Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	1

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

DOCKET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1200 NEW JERSEY AVE., SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR EXEMPTION OF: 

Interface Dimensions, Inc. d.b.a. Soaring Vistas Media

FOR AN EXEMPTION SEEKING RELIEF FROM 

THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FAA REFORM ACT AND 

PART 11 OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS FROM

TITLE 14 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS 

SECTIONS C.F.R. §§ 61.113 (a) & (b); 91.7(a); 91.119 (c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 

91.405 (a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.417 (a) & (b).

CONCERNING COMMERCIAL OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

PURSUANT TO SECTION 333 OF THE FAA MODERNIZATION 

AND REFORM ACT OF 2012 (PUBLIC LAW 112-95)

Submitted	on	September	16,	2015

Interface	Dimensions,	Inc.	d.b.a.	Soaring	Vistas	Media

19950	Turnberry	Drive

Tarzana,	CA	91356

jim@jimbrammer.com

Soaring	Vistas	Media’s Consultant

Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC

8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.	Suite	#200

Shakopee,	MN	55379

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com

Info@GowdyBrothers.com
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	2

Table of Contents

GLOSSARY	OF	ABBREVIATIONS...........................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION	AND	INTERESTS	OF	THE	PETITIONER..............................................4

Executive	Summary .................................................................................................................4

Expeditious	Summary	Grant	Approval	Request......................................................................4

Description	of	Type,	Make	and	Models	of	sUAV/UAS	Requested:.............................................5

Commercial	(Mission,	Operation)	Purpose:........................................................................................5

Regulations	from	which	the	Exemption	Relief	is	requested:.......................................................6

The	name	and	address	of	the	Petitioner: .............................................................................................7

Background...........................................................................................................................................7

Commitment	to	Safety...............................................................................................................................10

Expertise	&	Experience.............................................................................................................................10

The	Exemption	Request ...................................................................................................... 12

Operator	Requirements ................................................................................................................ 14

Aircraft	and	Equivalent	Level	of	Safety.................................................................................... 17

Specific	Uses	Public	Benefits ....................................................................................................... 21

Equivalent	Level	of	Safety............................................................................................................. 21

14	C.F.R.	§	91.7(a):	Civil	aircraft	airworthiness..............................................................................23

14	C.F.R.	§91.119:	Minimum	safe	altitudes ......................................................................................23

14	C.F.R.	§91.121	Altimeter	Settings...................................................................................................24

14	C.F.R.	§	91.151(a):	Fuel	Requirements	for	Flight	in	VFR	Conditions ..............................24

14	C.F.R.	§91.405	(a);	91.407	(a)	(1);	91.409(a)	(2);	91.417(a)	&	(b):	Maintenance	

Inspections.....................................................................................................................................................25

Federal	Register	Publication............................................................................................. 26

Privacy	and	National	Security........................................................................................... 26

Summary................................................................................................................................... 26

APPENDIX	A	- EXEMPTION	PATTERN....................................................................................... 29

APPENDIX	B	- TECHNICAL	MANUALS	AND	SPECIFICATIONS............................................ 30

APPENDIX	C	- COMMERCIAL	(MISSION/OPERATION)	PURPOSE	- FAA	PREVIOUS	

APPROVED	EXEMPTION	NUMBERS........................................................................................... 31

APPENDIX	D	- EQUIPMENT	- FAA	PREVIOUS	APPROVED	EXEMPTION	NUMBERS.... 32

APPENDIX	E	- EXEMPTION	14	C.F.R	- FAA	PREVIOUS	APPROVED	EXEMPTION	

NUMBERS............................................................................................................................................ 33

APPENDIX	F	- MONTHLY	MAINTENANCE	AND	REPAIR	LOG............................................. 34

APPENDIX	G	– MOTION	PICTURE	AND	TELEVISION	FLIGHT	OPERATIONS	MANUAL	

VERSION	1.0....................................................................................................................................... 35
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	3

GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS

AGL Above	Ground	Level

AOI Area	of	Interest

ATC Air	Traffic	Control

ATO Air	Traffic	Organization

AV Aerial	Vehicle

CFR Code	of	Federal	Regulations

COA Certificate	of	Authorization

FAA Federal	Aviation	Administration

FAR Federal	Aviation	Regulation

GCS Ground	Control	Station

GPS Global	Positioning	System

LOL Loss	of	Link

NAS National	Airspace	System

NOTAM Notice	To	Airman

PIC Pilot	In	Command

Section	333 FAA	Modernization	and	Reform	Act	of	2012	(FMRA)	Section	333

SO Safety	Observer

SOP Standard	Operating	Procedures

sUAS Small	Unmanned	Aircraft	System

sUAV Small	Unmanned	Aircraft	Vehicle

UA Unmanned	Aircraft

UAS Unmanned	Aircraft	System

UAV Unmanned	Aircraft	Vehicle

VFR Visual	Flight	Rules

VLOS Visual	Line	of	Site

VMC Visual	Meteorological	Conditions

VTOL Vertical	Take-Off	and	Landing
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	4

INTRODUCTION AND INTERESTS OF THE PETITIONER

Dear	Sir	or	Madam:

Pursuant	 to	Section	 333	 of	 the	 FAA	 Modernization	 and	 Reform	 Act	 of	 2012	(the	

“Reform	Act”)	and	14	C.F.R.	Part	11,	Interface	Dimensions,	Inc.	d.b.a.	Soaring	Vistas	

Media,	 (“Soaring	 Vistas	 Media”)	 Operator	 of	 Small	 Unmanned	 Aircraft	 Systems	

(“sUASs”)	 equipped	to	 offer	 on-demand	 commercial	UAS	 operations	 for	 a	 host	 of	

industries	 and	 applications and	 to	 perform	 the	 purposes	 listed	 below, hereby	

applies	for	an	exemption	from	the	listed	Federal	Aviation	Regulations	(“FARs”)	to	

allow	 commercial operation	 of	 its	 sUAVs/sUASs,	 so	 long	 as	 such	 operations	 are	

conducted	within	and	under	the	conditions	outlined	herein	or	as	may	be	established	

by	the	FAA	in	an	exemption	granted	under	either	Section	333	or Section	49	U.S.C.	

§44701(f)	

As	 described	 more	 fully	 below,	 the	 requested	 exemption	 would	 permit	 the	

operation	 of	 a	 UAS	 under	 controlled	 conditions	 in	 airspace	 that	 is	 1)	 limited;	 2)	

predetermined;	and	3)	would	provide	safety	enhancements	in	the	fields	in	which	it	

will	 operate,	 which	 now	 depend	 upon	 conventional	 aircraft	 or	 humans	 climbing	

high	 on	 dangerous	 structures,	 walking	 in	 insect	 laden	 swamps,	 and	 working	

adjacent	to	treacherous	infrastructure. Approval	 of	this	 exemption	would	thereby	

enhance	 safety	 and	 fulfill	 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.”	 Section	 333(c)	 of	 the	

Reform	Act.1

Executive Summary

Expeditious Summary Grant Approval Request

The	 petitioner	 requests	 the	 agency	 issue	 a	 summary	 grant	 process	 for	 this	

application.	Petitioner	has	provided	in	a	confidential	document	attachment	labeled	

as	petitioner	proprietary	information,	specific	exemption	numbers	whereby	the	FAA

has	 already	 granted	 a	 previous	 exemption	 similar	 or	 identical	 to	 each	 and	 every	

request,	herein.	

																																																							

1		Soaring	Vistas	Media	relies	upon	the	following	exemptions	where	specific	

reference	to	an	exemption	is	not	provided:	Exemptions	11062	thru	11067,	11080,	

11109	through	11112,	11114,	11213,	11062	and	as	recent	as	11857.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	5

For	the	FAA’s	benefit,	Petitioner’s	Consultant,	Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC,	has	

researched,	 categorized	 and	 arranged	 all	 631	 exemptions	 granted	 as	 of	 June	 23,	

2015	 into	 a	 usable	 searchable	 database,	 based	 upon	 the	 following	 criteria:	 date	

submitted,	 date	 grant	 issued,	 time	 to	 petition	 grant,	 petitioner,	 petitioner’s	 state,	

exemption	number,	sUAS equipment	type,	grant	purpose	(mission/operation),	along	

with other	supporting	data.		

Petitioner	 has	 identified	 four	 previous	 approved	 exemptions for	 each	 of	 the	

Petitioners	FAA	submission	requests:

 Commercial	(mission/operation)	purposes;

 Type	of	sUAV	(sUAS);

 Title	14	Exemptions	(exemption	pattern	referenced	in	appendix	A)2

Description of Type, Make and Models of sUAV/sUAS Requested:

The	petitioner	is	 seeking	an	exemption	to	commercially	operate	 sUASs	makes	and	

modes	as	follows:	

DJI	- Phantom	2,	DJI	- Phantom	3,	DJI	F550,	DJI	- Inspire	1,	DJI	– Spreading	Wings	

S800,	DJI	– Spreading	Wings	S900,	DJI	– Spreading	Wings	S1000,	DJI	– Matrice 100,	

Cinestar	 8	 Octo,	 Altavian	 Nova	 F6500,	 Blade	 350	 QX3,	 AgEagle,	 3DRobotics	 X8,	

3DRobotics	Iris,	3DRobotics	Solo,	SenseFly	eBee,	Yuneec	Q500	Typhon,	DraganFlyer	

X4-ES,	Trimble	UX5,	Microdrones	MD4	

Each	 separately	 weighs	 55	 lbs.	 or	 less,	 with	 imaging	 payload	 and	 applicable	

equipment.

Equipment	operation	manuals	for	each	sUAS are	included	for	your	reference	and	are	

considered	 confidential	 information	 for each	 respective	 company’s UAS	 and	 are	

affixed	separately	in	these	documents labeled Appendix.

