ETAK Systems, LLC . 4045 Perimeter West Dr.

Suite 600 Charlotte, NC 28214 Phone: (704) 398
- 9941 Fax: (704)398
- 8539
August 2 4, 201 5
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Docket Operations, M
- 30 1200 New Jersey Avenue., SE Room W12
- 140, West Building Ground Floor Washington, DC 20590
- 0001 **Re: Exemption Request** To whom it may concern, ETAK Systems would like to s ubmit a revision for our exemption concerning our sUAS program. For our specific revision, ETAK Systems would like to be able to: 1. F ly our FAA approved and registered sUAS outside of the barriers of a cellular compound for diagnostic signal strength measurements. 2. Fly our FAA approved and registered sUAS from a cellular compound to the neighboring cellular compound using the vehicles built in flight instrumentation and ground station programs. 3. Fly our FAA approved and registered sUAS along power line right of ways to do line and tower audits that would normally have to be done from a manned airplane or helicopter. These flights would be within the right of way as designated by the utility company and the height above the lines and towers would not exceed 400 ft agl using the available navigation equipment available. ETAK would like to fly outside of these constraints to measure sign al strength for our customers. Signal strength is affected by multiple variables and scenarios, examples include: weather, structures, antenna down tilt, and distance between neighboring cell site s . With ETAK Systems seeking the above revised exemption, wireless carriers will be able to have a better understanding of their cell coverage within a certain area and be able to update or correct there coverage map to better serve their customers. With better coverage and a faster diagnostic turnaround, the co mmunities and customers receive a better product as well as a more safe and reliable connection.With a signal strength diagnostic report, wireless carriers will be able to improve not only there

coverage to normal customers and communities, but also to first responders and 911 alert systems. The risk of having a dropped call in an emergency situation could be solved and dead zones could be more easily identified. Having a more detailed coverage map of these areas could help ETAK and wireless carriers work to a better solution to fill in these dead zones. Filling in dead zones helps wireless carrier widen their coverage maps . Being able to fly the power lines and towers using the instrumentation reading s that are available from the gps and fpv camera units would greatly enhance the ability of the operator to observe and inspect equipment that would be with a set flight path and would not deviate or change. As referenced in exemption 11206 1, the sUAS will stay within a set flight path for all flights and wi ll remain the required distances from all no
- participants and all non
-essential vehicles and personnel. The close proximity of the sUAS units and the low level of flight away from an y airways or airports/heliports would make this operation considerably sa fer than using a manned helicopter or airplane. Please do not hesitate to contact me via email at cterry@etaksystems.com if you have any questions or concerns.
1 BNSF Railway Company
– Regulatory Docket Number FAA
- 2014
- 0704
Respectfully submitted,
Charlie Terry Engineering Manager ETAK Systems, Inc.