnel will adhere to the department’s Employee Safety and
Employee Standards of Conduct guidelines and shall adopt and make a part of this manual
all applicable Cal/OSHA regulations related to protecting against accidents resulting in
injuries to persons or property (Title 8, California Code of Regulations § 3202, et seq.). In
the event of a discrepancy between any of the regulations, the more stringent will apply.

2.2.2 Expectations
DWR UAV personnel must comply with the standards and procedures set forth in these
guidelines. Compliance with standards of this manual is required to maintain eligibility as a
DWR UAV operations participant. Refer to Section 4 Qualifications and Training for
additional information. Failure to comply with any of these procedures could result in
suspension of UAV privileges, expulsion from UAV activities, and/or disciplinary action,
including and up to dismissal, pursuant to Government Code § 19572.

3 Definitions, Roles and Responsibilities

This section defines applicable terms, prohibited activities, and outlines the roles and
responsibilities of each DWR employee directly involved in UAV activities. For
requirements related to using outside contracting services or coordinating missions with
allied agencies, refer to Section 8 UAV Activities Conducted by Non-DWR Personnel.
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1 sUAV

sUAV (small unmanned aerial vehicle) consists of a small unmanned aircraft (which, as
defined by statute, is an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55-pounds) and equipment
necessary for the safe and efficient remote operation of that aircraft.
3.1.2 Acronyms

AGL – Above Ground Level

COA – Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (issued by the FAA)
DOT – Department of Transportation
FAA – Federal Aviation Administration
FPV – First Person View
NAS – National Air Space
RPA – Remotely Piloted Aircraft
RTH - Return to Home
RTL- Return to Landing
UAS – Unmanned Aerial System

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UAV- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

VO – Visual Observer
VLOS – Visual Line of Sight

3.2 Roles and Responsibilities

The UAV personnel consist of a UAV Coordinator, UAV Operator, Visual Observer, and
support personnel. UAV crew members include the UAV Operator, Visual Observer,
Camera Operator, and support personnel. At a minimum, any UAV mission must include a
crew consisting of a UAV Operator and Visual Observer. UAV related duties, to the extent
applicable, will be included in the Job Description and Position Classification (DWR 525) for
many positions, including but not limited to: Engineers, Technicians, Inspectors, Geologists,
Environmental Scientists, Fish and Wildlife Technicians, Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aids,
Photographers, and Videographers.

3.2.1 UAV Coordinator

The role of UAV Coordinator is filled by a UAV Operators supervisor. The UAV
Coordinator’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
 Assigning a UAV Operator and crew member for each UAV mission, consistent with
section 3.2.2;
 Scheduling and planning UAV activities in a safe manner and in accordance with the
UAV Operations Manual and DWR policy;
 Preparing and submitting a UAV Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis to the respective
Branch Chief to acquire the necessary approvals prior to the assigned UAV activity;
 Reviewing the UAV Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis with UAV Operator and crew
members;
 Ensuring that the required UAV submittals are transmitted, reviewed and approved
first by the DWR Project Safety Office and finally by the respective Branch Chief;
 Establishing coordination with personnel that will be onsite;
 Coordinating with the operations staff of any nearby facilities or landowners that may
be affected by operating the UAV in their vicinity;
 Coordinating with the State Water Project (SWP) Facilities appropriate O&M Field
Division’s Operations Superintendent prior to UAV activity on an SWP facility or
operations being conducted in the close proximity of a SWP facility (Refer to Section
5.2.1);
 Serving as the contact point for any UAV crew member’s concerns about the safety
of the UAV activities;
 Terminating planned UAV activities if unsafe conditions are anticipated to occur;
 Providing notification of any accidents following UAV activities in accordance with
Enterprise Process Guides, Employee Health Services 1: Occupational Illness,
Injury, or Death, Employee Health Services 3: Industrial Injury/Ilness Investigation,
and Employee Health Services 4: Substance Abuse Testing for Sensitive Positions;
and
 Ensuring a flight log record of all UAV activities is kept on file in accordance with

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DWR record retention policy.

3.2.2 UAV Operator and Crew
A UAV crew will consist of, at a minimum, a UAV Operator and Visual Observer. Additional
personnel may also be present as support crew members including a camera operator.
The responsibilities of each position are detailed below.