Commercial (Mission, Operation) Purpose: 

This	exemption	request, once	granted	would	allow	the	petitioner	to	operate a	small	

unmanned	aerial	vehicle	(sUAS),	unmanned	aircraft	system	(UAS)	to	conduct	bridge	

Inspections,	flare	stack	inspection,	utility-power	generation	system	inspections	and	

																																																							

2 Petitioner	 submits	the	Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	“CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	they	

contain	 proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	

public	and	is	protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	seq.	5	

Reform	Act	Section	333	(b).	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	6

patrolling,	 aerial	 inspection,	 photography	 and	 videography	 of	 residential	 and	

commercial	 real	estate,	weddings,	aerial	inspection,	photography	and	videography	

of	 utility	 infrastructure	 including	 but	 not	 limited	 to	 electrical	 power	 lines,	 wind	

turbines	 and	 cell	 towers,	 pipeline	 inspection	 and	 patrolling,	 filmmaking,	

cinematography,	 and	 videography,	 precision	 agriculture	 with	 on	 board	 sensors,	

wildlife	and	forestry	monitoring and	mosquito	and	insect	control, aerial	surveying,	

construction	site	inspection	and	monitoring,	public	entity	support	operations,	Aerial	

imaging	 for	 safety,	 monitoring	 and	 comparing	 work	 efforts	 and	 completion	

percentages,	 and	 security	 of	 controlled	 environment	 of	 various	 sites,	 aerial	 video	

and	live	video	feed	to	assist	with	search	and	rescue	operations	under	the	authority	

and	support	of	local	authority	officials,	aerial	video	and	photography	for	public	and	

private	 use	 including	 television,	 public	 events,	 and	 cinematography	 live	 feed	 and	

live	newsgathering,	training	to	persons	individually	or	belonging	to	both	private	and	

public	 organizations	 to	 increase	 awareness	 and improve	 safety	 for	 current	 and	

future	 UAS	 operations	 within	 the	 NAS,	 special events:	 including	 high	 schools,

colleges,	professional	sports,	open	air	events	and	fairs,	research,	risk	management	

and	 assessment,	 motion	 picture	 production3,	 surface	 mining,	 closed	 set	 filming4,

disaster	and	catastrophe	events.

Regulations from which the Exemption Relief is requested:

14	C.F.R.	§	61.113	(a)	&	(b)

14	C.F.R.	§	61.133(a)

14	C.F.R.	§	91.7(a)

14	C.F.	R.§	91.119

14	C.F.R.	§	91.121

14	C.F.R.	§	91.151	(a)

14	C.F.R.	§ 91.405	(a)

14	C.F.R.	§	407	(a)	(1)

14	C.F.R.	§	409	(a)	(2)

14	C.F.R.	§	417	(a)	&	(b)

See	Appendix	E

																																																							

3 Motion	Picture	and Television	Flight	Operations	Manual	is	herein	attached	as	

Appendix	G.

4 Motion	Picture	and	Television	Flight	Operations	Manual	for	closed	set	filming	is	

herein	attached	as	Appendix	G.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	7

The name and address of the Petitioner:

Interface	Dimensions,	Inc.	d.b.a.	Soaring	Vistas	Media

Attn:	James	Brammer

19950	Turnberry	Drive

Tarzana,	CA	91356

Please	direct	any	question	or	comment	regarding	this	petition	to	Petitioners	

Consultant:	Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC.	

8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200

Shakopee,	MN	55379

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com

Info@GowdyBrothers.com

Background

The	 Petitioner, Soaring	 Vistas	 Media is under	 James	 Brammer’s	 direction.	 James	

Brammer is	a highly	accomplished,	capable,	experienced	and	trusted	professional.

James	 Brammer	 is	 the	 owner	 and	 president	 of	 Interface	 Dimensions,	 Inc.	 d.b.a	

Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	(“Soaring	 Vistas	 Media”),	 a	 fully	 insured,	 Los	 Angeles-based	

business	 seeking	 to	 provide	 professional	 aerial	 photography,	 videography	 and	

cinematography	services	for	profit	using	Small	Unmanned	Aerial	Systems	(sUAS).					

Safety	First

Safety	is	Soaring	Vistas	Media's	number	one	priority.	Soaring	Vistas	Media	is	proud		

to	have	a	flawless	safety	record	and	reserves	the	right	to	refuse	any	engagement	or	

mission	due	to	safety	concerns.	

Soaring	Vistas	Media	will	.	.	.		

- Never	fly	directly	over	densely	populated areas	or	beyond	the	visual	line	of	sight	

(VLOS).	

- Never fly	over	private	property	without	the	owner's	permission.		

- Never accept	engagements	that	violate	FAA	regulations	or	the	privacy	of	others.	

- Only	accept	engagements	that	call	for	a	safe,	professional	and	respectful	approach	

to	HD	aerial	photography.			

- Always conduct	a	Pre-Flight	Safety	Inspection	before	each	flight/operation	of	the	

sUAS.	

- Always conduct	 sUAS	preventative	maintenance	on	 a	daily,	weekly	 and	monthly	

schedule.	

- Always conduct	a	detailed	multi-point	inspection	of	the	sUAS	and	the	surrounding	

area	 before	 every	 flight.	 The	 Pilot	 In	 Command	(PIC)	 will	 walk	 the	 flight	 area	 to	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	8

check	for	bystanders	and	hazards	such	as	trees,	power	lines	and	other	obstructions,	

allowing	the	PIC	to	establish	a	safety	and	contingency	plan	for	the	flight.			

Specifically,	Soaring	Vistas	Media	will	be	bound	by	the	following	limitations	when	

conducting	its	sUAS	operations	under	an	FAA	issued	exemption:		

1.	Weight	Limit:

All	Soaring	Vistas	Media	sUASs	weigh	less	than	55	pounds	including	payload.		

2.	VLOS,	Daytime	Operation	and	Proximity	to	Clouds:

Flights	will	be	operated	only	during	daytime,	within	visual	line	of	sight	(VLOS)	of	the	

PIC	and	clear	of	clouds	at	all	times.		

3.	Visual	Observer:

In	addition	to	the	PIC,	all	Soaring	Vistas	Media	missions	will	utilize a	visual	observer	

(VO).	Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 sUASs will	 be	 operated	 within	 the	 visual	 line	 of	 sight	

(VLOS)	of	both	the	PIC	and	VO	at	all	times.	Real	time	verbal	communication	between	

the	 VO	 and	 the	 PIC	 will	 be	 facilitated	 by	 either	 direct	 face-to-face	 voice	

communications	or	via	hands-free	two-way	radio	communications,	enabling	the	PIC	

to	maintain	the	highest	possible	degree	of	control	over	the	sUAS	at	all	times.	Prior	to	

launching	any	mission,	the	PIC	will	brief	the	VO	on	the	flight	plan	and	ensure	that	

the	VO	can	perform	the	duties	required	of	the	VO.		

4.	Flight	Time	and	Battery	Reserve:

Depending	on	the	specific	aircraft	being	flown	for	a	given	mission,	the	flight	time	of	

Soaring	Vistas	Media	sUAS	varies	according	to	a	number	of	factors	unique	to	each	

specific	 aircraft.	 In	 all	 cases,	 the	 maximum	 total flight	 time	 for	 each	 operational	

flight	will	not	exceed	75%	of	the	capacity	of	the	battery	in	the	sUAS	being	flown. All	

Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 sUASs	 have	 onboard	 telemetry	 systems	 that	 transmit	 the	

battery	 voltage	 in	 real	 time,	 enabling	 the	 PIC	 to	 monitor	 the	 battery	 voltage	 and	

return	 the	 sUAS	 to	 its	 point	 of	 launch	 with	 at	 least	 25%	 battery	 power	 reserve.	

Should	 battery	 levels	 drop	 below	 25%	 unexpectedly,	Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 sUASs	

employ	a	failsafe	protocol,	allowing	them	to	perform	a	pre-programmed,	predictable	

flight	 maneuver	 and	 return	 autonomously	to	the	 original	 launch	 point	within	the	

private	or	controlled-access	property.		

5.	Altitude:

Flights	will	be	operated	at	an	altitude	of	no	more	than	400	feet	AGL.		

6.	 Airspeed: Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 flights	 will	 be	 operated	 at	 speeds	 less	 than	 87	

knots	(100	miles	per	hour).	In	no	case	will	a	Soaring	Vistas	Media	sUAS	be	operated	

at	 airspeeds	 greater	 than	 the	 maximum	 airspeed	 recommended	 by	 the	 sUAS	

manufacturer.		

7.	Telemetry:
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	9

All	 Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 sUASs	 have	 onboard	 telemetry	 systems	 that	 transmit	

critical	 flight	 parameters	 to	 the	 PIC	 ground	 station	 including	 GPS	 satellite	 lock,	

battery	voltage,	altitude,	attitude,	vertical	speed,	horizontal	speed	and	distance	from

the	PIC ground	station.		

8.	PIC	Training:

All	 Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 PICs	 will	 be	 trained	 in	 flight,	 operations,	 and	 safety	

procedures	as	detailed	in	the	sUAS	systems	manuals	for	the	aircraft	they	are	flying,	

as	well	as	Soaring	Vistas	Media	Flight	Operations	Manuals.		

9.	Preflight	Checklist:

All	Soaring	Vistas	Media	PICs	will	follow	a	preflight	checklist	to	ensure	safety	of	all	

flight	 operations	 including,	 but	 not	 limited	 to,	 checking	 for	 weather	 conditions,	

checking	 flight	 battery	 requirements,	 checking	 operational	 condition	 of	 aircraft,	

surveying	and	ensuring	the	safety	of	takeoff	and	landing	areas.		

