March 1, 2016

U.S. Dept. of Transportation

Docket Management Systems

1200 New Jersey, Avenue, SE

West Building Ground Floor, Room W 12-140

Washington, DC 20590-0001

SUBJECT: Petition for Section 333 Exemption of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 

of 2012 

I, Chris Savas, on behalf of Chris Savas Photography, hereby petition the FAA for a Section 333 

exemption from various sections of 49 USC of Federal Aviation Regulations. 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Public Law 112-95, 

and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, we request certain exemptions in order to perform aerial cinematography 

using a small unmanned aerial vehicle, the DJI Inspire 1 Pro. 

Respectfully, 

Chris Savas

Chris Savas

Owner

Chris Savas Photography

Applicant:

Chris Savas Photography

260 Greencrest Court

Marietta, Georgia 30068
OVERVIEW:

I, Chris Savas, on behalf of Chris Savas Photography, hereby petition the FAA for a Section 333 

exemption from various sections of 49 USC of Federal Aviation Regulations. 

Chris Savas Photography is a full-service photography and videography company. Chris Savas 

Photography has been in business for more than 40 years, and is committed to responsibly, 

professionally, and safely operating an unmanned aerial vehicle for the purpose of aerial 

cinematography. 

An example of our commitment to operate a UAV safely is our thorough pre and post flight 

protocols that we closely adhere to on every mission. In addition, I am a member of UAVUS, a 

national association of professional UAV operators that adheres to a strict Code of Conduct and 

best practices that places public safety first above all other considerations. 

The Pilot in Charge (PIC) will possess either an airline transport, commercial, private, 

recreational, or sport pilot certificate; and hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid 

U.S. driver’s license. The PIC will also be an experienced UAV operator. 

We are extremely sensitive and aware of the importance of safety and privacy, especially as it 

relates to UAVs. We believe safety is the first and overriding priority in regards to operating a 

UAV. Additionally, our PIC would not operate a UAV in a manner as to invade the privacy of 

anyone unaware of our flight intentions.

GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF OPERATION:

Chris Savas Photography is offering its services in all 50 states.

Our missions will take place in both urban and rural settings. Each flight will be conducted with 

the full permission and under the supervision of the land or property owner. Typically, each flight 

will be limited to 300-feet AGL, since the purpose of our operations is to capture low and slow 

photographic and video imagery.

When necessary, we will notify and seek the approval of airport authorities as required by FAA 

regulations.
UAV INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS:

The DJI Inspire 1 Pro is a lightweight, battery-operated, four-motor rotorcraft in the form of a 

quadcopter that takes off and lands vertically. The DJI Inspire 1 Pro weighs 7.5 lb. The DJI 

Inspire 1 Pro includes the following safety features:

• An onboard flight computer with GPS navigation and location ability that receives signals for 

flight controls from a ground-based transmitter/controller;

• An onboard camera capable of capturing imagery in the form of full color, high definition still 

photos and video;

• An onboard telemetry system that delivers flight data from the onboard flight computer to the 

onboard radio transmitter including altitude AGL, horizontal and vertical speed, compass 

direction of flight and direction back to its launch site;

• A onboard radio transmitter that transmits live video from the onboard camera plus all the 

flight data from the telemetry system described above.

GROUND SYSTEM:

• A Pilot in Charge (PIC) in operational control of a flight operation from beginning to end and 

who controls the UAV while in flight;

• A Visual Observer (VO) that provides a second pair of eyes to visually track the UAV while in 

flight;

• A radio transmitter/controller (5.8GHz and 2.4GHz) operated by our PIC to control the UAV 

while in flight;

• A monitor that receives live video and flight data from the UAV while in flight.

PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST:

• When required, notify the appropriate FAA facility of our launch schedule and location.

• Survey the area of operation for hazards - trees, utility poles and other obstacles that might 

compromise the flight, then make a judgment as to whether to proceed.

• Check the weather for wind speed, cloud cover and any forecast changes that might 

adversely affect flight safety and performance.

• Examine the aircraft ⎯ looking at connections and searching for cracks and loose parts.

• Determine that the electronic elements are performing correctly.

• Determine that the barometric altimeter reflects approximately 0 feet AGL.
• Following takeoff, our PIC will hover at an altitude of approximately 10 feet to assure that the 

home return point is established.

• Exercise all controls to confirm their functionality ⎯ if one of the controls is not functioning, 

the mission will be terminated immediately.

• Operate with a Visual Observer (VO) alongside the PIC who will double-check for possible 

flight hazards. The VO will provide a second pair of eyes to assist the PIC in keeping the 

UAV within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS). The VO will also assist in any emergency 

maneuvers due to unanticipated events that require a quick landing.

SAFETY AND PRIVACY PROTOCOLS:

• Will not fly over dense traffic or crowds.

