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 Systems (UAS), U.S. Drone Service seeks to operate UAS for newsgathering, 

commercial production, and facilities inspection using the DJI 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 summary 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 by the FAA as required by 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 photography 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 photography for public and/or private use including television, public 

events, cinematography and newsgathering. 

3. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with the 

owners or local government authority. 

4. Aerial inspection/photography 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 only 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 safety for current and future UAS operations 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 systems in the national airspace system.” 

I also plan to operate a UAS, the DJI Inspire 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 by 

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 safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial 

operations of UASs to commence immediately. 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 security 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 photography 

options. 

Brian P. Gilbertson proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have 

the characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide 

for an exceptional level of safety to operations. These limitations and conditions to which Brian 

P. Gilbertson agrees to be bound when conducting commercial operations 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 notice around the controlled area and advise Local 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-todate information 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 PIC 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 operation that the PIC (Brian P. Gilbertson) 

has demonstrated the ability to safely 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 distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and 

structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency will be logged in a manner 

consistent with 14 C.F.R. § 61.51(b).

15. The PIC, 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 safety when operating the un manned aircraft. 

Accordingly, the applicant respectfully 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) 389-7260
and 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 any 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. 

Sincerely, 

Brian P. Gilbertson

Instructor Pilot AH-64D Apache 

Owner/Operator

U.S. Drone Service