FAA Petition for 333 Exemption

Prepared for: FAA Public Docket

Prepared by: Cameron Stotz

June 3, 2015 

CAMERON STOTZ - PETITION FOR EXEMPTION
PETITION SUMMARY

Intention and Objective

I, Cameron Stotz, am requesting a 333 Petition Exemption and COA to fly a remotely controlled quad-rotor aircraft, 

the DJI Phantom 2 with a GoPro Camera, for the sole purpose of photographing and filming real estate, farmland, 

and rural landscapes. All flights will take place outside of congested, high traffic areas; mostly greater than 15 

miles Northwest of Des Moines, IA. Every flight will be meticulously planned and prepared for, to mitigate the 

possibly of risk to the National Airspace System, people, and property on the ground. I will conduct pre-flight 

inspections of the radio controlled aircraft, power system (batteries), propellers, and controller for every flight. In an 

event where damage is detected, I will cease flight operations until I receive replacement OEM parts from the 

manufacturer, DJI. In cases where I am filming real estate or farmland, all filming will take place in a direction away 

from people and objects on the ground. I will establish my target and fly adjacent or away from the target in all 

situations. I will maintain visual line of sight at all times, and fly below 200 feet when engaged in such operations. 

My proposed maximum operating speed in these conditions will not exceed 15mph. I will not fly in foggy or rainy 

conditions, or any weather condition that may hamper my ability to maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft. I 

will not fly within 5nm of any airport, and my Naza flight controller will prevent the aircraft from doing so (see No Fly 

Zones : http://www.dji.com/fly-safe/category-mc). Since this is a radio controlled hobby aircraft, I am requesting 

exemption from the following regulations : 

14 CFR PART SUMMARY OF REGULATION, Part 21 Airworthiness Certification, 21, Subpart H Certification 

procedures for products and parts, Airworthiness Certificates. Part 61 Certification: Pilots, Light Instructors, and 

Ground Instructors. Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules. 91.103(b)(2) Preflight action. 91.105 Flight crewmembers at stations. 91.109 Flight instruction. 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes. 91.121 Altimeter settings. 91.151 

Fuel requirements for flights in VFR conditions. 91.405 Maintenance required. 91.407 Operation after maintenance. 

91.409 Inspections. 91.417 Maintenance records 

The DJI Phantom 2 uses a 2.4ghz controller frequency for aircraft control and flight command. Two way 

communication is established between the 2.4 ghz FCC approved controller and a 5 ghz FCC Approved video 

transmitter that relays iOSD (OnScreen Display) data realtime. This data includes altitude information, distance from 

operator, remaining flight time on battery, and GPS home information.

UAS Design and Operational Characteristics

DJI has developed a series of quad-copters called the Phantoms that have evolved into an integrated flying 

system with aircraft, camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, a controller and the pilot’s mobile device. These quad-copters are 

mainly intended for aerial cinematography and photography applications. The Naza flight controller maintains 

stable, safe flight with GPS and return to home capability. The DJI Phantom 2 weighs 1000 grams with battery fully 

loaded. Maximum flight speed is roughly 25 mph. Flight time ranges from 15-25 minutes per fully charged battery. 

CAMERON STOTZ - PETITION FOR EXEMPTION
More information can be found at the manufacturer’s website : http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2/spec. A full 

review of the UAS can be found here : http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/reviewed-dji-phantom-2-visionpersonal-drone. The altitude ceiling maximum is set in the Naza flight controller at 400 feet AGL, while most of my 

flights will remain well under 200 feet AGL. 

Qualifications

I, Cameron Stotz, will be the only pilot in command (PIC) of this DJI Phantom 2 UAS. 

FAA Licensed Private Pilot, SEL rated, licensed in October of 2003 (12 Years) - Airman Cert 2793061 

FCC Licensed Amateur Radio Operator - K6CAM 

I have over 20 years of RC pilot experience. Five years, or 400+ hours, with quad-rotors in particular. 

Zero crashes in two years, proficient in VLOS flight under 200 feet. 

No incidents with local/state authorities, FAA, or any government agencies. 

20 years of photography experience. 

I want to personally thank you for taking the time to review my petition for 333 exemption. While I realize there are 

people and entities actively using the UAS mentioned above without authorization, I want to ensure that I do 

everything in my power to request authorization and prove that I can do so in a safe and effective manner. I 

encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns, and I anxiously await your decision. 

Sincerely,

Cameron Stotz 

1625 Snyder St. 

Waukee, Iowa 50263 

Phone : (760) 575-4226 

Email : Cameron@Stotz.us

CAMERON STOTZ - PETITION FOR EXEMPTION