BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE MANUAL 11-502
29 JULY 2019
AIR MOBILITY COMMAND
Supplement
26 MARCH 2020
Flying Operations
SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEMS
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing web site at
www.e-Publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AFSOC/A3O
Supersedes: AFI11-502V1,
19 August 2015;
AFI11-502V2,
19 August 2015;
AFI11-502V3, 21 August 2015
Certified by: AF/A3T
(Maj Gen Scott F. Smith)
Pages: 85
(AMC)
OPR: HQ AMC/A3A
Certified by: HQ AMC/A3A
(Colonel Malcolm T. Johnson)
Pages: 10
This manual implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 10-9, Lead Command Designation
and Responsibilities for Weapon Systems and AFPD 11-5, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(SUAS) Rules, Procedures, and Service. (Note: AFPD 11-4, Aviation Service does not apply to
non-rated SUAS operators.) It establishes the USAF Small Unmanned Aircraft System Operator
(SUAS-O) training program for Air Force military and civilian personnel, personnel from other
services and foreign personnel assigned or attached to USAF units, and for contracted SUAS-Os
as stipulated in contracts. This publication may be supplemented at any level, but all Supplements
must be rooted to the Office of Primary Responsibility of this publication for coordination prior to
certification and approval. Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the
Office of Primary Responsibility using the AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of
