Motion Picture and Television 

Flight Operations Manual 

by

Volker Arndt
Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

Table of Contents 

 1. Introduction

 1.1. Purpose 4

 1.2. Pilot/Operator Organization 4

 1.3. Distribution and Revisions 4

 1.4. Persons Authorized 5

 1.5. Area of Operations 5

 1.6. Plan of Activities 5

 1.7. Permission to Operate 7

 1.8. Security 7

 1.9. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 8

 1.10. Certification/Airworthiness 8

 1.11. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 9

 1.12. Communications 9

 1.13. Accident Notification 9

 1.14. Recall/Stop Procedures 10

 1.15. Special Provisions 10

 2. Company Organization 

 2.1. Chief Pilot 11

 2.2. Pilot in Command 11

Appendix A 

 1. List of Approved Pilots 12

 2. List of Approved Aircraft 13

 3. Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 14

 4. Revision Request (sample) 15

Appendix B 

 1. Form 7711-2 (Certificate of Waiver or Authorization) 17
Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

Volker Arndt

Flight Operations Manual Revision Control Page 

Complete a new page for each revision. 

All revisions must be approved by the Chief Pilot. 

Revision No.: 

Date: 

Name of Reviser: 

Chief Pilot Approval: 

Initials: 

Date: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

 1 Introduction 

 1.1 Purpose

This manual has been developed by Volker Arndt, hereafter referred to as "operator", in

conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver and Authorization (“COA”) of the

provisions of Federal Aviation Regulations (“FAR”) parts 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of

closed-set motion picture and television filming. Volker Arndt, his pilots and other company

personnel will, when applicable, comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this

manual whenever motion picture or television flight operations are performed that require a

COA as mentioned above. 

 1.2 Pilot/Operator Organization 

Volker Arndt – Operator 

928 E Hyde Park Blvd #4

Inglewood, CA 90302

323 682 2084

 1.3 Distribution and Revisions 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

 1.4 Persons Authorized 

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures directly

involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall ensure that no

persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and

necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if

an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For

example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an Aviation Safety Inspector’s

evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc.

Such barriers may protect nonparticipating persons (e.g. observers, the public, news media,

etc.) from debris in the event of an accident. 

 1.5 Area of Operations 

Volker Arndt’s approved area of operations will be mainly the United States territory. 

 1.6 Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming Volker Arndt will submit a written plan of

activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (“FSDO”) having jurisdiction over that

area. The plan of activities should include the following: 

1. Dates and times for all flights. 

 

2. Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event. 

 

3. Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

4. Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of airworthiness

certificate, including category. 

 

 

5. Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event,

including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic competency, if

required. 

 

 

6. A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property owners

and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event. The list of those who gave

permission must be made available upon request to the FAA Administrator by the

waiver holder. 

 

 

7. Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

 

8. A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town,

county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and the minimum altitudes

essential to accomplish the operations. 

 

 

The three (3) day notification requirement may be waived with the consent of the FSDO.

However, the operator should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with any waiver request

and be prepared to explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical. 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

 1.7 Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of the

certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these

operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from

whom permission may be required are listed below: 

 Property owners

 Law enforcement officials 

 Fire department officials 

 Local, State and Federal government 

 Air traffic control 

Although verbal permission is acceptable, Volker Arndt should attempt to obtain permission in

writing whenever practical. If permission is obtained verbally, Volker Arndt obtaining verbal

permission shall record the details of the verbal grant of permission. A standard permission

form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written permission or

recording grants of verbal permission. Personnel associated with Volker Arndt will assure a

sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms will be

maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned into the Chief

Pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will be made available for

inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request. 

 1.8 Security 

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate production personnel

to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons and

vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations should the area(s)

become unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety. 

 

 

 

 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

 1.9 Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in command

(PIC) will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating Volker Arndt's personnel of the

risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the filming

production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional provisions that may be issued

by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for the operational area, including the location

of boundaries or time limits. The briefing shall cover: 

 Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the attached

special provisions

 Operations manual 

 Plan of activities 

 Aircraft parking and starting 

 Taxi procedures 

 Radio Communications 

 Takeoff procedures 

 Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event 

 Approach and landing procedures 

 Recall procedures 

 Emergency procedures 

 Risks to participating personnel 

 How to control nonparticipating persons 

 1.10 Certification/Airworthiness 

All Volker Arndt's aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for

the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness certificates. 

