Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC

203&Ruby&Lake&Lane

Winter&Haven,&FL&33884

352A665A6648

caleb@crosbydirt.com

May&5,&2015

U.S.&Department&of&Transportation,&Docket Operations

West&Building&Ground&Floor,&Room W12A140

1200&New&Jersey&Avenue, SE&

Washington,&DC 20590

Re: Request for exemption under Section 333 from 14&CFR Part 21, Subpart H; 14 CFR&

61.113&(a)&and&(b);&14&CFR&61.23(a);&14&CFR&91.109;&14&CFR 91.119(c);&14&CFR&91.121;&14&CFR&

91.151(a);&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);&14&CFR&91.7(a)&and&(b)

Dear&Sir&or Madam:

In accordance with Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the

Reform Act) and 14 CFR Part 11, Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC hereby applies for an exemption

from&the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to allow commercial use of its Small

Unmanned&Aircraft&Systems&(SUASs),&so&long&as&such&operations&are&conducted&within and

under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by

Section 333.

An exemption is being requested because (1) existing regulations will burden Caleb&Alan&

McDow,&LLC (2) Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC can provide a level of safety that is equal to&(or

greater than)&those&provided&by&existing&rules,&and&(3)&the&request&is&in&the&public interest.

The FAA’s authority to issue exemptions from operating rules, and the Secretary’s authority

granted by Section 333 of P.L. 112A95, Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems,

provide an opportunity to authorize certain SUAS operations in the National Airspace

System (NAS) prior to implementation of the SUAS rule. This incremental step will allow

Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC to&safely&and&legally&enter&into&the NAS.
April&10, 2015

Page 2

As described in detail below, the requested exemption would permit Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC

to&operate&SUASs&under&controlled&conditions&in&airspace&that&is&(1)&limited&(2)&predetermined

(3) controlled&as&to&access,&and&(4)&would&provide&safety&enhancements&to&the&already safe

operations of those aircraft of similar size, weight, speed, and operating capability that have

been granted entry into the NAS via the rules in Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)

National Aircraft Safety Code.1 Approval of this exemption would thereby greatly enhance

safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation’s (the Secretary) responsibilities to

“...establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national

airspace&system”&per&Section&333&(c)&of&the&Reform Act.

Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC is requesting exemption from the following regulations:

14&CFR&Part&21,&Subpart H

14&CFR&61.23 (a)

14&CFR&61.113&(a)&and (b)

14&CFR 91.109

14&CFR 91.121

14&CFR&91.151 (a)

14&CFR&91.405 (a)

14&CFR&91.407 (a)(1)

14&CFR&91.409 (a)(1)

14&CFR&91.409 (a)(2)

14 CFR&91.417&(a)&and (b)

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress’ goal in passing Section

333 (a) through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary to consider whether

certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the NAS before completion of the

rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform Act. In making this determination, the

Secretary is required to determine which types of UASs do not create a hazard to users of

the&NAS,&to&the&public,&or&pose&a&threat&to&national security.

Section 333 of the Reform Act grants the Secretary authority to determine (1) if an

unmanned aircraft system, as a result of its size, weight, speed, operational capability,

proximity to airports and populated areas, and operation within visual line of sight (VLOS)

does¬&create&a&hazard&to&users&of&the&NAS&or&the&public&or&pose&a&threat&to&national

security, and (2) whether a certificate of waiver, certificate of authorization, or

airworthiness certification under 49 USC 44704 is required for the operation of civil (nonA

1&&See&the&attached&“AmaSafetyCode.pdf” document.
April&10, 2015

Page 3

governmental) UASs. Therefore, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles “may

operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements

for&the&safe&operation&of&such&aircraft&in&the&national&airspace&system”.2

Overview!of!the!petitioner

Caleb&Alan&McDow is&the&sole&member&and&manager&of&Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC.&Mr.&McDow&

is&a&licensed&real estate&agent&in&the&state&of&Florida&and&a&member&of&the&National&

Association&of&Realtors&(NAR),&the&Florida&Association&of&Realtors&(FAR),&the&Florida&Gulf&

Coast&Association&of&Realtors&(FGCAR),&the&Realtors&Land&Institute&(RLI),&and&the&National&and&

Florida&Chapters&of&Certified&Commercial&Investment&Members&(CCIM&/&FLCCIM).&Mr.&McDow&

serves&on&various&committees&within&several&of&these&organizations&and&is&actively&involved&

in&all&of&them.&

Mr.&McDow&is&an&instrumentArated&private&pilot&and&has&logged&over&125&hours&of&flight&time&

as&a&civilian&pilot.&He&is&also&a&former&US&Navy&F/AA18F&Weapon&Systems&Officer&(WSO)&and&

has&logged&over&1300&hours&of&flight&time&as&a&military&flight&officer.&Mr.&McDow&has&been&

flying&remotely&piloted&aircraft&for&several&years&including&the&products&manufactured&and&

sold&by&DJI referenced&herein.&

Overview!of!the!request!for!exemption

In&an&effort&to&reduce&the&time&burden&for this&request&and&in&hopes&of&streamlining&the&

exemption&process,&Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC&has&reviewed numerous&requests&and&grants&of&

exemption&under&Section&333.&Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC&has&used&much&of&the&language&of&

these&documents&to&create&this&request&– especially, 1.)&where&the&grants¬e&that&the&

petitioner&neglected&to&address&an&important&item,&2.)&where&relief&was¬&necessary,&and&3.)&

where&relief&was¬&granted.&By&synthesizing&all&of&these&elements,&Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC&

has&attempted&to&craft&an&exemption&request&that&will&address&every&concern&and&meet&every&

guideline&and&mandate&previously&set&forth.&This&exemption&should&be&granted&on&the&basis&of&

the&precedent&set&by&the&FAA&in&granting&similar&Section&333&petitions,&as&well&as&on&its&own&

merit&with®ard&to&safety&and&intended&operations.&

Operation Overview

Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC’s SUASs&are&quadcopters,&manufactured&by&DJI&and&weighing&10 or&

fewer&lbs.&(including&payload). The SUASs have the capability to hover and move in the

