May 8, 2015 

 Exemption No. 11508 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2015–0434 

Mr. David P. Ferrell 

Counsel for GSC Surveying, Inc. 

Vandeventer Black LLC 

434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2000 

P.O. Box 2599 

Raleigh, NC 27602 

Dear Mr. Ferrell: 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends. 

By letter dated February 19, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of GSC Surveying, Inc. (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an exemption. The 

exemption would allow the petitioner to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to 

conduct precision aerial surveys, including in the areas of construction, agriculture, mining, 

scientific studies, wildlife monitoring, forestry, and oil, power and gas industries. 

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing the proposed operations and 

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption. 

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner. 

Airworthiness Certification 

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a PrecisionHawk Hawkeye Mk-III. 
2 

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in 

reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited 

operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation 

has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA 

finds that relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 

Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing 

requirements of part 36, is not necessary. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection. The FAA has issued grants of 

exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. 

In Grants of Exemption Nos. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 

11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see

Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned 

aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or 

crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in 

addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled 

by this exemption is in the public interest. 

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that— 

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of 

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213; 

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and 

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Our Decision 

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, GSC Surveying, Inc. is granted an exemption from 

14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 

91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to 

the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection. 

This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

In this grant of exemption, GSC Surveying, Inc. is hereafter referred to as the operator. 
3 

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption. 

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the PrecisionHawk 

Hawkeye Mk-III when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed 

operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this 

exemption. 

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are 

not permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the 

aircraft manufacturer. 

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL. 

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. 

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or 

U.S. driver’s license. 

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within 

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used 

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS 

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; 

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC 

must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the 

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties 

required of the VO. 

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, 

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating 

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 
4 

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update 

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then 

the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s 

UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding 

updates or revisions to the operating documents. 

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo 

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such 

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property. 

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is 

in a condition for safe operation. 

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the 

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all 

potential discrepancies, e.g., inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is 

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the 

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. 

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and 

aircraft components. 

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins. 

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, 

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a 

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a 

state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 

Government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate. 

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the 

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be 

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and 

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC 

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 
5 

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs 

(training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to 

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, 

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During 

training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for 

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA 

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119. 

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized. 

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as 

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not 

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s 

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption 

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available 

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC. 

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property. 

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies. 

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the 

intended operation and to operate after that for at least 5 minutes or with the reserve 

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater. 

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA. 

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification 

(N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable. 
6 

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and 

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. 

These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request. 

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless: 

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure 

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises 

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of 

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety 

of nonparticipating persons; and 

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard. 

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption. 

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted. 

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported 

to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be 

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov. 

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply. 

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) 

as documented in this grant of exemption. 
7 

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this 

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards 

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day 

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities 

must include at least the following: 

a. Dates and times for all flights; 

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted 

under this grant of exemption; 

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of 

the UAS; 

d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used; 

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming; 

f. A statement that the operator 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; 

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and 

h. 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 altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation. 

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the 

exemption holder’s MPTOM. 

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS 

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, 

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91. 

 
8 

This exemption terminates on May 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John S. Duncan 

Director, Flight Standards Service 
VMDEVENTERBIACKLLP 

David P. Ferrell 

dferrell@vanblk.com 

www.vanblk.com 

434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2000 • P.O. Box 2599 • Raleigh, NC 27602-2599 • Office 919.754.1171 • Facsimilie 919.754.1317 

February 19,2015 

U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey A venue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations- GSC Surveying, Inc. 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

Pursuant to Section 333 ofthe FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 (the "Reform 

Act") and 14 C.P.R. Part 11, GSC Surveying, Inc. ("GSC"), the operator of Small Unmanned 

Aircraft Systems ("sUASs" or "UASs"), including the Hawkeye Mk-III by PrecisionHawk, 

Inc., in North Carolina, seeks an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations ("FARs") 

listed below and discussed in Appendix A. 1 GSC seeks exemption from the listed F ARs to allow 

its use of the UASs in commercial operations with its clients, such as precision aerial surveys, 

including in the areas of construction, agriculture, mining, scientific studies, wildlife monitoring, 

forestry, and oil, power and gas industries, so long as such operations are conducted within and 

under the conditions outlined herein or as established by the FAA in an exemption granted under 

either Section 333 or Section 49 U.S.C. § 44701(£)2

. 