3.2.2.1 UAV Operator

The UAV Operator is the crew leader and is directly responsible for overall mission
objectives. The UAV Operator will assign the crew members duties. During the flight the
UAV Operator’s primary duty is to focus on flying the aircraft safely until it is back on the
ground. The UAV Operator leads onsite Pre and Post flight UAV activities and is
responsible for:
 Conducting and documenting briefings (i.e., tailgate safety meetings) addressing
hazards specific to the UAV with site operations personnel. This includes an on-site
pre-flight assessment of weather conditions, identification and management of all
persons in the area that may be affected by the UAV activities;
 Verifying that copies of the UAV Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis, Emergency
Contact List, the UAV Operations Manual, and all related FAA documents are
present and available on-site;
 Performing thorough pre-flight inspections of the aircraft and transmitter, and
ensuring that all equipment and settings are in order prior to initiating flight;
 Operating the UAV in a safe and effective manner in accordance with the
manufacturer’s approved flight manual;
 Designating a location where the visual observer (and support personnel) shall be
stationed;
 Ensuring the UAV is flown within visual line of sight and lower than 400 feet above
ground level (AGL);
 Terminating UAV activities at any time due to unsafe or changing conditions
encountered prior to or during flight;
 Terminating UAV activities if a manned aircraft enters the area;
 Overseeing all onsite UAV activities and ensuring that all activities are being carried
out in a safe manner;
 Logging the mission in the UAV Flight Log and documenting any accidents, near
misses, or unanticipated hazards that occurred during flight and any lessons
learned; and
 Ensuring that a copy of the UAV Flight Log is filed with the UAV Coordinator after
the mission.

3.2.2.2 UAV Visual Observer (Spotter)

The Visual Observer refers to a designated DWR UAV crew member who has been
provided with sufficient training to be able to clearly communicate and act as a second set
of eyes for the UAV Operator. The Visual Observer supports the UAV Operator and is
responsible for:

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 Scanning the airspace where the UAV is operating for any potential aircraft or
collision hazards and maintaining a see-and-avoid awareness of the position of the
aircraft and the surrounding airspace through direct visual observation;
 Assisting the operator in identifying any potential hazards or changing conditions
that may affect the mission or the safety of persons or property;
 Communicating to the operator the active flight status of the UAV and any hazards
which may enter the area of operation so that the operator can take appropriate
action;
 Watching and listening for any abnormal sounds or flight characteristics being
exhibited by the UAV; and
 Being prepared to carry out emergency plans and procedures in the event of an
emergency incident or accident.

3.2.2.3 Support Personnel

Support personnel refers to employees that are part of the UAV crew providing added
support to the UAV Operator or Visual Observer. The support personnel’s duties are
similar to the Visual Observers responsibilities. Support personnel are responsible for:
 Following the instructions of the UAV Operator during UAV activities;
 Monitoring airspace and site conditions that could adversely affect UAV flight
operations; and
 Being prepared to carry out emergency plans and procedures in the event of an
emergency incident or accident.
One of the support personnel may be designated as a camera operator. The camera
operator may use an optional radio control transmitter that operates only the UAVs onboard
camera. The camera operator coordinates closely with the UAV Operator and is typically
stationed next to the UAV Operator along with the Visual Observer.

4 Qualifications and Training

DWR employees shall not use their own UAV for departmental purposes. Employees
engaged in UAV activities shall possess the necessary training and experience and will
maintain a professional level of competency and proficiency to safely perform the assigned
work. Prospective DWR UAV Operators must obtain an FAA “Small UAS Certificate of
Registration” and complete a basic flight proficiency test administered by an approved
DWR UAV Operator/Instructor or at a facility approved by DWR for flight training. The test
must show that the applicant has the competence to takeoff, fly a simulated UAV mission,
and land the UAV under free flight conditions. Additional testing may be required to use
First Person View (FPV) gear for enhanced UAV operations and/or a base station for
autonomous flight. DWR may provide a basic UAV training course for those interested in
becoming a UAV Operator.

Prior to flying UAV missions for DWR, all prospective DWR UAV Operators who pass basic
flight proficiency testing may also be required to successfully complete a UAV Operator
certification course from a DWR approved training facility and must fulfill all FAA COA
requirements to legally fly a UAV for commercial purposes. FAA regulations currently
require all Public agency UAV operators to complete, at a minimum, a Private Pilot Ground

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School course and successfully pass the FAA “Private Pilot Knowledge Test”.

