1 November 30

, 2 0 1 5

Depa r t me n t o f Tra n s p o rtat i o n D o c ket M a n a g e m ent S yst e m

1 2 00 N ew J ers e y A v e., SE Wash ing t o n

, DC 2 0 5 9 0

ASPhoto

Kenneth Rogers

3 801 Campbell Rd.

Raleigh, NC



### 27606

Re: Ex e m p t i o n R eq u est S e c ti o n 3 3 3 o f t h e F A A Re f o r m Act o f 2 0 12

To wh o m i t may c o n c ern,

P u rs u a n t t o S e ct i o n 3 33 o f the FAA M o d ern iz at i o n a n d R e fo r m A ct o f 2 0 12, Kenneth Rogers doi n g

b u si n ess as ASPhoto , an o p era t o r o f s mall U n ma n n ed A i rcraft S ys t e m s (sUA S ), r e spectfu l l y re qu e s t an

e xe m p ti o n f r o m the F e d eral Aviat i o n R eg u latio n s ( “ F A R s ” ) d e tailed b el o w f o r t h e f o l l o wing de s cri b ed

s m all U n ma nn ed A i r craft Sy s t e ms, which inc lu d e an U n ma nn ed A i rcraft (UA) and gro un d st atio n

‐ b ased

eq u i p ment a n d cre w

.

DJI Phantom 3

The Phantom 3 is a quadcopter for aerial photography and filmmaking. It includes a high

- quality camera,

custom

- built remote controller, and Intelligent Flight Battery, and is compatible with DJI GO app for

model devices, which will stream live HD video ov er WiFi as you fly

. Critical flight data is collected,

computed and communicated to the entire aircraft in real time.

DJI Inspire 1

The Inspire 1 is a quadcopter capable of capturing 4K video and transmitting an HD video signal (up to

2km) to multiple de vices straight out of the box. Equipped with retractable landing gear, it can capture an

unobstructed 360 degree view from its camera. The built

- in camera has an integrated gimbal to maximize

stability and weight efficiency while minimizing space. When no GPS signal is available, Vision Positioning

technology provides hovering precision.

3D Robotics

- Solo

Solo is a small unmanned aerial vehicle powered by four motors and four propellers. Solo’s onboard

computers control navigation, attitude, and communications in flight while sending real

- time telemetry

and video output and receiving control inputs over the 3DR Link secure Wi

- Fi network. Solo is optimized

for capturing aerial video using a GoPro® HERO camera.

Des c ri p t i o n o f Pr opo s e d O pe r a t i on s2

The req u e s ted ex e m p t i o n w o u ld pe r mit c om me r cial o p erat i o n s o f ASPhoto , t h e a b i l ity t o p erf o r m

pr e cision a erial in s p ec t io n s o r sur v e y s t h at c on sist o f sti l l p h o t o g ra p h s o r v i de o t a ken b y an o nb o ard

c a m era. Op e rat i o n s a n d ap p l i cati o n s we s ee k for t h e s e sU A S a n d a ss o c i ated data p r o c essing f un cti o n s

inc lud e aerial p h o t o g ra p h y, ma pp i n g , str u c t u ral ins p ec t i o n s, pi p eli n es a n d o ther o il and gas related

i n sp e ct i o n s, real e s tate ma r keti ng

, su r v e ys a n d o ther fli gh t o p erat i o n s t h at c o u ld be p er f o r med safely a n d

m o re c o st effec t iv e ly with t h e u s e o f sU A S at l o w alt i tu d e w i th i n t h e U

. S

. n atio n al ai r sp a c e syst e m as

c o m p ared t o a m a nn ed aircr a ft. U s e o f sU A S f o r these o p e rat i o n s red u c es the need to o p e r ate

c o n v entio n al aircra f t o r o t h er eq u i pm ent f o r t h e s am e pu r p o se and pr o vi d es ve r y hi g h q u al i ty i ma g e r y at

a fra c ti o n o f the c o s t o f t h e sa m e o p erat i o n s u si n g c o n ve n ti o n al m eans. L i k ew i se, i n spe c ti o n s o f

structu r es can be safe l y p e rfo r med w i tho u t e nd a ng er i n g t h e i n spec t o r o r i nh i b it i n g l o cal i ndu strial o r

pub l i c o p erat i o n s with la d d ers, l i fts o r o ther e qu i p me n t. T h e s e s a vi n g s resu l t in e n h a n ced eff i cie n cy a n d

p ro du cti v i ty f o r the af f ec te d activ i ties, as w ell as e n vi r o n m ental be n efits a n d p o t ential s a vi n g s in b o th

c o st and ha z ar d s t o t h e p u b l i c.

The p ro p o sed s U A S o p erat i o n s wi l l be l i mited to dayt i me V i su a l F l i g h t Ru l e ( “ V F R ” ) c o nd it i o n s, w i th i n

vis u al l in e

- o f

- si gh t (" V LOS") o f the o p era t o r, in Class G ai r sp a ce, a n d will o ccur a t l east 5 mi l es aw a y f r o m

an air p o rt, u n less p r i o r c o n tact t o Air Traf f ic C o n tr o l o r t h e ai r p o rt ma n a g er has b een ma d e . In ad d it i o n to

the fail s afe s ys t e m s pr o g ra m med in e ach UA S

, ASPhoto i n c o r p o rates r ed u nd a n t safeg u ar d s t o ass u re that

t h e ai r craft do e s not tra v el o u tside t h e c o n tr o l l ed a rea o f UAS o p e r at i o n s, inc lud i n g G P S "ge o

- fe n ci ng "

t e ch n o l o g ie s

.

Name and address of the petitioner is:

ASPhoto

Attn: Kenneth Rogers

3 801 Campbell Rd.

