What is an Operations Manual and when do I need one?

The Operations Manual (OM) describes how your company operates drones: who has which role, how an operation is prepared and conducted, what happens in emergencies, and how you keep equipment and qualifications up to date.

When you need one

Not in the open category. As soon as you operate in the specific category – that is, with an operational authorisation, under a standard scenario or under a LUC – it is mandatory.

The difference in the procedure is important: Under the regular authorisation procedure, you submit the manual and the authority reviews it. Under the accelerated FastFlight procedure, this prior review is omitted – but you must still have the manual, keep it up to date and be able to provide it at any time. Less review means more personal responsibility here, not less work.

What it should contain

• Organisation and responsibilities – who is the operator, who appoints remote pilots, and who decides whether to abort.
• Description of the operation – which operations are conducted, using which equipment and in what environment.
• Normal procedures – planning, pre-flight checks, execution and follow-up.
• Emergency procedures – how to respond to failures, loss of control and accidents, including reporting channels.
• Qualifications and training – which evidence the remote pilots hold and how it is kept up to date.
• Maintenance – intervals, inspections and documentation.
• Change management – who maintains the manual and how versions remain traceable.

The most common mistake

A manual that looks good but does not describe how work is actually carried out. It is not paperwork for the authority, but the working basis for your team – and in the event of an incident, it is the first document people will ask for. If you adopt it from a template without adding your own procedures, it will be of no use in an emergency.

We prepare Operations Manuals together with you – based on your actual procedures, not on a template.

Not sure what applies to your project? We can clarify this with you – Book an appointment.