S hutter Instinct 720 N Garfield Ave, Unit 6

P asadena, CA 91104

January 19 , 2016

U. S. Department of Transportation Docket Management System 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington , DC 20590

RE: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) ; 14 CFR Part 21 ; 14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b); 91.7 (a) ; 91.9 (b) (2) ; 91.103 (b); 91.109 ; 91.119 ; 91.121; 91.151(a) ; 91.203 (a) & (b) ; 91.405 (a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2) ; 91.417 (a) & (b).

Dear Sir or Madam:

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the

Reform Act) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, SHUTTER INSTINCT (“the applicant”) , developer

and operator of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“sUASs”) equipped to conduct photography and videography for events and special engagements , hereby applies for an exemption from the lis ted Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of its sUASs, so long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333.

As described mor e fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of small, unmanned

, and relatively inexpensive sUAS under controlled conditions in airspace that is 1) limited

, 2) predetermined

, 3) controlled as to access

, and 4) would provide safety enhancements to the already safe operations in photography and

vid eography for events and special engagements presently using conventional aircraft. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation’s (the FAA Administrator’s) responsibilities to “...establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.” Section 333(c) of the Reform Act.

The name and address of the applicant is:

SHUTTER INSTINCT

Attn: J ason Hermosa

Ph: 5 03.964.9683

Email: j ason@shutterinstinct.com

Address: 720 N Garfield Ave, Unit 6, Pasadena, CA 91104

Regulations from which the exemption is requested:2 14 CFR Part 21 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) 14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) 14 C.F.R. 91.7 (a) 14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2)

14 C.F.R. 91.103

14 C.F.R. 91.109

14 C.F. R. 91.119

14 C.F.R. 91.121 14 CFR 91.151 (a) 14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b) 14 CFR 91.405 (a) 14 CFR 407 (a) (1) 14 CFR 409 (a) (2)

14 CFR 417 (a) & (b)

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress’ goal in passing Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely

in the national airspace system (NAS) before completion of the rulemaking required under

Section 332 of the Reform Act. In making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of UASs do not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in light of the following:

• The UAS’s size, weight, speed, and operational capability;

• Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and

• Operation of the UAS within v isual line of sight of the operator.

Reform Act § 333 (a). Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles “may operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements

for the safe operation of such aircraft in th e national airspace system.” Id. §333(c) (emphasis added ). 1

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. This statutory authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under §40101 of the Act, which includes sUASs, from the requirement that all civil aircraft

must have a current airworthiness certificate.

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) o f this section or any sections 44702

- 44716 of this

title if the Administrator finds the exemption in the public interest. 49 U.S.C. §44701(f)

See also 49 USC §44711(a); 49 USC §44704; 14 CFR §91.203 (a) (1).

1 Applicant interprets this provision to place the duty on the Administrator to not only process applications for exemptions under section 333, but for the Administrator to craft conditions for the safe operation of the

UAS , if it should be determined that the conditions set forth herein do not fulfill the statutory requirements

f or approval.3 The applicant’s sUAS (Appendix 1) are rotorcraft , weigh ing 55 or fewer lbs. including payload. They operate under normal conditio ns at a speed of no more than 25 to 35 knots

and have the capability to hover and move in the vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously . They will operate only in line of sight and will operate only within the

sterile area described in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Op erations Manual, attached as Appendix 2 (hereinaf ter “the Manual”)

. Such operations insure that the sUAS does “not

create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public. ” 2

Given the small size of the sUASs involved and the restricted sterile environment

within which they will operate, the applicant falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption,

allow commercial operations of UASs to commence immediately. Also due to the size of

the UASs and the restricted areas in whic h the relevant sUASs will operate, approval of the application presents no national security issue. Given the clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit, including enhanced safety, reduction in environmental impacts, including

reduced emissions associated with allowing UASs for photography and videography for events and special engagements , the gra nt ing of the requested exemptions is in the public interest. Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without delay.

Background Information

The applicant is in the business of photograph y and videography for events and special

engagements

. The applicant’s c lients look to the applicant for safe o perations of sUAS. The applicant has developed specific safe UAV operational p rocedures. Increasingly, the applicant has clients looking for sUAS services for photography and videography for events and special engagements

.

