RIVS AIR RECON

25871 Greenhill 

Lake Forest CA 92630

jonathanrivers10@gmail.com

562-505-3311 cell phone

August 31, 2015

US Department Of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Ave SW

Washington DC 20591

Dear Sir or Madam:

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

act) and CFR Part 11, RIVS AIR RECON, owner and operator of Small Unmanned Aircraft 

Systems (UASs), request to be exempted from the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 

listed below so that RIVS AIR RECON may operate UASs commercially in airspace 

regulated by the FAA., as long as such operations are conducted within and under the 

conditions outlined herein or as maybe established by the FAA as required by Section

333.

 RIVS AIR RECON is owned and operated by Nardare Jonathan Rivers. All operations 

will be performed with the public’s safety and right to privacy safe guarded at all times. 

 As described below, the requested exception would permit the operation of light 

weight (less than 55 lbs. total takeoff weight) UASs under controlled conditions for 

commercial use by a certified private pilot thereby enhancing safety and fulfilling the 

Secretary of Transportation’s ( the FAA Administrator’s) responsibility to” establish 

requirements for safe operation of such aircraft systems in national airspace systems.” 

Section 333(c), of the Reform Act. 

 RIVS AIR RECON video UASs are rotorcraft weighing less than 55 pounds including 

payload. (The3DR Solo Drone weighs 3.3lbs.) It operates at a speed less than 50 knots 

and have the capability to hover and move in the vertical and horizontal plane 

simultaneously. It has an auto return to launch point when battery power is under 25%.

The UAS will operate within the line of sight with in a protected flight area as described 

below and at 200 feet AGL or less with an observer located close at hand as to make 
voice communication possible. These operations will not create a hazard to users of the 

nation airspace, public nor the environment.

 RIVS AIR RECON respectfully requests the grant of an exception to the following 

specific sections of the Title 14 Code of Federal regulations allowing it to operate 

lightweight UASs for commercial use,

 14 CFR 21, subpart H, 14 CFR 45.23 (b) 14 CFR 91.7 (a), 91.9 (b) (2) 91.103 (b), 

91.109, 91.119, 91.121,91.151,(a), 91.203(a) &(b),91.405(a),91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)&(b).

 RIVS AIR RECON submits this application in accordance with the Reform Act ,112 P.L. 95 

331-334, seeking relief from any currently applicable FAR’S operating to prevent RIVS 

AIR RECON future commercial use of small UASs to operate in the national airspace 

system as described below. The reform Act section 332 provides for such integration of 

civil unmanned aircraft into our national airspace system as it is in the public’s interest 

to do so. RIV AIR RECON UASs meet the definition of “small unmanned aircraft” as 

defined in Section 331 and therefor the integration of these UASs are expressly 

contemplated by the Reform Act. RIVS AIR RECON would like to operate its light weight 

UASs prior to the time period by which the Reform Act requires the FAA to promulgate 

rules governing such aircraft.

 The Reform Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether certain 

unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in national airspace before completion 

of the rule making required under Section 332 of the reform Act. In making this 

determination, the Secretary of Transportation is required to determine which UASs do 

create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public or pose a threat to 

national security in light of the following:

 The UASs size, speed, weight and operational capability

 Operation of the UASs in close proximity to airports and populated areas

 Operation of the UASs within visual line of sight of the operator

 Reform Act 333(a). If the secretary determines that such vehicles “may operate safely 

in National Airspace System, the secretary shall establish requirements for the safe 

operation in national airspace.

 RIVS AIR RECON are rotorcraft weighing less than 55 lbs. and they operate at speeds 

less than 50 knots and have the capability to operate in the vertical and horizontal plane 

simultaneously. The UASs will operate only within the line of sight of the operator 

within a protected flight area and at 200 feet AGL or less. These will not present a 

hazard to the national airspace nor the public.

 The very small nature of these UASs combined with the safe guards presented below, 

will allow for the safe operation greater than that envisioned by Congress for the FAA to 

establish and by exemption allow commercial operations of UASs to commence 
immediately. Also due to the size of UASs and the areas and altitudes they will operate 

approval of this exception presents no national security issues and absolutely minimal 

safety concerns which have been mitigated through our rigorous risk management 

process. Given the clear direction given in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority 

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

enhanced safety, reduced emissions utilizing UASs verses traditional aircraft as well as 

the economic impact of greatly reducing the cost of aerial photography thereby 

benefiting the greater public’s interest. Accordingly, the applicant requests that the FAA 

grant the requested exemption without delay.

 The following will be considered as the binding limitation on operations of RIVS AIR 

RECON,

1. Flights will only occur in the day time hours,

2. Flights will be operated in the line of sight of the operator( PIC) and Observer,(VSO)

3. Flights will be terminated at any time weather and wind deteriorate to “unsafe for 

flight” by manufacturers recommendations,

4. The UASs will weigh less that 55 lbs., 

5. Flights will be operated at 200 feet AGL or less. 

6. Crew will be at a minimum of operator(PIC) and an observer and/or camera 

operator(VSO),

7. Operator and crew will remain in contact during the flight operation,

8. The UASs operator will perform a check of the flight area and make certain of the 

safety of all persons in the area,

9. Consent will be obtained from all persons with in the video capabilities of the units to 

further reduce the chance of violating anyone’s privacy. 