2

Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC interprets this provision to place the duty on the Secretary to not

only&process applications for exemptions under section 333 of the Reform Act, but for the

Secretary&to&craft&conditions&for&safe&operations&of&SUAS,&if&it&should&be&determined&that the

conditions&set&forth&herein&do¬&fulfill&the&statutory&requirements&for&approval.
April&10, 2015

Page 4

vertical and horizontal planes&simultaneously. They will operate only in visual line of slight

(VLOS) and will operate only in&controlled and limited airspace. They are capable of

operating at speeds of up to 42&knots, but will be routinely operated at much lower speeds.

They will routinely be operated&below&200&feet&AGL,&and&never&above&400&feet&AGL.

Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC’s exemption request would permit its commercial operation of

SUAS for&aerial photography and videography in controlled and limited airspace. Aerial

photography and videography services will be offered to homeowners, Realtors®,

community&event&organizers,&homebuilders, home contractors, and/or home inspectors

for use in, but not limited to, promotional&videos,&real&estate marketing for&agricultural,&

residential&and&commercial&property,&and inspections of building exteriors. All operations

will be conducted&with the written and/or oral permission of the property owner(s) or&

his/her&agent(s).

Operations will&always&be&conducted&in&such&a&manner&as&to&minimize&hazards&to&persons&or&

property&on&the&ground. Such operations will ensure that the SUAS will “not&create&a&hazard&

to&users&of&the&national&airspace&system&or&the&public”.3

Aircraft

Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC operates the&Phantom 2 Vision+4 (Phantom) and&the&Inspire&15

(Inspire)&SUASs manufactured by DJI, a&wellAknown leader in quadcopter technology. DJI

strives to bring new perspectives to aerial&work&and&help&companies&accomplish&operations

safer,&faster,&and&with&greater&efficiency.&

DJI&has an&unparalleled&commitment&to&R&D,&a&culture&of&constant&innovation,&and&a&focus on

transforming&complex&technology&into&easyAtoAuse devices.

The standard Phantom quadcopter package includes the Phantom itself, camera, gimbal,

propulsion system, flight control system, 5.8 GHz remote controller, and 2.4 GHz WiAFi

communication system. The remote uses a 5.8 GHz frequency to prevent interference with

the video/telemetry channel. This second channel allows for a constant connection with the

Phantom&to&monitor&it&via&a&smartphone&or&tablet&that&is&attached&to&the&remote&controller.

The&Phantom&is&about&1&foot&square&in&size.&It&has&a&maximum&ascent&speed&of&11&knots, a&

maximum descent speed of 3 knots, and a maximum flight speed of 29 knots. While

3&&Reform&Act&Section&333 (b) 4& http://www.dji.com/product/phantomA2AvisionAplus 5&&&http://www.dji.com/product/inspireA1
April&10, 2015

Page 5

operating within VLOS, the remote control has a range of 2,624 feet. The total weight

(including&the&payload)&is&2.55&lbs.6

The Phantom is equipped with an&advanced&flight control system. This provides for

incredible ease of use and stability. Pilots can control the Phantom’s movements in many

directions – including pitch (forward and backward), roll (left and right), elevator (up and

down), and yaw (turn left or right). The flight control system can also provide Intelligent

Orientation Control (IOC), failsafe, battery level warnings, and show the aircraft’s current

heading, direction, and approximate distance from home on the onAscreen radar. The builtA

in GPS system aids in stabilizing the aircraft and automatically and safely returns it back to

its home point in the&event&that communication between the remote control and

quadcopter&are lost.

The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) has a builtAin inertial sensor and a barometric

altimeter that measures both attitude (ATTI) and altitude. The inertial measurement tells

the&Phantom&how&it’s&tilted.&And&the&gyros&tell&it&if&it’s&rotating&in&any&particular&& direction.

The Phantom’s compass read geomagnetic information and assist the Global Positioning

System (GPS) to accurately calculate the position and height of the aircraft. The vertical

hover&accuracy&is&+/A 2.6&ft.&The&horizontal&hover&accuracy&is&+/A 8.2&& ft.

The Phantom has LED flight indicators beneath each of its four rotor arms. The LEDs

illuminate to indicate the status of the flight control system and alert the PIC of any possible

issues.