4.1 Training
The key to continued safe operations is by maintaining a professional level of competency.
Each UAV Operator will have an official training file that contains all the pertinent training
and experience recorded.
It is the DWR UAV Operators responsibility to verify their training file contains at a
minimum:
• Their FAA Small UAS Certificate of Registration;
• Their Basic flight proficiency testing documentation;
• FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test certification;
• DWR UAV Operators Certificate;
• Accurate and up-to-date flight log;
• Records of any extended training; and
• When Implemented by the FAA:
o Pass the required FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test and obtain unmanned
aircraft operator certificate with small UAS rating
o Pass a recurrent FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test every 24 months
o Pass FAA required background check conducted by the Transportation
Security Agency (TSA)
o Meet any other conditions imposed by the FAA

4.1.1 Recurrent Training

DWR UAV operators will have a training plan on file that outlines training objectives for
the upcoming year. This training plan will be held in conjunction with the operator’s
normal training file per department policy. The approved training plan will be developed
jointly by the supervisor and the department's UAV training unit. All mission
deployments, including practice or training flights, will be documented and counted
towards an operator’s UAV flight experience. An FAA aeronautical knowledge test must
be passed and documented every 24 months.

4.1.2 Degree of Suitability

Employees must demonstrate to the UAV Coordinator’s satisfaction a continued high
degree of suitability for participation in UAV activities. Demonstration includes, but is not
limited to, the following factors:
• Comfort and competency while in flight;
• Contributions to the objectives of the UAV mission;
• Willingness to comply with the standards of the UAV Operations Manual;
• Willingness to work in a team-oriented environment; and
• Acting in a safe manner at all times.

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4.1.3 Good Judgment

DWR UAV Operators are prohibited to operate aircraft in a careless or reckless manner
that could endanger the life or property of another. Operators are expected to exercise
good judgment and conduct themselves in an ethical, responsible, lawful, and safe manner
with respect to other UAV crew members, personnel onsite, and the general public.

4.1.4 Suspension
Any UAV Operator who does not meet the eligibility requirements described above shall be
suspended from DWR UAV activities. Operators may be reinstated by the UAV
Coordinator, provided that they demonstrate acceptable compliance with the
aforementioned requirements.

5 UAV Planning Documents and Safety Procedures

5.1 Documenting Planned UAV Activities
Planning for UAV activities will vary according to the project tasks, site logistics, weather
and local conditions. An overview of the Process for Planning and Conducting UAV
activities is presented diagrammatically in Appendix I. The UAV Mission Plan is described
in general below.
Prior to any UAV mission, the UAV Coordinator will complete the UAV Mission Plan and
Hazard Analysis (DWR 9759) and the UAV Emergency Contact List (DWR 9762). The
UAV Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis will be discussed with the UAV crew prior to any
UAV flight activities.
The general elements of the UAV Mission Plan are:
 Assignment of UAV Operator, Visual Observer, and support personnel;
 Site location name, description of regional setting, county, and latitudinal and
longitudinal coordinates, if available;
 Purpose and objective of the UAV mission;
 Aircraft to be used;
 UAV Hazard Analysis;
 Approval signatures; and
 Required FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) should accompany the
Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis and be present on-site during UAV activities.
The completed UAV Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis will be submitted to the DWR
Project Safety Office and then to the UAV Operator’s Branch Chief, for review and
approval. In the absence of the Branch Chief, an authority designated by the Division Chief
may approve the UAV Mission Plan. If one of these authorities decides not to approve the
UAV Mission Plan, he or she may make recommendations for revisions. The revised
Mission Plan will then be re-submitted for approval. If it is determined that no adequate
revisions can be made to solve the identified deficiencies, the proposed UAV mission will
be canceled. The approved UAV Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis will be kept onsite and
readily available during UAV flight activities. When each UAV mission is concluded, all
pertinent documents will be filed by the Supervisor.