10. All required FAA clearances, will be obtained and distances from airports strictly 

observed. 

11. All UASs will have the capability to return automatically to the operator in a safe 

manner with the auto return function checked and working. 

12. When operated in conjunction with fishing vessels in the gulf, a chase boat will be 

assigned to operate the UASs at a safe distance from the main fishing boat.

13. Flights will only operate in VFR conditions.

14. UASs have a function on the control to tell operator the distance away from the 

operator and its battery power remaining.

15. Flight team will communicate by voice and the use of two-way radio if the area is too 

big to hear voice from all team members.

16. UASs will be used to video private outings and functions, boating, jet skiing, kayaking, 

fishing trips in the gulf area and sporting events from a safe distance.

17. When operating over or near water the UASs will be equipped with flotation devices 

so that recovery can be made as to prevent lithium battery exposure to the water 

table.
14 CFR part 21 Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificate 14 CFR 91.7(a), 91.203(a)(1)

 Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, sets forth requirements for procurement 

of necessary certificates in relation to FAR 91.203(a)(1). The size, weight and defined 

area of operations for RIVS AIR RECON UASs flights permits exception from Part 21 

because they meet an equivalent level of safety pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform 

Act. The FAA is authorized to exempt aircraft from the airworthiness certificate 

requirement under both the Act (49 USC 4470(f) and Section 333 of the Reform Act. 

Both pieces of legislation permit the FAA to exempt UASs from airworthiness certificates 

in consideration of weight, size, speed, maneuverability and proximity to areas such as 

airports and dense populations. RIVS AIR RECON meets or exceeds each of these 

elements

As of March 23, 2015 the FAA has stated that it will automatically grant a “blanket” COA 

for flights at or under 200 AGL to any UASs operator with a section 333 exemption.

 14 CFR 91.203(a&b) provides for carrying of civil aircraft certifications and 

registrations. These are inapplicable for the same reasons stated above. The equivalent 

level of safety will be achieved by maintaining such certifications and registrations at 

RIVS AIR RECON operations center.

 14CFR91.7 (a) prohibits the operation of an aircraft without an airworthiness 

certificate. As no such certificate will be applicable in the form contemplated by FAR’s 

this regulation is inapplicable.

14 CFR 91.9(b)(2) Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in Aircraft

 14 CFR 91.9(b)(2) requires an aircraft flight manual in the aircraft. As there are no 

pilots or passengers, and given the size of the UASs this regulation is inapplicable. An 

equivalent level of safety will be achieved by maintaining such certifications and 

registrations at RIVS AIR RECON operations center.

The FAA has previously issued exemptions to this regulation in Exemptions No’s 

8607,8737,8738,9299,9299A,9565,9565B,10167,10167A,10602,10700 and 32827.

14 CFR 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes, prescribes safe altitudes for operation of civil 

aircraft. It allows helicopters to be operated at lower altitudes in certain conditions. RIVS 

AIR RECON will only operate its UASs at or below 200AGL. They will be operated on a will 

defined AOR that has been carefully reviewed for hazards and minimizes the presence of 

any persons not essential for these operations. Flights will only be over private property 

that the owner has consented and all persons within this video area also give consent for 

this filming. Compared to flight operations of conventional and traditional aircraft or 

rotorcraft weighing far more than 50 lbs., operating below 500 AGL with flammable fuel 

UASs operations present a far smaller risk to the public.
 Approval of these 333 Exemptions allowing commercial operations of small UASs in the 

service of aerial photography will greatly enhance safety by reducing the overall risk 

associated with traditional aircraft. Traditional aerial photography requires large aircraft 

with flammable fuel to fly in close proximity of populated areas and people in general. 

With the use of small UASs of 55 lbs. or less, battery operated and fling below 200 feet 

AGL the risk of injury of people on the ground or the crew has been reduced or almost 

erased. The granting of the use of these small UASs by RIVS AIR RECON will give the

people another avenue to express themselves and to have a video record to share with 

family and friends forever.

Granting RIVS AIR RECON the above exemption will allow for the expansion of UAS 

systems into the future for the safe conduct of free enterprise and the enjoyment of the 

masses.

RIVS AIR RECON respectfully requests the FAA grant its exception without delay. The FAA 

has the authority to issue the exemption sought by RIVS AIR RECON pursuant to the 

Federal Aviation Act, 85 P.L. 726 (1958) as amended (the ACT).

Sincerely

Nardare Jonathan Rivers

RIVS AIR RECON

25871 Greenhill

Lake Forest Ca 92630

Jonathanrivers10@gmail.com