Operations performed by the applicant include :

Photography and videography for events and special engagements

. Landscape photography and videography.

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

The applicant proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the characteristics and that operate with in the limitations listed herein. These

limitations provide for at least an equivalent or even higher level of safety to operations

under the current regulatory structure because the propos ed operations represent a safety

enhancement to the already safe photography and videography for events and special

engagements conducted with conventional aircraft.

2 Reform Act Section 333 (b).4 These limitations and conditions to which the applicant agrees to be bound when conducting commercial operati ons under an FAA issued exemption include:

1. The sUAS will weigh less than 55 lbs.

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of a pilot and/or observer.

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 30 minutes. Flights

will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 30

minute limit.

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL or, not more

than 200 feet above an elevated platform from which flight is planned.

5. Minimum crew for each ope ration will consist of the sUAS Pilot and the Visual

Observer

. 6. The sUAS pilot

- in

- command (PIC) will hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or spo rt pilot certificate. The PIC will also hold

a current FAA airman medical certifi cate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by

a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the

Federal government

7. If a pilot certificate holder other than the sUAS Pilot, who possess the necessary PIC qualifications, is also present on site , that person can also be designated as PIC.

8. The s UAS will only operate within defined boundaries as outlined in Section 8.4

of the Manual.

9. A briefing will be conducted in reg ard to the planned sUAS operations prior to each

mission. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties within the boundaries of the safety perimeter be present for this briefing.

10. The operator will file a FAA Form 7711

- 1, or its equ ivalent, as modified in light of

the requested exemption, with the appropriate Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)

. 11. The operator will obtain the consent of all persons involved in the mission and

ensure that only consenting persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight operation, and this radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety determination, as required by Section 8.4 of the Manual. With the

advanced permission of the relevant FSDO, operations at closer ran ge can be approved.

12. The operator will submit a written Plan of Activities to the FSDO three days before the proposed mission as required in Section 8.1 of the Manual. Items will include:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS mission conducted under this petition of exemption;

c. Make, model, and serial or N

- number of UAS to be used;

d. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the mission ;

e. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners and/or local officials to condu ct the mission ; f. The list of those who gave permission made available to the inspector upon request;

g. Signature of exemption

- holder or representative; and5 h. A description of the flight act ivity, including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, county, and/or state over which the mission will be conducted and the altitudes essential to accomplish the operation.

13. Pilot and observer will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and

re ceived up

- to

- date information on the particular UAS to be operated as required

in Sections 7.4 and 7.5 of the Manual.

14. Observer and pilot will at all times be able to communicate by voice

. 15. Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holders will be obtained.

16. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county

or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate governmental agencies.

17. If the sUA S loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have the capability to return to a pre

- determined location within the Security Perimeter and

land.

18. The sUAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles

or emergenc ies.

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificates 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) (1)

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1). Given the size and limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act. The Fe deral Aviation Act (49 U.S.C.§44701 (f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, upon consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability, and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular UAS. In all cases, an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe, or safer, than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and conditions proposed.

The sUAS to be operated hereunder is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither

a p ilot nor passenger, carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a secured area as set out in the Manual. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by both the

operator and observer , pursuant to the Manual’s policies , and under and in compliance with local public safety requirements, to provide security for the area of operation as is now

done with conventional photography and vi deography for events and special engagements

. The FAA will have advance notice of all operations. These safety enhancements, which already apply to civil aircraft operated in connection with photography and videography for events and special engagements , provide a greater degree of safety to the public and

property own ers than conventional operations conducted with airworthiness certificates

issued under 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H. Lastly, application of these same criteria

demonstrates that there is no credible threat to national security posed by the UAS, due to6 its size, speed of operation, location of operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and inability to carry a substantial external load.

14 C.F.R. § 45.23 (b). Marking of the Aircraft

The regulation requires:

When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number is displayed on limited, restricted or light

- sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally certificated aircraft, the operator must also display on that aircraft near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words "limited," "restricted," "light

- sport," "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable.

