Gregory Hughes

12625 SW River Rd

Hillsboro, OR 97123

greg@greghughes.net

503-766-2258

Dear Sir / Madam; 

This petition is being submitted by Gregory Hughes, a current FAA certificated private pilot holding a

current FAA Class-2 medical certificate. I, Gregory Hughes, seek exemption pursuant to Section 333 of 

the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (“The Reform Act”) and 14 CFR Part 11. I am requesting 

approval to conduct commercial operation of designated UAS, provided operations are conducted 

within the conditions outlined under current Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 

2012 and any subsequent revisions thereof. 

Petition for Exemption and Relief:

This exemption request letter is a request for relief pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization 

and Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as related to the following applicable

CFRs: 

14 CFR 21 

14 CFR 45.23 (b) 

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) 

14 CFR 91.7 (a) 

14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2) 

14 CFR 91.103 

14 CFR 91.109 

14 CFR 91.119 (c) 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151 (a) 

14 CFR 203 (a) & (b) 

14 CFR 205 (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a) & (1) 

14 CFR 409 (a) (1) & (2) 

14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b) 

Description of Aircraft and Pilot-in-Command Operator:

I plan to operate a UAS, the “DJI PHANTOM 3 Advanced,” which is an unmanned aircraft plus a 

transportable ground station. The Phantom 3 is commonly referred to as a “quad copter.” This UAS has 

a weight of approximately 3 pounds. The DJI is equipped with four motors that are powered by 

rechargeable batteries. The DJI is also equipped with a camera with capabilities to capture video and still 

photographs. This UAS has maximum horizontal speed of approximately 31 kts in wind-free 

environment. 
I plan to also operate a UAS, the “3DR Solo,” which is an unmanned aircraft plus a transportable ground 

station. The 3DR Solo is also a “quad copter” with a weight of approximately 3.3 pounds. The 3DR Solo is 

equipped with four motors that are powered by rechargeable batteries. The 3DR Solo is equipped with a 

camera with capabilities to capture video and still photographs. This UAS has a maximum horizontal 

speed of approximately 48 kts in a wind-free environment.

I am also requesting exemption to be inclusive of any newer technologies that become available.

Gregory Hughes, a current certificated private pilot holding a current FAA Class 2 medical certificate, will 

act as the pilot in command and operator for the aforementioned UAS. 

List of Requested and Proposed Operations:

I will be providing a professional service to include but not limited to the following operations: 

1) Real Estate: Residential & Commercial 

2) Land Management/Land Surveying for public/private/commercial use 

3) Marketing/Advertising for public/private/commercial use 

4) Agriculture for private/commercial use 

5) Special Events for public/private/commercial use 

6) Economic Development and Tourism 

7) Aerial Photography/Video for public/private/commercial use 

8) Aerial inspection/Photography of Residential/Commercial utility Infrastructure (inclusive of 

electrical power lines, wind turbines, wind farms, cell towers, etc.) 

9) Engineering / Architecture/ Other Professional Activities 

10) Aerial Photography/Video for purpose of television, news gathering, cinematography 

11) Aerial Photography/Video and or live video feed for cases of Natural Disaster, States of 

Emergency, Search & Rescue assistance where requested and approved by local authorities. 

12) Aerial Photography/Video and or live video feed for public/private/commercial use 

13) Free Services to Non-Profits and Community Organizations 

14) Closed-set motion picture and television filming 

Safety Statement: 

All such operations will be conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein as described by 

the FAA as required by Section 333. These operations will be conducted in a safe environment with all 

needed approvals. I will be conducting pre-flight inspections of the UAS. I will be checking the weather 

via local and all available weather information sources. I will be checking and/or filing NOTAMs and 

checking TFR’s. I will be utilizing strict maintenance protocols established by the manufacturer of the 

UAS. I will be maintaining a digital log book documenting time flown/operated, specific 

operations/activity for each flight, and any maintenance performed on the UAS. I will be utilizing a 

Safety Officer when necessary. The UAS that I will be flying contains on-board, built-in safety 

mechanisms. They have onboard GPS systems and sensors which provide enhanced-control and geofencing capabilities and safer flights. They will be configured to fly within a given distance and altitude 

which I will be using as a standard. I will operate the UAS within line-of-sight and while maintaining full 
control at all times. Knowledge of appropriate and safe use is imperative as a certificated pilot, and as 

such I will be also using KnowBeforeYouFly.com and other FAA information sources to stay up to date 

with regard to regulations, no-fly zones, etc. 

I appreciate and enjoy being a pilot and look forward to utilizing this new aviation technology format to 

extend my experience and knowledge of flight outside of the cockpit. Thank you for your time and 

consideration of my exemption request. 

Best Regards, 

Gregory Hughes