1. What is Flight Release

Flight Release is the process whereby a designated “Approval Authority” evaluates an sUAS team’s operational plan, gives the final Go-No Go, then signs a document affirming the sortie is approved.

Release is required for all sorties.
A sortie release counts for all flights within the sortie.
If, during the course of a sortie, situations change and risk level increases substantially, an amended flight release is needed and should be requested from the Approval Authority.

2. Who Can Release Flights

The decision for who can provide release is currently measured against the CAPR 70-4R sUAS Operational Risk Management Matrix, which has three levels of approval:

RISK LEVEL	APPROVAL AUTHORITY REQUIRED
LOW RISK (14‐27)	BRIEFING OFFICER APPROVAL

This may be a member of IMT Staff briefing you on the mission.
The Remote Pilot in Command may also authorize their own Low Risk Sorties (confirmed by NHQ). | | MODERATE RISK (28‐37) | GBD/AOBD/OSC APPROVAL | | HIGH RISK (38‐49) | WING/CC, DO, DOU or IC APPROVAL |

<aside> 💡 Releases can be done in-person or through the telephone, but cannot be done solely through text or email.

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<aside> 💡 Telephone releases may require digital signature of documents. Teams can streamline that process by familiarize themselves with methods for e-Signature.

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