10.	Preflight	Aircraft	Safety,	Site	Survey	and	Site	Safety:

The	Soaring	Vistas	Media	PIC	will	 conduct	a	detailed	multi-point	inspection	of	the	

sUAS	and	the	surrounding	area	before	every flight,	walking	the	flight	area	to	check	

for	bystanders	and	hazards	such	as	trees,	power	lines	and	other	obstructions,	and	

establishing	a	safety	and	contingency	plan	for	the	flight.	The	site	survey	will	include,	

but	 not	 be	 limited	to,	 airspace	 classification,	 TFRs,	 airport	 proximity,	 natural	 and	

manmade	obstacles	and	persons	that	may	pose	a	 risk	to	operations	and	 safety.	In	

areas	 close	 to	 public	 activity,	 Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 will	 employ	 additional	 safety	

measures	such	as	safety	observers	and	signage.		

11.	Preflight	Briefings	and	Consent:

Prior	 to	 any	 operations,	 the	 PIC	 will	 conduct	 extensive	 preflight	 safety	 briefings,	

including	 planning	 and	 briefings	 for	 contingency	 emergency	 procedures,	 with	 all	

persons	 who	 will	 participate	 in	 the	 operation.	 Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 will	 obtain	

written	 and/or	 oral	 consent	 from	 all	 persons	 involved	 in	 the	 aerial	 filming	

operations.	 Only	 consenting	 persons	 will	 be	 allowed	 within	 100	 feet	 of flight	

operations.		

12.	Private	or	Controlled-access	Property:

All	operations	 shall	be	 conducted	over	private	or	 controlled-access	property,	with	

written	 and/or	 oral	 permissions	 obtained	from	the	 property	 owner/controller	 or	

authorized	representative	prior	to	commencing	operations.			

13.	Permits	and	Permissions:

All	required	permits and	permissions	will	be	obtained	from	territorial,	state,	county	

or	 city	 jurisdictions,	 including	 local	 law	 enforcement,	 fire,	 or	 other	 appropriate	

governmental	agencies.		

14.	Radio	Frequency	Spectrum:
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	10

Soaring	Vistas	Media	will	utilize	and	maintain	licenses	for	operational	and	control	

radio	 frequencies	 that	 comply	 with	 Federal	 Communication	 Commission	 (FCC)	

requirements.		

15.	Failsafe	/	Return	To	Home:

In	the	event	of	loss	of	GPS	signal,	or	loss	of	communications	with	the	flight	control	

transmitter,	 all	 Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 sUASs	 employ	 a	 failsafe	 protocol,	 allowing	

them	 to	 perform	 a	 pre-programmed,	 predictable	 flight	 maneuver	 and	 return	

autonomously	to	the	 original	 launch	 point	within	the	 private	 or	 controlled-access	

property.		

16.	Mission	Abort:

Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 PICs	 will	 abort	 the	 flight	 in	 the	 event	 of	 safety	 or	 security	

perimeter	breaches,	potential	danger,	unpredicted	obstacles	or	emergencies.		

17.	Proximity	to	Airports:

Soaring	Vistas	Media	will	not	operate	flights	within fewer	than	5	nautical	miles	of	an	

airport	 reference	 point	 (ARP)	 as	 denoted	 in	 the	 current	 FAA	 Airport/Facility	

Directory	(AFD)	 or,	 for	 airports	 not	 denoted	 with	 ARP,	 the	 center	 of	 the	 airport	

symbol	as	denoted	on	the	current	FAA-published	aeronautical	chart,	unless	a	letter	

of	 agreement	 with	 that	 airport's	 management	 is	 obtained	 prior	 to	 the	 flight	 or	

otherwise	permitted	by	a	COA	issued	to	Soaring	Vistas	Media.	The	COA	and/or	letter	

of	Agreement	with	airport	management	will	be	made	available	to	the	Administrator	

or	any	law	enforcement	official	upon	request.		

18.	Documentation:

Soaring	 Vistas	 Media	 will	 ensure	 that	 a	 complete	 set	 of	 documents	 used	 by	 the	

operator	 to	 ensure	 the	 safe	 operation	 and	 flight	 of	 the	 sUAS	 and	 any	 documents	

required	under	14	CFR	§§	91.9	and	91.203	are	available	to	the	PIC	at	the	Ground	

Control	Station	of	the	UAS	any	time	the	aircraft	is	operating.	The	documents	will	be	

made	 available	 to	 law	 enforcement	 officials	 and/or	 FAA	 Administrators	 upon	

request.

Commitment to Safety

As	part of	its	commitment	to	safety	and	innovation,	Soaring	Vistas	Media is	asking	

for	 this exemption	 in	 part,	 to	 reduce	 the	 risk	 of	 injury	 to	 its	 employees	 and	

contractors	 who	 participate	 in	 the proposed	 activities	 the	 petitioner	 requests,	

including	 but	 not	 limited	to	 damage	to	 agriculture,	 natural	 habitat,	 buildings	 and	

other	structures	within	the	United States.	

Expertise & Experience
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	11

Soaring	Vistas	Media and	James	Brammer

Due	 to	 his	 professional experience	 as	 a	 trusted	 sUAS pilot,	 James	 Brammer is

extremely	qualified	and	is	considered	an	up	and	coming	subject	matter	expert	in	the	

California area	 for	 UAS	 of	 all	 types,	 models	 and	 makes. James	 Brammer	 is	 an	

accomplished	and	sought	after	speaker	on	a	number	of	topics	having	to	do	with	the	

safe,	ethical	and	professional	commercial	use	of	sUAS in	the	United	States	airspace.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	12

The Exemption Request

Soaring	 Vistas	 Media proposes the use	 of	 the	 sUASs	 will	 be	 for capture	 of	 high	

resolution	 imagery	 and	 video	 of	 residential	 or	 commercial	 applications	 and	

purposes	 to	 a	 level	 of	 quality	 that	 allows	 the	 Petitioner	 to	 use	 the	 imagery	 to	

identify,	record,	memorialize	events	and	objects	according	to	the	purposes	noted.	

The	 imagery	 and	 video	 will	 be	 used	 to	 identify	 the	 condition	 of	 landscapes,	

agriculture,	events,	disasters	and	infrastructure	to	conduct	bridge	inspections,	flare	

stack	inspection,	utility-power	generation	system	inspections	and	patrolling,	aerial	

inspection,	photography	and	videography	of	residential	and	commercial	real	estate,	

weddings,	aerial	inspection,	photography	and	videography	of	utility	infrastructure	

including	 but	 not	 limited	to	 electrical	 power	 lines,	wind	turbines	 and	 cell	towers,	

pipeline	 inspection	 and	 patrolling,	 filmmaking,	 cinematography,	 and	 videography,	

precision	 agriculture	with	 on	 board	 sensors,	wildlife	 and	forestry	monitoring and	

mosquito	 and	 insect	 control, aerial	 surveying,	 construction	 site	 inspection	 and	

monitoring,	public	entity	 support	operations,	aerial	imaging	for	 safety,	monitoring	

and	comparing	work	efforts	and	completion	percentages,	and	security	of	controlled	

environment	of	various	sites,	aerial	video	and	live	video	feed	to	assist	with	search	

and rescue	operations	under	the	authority	and	 support	of	local	authority	officials,	

aerial	video	and	photography	for	public	and	private	use	including	television,	public	

events,	 and	 cinematography	 live	feed	 and	 live	 newsgathering,	training	to	 persons	

individually	 or	 belonging	 to	 both	 private	 and	 public	 organizations	 to	 increase	

awareness	 and	 improve	 safety	 for	 current	 and	 future	 UAS	 operations	 within	 the	

NAS,	 special	 events:	 including	 high	 schools,	 colleges,	 professional	 sports,	 open	 air	

events	 and	 fairs research,	 risk	 management	 and	 assessment,	 motion	 picture	

production,	surface	mining,	closed	set	filming,	disaster	and	catastrophe	events.

The	UAS	will	be	operated	by	a	Soaring	Vistas	Media and	or	contracting	operators on	

occasion	 to	 capture	 high-resolution	 imagery/video	 of	 large	 structures	 (wide	 and	

tall)	such	as	warehouses,	high	rise buildings,	bridges,	and	construction	sites,	as	well	

as	“birds	 eye”	 views	 of	fire	 and	 explosion sites. Given	the	 small	 size	of	the sUASs	

involved,	no	more	than	55 lbs.,	majority	of the	speed	of	operation	be	between	5-15	

mph and	the	restricted	environment	within	which	they	will	operate,	the	Petitioner

falls squarely	 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.

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

Sections	 333(a)	 through	(c)	 of	 the	 Reform	 Act.	 This	 law	 directs	 the	 Secretary	 of	

Transportation to	 consider whether	 certain	 unmanned	 aircraft	 systems	 may	

operate	 safely	 in	 the	 national airspace	 system	 (NAS)	 before	 completion	 of	 the	

rulemaking	 required	 under	 Section	 333 of	 the Reform	 Act.	 In	 making	 this	

determination,	the	Secretary	is	 required	to	determine	which types	of UASs	do	not	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	13

create	a	hazard	to	users	of	the	NAS	or	the	public	or	pose	a	threat	to	national security	

in	light	of	the	following:

 The	UAS’ size,	weight,	speed,	and	operational	capability;

 Operation	of	the	UAS	in	close	proximity	to	airports	and	populated	areas;	and

 Operation	of	the	UAS	within	visual	line	of	sight	of	the	Operator.

Reform	Act	 §	 333	(a).	 Lastly,	 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.”	

Id.	§333(c)	(emphasis	added).5

The	 Federal	 Aviation	 Act	 expressly	 grants	 the	 FAA	 the	 authority	 to	 issue	

exemptions.	This statutory	authority,	by	its	terms,	includes	exempting	civil aircraft,	

as	the	term	 is	 defined	 under §40101	 of	the	Act: The	Administrator	 may	 grant	 an	

exemption	from	a	 requirement	of	a	 regulation prescribed	under	 subsection	(a)	or	

(b)	of	this	section	or	any	of	sections 44702-44716	of	this	title	if	the	Administrator	

finds	the	 exemption	is	in	the public	interest. 49	U.S.C.	 §44701(f).	See	 also	49	USC	

§44711(a);	 49	 USC	 §44704;	 14	 CFR	 §91.203(a)(1) This	 authority	 to	 grant	

exemptions	reaches	such	issues	as	authorization	of	commercial operation	of	aircraft	

without	an	FAA	issued	pilot’s	license.

