Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual 

Air Cam Pro v 1.2 06.12.15

Table of Contents 

1. Introduction

2. Pilot/Operator Organization 

3. Persons Authorized 

4. Area of Operations 

5. Plan of Activities 

6. Permission to Operate 

7. Security 

8. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

9. Certification/Airworthiness 

10. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

11. Communications 

12. Accident Notification 

13. Recall/Stop Procedures 

14. Special Provisions

15. Pilot in Command

Appendix 

Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

1 Introduction 

This manual has been developed by Air Cam Pro hereafter referred to as "ACP", 

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. ACP pilots 

and other company 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. 

2 Pilot/Operator Organization 

Farouk Algosaibi - Pilotdba Air Cam Pro1016 Cedar Street Santa Cruz CA 

95060 

Farouk Algosaibi - PIC (831) 295-0549 
3 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 ACP’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. 

4 Area of Operations 

ACP’s approved area of operations will be the United States, while mostly 

exclusively operating in Santa Cruz County.

5 Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, ACP 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. (1) Dates and times for all flights. 

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

event. 

3. (3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

4. (4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of 

airworthiness certificate, including category. 

5. (5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production 

event, including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic 

competency, if required. 

6. (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. (7) Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

8. (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. 

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. 

6 Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the 
provisions of the certificate of waiver and 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 ACP personnel 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 and may be used when obtaining 

written permission. ACP personnel 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 PIC 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. 

7 Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator 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. 

8 Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

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• Aircraft 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• How to control nonparticipating 

persons 

9 Certification/Airworthiness 

All ACP aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) 

for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness 

certificates. However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming 

"vehicle" in motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental 

category must have an airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of 
exhibition in order to be used in motion picture and television filming. The aircraft 

will be 100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and inspections 

(transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. 

Each aircraft 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 

aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and 

maintenance has been completed before each flight. 

10 Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

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 inspector or another company 

pilot approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry 

loads externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements 

and cover the following subjects: 

1. (a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the 

Flight area. 

2. (b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load. 

3. (c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating 

procedures and the aircraft flight manual. 

1. (d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel. 

2. (e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load 

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate. 

11 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. 

12 AccidentNotification 

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

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

13 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. 

14 Special Provisions 

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

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

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be 

those specified in the ACP 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. All civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in 

the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the scheduled event. 

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) . 

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will 

prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

ACP 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. 

15 Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Act as liaison between ACP and the FAA on matters concerning this manual. . 

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

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by ACP 

under the provisions of this manual. 

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

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's. 

• 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. 

•The UAS will weigh less than 55 pounds, including payload.

•The UAS will not be flown at a ground speed exceeding 50 knots.

•Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL, as 

indicated by the procedures specified in the Manual. All altitudes reported to 

ATC will be in feet AGL.

•The UAS will be operated within VLOS of the PIC at all times.

•When operations utilize a VO, the PIC will always maintain VLOS capability and
the VO and PIC will be able to communicate verbally at all times.

•Prior to each operation, the PIC will 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, it will not be operated until the necessary maintenance 

has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. 

The GCS will also be included in the preflight inspection. All maintenance and 

alterations will be documented in the UAS records.

•The PIC will follow the manufacturer’s UAS aircraft/component, maintenance, 

overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements.

•The PIC will possess a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. 

driver’s license. The PIC will be trained in accordance with the Manual, and will 

undergo training to ensure that he or she can follow these procedures.

•Prior to conducting commercial operations under this exemption the PIC will 

assess the intended operating area, including weather and any potential 

obstacles, and determine procedures in case of emergency.

•The UAS will not be operated within 500 feet of any nonparticipating persons, 

vessels, vehicles, or structures unless the PIC has made a safety assessment 

of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard.

•If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the PIC will institute 

emergency procedures in accordance with the Manual.

•The UAS will not be operated unless it has enough available power to conduct 

the intended operation and return, or with the reserve power recommended by 

the manufacturer, whichever is greater.

•The PIC will obtain a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) prior to 

conducting any operations above 200 feet AGL under the exemption.

•The PIC will document and maintain a record of the UAS maintenance, 

preventative maintenance, alterations, status of replacement/overhaul 

component parts, and the total time in service of the UAS

•Each UAS operated under this exemption will comply with all manufacturer 

Safety Bulletins.

•The preflight inspection section described in the Manual will account for all 

discrepancies (i.e., inoperable components, items, or equipment).

•ACP’s use of radio frequency spectrum for operation and control of the UAS will 

comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other 

appropriate agency requirements.

•The documents required under Sections 91.9 and 91.203 will be available to the 

PIC at the GCS of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents 

will be made available to FAA or any law enforcement official upon request.

•The UAS will remain clear and yield the right of way to all manned operations 

and activities at all times.
•UAS operations will not be conducted at night, as defined in Section 1.1. All 

operations will be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC).

•The UAS will not be operated from any moving device or vehicle.

•The UAS will not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than three statute miles from 

the PIC.

•The UAS will not operate within five nautical miles of an airport reference point 

(ARP) as denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for 

airports not denoted with an 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 or otherwise permitted by a COA 

issued to Caterpillar. The letter of agreement with the airport management will 

be made available to FAA and any law enforcement official upon request.

•Any accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area defined by the applicable COA will be 

reported to FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours and the 

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as applicable.

Appendix 

Air Cam Pro

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots Air Cam Pro Permission to operate 

their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, 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 __________________________________________________

Printed Name_______________________________________________

Date __________________________ 

Air Cam Pro Representative Receiving Permission 

Signature__________________________________________________

Printed Name_______________________________________________