June 25, 2015 

## Texas State Drone William ClayThompson 12225 GreenvilleAve. #700 Dallas, TX 75243

US DepartmentofTransportation Federal Aviation Administration 800 IndependenceAve. SW Washington, DC 20591

PETITION FOR EXEMPTION, Requesting relieffrom the FAA modernization and Reform Act OF 2012, public law 112-95 Feb. 14, 2012, section 333.

Exemptions Requested for:
14CFR21, Subpart H 14CFR45.23{b) 14CFR61.113{a)&{b) 14CFR91.7{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)&{b), 91.417{a)&{b) 14CFR,Title 14 Chapter 1 Subchapter D parts 60 thru 67, specifically 61.1 to 61.429.

Contact Information:
William Clay Thompson Owner/UAS Pilot Texas State Drone 12225 GreenvilleAve. #700 Dallas, TX 75243 Phone: 214-679-8471 TX Driver's License: 08663130 clay.thompson@yahoo.com
DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus DJI Inspire 1William ClayThompson/Texas State Drone, Dallas, TX

- Section 333 Exemption Petition 

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Dear Sir or Madam,

I, William ClayThompson, am writing pursuantto Section 333 ofthe FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 and 14 CFR Part 11, to requestthat I, William Clay Thompson, owner and operator ofTexas State Drone (TSD), and owner and Pilot in Charge ofsmall unmanned aircraftsystems (UAS), specifically the DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus and the DJI Inspire 1, be exemptfrom the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) listed above so thatTexas State Drone may operate its small UAS's commercially in airspace regulated bythe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). I, William ClayThompson, Pilot in Charge (PIC) and Owner ofTexas State Drone (TSD) requestthis exemption underthe guidelines ofSection 333 specifically as it relates to aerial videography and photography (commercial and private real estate, community awareness, and nature). Underthe terms ofthis exemption TSD agrees to safelyfly its UAS's in a safe and lawful manneras it relates to Local, State and Federal guidelines as stated within the exemption grant. All UAS's piloted by TSD weight less than 55 lbs and fly atspeeds below 58 mph (50 knots). TSD agrees to operate underany and all guidelines setforth bythe FAA now and in thefuture.
TSD follows current FAA regulations, 400ft. altitude maximum, line ofsight (VLOS), daylight only, and airport S-mile restrictions. In addition TSD uses a spotter (VO) and 2-way communication between PIC and visual observer (VO) atall times during the flight. All UAS's owned byTSD are equipped with numerous safety features including auto return to home and low batteryfunctions that return the UAS backto the ground station point oftake off. All systems are displayed on 10 inch monitors (battery levels and performance) in addition to altitude, distance, speed and current GPS location on overlay map. All UAS are maintained according to manufacturersuggested maintenance schedules by an authorized dealer.
TSD considers airsafety one ofour paramount duties to the public. TSD performs a routine pre-flight inspection before everyflight on every UAS before a launch into the National Airspace System (NAS). These pre-flight inspections include propellers, motors, battery levels, battery history, compass re-calibrations, GPS satellite evaluation, electromagnetic conditions, weatherand environmental surroundings (structures, power lines, population etc.). All ofthese pre-flight inspections are performed according to the published manufacturerguidelines as it pertains to the individual UAS.
As the PIC and owner ofTSD, I have multipleyears and hours flying Remote Controlled Helicopters and Quad Copters. I also agree, ifexemption is granted, to keep a completeflight log (as I currently do) to include all required information as laid out in the FAA exemption (time, date, place, conditions, PIC, VO, etc.). As owner and PIC atTSD, I will also agree to any required course ofstudy orflight evaluations including fees required ifany. I also hold a US passport and have been vetted and accepted byTransportation SecurityAdministration (TSA), DepartmentWilliam ClayThompson/Texas State Drone, Dallas, TX

- Section 333 Exemption Petition

of Homeland Security (DHS), and US Departmentof Immigration and Customs for participation in the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). 

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The use ofTSD's UAS's for aerial real estate videography is less costly than a helicopter orfixed wing aircraft. For small budget real estate companies and average homeowners,the expense ofsuch aerial photography and videography is cost prohibitive. It is my objective to providethis valuable marketing tool to better enhance the sale of real estate atan affordable price by a trained professional with a safety-first mindset. Granting Texas State Drone an exemption will notadversely affectsafety. The public's interest is furthered by minimizing ecological and crash threat by permitting aerial video/photo capturethrough my batteryoperated UAS's. The consequence of my UAS crashing is far less than a full sized helicopter orfixed wing aircraft, which are heavy, contain combustible fuel and can cause catastrophic devastation to the public. TSD's UAS's utilize battery power and have no negative impact on the environment.
TSD operates only in reasonably safe environments that are strictly controlled, are awayfrom power lines, elevated lights, airports, and actively populated areas. I conduct extensive pre-flight inspections and protocols, during which safety is of primary importance. I always obtain all necessary permissions priorto operation. I have procedures in placeto abortflights in the event ofsafety breaches or potential danger. TSD's safety protocols provide a level ofsafety equal to or exceeding existing rules.
When pilot communication is lost,TSD's UAS's are designed to return to the point oftakeoff, slowly descend, land, and disengage the electric motors (return to home feature). I and TSD will notoperate our UAS's near airports, hospitals, military installations, or police heliports. I am constantly on alertfor any manned aircraft (personal crafts, police/medical helicopters, etc.) and am prepared to land/abort immediatelyto the nearestand safest ground point should a manned aircraft approach my location or I suspect manned aircraft may approach near my location. TSD's UAS's are capable ofvertical and horizontal operations, and are flown only within PIC's line ofsight. Regarding pilot certification (14CFR, Title 14 Chapter 1 Subchapter D parts 60 thru 67, specifically 61.1 to 61.429), I, William ClayThompson, respectfully request the FAA grant exemptionsfrom regulations that address general flight rules, pilot certificate requirements, manuals, maintenance and equipment mandates. I believe thatthese requirements are unnecessary for pilot controlled droneflight. Additionally, current FAA proposals have omitted this as a future requirementfor small UAS's.



### In Conclusion: Texas State Drone and William Clay Thompson submitthat given the size and safeguards ofthe aforementioned UAS's, TSD would be able to perform safe operations greaterthan envisioned by Congress for the FAA toWilliam ClayThompson/Texas State Drone, Dallas, TX

- Section 333 Exemption Petition 4

establish. This exemption would allowTSD to perform safe commercial operations, and in doing so benefiting the greater public interest. William ClayThompson and TSD wishes you to considerthat as to the size ofour UAS's, area and altitudes that we fly, this exception would present no riskto our National Security or FAA regulated commercial airspace. The strict regulation and operating conditions as provided in Section 333 ofthe Reform Act gives the FAA the authority to grantthis exemption. TSD hopesfor a timely consideration as we have made a considerable investment in ourtime and committed finances.

William ClayThompson Owner Texas State Drone 12225 GreenvilleAve. #700 Dallas, TX 75243 Phone: 214-679-8471 TX Driver's License: 08663130 clay.thompson@yahoo.com