Motion Picture and Television 

Flight Operation Manual 

Adam M Levins 

Table of Contents 

I. Introduction

a. Purpose 3 

b. Distribution and revisions 3

c. Persons Authorized 4

d. Area of Operations 4

e. Plan of Activities 4

f. Permission to Operate 6

g. Security 7

h. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 7

i. Certification/Airworthiness 8

j. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 8

k. Communications 9

l. Accident Notification 9

m. Recall/Stop Procedures 9

n. Special Provisions 9

II. Company Organization 

a. Chief Pilot 10

b. Pilot in Command 10

Appendix A 

1. List of Approved Pilots 12

2. List of Approved Aircraft 13

3. Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 14

4. Revision Request (sample) 15

Appendix B 

1. Form 7711-2 (Certificate of Waiver or Authorization) Attachment

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Adam M Levins 

Flight Operations Manual Revision Control Page 

Complete a new page for each revision. All revisions must be approved by the Chief 

Pilot. 

Revision No. 

Date 

Name of Reviser 

Chief Pilot Approval: 

 Initials 

 Date 

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I. Introduction 

Purpose 

This manual has been developed by Adam M Levins (“Adam M Levins”), 

in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver and 

Authorization (“COA”) of the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulations 

(“FAR”) parts 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of closed-set motion 

picture and television filming. Adam M Levins pilots and other company 

personnel will, when applicable, comply with the policies, procedures and 

conditions of this manual whenever motion picture or television flight 

operations are performed that require a COA as mentioned above. 

a. Pilot/Operator Organization

Adam M Levins – Operator 

2042 F Street 

Apt 1 

San Diego 

CA 92102 

619.548.5151 

 b. Distribution and Revision 

 

b.

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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 Aviation Safety Inspector’s evaluation of the filming 

production area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such 

barriers may protect nonparticipating persons (e.g. observers, the public, 

news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident.

d.Area of Operations 

Adam M Levins’s approved area of operations will be the continental 

United States 

e.Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming Adam M Levins will 

submit a written plan of activities to the local Flight Standards District 

Office (“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.

 

 

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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 upon request to the FAA 

Administrator by Adam M Levins.

 

 

7. Signature of an authorized Adam M Levins representative.

 

 

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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.

 

 

The three (3) day notification requirement may be waived with the 

consent of the FSDO. However, the operator should contact the FSDO as 

soon as possible with any waiver 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 

Although verbal permission is acceptable, Adam M Levins should attempt 

to obtain permission in writing whenever practical. If permission is 

obtained verbally, Adam M Levins obtaining verbal permission shall 

record the details of the verbal grant of permission. A standard 

permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when 

obtaining written permission or recording grants of verbal permission. 

Personnel associated with Adam M Levins 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. 

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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 (“PIC”) will conduct a briefing of all procedures to 

participating Adam M Levins 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: 

1. Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver 

and the attached special provisions 

2. Operations manual 

3. Plan of activities 

4. Aircraft parking and starting 

5. Taxi procedures 

6. Radio Communications 

7. Takeoff procedures

8. Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production 

event 

9. Approach and landing procedures 

10. Recall procedures 

11. Emergency procedures 

12. Risks to participating personnel 

13. How to control nonparticipating persons 

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i. Certification/Airworthiness

All Adam M Levins 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. 

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 

PIC 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

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following: 

1. Successful completion of an FAA-approved sport pilot 

certificate. 

2. PIC will demonstrates the ability to safely operate in a 

manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under 

the exemption.

3. PIC will demonstrates the ability to safely operate in a 

manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under 

the exemption.

4. PIC will demonstrates the ability to safely operate in a 

manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under 

the exemption.

5. In the event the operation to be conducted contains 

elements of an external-load operation, whether fixed-wing 

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 or written) 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: 

i. Steps to be taken before starting operations, 

including a survey of the Flight area. 

ii. Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the 

external load. 

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iii. Aircraft performance capabilities under motion 

picture operating procedures and the aircraft flight 

manual. 

iv. Proper instructions for flight and ground crew 

personnel. 

v. 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 PIC 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. 

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. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Adam M Levins 

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 Adam M Levins motion picture and 

television operations manual 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. 

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Each PIC 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”) 

Takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. Adam 

M Levins 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. 

II. Company Organization 

a. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning 

this manual. 

2. Act as liaison between Adam M Levins and the FAA on matter 

concerning this manual. 

3. 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. 

4. Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations 

for Adam M Levins. 

5. Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are 

distributed and processed properly. 

6. Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation 

performed by Adam M Levins under the provisions of this manual. 

7. Assume the responsibilities of PIC when acting as such. 

8. The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

responsibility. 

b.Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all 

inspections and required maintenance have been performed as per 

appropriate FAR's. 

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2. Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under 

the provisions of this manual. 

3. Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by 

the procedures, policies and conditions contained herein. 

4. Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, 

routes, locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the 

primary concern. 

5. Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on 

site at any job or operation requiring the waiver. 

6. The PIC may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains 

responsibility. 

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Appendix A-1 

List of Approved Pilots 

TITLE NAME FAA REGISTRATION NO. DATE ADDED

Pilot

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Appendix A-2 

List of Approved Aircraft 

Make Model Description Date Added Registration #

1 Cinestar 6

2 Cinestar 8

3 Cinestar 8 Okto XL

4 DJI Flame Wheel F450

5 DJI Flame Wheel F550

6 DJI Inspire 1

7 DJI Inspire 2

8 DJI Phantom 2 Vision+

9 DJI Phantom 3

10 DJI Spreading Wings S1000+

11 DJI Spreading Wings S1000

12 DJI Spreading Wings S900

13 3D Robotics Solo

14 FreeFly Systems ALTA

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Appendix A-3 

Permission Acquisition Form 

By signing this form, I agree that I have given the pilots of Adam M Levins permission 

to operate their aircraft at less than 300 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in 

which I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television 

production for the date(s) referenced below. 

Name: 

Entity (if applicable): 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

 

 

 

Location: 

Date(s) of Operation: 

Signature __________________________________________________ 

Date __________________________ 

Adam M Levins Representative Receiving Permission 

Name: 

Signature: 

Date: 

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Appendix A-4 

Revision Request 

If requested revision involves modified or additional language, add language below. 

Attach additional sheets if necessary. Reference the revision number, date, and 

requestor on each additional sheet. 

Proposed text: 

 

Revision # Section Page Action Summary

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Or: 

Remove Section # 

 

Manual Serial Version # 

Revision Requestor 

Signature of Requestor 

Date 

Chief Pilot receipt acknowledgement: 

 

Chief Pilot 

 

Date

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