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).

To**Whom**It**May**Concern:**

In**pursuant**with**Section**333**of**the**FAA**Modernization**and**Reform**Act**

of2012**and**14**C.F.R.**Part**11,**Martha’s*Vineyard*Productions*(MVP), an**operator**

of**a**small**Unmanned**Aircraft**System**(sUAS)**for**the**motion**picture**and**

television**industry,**seeks**an**exemption**from**the**Federal**Aviation**Regulations**

(FARs)**to**allow**commercial**operations**of**its**sUAS.**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**more**fully**below,**the**requested**exemption**would**permit**the**

operation**of**small,**unmanned**and**relatively**inexpensive**sUAS**under**controlled**

conditions**in**airspace**that**is**limited,**predetermined,**controlled**as**to**access**

and**would**provide**safety**enhancements**to**the**already**safe**operations**in**the**

film**and**television**industry**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.*

Information Supporting**this**Petition**as**Specified**in**14**C.F.R.**§11.81**

(a) Your**name**and**mailing**address**and,**if**you**wish,**other**contact**

information**such**as**a**fax**number,**telephone**number,**or**e^mail**

address;**

Martha’s*Vineyard*Productions

Dan*Martino

PO*BOX*4500

Vineyard*Haven,*MA*02568

(713)825^5190

Email:*Dan@MarthasVineyardProductions.com

(b)**The**specific**section**or**sections**of**14**C.F.R.**from**which**MVP**seeks**an**

exemption**

•**21^ Subpart**H**Certification**procedures**for**products**and**parts,**Airworthiness**

Certificates**

•**45.23**^ Display**of**marks;**general**
•**61.113^ Private**pilot**privileges**and**limitations:**Pilot**in**command**

•**91.103^ Preflight**Actions**•**91.105^ Flight**crewmembers**at**stations**

•**91.109^ Flight**instruction;**Simulated**instrument**flight**and**certain**flight**tests*

•**91.119^ Minimum**safe**altitudes:**General**

•**91.121^Altimetersettings**

•**91.151^ Fuel**requirements**for**flights**in**Visual**Flight**Rules**(VFR)**conditions**

•**91.203**^Civil**aircraft:**certification**required**

•**91.405^ Maintenance**required**

•**91.407^ Operation**after**maintenance,**preventative**maintenance,**rebuilding,**

and**alteration**

•**91.409**^Inspections**

•**91.417**^ Maintenance**records**

(c)**The**extent**of**relief**MVP**seeks,**and**the**reason**MVP**seeks**the**relief**MVP**

seeks**an**exemption**for**several**provisions**of**14**C.F.R.**Parts**21,**45,**61,**and**

91**to**the**extent**to**operate**small**UASs**to**record**aerial**video**for**

cinematographic**purposes.**

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**visual**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**the**national**

airspace**system"**

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,**that**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)**of**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;**

14CFR§91.203**(a)**(1).

14##C.F##.R.##21##) Subpart##H##Certification##procedures##for##products##and##parts,##

Airworthiness##Certificates**

MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**21,**Subpart**H**which**states**the**

certification**procedures**for**products**and**parts**as**well**as**airworthiness**

certificates.**

The**sUAS* to**be**operated**hereunder are*models;*DJI*Phantom*2,*DJI*Phantom*3,*

DJI*Inspire 1.**

All*sUAS*are**less**than**55**lbs.**fully**loaded,**carries**neither**a**pilot**nor**passenger,**

carries**no**explosive**materials**or**flammable**liquid**fuels,**and**operates**

exclusively**within**a**secured,*pre^planned**area.**Unlike**other**civil**aircraft,**

operations**under**this**exemption**will**be**tightly**controlled**and**monitored**by**

both**the**operator*and**under**the**requirements**and**in**compliance**with**local**

public**safety**requirements,**to**provide**security**for**the**area**of**operation**as**is**

now**done**with**conventional**filming.**The*FAA**will**have**advance**notice**of**all**

operations.**These*safety**enhancements,**which**already**apply**to**civil**aircraft**

operated**in**connection**with**motion**picture**and**television**production,**provide**

a**greater**degree**of**safety**to**the**public**and**property**owners**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**to**its**size,**speed**of**operation,**location* of**operation,**lack**of**

explosive**materials**or**flammable**liquid**fuels,**and**inability**to**carry**a**

substantial**external**load.* Unlike other**civil**aircraft,**operations**under**this**

exemption**will**be**tightly*controlled*and*monitored by**both**the**operator and**

under**the**requirements**and**in**compliance**with**local**public**safety**

requirements,**to**provide**security**for**the**area**of**operation.