Even though the UAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be

needed as the UAS will have no entrance to a cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the

word “Experimental” can be placed. Given the size of the sUAV, two

- inch lettering will be impossible. The word “Experimental” will be placed on t he fuselage in compliance with §45.29 (f).

The equivalent level of safety will be provided by having the sUAV marked on its fuselage as required by §45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the

sUAV will see the identification of the U AS as “Experimental.” The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167 and

10167A.

14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) & (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in

Command.

Sections 61.113 (a) & (b) lim it private pilots to non

- commercial operations.

Because the UAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operat ions can achieve the equivalent level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the

aircraft to have a pilot’s cer tificate operate this small UAS. Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the sUAS is remotely controlled with no living thing on board. The area of operation is controlled and restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance as set forth in the Manual. The level of safety provided by the requirements included in the Manual exceeds that provided by a single individual holding

a commercial pilot’s certificate operating a conventional aircraft. The risks as sociated with

the operation of the sUAS are so diminished from the level of risk associated with

commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 when drafted, that allowing operations of

the sUAS as requested by a pilot’s certificate as the PIC exceeds the p resent level of safety achieved by 14 C.F.R. §61.113 (a) & (b).

14 C.F.R. §91.7(a): Civil aircraft airworthiness.7 The regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy condition. As there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft, should this exemption be granted, no FAA regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness. Given the size of the aircraft and the requirements contained in the Manual for maintenance and use of safety checklists prior to each fligh t, as set forth in Sections 9.1

and 9.6 , an equivalent level of safety will be provided.

14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b) (2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft.

Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides:

No person may operate a U.S.

- registered civil aircraft ... (2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved airplane

or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.

The sUAS, given its size and configuration has no ability or place to carry such a flight manual on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on board, but because there

is no room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft.

The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at

the ground control point where the pilot flying the sUAS will have immediate access to it.

The F AA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 8607,
8737, 8738, 9299, 9299A, 9565, 9565B, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 32827, and 10700.

14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight action

This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to insure the safety of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft

, an exemption will be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be provided as set forth in Sections 8 and 9 of the Manual. The PIC will take all actions including reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances

, and aircraft performance data before initiation of flight.

14 C.F .R. § 91.109: Flight instruction

Section 91.103 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a

manned free balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls.

sUASs and remotely piloted a ircraft, by their design do not have fully functional

dual controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box that

communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without f ully functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. See Exemption Nos. 5778K & 9862A.8 The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that neither a pilot nor passengers will

be carried in the air craft and by the size and speed of the aircraft.

14 C.F.R. §91.119: Minimum safe altitudes

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119(d) allows helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the person operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the FAA. As this exemption is for a sUAS that is a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes up to 400 AGL, or not more than 200 above an elevated platform from which operation is planned, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. As set forth herein, except for the limited conditions stated in the Manual, the UAS will never operate at higher th an 400 AGL. It will

, however

, be operated

in a restricted area with a security perimeter, where buildings and people will not be exposed to operations without their pre

- obtained consent.

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weig ht, and speed of

the UAS as well as the location where it is operated. No flight will be taken without the permission of the property owner or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and participants in the mission , all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight operations as set forth in Section 6 .2

, 8 .1, and 8.2 of the Manual. Compared to flight operations wi th aircraft or rotorcraft weigh ing far more than the maximum 55lbs. proposed herein and the l ack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with these operations is far less than those presently presented with conventional aircraft operating at or below

500 AGL in the photography and videography for events and special engagements . In addition, the low

- altitude operations of the sUAS will ensure separation between these

small UAS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with

Section 91.119.

14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimeter Settings

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by reference to an altimeter that is set “...to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure.” As the sUAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude rea d out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operat or, pursuant to the Manual and safety check list, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude

indicator before flight.

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

Section 91.151 (a) prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane

under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing, and, assuming normal cruising speed

– (1) During the day, to fly after that f or at least 30 minutes; or (2) a t night, to fly

after that for at least 45 minutes.”9 The battery powering t he sUAS provides approximately 3 0 minu tes of powered flight. To meet the 30

- minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, sUAS flights would

be limited to approximately 2 0 minutes in length. Given the limitations on the UAS’s proposed flight area and the location of its proposed operations within a predetermined area, a longer time frame for flight in daylight or night VFR conditions is reasonable.

