Motion Picture and Television Flight Operation Manual

Jackson & Sons Commercial Photography 

15 N Chenevert #108

Houston, Tx. 77002

(832) 428-8227
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction 

A. Purpose 4 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4 

C. Persons Authorized 4 

D. Area of Operations 4 

E. Plan of Activities 4/5 

F. Permission to Operate 5 

G. Security 5

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 5

I. Certification/Airworthiness 6 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 6 

K. Communications 8 L. Accident Notification 6

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 7 

N. Aerobatic Competency 7 

O. Aerobatic Competency 7 

2. Company Organization 

A. Chief Pilot 8 

B. Pilot in Command 8 

Appendix A 

1 List of Approved Pilots 9

2 List of Approved Aircraft 10 

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 11

4 Revision Letter (sample) 12 

Appendix B 

1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 13
REVISION CONTROL PAGE

 Revision# Date Initials

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
1. INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by “Jackson & Sons Commercial Photographers”, hereafter referred to 

as “J&S”, in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the provisions of FAR 

91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. J&S pilots and other company personnel when applicable will 

comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television flight 

operations are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

James Jackson

Jackson & Sons Commercial Photographers

15 N. Chenevert #108

Houston, Tx. 77002

(832) 428-8227

C. 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 ASI’s evaluation of the filming 

production area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating 

persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident.

D. Area of Operations

J&S’s approved area of operations will be the continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, H5 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) 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 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 minimum altitudes essential to accomplish 

the operations.
1. INTRODUCTION

E. (cont’d)

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

soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not 

practical. F. 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:

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The J&S personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written permission. J&S personnel 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.

G. 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.

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production 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 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. INTRODUCTION

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All J&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. However, restricted category aircraft cannot be 

used as the filming “vehicle” in motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category 

must have an airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order to be used in motion picture 

and television filming. The aircraft will be 100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and inspections (transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. 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 pilot in command will assure the aircraft 

to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and

maintenance has been completed before each flight.

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements.

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(1) A current U.S. pilot certificate with ratings appropriate to the category, class and type (if applicable) of aircraft 

to be used under the terms of the waiver.

(2) At least 100 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC in the aircraft type.

(3) A minimum of 50 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used.

(4) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under the waiver.

(5) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external-load operation, whether fixed 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 and/written) and/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:

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

(b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load.

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating procedures and the aircraft 

flight manual.

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load combination flight 

manual and limitations, if appropriate.

K. 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.

L. Accident Notification

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

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.
1. INTRODUCTION

M. 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.

N. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Aerobatic Competency, refer to 

Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a Statement of Aerobatic Competency.

O. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the J&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 the J&S motion picture and television operations 

manual (“Appendix A” page 11) 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 before the scheduled event. Each pilot-in-command 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” page 15) Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected 

in a manner that will prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. J&S 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.
2. COMPANY ORGANIZATION

A. Chief Pilot

 Duties and Responsibilities:

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

 • Act as liaison between J&S and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

 • 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.

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for J&S.

• 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 J&S under the 

provisions of this manual.

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

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

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

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

been performed as per appropriate FAR’s.

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of this manual.

• 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 formulate plans, 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.
APPENDIX A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name : 

Certificate Number : 

Grade :

Medical Class/Date : 

Contact Number : 

Pilots

Name : 

Certificate Number : 

Grade : 

Medical Class/Date :

Contact Number : 

Name : 

Certificate Number :

 Grade : Commercial

Medical Class/Date : 

Contact Number : 
APPENDIX A .2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model

1. DJI Inspire 1

2.DJI Phantom 3 Professional

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.
APPENDIX A .3

Jackson and Sons Commercial Photographers

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Jackson and Sons Commercial Photographers. Permission to 

operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or 

affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production.

Name:

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature __________________________________________________

Date __________________________

J&S Representative Receiving Permission_________________________________________
APPENDIX A .4

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

R • Remove and Replace D • Delete and Destroy N • Insert New Page

Manual Serial# ___________________ Issued To ___________________________

Revised By _________________________________

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than ____________________________
APPENDIX B .1

(see attached form 7711-2)