# AusSORA Chief Remote Pilot & Remote PIC Operational Checklist

**Document Reference:** `out/12-checklist.md`  
**Author / Owner:** `lead`  
**Application:** Aero UTM Pty Ltd — Weipa to Aurukun Coastal Corridor BVLOS  
**RPA System:** Ottano VTOL (`VH-XOT-01`)  
**Operator Certificate:** `CASA.ReOC.0892`  
**Regulatory Standard:** CASA AC 101-06, SORA 2.5 & CASR Part 101 MOS  

> **Operational Directive:** This checklist is mathematically and procedurally harmonised with the AusSORA Safety Case (`out/01` through `out/08`). No operational flight may proceed unless every mandatory item is physically verified and endorsed by the Remote PIC and Chief Remote Pilot.

---

## 1. Operational Parameters & Flight Authorisation

- **Operating Operator:** Aero UTM Pty Ltd (`CASA.ReOC.0892`)
- **Approved Airframe:** Ottano VTOL ($3.6\text{ m}$ wingspan, $24.5\text{ kg}$ MTOW)
- **Approved Corridor:** Cape York Coastal Corridor (Weipa Takeoff to Aurukun Boundary, $85\text{ km}$)
- **Maximum Operating Altitude:** $120\text{ m}$ ($394\text{ ft}$) AGL
- **Airspace Classification:** Class G (Uncontrolled), corridor buffered $> 3\text{ NM}$ from Weipa CTR
- **Operating Target Risk Tier:** **SAIL II** (Residual GRC 2, Residual ARC-a)

---

## 2. Phase 1: Pre-Deployment & Airspace Authorisation (CRP Verification)

*To be completed by or under the direct supervision of the Chief Remote Pilot prior to field deployment.*

- [ ] **1.1 Regulatory Endorsement:** CASA Form 101-09 Operational Variation and Area Approval current and held on file.
- [ ] **1.2 Crew Qualifications:** Remote PIC and crew hold current RePL (fixed-wing/multi-rotor), Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate (AROC), and Carbonix Ottano OEM Type Endorsement.
- [ ] **1.3 NAIPS Briefing & NOTAM:** NAIPS area briefing obtained; RPAS BVLOS flight NOTAM submitted and verified active $\ge 24\text{ hours}$ prior to flight.
- [ ] **1.4 Weather Minima:** Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) and METAR confirmed VMC:
  - Ground visibility $\ge 5000\text{ m}$.
  - Cloud ceiling $\ge 1500\text{ ft}$ AGL.
  - Wind speed $\le 25\text{ kt}$ sustained, gusts $\le 30\text{ kt}$.
  - No convective storm cells or active lightning within $30\text{ NM}$.
- [ ] **1.5 Stakeholder Notices:** Courtesy operational notifications delivered to Aurukun Shire Council and Napranum Council.
- [ ] **1.6 Emergency Services:** Local police and hospital contact numbers confirmed active in accordance with `out/08-erp.md`.

**CRP Pre-Deployment Approval Signature:** ____________________________ **Date:** ______________

---

## 3. Phase 2: Ground Readiness & Aircraft Pre-Flight (Remote PIC Verification)

*To be executed on-site prior to motor arming.*

### 3.1 Airframe & Mechanical Inspection
- [ ] **2.1 Structure:** Fuselage, wings, VTOL booms, and control horns inspected; zero composite cracks or delamination.
- [ ] **2.2 Pitot-Static System:** Pitot tube cover removed; dynamic and static ports clear; airspeed zero calibrated.
- [ ] **2.3 Propellers & Motors:** Pusher propeller and four VTOL rotors torqued, balanced, and free from leading edge nicks.

### 3.2 Safety & Containment Systems (`out/03` Compliance)
- [ ] **2.4 Parachute Recovery System (M2):**
  - Parachute safety lock-pin removed and stowed.
  - Pyrotechnic line-cutter status LED: **GREEN** (armed).
  - Independent parachute backup battery voltage: $\ge 8.2\text{ V}$ ($2\text{S LiPo}$).
- [ ] **2.5 Flight Termination System (FTS - Step 8 Containment):**
  - FTS independent backup battery voltage: $\ge 12.4\text{ V}$ ($3\text{S LiPo}$).
  - GCS physical guarded FTS toggle operational; bench continuity test verified.
  - Opto-isolated motor cutoff relays verified active.
- [ ] **2.6 Geofence & Geocage Upload:**
  - Flight path polygon loaded and cross-checked against `out/03-containment-inputs.md`.
  - Hard boundary geofence altitude ceiling locked at $120\text{ m}$ AGL.
  - Safe emergency forced landing waypoints (M1 designated sites) active in autopilot memory.