Soaring	Vistas	Media in	filing	this	application	is	requesting	that	the	FAA	combine	the	

grant	of the	Section	333	exemption	with	a	standard	Certificate	of	Operation	(COA)	

that	will	allow commercial	operations	of	its	Soaring	Vistas	Media’ sUAS without	the	

necessity	of	filing	for	a	COA	for	each flight,	unless	such	flight	is	to	be	conducted	in	an	

area	 not	 approved	 in	 the	 exemption. Compliance	 with	 the	 conditions	 agreed	 to	

herein	 and	 that	 may	 be	 imposed	 by	 the	 FAA,	 as	 set forth	 in	 prior	 Section	 333	

exemptions,	provide	the	separation	needed	from	other	aircraft.

In	addition,	given	that	all	operations	will	be	conducted	below	400	AGL	feet	and	no	

closer than	5	nautical	miles	to the	geographic	center	of	an	airport	as	denoted	on	a	

current	 FAA published aeronautical	 chart,	 unless	 a	 letter	 of	 agreement	 with	 that	

airport’s	 management	 is obtained,	Soaring	 Vistas	 Media requests	 that	 operations	

over	congested	or	densely	populated	areas	be allowed.	The	new sUASs	do have	GPS	

geo-fencing,	 it	 will	 operate	 at	 a	 very	 low	 altitude,	 within confined	 areas,	 at	 low	

speed	and	weighs	no	more	than 55 lbs..	Such	operations	will	only	be under-taken	

with	the	approval	of	the	land	or	home	owner,	as	set	forth	herein,	and	will	comply

with	the	 requirements	that	 operations	 be	 no	 closer	than	 500	feet	to	the	 adjacent	

																																																							

5 Applicant	interprets	this	provision	to	place	a	duty	on	the	Administrator	to	not	only	

process	applications	for	exemptions	under	section	333,	but	for	the	Administrator	to	

craft	conditions	for	the	safe	operation	of	the	UAS,	if	it	should	be	determined	that	the	

conditions	set	forth	herein	do	not	fulfill	the	statutory	requirements	for	approval.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	14

building	unless the	land	owner	has	provided	permission,	and	the	Operator	has	made	

a	safety	assessment	of the	risk	from	such	operations.	

Operator Requirements

Given	the	sUAS proposed	by	Soaring	Vistas	Media,	Operators	should	not	be	required	

to	hold	 a private	pilot	 license.	Soaring	Vistas	Media believes	that	1)	the	operator,	

instead	of	understanding	how to	operate	a	passenger	carrying	aircraft,	should	have	

knowledge	 and	 experience	 that	 enables the	 safe	 operation	 of	 a	 small,	 remotely	

piloted	 sUAS should	 understand	 airspace	 restrictions and know	 how	 to	 ensure	

separation	from	other	aircraft	as	well	as	non-participants	and	property;	2)	the sUAS

has	built-in	technical	capabilities	that	limit	the	potential	for	unsafe	operation	and 3)	

there	 are	 other	 security	 screening	 mechanisms	 already	 in	 existence	 that	 Soaring	

Vistas	 Media will utilize	 to	 ensure	 the	 operators	 are	 acting	 consistently	 with	

national	security	interests.	

Given	the	sUAS safety	features	outlined	below,	Soaring	Vistas	Media proposes	that	

its operations	 under	 this	 Exemption	 request	 should	 not	 be	 required	 to	 hold a	

commercial	or	private pilot	certification.	Instead,	Operators	should	be	required	to:

have	 successfully	 completed,	 at	 a	 minimum,	 FAA	 private	 pilot	 ground	 instruction	

and passed	 the	 FAA	 Private	 Pilot	 written	 examination	 or	 FAA-recognized	

equivalents;	have completed	Soaring	Vistas	Media’ training	program	for	operation	

of	the	UAS.

Soaring	Vistas	Media notes	that	1)	the	FAA	has	found	that	safety factors	permitted	

operation	of	sUASs	by	Operators	with	these	qualifications	in	the	case	of	operations	

pursuant	to	public	COAs when	the	mandatory	operating	conditions	specified	above	

were	present; and	2)	that	the Notice of	Proposed	Rulemaking	entitled	Operation	and	

Certification	of	Small	Unmanned	Aircraft Systems,	80	F.R.	9544	(February	23,	2015)	

(“NPRM”),	 does	not	 require	the	 operator	to	hold	 a private	 pilot	 license	 or	 a	third	

class	medical.

Advanced	 sUASs have a	 navigation	 and	 control	 system	 and	 auto-pilot	that	 allows

them	to execute	very	accurate	pre-programed	flights.	Flights	are	pre-programmed	

with	 GPS	 waypoints to	 establish	 perimeters	 beyond	 which	 the	 aircraft	 will	 not	

operate.	 Flights	 under	 auto-pilot	 are not	 directed	 by	 positive	 manual	 input,	 but	

through	pre-programmed	flight	parameters	that	are executed	by	the	auto-pilot.	In	

the	 case	 of	 unplanned	 events,	 the	 Operator	 inputs	 preprogrammed evasive	

maneuvers	from	the	control	unit,	and	the	autopilot	executes	those maneuvers.	Preprogrammed	 Operator	 interventions	 include:	 initiation	 of	 holding	 at	 present

position;	 suspension	 of	 mission;	 fly	 back	to	 launch	 point;	 abort	 mission	 and	 land	

immediately; and	 emergency	 power	 cut	 off	 and	 land	(flight	 termination	 system).

Additional	 automated	 safety	 functions	 and	 safety	 enhancing	 features	 of	 the	

Advanced	sUASs may	include	the	following:
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	15

1)	 Auto-pilot	 detection	 of	 lost	 GPS	 or	 of	 insufficient	 satellites	 initiates	 an	

immediate landing,	

2)	 Low	power	on	the	aircraft	triggers	escalating	alarms	at	GCS	at	35%	and	10%	

levels. Low	power	below 10%	triggers	an	immediate	landing,	

3)	 If	the	auto-pilot	detects	a	lost-link	to	the	ground	controller,	the	UAS	will	hold	

position at	its	current	location	for	5	seconds	and	if	the	signal	is	not	restored,	

execute	a	return to	home	and	land,	

4)	 Redundant	“kill	switches”	that	enable	completely	shutting	the	aircraft	down	

in	flight	in the	event	of	a	loss	of	control	or	un-commanded	deviation	from	the	

flight	path,	

5)	 The	aircraft,	weighs less	than	55	lbs.,	fully	loaded,	

6)	 The	motors	are	driven	by	pulse	width	modulated	signals,	not	analog	signals,	

7)	 The	 aircraft	 will	 operate	 for	the	 Purposes	 at	 no	 more	than	 30 mph (while	

imaging)	 nor above	 200	 feet	 above	 the	 structure	 (imaging	 altitude)	 or	 a	

maximum	of	400	feet AGL.

See	 Federal	 Aviation	 Administration,	 Notice	 N-8900.227,	 Unmanned	 Aircraft	

Systems	 (UAS) Operational	 Approval,	 at	 20-21	 (July	 30,	 2013);	 As	 the	 FAA	 has	

determined	in	Exemptions	11062	thru	11067,11080	and	11110	(the “Exemptions”),	

in	 comparing	 the	 requirements	 for	 private	 pilot	 knowledge	 and	 the	 knowledge	

required	 for	 a	 commercial	 pilot,	 that	 knowledge	 associated	 with	 a	 private	 pilot	

license,	 and therefore	 private	 pilot	 ground	 school,	 was	 sufficient	to	 allow	 private	

pilots	to	operate	sUASs under	those	exemptions.	

Based	 upon	 that	 analysis,	Soaring	 Vistas	 Media believes	 successful completion	 of	

FAA	private	pilot	ground	school	is	a	suitable predicate	to	operating	the	sUAS under	

this	 exemption. Soaring	 Vistas	 Media proposes	 that	 the	 Operator	 accumulate	

required	 sUAS flight	 training hours	 through	 the	 operation	 of	 sUASs	 rather	 than	

flight	 hours	 in	 conventional	 aircraft.	 Those hours	 are	 more	 relevant	 to	 the	

operations	 proposed	 herein	 than	 hours	 gained	 in	 obtaining	 a private	 pilot’s

certificate	in	conventional	or	rotor	aircraft.	Those	aircraft	are	orders	of	magnitude

heavier	than	the	sUAS	and	carry	not	only	the	pilot	himself,	but	also	passengers	and	

fuel,	none of	which	is	 carried	in	the	 sUAS.	These	 conventional	 aircraft	fly	over	 all	

sorts	of	airspace	without the	permission	or	knowledge	of	the	landowner.	

A	handheld	radio	controller	controls	the	sUAS and	the	vehicle	is	operated	within	the	

line	of	 sight.	The	 requirements	of	Part	61.127 (commercial	flight	proficiency)	and	

§61.107	 (private	 flight	 proficiency),	 to	 the	 extent	 they	 are relevant	 to	 UAS	

operations,	 can	 be	 taught	 in	 the	 training	 proposed	 herein.	 As	 a	 review	 of	 the	

requirements	 of	 part	 61.127	 and	 107	 demonstrate,	 the	 issues	 presented	 as	 they	

relate	 to	 a	 55	 pound	 aircraft,	 operating	 at	 less	 than	 30	 mph during	 filming	

operations	 are	 those	 taught	 in ground	 school	 and	 in	 flight	 training	 with	 the	

particular	 UAS	 and	 not	 gained	 from	 accumulating flight	 hours	 in	 a	 fixed	 wing	 or	

rotorcraft	 gas	 or	 jet	A	powered	 aircraft	 completing	 cross	 country flights	 and	take	

offs	and	landings	at	controlled	and	uncontrolled	airports.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	16

As	 to	 national	 security	 review	 of	 pilots,	 each	 of	 Soaring	 Vistas	 Media’s

pilots/operators	 will	 obtain	 internally	 provided	 certified	 training	 (Ground	 and	

Practical)	 from	 Soaring	 Vistas	 Media to	 operate the	 sUAS.	 This	 review and	

certification could	reasonably vet	the	Operators	against	any	known	terrorist	or	no	

fly	listings	that	are	relevant and	publically	available.