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

MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**45.23,**which**discusses**the**display**of**

marks.**Specifically,**section**45.23**states,**"(a)**each**operator**of**an**aircraft**must**

display**on**that**aircraft**marks**consisting**of**the**Roman**capital**letter**"N"**

(denoting**United**States**registration)**followed**by**the**registration**number**of**

the**aircraft.**Each**suffix**letter**used**in**the**marks**displayed**must**also**be**a**

Roman**capital**letter**(b)**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".**MVP**will**need**exemption**from**this**regulation**

due**to**the**small**size**of**the**aircraft**and**that**there**is**no**cabin,**cockpit,**or**

pilot**station**for**the**aircraft.* The**FAA**has**issued**the**following**exemptions**to**

this**regulation**to**Exemptions**Nos.**10700,**8738,* 10167**and**10167**A.

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

Pilot##in##Command.##

MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**61.113,**which**discusses**private**pilot**

privileges**and**limitations**for**the**Pilot**in**command**(PIC).**MVP**is**seeking**

exemption**from**this**regulation,**because**MVP**believes**that**there**is**

inconclusive**evidence**that**a**person**with**a**private**pilot**certificate**can**

successfully**maneuver**a**sUAS**without**first**hand**flight**experience**with**the**

particular**sUAS.**In**fact,**having**a**private**pilot**license**does**not**automatically**

ensure**competence**at**flying**an**sUAS**in**3rct**person**view**as**required**to**

properly**operate**an**sUAS**within**the**required**line**of**sight.*Therefore,**we**

believe**our**own**flight**training**with**the**sUAS**will**be**more**than**satisfactory.**

14##C.F.R.##91.103) Preflight##Actions##

MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**91.103**which**states**that**each**pilot**in**

command**shall,**before**beginning**a**flight,**become**familiar**with**all**available**

information**concerning**that**flight.**This**information**must**include:**(a)**For**a**

flight**under**IFR**or**a**flight**not**in**the**vicinity**of**an**airport,**weather**reports**

and**forecasts,**fuel**requirements,**alternatives**available**if**the**planned**flight**

cannot**be**completed,**and**any**known**traffic**delays**of**which**the**pilot**in**

command**has**been**advised**by**ATC;**actions,**including**reviewing**weather,**

flight**battery**requirements,**landing**and**takeoff**distances,**and**aircraft**

performance**data**before**starting**a**flight.**MVP**will**be**operating**our**sUAS**in**

VFR.**Our*sUAS*include*a**factory*manual**and**preflight**procedures**directly**

pertaining**to**our**sUAS**which**includes**equipment**checklist**as**well**a**

preplanning**details**regarding**weather**conditions,**review**of**any**possible**flight**

path**of**general**aviation,**our**mission**flight**path**and**weather**conditions**

amongst**other**parameters**required**to**complete**the**mission.

14##C.F.R.##91.105##)Flight##crew#members##at##stations##

MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**91.105,**which**discusses**flight**

crewmembers**at**stations.**Specifically,**91.105**states**"(a)**During**takeoff**and**

landing,**and**while**en**route,**each**required**flight**crewmember**shall**(1)**Be**at**

the**crewmember**station**unless**the**absence**is**necessary**to**perform**duties**in**

connection**with**the**operation**of* the**aircraft**or**in**connection**with**

physiological**needs;**and**(2)**Keep**the**safety**belt**fastened**while**at**the**

crewmember**station.**(b)**Each**required**flight**crewmember**of**a**U.S.^registered**

civil**aircraft**shall,**during**takeoff**and**landing,**keep**his**or**her**shoulder**
harness**fastened**while**at**his**or**her**assigned**duty**station.**This**paragraph**

does**not**apply**if**(1)**The**seat**at**the**crewmember's**station**is**not**equipped**

with**a**shoulder**harness;**or**(2)**The**crewmember**would**be**unable**to**perform**

required**duties**with**the**shoulder**harness**fastened.**MVP**will**need**exemption**

from**this**regulation**due**to**the**fact**that**the**sUAS**will**not**have**a**flight**crew**

or**crew**stations**other**than**the**PIC**and**a**FOVO.**The**PIC**will**also**not**have**

to**be**restrained**into**a**seat**via**shoulder**harness**or**safety**belt**at**the**time**of**

the**flight.

