February 11, 2016

U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Management System 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590

Re: Request for Exemption under Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform

Act of 2012 and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Name and Address of Petitioner:

John Hunter 118 West Fort King St Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 538

- 0392 johnhunter12@gmail.com

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, John Hunter, the Petitioner, request exemption from the following Federal Aviation Regulations in order to legally operate an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in the National Airspace System.

Regulations from which the exemption is requested:

1 4CFR 21 H 14 CFR 45.23 (b) 14 CFR 61.113 (A) 7 (b) 14 CFR 91.7 (a) 14 CFR 91.9 (b)(2) 14 CFR 91.103 (b)

14 CFR 91.109

14 CFR 91.119

14 CFR 91.121 14 CFR 91.151 (a) 14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b) 14 CFR 91.405 (a) 14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 14 CFR 91.409 (a) & (b) 14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b)

14 CFR Title 14 Chapter 1 Sub D Part 60 thru 67

- 61.1 to 61.429The Petitioner wishes to be granted the exemption for use of the UAS of commercial

operations list below.

Applications and Operations: Land Surveying and Mapping • Forest Health Monitoring • Harvesting Monitoring • Forest Inventory • Topography

• Environmental Assessment

• Location of Utilities • Aerial Photography

- Real time Forest Inventory Analysis • Mapping Forest Stands and Volumes • Estimating Log and Chip Inventories on Manufacturing Sites Equipment Inspections • Visual Monitoring of Equipment Aerial Photography

• Sales & Business

- Related

The Petitioner believes the use of the UAS's is more economical and safer to use for the aforementioned purposes. Use of the UAS rather than a manned aircraft is more economical to the consumer, and beneficial to the general public due to its small size, low noise and minimal potential for accident.

Charact eristics of the Aircraft:

The UAS to be used is the DJI Phantom which has an on

- board GPS that allows the

operator conduct safe and efficient flights to a high level of precision. The onboard camera takes and collects high definition still images and vide o.

The three main characteristics of the DJI Phantom are:

1. Very Light Weight

The DJI Phantom is so light the operator can launch it by hand and let it land on almost any surface without requiring a parachute or landing net. Its low impact energy (in the case of a controlled emergency landing) also significantly reduces the risk of hazardous

situa tions.

2. Electric

- powered

The DJI Phantom has four electric powered motors . A brushless engine technology

makes it silent and reliable.

3. Semi

- A utomatic Precision F light

The GPS continuously an alyzes internal and external data to provide a very precise level of flight accuracy. In case of loss of user control signal in flight, the UAS will automatically make a safe and controlled landing at location where it took off from.Request for Exemption, Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act pertaining to Federal

A viation Regulations: The Petitioner requests an exemption from the following regulations as well as any additional regulations that may technically apply to the operation of UAS's.

14 CFR 21 H: Airworthiness Certificates

Certification Procedures for Products and Parts Reason for Exception It has been determined that similar UAS's do not require an airworthiness certificate as granted in Exemption No. 11623, 11650, 11664 and 11734.

14 CFR 45.23 (b): Marking of the Aircraft These regulations provide t hat each aircraft must display "N" and the aircraft's registration number in letters at least 3 inches high. Additionally, the aircraft must display the word "EXPERIMENTAL" in letters at least 2 inches high near the entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station. Reason for Exception Even though the UAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be needed as the UAS will have not entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the work "EXPERIMENTAL" can be placed. Given the size of the UAS, two

- inch lettering will be impossible. The word "EXPERIMENTAL" will be placed on the fuselage in compliance with 45.29 (f). The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167 and 10167A.

14 CFR 61.113 (A) 7 {b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations The regulation provides that no person may serve as a required pilot flight crewmember of a civil aircraft of the United States, unless that person: (1) has a pilot certificate or special purpose authorization issued under this part in that person's physical possession or readily accessible. (2) The flight is only incidental to that business or employment. (3) The aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or

hire.

Reason for Exception The Petitioner will follow all manufacturers' training program and safety manual. I also believe these requirements are unnecessary for pilot controlled drone flight. Additionally, current FAA proposals have omitted this as a future requirement for small

UAS's.

14 CFR 91.7 (a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness Civil Aircraft Airworthiness: (a) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy condition. Reason for Exception It has been determined that similar UAS's do not require an airworthiness certificate, however the petitioner will ensure airworthiness through the combined use of the manufacture's Operations Manual and preflight checks.14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft

This regulation prov ides that no person may operate an aircraft unless a current, approved flight manual is in the aircraft. We assume that the intent of this requirement is to ensure that flight manual information is available to the aircrew while operating the

aircraft. We request an exemption to this requirement since the aircraft is not only too small to carry documentation; the documentation would not be available to the crew. Reason for Exception The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight m anual at the ground control point where the pilot flying the UAS will have immediate access to it. The FSS has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption #8607, 8737,

8738, 9299, 9299A to list a few.

14 CFR 91.103 (b): Preflight Instruc tion This regulation requires each pilot in commend to take certain actions before flight to insure the safety of flight. AS FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft an exemption will be needed. The petitioner will take all actions including reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances and aircraft performance data before initiation of flight.