Such highly advanced capabilities will ensure that&the SUASs can be safely operated and“not&

create&a&hazard&to&users&of&the&national&airspace&system&or&the&public.”6

6 http://www.dji.com/product/phantomA2Avision/spec
April&10, 2015

Page 6

The standard Inspire&quadcopter package includes the Inspire itself, camera, gimbal,

propulsion system, flight control system, 5.8 GHz remote controller, and 2.4 GHz WiAFi

communication system. The remote uses a 5.8 GHz frequency to prevent interference with

the video/telemetry channel. This second channel allows for a constant connection with the&

Inspire&to&monitor&it&via&a&smartphone&or&tablet&that&is attached&to&the&remote&controller.

The&Inspire&is&about&1&foot&10&inches&square&in&size.&It&has&a&maximum&ascent&speed&of&21&

knots, a&maximum descent speed of 7.7 knots, and a maximum flight speed of 42 knots.

Whileoperating within VLOS, the remote control has a range of 2,624 feet. The total weight

(including&the&payload)&is&6.47 lbs.7

The Inspire is equipped with an&advanced&flight control system. This provides forincredible

ease of use and stability. Pilots can control the Inspire’s movements in manydirections –

including pitch (forward and backward), roll (left and right), elevator (up anddown), and

yaw (turn left or right). The flight control system can also provide IntelligentOrientation

Control (IOC), failsafe, battery level warnings, and show the aircraft’s currentheading,

direction, and approximate distance from home on the onAscreen radar. The builtAin GPS

system aids in stabilizing the aircraft and automatically and safely returns it back to&its

home point in the&event&that communication between the remote control andquadcopter&

are lost.

The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) has a builtAin inertial sensor and a barometric

altimeter that measures both attitude (ATTI) and altitude. The inertial measurement tells

the&Inspire how&it’s&tilted.&And&the&gyros&tell&it&if&it’s&rotating&in&any&particular&direction.

The Inspire’s&compass reads geomagnetic information and assists the Global Positioning&

System (GPS) to accurately calculate the position and height of the aircraft. The vertical&

hover&accuracy&is&+/A 1.65 ft.&The&horizontal&hover&accuracy&is&+/A 8.2&& ft.

The Inspire has LED flight indicators beneath each of its four rotor arms. The LEDsilluminate

to indicate the status of the flight control system and alert the PIC of any possible&issues.

7 http://www.dji.com/product/inspireA1/spec
April&10, 2015

Page 7

Equivalent!Level!of Safety

In an effort to join the FAA in its mission to provide the safest, most efficient airspace&system&

in&the&world&and&to&minimize&the&risk&to&the NAS&or&to&persons&and&property&on the ground,

Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC agrees to be bound by the following limitations and conditions&when&

conducting&commercial&operations&under&an&FAA&issued exemption:

A. For&the&purposes&of&ensuring&SUASs&will&be&operated&within&the&standards&that the

FAA&has&allowed&in&the&AMA&National&Model&Aircraft&Safety Code:

1. SUASs&will¬&be flown:

a. In&a&careless&or&reckless manner.

b. At&a&location&where&SUAS&activities&are prohibited.

2. SUAS&pilots will:

a. Yield&the&right&of&way&to&all&humanAcarrying aircraft.

b. See&and&avoid&all&aircraft&and&a&spotter&must&be&used&when appropriate8.

c. Not&fly&higher&than&400&feet&above&ground&level&or&within&three&(3) miles

of&an&airport&without¬ifying&the&airport operator.

d. Not&interfere&with&operations&and&traffic&patterns&at&any&airport, heliport

or&seaplane&base&except&where&there&is&a&mixedAuse agreement.

e. Not&exceed&a&takeoff&weight&of&55£s&(including payload).

f. Ensure&the&aircraft&is&identified&by&affixing&the&owner’s contact

information&to&the&outside&of&the SUAS.&

g. Not&operate&SUASs&while&under&the&influence&of&alcohol&or&while&using

any drug that could adversely affect the PIC’s ability to safely control the

aircraft.

8&&AMA&Document #540AD
April&10, 2015

Page 8

h. Not&operate&SUASs&carrying&pyrotechnic&devices&that&explode&or&burn, or

any device which propels a projectile or drops any object that creates a

hazard&to&persons&or property.

3. SUASs&will¬&be&flown unless:

a. The&aircraft,&control&system&and&pilot&skills&have&successfully

demonstrated&all&maneuvers&intended&or&anticipated&prior&to&the specific

event.

b. An&inexperienced&pilot&is&assisted&by&an&experienced pilot.

4. All pilots shall,&to&the&max&extent&practical, avoid flying directly over

unprotected people, vessels, vehicles or&structures and&shall&avoid&

endangerment&of&life&and&property&of others.

5. A successful radio equipment groundArange check in&accordance with

manufacturer’s recommendations will be completed before the first flight of a

new&or&repaired&model aircraft.

6. SUASs&must&use&the&radioAcontrol&frequencies¤tly&allowed&by&the Federal

Communications&Commission (FCC).

7. SUASs will not knowingly operate within three (3) miles of any preAexisting flying

site&without&a&frequencyAmanagement agreement.8

8. Excluding&takeoff&and&landing,&no&SUASs&may&be&flown&outdoors&closer&than 25

feet&to&any&individual,&except&for&the&PIC&and&the&PIC's&helper(s)&located&at the

takeoff&site

9. Under&no&circumstances&may&a&pilot&or&other&person&interfere&with&a&SUAS&in&

flight&while&it&is&still&under&power,&except&to&divert&it&from&striking&an&individual.&

8&&AMA&DocumentsΚ&and #923
May&5, 2015

10. The&PIC&of&the&SUAS shall:

a. Maintain control during the entire flight, maintaining visual contact

without&enhancement&other&than&by&corrective&lenses&prescribed&for the

pilot.

b. Fly&using&the&assistance&of&a&camera&or&FirstAPerson&View&(FPV)&only in&

accordance&with&the&procedures&outlined&in&AMA&Document #550.

c. Fly&using&the&assistance&of&autopilot&or&stabilization&system&only in&

accordance&with&the&procedures&outlined&in&AMA&Document #560.