Soaring	 Vistas	 Media additionally	 asks	 that	 the	 exemption	 be	 issued	 without	 the	

requirement	for	a	visual	observer.	As	set	forth	herein,	an	equivalent	level	of	safety	is	

provided	 by	the	 size, speed	 and	 control	 capabilities	 of	the	 aircraft,	 as	well	 as	the	

operational	procedures	that	will	be applicable	to	all	flight	hereunder.	These	obviate	

the	need	for	the	visual	observer.	

The	Operator will	be	operating	the	aircraft,	always	within	line	of	sight.	He	or	she	will	

walk	and	follow	the aircraft	around	the	inspection	area	so	that	while	it	is	flying	its	

pre-programed and	at	times,	manual	flight	path,	the	UAS will	always	be	directly	in	

his	or	her	line	of	sight.	The	Operator	will	not	be	distracted	by	viewing the	pictures	

taken	during	the	flight.	Rather,	once	the	sUAS is	launched,	the	Operator’s	only duty	

will	be	to	watch	the	flight	of	the	UAS	over	the	 structure	and	intervene	to	address	

flight	path deviations	or	other	issues	that	arise	during	the	flight.	The	functions	that	

an	observer	performs where	the	aircraft	is	flown	at	long	distances	from	the	launch	

area	will	not	be	necessary	as	the Operator	will	always	have	the	aircraft	in	his	or	her	

direct	 sight.	 The	 observer	 also	 will	 not	 be necessary	 because	 the	 Operator	 will	

conduct	a	pre-flight	inspection	of	the	area	and, if	needed,	will	 cordon	off the	area	

and	will	perform	frequent	visual	scans	of	the	area	while	the	vehicle	is	operating.

Soaring	Vistas	Media again	notes	that	the	NPRM	does	not	require	the	use	of	a	visual	

observer.	Given	the	clear	direction	in	Section	333	of	the	Reform	Act;	the	authority	

contained	 in	the Federal	Aviation	Act,	 as	 amended;	the	 strong	 equivalent	 level	 of	

safety	 surrounding	 the proposed	 operations,	 and	 the	 significant	 public	 benefit,	

including	 enhanced	 safety,	 reduction	in environmental	impacts,	including	 reduced	

emissions	 associated	 with	 allowing battery	 powered sUASs	 for	 these	 functions	

instead	of	turbine	or	gas	power	aircraft/rotorcraft	and	operations	with pilots	having	

at	least	a	private	pilot	license,	the	grant	of	the	requested	exemptions	is	in	the public	

interest.	6

																																																							

6 Should	the	FAA	determine	that	it	cannot	grant	such	an	exemption	for	operations	

without	a	FAA	licensed	pilot,	despite	the	showing	made	herein,	under	the	statutory	

authority	the	FAA	already	has,	Soaring	Vistas	Media	will	operate	its	aircraft	with	

pilots	holding	a	pilot	certificate	issued	by	the	FAA.	In	that	event,	Soaring	Vistas	

Media	requests	that	the	exemption	be	granted	with	conditions	similar	to	those	

contained	in	numbered	paragraphs	14-15	in	Exemption	11136
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	17

Aircraft and Equivalent Level of Safety

The	Petitioner 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	at	least	an	equivalent	or	even	higher	level	of	safety	to	

operations	under	the	current regulatory	structure	because	the	proposed	operations	

represent	 a	 safety	 enhancement	 to	 the operations	 conducted	 with	 conventional	

aircraft	 or	with	 humans	 climbing	 up	 and	 around structures.	These	 conditions	 are	

drawn	 from	 Exemptions	 11136,	 11138,	 11172,	 11174	 and 11177,	 11062,	 11109,	

11112,	and	11213 and	as	recent	as	11857.

These	 limitations	 and	 conditions	 to	 which	 Soaring	 Vistas	 Media (referred	 to	 as	

“Operator”)	agrees	to	be	bound	when	conducting	commercial	operations	under	an	

FAA	issued	exemption include:

1) Operations	authorized	by	this	grant	of	exemption	are	limited	to	

the	aircraft	described	in	the	Operator’s	manual,	which	is	a	fixedwing	or	multi-rotor aircraft	weighing	up to	55 pounds:	Proposed	

operations	of	any	other	aircraft	will require	a	new	petition	or	a	

petition	to	amend	this	grant.

2) The	UA	may	not	be	flown	at	an	indicated	airspeed	exceeding	30

mph (10 mph during	inspections).

3) The	UA	must	be	operated	at	an	altitude	of	no	more	than	400	feet	

above	 ground level	 (AGL),	 as	 indicated	 by	 the	 procedures	

specified	in	the	Operator’s	manual. All	altitudes	reported	to	ATC	

must	be	in	feet	AGL.

4) The	UA	must	be	operated	within	visual	line	of	sight	(VLOS)	of	the	

Aircraft Operator	at	all	times.	This	requires	the	Aircraft	Operator	

to	be	able	to	use	human vision	unaided	by	any	device	other	than	

corrective	lenses..

5) The	Exemption	Holder’s	Manuals	must	be	amended	to	include	all	

conditions	 and limitations	 required	 by	 the	 FAA.	 The	 Manuals	

must	 be	 maintained	 and	 made available	 to	 the	 Administrator	

upon	request.	If	a	discrepancy	exists	between	the conditions	and	

limitations	in	the	exemption	and	the	procedures	outlined	in	the

Exemption	 Holder’s	 Operator’s	 manual,	 the	 conditions	 and	

limitations	 in	 the exemption	 take	 precedence	 and	 must	 be	

followed.	 Otherwise,	 the	 Aircraft Operator	 must	 follow	 the	

procedures	 as	 outlined	 in	 its	Aircraft’s	 manual. The	Exemption	

Holder	 may	 update	 or	 revise	 its	 Manuals.	 It	 is	 the	 Exemption

Holder’s	 responsibility	 to	 track	 such	 revisions	 and	 present

updated	 and	 revised documents	 to	 the	 Administrator	 upon	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	18

request.	The	Exemption	Holder	must	 also present	updated	 and	

revised	documents	if	it	petitions	for	an	extension	or amendment	

of	this	exemption.	If	the	Exemption	Holder	determines	that	any

update	 or	 revision	 would	 affect	the	 basis	 upon	 which	the	 FAA	

granted	 this exemption,	 then	 the	 Exemption	 Holder	 must	

petition	for	amendment	to	its exemption.

6) Prior	to	each	flight,	the	Aircraft	Operator	must	inspect	the	UAS	to	

ensure	it	is	in	a condition	for	safe	flight.	If	the	inspection	reveals	

a	condition	that	affects	the	safe operation	of	the	UAS,	the	aircraft	

is	 prohibited	 from	 operating	 until	 the	 necessary maintenance	

has	been	performed,	and	the	UAS	is	found	to	be	in	a	condition	for

safe	flight.	The	Ground	Control	Station	must	be	included	in	the	

preflight inspection.	 All	 maintenance	 and	 alterations	 must	 be	

properly	documented	in	the aircraft	records.

7) Any	 UAS	 that	 has	 undergone	 maintenance	 or	 alterations	 that	

affect	 the	 UAS operation	 or	 flight	 characteristics,	 e.g.,	

replacement	 of	 a	 flight	 critical	 component, must	 undergo	 a	

functional	test	flight	in	accordance	with	the	Exemption	holder’s

Manuals.	The	Aircraft	Operator	who	conducts	the	functional	test	

flight	 must	 make an	 entry	 in	 the	 UAS	 aircraft	 records	 of	 the	

flight. The	 requirements	 and procedures	 for	 a	 functional	 test	

flight	and	aircraft	record	entry	must	be	added	to the	Exemption	

Holder’s	Operator’s	manual.

8) The	 Exemption	 Holder	 must	 follow	 the	 manufacturer’s	 UAS	

aircraft/component, maintenance,	 overhaul,	 replacement,	

inspection,	and	life	limit	requirements,	with particular	attention	

to	 flight	 critical	 components	that	 may	 not	 be	 addressed	 in	the

manufacturer’s	manuals.

9) The	 Exemption	 Holder	 must	 carry	 out	 its	 maintenance,	

inspections,	 and	 record keeping	 requirements	 in	 accordance	

with	 the	 Operator’s	 Manuals.	 Maintenance, inspection,	 and	

alterations	must	be	noted	in	the	aircraft	logbook,	including	total	

flight	hours,	description	of	work	accomplished,	and	the	signature	

of	the authorized	technician	returning	the	UAS	to	service.

10) The	authorized	technicians	must	receive	and	document	training	

referenced	in	the Exemption	Holder’s	Manuals.

11) Each	UAS	operated	under	this	exemption	must	 comply	with	all	

manufacturer System	and	Safety	Bulletins.

12) The	 Exemption	 Holder’s	 maintenance	 personnel	 must	 make	 a	

record	entry	in	the UAS	logbook	or	equivalent	document	of	the	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	19

corrective	 action	 taken	 against discrepancies	 discovered	

between	inspections.

13) Prior	to	commencing	operations,	the	Aircraft	Operator	shall	have	

logged	at	least 25	hours	of	total	time	as	a	UA	rotorcraft	pilot	and	

at	least	ten	hours	logged	as	a UA	pilot	with	a	similar	UA	type	and	

5	hours	in	the	make	and	model.

14) If	the	UAS	loses	communications	or	loses	its	GPS	signal,	the	UA	

must	 return to	a	pre-determined	location	within	the	private	or	

controlled-access	 property and	 land	 or	 be	 recovered	 in	

accordance	with	the	Exemption	Holder’s	Manuals.