14 CFR 91.109: Flight Instruction The regulation provides that "No person may operate a civil aircraft that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls." Reason for Exception UAS's and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design so not 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 f or flight training without fully functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. See exemption Nos. 5778K & 9862A. The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that neither a pilot nor passenger will be carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft.

14 CFR 91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes The regulation provides that over sparsely populated areas the aircraft cannot be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehic le, or structure. Since the aircraft will be operating at a maximum of 400 feet AGL, we cannot comply with this requirement.

Reason for Exception The use of UAS will be flown no higher than 400 feet AGL in LOS over developed and developing residential ar eas that may be considered congested areas. That will not always be the case when providing a 'Property Survey' flight because they could be conducted over empty lots or acreages with no structures. In the case of flying over or near existing private prope rty while providing aerial imagery, property inspections, and property assessments, landowners will be notified in person by the Petitioner, or by a card left behind by the Petitioner if requested. The Petitioner will review with the

landowners of associat ed risks to people and property. Due to the small size of the UASthe associated risk to persons, vessels, vehicles and structures is not comparable to

manned aircraft and should be taken into consideration.

14 CFR 91.121: Altimeter Settings

This section requires that each person operating an aircraft shall maintain the cruising altitude or flight level of that aircraft, as the case may be, by reference to an altimeter that is set, when operating below 18,000 feet MSL. Reason for Exception

Most UAS do not have a barometric altimeter. If does have a GPS that will calculate altitude. The Petitioner will limit flights to a maximum altitude of 400 feet AGL as granted in Exemption No. 11623, 11664, and 11734.

14 CFR 90.151 (a) Fuel Requirements for Flight i n VFR Conditions Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions: (a) No person may begin 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 land ing and, assuming normal cruising speed. (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes. Reason for Exception The UAS provides a low battery warning to indicate when you should return the UAS to the launch point. In addition, a "low" and "c ritical" battery level warnings and implemented a "return to Home" (or "Go land") action in these situations. The Petitioner will not initiate a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough power to fly at normal cruisin g speed to the intended landing point and all flights will be conducted during daylight hours and at times not to be a nuisance to others.

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration This regulation provides as follows : • No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has an appropriate and current

airworthiness certificate. • No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight a uthorization issued under 19.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to

passengers or crew. Reason for Exception To obtain an equivalent level of safety and meet the intent of 91.203, documentation will be housed at a gr ound control point where the pilot is flying the UAS for immediate access to the extent they are applicable to the UAS's. In doing some research the FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this regulation.

14 CFR 91.405 (a): Maintenance Inspections Each owner or operator of an aircraft

- (a) 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.Reason for Exception

The Petitioner shall inspect the aircraft prior to every flight. The Petitioner also will follow the manufacturer's recommended preflight checklist and make any repair necessary before flights occur. The Petitioner will also maintain a log of any maintenance or repairs performed.

14 CFR 91.407 {a) {1): Maintenance Operation after maintenance, preventative maintenance, rebuilding or alteration: (a) No person may operate any aircraft that has under gone mai ntenance, preventative maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration unless (1) it has been approved for return to service by a person authorized under 43.7 of this chapter. Reason for Exception The Petitioner who has the responsibility for the operation and sa fety of the UAS will follow the manufactures suggested replacement parts.

14 FR 91.409 (a){l) & (2): Inspections Inspections: (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calen dar months, it has had (1) an annual inspection in accordance with part 43 of this chapter and has been approved for return to service by a person authorized by 43.7 of this chapter; or (2) An inspection for

the issuance of an airworthiness certificate in accordance with part 21 of this chapter. No inspection performed under paragraph (b) of this section may be substituted for any inspection required by this paragraph unless it is performed by a person authorized to perform annual inspections and is entered as an "annual" inspection in the required

maintenance records. Reason for Exception The Petitioner will follow manufacturer's suggestions to ensure that the UAS is in a condition for safe flight at all times.

14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b): Maintenance Record s Except for work performed in accordance with 91.411 and 91.413 each registered owner or operator shall keep the following records (l)(i) (ii)(iii) (2)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi) for the periods specified in paragraph (b) of this section: ( 1) (2) (3) Reason for Exception The Petitioner will keep a record of all repairs and modifications. The Petitioner also proclaims to use approved manufactured parts for all repairs and modifications. 14CFR Title 14 Chapter 1 Subchapter D Parts 60 thru 67

- 61.1 to 61.429: Pi lot Certification This section pertains to flight rules, pilot certificate requirements, manuals,

etc. Reason for Exception The Petitioner believes that these requirements are unnecessary for pilot controlled drone flights and current FSS proposals have omitted this as a future requirement for

small UAS's.In Conclusion:

I, John Hunter , the Petitioner request for exemption from the above mentioned Federal Aviation Regulations in order to legally operate an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) in the National Airspace System in order to perform the Applications and Operations pertaining to my Video and Photgraphy work in a safe and controlled environment. The Petitioner hopes for a timely consideration as I have made a considerable investment in time and finances on this project. Sincerely,

John Hunter 118 West Fort King St Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 538

- 0392 johnhunter12@gmail.com