14##C.F.R.##91.109) Flight##instruction;##Simulated##instrument##flight##and##

certain##flight##tests#

MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**91.109,**which**discusses**flight**instruction,**

simulated**instrument**flight,**and**certain**flight**tests.**Specifically,**91.109**states**

"(a)**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.**However,**instrument**flight**instruction**may**be**given**

in**an**airplane**that**is**equipped**with* a**single,**functioning**throw**over**control**

wheel**that**controls**the**elevator**and**ailerons,**in**place**of**fixed,**dual**controls,**

when**(1)**The**instructor**has**determined**that**the**flight**can**be**conducted**

safely;**and**(2)**The**person**manipulating**the**controls**has**at**least**a**private**

pilot**certificate**with**appropriate**category**and**class**ratings.**(b)**An**airplane**

equipped**with**a**single,**functioning**throw**over**control**wheel**that**controls**the**

elevator**and**ailerons,**in**place**of**fixed,**dual**controls**may**be**used**for**flight**

instruction**to**conduct**a**flight**review**required**by**§61.56**of**this**chapter,**or**to**

obtain**recent**flight**experience**or**an**instrument**proficiency**check**required**by**

§61.5**7**when**(1)**The**airplane**is**equipped**with**operable**rudder**pedals**at**

both**pilot**stations;**(2)**The**pilot**manipulating**the**controls**is**qualified**to**

serve**and**serves**as**pilot**in**command**during**the**entire**flight;**(3)**The**

instructor**is**current**and**qualified**to**serve**as**pilot**in**command**of**the**

airplane,**meets**the**requirements**of**§61.195(b**),**and**has**logged**at**least**25**

hours**of**pilot^in^command**flight**time**in**the**make**and**model**of* airplane;**and**

(**4)**The**pilot**in**command**and**the**instructor**have**determined**the**flight**can**

be**conducted**safely.**(c)**No**person**may**operate**a**civil**aircraft**in**simulated**

instrument**flight**unless**(1)**The**other**control**seat* is**occupied**by**a**safety**

pilot**who**possesses**at**least**a**private**pilot**certificate**with**category**and**class**

ratings**appropriate**to**the**aircraft**being**flown.**(2)**The**safety**pilot**has**

adequate**vision**forward**and**to**each**side**of**the**aircraft,**or**a**competent**

observer**in**the**aircraft**adequately**supplements**the**vision**of**the**safety**pilot;**

and**(3)**Except**in**the**case**of**lighter^ than^air**aircraft,**that**aircraft**is**equipped**

with**fully**functioning**dual**controls.**However,**simulated**instrument**flight**may**

be**conducted**in**a**single^engine**airplane,**equipped**with**a**single,**functioning,**

throw**over**control**wheel,**in**place**of**fixed,**dual**controls**of**the**elevator**and**

ailerons,**when**(i)**The**safety**pilot**has**determined**that**the**flight**can**be**

conducted**safely;**and**(ii)**The**person**manipulating**the**controls**has**at**least**a**

private**pilot**certificate**with**appropriate**category**and**class**ratings.**(d)**No*
person**may**operate**a**civil**aircraft**that**is**being**used**for**a**flight**test**for**an**

airline**transport**pilot**certificate**or**a**class**or**type**rating**on**that**certificate,**or**

for**a**part**121**proficiency**flight**test,**unless**the* pilot**seated**at**the**controls,**

other**than**the**pilot**being**checked,**is**fully**qualified**to**act**as**pilot**in**

command**of**the**aircraft".**Again,**Except**when**necessary**for**takeoff**or**landing,**

no**person**may**operate**an**aircraft**below**the**following**altitudes: (a)**Anywhere.**

An**altitude**allowing,**if**a**power**unit**fails,**an**emergency**landing**without**

undue**hazard**to**persons**or**property**on**the**surface.**(b)**Over**congested**areas.**

Over**any**congested**area**of**a**city,**town,**or**settlement,**or**over**any**open**air**

assembly**of**persons,**an**altitude**of**1,000**feet**above**the**highest**obstacle**

within**a**horizontal**radius**of**2,000**feet**of**the**aircraft.**(c)**Over**other**than**

congested**areas.**An**altitude**of**500**feet**above**the**surface,**except**over**open**

water**or**sparsely**populated**areas.**In**those**cases,**the**aircraft**may**not**be**

operated**closer**than**500**feet**to**any**person,**vessel,**vehicle,**or**structure.**(d)**