11. The&flying&area&must&be&clear&of&all&utility&wires&or&poles&and&an&SUAV&will¬ be

flown&closer&than&50&feet&to&any&aboveAground&electric&utility lines.

12. The&flying&area&must&be&clear&before&the&engine&is&started,&except&for&PIC&and the

PIC's helper(s).

B. In addition to the above rules outlined by the AMA National Model Aircraft Safety

Code&and&in&an&effort&to&enhance&the&safety&offered&by&the&already&safe operations

mentioned above, Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC also agrees to be bound by the following&

limitations&and conditions:

1. Flights&will&be&operated&within&the&VLOS ability of&the PIC.

2. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 25 minutes. Flights

will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the

25&minute limit.

3. The&SUAS&will&only&operate&in&controlled&and&limited airspace.

4. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned SUAS operations prior to

each flight. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties

within&the&boundaries&of&the&safety&perimeter&be&present&for&this briefing.

5. The&PIC&and&the&PIC’s&helper(s)&will&have&been&trained&in&operation&of&SUAS&and&

received&upAtoAdate&information&on&the&particular&SUAS&to&be operated.
May&5, 2015

6. The PIC and&the&PIC's&helper(s)&will&at&all×&be&able&to&communicate by

voice.

7. If the SUAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the SUAS will have

capability to return to a preAdetermined location within the security perimeter

and&safely land.

8. The&SUAS&will&have&the&capability&to&abort&a&flight&in&case&of unpredicted

obstacles&or emergencies.

9. Flights will&only&be&conducted&on&property&for&which&the&written&and/or oral

permission&of&the&property owner(s) or&his/her&agents(s)&has been&granted.

10. Flights&will&always&be&conducted&in&areas&that&are&clear&of&all&people,&except for

the&PIC&and&the&PIC's helper(s).

11. All flights will be conducted in daytime visual meteorological conditions (VMC)

only&and never&during&severe&weather conditions.

12. Flights&will¬&occur&in&weather&conditions&that&prevent&the&PIC&from operating

within visual lineAofAsight (VLOS) at all times or in weather conditions that

dramatically&affect&the&UAS’s&flight&(e.g.&high winds).

13. If an operation occurs in an area where people could inadvertently enter the

area, an operational border will be established. The&PIC's helper(s) will be

responsible for keeping a&safe&perimeter&around&the&operation.&The&operation&

will&cease&immediately and&be&rescheduled&if&it’s&impossible&to&establish&a&safe&

perimeter&around the&operation.

14. The&PIC&will&be&responsible&for&logging&all&flights&to&ensure&the comprehensive

preventative maintenance plan can be followed, as described in the

“Preventative&Maintenance”§ion below.

15. The SUAS will not be routinely operated in the proximity of any airports. In any

cases&where&the&SUAS&must&be&operated&within&three&(3)&miles&of&an&airport, the

airport&operator&will&be¬ified&before&the&operation commences.
May&5, 2015

The operation of SUASs, weighing less than 10 lbs., conducted in the strict conditions as

outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of&safety supporting the grant ofexemptions

requested herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements ofPart&21&and&

allowing&commercial operations.

These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, and in a small,&

controlled environment. As a result, they offer a much safer way to capture aerial

photography and videography. Furthermore, the proposed operations represent a safety

enhancement to the already safe operations that have been granted by the FAA for the

establishment&of&the&AMA&National&Model&Aircraft&Safety&Code.

Preflight!Action Plan

The PIC will follow a comprehensive preAflight checklist to ensure that the SUAS is in a

condition&for&safe&flight.&This&plan&will&be&improved&as&needed&in&order&to&ensure&all known

safety precautions and/or safety precautions suggested by the manufacturer are being

accounted for.

A. PreAflight Inspection

1. Check&that&the&remote&control,&Phantom&battery,&range&extender, and

smartphone&are&all&fully charged.

2. Verify that the Phantom battery is not swollen or damaged in any way. Clean

the&contact&needles&and&pads&if necessary.

3. Turn&the&motor&shafts&with&your&fingers&and&verify&they are&smooth without

excessive&play&or binding.

4. Verify that the propellers are mounted correctly. Propellers with a black top

should be mounted on the mount shafts that have a black dot. Propellers

with a silver top should be mounted on the mount shafts that have a silver

dot.&Each&propeller&should&spin&all&the&way&down&onto&the&motor shaft.

5. Run&finger&along&the&edge&of&edge&blade&to&check&for&any&rough edges.

6. Flex&both&side&of&the&propellers’&blades&to&check&for&hairline&cracks&where the

blades&connect&in&the¢er&of&the propeller.
May&5, 2015

7. Verify&that&the&landing&gear&is&secure&(not cracked/broken/loose).

8. Verify&that&the&compass&and&compass&cable&are firmly&attached&to&the

landing gear.

