GLEIM PUBLICATIONS, INC.

(800) 87 GLEIM ▪ (352) 375-0772 ▪ FAX (352) 375-6940 G

http://www.gleim.com ▪ E-mail: irvin@gleim.com

December 15th, 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations

West Building Ground Floor, Rm W12-140

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

To Whom It May Concern:

Gleim Publications, Inc. (known henceforth as “Gleim”, “Gleim Publications”

or “the petitioner”) hereby requests for an exemption from the regulations listed in this 

document pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 

and 14 CFR § 11.

Since 1980, Gleim Publications has been dedicated to providing the highest

quality of aviation training material to the public. This means keeping up to date with 

the latest technologies that the world has to offer. Gleim Publications already uses 

state of the art online technology to bring aviation training material right to the devices 

that students carry with them every day. As technology progresses in the aviation 

field, especially in the area of sUAS operation, it is vital to prepare operators with a 

better understanding of safe operations. The sUAS industry is rapidly growing both in 

commercial and non-commercial use. Each day, thousands of hobbyist flights are 

conducted for the purpose of photography, recreation, or even education. Gleim seeks

to use sUAS to further the production of aviation training material of the highest 

quality, and for developing our sUAS crewmember training curriculum.

The contents of this petition is as follows.

I. Petitioner Information

II. Regulations Which Require Exemption

III. Gleim's Proposed Operations and Safety Procedures

IV. Public Interest of this Exemption

V. Syma X5C-1 Information and Specifications

VI. Federal Register Summary

VII. Closing

Page 1 of 5 Gleim Section 333 Exemption

P
G

GLEIM PUBLICATIONS, INC.

I. Petitioner Information

Gleim Publications Inc.

Attn: Dr. Irvin N. Gleim

4201 NW 95th Blvd.

Gainesville, FL 32607

Phone: (352) 224-1310

Email: Irvin@gleim.com

Gleim Publications Inc. is owned by Dr. Irvin N. Gleim and his family. Dr. 

Gleim is a professor emeritus at the Fisher School of Accounting, University of Florida 

in Gainesville, Florida. Since 1980, Gleim Publications is dedicated to providing 

aspiring Accountants and Aviators with high quality training materials in order to pass 

their exams and realize that dream. Dr. Gleim holds a Commercial Pilot certificate with

CFI Airplane Single Engine and Instrument Airplane privileges, and is an Advanced 

and Instrument Ground Instructor.

II. Regulations Which Require Exemption

14 CFR § 21 Subpart H

14 CFR § 61.3(d) (Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations. - Flight 

Instructor Certificates.)

14 CFR § 61.23 (Medical Certificates)

14 CFR § 61.101 (Recreational pilot privileges and limitations)

14 CFR § 61.113 (Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command.)

14 CFR § 91.103 (Preflight Action)

14 CFR § 91.105 (Flight crewmembers at stations)

14 CFR § 91.109 (Flight instruction)

14 CFR § 91.119 (Minimum Safe Altitudes)

14 CFR § 91.121 (Altimeter settings)

14 CFR § 91.151 (Fuel Requirements for flights in VFR)

14 CFR § 91.405 (Maintenance Required)

14 CFR § 91.407 (Operation after maintenance)

14 CFR § 91.409 (Inspections)

14 CFR § 91.417 (Maintenance Records)

Page 2 of 5 Gleim Section 333 Exemption

P
G

GLEIM PUBLICATIONS, INC.

III. Gleim's Proposed Operations and Safety Procedures

This section serves as an explanation of the extent of the exemption 

requested as well as the reason for the request. This section covers the safety 

procedures that Gleim adheres to and the reason why this exemption will not 

adversely affect safety or cause safety concerns.

Gleim Publications plans to use the device(s) described in Section V for 

research and development of Aviation training material, and for developing our sUAS 

crewmember training curriculum. Gleim believes that safety is the most important part 

of operating any aircraft and as such we plan to provide the highest quality training 

and reference material available. This exemption will permit Gleim Publications to 

operate sUAS for the following purposes:

• Research and development of aviation safety material and pilot training 

material.

• Developing our sUAS crewmember training curriculum.

• Aerial photography and videography for use in aforementioned material.

The following are safety procedures that Gleim strictly adheres to in order to ensure a 

safe environment.

• Careful pre-flight and planning to minimize possibility of an accident or crash 

due to battery life, pedestrian traffic, weather, or any other reason.

• Specifically designated areas and times to operate the proposed sUAS within.

• The sUAS will never exceed the 55 pound limit or 400 foot altitude limit 

imposed on recreational sUAS pilots.

• Flights for the purposes above will be conducted by a certificated pilot in 

airspace sufficiently away from other air traffic.

• Careful observation of the listing of current TFRs will be in place as to not 

conduct flights in any restricted area.

• All flights will be within the limitations of the sUAS outlined in the official 

manufacturer's documentation.

• Strict policies are in place to ensure that the PIC of the sUAS is not under the 

influence of any impairing substances, e.g. drugs and alcohol.

• Regular inspections and preventative maintenance will be performed ensuring 

the sUAS is in airworthy condition.

Page 3 of 5 Gleim Section 333 Exemption

P
GLEIM PUBLICATIONS, INC. G

IV. Public Interest of this Exemption

Gleim Publications is a leading provider of aviation training materials, and a

part 141 ground school operator. It is of public interest for both commercial and noncommercial crewmembers to be properly trained and provided with all of the 

documentation necessary to facilitate a safe environment. Any crewmember operating

an aircraft without proper training is a significant hazard to themselves and the public. 

Gleim Publications plans to use this exemption and the operation of sUAS to greatly 

minimize this risk by developing a sUAS training curriculum, safety and reference 

materials.

V. sUAS Information and Specifications

Gleim Publications currently uses a Syma X5C as our sUAS. This is a small

quadcopter that is well beneath the 55 pound hobbyist limitation. The Syma X5C has 

an advertised range of approximately 100 feet which is also well beneath the hobbyist 

altitude limitation of 400 feet. Additional information is listed below

• 31.5cm length, 31.5cm width, 7.5cm height, 103g weight.

• Uses 3.7V Lithium-polymer batteries.

• Fine tuning controls allow for accurate flight.

• 2.4GHz band remote control.

• Landing Skids and Propeller Guards for safety.

VI. Federal Register Summary

Petitioner: Gleim Publications, Inc.

Rules from which exemption is sought: 14 CFR §§ 21 Subpart H; 61.23; 61.101; 

61.113; 91.103; 91.105; 91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151; 91.405; 91.407; 91.409; 

91.417.

Description: Petitioner seeks exemption from the listed regulations under 14 CFR to 

operate small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), specifically the Syma X5C-1, in a 

controlled private area for the purpose of conducting research and development 

related to educating the public in the safety of sUAS operation.

Page 4 of 5 Gleim Section 333 Exemption

P
G

GLEIM PUBLICATIONS, INC.

VII. Closing

Gleim Publications is excited to begin operation of sUAS. Safety is our goal

first and foremost and we plan to continue producing the best pilot training material 

available and developing our sUAS flight training curriculum to make airspace safer. 

The use of sUAS through this exemption will allow us to do so. We are prepared to 

follow strict safety guidelines in order to virtually preclude the risk of incidents or 

accidents. Additionally, exemptions have been granted based on similar petitions, 

such as exemptions number 11062, 11109, 11112, 11213, and 13456. Our petition is 

in similar interest to the public as these previous petitions. 

We hope to hear good news soon.

Thank you and have a great day. Please always be safe.

Irvin N. Gleim

Page 5 of 5 Gleim Section 333 Exemption

P