As discussed below, at pages 4-8, GSC is willing to abide by conditions the FAA has 

required in issuing recent Section 333 exemptions, specifically Exemptions 11109 (Clayco, Inc.) 

and 11110 (Trimble Navigation Ltd.). This agreement on GSC's part and the strong similarity of 

its operations to those approved in Exemptions 11109 and 1111 0 should give the FAA a basis for 

prompt consideration and processing of this request. 

Granting GSC's petition for exemption will further the public interest by allowing GSC 

to safely, efficiently, and economically perform aerial acquisition and research over the State of 

North Carolina in support of its clients in industries such as government entities, construction, 

agriculture, scientific studies, wildlife monitoring, and forestry, while also furthering the 

development of the state economy related to the oil, power, and gas industries. 

GSC proposes to use a small, lightweight UASs - the Hawkeye Mk-III - and 

cloud-based software to collect, process, and analyze aerial data principally for purposes of 

precision surveying. In doing so, GSC would provide high quality and actionable information to 

1 See Pub. Law 112-95, 126 Stat. 11, § 333 (2012). 

2 GSC relies upon the following exemptions where specific reference to an exemption is not provided: Exemptions 

11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109 through 11112, and 11114. 

Norfolk • Richmond • Raleigh • Pasadena • Kitty Hawk • Hamburg, Germany 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

February 19,2015 

Page 2 

users. Indeed, use of the Hawkeye Mk-III would contribute to various social goods, from 

precision aerial surveys in construction projects to environmental protection to improved crop 

yields. In providing this service, GSC would empower crop researchers and farmers to make 

better management decisions through software that identifies disease and insects, nutrient 

deficiencies, and materials for increasing yields with fewer resources. These developments 

would increase economic growth, which would be in the public interest. 

Operations under the exemption will be subject to strict operating requirements and 

conditions to ensure at least an equivalent level of safety to currently authorized operations using 

manned aircraft and under conditions as may be modified by the FAA as required by Section 

333. By authorizing UAS operations, the FAA would advance the public interest by reducing the number 

of manned aircraft in the National Airspace System; reducing air and noise pollution; reducing the risk to 

life and property on the ground; and increasing agricultural economic growth. 

As described more fully below, the requested exemption would authorize commercial 

operations of aerial surveys using the Hawkeye Mk-III by PrecisionHawk, Inc., which with a 

maximum take-offweight of 5.5 lbs. is small in size. The Hawkeye Mk-III will be operated under 

controlled conditions at low altitude in airspace that is limited in scope, as described more fully 

herein; it will have automated control features, as described herein. The Hawkeye Mk-III also will 

be operated by an individual possessing a private pilot certificate. Finally, the airspace in which 

the UAS will operate will be disclosed to the FAA in advance. 

GSC respectfully submits that because this small, unmanned aerial vehicle -the Hawkeye 

Mk-III- will be used in lieu of comparatively hazardous operations now conducted with fixed 

wing and rotary conventional aircraft, the FAA can have confidence that the operations will 

achieve at least an equivalent level or greater level of safety. Approval of this exemption would 

thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation's (the FAA Administrator's) 

responsibilities under Section 333(c) of the Reform Act to "establish requirements for the 

safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system." 

The name and address of the applicant are: 

GSC Surveying, Inc. 

Attn: Greg Crowder, Owner 

4072 Barrett Drive 

Raleigh, NC 27609 

Ph: 919-787-5805 

Email: greg@gscsurveying.com 

The regulations from which the exemption is requested are as follows: 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b); 

14 C.F.R. § 61.133(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a); 

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Page 3 

14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.407(a)(l); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.409(a)(2); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.417(a) & (b) 

Appendix A discusses each rule listed above and explains why exemptions pursuant to the 

proposal set forth in this letter are appropriate, provide an equivalent level of safety, and are in the 

public interest. Appendix B provides the requisite Federal Register summary. 

SECTION 333 LEGAL STANDARD 

GSC submits that grant of this exemption application for use of the UASs in precision 

aerial surveys will advance the Congressional mandate in Section 333 of the Reform Act to 

accelerate the introduction of UASs into the national airspace system ("NAS") if it can be 

accomplished safely. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether certain 

UASs may operate safely in the NAS before completion of the rulemaking required under Section 

332 ofthe Reform Act. In making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which 

types ofUASs 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 U AS within visual line of sight of the operator. 

Reform Act§ 333(a)(l). 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." Id. § 333(c) (emphasis added). 3 

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, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness 

certificate and those regulations requiring commercial pilots to operate aircraft in commercial 

service: 

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation 

prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any of sections 44 702-

44 716 of this title if the Administrator finds the exemption is in the public 

interest. 