9. Verify&that&the&MicroASD&card&has&been&inserted&and formatted.

10. Verify&that&the&damping&absorbers&are¬&broken&and/or worn.

11. Verify&that&the&antiAdrop&pins&are&in&place&and locked.

12. Remove&the&Gimbal&guard&and&camera&lens cap.

13. Verify&that&the&camera&is&secure&and&clean.&Inspect&the&camera&ribbon cables

for&tears&and/or&signs&of wear.

14. Verify&that&the&smartphone’s&GPS&is enabled.

15. Set&the&smartphone&to&doAnotAdisturb&mode&to&prevent&distractions while

flying.

16. Set&the&smartphone&to&forget&any&WiAFi&networks&in&range&in&order&to prevent

the&WiAFi&connection&from&changing midAflight.

17. Verify&that&the&smartphone’s&audio&is&on&to&ensure&the&low&battery warning

and&other&alarms&can&be heard.

B. Power Up

1. Verify&that&S1&and&S2&are&in&the&top&position&on&the&remote control.

2. Power&on&the&equipment&in&the&following&sequential order:

a. Range&Extender&(“System”&is&blinking&green;&“Power”&is&solid green)

b. Remote&Control&(2&beeps&to&indicate&it’s&in&FCC mode)

c. Insert&and&start&the&Phantom battery.
May&5, 2015

3. Watch&the&Phantom&LED&startup&sequence&for&abnormal&indications.&The rear

LEDs should blink green for at least 10A15 seconds to indicate that it locked

onto 6+ satellites and has marked the home point (for use by the failsafe

feature).

4. Calibrate&the&Phantom’s compass.

5. Place&the&Phantom&on&an&open,&flat&ground&with&the&battery&indicators facing

towards&the&PIC&at&least&10&feet away.

C. DJI&Vision Application

1. Connect&the&smartphone&WiAFi&to&the&range extender.

2. Launch&the&“DJI&Vision”&application&on&the smartphone.

a. Verify&that&the&WiAFi&connection&is&“PhantomA#####”&and&is marked

with&a&green dot.

b. Verify&the&number&of&satellites&is 6+.

c. Verify&the&WiAFi&signal strength.

d. Verify&that&the&Phantom&and&range&extender&batteries&are&reporting a&

full charge.

e. Verify&that&both&the&PIC’s&and&Phantom’s&location&is&the&same before

taking&off&to&ensure&the&home&point&has&been&accurately marked.

f. Verify the location of the Phantom in the “Flight Radar”. If it’s not in

the&correct&position/direction&and/or&shows&a&distance&of&“N/A”,&it did

not&mark&the&home point.

g. Use the “Find my Phantom” feature to ensure the blue (home point

location)&and&red&(Phantom&location)&dots&are&in&the&same&location on&

the screen.
May&5, 2015

D. Ready&to Fly

1. Verify&that&the&remote&control&antenna&is&perpendicular&to&the ground

(pointing skyward).

2. Verify&that&the&front,&flat&face&of&the&range&extender&is&pointed&toward the

Phantom.

3. Verify&that&the&rear&LEDs&are&still&slowly&blinking&green&and&still&connected to&

6+ satellites.

4. Start&the&Phantom&motors&using&the&CSC&command&on&the&remote control.

5. Verify&that&the&motors&are&functioning&normally,&are¬&making&any unusual

noises,&and&are&all&spinning&at&the&same speed.

6. Verify&that&the&area&is&still&clear&of&obstructions,&people,&power&lines, etc.

7. Take&off&and&hover&at&about&6A8&feet&above&the&takeoff&point&to&verify&that the

Phantom has a solid GPS lock. If any abnormalities are noticed (drifting, flying

in circles, etc.), land immediately and repeat the “PreAflight Inspection” and

“Power&Up” sequences.

8. Verify&that&the&Phantom&holds&a&steady&position&while&yawing&360 degrees.

9. Verify that the Phantom response appropriately to all controls – yaw

left/right,&pitch&forward/backward,&roll&left/right,&and&throttle up/down.

Preventative Maintenance

A&comprehensive&preventative&maintenance&plan&will&be&followed&in&order&to&ensure the

SUAS’s software is upAtoAdate, the batteries are in good health, and the aircraft itself is

always&ready&for&safe flight9.

9&See&the&“Preventative&Maintenance&Checklist”&on&page&41&of&the attached

“PhantomGuide.pdf” document.
May&5, 2015

Pilot!in!Command!(PIC) Qualifications

All PICs&for&Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC&will&hold,&at&a&minimum,&a&private&pilot&license&and&a&

thirdAclass&medical&certificate.&Although the&SUAS&is&similar in size, weight, speed, and

operating capability as those currently allowed to beflown for hobby/recreation, holding

the PIC to the same certification standards as&for&manned&flight&will provide an&equivalent&

level&of safety.&Since&there&are current&no&established&standards&for&either&private&or&

commercial&SUAS&pilot&certificates,&requiring&a&private&pilot&certificate&and&a&thirdAclass&

medical&will&ensure&knowledge&of&airspace®ulations&and&hazards&to&flight.&Additionally,&

in&order&to&ensure&that&PICs&for&Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC possess&the&necessary&familiarity&

and&experience&with&the&SUASs&to&be&flown,&we&propose that our PICs be required to

complete&the&following&prior&to&the&first&commercial operation:

E. Perform&20&flights&or&log&10&hours&of&flight&time&(the&greater&of&the&two)&with the DJI&

Phantom 2&Vision+.

