U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591

Brian P. Gilbertson 110 Sagebrush Dr Enterprise AL, 36330 Website site www.usdrone

- service.com U.S. Drone Service (334)389

- 7260

Dear Sir or Madam:

Re: Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 subpart H 14 CFR 45.23(b) 14 CFR 91.7(a) 14 CFR 91.9(b)(2) 14 CFR 91.103 14 CFR 91.109 14 CFR 91.119(c) 14 CFR 91.121 14 CFR 91.151(a) 14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b) 14 CFR 91.405 (a) 14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2) 14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b)

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) and 14 CFR Part 11, Brian P. Gilbertson (owner of U.S. Drone Service) operator of Unmanned Aircraft Sy stems (UAS), U.S. Drone Service seeks to operate UAS for newsgathering, commercial production, and facilities inspection using the DJ I Inspire 1. Because this petition is similar in all material respects to previously

- granted Section 333 petitions, U.S. Drone Service requests expedited approval pursuant to the FAA's s ummary grant process. PROPOSED OPERATIONS AND PUBLIC INTEREST BENEFITS hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of designated UAS, provided such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established b y the FAA as required b y Section 333.

Commercial operation of an UAS, as described herein, which are equipped with camera(s) and sensors, would provide professional services in the following areas:1. Aerial photograph y and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, architecture, land surveying, engineering and other related professional activities. 2. Aerial video and/or photograph y for public and/or private use including television, public events, cinematograph y and newsgathering. 3. Aerial inspection/photograph y of residential/commercial structures under contract with the owners or local government authority

. 4. Aerial inspection/photograph y of residential/commercial utility infrastructure including but not limited to electrical power lines, wind turbines and cell towers. 5. Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue operations in cases of an emergency or natural disaster on ly

when the local authorities or government has requested it by contract or donation. 6. Training to persons individually or belonging to both private and/or public organizations to increase awareness and improve safet y for current and future UAS operati ons within the NAS.

As described fully

below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of designated UAS as set forth in this document under controlled conditions in the NAS that would be a) limited b) controlled c) predetermined and d) safe. Approval of this exemption would increase public awareness of UAS operations and enhance safety to aid in fulfilling the Secretary of Transportation’s (the FAA Administrator’s) responsibilities to “....establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft s ys tems in the national airspace s ys tem.” I also plan to operate a UAS, the DJIInspire 1 which is comprised of an unmanned aircraft (UA or Inspire 1) and a transportable ground station. The Inspire 1 is referred to as a quad

- copter with a maximum gross weight of about 6.5 pounds. It is equipped with four rotors that are driven b y electric motors powered by batteries. The UA has a maximum airspeed of 22 m/s. Also, given the small size of the UAS’s involved and the restricted controlled environment within which they

will operate, the applicant fits within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safet y) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of UASs to commence immediatel y. Also due to the size of the UASs and the controlled areas in which the relevant UASs will operate, approval of the application presents no national securit y issue. Given the following, the grant of the requested exemptions is clearly in the public interest with being able to provide and insure a greater safety level by providing aerial survey and photography

services without putting human life at risk. By using the Inspire 1 Pro to conduct these services, the loss of human life due to aircraft engine failure or malfunction is removed. This creates a service that is lower risk then previous aerial survey and photograph y options. Brian P. Gilbertson proposes that the exemption requested herein appl y to civil aircraft that have the c haracteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for an exceptional level of safet y to operations. These limitations and conditions to which Brian P. Gilbertson agrees to be bound when conducting commercial oper ations under an FAA issued exemption including: 1. The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs.2. The Pilot in Command, Brian P. Gilbertson will be qualified as a Commercial Pilot, with the ratings and limitations of Rotorcraft

- Helicopter and Instrument

- Helicopter. 3. Flights will be operated within line of sight of operator. 4. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 30 minutes. 5. Flights will be terminated at 15% battery power reserve. 6. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL 7. UAS operator will be trained and certified in the proper safety and operations of the UAS. 8. The UAS will only

operate within a controlled area as defined in the Procedures. 9. The operator will post advisor no tice around the controlled area and advise L ocal Flight Service Stations of time period and location use to update notices to airmen. 10. The operator will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and received up

- to

date informati on on the particular UAS to be operated as required. 11. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have capability to return to a pre

- determined location within the Security Perimeter and land. 12. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies. 13. The PI C will hold a private and military (DD759) pilot certificate as well as an FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license. 14. 12 U.S. Drone Service will ensure prior to o peration that the PI C (Brian P. Gilbertson) has demonstrated the ability to safel y operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distance s from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PI C qualification flight hours and currency will be logged in a manner consistent with 14 C.F.R. § 61.51(b). 15. The PI C, Brian P. Gilbertson, is a decorated combat veteran of the AH

- 64D Apache, with 1000 (1500 Total hours) combat hours logged. Brian P. Gilbertson has a thorough knowledge of working with local Air Traffic Control and a firm understanding of air space and aircraft flight procedures. The ability to bring this experience will offer an added measure of safet y when operating the un manned aircraft.

Accordingl y, the applicant respectfull y requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption for applicant:

Brian P. Gilbertson Owner /Operator U.S. Drone Service 110 Sagebrush DR Enterprise, AL 36330 Brian.p.gilbertson.mil@mail.mil (334) 389

- 7260and are prepared to modify or amend any

part of this request to satisfy the need for an equivalent level of safety . We look forward to working with your office. Please contact us at any time if additional information or clarifications are needed.

If you have an y questions or need additional information, please contact me at either gilbertson88@yahoo.com or brian.p.gilbertson.mil@mail.mil or (334)389

- 7260 cell.

Sincerel y, Brian P. Gilbertson Instructor Pilot AH

- 64D Apache Owner /Operator U.S. Drone Service