3 Applicant submits that this provision places a duty on the Administrator to not only process applications for 

exemptions under Section 333, but for the Administrator, if he deems the conditions proposed herein required 

modification to allow approval, to supply conditions for the safe operation of the UAS. GSC welcomes the 

opportunity to consult with FAA staff in order to address any issues or concerns that this proposal may raise that 

they believe may require modification. 

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U.S. Department of Transportation 

February 19,2015 

Page4 

49 U.S.C. § 44701(±). See also 49 U.S.C. § 44711(a); 49 U.S.C. § 44704; 14 C.P.R.§ 91.203(a)(l). 

The grant of the requested exemption is in the public interest based on the clear direction 

in Section 333 of the Reform Act; the additional authority in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; 

the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations; and the significant 

public benefit, including enhanced safety and cost savings associated with transitioning to UASs 

for aerial surveying. Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the 

requested exemption without delay.4 

EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY 

The applicant 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 

at least an equivalent or even higher level of safety to operations under the current regulatory 

structure because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement to operations that would 

be conducted with conventional aircraft. These conditions are drawn from Exemptions 11062 

through 11067, 11080, 11109, and 11110. 

These limitations and conditions to which GSC (or "operator") agrees to be bound when 

conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption include: 

1. Operations of the Hawkeye Mk-III are limited to the aircraft described in the manuals filed 

with PrecisionHawk, Inc.'s application ("manuals")5

, which is a miniature propeller 

airplane built by PrecisionHawk that weighs less than six pounds (the "UA" or "UAS"). 

Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend 

this grant. 

2. The UA may not be flown at an indicated airspeed exceeding 50 knots. 

3. The UA may be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

("AGL"), as indicated by the procedures specified in the UAS manuals referenced herein. 

All altitudes reported to Air Traffic Control ("ATC") must be in feet AGL. 

4. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight ("VLOS") of the pilot-in-command 

("PIC") at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any 

4 In filing this application, GSC also is requesting that the FAA combine the grant of the Section 333 exemption with 

a stand-alone Certificate of Operation ("COA'') that will allow commercial operations of the Hawkeye Mk-111 in 

North Carolina without the necessity of filing for a COA for each flight. Compliance with the conditions agreed to 

herein and that may be imposed by the FAA, as set forth in prior Section 333 exemptions, provide the separation 

needed from other aircraft. Notice to airmen and notice to air traffic control can be provided by the filing of a 

NOT AM as set forth within the proposed conditions. 5 Precision Hawk's manuals and related materials for the Hawkeyes Mk-111 were submitted as confidential to the 

FAA with their application for exemption under Section 333, and GSC incorporates these materials herein by 

reference as if fully set forth herein. 

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Page 5 

devise other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC's FAA-issued airman medical 

certificate. 

5. All operations must utilize a visual observer ("VO"). The VO may be used to satisfy the 

VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and 

PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times. The PIC must be designated before 

the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC 

must ensure that the VO can perform the functions prescribed in the operator's manual. 

6. The manuals must be amended to include all conditions and limitations required by the 

FAA. The manuals must be maintained and made available to the Administrator upon 

request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in the exemption 

and the procedures outlined in the manuals, the conditions and limitations in the exemption 

take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures 

as outlined in the manuals. 

The operator may update or revise the manuals. It is the operator's responsibility to track 

such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the Administrator upon 

request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for 

an extension or amendment of this exemption. If the operator determines that any update 

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then the 

operator must petition for amendment to its exemption. 

7. Prior to each flight, the PIC must inspect the UAS to ensure it is in a condition for safe 

flight. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the 

aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been 

performed, and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. The ground control 

station must be included in the preflight inspection. All maintenance and alterations must 

be properly documented in the aircraft records. 

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or 

flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a 

functional test flight in accordance with the operator's manual. The PIC who conducts the 

functional test flight must make an entry in the UAS aircraft records of the flight. The 

manuals include this requirement. 

9. The preflight inspection section in the manuals includes the following requirement: the 

preflight inspection must account for all discrepancies, i.e., inoperable components, items, 

or equipment, not covered in the relevant preflight inspection sections of the operator's 

manual. 

10. The operator must follow GSC's UA aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements, with particular attention to flight 

critical components that may not be addressed in the manufacturer's manuals. 

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Page 6 

11. Operator must carry out its maintenance, inspections, and record keeping requirements in 

accordance with the manuals. Maintenance, inspection, and alterations must be noted in 

the aircraft logbook, including total flight hours, description of work accomplished, and 

the signature of the authorized technician returning the UAS to service. 