Helicopters,**powered**parachutes,**and**weight^shift^control**aircraft.**If**the**

operation**is**conducted**without**hazard**to**persons**or**property**on**the**surface^

(1)**A**helicopter**may**be**operated**at**less**than**the**minimums**prescribed**in**

paragraph**(b)**or**(c)**of**this**section,**provided**each**person**operating**the**

helicopter**complies**with**any**routes**or**altitudes**specifically**prescribed**for**

helicopters**by**the**FAA;**and**(2)**A**powered**parachute**or**weight^shift^control**

aircraft**may**be**operated**at**less**than**the**minimums**prescribed**in**paragraph**

(c)**of**this**section**(a)**Each**person**operating**an**aircraft**shall**maintain**the**

cruising**altitude**or**flight**level**of**that**aircraft,**as**the**case**may**be,**by**

reference**to**an**altimeter**that**is**set,**when**operating^(1)**Below**18,000**feet**

MSL,**to^(i)**The**current**reported**altimeter**setting**of**a**station**along**the**route**

and**within**100**nautical**miles**of**the**aircraft;**(ii)**If**there**is**no**station**within**

the**area**prescribed**in**paragraph**(a)(1)(i)**of**this**section,**the**current**reported**

altimeter**setting**of**an**appropriate**available**station;**or**(iii)**In**the**case**of**an**

aircraft**not**equipped**with**a**radio,**the**elevation**of**the departure**airport**or**an**

appropriate**altimeter**setting**available**before**departure;**or**(2)**At**or**above**

18,000**feet**MSL,**to**29.92"**Hg.**(b)**The**lowest**usable**flight**level**is**determined**

by**the**atmospheric**pressure**in**the**area**of**operation**as**shown**in**the**

following**table:**

MVP**believes**that**there**is**inconclusive**evidence**that**a**person**with**a**private**

pilot**certificate**or**license**can**successfully**maneuver**or**train**someone**to**use**

an**sUAS**without**first**hand**flight**experience**with**the**particular**sUAS.**Flying**

in**3rd**person**orientation**requires**built^up**experience**in**that**form**of**flying**

for**many**years.**Therefore,**we**believe**our**own**flight**training,**pilot**protocols,*

sUAS*manuals**and**first**hand**experiences**with**the**sUAS*meets**and**exceeds**the**

requirements**necessary**to**safely**operate**our**sUAS**for**the**tasks**we**purpose.**

Also,**the**sUAS**will**be**operated**by**a**remote**control,**which**will**only**require**a**

single**person**operator**and**dual**controls**will**not**be**necessary.

14##C.F.R.##91.119) Minimum##safe##altitudes:##General##
MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**91.119,**which**discusses**minimum**safe*

altitudes.**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**filming**is**planned,**an**

exemption**may**be**needed**to**allow**such**operations.**As**set**forth**herein,* the**

UAS**will**never**operate**at**higher**than**400**AGL.**It**will**however**be**operated**

in**a**restricted**area**with**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,**weight,**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**filming**activity,**

all**affected**individuals**will**be**aware**of**the**planned**flight**operations.**

Compared**to**flight**operations**with**aircraft**or**rotorcraft**weighting**far**more**

than**the**maximum**55lbs.**proposed**herein**and**the**lack**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**movie**

industry.**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##

MVP seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**91.121,**which**discusses**altimeter**settings**

for**lowest**usable**flight**level.**

C.F.R.**91121**states,

(c)**To**convert**minimum**altitude**prescribed**under**§§91.119**and**91.177**to**the**

minimum**flight**level,**the**pilot**shall**take**the**flight**level**equivalent**of**the**

minimum**altitude**in**feet**and add**the**appropriate**number*of*feet*specified*

below,*according*to*the*current*reported*altimeter*setting:”
MVP's**sUAS**uses**both**GPS**altitude**and**barometric**sensors**and**relays**that**

information**to**our**ground**station.**However,**this**data**is**used**help**the**sUAS**

to**automatically**maintain**position**hold**at**the**required**elevation**and**therefore**

this**code**is**not**pertinent**the**functionality**of**this**sUAS.**

14##C.F.R.##91.151) Fuel##requirements##for##flights##in##Visual# Flight##Rules##

(VFR)##conditions**

MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**91.151,**which**discusses**fuel**

requirements**for**flight**in**VFR**conditions.**Specifically,**91.151**states**"(a)**No**

person**may**begin**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**for**at**least**30**minutes;**or**(2)**At**night,**to**fly**

after**that**for**at**least**45**minutes.**(b)**No**person**may**begin**a**flight**in**a**

rotorcraft**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,**to**fly**after**that**for**at**least**20**minutes".