F. Successfully learn and demonstrate all flight maneuvers in the “Phantom Pilot

Training Guide”.10

G. Study&and&be&familiar&with&all§ions&of&the&“Phantom&2&Vision+&User Manual”.11 and&

the&“Guide&to&the&Phantom&2&Vision &&Vision+”.12

Public Interest

Granting&this&exemption&would&benefit&the&public&as&a&whole.&SUASs&offer&a&strong

equivalent level of safety, a reduction in environmental impacts, and are free from the&

harmful emissions associated with the manned aircraft that are currently used for aerial

photography and videography. Due to the size of the SUAS and the controlled andlimited

airspace in which the SUASs will operate, approval of this application presents no risk&to&

the&public.&Furthermore,&the&public&will&be&able&to&legally&acquire&aerial&photography and

videography to use&in, but not limited to, advertising homes for sale, advertising

uninhabited home lots, use of photos and video as an aid when researching homes for sale

on the market, or safely accessing high and/or awkward areas of a home’s exterior to

assess&damage&that&needs&to&be repaired.

10 See the attached “PhantomTrainingGuide.pdf” document.

11&&See&the&attached&“PhantomUserManual.pdf” document.

12&&See&the&attached&“PhantomGuide.pdf” document.
May&5, 2015
May&5, 2015

National Security

By&requiring&it’s&PICs&to&hold&a&private&pilot&license,&Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC&can&ensure&that&

national&security&concerns&are&addressed&and&mitigated.&Pilots&holding&an&FAA&issued&

private&or&commercial&pilot&certificate&are&subject&to&security&screening&by&the&Department&

of&Homeland&Security.&As&previously&determined&by&the&Secretary,&the&requirement&to&have&

an&airman&certificate&ameliorates&security&concerns&over&civil&SUAS&operations&conducted&in&

accordance&with&Section&333.&

Requested Exemptions

Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC requests exemption from the following regulations:

Airworthiness Certificates

14&CFR&Part&21,&Subpart H

Subpart H establishes the procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness

certificates as required by FAR 91.203 (a) (1). Given the size and limited operating

area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC, an

exemptionfrom Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an&equivalent level of

safety&under Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act. The Federal Aviation Act

(49 USC44701 (f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to

exempt&aircraft&from&the&requirement&for&an&airworthiness&certificate,&upon&

consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability, and proximity to

airports andpopulated areas of the particular SUAS. In all cases, an analysis of these

criteriademonstrates that the SUAS operated without an airworthiness certificate,

in therestricted&environment&and&under&the&conditions&proposed,&will&be&at&least&as&

safe, or&safer,&than&a&conventional&aircraft&operating&with&an&airworthiness

certificate without&the&restrictions&and&conditions proposed.

Private!pilot!privileges!and!limitations:!Pilot!in command

14&CFR&61.113&(a)&and (b)

These regulations limit private pilots to nonAcommercial operations. Because the

SUAS&will¬&carry&a&pilot&or&passengers;&due&to&the&SUAS’s&size,&weight,&speed, and&

operational capabilities; and since operations will occur in controlled and&limited

airspace, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level of safety&of&

current&operations&that¤tly&require&a&commercial&pilot’s&license&simply&with&the&

possession&of&a&private&pilot&license.&Furthermore, since there are no standards for
May&5, 2015

either private or commercial SUASpilot certificates, the&best&way&to&achieve&this&

level&of&safety&is&to&require&all&of&our&operators&to&be&licensed&private&pilots.&

The&FAA&held&in&Exemption&No.&11191&that&“a&PIC&holding&a&private&pilot&

license&and&a&thirdAclass&medical&certificate&and&who&has&completed&the&

petitioner’s&UAS&training&and¤cy&requirements&can&conduct&the&

proposed&UAS&operations&without&adversely&affecting&the&safety&of&the&NAS&

or&persons&or&property&on&the&ground.”&&Knowledge of airspace regulations,&

awareness&of&proximity&to&airports&and&a&“vested&interest”&in&the&safety&of&

manned&aviation&provide&the&best&safety&controls¤tly&available&to&the&

SUAS&industry.&Obviously,&practice in the control and&operation&of&the&SUAS&

acquired&from&actual&operation&of&the&aircraft&will&be&a very important factor in

establishing an equivalent level of safety. But&the&requirement&of&a&private&pilots&

license&is&an&important&prerequisite.&

Additionally,&the&operator&of&the&SUAS&will&always&be&assisted&by&a&Visual&

Observer&(VO). This&will&fulfill&the&requirement&of&operating&the&SUAS&“within&

visual&lineAofAsight”&as&granted&in&Exemption&11191&and&as&proposed&in&the&

NPRM&Part&107.

Medical certificates

14&CFR&61.23 (a)

This regulation requires pilots to&hold&a&secondAclass&medical&certificate&when&

exercising&the&privileges&of&a&commercial&pilot&certificate.&For&reasons&stated&above,&an&

equivalent&level&of&safety&can&be&achieved&by&requiring&all&PICs&to&hold&a&private&pilot&

certificate&and&a&thirdAclass&medical&certificate.&

Flight instruction

14&CFR 91.109

This®ulation&provides&that&no&person&may&operate&a&civil&aircraft&(except&a manned

free balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully

functioning&dual controls.