Raleigh, NC 27606

Reg u l a t i on s from w h i c h e x e mption i s r eque ste d :

14 C. F

. R

. Pa r t 2 1 S ubp a rt H

- A i r w o rth in ess Certif i cat e s

14 C. F

. R

. 45

. 2 3

- Dis p lay o f mark s ; ge n eral

14 C. F

. R

. 61

. 1 13 ( a ) & ( b )

- Priv a te pi l o t p r i vi l eges and l i mitat i o n s: P i l o t in c om m a n d

14 C. F

. R

. 91 .7 ( a )

– C i vil Ai r craft Ai r w o rth in e ss

14 CFR § 9 1

. 9 ( b ) ( 2): C i vil A i rcraft F l i gh t Ma nu al in t h e A i rcraft

14 C. F

. R

. 91 .9 ( c )

– M a rki n g o f A i rcra f t

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 1 03

– Prefl igh t Acti o n s

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 1 09

– F l i gh t i n struction

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 1 19

– Mi n im u m sa f e alt i tu d es: Ge n eral

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 1 21

– A l t i m e t e r setti n g s

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 1 51

– Fu el r e q u ire m e n ts f o r fl igh ts in Vi s u al F l i gh t Ru l es (VF R ) c o nd itio n s

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 2 03 ( a ) ( 1)

– C i vil aircra f t: certif i c ation re q u ired

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 4 05

– Mai n te n a n ce req u ired

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 4 07

– O p erat i o n af t er mai n te n a n c e, p r e v entati v e mai n te n a n c e, r eb u i ld i n g , and

alteration

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 4 09

– I n spe c t i o n s

14 C. F

. R

. 91

. 4 17

– Mai n te n a n ce re c o r d s

1. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR P a rt 2 1

, S ubp a rt H: A i r w o rt h i ne ss3

C e r t if i c a tes an d 14 C F R § 9 1

. 2 0 3( a ) ( 1)

Secti o n 9 1. 2 03( a ) ( 1) req u i r es all c i vil airc r aft t o h a ve a certific a te o f ai r w o rth in es s . Part 2 1, S u bp art H,

e n titled Ai r w o r t h i n ess Certif i cat e s, e s tab l i s h es the p r o c ed u ral re qu ir e ments f o r t h e i ssu an ce o f

ai r w o rth i n ess c ertific a t e s as req u ired by F A R § 91

. 2 03( a )( 1 ). Gi v en the si z e o f t h e ai r craft ( t y p ica l ly less

than 10 l b s., a n d alw ay s less than 5 5 lbs

. ) a n d the l i mited o p er a ti n g area as s o ciated with its u til iz atio n , it

is unn ec e ssa r y t o g o t h r o ug h t h e c ertifi c ate o f ai r w o r th in ess p r o ce s s u n d er Pa r t 21 S ubp art H to a ch i e v e

o r exc e ed cur r ent saf e ty le v els.

S u ch an ex e m p t i o n me e ts t h e req u ir e ments o f an eq u i vale n t l e v el o f sa f ety u n d er P art 1 1 and Secti o n 3 33

o f the R ef o r m Act. The F ederal A viat i o n A ct a n d Se c ti o n 3 3 3 o f t h e R ef o r m A c t b o th a u thori z e t h e F A A t o

ex em p t ai r craft f r o m the re qu ir e ment f o r an ai r w o rth in e s s certif i c a te, u p o n c o n si d erat i o n o f t h e si z e,

w ei gh t, speed, o p erat i o n al c a p a b i l ity, and pr o x i mity t o ai rp o rts a n d p o pu lated areas o f t h e UAS in v o l ved.

In t h is cas e

, an a n al y sis o f t h ese cr i teria d e m o n str a tes that the sU A S o p era t ed w i t h o u t an ai r w o r th in ess

c ertific a te, u nd er the c o nd it i o n s pro p o s ed herei n

, will b e at l e ast a s safe, o r safer, than a c o n v entio n al

aircra f t (fi x ed wi n g o r r o t o r craft) with an airw o rth in ess certif i cate. T h e sU A S w ei gh s less than 5 5 lbs. f u l l y

l o a d ed. It will n o t car r y a p i l o t o r pa s sen g er, will n o t car r y f l a m ma b le f u el, and wi l l o p era t e e xclus i v ely

wit h in an area p re

- d isc l o s ed and i n c o m p l i a n ce with c o nd it i o n s set f o rth h erein. Operat i o n s u n d er th i s

e xe m p t i o n wi l l be ti gh tly c o n t r o l l ed and m o n it o r ed by b o t h t h e o p era t or , and b y local p u b l i c sa f e t y

re qu ir e ments. T h e F A A will h a ve a d va n ce n o ti c e o f all o p erat i o n s t h r o ug h t h e fi l i n g o f N OTAMs. Re c ei p t o f

t h e pr i o r p e r miss i o n o f t h e la n d o wner, t h e si z e o f the ai r cra f t, the l ack o f fl a m ma b le f u el, and t h e fa c t

that the air c raft is car r ied to the l o cat i o n and n o t f l o wn t h e r e all e stab l ish the e qu iva l ent l e v el o f saf e ty.

The sU A S p r o vi d es at l e ast an e qu i vale n t, and m o s t l i ke l y e xc e eds, l e vel o f safety t o that o f such

o p e r atio n s bei n g c o ndu c t ed w i t h c o n v ent i o n al ai r craft t h at w o u ld b e su b stantia l l y la rg er a n d w o u ld be

c ar r yi n g passen g ers, car g o

, and f l a m ma b le fuel.

2. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR § 4 5

. 2 3 & 9 1

. 9 ( c ): M a rking o f t h e Ai rc r a ft

Reg u lation 45

. 23 p r o vi d e s :

(a) E ach o p er a t o r o f an ai r c raft m u s t d is p lay o n that a i rcraf t

, marks c o n sisti n g o f t h e R o man ca p ital letter

“ N ” ( d e n o ti n g Un i t ed States re g istr a ti o n ) f o l l o w ed by t h e reg i s trat i o n n u m b er o f the ai r craft. E ach su f fix

let t er u s ed in t h e m a rks dis p l a y ed m u s t al s o be a R o man c a p ital l e tter.

