Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual 

Carlos Duenas 

800 W 2300S

Hangar 5N-12

Hurricane, UT 84737

September 20, 2015 1 of 12 Revision: 1-1
Table of Contents 

1. Introduction 

 A. Purpose 

 B. Pilot / Operator 

 C. Persons Authorized 

 D. Area of Operations 

 E. Plan of Activities 

 F. Permission to Operate 

 G. Security 

 H. Briefing of Pilot / Production Personnel 

 I. Certification / Airworthiness 

 J. Pilot Personnel / Minimum Requirements 

 K. Communications 

 L. Accident Notification 

 M. Recall / Stop Procedures 

 N. Special Provisions 

 

2. Organization 

 A. Chief Pilot 

 B. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A 

 1 List of Approved Pilots 

 2 List of Approved UAS 

 3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

 4 Revision Letter (sample) 

Appendix B 

 1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 

September 20, 2015 2 of 12 Revision: 1-1
1. Introduction 

A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of 

Authorization of the provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. PIC and 

other personnel when applicable will comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this 

manual, whenever motion picture or television flight operations are performed that require a 

Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above. 

B. Chief Pilot

Carlos Duenas 

800 W 2300S

Hangar 5N-12

Hurricane, UT 84737

C. Persons Authorized 

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures directly 

involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall ensure that no 

persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and 

necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an 

equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For example, 

an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production 

area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect 

nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an 

accident. 

D. Area of Operations 

Approved area of operations will be the continental United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, the 

U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. 

E. Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, the Chief Pilot will submit a written plan 

of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of activities should 

include the following: 

1. Dates and times for all flights. 

2. Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event. 

3. Name and phone number of person responsible for UAS. 

4. Make, model, and serial or N-number of UAS to be used. 

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5. Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event, including 

any notation of external load endorsements. 

6. A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property owners and/or 

local officials to conduct the filming production event. The list of those who gave permission 

must be made available to the inspector upon request from the waiver holder. 

7. Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

8. A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, 

county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and the minimum altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operations. 

9. The three (3) day notification equipments may be waived, however, the operator should 

contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in detail 

why the three (3) day notification is not practical. 

F. Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of this 

manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these operations from property owners 

and local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required 

are listed below: 

1. Property owners

2. Law enforcement officials

3. Fire department officials

4. Local, State and Federal government

5. Air traffic control 

The Chief Pilot, obtaining such permission, will do so in writing whenever practical, however, 

verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is provided in “Appendix 

A .3” and may be used when obtaining written permission. The Chief Pilot will assure a 

sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms will be 

maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned into the Chief 

Pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will be made available for 

inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request. 

G. Security 

Prior to any flight operation the PIC will coordinate with appropriate production personnel to 

devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons and vehicles. 

Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations should the area(s) become 

unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety. 

H. Briefing of Production Personnel 

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Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in command will 

conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks involved, emergency 

procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the filming production event. Personnel will 

also be briefed on additional provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic 

responsibility for the operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The 

briefing shall cover: 

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the attached special 

provisions 

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• UAS parking and starting

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures 

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• Control of nonparticipating persons

I. Certification / Airworthiness 

All Chief Pilot’s UAS used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) for the 

purpose of filming will be properly registered. Each UAS will have a flight log containing 

upcoming scheduled maintenance and inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. 

A section for discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the 

UAS to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and maintenance has been 

completed before each flight. 

J. Pilot Personnel / Minimum Requirements 

The Chief Pilot shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum 

requirements shall meet or exceed the following: 

1. A current U.S. certificated pilot will be used under the terms of the waiver.

2. A minimum of 10 hours in a Quadcopter or Fixed Wing class of UAS to be used.

3. A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model UAS to be used under the waiver.

4. In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external-load operation, 

whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots used in the operation shall be qualified. This 

qualification may be obtained through a knowledge test (which may be oral and/written) and/

or skill. The Chief Pilot will give the test and cover the following subjects:

September 20, 2015 5 of 12 Revision: 1-1
A. Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the flight area. 

B. Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load. 

C. UAS performance capabilities under motion picture operating procedures and the UAS 

user manual. 

D. Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel. 

E. UAS User manual, if appropriate.

K. Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will formulate a 

plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the actual operation and 

filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is 

capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised of the current status of the operation. 

L. Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification 

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

M. Recall / Stop Procedures 

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the participants 

continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 

N. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the motion picture and television operations 

manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be jeopardized. 

The UAS and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those specified in 

the motion picture and television operations manual or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s 

name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. 

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands the 

conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) . (see attached 

document under “Appendix B”) 

UAS takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent unauthorized 

persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

The Chief Pilot will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are 

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on the 

provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No person may 

participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver. 

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2. Organization 

A. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual. 

• Act as liaison between the Chief Pilot and the FAA on matter concerning this manual. 

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed statement 

from each that they have read and understand its contents. 

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed 

properly. 

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed under the provisions of 

this manual. 

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such. 

• The Chief Pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility.

B. PIC 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assure that UAS to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and required 

maintenance have been performed as per the waiver. 

• Acquire permission from the Chief Pilot before any operation under the provisions of this 

manual. 

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, policies 

and conditions contained herein. 

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, etc. with 

safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. 

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job or 

operation requiring the waiver. 

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains responsibility. 

September 20, 2015 7 of 12 Revision: 1-1
Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots 

Chief Pilot 

Name: ________________________________

Certificate Number: ________________________________

Grade: ________________________________

Medical Class: ________________________________

Date: ________________________________

Contact Number: ________________________________

 

Pilots 

Name: ________________________________

Certificate Number: ________________________________

Grade: ________________________________

Medical Class: ________________________________

Date: ________________________________

Contact Number: ________________________________

 

Name: ________________________________

Certificate Number: ________________________________ 

Grade: ________________________________

Medical Class: ________________________________

Date: ________________________________

Contact Number: ________________________________

September 20, 2015 8 of 12 Revision: 1-1
Appendix A .2

List of Approved UAS Make and Model 

Manufacturer: DJI

Model: Inspire 1 

Weight: Less than 55lbs. including payload.

Battery Flight Time: 24mins

Manufacturer: DJI

Model: Phantom 2

Weight: Less than 55lbs. including payload.

Battery Flight Time: 25mins

Manufacturer: DJI

Model: Phantom 3 

Weight: Less than 55lbs. including payload.

Battery Flight Time: 27mins

Manufacturer: Yuneec 

Model: Q500 Typhoon 

Weight: Less than 55lbs. including payload.

Battery Flight Time: 25mins A .3

September 20, 2015 9 of 12 Revision: 1-1
Appendix A .3

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the Chief Pilot, permission to operate their UAS at less than 500 

feet from property or people, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or affiliated 

with, for the purpose of film or television production. 

Name: __________________________________________

Title: __________________________________________

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: __________________________________________ 

Location: __________________________________________

Date of Operation: __________________________________________ 

Signature _______________________________________ Date __________________________ 

Representative Receiving Permission: 

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

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Appendix A .4 

Revisions Letter 

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________ 

Manual Serial# ___________________ Issued To __________________________ 

Revised By: _________________________________

Date: _________________________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than: _______________________ 

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Appendix B .1

(see attached form 7711-2)

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER OR AUTHORIZATION

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