• Will give right-of-way to manned aircraft.

• Will stay clear of FAA controlled airspace at airports (generally a five nautical mile radius), as 

well as restricted and prohibited zones.

• Will fly no higher than 400' AGL and no further than 1000' from the home point, recognizing 

that the primary responsibility is to safely keep the aircraft within VLOS.

• Will perform a post-flight check of the DJI Inspire 1 Pro to determine its physical and 

electronic condition.

• Gain express permission to fly above any and all property within flight plan.

• Follow a preflight checklist confirming battery charge, propeller connection, motor function, 

etc.

• Calibrate compass before each flight.

• Never fly in high wind or threat of precipitation.

• Set maximum height and radius flight limits in intelligent controller if possible.

• Use low battery warning audible alarms from the controller to return to home, and land well 

before battery capacity falls below 30 percent.

EXEMPTION REQUEST:

We respectfully request exemption from the following regulations with which we cannot fully 

comply:
14CFR

Part 21 Airworthiness Certification

Summary: Subpart H "prescribes the procedural requirements for issuing and changing design 

approval, production approval, airworthiness certificates and airworthiness approval."

Response: "The Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft meets the 

conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from 14 CFR part 

21, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is not necessary."

Part 61 (a)(b) Parts, General Operating and Flight Rules

Summary: (a) Prescribes the requirements for issuing pilot licenses and the privileges and 

limitations associated with various ratings.

Summary: (b) Aeronautical experience means pilot time, flight simulator or flight training device 

for meeting the appropriate training and flight time requirements for an airman certificate.

Response: Organized or commercially available FAA-approved flight training has yet to be 

achieved by the UAV industry. Our PIC’s sources of training are: the flight instruction manuals 

from the UAV manufacturer; online videos from the manufacturer as well as videos from users; 

and most importantly, personal training in a secure location - an open area not subject to traffic 

and/or uninvolved individuals.

Those training flights include setup, physical and electronic safety checks; lift off followed by 

hovering at approximately 10-feet to confirm that the GPS system is functioning properly and 

has registered its Home Point; a prescribed flight plan to familiarize and then master the flight 

controls and camera; returning to the launch point and landing. We then conduct a post-flight 

inspection for any problems, log the location and flight time and then view the video. There are 

no FAA certified instructors or FAA certified study guides available at this time as the technology 

continues to develop. We respectfully request an exemption from this rule.

§ 91.103 (b)(2)

Summary: This section deals with the pilot's preparations for flight, in particular runway lengths, 

takeoff and landing distance information.

Response: Since a quadcopter, like a helicopter, takes off and lands vertically, the PIC would 

not need to know this information since there are no runways involved and the return from flight 

is the takeoff point. The FAA has determined that "relief is not necessary."
§ 91.105

Summary: This section deals with flight crew members at stations.

Response: Since there are no passengers, pilots or crew members, we respectfully request 

relief from this regulation.

§ 91.109

Summary: This sections deals with flight instruction, simulated instrument flight and certain 

flight tests.

Response: These functions are not applicable to a quadcopter flight and, as stated earlier, 

there are no FAA certified instructors or FAA certified study guides available at this time for 

quadcopter operation. We respectfully request an exemption from this rule.

§ 91.119 (a) (b) (c)

Summary: This section deals with minimum safe altitude stating that if a power failure occurs, 

the aircraft has sufficient altitude to conduct an emergency landing without hazard to persons or 

property (91.119 a). It also sets minimum altitudes over congested areas and uncongested 

areas as well as has a paragraph on helicopters (91.119 b). It also sets minimum distance (500 

feet) from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure (91.119 c).

Response: None of the altitude requirements in this regulation should apply to a UAV since the 

aircraft is required to fly below 400 feet. The weight, speed and GPS-controlled Return to Home 

feature of the DJI Inspire 1 Pro mitigate incidents that could occur from loss of signal between 

the aircraft and the PIC. A manned aircraft is much heavier and larger than a DJI Inspire 1 Pro. 

If a DJI Inspire 1 Pro were to malfunction, it carries no humans, no explosive fuel and since it 

flies primarily over a single piece of private property, any damage would likely be minimal and 

confined to that area. In addition, access to the property is strictly controlled (warning sign and 

the clearing of any person on the property not involved in the flight). We respectfully request an 

exemption from this rule.

§ 91.121

Summary: This section details altimeter settings required to maintain the “cruising altitude or 

flight level of that aircraft." 

It requires that the "elevation of the departure airport" be set in the altimeter or the "current 

reported altimeter setting of a station along the route and within 100 miles of the aircraft".
Response: A UAV cannot comply fully with this section's altitude requirements. The DJI Inspire 

1 Pro is equipped with a barometric altimeter which automatically calculates the takeoff altitude 

(0 AGL) when the aircraft is activated ⎯ the launch point becomes the "elevation of the 

departure" point. 