SUASs&and&remotely&piloted&aircraft,&by&their&design&do¬&have&fully&functional dual

controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box that

communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. The FAA has approved

exemptions for flight training without fully functional dual controls for a number of

aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. The equivalent level of
May&5, 2015

safety is&provided by the fact that we&are¬&requesting&relief&from&61.113,&insofar&

as&all&of&our&operators&will&be&licensed&private&pilots.&To&the&extent&that&flight&

instruction&is&required&on&the&specific&aircraft&model&is&required,&an&equivalent&level&

of&safety&is&provided&by&3 facts:&1.)&The&SUAS&described&herein&hover&in&a&fix&position&

anytime&the&controls&are&released.&2.)&The&time&required&to&transfer&positive&control&

from&one&operator&to&another&is&negligible&when&considering&the&myriad&other&safety&

features&in&place.&3.) The&training&qualifications&described&in&the§ion&entitled&

“Pilot&in&Command&(PIC) Qualifications”&above.&

Minimum!safe!altitudes

14&CFR 91.119

This regulationprovides:&“Except&when&necessary&for&takeoff&or&landing,&no&person&may&

operate an aircraft belowthe following altitudes:&(a)Anywhere.Analtitudeallowing,if a

powerunitfails, anemergency landing&without&undue&hazard&to&persons&or&property&on&

the surface.&(b)&Overcongestedareas.Over any congestedareaof a city,town,or

settlement,&or&over&any&open&air&assembly&of&persons,&an&altitude&of 1,000&feet&above&

the&highest&obstacle&within&a&horizontal&radius&of&2,000&feet of the&aircraft.&(c)Over other

than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface,&except&over&open&water&or&

sparsely&populated&areas.&In&those&cases,&the&aircraft&may¬&be&operated&closer&than&

500&feet&to&any&person, vessel,&vehicle,&or structure.”

An&equivalent level of safety&can&be&achieved&by&maintaining&altitudes&no&greater&than

400&feet&AGL.&Additionally,&the&SUASs&flown&all&have&GPSAaided&flight&stability&integrated&

into&the&flight&control&system.This allows&the&SUASs&to&maintain&their&position&precisely&

when&there&are&no&inputsgiven through&the&remote&controller.&This&allows&the&operator&

to&make&controlled,&steadyapproaches to various obstacles for purposes of inspection.

While flying close to&such large obstructions poses a risk to the aircraft,&the&risk&to

infrastructure is negligible due to the weight of the SUASs being less than 10 lbs. The PIC

shall always assess the risks&to&people&and&property&when&conducting&such&operations,&

and&either&continue&themission&or&abort accordingly.&

Additionally,&prior&to&conducting&UAS&specific&operations,&all&persons¬&essential&to&

flight&operations&(nonparticipating&persons)&will&be&required&to&remain&at&appropriate&

distances.&In&open&areas,&the&Operator&and&the&Visual Observer&will&remain&500&feet&from&

all&other&persons.&At×,&barriers&or&structures&may&be&used&(as&stated&above)&to&

protect&nonparticipating&persons.&This&will&allow&the&Operator&to&operate&closer&than&500&

feet&to&persons&afforded&such&protection.&Additionally&operations&may&be&conducted&

closer&than&500&feet&to&vessels,&vehicles&and structures&when&the&land&owner(s)&or&

agent(s)&grants&such&permission&and&the&PIC&makes&a&suitable&safety&assessment&of&the&
May&5, 2015

risk&of&operating&closer&to&those&objects.&The&operator&or&visual&observer&must&ensure&

that&nonparticipating&persons&remain&under&appropriate&protection&at&all×.&

Altimeter settings

14&CFR 91.121

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising

altitude by reference to an altimeter that is set “...to the elevation of the departure

airport&or&an&appropriate&altimeter&setting&available&before&departure.”&As&the SUAS

may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an

exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the

operator by confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude

indicator&before flight and&by&frequently&referencing&the&AGL&altitude&readout&on&

the&screen&via&the&telemetry&link&onboard&the&SUAS.&

Fuel!Requirements!for!Flight!in!VFR Conditions

14&CFR&91.151 (a)

This regulation prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane under

VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is

enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing, and, assuming normal

cruising&speed&– (1)&During&the&day,&to&fly&after&that&for&at&least&30&minutes;&or&(2) At

night,&to&fly&after&that&for&at&least&45&minutes.”

The battery powering the SUAS provides approximately 25 minutes of powered

flight. That would make it impossible to meet the 30 minute reserve requirement.