(b) W h en ma r ks i n cl ud e o n ly the Roman ca p ital l e tter “ N ” and the r eg i strat i o n n u m b er is dis p layed o n

l i mited, restr i ct e d o r li g h t

- s p o rt c a te g o ry ai r craft o r e x p eri m e n tal o r p r o vis i o n al l y certific a ted ai r craft, the

o p era t o r m u st a l so d is p lay o n that ai r craft n e ar e ach e n tra n c e t o t h e ca b i n

, c o ckp i t, o r p i l o t st a ti o n , in

lette r s n o t le s s t h an 2 i n ches nor m o r e than 6 inc he s hi g h , t h e w o r d s “ l i mited

, ” “ re s tric t ed,” “ l igh t

- sport

, ”

“ ex p eri m ental

, ” o r “ p r o vis i o n a l ,” as a p p l i ca b l e

.

Reg u lation 91

. 9(c) pr o vi d e s :

N o per s o n may o p e r ate a U. S

. - reg i stered civil ai r craft u n less that aircra f t is i d en t if i ed in ac c o r d a n ce with

p art 4 5 o f t h is ch ap ter.

The sU A S h as no entra n ce t o t h e ca b i n

, c o c kp i t, o r p i l o t stat i o n o n w h ich the marki ng s can be p la c ed.

Given the si z e o f t h e s U A S, tw o

- i n ch l et t eri n g wi l l b e i m p o s si b le. Offici a l m arki n g sys te ms f o r sU A S h a ve

n o t yet been esta b l i shed f o r o p er a ti o n s ins i d e the N A S. ASPhoto is p r epa r ed to m ark the sU A S with t h e

na m e o f t h e o r g a n ization and l o cat i o n o r o ri g in and fu l fi l l a n y o ther r eq u est by t h e F A A t o t h is t o p ic in

a c c o r d a n ce to § 4 5 .2 9 (f) w h e r e t h e p i l o t, o b s e rver, a n d o t h ers w o r ki n g w ith t h e sU A S wi l l s ee the

i d entif i c a ti o n o f the s U A S

.4

The F A A h as iss u ed the f o l l o wing e x e m p t i o n s t o t h is r eg u latio n ; s e e E x emption N os. 8 73 8, 10 1 6 7, 1 0 1 6 7A

,

1 0 7 00 , 11256, and 11251

.

3. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR § 6 1

. 1 1 3(a ) & ( b ); P ri v a te P i l o t Pr i v i l e g e s

a n d Li m it a t i on s;

This re gu l a t i o n re s tricts pr i vate pi l o t ce r tifica t e h o l de r s fr o m f l yi n g aircra f t f o r co m p ensat i o n o r h i re, and

w o u ld al s o r eq u ire a s e c o n d class med i cal certif i cate. The pu r p o s e o f P art 61 i s t o e n su r e that t h e skill a n d

c o m p e t ency o f a n y PIC m a t ches the airs p a c e in w h ich t h e PIC will b e o p erat i ng , as well as r eq u ir in g

certif i c a ti o n s if t h e p r i va t e p i l o t is carryi n g pas s en g ers o r c ar g o f o r h i r e. In t h is c a se, whi l e the sUAS will b e

o p e r ated a s part o f a com mercial o p er a ti o n

, it c a rr i es n eit h er p assen ge rs nor c ar g o . In the Gra n t o f

Ex e m p ti o n to Astr a eus Aer i al, the FAA d ete r mi n ed th a t the u n i q u e ch a rac t eristics o f s U A S o p erat i o n

o u tside o f c o n t r o l l ed ai r sp a ce d id n o t war r a n t t h e a dd i ti on a l c o st and re s trict i o n s with req u ir in g the P IC

to h a ve a C o m m e rcial Pi l o t Certific a t e a n d Cla s s II Me d ical Certif i cate. The f u lf i l l m ent o f t h e ad d itio n al

req u ire m ents f o r a pr i va t e p i l o t t o b e c o me qu al i fied a s a c o mm ercial p i l o t w o u ld n o t lead t o any

a dd itio n al saf e ty benefits when sU A S o p er a ti o n s a re i n v o l ved.

The eq u i v ale n t l e v el o f s af e ty is t h e re s trict i o n s ASPhoto h a s pl a ced o n i t s sU A S o p erat i o n s. ASPhoto will

o p era t e o n pr i va t e p ro p erty aw a y fr o m per s o n s and p r o p er t y n o t i nv o l v ed in t h e o p erat i o n

. ASPhoto will

a l so o b tain an ATO iss u ed COA p r i o r t o c o ndu cting any o p erat i o n s u n d er th i s Gra n t o f E x e m p t i o n unless

the operation can be captured within the confines of the “blanket” 200

- foot COA

.

In ad d ition t o t h e se fl igh t r estrict i o n s, ASP hoto will f u rther e n su r e safe o p erati o n by r eq u ir in g that any

PIC b e t h o ro ugh ly ver s ed not o n l y in ai r sp a c e a n d c o mm un ic a ti o n i ssues p ertain in g to all ai r cra f t

o p era t o rs b u t al s o i n t h e un i q u e as p e cts o f sU AS fli gh t. Our P ICs will h a ve exper i ence n o t o n ly in g eneral

sU A S o p er a ti o n s, bu t h ave l o gg ed fl igh t t i me i n t h e sp e cif i c ma k e a n d m o d el used f o r t h e o p erat i o n s

be f o r e th e y a r e p er m i t ted t o pa r tici p ate in c o m m ercial fl igh ts o n b eh a lf of ASPhoto

. ASPhoto p i l o ts are

c o m p etent and prof i cient in t h e U A S they are o p er a ti n g

. ASPhoto ’ s trai n i n g and q u al i fication

r eq u ire m ents a r e c o n sis t ent with t h o se c o n tai n ed in pr i o r F A A S e cti o n 3 33 Gra n ts o f E x e m p ti o n

, a n d will

p r o vi d e a hi g h er l e vel o f compe t ency and profic i e n cy f o r its pi l o t s and wi l l ens u re at least an eq u i val e n t

le v el o f sa f ety.

4. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR § 9 1

. 7 ( a ): C i v i l ai rc r a ft a irw o r t h i ne s s

.

This re gu lat i o n re qu ires t h at n o p ers o n m a y o p er a te a ci v il ai r craft u n l e ss it is in ai r w o r thy c o nd it i o n

.

S h o u ld t h e e x e m p t i o n be g ra n ted all o wing c o mm erci a l o p er a ti o n o f s U A S wit h o u t an ai r w o rth in e s s

certif i c a te, n o s tan d ard wi l l exist f o r air w o rth in ess o f t h e sU A S. G i ven t h e si z e o f t h e sU A S a n d t h e

p re v io u s COAs issued f o r s i mi l ar sU A S, an eq u i v ale n t l e v el o f safe t y will b e a ch i ev ed by ens u ri n g

c o m p l i a n ce with t h e g i v en sU A S ma nu als a n d use o f s afety c h e c klists p r i o r t o ea c h fli gh t.

5. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR § 9 1

. 9 ( b ) ( 2): Ci v i l A i r c r a ft F l i g h t M a nu a l

i n t h e A i r c r a ft.

The reg u lat i o n p r o vi d e s :

N o per s o n may o p e r ate a U. S

. - reg i stered civil ai r craft

... (2) F o r which an A i r p la n e o r R o t o rc r aft Fl igh t Ma nu al i s not req u ired by § 21.5 o f t h is cha p ter,

un less the r e is a vai l a b le in the aircra f t a cur r ent ap p r o ved air p la n e o r Roto r craft F l i gh t Ma nu al,5

a pp roved m a nu al m a teri a l, m arki ng s, and p laca rd s, o r a n y c o m b i n at i o n t h er e o f.

Given the si z e o f sU A S , t h e y ha v e n o ab i l i t y o r pl a ce t o car r y such a fli g h t ma nu a l o n t h e ai r cra f t, n o t o n ly

b e ca u se there is n o pi l o t o n b o ar d , b u t b e ca u se t h ere is n o r o o m o r ca p aci t y to carry such an i t e m o n t h e

aircra f t.

The eq u i v ale n t l e v el o f saf e ty will b e a ch i e v ed by k e ep in g t h e fl igh t ma n u al at the g ro un d c o n t r o l p o i n t

where the PIC f l yi n g t h e sU AS wi l l h a v e i m m ed i ate ac c ess t o it. T h e F A A h a s iss u e d to o t h ers the fol l o wing

e x e m p ti o n s to t h i s re gu latio n : E xem p tion N o s. 8 6 0 7, 8 7

37, 8 7 3 8, 9 2 99, 9 2 99A, 9 5 6

5, 9 5 65B, 1 0 1 6 7,

1 0 1 6 7A, 1 0 6 0 2, 3 28 2 7

, 1 0 7 0 0 , 11251, and 11256

.

6. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR § 9 1

. 1 03: Pr e fl i g h t a c t i o n

This re gu lat i o n re qu ires e a ch PIC to ta k e c e rtain a c ti o n s bef o r e fl igh t t o ins u re t h e saf e ty o f fli g h t. As F A A

a p p ro v ed r o t o r craft fl i gh t ma nu als will n o t b e p r o vi d ed f o r t h e aircra f t an ex e m p t i o n wi l l be n ee d ed.

Following a comprehensive preflight checklist will provide an equivalent level of safety . The PIC wi l l take

all a c ti o n s inc lud i n g revi e wing w e at h er, fl igh t b a t tery re qu ir e m e n ts, la n d i n g and tak e o ff d i stan c es a n d

ai r c r aft per f o r m a n ce d a t a b e f o r e i n itiat i o n o f fli gh t.

7. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR § 9 1

. 1 0 9: Fl i g h t I n str u c t i o n

Secti o n 9 1. 1 09( a ), which provi de s in p erti n ent part t h a t "[ n ]o p ers o n m a y o p era t e a civil aircra f t ( e xc e p t a

m a nn ed f r ee ba l l o o n ) th a t is bei n g used f o r fli gh t i n s truction u n l e ss t h a t ai r cra f t has f u l l y f un ct i o n i n g du al

c o n t r o ls

. " s U A S a n d r e m o te l y pi l o ted ai r c r aft, b y t h eir desi gn , do not ha v e f u n cti o n al du al c o n t r o ls.

I n stea d , fli gh t c o n t r o l is ac c o m p l i s h ed thro ug h the use o f a de v i ce that co mm un i c ates with t h e ai r cra f t via

ra d io c o m m un icat i o n s. Accor d i n g ly, an e xe m p ti o n will b e r eq u ired f o r t h e fli gh t i n struct i o n req u ire m ents

o f 14 C. F .R. § 9 1

. 1 0 9(a).

G iv e n the si z e and speed o f t h e sU A S that ASPhoto i n te nd s to use, an e qu i vale n t l e v el o f sa f e trai n i n g can

sti l l be per f o r med witho u t du al c o n t r o ls b ecause n o pi l o t o r pas s en g ers are a b o ard the s UA S, a n d all

per s o n s will b e a sa f e d ista n c e a way in t h e e vent that the UAS ex p e r ie n ces a n y di f fic u lti e s du ri n g fl igh t

i n structio n . T h e F A A h as ap p r o v ed e x e m p ti o n s f o r fl igh t trai n i n g wit h o u t f u l l y fu n cti o n al du al c o n t r o ls f o r

a n u m b er o f aircr a f

t a n d f o r f l i gh t i n s truction in ex p er i m ental ai r craft. S ee E xem p tion N os. 5 7 7

8 K &

9 8 6 2A.

8. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR § 9 1

. 1 19: M i n imum S a fe A l t it ude s

Secti o n 9 1. 1 19 esta b l i sh e s safe alt i tu d es f o r o p erat i o n o f c i vil ai r craft. S p ecif i cal l y

, 9 1

. 1 1 9( c ) l i mits ai r craft

f l yi n g o ver a reas o t h er than c o ng es t ed are a s t o an alt i tu d e o f 5 0 0 f e et a b o v e the surf a c e

, e xc e p t o v er

o p en w a ter o r sp a rse l y po pu la t ed are a s. In t h o se cases, t h e ai r craft m a y n o t be o p erated cl o ser than 5 0 0

f eet t o a n y per s o n

, v e s sel, veh i c l e, o r str u c t u re.

Because aerial su r v e y, ma p p i n g and ins p ec t ion w o r k m u st b e ac c o m p l i shed at r elati v ely l o w altit ud e s a n d

at altitu d es less t h an 5 00 f eet AGL, an e x e m p ti o n from Se c ti o n 91

. 1 1 9(c) is n ee d ed.

The eq u i v ale n t l e v el o f saf e ty will b e a ch i e v ed g i v en t h e si z e, wei gh t, spee d

, and ma t erial w i th w h ich

sU A S are b u i l t. Al s o

, n o fli g h t will b e ta k en wit h o u t the pe r miss i o n o f t h e la n d owner o r t h o se w h o c o n t r o l

the la nd . Becau s e o f t h e a d va n ce n o ti c e t o the la n d o wner, all aff e c ted i n d i vi d u als will b e aw a re o f t h e6

fli gh ts. C o m p a r ed t o aerial sur v ey o p e r atio n s co ndu ct e d with ai r craft o r r o t o rcraft w ei gh i n g far m o r e than

5 5 lbs. and car r y i n g fla m ma b le fuel, any r i sk ass o ciated with these o p e r atio n s will b e f a r less than t h o s e

cu r r e n tly al l o w ed with c o n vent i o n al ai r cr a ft o p e rati n g at o r b el o w 5 0 0 f e et A G L. I n d ee d

, the low

- alt i tu d e

o p erat i o n s o f the sU A S will mai n tain se p aration b e t w een t h ese sU A S o p erat i o n s and the o p erat i o n s o f

c o n v ent i o n al ai r craft that m u st c o m p ly with Se c ti o n 91

. 1 1 9.

9. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ ir e me n ts o f 14 CFR § 9 1

. 1 21: A l t imeter Se tt i n g s

Secti o n 9 1. 1 21 r eq u ires a pers o n o p er a ti n g an ai r cra f t to mai n tain cr u is in g altitu d e o r fli gh t l e vel b y

refere n c e t o an alti m e t er t h at is s e t t o t h e e l e v a ti o n o f t h e d epa r ture air p o rt o r b ar o metric p ressu r e.

So m e s U A S h a ve a b a r o me tric pressu r e sen s o r, w h i l e o thers o n l y use G P S f o r el e vat i o n o r altitu d e. When

a b a r o metric pressu r e sen s o r is o n the s U A S, it i s ty p ica l l y “ z e r o ed” at the p o i n t o f t a k e

- o f f ; th i s is ri g h t

n ext to t h e PIC a n d n o t at a dep a rtu r e air p o r t. T h e altit ud e rea d i n g wi l l b e r e lative t o t h at poi n t ( o n the

gro und ) a n d n o t a k n o wn el e vat i o n

. The eq u i v ale n t l e v el o f saf e ty will b e a ch i e v ed by the P IC c o n fi r mi n g t h e el e vat i o n o r a l titu d e o f t h e

la u n ch site. T h e altit ud e o f the sU A S will a l s o be d is p l a yed via t el e met r y o n t h e G r o un d Stat i o n a n d wi l l b e

c o n s tantly m o n i t o red b y t h e P IC d u ri n g t h e enti r e fl igh t o p erat i o n

.

10. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ i r e me n ts o f 1 4 CFR § 9 1 .1 5 1 ( a ): F ue l R equ i r e me n ts f o r

Fl i g h t in V F R C ond it i o n s

This re gu lat i o n pro h i b its an i nd ivid u al fr o m beg inn i n g “ a fli g h t in an ai rp la n e und er V F R c o nd itio n s un less

( c o n si d eri n g wi n d a n d f o rec a st weat h er c o nd i t io n s) t h ere is e n o ug h fuel t o fly t o t h e first p o i n t o f

i n te nd ed la n d i n g an d , ass u mi n g no r mal cr u is in g spe e d

– ( 1 ) D u ri n g t h e d a y, t o f l y af t er that f o r at l east 30

mi n u t e s; o r ( 2) At n i g h t, to fly a f ter that f o r a t lea s t 4 5 m i n u t es.”

The d if f ere n t sU A S b a tter i e s pr o vi d e a var i e ty o f p o we red f l i gh t t i mes. An e x e m p t ion fr o m § 14 CFR

9 1.1 5 1 is t h e r ef o r e re q u ire d

.

The a pp l i ca n t b el i e v es th a t an ex e m p t i o n f r o m 1 4 CFR § 9 1. 1 51( a ) is s afe and wit h in t h e s c o p e o f a pr i o r

ex e m p t i o n

. S e e E

x emption 1 0 6 7

3 (al l o wing L o ckh e ed Martin C o r p o r ation t o o p e r ate without c o m p l i a n c e

with 9 1. 1 5 1 (a)). Operati n g the sU A S, wit h o u t 30 mi n u tes o f r e se r ve f u el d o es n o t p r o m p t the t y p e o f risks

t h at Sect i o n 91

. 1 5 1(a) was mea n t t o pr e vent g i ve n the si z e a n d speed a t wh i ch the sU A S o p e r ates. The

fact t h at it carr i es n o p i l o t, p as s e ng er, o r car g o al s o e nh a n c es its saf e ty. In the u n l i kely e vent that the

b at t ery o n the sU A S should run o u t

, it w o u ld s i m p ly la n d . Gi v en its wei gh t and c o n stru c ti o n m a teri a l, the

risks are l ess than c o n t e m p la t ed by the c u r r ent re gu latio n

.