The altitude of the UAV we use is visible in the telemetry monitor used by our PIC before launch 

and is consistently updated as the flight progresses. We respectfully request an exemption from 

this rule.

§ 91.151

Summary: This section deals with fuel requirements for VFR flights stating, among other things, 

that "no person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR condition unless...there is enough 

fuel to fly to the first point of the intended landing and, “...fly after that for at least 40 minutes 

(day) and 45 minutes (night)".

Response: This regulation deals with 'reserve' fuel. This could include any condition that 

increases flight time or fuel consumption. Weather would be one factor including wind, 

turbulence and the necessity to divert around threatening thunderstorms.

Compliance with this regulation is not possible because the 'fuel" onboard the DJI Inspire 1 Pro 

is not aviation gas but a DC battery with a maximum flight duration of 15 minutes. Fuel 

management of a UAV requires constant monitoring of the battery's state-of-charge and bringing 

it home before it reaches the manufacturer’s recommended 30-percent level. We respectfully 

request an exemption from this rule.

§ 91.405

Summary: This section deals with aircraft maintenance including regular inspection, the 

keeping of appropriate maintenance records and replacement of inoperable instruments.

Response: Maintenance on the DJI Inspire 1 Pro is straight forward. If, in landing, a rotor blade 

or two are damaged, they are quickly replaced. The traditional instrument cluster in an aircraft is 

replaced by a data stream from the UAV, visible in the control monitor.

Replacement of minor parts are performed by the PIC and a major 'overhaul' that can’t be easily 

resolved will go back to the manufacturer for repair. Currently, there are no required inspections 

by 'authorized' maintenance personnel and there would be no space/room onboard to install a 

placard of inoperability. We respectfully request an exemption from this rule.
§ 91.407

Summary/Response: This section addresses requirements after maintenance has been 

performed. Again, approval of the maintenance before flight is essentially in the hands of the 

PIC.

All maintenance performed will be entered in the aircraft log, unless a separate maintenance log 

is required. Paragraph (b) restricts a pilot from carrying passengers or crew members, if the 

flight characteristics have been substantially affected before a rated pilot performs an operations 

check of the maintenance. 

It is the responsibility of the PIC to perform a preflight inspection of the DJI Inspire 1 Pro and 

determine its flyability. And, as mentioned earlier, there is no pilot, crew members or passengers 

onboard the DJI Inspire 1 Pro. We respectfully request an exemption from this rule.

§ 91.409

Inspections: This section deals with the necessity of annual and 100-hour inspections or 

"progressive inspections" and approval by authorized persons which will lead to the "issuance of 

an airworthiness certificate."

Response: As stated earlier, there are no FAA approved inspection protocols nor authorized 

inspection personnel. The PIC handles those issues each time the DJI Inspire 1 Pro is prepared 

for flight. The pre-flight check list enumerated earlier will be followed to determine its mechanical 

and electronic integrity. We respectfully request an exemption from this rule.

§ 91.417

Maintenance Records: This section requires a maintenance record be kept on repair, 

replacement, and condition of vital parts (rotors, engines & airframe). Certain records must be 

retained for one year while other records must be kept with the aircraft even when sold to 

another part.

Response: The details of this section would be impractical with the DJI Inspire 1 Pro since the 

information cannot be kept in the UAV, but repair issues can and will be entered into the aircraft 

log. We respectfully request an exemption from this rule.
§ 91.7

Summary/Response: Chris Savas Photography requests an exemption from the civil aircraft 

worthiness requirement under § 91.7(a). 

Section 333 permits the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirements of an airworthiness 

certificate upon consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability, and proximity to 

airports and populated areas of the identified UAV, and the FAA has determined that such 

certificates are not necessary for a UAV. Without such a certificate, Chris Savas Photography 

will be unable to comply with § 91.7(a). However, the FAA “has determined that for the purposes 

of this exemption the pilot may determine the aircraft is in an airworthy condition prior to flight. 

The FAA’s regulations state that the PIC of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether 

the aircraft is in a condition for safe flight.” (See previously granted exemption no. 11213)

The above requests for exemptions follow the guidance published by the FAA.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT:

First and foremost is the level of safety offered by the use of a small UAV in comparison to a 

manned fixed wing or rotorcraft. Weighing 7.5 pounds with camera and battery, the DJI Inspire 1 

Pro is incapable of causing the level of damage or injury caused by a full-size, manned aircraft. 

Additionally, the ecologic and noise impact is negligible as compared to traditional manned 

aircraft. Economically, small unmanned aerial vehicles are the most cost-effective solution for 

obtaining low and slow video and photography, making aerial videography more affordable for 

the businesses we serve. 

Sincerely, 

Chris Savas

Chris Savas

Owner

Chris Savas Photography