January 21, 2016

 Exemption No. 13551A

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2015–2803

Mr. Adam Holzer

Manager and Asset Media Specialist

Alaska Digital, LLC

P.O. Box 190735

Anchorage, AK 99519

Dear Mr. Holzer:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition for an amendment. It explains 

the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the revised conditions and limitations.

By letter dated June 30, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Alaska Digital, LLC (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an exemption. In the 

November 6, 2015 decision letter, the FAA granted Exemption No. 13551. That exemption 

from §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 

91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b) of 

Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows the petitioner to operate a UAS to 

perform aerial data collection. At the time, the FAA was unable to approve the Yuneec 

Typhoon G and xFold Cinema. The FAA is now prepared to act on that request.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested amendment to the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner. The 

unmanned aircraft authorized in the original grant are comparable in type, size, weight, speed 

and operating capabilities to those in this petition.

Airworthiness Certification

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in 

reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited 

operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation 

has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA 

finds that relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 
2

Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing

requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 13551 

remains valid and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the authority contained 

in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, the operator is 

granted an amendment to add new aircraft to its UAS operations.

The operator shall add this amendment to its original exemption.

 

Conditions and Limitations

All conditions and limitations within Grant of Exemption No. 13551 remain in effect except 

as follows. Condition No. 1 has been updated to reflect the additional aircraft. 

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 3 

Professional, DJI Phantom 3, DJI Phantom 2 Vision+, DJI Phantom 2 Vision, DJI 

Phantom 2, DJI Inspire 1, DJI Spreading Wings S1000, DJI Spreading Wings S1000+, 

DJI Spreading Wings S900, SJI Spreading Wings S800, DJI Spreading Wings S800 

EVO, DJI Matrice 100, 3D Robotics X8-M, 3D Robotics X8+, 3D Robotics Solo, 

Blade 350QX3, Blade Chroma, FreeFly Systems Alta, , Yuneec Typhoon Q500, 

Yuneec Typhoon Q500+, Yuneec Typhoon 500 4K, Yuneec Tornado H920, Lily 

Drone, the xFold Cinema x12, Yuneec Typhoon G, and xFold Cinema x8 when 

weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other 

aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

This exemption terminates on November 30, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service