Hi All. Next week I'm contracted to film some aerials within class B airspace. I requested authorization through Dronezone the other week and just got approved for my mission within the flight area I submitted. Can anybody who has experience flying within Class B give me some advice about my next step? other then the safety precautions I’m putting in place. Is it good practice to call the nearest airport’s ATC to inform them. This will be my first time flying under these conditions and want to conduction this the correct way. Any good advice would be appreciated.
Adz
Adzphoto, I notice that - in your original post - you say you got your authorization through the DroneZone. So, would it be safe to assume that you received a COA or COW rather than a LAANC authorization? If so, your prep and flight will be slightly different.
As previously stated by others in the group, with a LAANC authorization you "kick the tires, light the fire, and give it the go juice." With a COA you will have to abide by any communications instructions (or VO requirement, etc.) contained in the COA and/or your original application. (Of course, if it doesn't instruct you to contact a specific entity, then it's pretty much the same thing as the LAANC authorization.) And, if instructed, don't forget the "mission completed" call when you finish your flight ops.
Oh, don't forget to take a copy of your authorization with you. Oversight and surveillance "ramp checks" by FSDO inspectors is still a rarity for sUAS operators but likely increase in frequency going forward - particularly in controlled airspaces that have experienced "issues." (Not as scary as it may sound. I look at it as just another sign of sUAS integration into the NAS.)
Hope that's helpful.
Be safe, keep it legal, and have fun.