Given the limitations on the SUAS’s proposed flight area and the location of its

proposed&operations&within&a&predetermined&area,&the&reserve&requirements&are¬&

appropriate&for&these&aircraft&being&used&in&these&applications.&

An&equivalent&level&of&safety&can&be&achieved&by&limiting&flights&to&25&minutes&or 25%

of battery power (whichever occurs first). This restriction would be more than

adequate&to&return&the&SUAS&to&its&planned&landing&zone&from&anywhere&in&its

limited&operating area. Additionally,&both&SUAS&proposed&herein&provide low&battery&

warnings&at&30%&capacity&that&indicate&the&PIC&must&effect&the&SUAS’s return&to&the&

launch&point.&The&UAS&also&provides&critical&low&battery&warnings&at&15%&battery&

capacity&indicating&that&the&UA&will&begin&to&descend&and&land&automatically.&Finally,&
May&5, 2015

similar&relief&from&14&CFR&91.151 (a)&was&granted&in&Exemption&Nos.&8811,&10808,&and&

10673&for&daytime&VFR&conditions.&

Maintenance Inspections

14&CFR&91.405(a);&14&CFR&91.407(a)(1);&14&CFR&91.409(a)(1);&14&CFR&91.409(a)(2);

14&CFR&91.417(a)&and (b)

These®ulations&require&that&an&aircraft&operator&or&owner&“shall&have&that aircraft

inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required

inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of&this section, have discrepancies

repaired as prescribed in Part 43 of this chapter...,” and others shall inspect or

maintain&the&aircraft&in&compliance&with&Part&&43.

Given that these sections and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness

certificate,&these§ions&will¬&apply.&Maintenance&will&be&accomplished&by the

operator pursuant to the aforementioned Phantom user manual and guide. An

equivalent level of safety will be achieved because these small SUASs are very

limited in size, will carry a small payload, and operate only in restricted areas for

limited periods of time. If mechanical issues arise, the SUAS can land immediately

and will be operating from no higher than 400 feet AGL. As outlined in the

aforementioned&PreAflight&Action&Plan,&the&operator&will&ensure&that&the&SUAS&is in&

working&order&prior&to&initiating&flight&and&perform&maintenance&as&required.

Moreover, the operator is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited

to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of

safety.

Civil!Aircraft!Airworthiness

14&CFR&91.7(a)&and&(b)

These®ulations&require&that&an&“no&person&may&operate&a&civil&aircraft&unless&it&is&in&an&

airworthy&condition”&and&“the&pilot&in&command&of&a&civil&aircraft&is&responsible&for&

determining&whether&that&aircraft&is&in&condition&for&safe&flight.&The&pilot&in&command&

shall&discontinue&the&flight&when&unairworthy&mechanical,&electrical,&or&structural&

conditions&occur.”

Even&though&these&aircraft&will¬&require&airworthiness&certificates,&the&PIC&of&the&

SUASs&will&still&be&responsible&for&determining&if&they&are&in&an&airworthy&condition&prior&

to&flight.&An&equivalent&level&of&safety&can&be&achieved&by&adherence&to&the&operating&

documents&contained&herein&in&order&to&determine&if&the&aircraft&is&in&an&airworthy&

condition&in&accordance&with&91.7(a).&Also,&compliance&with&91.7(b)&can&be&accomplished&
May&5, 2015

in&the&same&manner&that any&private&pilot&(as&required&herein)&would&comply&if&the&

aircraft&in&question&did&have&an&airworthiness&certificate.&

In accordance with 14 CFR Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the

Federal Register:

The&applicant&seeks&an&exemption&from&the&following&rules:&14&CFR&Part&21, Subpart

H; 14 CFR 61.113 (a) and (b); 14 CFR 91.109; 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR 91.151; (a); 14

CFR&91.405&(a);&14&CFR&91.407&(a)(1);&14&CFR&91.409&(a)(1);&14&CFR&91.409&(a)(2);&14

CFR&91.417&(a)&and&(b)&to&commercially&operate&small&unmanned&aircraft&systems (55

lbs.&or&less)&in&order&to&safely&and&legally&capture&aerialphotography and videography

for homeowners, Realtors®, community&event&organizers,&homebuilders, home

contractors, and/or home inspectors for use in, but not limited to, promotional&

videos,&real&estate marketing for&agricultural,&residential&and&commercial&

property,&and inspections of building exteriors.

The operation of SUASs conducted in the strict conditions outlined above, will provide an

equivalent and/or greater level of safety supporting the grant of the exemptions requested

herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 21 and allowing

commercial operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the

ground, and in a sterile environment, and as a result, are far safer than existing operations

conducted with helicopters operating in close proximity to the ground, people, or other

buildings&in&the vicinity.

Given the small size of the SUASs involved, the slow speed at which they must be operated

in order to capture photos and videos, and the restricted environment within which they

will operate, Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC demonstrates that its&SUASs can be operated with an

equivalent level of safety in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption,

allow commercial&operations of SUASs to commence immediately. Also, due&to&the&

requirement&that&PICs&hold&at&least&a&private&pilot&license&and&a&thirdAclass&medical&certificate,

approval of this applicationpresents no threat to national security. Given the clear direction

in Section 333 of theReform Act, the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, the

strong equivalent level&of safety surrounding the proposed operations, the significant public

benefit – including&enhanced safety, reduction in environmental impacts, no emissions,

ability to legally obtain aerial photography and videography services – the grant of the

requested exemptions is in&the public interest. Accordingly, Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC

respectfully requests that the FAA grant the&requested&exemption&without delay.
May&5, 2015

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act – size, weight, speed,

operating capability, proximity to airports and populated areas, operation within visualline&

of&sight,& public&safety,&and&national& security&– provide&more& than&adequate&justification to

grant Caleb&Alan&McDow,&LLC the requested exemption, allowing for commercial operations

as described herewith.

Sincerely,

Caleb&McDow

Manager,&Caleb&Alan McDow,&LLC