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5.1.1 UAV Hazard Analysis

The UAV Hazard Analysis identifies potential hazards associated with the UAV mission and
describes measures to eliminate, guard against, or avoid those hazards. At a minimum, it
shall include a description of the following items and potential hazards and corresponding
safety measures associated with each of the items:
 Safe vantage point for take-off and landing area and for observing the UAV (high
ground is best, if possible) using visual line of sight; take advantage of local
topography;
 Potential backup emergency landing areas;
 Overhead obstructions, including power lines, trees, buildings, communications
towers;
 Nearby facilities, properties, roads or structures that may be affected;
 Privacy rights issues, identify flight boundaries;
 Check that you are not in a restricted area using the B4UFLY Smartphone App.
Verify there are no airports within 5.8 statute miles or unusual civil aviation activities
nearby (including heliports or potential crop dusting activities in agricultural areas);
 Verify minimum flight visibility of 3 statute miles;
 Check for Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and Temporary Flight Restrictions at
http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr_map_ims/html/index.html;
 Identify environmentally sensitive areas;
 Check forecasted weather conditions, including anticipated wind speed, presence of
fog or blowing dust and sand. (http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/ is a good
source for local weather conditions);
 Plan to manage crowds or bystanders, if present; and
 Add additional comments pertaining to any hazards or safety measures associated
with the UAV activity.
Crew members involved in UAV activities are encouraged to visit the site location if
possible prior to conducting the mission to assist in preparing the UAV Mission Plan and
Hazard Analysis. Use of Google Earth can also provide valuable planning information.

5.1.2 UAV Emergency Contact List

A UAV Emergency Contact List (DWR 9762) shall be prepared for each UAV site. The list
will consist of emergency contact numbers to call in the event of a UAV medical
emergency. Site personnel will initiate the Emergency Medical System (EMS) by calling
911 in the event of a medical emergency that occurs during a UAV mission.

5.2 Pre-UAV Mission Procedures

At a minimum, the following procedures will be used in pre-UAV mission planning
preparation for the UAV site. The UAV Coordinator may require additional site-specific
requirements.

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5.2.1 UAV Operations at State Water Project (SWP) Facilities

For UAV operations within a SWP facility boundary, the UAV Coordinator shall contact the
appropriate O&M Field Division’s Operations Superintendent prior to conducting the UAV
mission and follow the field division’s required methods and procedures for conducting
work on the site. No UAS flights over DWR substations or switching yards are permitted
without express advance approval of the Chief, Division of Operations and Maintenance.

5.2.2 UAV Operations at Non-SWP Facilities

If UAV activities are going to be conducted near a facility owned and operated by an entity
other than DWR, the UAV Coordinator will establish a courtesy communication with the
appropriate authority to alert them of the planned activities. The UAV Coordinator should
contact the Operations Control Office to aid in identifying other facilities and their
owners/operators.
Prior to conducting a UAV mission, the UAV Coordinator shall obtain all applicable
operational safety clearances from the facility owner/operator.

5.2.3 Safety Briefing

The UAV Operator will brief each crew member on the tasks to be undertaken, safety
procedures, any unusual hazards or environmental conditions, and modifications of
standard procedures, if necessary. Following the briefing, each member of the crew will
sign a copy of the UAV Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis to ensure that the tasks and
hazards addressed in the briefing were read and understood.

5.2.4 Equipment Inspection and UAV Flight Checklist

Equipment will be visually inspected before conducting flight. This includes checking:
 Condition of aircraft including motors, propellers, and electrical connections;
 Aircraft Radio Control Transmitter (and camera control transmitter if used);
 Camera and gimbal and any other sensor/payload;
 Battery conditions;
 Video transmitter, receiver, and antennae;
 GPS satellite antennae;
 Base station software settings (for autonomous flight);
 UAV GPS locator (if used); and
 Any other auxiliary equipment used.
A UAV Flight Checklist (DWR 9761) shall be completed and all items checked off prior to
conducting any flight activities.

5.3 Post-UAV Flight Procedures

Upon finishing a UAV mission, the UAV Operator will complete and file a UAV Flight Log
(DWR 9763) summarizing the flight activities with the UAV Coordinator. This log will
include start and finish times, the UAV site location, the purpose of the UAV mission, and

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any other information deemed pertinent by the UAV Coordinator.

The UAV Operator will download and file data from the UAV in accordance with existing
DWR policy and procedures, including those specific to Critical Infrastructure Information
protection, if applicable.

5.4 General UAV Safety Procedures

The procedures described in this section apply to all DWR UAV activities. Depending on
the nature of the task, the UAV Coordinator may prescribe additional requirements as
needed. DWR crew members who fail to follow these safety procedures will be subject to
disciplinary action and may have their UAV privileges revoked. Safety rules do not exist as
a substitute for common sense, sound judgment, and a continuing concern and vigilance
for maximum safety.
The Management Analysis Office will be responsible for the coordination of the annual
review of DAM 3890 and this Manual.

