Scott Michael Melvin

dba/ Scotty Melvin Media

PO Box 1621

Portage, Michigan 49081

269-760-6344

scotty@scottybud.com

www.scottybud.com

Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and 

Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 subpart H 

14 CFR 45.23(b) 

14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.7(a) 

14 CFR 91.9(b)(2) 

14 CFR 91.103 

14 CFR 91.109 

14 CFR 91.119(c) 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151(a) 

14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 

14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2) 

14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b)

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

(the “Reform Act”) and 14 CFR Part 11, Scott Michael Melvin, operator of 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), hereby applies for an exemption from 

the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial 

operation of designated UAS, provided such operations are conducted 

within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by 

the FAA as required by Section 333. 
Commercial operation of an UAS, as described herein, which are equipped 

with camera(s) and sensors, would provide professional services in the 

following areas: 

1. Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including 

real estate, architecture, land surveying, engineering and other similar 

professional activities. 

2. Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including 

television, public events, cinematography and newsgathering. 

3. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial buildings under 

contract with the owners or local government authority.

4. Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with 

search and rescue operations in cases of an emergency or natural disaster 

only when the local authorities or government has requested it by contract 

or donation. 

5. As described below, the requested exemption would permit the operation 

of designated UAS under controlled conditions in the NAS that would be 

limited, controlled, predetermined and safe. Approval of this exemption 

would increase public awareness of UAS operations and enhance safety to 

aid in fulfilling 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.” 

I will be operating a DJI Phantom 3 Professional. The Phantom 3 is a quadcopter with a weight of about three pounds. It is equipped with four rotors 

that are driven by electric motors powered by batteries. The UA has a 

maximum airspeed of 16 m/s. 

Also, given the small size of the UAS’s involved and the restricted 

controlled environment within which they will operate, the applicant fits 

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. Given the following, the grant of the 

requested exemptions is clearly in the public interest: 
Scott Melvin proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil 

aircraft that have the characteristics and that operate with the limitations 

listed herein. These limitations provide for an exceptional level of safety to 

operations. These limitations and conditions to which Scott Melvin agrees 

to be bound when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued 

exemption including: 

1. The UAS will weigh much less than 55 lbs. 

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of operator. 

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be approximately 

20 minutes. 

4. Flights will be terminated at 20% battery power reserve. 

5. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 300 feet AGL 

6. The UAS will only operate within a controlled area as defined in the 

procedures. 

7. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will 

have capability to return to a pre-determined location within the Security 

Perimeter and land. 

8. The UAS will have the ability to abort a flight in case of unforeseen 

problems. 

Accordingly, Scott Melvin requests that the FAA grant the requested 

exemption. I am prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to 

satisfy the need for an equivalent level of safety. Please contact me with 

any questions. 

Respectfully submitted July 21, 2015.

Scott Melvin