15) The	 Aircraft	 Operator	 must	 abort	 the	 flight	 in	 the	 event	 of	

unpredicted	 obstacles or	 emergencies,	 including	 unauthorized	

people	 entering	 the	 flight	 area,	 in accordance	 with	 the	

Exemption	Holder’s	Manuals.

16) The	Aircraft	Operator	is	prohibited	from	beginning	a	UAS	flight	

unless (considering	wind	and	forecast	weather	conditions)	there	

is	enough	power	to	fly to	the	first	point	of	intended	landing with	

a	25%	power	reserve.	

17) All	aircraft	operated	in	accordance	with	the	exemption	must	be	

identified	 by serial	 number,	 registered	 in	 accordance	 with	 14	

CFR	 part	 47,	 and	 have identification	(N- Number)	 markings	 in	

accordance	with	14	CFR	part	45,	Subpart C. Markings	must	be	as	

large	as	practicable.

18) Before	 conducting	 operations,	 the	 radio	 frequency	 spectrum	

used	for operation	and	control	of	the	UA	must	comply	with	the	

Federal Communications	 Commission	 (FCC)	 or	 other	

appropriate	government oversight	agency	requirements.

19) The	documents	required	under	14	CFR	91.9	and	91.203	must	be	

available	 to the	 Operator	 at	 the	 Ground	 Control	Station	 of	 the	

UAS	any	time	the	aircraft	is operating.	These	documents	must	be	

made	 available	 to	 the	 Administrator	 or any	 law	 enforcement

official	upon	request.	

20) The	UA	must	remain	clear	and	yield	the	right	of	way	to	all	other	

manned operations	and	activities	at	all	times	(including,	but	not	

limited	 to,	 ultra-light vehicles,	 parachute	 activities,	 parasailing	

activities,	hang	gliders,	etc.).

21) UAS	operations	may	not	be	conducted	during	night,	as	defined	in	

14	CFR	1.1.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	20

22) All	 operations	 must	 be	 conducted	 under	 visual	 meteorological	

conditions	(VMC). The	 UA	 may	 not	 be	 operated	 less	 than	 500	

feet	below	or	less	than	2,000	feet horizontally	from	 a	 cloud	or	

when	visibility	is	less	than	3	statute	miles	from	the Operator.

23) During	 operations	 the	 UA	 may	 not	 operate	 within	 5	 nautical	

miles	 of	 the geographic	 center	 of	 an	 airport	 as	 denoted	 on	 a	

current	 FAA-published aeronautical	 chart	 unless	 a	 letter	 of	

agreement	with	that	airport’s	management	is obtained,	and	the	

operation	 is	 conducted	 in	 accordance	 with	 a	 NOTAM,	 if	 as

required	by	the	Operator’s	COA.	The	letter	of	agreement	with	the	

airport management	 must	 be	 made	 available	 to	 the	

Administrator	upon	request.

24) The	 UA	 may	 not	 be	 operated	 over	 congested	 or	 densely	

populated	areas	unless the	conditions	set	for	in	#26	are	satisfied.	

These	populated	areas	include	but are	not	limited	to	the	yellow	

areas	 depicted	 on	 World	 Aeronautical	 Charts (WAC),	Sectional	

Aeronautical Charts	(Sectionals),	or	Terminal	Area	Charts (TAC).	

However,	 aeronautical	 charts	 may	 not	 reflect	 pertinent	 local	

information. Ultimately,	 it	 is	 the	 Operator’s	 responsibility	 to	

maintain	the	 minimum	 safe altitudes	 required	 by	 §	 91.119	(d)	

(1).

25) Flight	 operations	 must	 be	 conducted	 at	 least	 500	 feet	 from	 all	

nonparticipating persons,	 vessels,	 vehicles,	 and	 structures	

unless:

a. Barriers	or	 structures	 are	present	that	 sufficiently	protect

nonparticipating	 persons	 from	 debris	 in	 the	 event	 of	 an	

accident.	 The Aircraft	 Operator	 must	 ensure	 that	

nonparticipating	persons	remain under	such	protection.	If	a	

situation	arises	where	nonparticipating persons	leave	such	

protection	 and	 are	 within	 30	 feet	 of	 the	 UA,	 flight

operations	must	cease	immediately	and/or;

b. The	aircraft is	operated	near	vessels,	vehicles	or	structures	

where the	 land	 owner/controller	 has	 granted	 permission	

and/or	the	Aircraft	Operator	has	made	a	safety	assessment	

of	the	risk	of operating	closer	to	those	objects	and;

c. Operations	 near	 the	 Aircraft	 Operator	 do	 not	 present	 an	

undue	hazard to	the	Operator	per	§	91.119(a).

26) All	 operations	 shall	 be	 conducted	 over	 private	 or	 controlledaccess	property with	permission	from	the	land	owner/controller	

or	 authorized	 representative. Permission	 from	 land	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	21

owner/controller	or	authorized	 representative	will	be obtained	

for	each	flight	to	be	conducted.

27) Any	incident,	accident,	or	flight	operation	that	transgresses	the	

lateral	or	vertical boundaries	of	the	operational	area	as	defined	

by	 the	 applicable	 COA	 must	 be reported	 to	 the	 FAA’s	 UAS	

Integration	Office	(AFS-80)	within	24	hours. Accidents	must	be	

reported	 to	 the	 National	 Transportation	 Safety	 Board	 (NTSB)

per	instructions	contained	on	the	NTSB	Web	site:	www.ntsb.gov.

Specific Uses Public Benefits

Soaring	Vistas	 Media proposes	 use	 of	 its	 sUAS provided	 equivalent	or	 augmented	

levels	of safety	for	each	of	the	uses	proposed	herein:

The	 present	 systems	 of	 photography	 and	 videography	 and	 mapping	 of	 inspecting	

the	 roofs,	 agriculture	 land,	 buildings	 and	 large structures	 site	 surveys,	 wild	 life	

monitoring,	 mosquito	 and	 insect	 control	 are	 now	 conducted	 by	 either	 humans	

wading	through	 swamps,	 climbing	on	the	 roofs and	 structures	that	are	 steep,	tall,	

slippery,	weakened	or	otherwise	hazardous	or	by the	use	of conventional	aircraft.	

The	 current	 procedures	 can	 result	 in	 significant	 injuries	to	 the	 people	 who must	

climb	on	the	roofs	or	require	the	use	of	aircraft	that	are	orders	of	magnitude	greater	

in	 size than	 the	 sUAS.	 Either	 method,	 manual	 inspection	 or	 large	 conventional	

aircraft,	 results	 in increased	 risk	 of	 injury	 due	 to	 personnel	 falling	 off	 roofs	 or	

ladders,	carrying	heavy	ladders	and dealing	with	confined	and	dangerous	spaces,	or	

increased	 risk	 from	 low	 altitude	 flyovers	 with helicopters	 or	 fixed	 wing	 aircraft	

inspecting	 buildings	 after	 damage	 from	 storms	 or	 other disasters,	 such	 as	

earthquakes	or	fires.	Such	flights	are,	of	 course,	 significantly	more expensive	than	

those	undertaken	with	a	sUAS.	

The	present	system	exposes	those	not	only	in the	immediate	area	of	inspection,	but	

those	who	are	along	the	path	of	flight	associated	with	the arrival	and	departure	of	

the	conventional	aircraft	at	the	inspection	site	because	the	aircraft	must be	flown	to	

and	from the	site.	By	contrast,	the	sUAS is	carried	to	the	site	and	transits	no	other

property.	 Conventional	 aircraft	 carry	 flammable	 fuels	 that	 are	 not	 carried	 by	 the	

UAS	 and	 emit pollutants	 associated	 with	 internal	 combustion	 engines.	 The	 sUASs	

proposed	herein	are battery	powered	and	have	no	emissions.

Equivalent Level of Safety
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	22

14	C.F.R.	§	61.113(a)	&	(b);:	Private	Pilot	Privileges	and	Limitations;	Pilot	in	

Command;

Section	61.113(a)	&	(b)	limit	private	pilots	to	non-commercial	operations.	Unlike	a	

conventional aircraft	 that	 carries	 a	 pilot,	 passengers,	 and	 cargo,	 Soaring	 Vistas	

Media’s sUAS is	 remotely	 controlled	with no	 passengers	 or	 property	 of	 others	 on	

board.	Section	61.133(a)	requires	an	individual	with	a commercial	pilot’s	license	to	

be	pilot	in	command	of an	aircraft	for	compensation	or	hire.	

Soaring	Vistas	Media respectfully	proposes	that	Operator	requirements	should	take	

into	account	the characteristics	of	the	particular	sUAS.	Soaring	Vistas	Media’s sUAS

has	 a	 high	 degree	 of	 pre-programmed control	 and	 various	 built-in	 technical	

capabilities	that	 strictly	 limit	the	 potential	 for	 operation outside	 of	 the	 operating	

conditions	set	forth	in	the	exemption	application. The	Soaring	Vistas	Media’s sUAS

has	navigation	and	control	system	comprised	of	a	Ground	Control	Station (GCS)	and	

auto-pilot	 system	 that	 can	 be	 pre-programmed	 to	 set	 operational	 boundaries.	 All

flights	are	pre-programmed	with	precision	GPS	guidance..	In	the	case	of	unplanned	

events,	 the	 Operator	 may	 input	 pre-programmed evasive	 maneuvers	 from	 the

control	unit,	and	the	onboard	autopilot	executes	those	maneuvers. Pre-programmed	

Operator	interventions	include	initiation	of	holding	at	present	position; suspension	

of	 mission;	 fly	 back	 to	 launch	 point;	 abort	 mission	 and	 land	 immediately;	 and

emergency	power	cut	off	and	land	(Flight	Termination	System).