5.4.1 Safety Precautions Applicable to All UAV Activities

It is the duty of every crew member involved in UAV activities to contribute to the goal of
continued safe operations. This contribution may come in many forms and includes always
operating in the safest manner practicable and never taking unnecessary risks. Any safety
hazard, whether procedural, operational, or maintenance related should be identified as
soon as possible to avoid incidents. It is the responsibility of every crew member to ensure
the following:
 UAV operations are limited to daylight hours (official sunrise to official sunset) only;
 All aircraft must use flight controllers that incorporate stabilization and autopilot
systems with GPS “Return to Launch” (RTL) capabilities;
 All Radio Control Transmitters must have programmable failsafe capability to: 1)
automatically maintain control of the aircraft and safely return it to the launch site
should the radio control signal be lost; 2) return the aircraft to the launch site using a
pre-programmed emergency failsafe switch;
 Small unmanned aircraft should not be operated over any persons not directly
involved in the UAV mission operations;
 Once UAV crew members arrive on-site for a mission they should be in an alert
status actively scanning the airspace and listening for aircraft and observing any
other activities in the area which could affect or be affected by the UAV flight
activities;
 Crew members should continuously monitor weather conditions, specifically wind
velocity and the potential of a dust or sandstorm developing;
 Select a level launch area with sufficient space (preferably away from bystanders) to
unpack and assemble the necessary equipment for the UAV mission. Try to select
an area where the UAV will not kick up a dust cloud on take-off. UAV operations
tend to attract local bystanders so be prepared to implement controls for safety;
 Have basic first-aid kit available on-site; and
 A cell phone shall be readily available onsite with the UAV Emergency Contact List
in the event of an emergency.

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5.4.2 Minimum Manning Requirements

Under no circumstances will DWR UAV Operators conduct UAV activities alone during
missions. At a minimum a Visual Observer must accompany the UAV Operator during all
UAV missions.
When approved, DWR UAV Operators may conduct self-training at a training facility to
maintain flight skills.

5.4.3 Limits and Termination of UAV Activities

UAV missions shall not be conducted under the following conditions:
 When weather conditions or visibility are deemed unsafe by the UAV Coordinator or
UAV Crew Leader;
 When manned aircraft are observed nearby;
 In any situation where local conditions have changed considerably prior to, or during
flight.
Should any of the UAV activity be terminated due to safety or changing conditions, the UAV
Operator will inform the UAV Coordinator of the decision.

6 Equipment, Inspections, and Maintenance

Although an airworthiness certification is not required, small UAV aircraft are exposed to
high frequency vibrations and should be well maintained to ensure it is always in a
condition for safe flight. The UAV Operator is responsible for choosing the appropriate
equipment. It is important to ensure the safety of the UAV crew by regular inspection and
maintenance of all UAV aircraft, radio transmitters, and accessories. Maintenance logs
should be maintained for each aircraft and at a minimum, the following UAV equipment
should be checked and replaced if necessary:
 Motors (replace every 20 hours of operation at a minimum or when damaged);
 Propellers (check for nicks and abrasions);
 Electronic Speed Controllers;
 Electrical connections, (plugs and solder connections);
 Antennae and GPS mounts;
 Battery straps; and
 Screws which secure the body of the UAV, it’s arms, motor mounts, landing gear,
camera gimbal, etc.

6.1 Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Battery Management

Batteries used for UAV operations are made from Lithium Polymer (LiPo) and are
especially sensitive and potentially dangerous if not maintained properly and stored
properly. As an example, if a LiPo battery is discharged to less than 20 percent of capacity
they can potentially catch fire or explode during the next charging. Special battery
chargers with cell balancing capabilities must be used and the batteries must be monitored
and stored safely. All batteries should be charged, maintained, and stored in accordance

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with the battery manufacturer’s recommendations. Charging of the batteries must be

monitored closely at all times. Never leave a charging battery unattended, it could
catch fire! LiPo batteries should also be drained to approximately 70 to 80 percent of
capacity if stored for more than a few days. Storing LiPo batteries charged to 100 percent
for long periods will cause the battery to begin to off gas and start bulging. Bulging
batteries must be properly discharged and disposed immediately. Logs should be kept for
each battery and voltages listed for each charge and discharge cycle.

