Skip to content
Documentation
Archive
Product Manuals (Drafing Area)
RPIC Station AE Manual
3. Normal Procedures
Before Takeoff

Before Takeoff

Andi Lamprecht Andi Lamprecht ·· 6 min read· Draft
  1. Safety Switch Check: Prior to approaching the aircraft to interact with the installed payload, confirm that the safety switch is enabled. This is done by confirming a persistent audible beep is heard coming from the aircraft. Additionally, the parachute light indicators blink in an alternating fashion between the colors blue and cyan until the safety switch is disabled.
WARNING: Approaching an aircraft where the safety switch is disabled can result in injury to persons if the motor start command is issued while personnel are within the safety area due to contact with propeller blades.
NOTE: The parachute light indicators will be blinking blue and cyan until the safety switch is disabled.

  1. Walkaround: Complete a final visual walkaround inspection ensuring that the parachute tether is in place and no cables are located within the propeller path.

  2. Winch LED Status: If applicable, confirm flashing green LED light located physically on the right side of the winch housing.

CAUTION: Do not proceed if any if the light is not flashing green. Maintenance is required per the PRISM V2.3 UMM.
  1. Dynamic External Load Loading: If applicable, load dynamic external load (package) onto the winch, if performing a package delivery or in-flight simulated delivery. See below for the detailed loading procedure for the Sebastian winch. Delivery boxes may be reused up to 10 times for delivery flights. Usage counts can be recorded by marking the side of the delivery box. Once used for a delivery, the delivery box may not be used for package delivery to a customer.

Follow normal safety precautions as outlined below when using the winch.

WARNING: HAND ENTANGLEMENT AND PINCH HAZARD: TO PREVENT INJURY, USE CAUTION AROUND ROTATING PARTS OR OBJECTS ON THE WINCH. FAILURE TO DISTANCE BODY PARTS FROM ACTIVELY ROTATING PARTS OR OBJECTS ON THE WINCH MAY RESULT IN INJURY. - KEEP ALL BODY PARTS CLEAR OF THE MACHINE WHEN IT IS UNDER POWER. - ONLY PERSONNEL WHO ARE TRAINED TO MAINTAIN THE TOOL ARE PERMITTED TO BE NEAR THE MOVING PARTS. - DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE WITH THE MOTION OF THE MACHINE. - DO NOT PUT OR LEAVE ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS NEAR AREAS THAT CONTAIN MOVING PARTS.

The RPIC should exercise extreme caution when they, or other crew members, are within the designated safety area. External loads are only permitted to be attached to the winch system on the winch grasper.

WARNING: Only attach the external load to the winch grasper. Movement of and interaction with the aircraft must comply with this procedure. Failure to comply may result in external load detachment in-flight, causing damage to persons and/or property due to forcible contact with the detached external load.
WARNING: BEFORE LOADING THE PACKAGE ONTO THE AIRCRAFT, CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE DELIVERY BOX IS MAINTAINED. DO NOT SET THE BOX DOWN ON THE GROUND IF THE SURFACE IS WET AND DO NOT SWING OR JERK THE PACKAGE DURING HANDLING. FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL RELEASE OF THE BOX DURING FLIGHT CAUSING DAMAGE TO PERSONS AND/OR PROPERTY DUE TO FORCIBLE CONTACT WITH THE DETACHED EXTERNAL LOAD.

Inspect the winch line for entanglement, an uneven spool, and visible wear prior to loading the package onto the aircraft.

WARNING: Failure to inspect the winch line prior to package loading may result in damage to the winch/line, a winch failure, accidental release of external load during flight, and loss of the package, causing damage to persons and/or property due to forcible contact with the detached external load.

Pulley Line Alignment

To load a package on the Sebastian winch, ensure the grasper is aligned with the central cutout of the package and the locking arms are aligned with the aft and bow cutouts. Once aligned, lift the package into the winch and listen for audible clicks of package acceptance. Once properly attached, the flight lock arms will rotate down and through the aft and bow cutouts of the package. After the package is attached ensure the winch line is correctly aligned on the pulley, see Figure 3-12.

Loading Package

NOTE: Load from rear to allow view of both Grasper Torque paint and Level Wind Pulley, POIs
NOTE: While the winch is in a locking sequence, the line will have slack. While holding the package, watch the line to verify alignment with the Level Wind Pulley is maintained.

  1. Winch and External Load Hardware Status: If applicable, confirm that the delivery box, winch grasper, and (to the extent visible) winch line are aligned parallel to one another.

  2. Safety Switch Disabled: Press either safety switch button located within the housing of either GPS module housing. A single audible beep will be made, followed by stoppage of the persistent single audible beep that was being announced while the safety switch was enabled. At this point, the aircraft is ready for arming.

NOTE: Once the safety switch is off, the Anti-Collision light will automatically turn on and will have a persistent blinking white flash.

  1. Parachute Status: From outside the safety area, confirm that the parachute canister indicator located on the canister is blinking green.

  2. AMC Status: Inspect on the AMC GCS Fly View screen that the aircraft status is Ready to Fly, which will have a green background indication. This confirms that the AMC software has checked its C2 link with the aircraft, as well as telemetry data received, and verified that the aircraft is prepared for takeoff.

  3. Uncrew Mission Manager: Inspect that the aircraft status indicator is green. Confirm the mission route and altitude is correct. Confirm AGL altitude is 0 feet +/- 8 feet. Confirm winch status is “Locked”. Assign mission to RPIC.

WARNING: If altitude is outside tolerance, perform a Soft Reboot and Aircraft Restart. If the problem continues, maintenance is required. Failure to comply may cause altitude measurement inaccuracies, increasing the risk of collision, loss of aircraft, property damage, or personal injury.
CAUTION: Once the mission has been assigned, the RPIC has 60 seconds to start the mission. If the mission is not started within 60 seconds, it becomes nonconformant and is automatically unassigned from the RPIC.
CAUTION: Do not proceed if the aircraft status indicator is not green. This condition indicates an unhealthy C2 link between Uncrew and the aircraft. Failure to comply may result in C2 Loss conditions preventing takeoff or C2 Loss in flight.

  1. HubOps MCA: If applicable, select “DELIVERY POINT SET”.

  2. Flight Alerter: Select the current flight plan and confirm the correct flight path.

  3. Uncrew Mission Console: Confirm the mission has been correctly populated.

  4. Safety Area All Clear: Visually inspect the safety area to ensure that the area is secure with no obstructions and no persons present within the area. Once this visual inspection is complete, announce “Safety Area All Clear” to indicate that the area will be in active flight operation usage for a takeoff.

Last updated on
Safety Area SetupMotor Start