Additional	automated	safety	functions	and	safety	enhancing	features	of	the	Soaring	

Vistas	Media’s sUASs may	include	the following:

1.1.	Auto-pilot	detection	of	lost	GPS	or	of	insufficient	 satellites	initiates	an	

immediate landing.

1.2.	Low	power	on	the	aircraft	triggers	escalating	alarms	at	GCS	at	35%	and	

10%	levels.	Low	power	below 10%	triggers	an	immediate	landing.

1.3.	If	the	auto-pilot	detects	a	lost-link	to	the	ground	controller,	the	UAS	will	

hold	position	at	its	current	location	for	5	seconds	and	if	the	signal	is	not	

restored, execute	a	return	to	home	and	land.

1.4.	Redundant	“kill	 switches”	that	 enable	 completely	 shutting	the	 aircraft	

down	 in	 flight	 in	 the	 event	 of	 a	 loss	 of	 control	 or	 un-commanded	

deviation	from	the	flight	path.

1.5.	The	aircraft,	weighs	less	than	55	lbs.,	fully	loaded.

1.6.	 The	 motors	 are	 driven	 by	 pulse	 width	 modulated	 signals,	 not	 analog	

signals.

1.7.	 The	 aircraft	 will	 operate	 for	 the	 Purposes at	 no	 more	 than	 30 mph

(while	 imaging) nor	 above	 200	 feet	 above	 the	 structure	 (imaging	

altitude)	or	a	maximum	of	400 AGL.

Given	 these	 safety	 features,	Soaring	 Vistas	 Media proposes	 that	 Operators	 of	 the	

Soaring	Vistas	Media’s sUAS should not	be	required	to	hold	a	commercial	or	private	

pilot	certification.	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	23

Instead,	 Operators	 should	 be required	 to: have	 successfully	 completed,	 at	 a	

minimum,	 FAA	 private	 pilot	 ground	 instruction	 and passed	the	 FAA	 Private	 Pilot	

written	 examination	 or	 FAA-recognized	 equivalents;	 have	 completed	 the	

manufacturer’s	or	Soaring	Vistas	Media’ training	program	for	operation	of the	UAS.

Soaring	 Vistas	 Media notes	 that	 the	 FAA	 has	 found	 that	 safety	 factors permitted	

operation	of	UASs	by	Operators	with	these	qualifications	in	the	case	of	operations	

pursuant	to	public COAs	where	the mandatory	operating	conditions	specified	above	

were	present.	See,	Federal	Aviation Administration,	Notice	N-8900.227,	Unmanned	

Aircraft	Systems	(UAS)	 Operational	 Approval,	 at 20-21	(July	 30,	 2013).	 Likewise,	

Soaring	Vistas	Media notes	that	the NPRM	does	not	require	that	the	Operator	hold	a	

private	pilot	license	issued	by	the	FAA.

Given	 these	 conditions	 and	 restrictions,	 an	 equivalent	 level	 of	 safety	 will	 be	

provided	by	allowing operation	of	the	Soaring	Vistas	Media’s sUAS without	a	private	

pilot’s	 certificate	or	a	 commercial	pilot’s certificate,	under	the	conditions	 set	forth	

herein.

The	risks	associated	with	the	operation	of	the	Soaring	Vistas	Media’s sUAS (given	its	

size,	speed,	operational	capabilities,	and	lack	of	combustible	fuel)	are	so	diminished	

from	 the	 level	 of	 risk	 associated with	 private	 pilot	 operations	 or	 commercial	

operations	 contemplated	 by	 Part	 61	 with conventional	 aircraft	 (fixed	 wing	 or	

rotorcraft),	that	allowing	operations	of	the	UAS	as	set	forth above	meets	or	exceeds	

the	present	level	of	safety	provided	under	14	C.F.R.	§	61.113(a)	&	(b) and	does	not	

rise	 to	 the	 level	 of	 requiring	 a	 commercial	 pilot	 to	 operate	 the	 aircraft	 under §	

61.133(a).

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil aircraft airworthiness.

This	 regulation	 requires	that	no	person	may	operate	 a	 civil	 aircraft	unless	it	is	in	

airworthy	 condition.	 Should	 the	 exemption	 be	 granted	 allowing	 commercial	

operation	of	the	UAS	without an	airworthiness	certificate,	no	standard	will	exist	for	

airworthiness	of	the	UA.	Given	the	size	of the	aircraft	and	the	requirements	that	the	

Operator	has	agreed	to	as	it	relates	to	airworthiness, as	contained	in	the	manual,	an	

equivalent	level	of	safety	will	be	achieved	by	insuring compliance	with	the	manuals	

prior	to	each	flight.	The	FAA	has	granted	exemptions	to	conduct similar	operations	

in	Exemptions	11062	through	11067,	11080	and	11110.

14 C.F.R. §91.119: Minimum safe altitudes

Section	 91.119	 establishes	 safe	 altitudes	 for	 operation	 of civil	 aircraft.	 Section	

91.119	(d)	allows	helicopters	to	be	operated	at	less	than	the	minimums	prescribed,	

provided	the	person operating	the	helicopter	complies	with	any	route	or	altitudes	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	24

prescribed	 for	 helicopters	 by	 the FAA.	 As	 this	 exemption	 is	 for	 a	 sUAS	 that	 is	 a	

helicopter	and	the	exemption	 requests	authority to	operate	at	altitudes	up	to	400	

AGL,	an	exemption	may	be	needed	to	allow	such	operations.	

The	equivalent	level	of	safety	will	be	achieved	given	the size,	weight,	and	speed of	

the	UAS	as	well	as	the	location	where	it	is	operated.	No	flight	will	be	taken	without	

the	permission	of	the property	owner,	facility	owner,	and/or	local	officials.	Because	

of	the	advance	notice	to	the property	owner	and	participants,	all	affected	individuals	

will	be	aware	of	the	planned	flight	operations	as	set	forth	in	the	Manuals.	Compared	

to	flight	operations	with	aircraft	or	rotorcraft weighing	far	more	than	the	maximum	

55	lbs.	and	the	lack	of	flammable	fuel,	any	risk	associated with	these	operations	is	

far	 less	 than	 those	 presently	 presented	 by	 conventional	 aircraft operating	 at	 or	

below	 500	 AGL	 in	 the	 aerial	 photography	 industry.	 In	 addition,	 the	 low-altitude

operations	of	the	sUAS	will	ensure	separation	between	these	small-UAS	operations	

and	the operations	of	conventional	aircraft	that	must	 comply	with	Section	91.119.	

The	 FAA	 has	 granted exemptions	 to	 conduct	 similar	 operations	 in	 Exemptions	

11062	through	11067,	11080	and 11110.

14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimeter Settings

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	

Soaring	 Vistas	 Media’s sUAS,	 in	 manual	 or	 emergency mode,	 will	 not	 have	 a	

barometric	altimeter	display,	but	instead	a	GPS	altitude	display,	an exemption	will	

be	 needed.	 The	Operator,	 pursuant	to	the	 procedures	 set	forth	 in	the	 Manuals	 as	

indicated	 before	 flight,	 will	 achieve	 an	 equivalent	 level	 of	 safety.	 The	 FAA	 has

granted	 exemptions	 to	 conduct	 similar	 operations	 in	 Exemptions	 11062	 through	

11067,	11080 and	11110.

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

Section	 91.151(a)	 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	 40	 minutes	 of	 powered	

flight.	To meet	the	30-minute	reserve	requirement	in	14	CFR	§91.151,	sUAS	flights	

would	be	limited	to approximately	10	minutes	in	length.	Given	the	limitations	on	the	

UAS’ proposed	 flight	 area	 and the	 location	 of	 its	 proposed	 operations	 within	 a	

predetermined	area,	a	longer	time	frame	for flight	is	reasonable.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	25

Petitioner believes	that	an	exemption	from	14	CFR	§91.151(a)	falls	within	the	scope	

of prior	exemptions.	See	Exemption	10673 (allowing	Lockheed	Martin	Corporation	

to	operate without	compliance	with	FAR	91.151	(a)).	Operating	the	small	UAS,	in	a	

tightly	 controlled	 area where	 only	 people	 and	 property	 owners	 or	 official	

representatives	who	have	signed	waivers	will be	allowed,	with less	than	30	minutes	

of	 reserve	 fuel,	 does	 not	 engender	 the	 type	 of	 risks	 that Section	 91.151(a)	 was	

intended	to	alleviate	given	the	size	and	speed	of	the	small	UAS.

Petitioner believes	 that	 an	 equivalent	 level	 of	 safety	 can	 be	 achieved	 by	 limiting	

flights	to 30	minutes	or	25%	of	remaining	battery	power	whichever	happens	first.	

This	 restriction	 would	 be	 more	 than	 adequate	 to	 return	 the	 sUAS	 to	 its	 planned	

landing	zone	from	anywhere	in	its	limited operating	area. Similar	exemptions	have	

been	granted	to	other	operations,	including	Exemptions	2689F, 5745,	10673,	10808	

and	Exemptions	11062,	through11067,	11080	and	11110.

14 C.F.R. §91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409(a) (2); 91.417(a) & (b): Maintenance

Inspections

These	 regulations	 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	 sections	 will	 not	 apply	 to the	 Petitioner.	 Maintenance	 will	 be	

accomplished	by the	Operator	or	manufacturer	pursuant	to	the	flight	manual	 and	

operating	handbook	as referenced	in	the	Manuals	attached	as	confidential	Exhibits	

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

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

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

will	 be	 operating	 from	 no	 higher	 than	 400	 feet	 AGL.	 As	 provided	 in the	 Aircraft	

Flight	Operations	Manual	the	Operator	will	ensure	that	the	UAS	is	in	working	order

prior	 to	 initiating	 flight,	 perform	 required	 maintenance,	 and	 keep	 a	 log	 of	 any	

maintenance performed.	 Moreover,	 the	 Operator	 and	 manufacturer	 are	 most	

familiar	with	the	 aircraft	 and best	 suited	to	 maintain	the	 aircraft	 in	 an	 airworthy	

condition	to	provide	the	equivalent	level	of safety.	The	FAA	has	granted	exemptions	

for	similar	operations	in	Exemptions	11062	through 11067,	11080	and	11110.