6.2 UAV Crew Equipment Requirements

Separate from the UAV Aircraft and Radio Control Transmitter, each crew member must
have the necessary equipment, provided by DWR to use for the UAV Mission. This
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
 Spare parts, props, tool kit, spare batteries, field battery charger;
 Bright colored safety vests;
 Handheld anemometer to measure wind velocity;
 Cell phone;
 First aid kit; and
 Fire Extinguisher

7 Emergency Procedures
UAV accidents or incidents are defined as an injury or illness occurring during or as a
result from a UAV activity. An incident is further defined as any adverse consequence
that caused or could have caused injury to personnel and/or damage to equipment,
facilities, or the environment.
Accidents resulting from UAV activities can range from minor injuries and mishaps to life
threatening injuries, or even death. All accidents and incidents, regardless of the severity
or whether or not the employee is injured, must be reported to the UAV Coordinator. In
addition, accidents occurring in the jurisdiction of the SWP must be reported to the
respective Field Division Area Control Center as soon as possible.
All accidents requiring medical treatment or resulting in a serious injury or death must be
reported immediately. For detailed procedures refer to Enterprise Process Guides:
Employee Health Services 1: Occupational Injury, Illness or Death; and Employee Health
Services 3: Industrial Injury/Illness Investigation.

7.1 Incident Reports

If an incident or accident resulting from UAV activities occurs, complete and submit the
applicable incident report forms listed below. Refer to Enterprise Process Guides:
Employee Health Services 1: Occupational Injury, Illness or Death; and Employee Health
Services 3: Industrial Injury/Illness Investigation for detailed procedures and assistance
with completing the required forms.
 Letter to Attending Physician (DWR 4208)

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 No Medical Treatment (DWR 4239)

 Witness Information for an Occupational Injury/Illness (DWR 9756)
 Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Illness (SCIF e3067)
 Employee’s Claim for Worker’s Compensation Benefit (SCIF e3301)
Accidents from operation of a UAV that result in injury or property damage, must also be
reported to the FAA within 10 days of any incident. Reporting guidelines should be spelled
out in the FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization issued to DWR.
Crew members are to report all near misses involving UAV activities to their Supervisor
and Branch Chief.

7.2 Reporting and Investigation Responsibilities

A key element of any successful accident prevention program is the timely reporting and
investigation of all accidents and incidents. Determining the root cause of an incident and
implementing corrective actions will lead to a continual improvement in UAV safety. All
crew members involved in the UAV activity, UAV Operator, Visual Observer, UAV
Coordinator, Branch Chief, and any support personnel must freely discuss and document
the incident or near miss to determine what went wrong and develop ways to prevent
recurrence.

7.2.1 UAV Coordinator

The UAV Coordinator has the following responsibilities to investigate and report
incidents/accidents:
 Create an incident/accident report;
 Report an incident/accident to the FAA within 10 days of any operation that results in
injury or property damage;
 Immediately investigate each employee-reported incident/accident;
 Notify their respective Branch and Division Chief, and Health and Safety
Coordinator of any work-related incident/accidents or near miss; and
 Submit to their respective health and safety official, the timely documentation of
elements necessary for job-related injuries or illness requiring medical treatment or
first aid provided by a medical professional. Refer to Enterprise Process Guides:
Employee Health Services 1: Occupational Injury, Illness or Death; and Employee
Health Services 3: Industrial Injury/Illness Investigation for detailed procedures.

8 UAV Activities Conducted by Non-DWR Personnel

Any agency or contractor personnel on a DWR mission must agree to abide by the
procedures established in this Manual. Those meeting the standards of this Manual may
be allowed to conduct UAV missions with DWR after proper certification, documentation,
and a signed agreement has been approved by the Division Chief sponsoring the UAV
activities.

8.1 Contracting Out UAV Services

When DWR contracts out for services that include UAV/UAS technology, the following must

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be included in the terms and conditions. The contractor must provide all of the following:

8.1.1 UAV/UAS Submittal Package

The contractor shall provide appropriate UAV equipment for the job being contracted. This
includes the most suitable aerial vehicle and payload (camera/sensors) equipment for the
job, ground station equipment, and data post processing capabilities.

The contractor must be certified by the FAA for UAS operations as applicable to the work
being contracted. The contractor is responsible for obtaining the appropriate authorization
as may be required by the FAA for any missions under this contract. Proof of the
certification/exemption and authorization must be provided to DWR prior to any flights.

