- Make safety a top priority
- Seek excellence in airmanship (knowledge, skill, ability, and attitude that promote safe and efficient operations)
- Adopt sound principles of aeronautical decision-making (ADM) (the process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to the circumstances), and develop and exercise good judgment
- Use sound principles of risk management
- Maintain situational awareness (the accurate perception and understanding of your operation and environment), and adhere to prudent operating practices
- Aspire to professionalism
- Act with responsibility, integrity, and courtesy
- Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and industry guidance
- Recognize, plan for, and accept the costs of implementing effective safety practices.
- Organizations of any size and scope should apply the principles of a safety management system (SMS): Understand the risks in your operations, take steps to control them, and monitor operations to assure that these controls are working.32
- Improve safety margins and reduce unnecessary risk by planning and flying conservatively.
- Recognize that use of a visual observer enhances safety, even when not required.33
- Do not carry hazardous payloads unless authorized.34
- Do not assume that the altitudes prescribed in UAS Facility Maps are necessarily accurate or appropriate for flight.35
- Create an emergency response plan, and implement it in the event of an incident or accident.36
