Motion Picture and

Television Flight

Operations Manual

400 Emery Drive, Suite 300

Birmingham, AL 35244

Revision: Rev 2 - November 10, 2015 Drone Productions, LLC

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This manual was developed by Drone Productions, LLC, in conjunction with an application for a

Certificate of Waiver of the provision of FAR 61.113(a), FAR 91.119(b), FAR 91.119(c), for the

purposes of commercial filming for motion picture and television clients. Drone Productions, LLC

will follow this manual whenever motion picture or television flight operations are performed.

A. Pilot / Operator Organization

Ryan Nelson - President and Chief Pilot

Drone Productions, LLC

400 Emery Drive, Suite 300

Birmingham, AL 35244

205-222-2732

Private Pilot Certificate

Duties and responsibilities:

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

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

• Act as liaison betweenDrone Productions and the FAA onmatter concerning this manual.

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Drone

Productions.

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

properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by Drone

Productions under the provisions of this manual.

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and required

maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

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

policies and conditions contained herein.

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulateplans,routes, locations, etc.

with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern.

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

operation requiring the waiver.

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains

responsibility.

Other pilots may be utilized under supervision of Ryan Nelson. 

B. Distribution and Revision

This manual may be periodically revised by Drone Productions, LLC and re-issued. This

manual has footer showing a revision number and revision date on all pages. Revisions of the

accepted operations manual will be forwarded to the FSDO at least 15 days before the proposed

effective date. 

C. Persons Authorized

The pilot in command shall have a minimum of a private pilot’s license in good standing

with the FAA. 

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D. Area of Operations

Drone Productions’ area of operations will be the United States and its territories. 

E. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operation is conducted, the certificate holder 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:

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical; however, verbal

permission is acceptable otherwise. In the case of verbal permission, a form shall be filled out

noting who provided verbal permission, when, and a synopsis of the conversation. Written

permission forms will be maintained atthe 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.

F: Pilot Minimum Requirements

The pilot in command shall meet or exceed the following requirements:

1. A private pilot’s license issued by the FAA. 

2. A least 20 hours logged as Pilot in Command of the specific UAS make and model. 

G. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming Drone Productions will submit a written plan

of activities to the local 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.

4, Size and weight of the drone to be used.

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

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 to the inspector upon request from 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 maximum altitudes

essential to accomplish the operations.

The three (3) day notification may be waived; however, the operator should contact the

FSO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in detail why the three (3)

day notification is not practical.

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H. Briefing of Personnel

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

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel ofthe 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 FSO 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

• 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

• Weather / Wind considerations and impact

I. Security

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

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

vehicles. Provisionswill be made to immediately discontinueoperationsshouldthearea(s) become

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

J. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command 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.

K. Accident Notification

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

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. Otherwise, should a minor injury occur related to the

drone operation, it will be included into the production report.

L. 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.

M. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Drone Productions motion picture and

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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 the Drone Productionsmotion 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 drones(s) and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection

before the scheduled event. Drone Productions will ensure thatthe 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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