Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 1 of 16

Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Orlando Steadicam LLC

6550 Kings Cote Ave Apt 102

Orlando, FL 32835

(407) 852-8581 Office

(616) 581-2274 Cell
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 2 of 16

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4

C. Persons Authorized 4

D. Area of Operations 5

E. Plan of Activities 5

F. Permission to Operate 6

G. Security 7

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 7

I. Certification/Airworthiness 8

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 8

K. Communications 8

L. Accident Notification 9

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 9

N. Special Provisions 9

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 10

B. Pilot in Command 10

Appendix A 

1 List of Approved Pilots 12

2 List of Approved Aircraft 13

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 14

4 Revision Letter (sample) 15

Appendix B

1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 16

Revision Control Page
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 3 of 16

Revision# Date Initials

1. Introduction
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 4 of 16

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "Orlando Steadicam 

LLC" dba “Orlando Drones”, hereafter referred to as 

"ORLANDO DRONES", 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. 

ORLANDO DRONES 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.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

Michael J Germond – Chief Pilot 

Orlando Steadicam LLC

6550 Kings Cote Ave Apt 102

Orlando, FL 32835

Michael J Germond – Owner/MGRM

(407) 852-8581 office • (616) 581-2274 cell

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. 
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 5 of 16

Such barriers may protect nonparticipating persons 

(observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the 

event of an accident.

D. Area of Operations

ORLANDO DRONES's approved area of operations will be 

the continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, 

ORLANDO DRONES 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 aircraft.

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to 

be used and type of airworthiness certificate, including 

category.

(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) 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 
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 6 of 16

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.

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations is conducted 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 ORLANDO DRONES 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. 

ORLANDO DRONES 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 

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.
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 7 of 16

G. 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 depending upon the 

filming activities to be executed. 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 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

• Takeoff procedures

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 8 of 16

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All ORLANDO DRONES sUAS used in operations for the 

purpose of filming will be properly registered and exempt by 

Section 333 of the Reform Act. The pilot in command will assure 

the sUAS to be flown is in airworthy condition and all 

manufacturer required maintenance and firmware updates have

been completed before each flight.

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot 

requirements. Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the 

following:

(1) At least 100 hours logged as PIC and 50hrs logged as 

PIC of each UAS type.

(2) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of 

sUAS to be used.

(3) The pilot/operator shall have understanding of the 

aircraft code and sections under which sUAS operations are 

exempt.

(4) Demonstrated understanding of the safety features of 

the sUAS shall be displayed before the PIC may operate the 

aircraft for commercial operation.

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.
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 9 of 16

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 

ORLANDO DRONES motion picture and television operations 

manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will 

not be jeopardized. The sUAS and pilots used under this 

authorization and/or waiver will only be those specified in the 

ORLANDO DRONES motion picture and television operations 

manual (“Appendix A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. 

Each pilot’s name contact information shall appear on each daily 

plan of activity. Each pilot-in-command conducting operations 

authorized under this certificate understands the conditions of 

issuance. sUAS takeoff and landing areas will be clear from 

obstacles or structures that may jeopardize the safe execution of 

an automated landing triggered by the Flight Controller’s 

FailSafes. ORLANDO DRONES 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.
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 10 of 16

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot Duties and Responsibilities:

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures 

concerning this manual.

• Act as liaison between ORLANDO DRONES 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 for ORLANDO DRONES.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual

are distributed and processed properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or 

operation performed by ORLANDO DRONES 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. Pilot in Command Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assure that sUAS to be flown is in airworthy condition and 

all inspections and required maintenance have been performed 

as required by the manufacturer.

• 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.
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 11 of 16

• 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.
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 12 of 16

Appendix A.1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name : Michael Germond

Certificate Number : n/a

Grade : n/a

Contact Number : (616) 581-2274

Pilots 

Name : Chris VanDorn

Certificate Number : 3791521

Grade : Private

Contact Number : (407) 496-8740

Name :

Certificate Number :

Grade :

Contact Number :
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 13 of 16

Appendix A.2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI • Inspire 1 tbd

2. Foxtech • Kraken K130 tbd

3. 

4.

5.

6.

7.
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 14 of 16

Appendix A.3

Orlando Steadicam LLC

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of ORLANDO DRONES

Productions, Inc. 

Permission to operate their sUAS 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 _______________________________________________

Date __________________________

ORLANDO DRONES Representative Receiving Permission
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 15 of 16

Appendix A.4

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials 

R • Remove and Replace D • Delete and Destroy N • Insert New Page

Manual Serial# ___________________ Issued To _______________

Revised By _________________________________ 

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than ________________
Last Revised: 6/13/15 Page 16 of 16

Appendix B.1

(see attached form 7711-2)