Applicant believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151(a) falls within the scope of prior exemptions. See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed M artin Corporation

to operate without compliance with FAR 91.151 (a)). Operating the small UAS, in a tightly

controlled area where only people and property owners or official representatives who have signed waivers will be allowed, with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel, does not engender the type of risks that Section 91.151(a) was intended to alleviate given the size and speed

of the small UAS. Additiona lly, limiting sUAS flights to 20 minutes would greatly reduce the utility for which the exemption wil l be granted.

Applicant believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights to 2 0 minutes or 25% of battery power whichever happens first. This restriction

would be more than adequate to return the sUAS to its planned landing z one from anywhere

in its limited operating area.

Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions
2689F, 5745, 10673, and 10808.

14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

The regu lation provides in pertinent part:

(a) Except as provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following:

(1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. . . .

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization

issued under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew.

The UAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lbs and is operated without an

onboard pilot. As such, there is no ability or place to carry certification and registration

documents or to display them on the sUAS.

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these do cuments at the ground control point where the pilot flying the sUAS will have immediate access to them,

to the extent they are applicable to the sUAS. The FAA has issued numerous exemptions10 to this regulation. A representative sample of other exceptions in cludes Exemption Nos. 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789A, 9797, 9797A, 9816A, and 10700.

14 C.F.R. §91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (2); 417(a) & (b): Maintenance Inspections

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner “shall have that aircraft

in spected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections,

except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter...,” and others shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43.

Given that these section s and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections will not apply to the applicant. Maintenance will be accomplished by the operator pursuant to the flight manual and operating handbook as referenced in the

Manual (See Sections 8.6 and 9 )

. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because

these small UASs are very limited in size and will carry a small payload and operate only

in restricted areas for lim ited periods of time. If mechanical issues arise the UAS can land immediately and will be operating from no higher than 400 feet AGL. As provided in the Manual, the operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform r equired maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance performed. Moreover, the operator is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety.

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication

in the Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed:

Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules:

14 C.F.R. §21, subpart H; 14 C.F.R 45.23(b);14 C.F .R. §§ 61.113( a) & (b);91.7 (a); 91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b);91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a);91.203(a) and (b); 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) & (b) to operate commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55lbs or less) i n motion picture and television operations.

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of sUASs in the photography and videography for events and special engagements will enhance safet y by reducing risk. Conventional photography and videograph y for events and special

engagements , using jet or piston power aircraft, operate at extremely low altitudes just feet

from the infrastructure being inspected and in extreme proximity to people and structures; and present the risks associated with vehicles that weigh in the neighborhood of 4 ,000lbs

, carrying large amounts of jet A or other fuel . Such aircraft must fly to and from the work location. In contrast, a sUAS weighing fewer than 55 lbs. and powered by batteries eliminates virtually all of that risk given the reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel

carried on board. The sUAS is carried to the worksite and not flown. The sUAS will carry11 no passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft flights.

The operation of small UASs, weigh in g less than 55 lbs., conducted in the strict conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant

of the exemptions requested herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 21 and allowing commercial operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, and in a sterile environment and, as a result,

are far safer than conventional operations conducted with turbine helicopters operating in close proximity to the ground and people.

Privacy

All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property owner’s prior consent and knowledge. Photography and videography for events and special

engagements will be performed for people who have also consented for work t o be performed or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where UAS flight will take place.

Conclusion

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012

– size, weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas and operation within visual line of sight and national security

– provide more than adequate justification for the grant of the requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of applicant’s UAS in the photography and videography for events and special engagements pursuant to the Manual appended hereto.

Sincerely,

J ason Hermosa, Owner

S hutter Instincti Appendix 1

1.1

– D JI Phantom 3 Adv anced

Appendix 2

Please see the atta ched:

Shutter Instinct sUAS Operating Manual

Shutter Instinct sUAS Pre

- Flight Safety Checklist