November 23, 2016

U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

This letter and accompanying documents are in response to the RFI dated Tuesday, 

November 15, 2016 regarding the following petitions. 

Powers Flight Group (Docket No. FAA–2016–4932)

Wolfpack Services (Docket No. FAA-2016-7844)

Brewster Fresh Produce (Docket No. FAA-2016-4931)

Hastings Consulting (Docket No. FAA-2016-7702)

Prater’s Midwest Dive Services (Docket No. FAA-2016-4933)

Skyweb Digital media LLC (Docket No. FAA 2016-5397)

In addition, there are 3 other petitions pending for the same aircraft that we have 

received no response about at all. Information was added to the regulatory docket for the 

following Section 333 petitioners for processing on July 21, 2016. 

Namkrow Aerial Visuals, FAA-2016-3167-0001 Tracking number 1k0-8qlv-xzst

Spoke Enterprise, LLC FAA-2016-2957-0001 Tracking number 1k0-8qlv-uq60

Justin Flowers FAA-2016-3012-0001 Tracking number 1k0-8qlv-3nts

This makes a total of 9 petitions requesting to utilize the same aircraft. 

Response highlighted below:

● A detailed description of the aircraft design and configuration for the HSEUAV AG- V6A+V2 UAS focusing on the UAS features and flight 

characteristics to include, but not limited to:

o Detailed 3 view drawings with scale of the aircraft and any launch and 

recovery equipment if applicable

1. Diagram of AG V6A+ v2 is attached to depict mounted tank and 

sprayer assembly, along with HEX design

2. Operations Manual attached with all measurements converted to 
U.S. metric

3. Additional photos attached showing tank and sprayer assembly, 

dual GPS redundancy, battery, complete set up, motors, blades, 

etc. 

4. See Videos showing stability, flight control, autonomous flight, 

weather performance, precision spraying, etc. 

• First Set Up https://youtu.be/rH_3ThPd-vI

• Steady Flight https://youtu.be/DvII3VqPiWY

• Low Flight in Wind https://youtu.be/rQHNQMe9GWI

• Precision Spraying / Autonomous Flight, Landing 

https://youtu.be/NvJaXjeWP6E

• Takeoff & Hover https://youtu.be/WBqyIQPrnok

o Operational history with supporting statistics; particularly where 

Homeland Surveillance and Electronics was the principal operator

• This data is included in the petition. 

o Results of analysis and flight testing of UAS

• No known/reported operational failures experienced by HSE or 

reported by end users.

• Beyond average coverage rate compared to other spraying 

applications. Precision Spraying prevents over spray and 

reduces waste/loss and human exposure

• Aircraft performed well in extreme altitudes and high winds, no 

loss of comms, no issues with stability, or control and handling

o Lessons learned from repairs and alterations performed during 

operations to include design changes and fixes due to operational 

failure(s)

1. No known/reported operational failures experienced by HSE or 

reported by end users.

2. Lesson learned from repeat operator error- the rotor lock & wires 

crossed as result and preventing flight. Due to expertise with aircraft, 

we were able to quickly diagnose and resolve the error. HSE then 

created a video tutorial for users to help avoid future and/or common 

occurrences. 

3. Blades and motors changed to increase performance efficiency and 

increased flight time

o Details of any injuries or property damage resulting from flight/ground 

operations

1. No known/reported injuries or property damage from operations by HSE 

or end users.

● Safety analysis of any failure modes such as lost link, fly-away, loss of control, etc.

○ Performance of Safety Features work as designed

● Copies of manuals, photographs, videos/telemetry may be provided as support

1. Provided all of the above- attached, and sent previously

● Any other information to support an analysis of operational safety with unmanned 

aircraft in excess of 55 pounds.
Safety Functions:

1. Full dual redundancy (Gemini M & Gemini S -full GPS, IMU, Compass and 

controllers) Automatic switching in real--‐ time between compass, IMU, 

GPS or controller if one fails.

2. Rotor fail protection: If one rotor fails, flight controller will compensate for lost 

rotor and will notify operator via on-screen warnings; aircraft maintains stability 

allowing operator to safely land. 

3. Full Black Box / Flight recording of all flights: flight data shows a real-time video of 

all operator control input, GPS statuses, vibrate, shake and motor balance statuses 

along with battery voltage and all other critical telemetry data allowing operator to 

fully track entire history. All flights are automatically saved on Ground Station. This 

further adds to safety for operator and VO training as operator-caused issues can be 

quickly identified. Further, it allows for remote diagnostics and has a financial 

benefit not requiring aircraft and components to be unnecessarily shipped. 

4. OPTIONAL Parachute protection - automatically deploys based on sudden descent or 

operator-activated switch. 

5. Safety parameters: max altitude, distance from home, horizontal speed and 

vertical speed: defaults are set by HSE, customer can set these as well.

6. High Visibility LED Aviation Lighting: long-range visible, high intensity LED strobes

7. Intelligent Assisted Launch and Landing: aircraft uses GPS and IMU data to 

determine when the craft is fully on the ground, meaning the craft will not shut rotors 

off until firmly on the ground. Aircraft also uses IMU data to safely and smoothly 

handle Ground Effect which lessens stress and accident likelihood for operator. 

8. Flight Stall Prevention: Flight controller prevents accidental 'throttle zero' motor stall 

while in air - in an emergency, operator can switch instantly to 'manual' mode to 

activate rotor kill.

9. Semi--‐ Automatic Navigation: allows operator to manually override speed and 

altitude instantly during automatic Ground Station controlled flights

10. 5--‐ second auto--‐ lock rotors: automatically locks rotor from accidental turning 

after initial power connected and again 5 seconds after rotors stop.

11. Ability to change parameters in real--‐ time (during flight)

12. Ability to program, calibrate, debug, and modify Flight Controller information 

without power to rotors: allows safe physical interaction with UAV while 

performing maintenance and servicing.

13. Ability to move or edit "Home" (return to home) location if original becomes 

obstructed (animals, people, or too far of a distance, etc.) after initial launch - if a 

failure occurs, UAV will land at newly designated location.

Concept of Operation:

● Types of Operations: Precision Agriculture (crop health monitoring, crop counting, soil 

analysis, land mapping, livestock awareness/protection, surveillance, etc.) Agricultural crop 

spraying (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, insecticides, etc.) Invasive species management 

(aquatic invasive moss/plant management, railroad and power line ‘right of way’ weed 

abatement, etc.) Ability to safely access and treat areas that are remote and/or difficult 

terrain for walking or driving. 

● Geography, areas, environments of Operations: remote areas with low or no human 

presence besides operator. Typically significant distance from other aircraft or airports. 

varying altitudes & terrains, changing weather, low & slow flights, US & international, 
rural, sparsely populated areas (farm lands, fields, orchards, etc.) Operations away from 

people unless part of the flight crew or property owners Operator’s location in relation to 

the aircraft itself: Operator remains a distance of at least 50ft away from aircraft while in 

flight.