### 3.3 Avionics, C2 Telemetry & Airspace Situational Awareness (`out/04` Compliance)
- [ ] **2.7 Microhard 2.4 GHz C2 Link:** Primary RF link RSSI verified $> -75\text{ dBm}$; packet loss $< 0.5\%$.
- [ ] **2.8 Starlink / 4G Cellular Backhaul:** Secondary backup telemetry connection active; ping latency $< 150\text{ ms}$.
- [ ] **2.9 Autopilot Failsafe Parameters:**
  - C2 link loss timeout configured: $30\text{ s}$ hover/loiter $\to$ Return to Home (RTH) along planned corridor.
  - Low battery threshold: RTL at $25\%$, auto-land at $15\%$.
- [ ] **2.10 PingRX ADS-B In System:**
  - ADS-B In receiver powered on; active target track stream confirmed on GCS moving map.
  - Audible and visual alert thresholds verified: Horizontal $< 2000\text{ m}$, Vertical $< 500\text{ ft}$.
- [ ] **2.11 VHF Airband Radio:**
  - VHF transceiver operational and tuned to Aurukun CTAF ($126.7\text{ MHz}$) and Weipa CTAF ($120.0\text{ MHz}$).
  - Continuous listening watch confirmed by Remote PIC.

---

## 4. Phase 3: Flight Execution & In-Flight Monitoring (Remote PIC)

*To be strictly monitored throughout autonomous transit.*

- [ ] **3.1 VTOL Launch & Transition:** Smooth vertical takeoff from Weipa coastal launch pad; transition to pusher forward flight confirmed at $60\text{ m}$ AGL.
- [ ] **3.2 Airspeed & Power Monitoring:** Cruise speed stabilised at $30\text{ m/s}$ ($58\text{ kt}$); propulsion bus current within nominal envelope ($< 28\text{ A}$).
- [ ] **3.3 Navigation & Corridor Tracking:** Cross-track error (XTE) strictly within $\pm 15\text{ m}$ of planned centreline.
- [ ] **3.4 Periodic Systems Scan (Every 5 Minutes):**
  - Main battery state of charge (SoC) vs planned consumption profile.
  - FTS and parachute sub-system heartbeat telemetry.
  - C2 primary and secondary link RSSI and packet loss.
  - ADS-B In traffic display scan for non-notified VFR manned aircraft.
- [ ] **3.5 CTAF Deconfliction:** If traffic detected within $5\text{ NM}$ along corridor, Remote PIC makes standard position broadcast and executes descent/loiter to maintain $> 500\text{ ft}$ vertical separation.

---

## 5. Phase 4: Arrival, Recovery & Post-Flight Log

*To be completed immediately following touchdown.*

- [ ] **4.1 Safe Arrival & Disarm:** Forward-to-VTOL transition completed; touchdown on recovery pad; pusher and VTOL motors disarmed.
- [ ] **4.2 Safety Systems Safe:**
  - Parachute physical lock-pin inserted immediately.
  - FTS system disarmed and master power switch isolated.
- [ ] **4.3 Post-Flight Airframe Inspection:** Propellers, airframe, linkages, and motor temperatures checked for thermal or structural anomalies.
- [ ] **4.4 Telemetry Archive (CASR 101 MOS s10.1):** High-rate binary flight logs, GCS telemetry logs, and ADS-B In logs extracted and uploaded to secure corporate archive (mandatory 7-year retention).
- [ ] **4.5 RPAS Technical Log Entry:** Flight time, battery serials, landing cycles, and unserviceability status entered in RPAS Technical Log.
- [ ] **4.6 NOTAM & Airspace Closure:** NAIPS NOTAM closure confirmed if operation concluded ahead of schedule.

---

## 6. Operational Sign-Off & Flight Certification

I certify that the above flight operations were planned, dispatched, and conducted in rigorous compliance with the AusSORA Safety Case, the BVLOS Operations Manual Supplement, and CASA ReOC conditions. All checklist items were physically verified and no safety limits were exceeded.

**Remote Pilot in Command (PIC):** _____________________________  
**RePL Number:** _______________________________________________  
**Flight Date:** __________________ **Corridor Run ID:** ________  
**Signature:** _________________________________________________  

**Endorsement by Chief Remote Pilot:**  
**CRP Name:** Michael Coyne (Aero UTM Pty Ltd)  
**ReOC Certificate:** `CASA.ReOC.0892`  
**CRP Signature:** _____________________________________________