The a pp l i ca n t b el i e v es th a t an e qu ivalent l e vel o f sa f e t y can be achi e ved b y mai nt ai n i n g 2 0% o f re s er v e

b at t er y

, w h ich wo u ld be m o re t h an ade qu a t e to return t h e sU A S to its p l a nn ed la n d i n g zo n e from

an y where in its o p er a ti n g area.

The F A A h as gr an t ed s i mi l a r ex e m p t i o n s t o o t h ers, i n c l ud i n g Exemptio n s 2 68 9F, 5 7 4 5, 1 0 6 7 3, 1 0 80 8 , and

11251

.

11. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ i r e me n ts o f 1 4 CFR § 9 1 .2 03 ( a ) & ( b ): C ar r y i n g C i v i l A i r c r a ft

C e r t i f i c a t i o n a n d R e gi s tr a t i o n7

This reg u lat i o n pr o vi d es as fol l o ws:

... no per s o n m ay o p er a te a civil ai r craft u n l e ss it h as ... an ap p ro p ri a t e a n d c u rre n t ai r w o rth in e ss

certif i c a te.

No p e rson m a y o p era t e a civil aircra f t u n less the a i rw o rth i n ess c ertific a te r e q u ired by p ara g ra p h (a) o f

th i s se c ti o n o r a special f l igh t a u thori z at i o n issued u nd er § 9 1. 7 15 is d is p la y ed a t the ca b in o r c o ckpit

entra n ce so that it is le g i b l e t o passen g ers o r c r ew.

The sU A S f u l l y l o a d ed t y p i c al l y w ei gh s less t h an 1 0 l b s

. , and alw a ys le s s t h an 55 lbs. As suc h

, t h ere is no

a b i l ity o r p l ace t o car r y c er t if i cati o n and r eg i strat i o n d o cu m ents o r to dis p lay th e m o n t h e sU A S. In

a dd itio n , t h e r e is n o pi l o t o n board t h e aircra f t.

An e qu ivalent le v el o f sa f e t y wi l l b e ac h i e ved by k ee p i n g t h ese d o c u ments at t h e g ro un d c o n t r o l p o i n t

where the PIC f l yi n g t h e sU AS wi l l h a v e i m m ed i ate ac c ess t o t h e m

. T h e F A A h a s i s sued n u me r o u s

ex e m p t i o n s t o t h is re gu lat i o n . A rep r ese n t a ti v e s a m p l e o f o ther e xc e p ti o n s inc l u d es Ex e mption N o s. 9 5 65,

9 6 6 5, 9 7 89, 9 7 8 9A, 9 7 9 7, 9 7 97A, 9 8 1 6A, 10 7 0 0

, 11251, and 11256

.

12. ASPhoto s ee ks e x e mption fr o m t h e r equ i r e me n ts o f 1 4 CFR § 9 1 .4 0 5 ( a ); 4 0 7 ( a ) ( 1); 4 0 9( a ) ( 1 ) a n d ( 2);

4 1 7( a ) a n d ( b ) : M a i n te na n c e I n s p e c t i on s

Secti o n 9 1. 4 05( a ) req u ires that an ai r cra f t o p era t o r o r o w n er “ sh a ll ha v e th a t ai r c raft i n spec t e d as

p rescri b ed in su b p art E o f t h is p a rt a n d sha l l b e tw e en req u ired ins p ec t i o n s, ex c e p t as p r o vi d ed in

p ara g ra p h (c) o f t h is s ec t i o n

, have di s crepa n ci e s re p a i red as pre s cri b ed in part 4 3 o f th i s c h a p ter

.. . ”

Secti o n 9 1. 4 07 s i mi l ar l y m a kes r eferen c e t o r e q u ir e m e n ts in P a r t 4 3; Se c ti o n 91

. 4 09( a )( 2 ) req u ires an

a nnu al i n specti o n f o r the i s su an ce o f an air w o r th in ess certif i c a te. S ec t i o n 9 1. 4 1 7 ( a) re qu ires the o w n er

o r o p era t o r to k e ep re c o r d s sh o wing certain mai n te n a n ce w o rk that has been a c c o m p l i s h ed by

cer t if i c a ted mecha n i c s, u n d er Pa r t 4 3, o r l i c ensed p i l o ts a n d re c o r d s o f ap p r o val o f t h e aircra f t f o r r e turn

to s er v i ce.

The sU A S a r e n ear l y mai nt ena n ce fr e e, they per f o rm a u t o matic p r e

- fl igh t ch e cks and t h e fa i l u re o f any

check will p r e vent ta k e

- o ff. Checks which c a nn o t b e d o n e b y t h e s y s t e m will b e p erf o r med b y a qu al i fied

p ers o n pr i o r t o each fli g h t a n d at pre d efi n ed i n te r vals as p art o f a mai n te n a n ce s che du le.

Pre

- fl igh t c h eckl i s t i n cl ud e s :

V i su a l i n spe c ti o n o f the ai r frame

V i su a l i n spe c ti o n s o f r o t o r i n te g r i ty

C h e c k ch a r g e o f all b a t te ries (a e ri a l v eh i cle, c om m a n d statio n

, rad i o repe a ter s tatio n )

An e qu ivalent le v el o f sa f e t y wi l l b e ac h i e ved because the sU A S is s mall in si z e, w i ll car r y n o ex t ern a l

p ayl o a d

, will o p era t e o n ly i n restri c ted p red e te r mi n ed areas a n d is not a c o m p lex m e cha n ical d e vise. The

o p era t o r o f t h e sU A S will ens u re t h at i t is in w o r ki n g o r d er p r i o r to i n itiati n g fli gh t, p erf o r m req u ired

mai n te n a n c e, a n d k eep a l o g o f any mai nt ena n ce th a t is p er f o r med. M o r e o ve r

, t h e o p e r a t o r is t h e p ers o n

m o st f a mi l iar with t h e ai r craft and is b e s t su ite d to mai n tain the ai r craft i n an ai r w o rthy c o nd ition and t o

e n su r e an eq u ivalent l e v el o f sa f ety.

