RIVS AIR RECON

25871 Greenhill

Lake Forest CA 92630 jonathanrivers10@gmail.com

562

- 505

- 3311 cell phone
August 31 , 2015

US D epartment Of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Ave SW Washington DC 20591

Dear Sir or M adam: 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 suc h operations are conducted with in and under the conditions outlined herein or as maybe establish ed 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 r equested exception would permit the operation of light weight (less than 55 lbs. total takeoff weight) UASs under controlled conditions for

c ommercial 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) , o f the Reform Act.

RIVS AIR RECON video UASs are rotorcraft weighing l ess than 55 pounds including payload. ( The 3DR Solo Drone weighs 3.3lbs

. ) It operate s 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 bat tery power is under 25%. The UAS will operate within the line of sight with in a protected flight area as described be low and at 200 feet AGL or less with an observer located close at hand as to makevoice 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 lightweig ht 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 ac cordance 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 sec tion 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 i ntegration 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 S ecretary 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 cap ability 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 Na tional 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 the y 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 lin e of sight of the operator with in a protected flight area and at 200 feet AGL or less. Th ese 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 establis h and by exemption allow commercial operations of UASs to commenceimmediately. 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 concern s 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, red uced emissions utilizing UASs verse s traditional aircraft as well a s 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 request ed 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 th e 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 w ill be at a minimum of opera tor (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 b e 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 capab ility 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 e vents f rom a safe distance. 17. When operating over or near water th e 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 F AA 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 ha s 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 inappl icable 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 airwort hiness 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. A s 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 hel icopters 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 pers ons not essential for these operations. Flights will only be over private property that the owner has consented and all persons with in this video area also give consent for this filming. Compared to flight operations of conventional and traditional aircraf t 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 Exemption s allowing commercial operations of small UASs in the

service of aer ial 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. Wi th the use of sma ll 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 author ity 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