12. The authorized technicians must receive and document training referenced m the 

manuals. 

13. Each UAS operated under the exemption must comply with all GSC system and safety 

bulletins. 

14. Operator's maintenance personnel must make a record entry in the UAS logbook or 

equivalent document of the corrective action taken against discrepancies discovered 

between inspections. 

15. The PIC must possess at least a private pilot certificate and a third-class airman medical 

certificate. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 C.F.R. 

61.56 as to the UAS. 

16. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless that PIC has demonstrated through 

GSC's training and currency requirements that the PIC is able to safely operate the UA in 

a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including 

evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from people, 

vessels, vehicles, and structures. 

17. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a predetermined location within the private or controlled-access property and land or be 

recovered in accordance with the manuals. 

18. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies in 

accordance with the manuals. 

19. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a UAS flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough power to fly to the first point of intended landing and, 

assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 10 minutes. 

20. The operator will file a request for a Notice to Airmen (NOT AM) not more than 72 hours 

in advance, but not less than 48 hours prior to the operation. 

21. All aircraft operated in accordance with the exemption must be identified by serial number, 

registered in accordance with 14 C.F.R. part 47, and have identification (N-Number) 

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Page 7 

markings in accordance with 14 C.P.R. part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as 

practicable. 

22. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and control 

of the UA must comply with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") or other 

appropriate government oversight agency requirements. 

23. The documents required under 14 C.F.R. 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at 

the ground control station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents 

must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. 

24. The UA must remain clear and yield the right of way to all other manned operations and 

activities at all times (including, but not limited to, ultralight vehicles, parachute activities, 

parasailing activities, hang gliders, etc.). 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 C.P.R. 1.1. 

27. All operations shall be conducted in Class G airspace. 

28. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions ("VMC"). The 

UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from 

a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC. 

29. During operations in Class G airspace, the UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of 

the geographic center of an airport as denoted on a current FAA-published aeronautical 

chart unless a letter of agreement with that airport's management is obtained, and the 

operation is conducted in accordance with a NOT AM as required by the operator's COA. 

The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the 

Administrator upon request. 

30. The UA may not be operated over congested or densely populated areas unless the 

conditions set forth in #31 are satisfied. These populated areas include, but are not limited 

to, the yellow areas depicted on World Aeronautical Charts ("WAC"), Sectional 

Aeronautical Charts ("Sectionals"), or Terminal Area Charts ("TAC"). However, 

aeronautical charts may not reflect pertinent local information. Ultimately, it is the PIC's 

responsibility to maintain the minimum safe altitudes required by § 91.119. 

31. Operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons (persons 

other than the PIC or VO), vessels, vehicles, and structures unless: 

7 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

February 19, 2015 

Page 8 

a. barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from 

debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure that nonparticipating 

persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises in which nonparticipating 

persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must 

cease immediately; and/or 

b. the aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles, or structures where the land 

owner/controller has granted permission and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects; and 

c. operations near the PIC or VO do not present an undue hazard to the PIC or VO, per 

§ 91.119(a). 

32. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the land owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission from 

land owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be 

conducted. 

33. In the event COAs are required, any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses 

the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA 

must be reported to the FAA's UAS Integration Office ("AFS-80") within 24 hours. 

Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board ("NTSB") per 

instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov. 

Regarding privacy, all flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the 

property owner's prior consent and knowledge. Inspection will be in areas where the owners will 

have consented to the inspections or otherwise have agreed to allow the UAS and the operator to 

be in the area where inspection will take place. 

No national security issue is raised by the grant of this exemption. Given the size, load 

carrying capacity, speed at which it operates, and the fact that it carries no explosives or other 

dangerous materials, the UAS poses no threat to national security. 

In summary, GSC seeks an exemption from the F ARs set forth in Appendix A to operate 

commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55 lbs. or less) in precision aerial survey operations in 

North Carolina. Approval of this exemption for commercial aerial survey operations will enhance 

safety by reducing risk. Conventional operations, using jet or piston powered aircraft, operate 

at extremely low altitudes just feet from the subject being inspected and in extreme proximity to 

people and structures. Such manned operations present the risks associated with vehicles that 

weigh in excess of 6,000 lbs., carrying large amounts of jet A or other fuel. Such aircraft must fly 

to and from the project location. In contrast, a UAS weighing fewer than six lbs. and powered by 

batteries eliminates virtually all of that risk given the reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel 

carried on board. The UAS is carried to the target area and not flown. The UAS will carry no 

passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft 

flights. 