If m e ch an ical issues aris e

, t h e sU A S can la n d i m med i a t ely d u e to t h e p r e

- d e t er m i n ed area o f o p erat i o n

.

M o r e o ve r , t h e sU A S ' s s mall size, car r yi n g ca p ac i ty, a n d t h e fa c t that fli gh t o p erat i o n s wi l l o n ly ta k e p la c e

in restric t ed ar e as f o r l i mi t ed per i o d s o f t i me, crea t e l ess risk t h an t h e s a me fac t o rs as s o ci a ted with

c o n v entio n al fixe d

- wing ai r craft a n d r o t o rcraft per f o r mi n g t h e sa m e o p erat i o n

.8

Pu b l i c I n te r e s t

A p p roval o f t h is e xe m p ti o n f o r c o m mercial o p erat i o n s wi l l en h a n c e saf e ty b y r ed u ci n g risk. Use o f t h e

sU A S in lieu o f a ma nn ed a i rcraft w o u ld e nh a n c e sa f e t y and re du c e the envi r o n m ental i m p act a s

c o m p ared t o s i mi l ar o p e r a t io n s c o ndu ct e d with ma n n ed ai r craft that wei g h in e x cess o f 6, 0 00 lbs

. , carryi n g a c r ew and fla mm a b le fuel. S u ch ai r cra f t m u s t fly to and fr o m the p r o je c t lo c atio n . In c o n t r ast, a

sU A S wei gh i n g less than 10 l b s. a n d p o w ered b y bat t e ries, el i mi n a t es virt u al l y all o f t h at risk g i ven the

r ed u ced mass and l a ck o f c o m bu s ti b le fuel carr i ed o n b o ar d . The sU A S is c ar r ied to the tar g et a r ea a n d

n o t f l o wn. T h e sU A S will c a rry n o passen g ers o r cr e w a nd , t h ere f o re, wi l l n o t ex p o se th e m t o the ri s ks

associ a ted with ma nn ed a i rcraft fli g h ts.

In re g ar d s t o per f o r mi n g ins p ec t i o n s o f var i o u s s truc t u res, and nat u ral gas p i p el i n es the sU A S will

mi n imi z e t h e risk to p er s o n s att e m p ti n g to cl i mb t h e s e structu r e s and p h o t o g ra p h pr o b l e m a r eas. It will

p rovi d e a w ay f o r c o m p a n i es t o h a ve their en g i ne ers r e v i e w ph o t o g ra p h s a n d provi d e ad d itio n al safe t y to

the g en e ral p u b l i c in re g ard to structu r e fa i l u re o r n atu r al g as p ip eli n es having structu r al iss u es. M a n y o f

t h e nat u ral gas pi p eli n es tra v el in ar e as th a t are ha r d to r each b y v eh i cle o r f oo t a n d if an a r ea is

sus p ec t ed o f h a vi n g p ro b l e ms t h e sU A S will a l l o w f o r an easier a n d safer asse s s ment.

Con c l u s i o n

ASPhoto resp e ctful l y re qu e s ts th a t the F A A g r a n t the r eq u es t ed e x e m p ti o n and are p rep a r ed t o m o d i f y o r

a mend a n y part o f t h is req u est t o sat i sfy the need f o r an e qu iva l ent l e vel o f sa f e t y. W e l o o k forward to

w o rki n g with yo u r o ff i ce. If ad d itio n al in f o r mat i o n o r clar i fic a ti o n i s n e eded, p lea s e f e el fr e e to c o n t a ct u s

.

Respe c tfu l ly S u b m i tted,

ASPhoto

Kenneth Rogers

3 801 Campbell Rd.

R a leigh

, NC 27606

kprogers@gmail.com

Appendice s :

DJI Phantom 3

– Specifications Data Sheet and User Manual Link

DJI Inspire 1

– Specifications Data Sheet and User Manual Link

3DR

– Solo

– Specifications Data Sheet and User Manual Link9

APPENDIX A

DJI PHANTOM 3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

1.1 DJI Phantom 3

1.1.1 Aircraft

1.1.1.1 Supported Battery

– DJI 5200mAH LiPo Battery

1.1.1.2 Weight (Battery & Propellers Included)

– 2lbs 11.810oz (1242g)

1.1.1.3 Hover Accuracy (Ready to Fly)

– Vertical: .8m; Horizontal: 2.5m

1.1.1.4 Max Yaw Angular Veloci ty

- 2000/s

1.1.1.5 Max Tilt Angel

- 350 1.1.1.6 Max Ascent Speed

– 6m/s

1.1.1.7 Max Descent Speed

– 2m/s

1.1.1.8 Max Flight Speed

– 15m/s (NOT RECOMMENDED)

1.1.2 Gimbal

1.1.2.1 Working Current

– Static: 750mA; Dynamic: 900mA

1.1.2.2 Control Accuracy

- ±0.030

1.1.2.3 Controllable Range

– Pitch:

- 900

- 00

1.1.2.4 Maximum Angular Speed

– Pitch: 900/s

1.1.3 Camera

1.1.3.1 Operating Temperature Range

- 320F

- 1040F (00C

- 400C)

1.1.3.2 Sensor Size

– 1/2.3”