MVP's**sUAS**has**a**typical**mission**time**of less**than**15**minutes**with**maximum**

flight* time**of**25 minutes.**Since**this**amount* is*less**than**the**30**minute**reserve**

minimum,**this**reserve**minimum**would**not**even**make**sense**in**allowing**the**

sUAS**a**chance**to**fly.**According**to**MVP's**aircraft**flight**manual,**the**PIC**is**

instructed**to**maintain**flight**until**battery**power**reaches**25%,**or**1st**level**

warning.**At**this**level,**landing**procedures**will**be**intiated.**Once**the**sUAS**

reads**20%,**2nd**level**warning,**the**flight**control**system**automatically**take**

over**and**initiates**safe**landing**sequence**at**the**logged**in**takeoff**point.**

MVP**believes**that**an**appropriate**and**current**airworthiness**certificate**would**

not**be**necessary**to**fly**a**sUAS**given**the**size**of**the**aircraft* and**the**necessary**

level**of**skill**needed**to**operate**the**aircraft.**Before**putting**in**to**service,**each**

of**our**sUAS**goes**through**our**own**airworthiness**proceedures**of**miminum**

test**flight**and**reliability**checks.**Also,**our**sUAS**are**recalibrated**each**at**the**

site**location**before**each**flight**to**ensure**that**all**systems**functions**as**designed.**

MVP**seeks**exemption**from**this**regulation**because**we**believe**this**rule**was**

not**meant**for**a**sUAS**and**operators.

14##C.F.R.##91.405,##91.407,#91.409,##and##91.417##
MVP**seeks**exemption**from**14**C.F.R.**91.405,**91.407,**91.409,**and**91.417,**

which**discusses**required**aircraft**maintenance,**operation**after**maintenance,**

preventive**maintenance,**rebuilding,**or**alteration,**inspections,**and**maintenance**

records.**In**MVP's**aircraft**factory**manual,**maintenance**and**inspection**

procedures**have**been**established**for**the**aircraft.**MVP**believes**these**

regulations**are**meant**for**manned**operated**aircrafts**and**not**unmanned**

systems,**therefore**making**them**unnecessary.**Nevertheless,**we**seek**an**

exemption**from**any**such**specific**provisions**to**the**extent**FAA**finds**it**

necessary**to**grant**this**request.**

(d)**The**reasons**why**granting**MVP's**request**would**be**in**the**public**interest;**

that**is,**how**it**would**benefit**the**public**as**a**whole.

MVP’s**use**of**a**sUAS**can**assist**in**making**task**safer**and**minimize**human**

exposure**to**being**at**dangerous**elevations.**MVP's**sUAS**usage**in**the**aerial**

photography**and**cinematography**will**also**reduce**the**time**required**to**

captured**the**needed**scenes**as**compared**to**convention**helicopters**or**

airplanes.**Ultimately,**the**result**is**quick**completion**of**task**and**reduction**of**

dangerous**elevation**perspective**needs.**

(e)**The**reasons**why**granting**the**exemption**would**not**adversely**affect**safety,**

or**how**the**exemption**would**provide**a**level**of**safety**at**least**equal**to**that**

provided**by**the**rule**from**which**MVP**seeks**exemption*. Our**Engineering**

department**will**provide**a**level**of**safety**that**exceeds**the**level**of**safety**

required**by**the**FAA**for**its**use**on**sUAS.**

The**following**are**MVP's**safety**procedures,**features,**regulations,**and**operating**

specifications**for**our**sUAS:

•**Our**Squadron**Leader**/Chief**Pilot**in**Charge*has**15**years**of**RC**Model**

building**and**flight**experience.