8 
U.S. Department of Transportation 

February 19, 2015 

Page 9 

The operation of small UASs, weighing less than six lbs., conducted in the strict conditions 

outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the exemptions 

requested herein. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, and in 

areas that are under the control of the customer. As a result, they are far safer than conventional 

operations conducted with manned aircraft operating in close proximity to the ground and people. 

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012 - size, 

weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas, and operation 

within visual line of sight and national security- provide more than adequate justification for the 

grant of the requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of applicant's UAS for the 

purposes outlined herein and are consistent with exemptions already granted, including 

Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109 through 11112, and 11114. 

Sincerely, 

VANDEVENTER BLACK LLP 

David P. Ferrell 

Counsel for GSC Surveying, Inc. 

9 
APPENDIX A 

EXEMPTION REQUEST AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY SHOWINGS 

UNDER APPLICABLE RULES SUBJECT TO EXEMPTION 

GSC requests an exemption from the following regulations as well as any additional 

regulations that may technically apply to the operation of the UAS described herein, including but 

not limited to regulations requiring manuals, certificates, and other similar items to be carried on 

an aircraft: 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b); 61.133(a): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations; Pilot in 

Command; Commercial Pilot Privileges and Limitations. 

Section 61.113( a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Unlike a 

conventional aircraft that carries a pilot, passengers, and cargo, the UAS in this case1

is remotely 

controlled with no passengers or property of others on board. Section 61.133(a) requires an 

individual with a commercial pilot's license to be pilot in command of any aircraft for 

compensation or hire. GSC respectfully proposes that operator requirements should take into 

account the characteristics of the particular UAS. The Hawkeye Mk-III has a high degree of preprogrammed control and various built-in technical capabilities that strictly limit the potential for 

operation outside of the operating conditions set forth in the exemption application. 

The UAS has an autonomous navigation and control system. Flights are pre- programmed 

with precision GPS guidance and do not require human intervention. In the case of unplanned 

events, the operator can manually intervene to take one of the following actions: (i) command the 

aircraft to begin to autonomously return to the recovery area and land; (ii) command the aircraft 

to autonomously return to the recovery area where the pilot will assume control and land the 

aircraft; or (iii) manually assume control of the aircraft via the hand controller and return the craft 

to the recovery area where the operator lands it. 

Additional automated safety functions and safety enhancing features of the UAS include the 

following: 

• Auto-pilot detection of lost GPS or of insufficient satellites initiates a stand-by loiter 

pattern until such time as GPS is re-established or the PIC assumes manual control of the 

aircraft. 

• Low battery power on the aircraft (10.4 volts) triggers the landing sequence and the craft 

will fly to the recovery area. 

1 PrecisionHawk's manuals and related materials for the Hawkeyes Mk-111 were submitted as confidential to the 

FAA 'Nith their application for exemption under Section 333, and GSC incorporates these materials herein by 

reference as if fully set forth herein. Representations contained herein are based on GSC's understanding of 

PrecisiorHawk's Hawkeye Mk-111 and representations PrecisionHawk has made about the Hawkeye Mk-111 in its 

application. 

1 
• If the auto-pilot detects a lost-link to the ground control station for longer than 30 seconds, 

landing procedure begins. 

• The aircraft, weighing fewer than 6 lbs., fully loaded, is constructed of foam, which is 

intended to absorb impact energy. 

• In the event the ground station reaches a low power state, it will alert the pilot. 

Given these safety features, GSC proposes that operators of the UAS should not be required to 

hold a commercial pilot certification. Instead, operators should be required to hold only a private 

pilot certification. 

The risks associated with the operation of the UAS (given its size, speed, operational 

capabilities, and lack of combustible fuel) are so diminished from the level of risk associated with 

commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 with conventional aircraft (fixed wing or 

rotorcraft) that allowing operations of the UAS as set forth above meets or exceeds the present 

level of safety provided under 14 C.P.R.§ 61.113(a) & (b) and does not rise to the level of requiring 

a commercial pilot to operate the aircraft under§ 61.133(a). 

Given these conditions and restrictions, an equivalent level of safety will be provided by 

allowing operation of the UAS with a private pilot's certificate, under the conditions set forth in 

the exemption request. The FAA has granted exemptions to conduct similar operations in 

Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109, and 11110. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness. 

This regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy 

condition. Should the exemption be granted allowing commercial operation of the UAS without 

an airworthiness certificate, no standard will exist for airworthiness ofthe UAS. Given the size of 

the aircraft and the requirements that the operator has agreed to as relates to airworthiness, as set 

forth in the UAS manuals referenced herein, an equivalent level of safety will be achieved by 

ensuring compliance with the UAS manuals referenced herein prior to each flight. The FAA has 

granted exemptions to conduct similar operations in Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 

11109, and 11110. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c): Minimum Safe Altitudes. 

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Specifically, 

91.119( c) limits aircraft flying over areas other than congested areas to an altitude of 5 00 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. 

As set forth herein, the UAS will never operate at higher than 400 feet AGL. It will, 

however, be operated to avoid congested or populated areas that are depicted in yellow on VFR 

sectional charts. Because aerial survey work must be accomplished at relatively low altitudes and 

at altitudes less than 500 feet AGL, an exemption from Section 91.119( c) is needed. 

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed, and material 

with which the UAS is built. Also, no flight will be taken without the permission of the landowner 

2 
or those who control the land as well as local officials. Because of advance notice to the landowner, 

all affected individuals will be aware of the survey flights. Compared to aerial survey operations 

conducted with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than 5.5 lbs. and carrying flammable fuel, 

any risk associated with these operations will be far less than the risks currently posed by 

conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 feet AGL. Indeed, the low-altitude operations of 

the UAS will maintain separation between these small-UAS operations and the operations of 

conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119. The FAA has granted exemptions to 

conduct similar operations in Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, and 1110. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions 

This regulation prohibits an individual from beginning "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." GSC 

understands that the batteries powering the UAS provide approximately 60 minutes of powered 

flight. Without an exemption from § 14 C.P.R. 91.151, the UAS's flights would be limited to 

approximately 30 minutes in length. Given the limitations on its proposed operations and the 

location of those proposed operations, a longer time frame for flight in daylight VFR conditions is 

reasonable. 

GSC believes that an exemption from 14 C.P.R. § 91.151(a) is safe and within the scope 

of prior exemptions. See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed Martin Corporation to operate 

without compliance with 91.151(a)). Operating the small UAS without 30 minutes ofreserve fuel 

does not engender the type of risks that Section 91.151 (a) was meant to prevent given the size and 

speed at which the UAS operates. The fact that it carries no pilot, passenger, or cargo also enhances 

its safety. Limiting UAS flights to 30 minutes would greatly reduce their utility. In the unlikely 

event that the UAS achieves a low battery state (1 0.4 volts), it would simply land. Given its weight 

and construction material, the risks are less than contemplated by the current regulation. 

GSC believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by maintaining 15 minutes 

of reserve fuel, which, allowing 45 minutes of flight time, would be more than adequate to return 

the UAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its operating area. 

Similar exemptions have been granted to other operators, including Exemptions 2689F, 

5745, 10673, 10808, and Exemptions 11062 through 11067, 11080, 11109, 1110, and 11112. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 407(a)(1); 409(a)(2); 417(a) & (b): Maintenance Inspections 

Section 91.405(a) requires that an aircraft operator or owner "shall have that aircraft 

inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as 

provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 4 3 of 

this chapter .... " Section 91.407 similarly makes reference to requirements in Part 4 3; Section 

91.409(a)(2) requires an annual inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate. Section 

91.417(a) requires the owner or operator to keep records showing certain maintenance work that 

3 
has been accomplished by certificated mechanics, under Part 43, or licensed pilots and records of 

approval of the aircraft for return to service. 

Maintenance of the UAS will be accomplished pursuant to the UAS manuals referenced 

herein. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because the UAS is small in size, will carry 

a small payload, will operation only in restricted predetermined areas and is not a complex 

mechanical device. As provided in the manuals, the operator will ensure that the UAS is in working 

order prior to initiating flight, perform required maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance 

that is performed; moreover, the operator is the person most familiar with the aircraft and is best 

suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition and to ensure an equivalent level of safety. 

The FAA has granted exemptions for similar operations in Exemptions 11 062 through 11 067, 

11080, 11109, 11110, and 11112. 

4 
APPENDIXB 

SUMMARY OF GSC SECTION 333 EXEMPTION REQUEST 

For publication in the Federal Register, GSC hereby provides pursuant to Part 11 a 

summary of its exemption application to allow commercial operation by GSC of the Hawkeye MkIII unmanned aircraft in precision aerial survey work. An exemption is requested from the 

following regulations: 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) & (b); 

14 C.F.R. § 61.133(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.15l(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.407(a)(l); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.409(a)(2); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.417(a) & (b) 

4812-5447-4785, v. I 

1