Each aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and

inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is also

found in the flight log. The PIC will assure the aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and

all required inspections and maintenance has been completed before each flight. 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

 1.11 Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following: 

 1 Successful completion of an FAA-approved sport pilot certificate.

 2 PIC will demonstrates the ability to safely operate in a manner consistent with how the

UAS will be operated under the exemption. 

 3 In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external-load

operation, whether fixed-wing or rotary-wing operations, pilots used in the operation

shall be qualified. This qualification may be obtained through a knowledge test (which

may be oral or written) or skill. The inspector or another company pilot approved by the

geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads externally will give the

test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements and cover the following subjects: 

 Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the Flight area. 

 Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load. 

 Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating procedures and the

aircraft flight manual. 

 Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel. 

 Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load combination

flight manual and limitations, if appropriate. 

 1.12 Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the PIC will formulate a plan to

provide communications capability to all participants during the actual operation and filming.

Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is capable of

keeping the participants continuously appraised of the current status of the operation. 

 1.13 Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

 1.14 Recall/Stop Procedures 

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the participants

continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 

 1.15 Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in Volker Arndt's motion picture and

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be

jeopardized. 

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those specified

in Volker Arndt's motion picture and television operations manual or associated plan of

activities. Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity.

All civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection. 

Each PIC conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands the conditions

of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c). (See attached

document under “Appendix B”.) Takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that

will prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. Volker Arndt will

ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are thoroughly briefed on

special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on the provisions of the

authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No person may participate in any

event unless that person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver. 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

 2 Company Organization 

 2.1 Chief Pilot Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual.

2. Act as liaison between Volker Arndt or his pilots and the FAA on matter concerning this

manual. 

3. Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed

statement from each that they have read and understand its contents. 

4. Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Volker Arndt

or his pilots. 

5. Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed

properly. 

6. Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by Volker Arndt

or his pilots under the provisions of this manual. 

7. Assume the responsibilities of PIC when acting as such. 

8. The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility.

 2.2 Pilot in Command Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's. 

2. Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of

this manual.

3. Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures,

policies and conditions contained herein. 

4. Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations,

etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. 

5. Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job or

operation requiring the waiver. 

6. The PIC may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains responsibility. 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

Appendix A-1 

List of Approved Pilots 

TITLE NAME FAA REGISTRATION NO. DATE ADDED

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

Appendix A-2 

List of Approved Aircraft 

MAKE MODEL DESCRIPTION DATE ADDED REGISTRATON #

Cinestar 6

Cinestar 8

Cinestar 8 Okto XL 

Yuneec Tornado H920

Yuneec Typhoon H

DJI Flame Wheel F450

DJI Flame Wheel F550

DJI Inspire 1

DJI Inspire 2

DJI Phantom 3

DJI Spreading Wings S900

DJI Spreading Wings S1000 

DJI Spreading Wings S1000+

FreeFly ALTA

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

Appendix A-3 

Permission Acquisition Form 

By signing this form, I agree that I have given Volker Arndt or his pilots permission to operate

their aircraft at less than 300 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am

responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production for the date(s)

referenced below. 

Name: 

Entity (if applicable): 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location: 

Date(s) of Operation: 

Signature: 

Volker Arndt Or His Representative Receiving Permission:

 

 

Name: 

Signature: 

Date: 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

Appendix A-4 

Revision Request 

REVISION # SECTION PAGE ACTION SUMMERY

If requested revision involves modified or additional language, add language below. Attach

additional sheets if necessary. Reference the revision number, date, and requestor on each

additional sheet. 

Proposed text: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

Or: 

Remove Section # 

Manual Serial Version # 

Revision Requestor: 

Signature of Requestor: 

Date: 

Chief Pilot receipt acknowledgment: 

Chief Pilot: 

Date: 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual 

Appendix B-1 

(see attached form 7711-2) 

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