The contractor shall obtain general liability insurance specifically covering the UAV/UAS
operations, and shall name the Department of Water Resources and the State of California
as additional insureds for any UAV/UAS use. Contractor must also comply with all safety
procedures as set out in the FAA regulations and the Department’s UAV policy.
All contractors and representatives from federal, State or local agencies that conduct UAV
missions on behalf of DWR shall comply with OSHA requirements in all cases where OSHA
requirements are more stringent than those of Cal/OSHA.
All contractors and agencies shall complete and submit all necessary documents specified
by the Branch Chief for review and approval. Documents may include, but are not limited
to, the following:
 UAV Operations Manual Acknowledgement (DWR 9760);
 UAV Mission Plan and Hazard Analysis (DWR 9759);
 UAV Emergency Contact List (DWR 9762);
 Proof of Liability Insurance;
 FAA COA documentation; and
 Anticipated deliverables (photographs, videos, aerial maps/surveys, NDVI maps,
etc.) including any interpretative analysis.
The Branch Chief will review the documents and certificates for safety and the
contractor/agency shall promptly revise the submittal to correct any defects noted.

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9 Glossary of Terms
Autopilot Systems – Incorporates programmable flight stabilization with an altitude sensor
and a GPS receiver for accurate positioning and to navigate/control a radio controlled
model aircraft’s flight path. Advanced systems offer software for entering navigable
waypoints (autonomous systems). The flight data waypoints may be saved to the
autopilot’s memory for programmed flight.

Critical Infrastructure Information - Information that is not customarily in the public

domain and is related to the security of critical infrastructure or protected systems,
consisting of records and information concerning any of the following: Actual, potential, or
threatened interference with, attack on, compromise of, or incapacitation of critical
infrastructure or protected systems by either physical or computer-based attack or other
similar conduct (including the misuse of or unauthorized access to all types of
communications and data transmission systems) that violates federal, State, or local law,
harms interstate commerce of the United States, or threatens public health or safety. The
ability of any critical infrastructure or protected system to resist such interference,
compromise, or incapacitation, including any planned or past assessment, projection, or
estimate of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure or a protected system, including
security testing, risk evaluation thereto, risk management planning, or risk audit. Any
planned or past operational problem or solution regarding critical infrastructure or protected
systems, including repair, recovery, reconstruction, insurance, or continuity, to the extent it
is related to such interference, compromise, or incapacitation.

Location and function of critical infrastructure such as:

 Major generation facilities and associated switchyards
 Extra high voltage stations
 Locations and responsibilities of control and operating entities
 Details of critical computer systems (e.g. operational systems such as EMS,
SCADA, digital control systems, network configuration and firewall schemes).

Failsafe Systems – Systems designed to minimize or prevent damage and safely

terminate a flight when radio controlled model aircraft loses radio signal. Modern radio
systems can be programmed to position servos to a desired control setting in the event of
radio signal failure.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Unit – A handheld device which determines location
based on satellite information.

Near Miss – An incident in which personal injury or damage to equipment nearly occurred,
but was averted.

OP-2 – Refers to the safety procedures prescribed in Project O&M Instruction Number
OP-2, general operating procedures for safe clearances, hot line orders, special conditions,
and general switching.

Operations Control Office (OCO) – The Operations Control Office in the Division of
Operations and Maintenance directs the overall water and power operations of the SWP.
The OCO is responsible for daily water and power operations of the SWP and coordinates
its operations with other Department Divisions and Offices, as well as State, federal, and
State Water Contractor agencies.

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Project Operations Center (POC) – The Project Operations Center is a component of the
Operations Control Office capable of remotely operating all SWP facilities and acts as the
clearinghouse for assuring safety in switching and clearances for SWP facilities, as well as
serving as the coordination point for responses to SWP emergencies.

Stabilization Systems– Systems designed to maintain intended model aircraft flight

attitudes. The pilot can install, program, and/or activate a system to stabilize yaw, pitch, or
roll or any one attitude or combination of attitudes. Systems are often based on
rate/heading hold gyros or inertial motion sensors utilizing multi-axis gyros and
accelerometers for attitude stabilization.

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) – The distance that which the pilot is able to maintain visual
contact with the aircraft and determine its orientation and attitude without enhancements
other than corrective lenses.

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Appendices

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APPENDIX I

PROCESS TO PREPARE FOR AND CONDUCT UAV MISSION

ACTIVITIES (OVERVIEW)

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