1.1.3.3 Effective Pixels

– 14M

1.1.3.4 Resolution

– 4384x3288 4.1.3.5 HD Video Recording

– 1080p30 & 720p

1.1.4 Transmitter

1.1.4.1 Operating Frequency

– 5.728GHz

– 5.85GHz

1.1.4.2 Communication Distance (unobstructed)

– FCC Compliance: 800m

1.1.4.3 Receiver Sensitivity (1%PER)

- - 93dBm

1.1.4.4 Transmitter Power

– FCC Compliance: 100mW

1.1.4.5 Working Voltage

– 120mA@3.7V

1.1.5 Range Extender

1.1.5.1 Operating Frequency

– 2412

- 2462MHz

1.1.5.2 Communication Distance (unobstructed)

– 500

- 700m

1.1.5.3 Transmitter Power

– 20dBm

1.1.5.4 Power Consumption

– 2W

D JI Phantom 3

– User Manual Link

http://www.dji.com/product/phantom

- 3/download10

APPENDIX

– B

DJI INSPIRE 1 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

2.2 DJI Inspire 1

2.2.1 Aircraft

2.2.1.1 Model

– T600

2.2.1.2 Weight (Battery Included)

– 6lbs 7.5291oz (2935g)

2.2.1.3 Hovering Accuracy (GPS Mode)

– Vertical: 0.5m; Horizontal: 2.5m

2.2.1.4 Max Angular Velocity

– Pitch: 3000/s; Yaw: 1500/s

2.2.1.5 Max Tilt Angle

- 350

2.2.1.6 Max Ascent Speed

– 5m/s

2. 2.1.7 Max Descent Speed

– 4m/s

2.2.1.8 Max Speed

– 22m/s (ATTI mode, no wind

– NOT RECOMMENDED)

2.2.1.9 Max Flight Altitude

– 4500m

2.2.1.10 Max Wind Resistance

– 10m/s

2.2.1.11 Max Flight Time

– Approximately 20 minutes

2.2.1.12 Motor Model

– DJI 3510

2.2.1.13 Propeller Model

– DJI 1345

2.2.1.14 Operating Temperature Range

– 140F to 1040F (

- 100C to 400C) 2.2.1.15

Dimensions

– 17 1⁄4” x 17 3⁄4” x 12”

2.2.2 Gimbal

2.2.2.1 Model

– ZENMUSE X3

2.2.2.2 Output Power (with camera)

– Static: 9W; In Motion: 11W

2 .2.2.3 Operating Current

– Static: 750mA; In Motion: 900mA

2.2.2.4 Angular Vibration Range

- ±0.030

2.2.2.5 Mounting

– Detachable

2.2.2.6 Controllable Range

– Pitch:

- 900 to +300; Pan: ±3200

2.2.2.7 Mechanical Range

– Pitch:

- 1250 to 450; Pan: ±3300

2.2.2. 8 Max Controllable Speed

– Pitch: 1200/s; Pan: 1800/s

2.2.3 Camera

2.2.3.1 Name

– X3

2.2.3.2 Model

– FC350

2.2.3.3 Total Pixels

– 12.76M 2.2.3.4 Effective Pixels

– 12.4M

2.2.3.5 Image Max Size

– 4000x3000

2.2.3.6 ISO Range

– 100

- 3200

2.2.3.7 Field of View

- 940

2.2.3.8 CMOS

– Sony EXMOR 1/2.3”

2.2.3.9 HD Video Recording

– UHD(4K): 4096x2160p24/25, 3840x2160p24/25/30;

FHD: 1920x1080p24/25/30/48/50/60;

HD: 1280x720p24/25/30/48/50/60

2.2.3.10 Operating Temperature Range

- 320F

- 1040F (00C

- 400C)

2.2.4 Transmitter

2.2.4.1 Name

– C1

2.2.4.2 Operating Frequency

– 5.728

- 5.850GHz; 2.400

- 2.483GHz

2.2.4.3 Communicating Distance (unobstructed)

– 2000m

2.2.4.4 Output Power

– 9W

2.2.4.5 Operating Temperature Range

- 140F to 1040F (

- 100C to 400C)11

2.2.4.6 Battery

– 600mAh LiPo 2S

DJI Phantom Inspire 1

– User Manual Link

http://www.dji.com/product/inspire

- 1/download12

APPENDIX

- C

3DR

– Solo Spec Sheet

Cameras: Compatible with GoPro® HERO3, 3+ and 4; optimized for HERO3+ and 4

Streaming video quality: 720p

Flight time: 25 minutes; 20 minutes with payload*

Range: .5 miles** (.8 km)

Max speed: 55 mph (89 km/h)

Max ascent speed: 10 m/s in stabilize mode; 5 m/s in “fly” mode

Max descent speed: ditto

Max payload: 420 g

Max altitude: 400 ft per FAA regulation, user adjustable (122 m)

Motors: 880 kV

Propellers: 10′′ diameter 4.5′′ pitch self

- tightening (24 cm diameter 144 cm pitch); glass

- reinforced nylon

Autopilo t: Pixhawk 2

Software: APM:Copter

Communication: 3DR Link secure WiFi network

Frequency: 2.4 GHz

Weight: 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) / 3.9 lbs. (1.8 kg) with GoPro® and Solo Gimbal

Dimensions: 10 in. tall (25 cm), 18 in. (46 cm) motor

- to

- motor

Flight battery: Lithiu m polymer 5200 mAh 14.8 Vdc

Battery charge time: ~1.5 hours

Controller battery: 2600 mAh 7.2 Vdc rechargeable lithium ion

App requirements: iOS 8.0 or later / Android 4.3 or later

*Flight time varies with payload, wind conditions, elevation, temperature, humidity, flying style and pilot

skill. Listed flight time applies to elevations less than 2,000 ft above sea level.

**Depending on environmental conditions; controller is expandable, allowing us or third parties to amp

up the range in the future.

Solo Smart Battery:

Rechargeable lithium polymer (Li

- Po)

5200 mAh

14.8 Vdc

Weight: 1 lb. (.5 kg)

Solo Gimbal:

Three

- axis stabilization

Fully compatible with 3DR Solo and GoPro HERO3+ and HERO4; camera charging and stabilization only

with HERO3

HDMI video outp ut

Wireless software upgrade through Solo

Controllable range: 0° to

- 90° pitch

3DR

– Solo User Manual Link

https://3drobotics.com/kb/solo

- user

- manual/