January 9th, 2016

U. S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Petition for Exemption under Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform

Act

Of 2012

Dear Sir or Madam,

In accordance with the FAA’s Guidelines for Submitting a Petition for Exemption

under section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, I , Kenneth

Barnhart

, referred to as the petitioner, kindly request exemption from the

following sections of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations listed below in

section II of this document.

Section I.

Petitioner Contact Information

Kenneth Barnhart

4875 14 th Rd

Bourbon, Indian 46504

Cell: (574) 361

- 2011

Email: kbrnhart @gmail.com

Section II.

The specific Sections of T itle 14 CFR that Kenneth Barnhart wishes to seek

exemption:14 C.F.R Part 21

14 C.F.R. 45.23(b)

14 C.F.R. 61.113(a) and (b)

14 C.F.R. 91.7(a)

14 C.F.R. 91.9(b)(2)

14 C.F.R. 91.109

14 C.F.R. 91.119

14 C.F.R. 91.121

14 C.F.R. 91.151(a)

14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) and (b)

14 C.F.R. 91.215

14 C.F.R. 91.104 through 91.417

Section III.

Extent of re lief and reasons Kenneth Barnhart is requesting relief from existing

regulations.

I, Kenneth Barn h a rt , am req uesting relief from the aforementione d Title 14 CFR

regulations so that I may engage commercial operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft

Systems ( sUASs) for operations conducted within and under the conditions

outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required bySection 333. This exemption would permit the operation of sUASs under controlled

conditions in limited, predetermined and controlled airspace. Upon granting of

this propo sed exemption request, I Kenn eth Barnhart would conduct commercial

operations of sUASs meeting or exceeding all operational and safety

requirements per Section 333.

Section IV

How this Exemption Request will benefit the Public as a whole.

1. Project and construction management, inspections and monitoring. Th e use of

sUASs on construction sites may improve the safety of workers, local residents

and genera l public by assessing potential dangerous situations. Falls and

injuries may be reduced or eliminated through a more thorough review of

the construction si tes. In some cases, sUASs may reduce the reliance of

helicopters or small aircraft to monitor said sites. This may improve safety as

well as reduce environmental impact by reducing energy usage;

2. Environmental Review projects. The use of sUASs during the process of

reviewing projects as required by 24 C.F.R. 50.4, 58.5 and 58.6 would provide a

more in

- depth Environmental Review of the project site as well as surrounding

areas. Reliance of helicopters or small aircraft may be eliminated;

3. Aerial surveying. The use of sUASs in connection with aerial surveying of

smaller areas may eliminate the use of helicopters or aircraft. This could

provide a more cost effective, safer and more energy efficient product;

4. Agricultural projects. Wildlife and Forestry projects. The use of sUASs could

assist with surveying agricultural projects as well as wildlife and forestry

projects by providing information when problems occur, vermin infestation, fire

hazards, etc.;

5. Remote Sensing projects. The use o f sUASs could provide views and information

for remote and inaccessible areas. This could promote worker safety as well as

reduce the reliance on helicopters and aircraft; U. S. Department of

Transportation Docket Management System April 20, 2015 Page Th ree

6. Educational and Research projects. The use of sUASs could provide information

for said projects in a more cost effective and efficient manner than other

available options;

7. Aerial filmmaking, photography

and real estate purposes. The use of sU ASs may provide a point of view

previously unavailable through other means. They would be more cost effective,

efficient and more safely than helicopters and aircraft; and

8. Search and rescue. The use of sUASs may provide assistance to local law

organ izations during search and rescue missions. SUASs may reach areas

unattainable or viewable with helicopters and aircraft. SUASs may be implemented

quicker as time is of the essence during search and rescue operations.Section V

Reasons why an exem ption will not adversely affect safety, or how the

exemption would provide a level of safety at least equal to the existing rule.

Proposed operations using sUASs provide increased safety enhancement especially

when compared with helicopters and air craft for the following reasons:

1. The sUASs will weigh less than ten (10) pounds;

2. Flights will be operated within the visual line of sight of the pilot;

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be thirty (30)

minutes. Flight times may be less than thirty (30) minutes as the UAS will

continuously monitor battery reserve and return to the ground station with at

least 20% battery power reserved;

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of 25 0 feet AGL. Flights will never

e xceed 400 feet AGL;

5. Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the sUAS pilot and a Visual

Observer;

6. A briefing will be conducted daily by all personnel working with said sUAS;

7 . Written and/or oral permission from relative property owners will be obtained

prior to operating the sUAS;

8 . All permits, permissio ns, etc. will be obtained from local government offices

as required;

9 . The sUAS operated will weigh less than 55 pounds including payload (camera,

lens, gimbal, etc.); and

10 . The sUAS will operate at speeds less than 50 knots, hover and simultaneous ly

move vertically and horizontally;

11 . The sUAS will have the capability to return and land at the pre

- determined

location with the Security Perimeter should the sUAS lose communication or GP S

signal during any operations;

12 . The sUAS will have t he capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted

obstacles or emergencies;

13 . Operations will not be conducted over densely populated areas o r heavily

traffic highways;Section VI

DJI Phantom 3 Specifications

Dimensions: 203x330x457 mm

Weight: 1280g / 2.8lb

Intelligent Flight Battery: 4480mAh 23min Flight time

Max Flight Speed: 16m/s or 35.7mph

Operating Frequency: GHz; 2.400~2.483 GHz

Key Features:

Live real

- time flight data Intelligent Orien tation Control (IOC), GPS, and

Return to home fail safe

Self

- tightening locking Propellers

DJI Vision Positioning System for improved safety

Dynamic home point orientation

Intergraded No Fly Zones prevents inadvertently entering protected air space

Intelligent F light Battery includes capacity data, over charge/discharge

protection, maintenance data.Section VII.

Additional Information, Views, or Arguments.

Personal Statement

I am an instrument rated private pilo t and am also acti vely engaged in grain

crop farming . I am seeking to provide service s providing aerial imagery for

purposes of mapping, surveying and inspection mainly to my own and neighboring

farming operations. The system I plan to utilize is the DJI Phantom 3. This

system does not exceed the weight of 55 pounds. Further information regarding

this system is located within this document.

Section VIII.

Exemption outside the United States.

I have no intention to operate a sUAS outside the United States.

To the Director and Administration of the Federal Aviation Administration, I

hereby submit this

Pe tition for Exemption, dated January 9, 2016

Respectfully,

Kenneth Barnhart