•**The**Pilot**In**Command**(PIC)**and**Field**Operations**Visual**Observer**(FOVO)**

will**be**required**to*be*in*communication*with*each*other*at*all*times.*

•**The**flight**area**of**the**sUAS**will**be**observed**for**best**take**off**and**landing**

locations.**Desired**conditions**include:**flat**and**level**surfaces**clear**of**debris,**at**

least**15ft**from**power**lines**and**structures,**and**a**minimum**distance**of**12ft**

from**the**PIC**and**observers.**

•**The**sUAS**will**also**be**in**the**Visual**Line**of**Sight* (VLOS)**to**both**the**PIC**

and**FOVO**during**all**flights.**

•**Flights**must**take**place**during**good**weather**conditions**with**no**rain,**low**

laying**clouds,**or**heavy**winds.**All**flights**will**take**place**during**daylight**hours**

with**no**evening**or**late**night**flights.**

•**The**PIC(s)**of**the**sUAS**will**at**least**have**12**training**hours**or**24**flights**

accrued**before**being**designated**working**flights.**

•**All**batteries**must**be**charged**completely**before**each**flight* and**each**flight**

must**end**when**the**battery**has**a**30%**power**level**remaining.**

•**A**visual**safety**inspection**will**occur**before**each**flight,**testing**propeller**
tightness,**security**mount**of**camera/detection**equipment,**remote**range**test,**

and**proper**safety**equipment**is**a adorned**to**PIC**and**FOVO.**

•**The**sUAS**will**be**flown**under**a**height**of**500**ft**AGL.**

•**No**PIC**or**FOVO**will**engage**in,**nor**may**a**PIC**or**FOVO**permit,**any**activity**

during**a**critical**phase**of**flight**so**as**to**ensure**that**the**sUAS**is**in**a**condition**

for**safe**flight**operation**and**in**a**configuration**appropriate**for**the**purpose**of**

the**intended**flight.**

•**If**there**is**more**than**just**an**operator**at**a**site**during**a**flight,**the**PIC**

operator**and**observer**or**FOVO**will**maintain**two^way**communication**with**

each**other**during**all**operations;**if**unable**to**maintain**two^way**

communications,**or**if**any**condition**occurs**that**may**otherwise**cause**the**

operation**to**be**unsafe,**the**operator**will**immediately**conclude**the**operation.**

•**If**the**communication**link**is**lost,**the**sUAS**will**go**into**fail^safe**mode**and**

safely**descend**to**its**designated**home^point**location.**If**the**communication**link**

is**reconnected**during**fail^safe**mode,**control**of**the**sUAS**can**be**regained**

before**landing**occurs**at**the**home^point**location.**

•**There**is**no**fuel**or**payload**to**the**sUAS,**therefore**there**will**be**no**potential**

explosives**or**risk**of**explosion**if**a**crash**occurs**with**the**sUAS.**

•**The**sUAS**will**feature**a**built**in**compass**that**will**be**recalibrated**at**every**

site**to**maintain**accurate**directional**readings.**The**compass**will**also**help**in**

keeping**the**sUAS**stable**during**flights.*

•**The aircraft runs off a Li- Po battery 

(f) A summary FAA can publish in the FEDERAL REGISTER, stating: (1) 

The rule from which you seek the exemption; and (2) A brief description of 

the nature of the exemption you seek 

Petitioner: Martha’s Vineyard Productions 

Sections of 14 C.F.R. Affected: 21 Subpart H; 45.23(b); 61.113(a)(b); 91.103; 

91.105; 91.109; 91.119(c); 91.121(a)(1)(iii); 91.151(a)(1); 91.203; 91.405; 

91.407; 91.409; and 91.417 

Description of Relief Sought: Petitioner seeks relief from the requirements of 

14 C.F.R. 21 Subpart H; 45.23(b); 61.113(a)(b); 91.103; 91.105; 91.109; 

91.119(c); 91.121(a)(1)(iii); 91.151(a)(1); 91.203; 91.405; 91.407; 91.409; and 

91.417 to Cinematographic filming subject to operating procedures that meet or 

exceed those that FAA requires. 

(g) Any additional information, views or arguments available to support your 

request 

Please see the introduction to this exemption request. 

(h) If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside of the 

United States, the reason why you need to do so 
Possible work for hire at events outside of the United States. If such events should 

occur, we would like to use the permit for the duration of the contract of the event 

outside of the United States.

Thank you for your time in reviewing these matters.

I’ve tried my best to articulate how important this aspect of our video production 

activities will be and how much safety and precautions we plan to take while pursuing 

these activities. Please feel free to contact me if further information is required or if I 

can be of further assistance.

Thank you.

Dan Martino

Owner/Operator of Martha’s Vineyard Productions

Squadron**Leader**/Chief**Pilot**in**Charge**