*********
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	26

Federal Register Publication

Pursuant	to	14	C.F.R.	Part	11,	the	following	summary	is	provided	for	publication	in	

the	Federal	Register,	should	it	be	determined	that	publication	is	needed:

Petitioner seeks	an	exemption	from	the	following	rules:

14	C.F.R.	§§	61.113(a)	&	(b);	91.7(a);	91.119;	91.121;	91.151(a);	91.405(a);

91.407(a)(1);	 91.409(a)(2)	 and	 91.417	(a)	&	(b)	to	 operate	 commercially	 a	 small	

unmanned	 vehicle	(55	 lbs.	 or	 less)	 for	the	 following	 purposes:	to	 conduct bridge	

inspections,	flare	stack	inspection,	utility-power	generation	system	inspections	and	

patrolling,	aerial	inspection	and	photography	of	 residential	and	commercial	utility	

infrastructure	including	but	not	limited	to	electrical	power	lines,	wind	turbines	and	

cell	 towers,	 pipeline	 inspection	 and	 patrolling,	 filmmaking,	 cinematography,	 and	

videography,	 precision	 agriculture	 with	 on	 board	 sensors,	 wildlife	 and	 forestry	

monitoring and	 mosquito	 and	 insect	 control,	 aerial	 surveying,	 construction	 site	

inspection	 and	 monitoring,	 public	 entity	 support operations,	 aerial	 video	 and	 live	

video	 feed	 to	 assist	 with	 search	 and	 rescue	 operations	 under	 the	 authority	 and	

support	 of	 local	 authority	 officials,	 aerial	 video	 and	 photography	 for	 public	 and	

private	 use	 including	 television,	 public	 events,	 and	 cinematography	 live	 feed	 and	

live	newsgathering,	training	to	persons	individually	or	belonging	to	both	private	and	

public	 organizations	 to	 increase	 awareness	 and	 improve	 safety	 for	 current	 and	

future	 UAS	 operations	 within	 the	 NAS,	 special events:	 including	 high	 schools,

colleges,	professional	sports,	open	air	events	and	fairs,	research,	risk	management	

and	 assessment,	 motion	 picture	 production,	 surface	 mining,	 closed	 set	 filming,	

disaster	and	catastrophe	events.

Privacy and National Security

All	flights	will	occur	over	private	or	controlled	access	property	with	the	property	

owner’s	prior	consent	and	knowledge.	Inspection	will	be	of	inanimate	objects	in	

areas	where	the	owners will	have	consented	to	the	inspections	or	otherwise	have	

agreed	to	allow	the	UAS	and	the Operator	to	be	in	the	area	where	operations will	

take	place.	

The	size	of	the	UAS,	its	speed	and	restricted	area	of	operation	do	not	raise	national

security	issues.

Summary

Approval	of	exemptions	allowing	commercial	operations	of	sUASs for	petitioner	to	

operate	 an	 unmanned	 aircraft	 system	 (UAS)	 to	 conduct	 bridge	 Inspections,	 flare	
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	27

stack	inspection,	utility-power	generation	system	inspections	and	patrolling,	aerial	

inspection	 and	 photography	 of	 residential	 and	 commercial	 utility	 infrastructure	

including	 but	 not	 limited	to	 electrical	 power	 lines,	wind	turbines	 and	 cell	towers,	

pipeline	 inspection	 and	 patrolling,	 filmmaking,	 cinematography,	 and	 videography,	

precision	 agriculture	with	 on	 board	 sensors,	wildlife	 and	forestry	monitoring and	

mosquito	 and	 insect	 control,	 aerial	 surveying,	 construction	 site	 inspection	 and	

monitoring,	 public	 entity	 support	 operations,	 aerial	 video	 and	 live	 video	 feed	 to	

assist	with	 search	and	 rescue	operations	under	the	authority	and	 support	of	local	

authority	officials,	aerial	video	and	photography	for	public	and	private	use	including	

television,	 public	 events,	 and	 cinematography	 live	 feed	 and	 live	 newsgathering,	

training	 to	 persons	 individually	 or	 belonging	 to	 both	 private	 and	 public	

organizations	to	increase	awareness and	improve	safety	for	current	and	future	UAS	

operations	 within	 the	 NAS,	 special	 events:	 including	 high	 schools.	 colleges,	

professional	 sports,	 open	 air	 events	 and	 fairs,	 research,	 risk	 management	 and	

assessment,	motion	picture	production,	surface	mining, closed	set	filming,	disaster	

and	catastrophe	events,	will	enhance safety	by	reducing	risk.	

Conventional	 operations,	 using	 jet	 or	 piston	 powered	 aircraft,	 ladders	 or placing	

people	in	swamps,	on	roofs	or	tall,	hazardous	or	weakened	structures,	exposes	them	

to	 higher	 risks than	 those	 created	 by	 use	 of	 a	 sUAS.	 Conventional	 aircraft	 that	

operate	at	extremely	low altitudes	just	feet	from	the	subject	being	inspected	and	in	

extreme	 proximity	 to	 people	 and structures	 present	 the	 risks	 associated	 with	

vehicles	that	weigh	in	excess	of	6,000	lbs.,	carrying large	amounts	of	jet	A	or	other	

fuel	(140	gallons	for	jet	helicopters).	Such	aircraft	must	fly	to	and from	the	project	

location.	In	contrast,	a	sUAS weighing	fewer	than	55 lbs.	and	powered	by batteries	

eliminates	virtually	all	of	that	risk	given	the	reduced	mass	and	lack	of	combustible	

fuel carried	on	board.	The	sUAS is	carried	to	the	target	area	and	not	flown.	The	sUAS

will	 carry	no passengers	or	 crew	and,	therefore,	will	not	expose	them	to	the	 risks	

associated	with	manned aircraft	flights.

The	operation	of	small	UASs,	weighing	less	than	55 lbs.,	conducted	under	the	strict

conditions	outlined	above,	will	provide	an	equivalent	level	of	safety	supporting	the	

grant	of	the exemptions	requested	herein.	These	lightweight	aircraft	operate	at	slow	

speeds,	close	to	the ground,	and	in	areas	that	are	under	the	control	of	the	customer	

for	 the	 operations and,	 as	 a result,	 are	 far	 safer	 than	 conventional	 operations	

conducted	with	turbine	helicopters	operating	in close	proximity	to	the	ground	and	

people	or	the	use	of	individuals	to	climb	the	structures	to conduct	the	operations.

Satisfaction	of	the	criteria	provided	in	Section	333	of	the	Reform	Act	of	2012	–size,	

weight,	speed,	operating	capabilities,	proximity	to	airports	and	populated	areas	and	

operation within	 visual	 line	 of	 sight	 and	 national	 security	 – provide	 more	 than	

adequate	 justification	 for	 the grant	 of	 the	 requested	 exemptions	 allowing	

commercial	operation	of	Petitioner’s	UAS	for	the Purposes	outlined	herein and	are	

consistent	with	exemptions	already	granted,	including Exemptions number	11171	

through	 11174,	11176,	11177,	11062,	11109,	11112,	 and	11213 and	 as	 recent	 as	

11857.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	28

Sincerely,

James	Brammer

Interface	Dimensions,	Inc.	d.b.a.	Soaring	Vistas	Media

19950	Turnberry	Drive

Tarzana,	CA	91356

and	

Stephen	Gowdy

Chief	Pilot,

Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC

Consulting	Agent	for	Interface	Dimensions,	Inc.	d.b.a.	Soaring	Vistas	Media
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	29

APPENDIX A - EXEMPTION PATTERN

Petitioner	 submits	 the	 Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	 “CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	 they	

contain	 proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	

public	and	is	protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	seq.	5	

Reform	Act	Section	333	(b).	

Submitted	under	separate	cover.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	30

APPENDIX B - TECHNICAL MANUALS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Petitioner	 submits	 the	 Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	 “CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	 they	 contain	

proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	 public	 and	 is	

protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	 seq.	5	Reform	Act	Section	

333	(b).	

Submitted	under	separate	cover.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	31

APPENDIX C - COMMERCIAL (MISSION/OPERATION) PURPOSE - FAA 

PREVIOUS APPROVED EXEMPTION NUMBERS

Petitioner	 submits	 the	 Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	 “CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	 they	

contain	 proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	

public	and	is	protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	seq.	5	

Reform	Act Section	333	(b).	

Submitted	under	separate	cover.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	32

APPENDIX D - EQUIPMENT - FAA PREVIOUS APPROVED EXEMPTION 

NUMBERS

Petitioner	 submits	 the	 Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	 “CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	 they	

contain	 proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	

public	and	is	protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	seq.	5	

Reform	Act	Section	333	(b).	

Submitted	under	separate	cover.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	33

APPENDIX E - EXEMPTION 14 C.F.R - FAA PREVIOUS APPROVED 

EXEMPTION NUMBERS

Petitioner	 submits	 the	 Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	 “CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	 they	

contain	 proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	

public	and	is	protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	seq.	5	

Reform	Act	Section	333	(b).	

Submitted	under	separate	cover.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	34

APPENDIX F - MONTHLY MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR LOG

Petitioner	 submits	 the	 Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	 “CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	 they	

contain	 proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	

public	and	is	protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	seq.	5	

Reform	Act	Section	333	(b).	

Submitted	under	separate	cover.
Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC			8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200,	Shakopee,	MN	55379		

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com		763-496-9551 Page	35

APPENDIX G – MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION FLIGHT OPERATIONS 

MANUAL VERSION 1.0

Petitioner	 submits	 the	 Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	 “CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	 they	

contain	 proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	

public	and	is	protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	seq.	5	

Reform	Act	Section	333	(b).	

Submitted	under	separate	cover.