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Revision Date: 1/5/2016

Up Above Vision

Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Minne Photography, LLC dba Up Above Vision

16425 Sequoia CT | Parker, CO 80134

303-808-6700 | pminne@yahoo.com
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Revision Date: 1/5/2016

Table of Contents

• Introduction..............................................................................................................................Page 3

• Abbreviations Used..................................................................................................................Page 3

• Persons Authorized..................................................................................................................Page 3

• Area of Operations...................................................................................................................Page 3

• Plan of Activities Prior to Flight Operations.........................................................................Page 3

• Permission to Operate.............................................................................................................Page 4

• FAA Authorization....................................................................................................................Page 4

• Flight Plan, Safety, and Limitations.......................................................................................Page 4

• Accident Notification...............................................................................................................Page 5

• Special Provisions.....................................................................................................................Page 5

• Company Organization............................................................................................................Page 6

• Appendix...................................................................................................................................Page 8

• Permission Acquisition Form.................................................................................................Page 9
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Introduction

This manual has been developed by Minne Photography, LLC dba Up Above Vision (“UAV”), in conjunction

with an application for a section 333 Exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration for the purposes

of using an unmanned aircraft system for motion picture and television cinematography, videography, and 

filming. When applicable, UAV’s pilots and other company personnel will comply with the policies, 

procedures, and conditions of this manual whenever motion picture or television flight operations are 

performed that require an exemption as mentioned above. The controls, procedures, and conditions set 

forth in this motion picture and television operations manual are in the best interest of safety and to help 

assure that all persons directly involved or observing the production are kept as safe as possible.

Abbreviations Used

PIC: Pilot in Command

FAA: Federal Aviation Administration

FAR: Federal Aviation Regulations

FSDO: Flight Standards District Office

MPTOM: Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual (this manual)

NTSB: National Transportation Safety Board

UAS: Unmanned Aerial System or drone or quadcopter

UAV: Minne Photography, LLC dba Up Above Vision

VO: Visual Observer

Persons Authorized

The FARs waived (exempted) are done so only with respect to those persons, vehicles and

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual film production. The waiver holder, UAV, 

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 FAA has approved it. For example, an equivalent 

level of safety may be determined by an evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain features,

obstructions, buildings, etc. Such location barriers may protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the 

public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident.

Area of Operations

UAV’s approved area of operations will be the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Plan of Activities Prior to Flight Operations

1. At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming/videography, UAV 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 representing UAV.

(4) Make, model, and N-number of all UAS to be used.

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

(6) A statement that UAV has obtained permission from property owners and/or local officials 

to conduct the filming production. The list of those who gave permission must be made 

available to the inspector upon request from UAV.

(7) 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.

(8) The three (3) day notification 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.
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(9) Signature of UAV representative(s).

Permission to Operate

1. Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 400 feet under the provisions of the 

certificate of waiver (exemption) 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

2. The UAV personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical; however, 

verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is provided after the 

Appendix of this MPTOM and may be used when obtaining written permission. UAV personnel will 

assure a sufficient number of those forms are available at the filming location site. Written 

permission forms will be maintained at the filming location until flight operations are completed, 

and then turned into the chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of three years. These forms 

will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request.

FAA Authorization

1. UAV will only conduct flight operations after the FAA has granted a waiver (exemption) for UAV to 

conduct commercial UAS flight operations for the purposes of movie picture and television 

cinematography, filming, and videography.

2. Any required waiver (exemption) from the FAA will be on site for inspection during flight 

operations for any film production.

Flight Plan, Safety, and Limitations

1. All filming or videography flights covered under this MPTOM will have a written flight plan created 

prior to flight operations commencing. This plan will be available on site for inspection by the FAA

and law enforcement officials including those from local, State, or Federal government, or Air 

Traffic Control.

a. This flight plan must indicate the PIC’s name and airman certificate number, the UAS

model, the UAS N-number, altitudes, flight courses, and hovering locations (on a map of 

the filming location). The flight plan can be created based on the film production needs 

but the ultimate decision on the flight plan is the responsibility of the PIC.

b. Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the PIC will formulate a plan to 

provide communications capability to all film crew, talent, and other personnel directly 

involved with the production.

a. During the actual operation and filming/videography, oral or radio communications must 

be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants continuously 

appraised of the current status of the operation.

2. Steps required to be taken by the PIC prior to starting flight operations:

a. A full survey of the flight area. This survey can be done using survey maps or online maps 

but must include a live visual “walk around” of the actual shooting location area so that all 

terrain, obstacles, structures, vehicles, and staging areas can be noted and included on the

flight plan.

b. Review the proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external camera load.

c. Review the UAS performance capabilities in consideration of the flight plan and filming 

requirements.

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

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

e. A flight safety meeting must be conducted with all production crew, talent, and all others 

who are on location and are directly involved with the production. Everyone will be 

briefed on the flight plan, communication procedures, safety concerns, safeguards in 

place, flight timing limitations, location boundaries, emergency procedures, abort 

procedures, any relevant contents of this MPTOM, and any other concerns directed by the 

FSDO or FAA. This safety meeting will be conducted live (in person) and must be done 12 

hours before the flight operations start that day (i.e. one safety meeting is required each 

day of filming when flight operations are conducted). Only the PIC or if the PIC directs, the

VO, will conduct the meeting.

3. All UAS operation manuals, pilot operations handbooks, and UAS registrations must be available 

on site. These documents can be electronic unless otherwise directed by the FAA.

4. All flight go/no go decisions are made solely by the PIC and are final (no appeals are allowed for 

any reason). No one including those from the film crew, production company, talent, or any 

sponsor will be allowed to influence or change any final decision made by the PIC.

5. The takeoff area will be determined solely by the PIC unless the FAA has directed otherwise. The 

takeoff area will be clearly marked with either signage, cones, or barricades as determined by the 

PIC. No production personnel or observers are allowed inside the takeoff area without express 

permission from the PIC.

6. Prior to a UAS takeoff, a verbal warning will be made to alert the production crew, talent, and any 

other on site personnel that flight operations are commencing. The PIC will coordinate with the 

event director or other designated production crew as to the timing of the UAS takeoff.

7. No UAS flights will occur unless landing zones are predetermined. Landing zones are 

predetermined only by the PIC. Landing zones will be clearly marked using either signage, cones,

and/or barricades surrounding each landing site as determined by the PIC. No personnel or 

observers other than those needed for flight operations as determined by the PIC are allowed 

inside any landing zone during flight operations.

8. No flight will occur unless the UAS has a GPS signal strong enough for flight (GPS signal in the 

green or flashing green or other indications depending on UAS operating manual) as determined 

by the PIC during preflight.

9. An inflight UAS will land immediately in the closest landing zone (or takeoff area if closer than a 

landing zone) when the battery warning indicates low battery, if the UAS battery indicates 10% 

remaining, the transmitter battery warning is illuminated (or otherwise showing a low battery 

warning), or the flight is aborted (for any reason) whichever occurs first. All filming will stop 

during landing or should an emergency occur.

10. In all circumstances during flight and planning, the PIC will always choose safety of persons and 

safe flight over any desired camera function or shooting angle/distance.

11. In all situations, the PIC will make the sole and final decision as to the safe flight of the UAS.

Accident Notification

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

FAR Part 830 would apply. UAV will comply with FAA and NTSB accident investigators.

Special Provisions

1. The UAS used and the PICs acting under the FAA’s authorization and/or waiver (exemption) will 

only be those specified in the Appendix of this MPTOM (or future revisions).

2. The PIC’s name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity for the 

production and each flight plan.

3. All UAS and PIC(s) participating in flight activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the

scheduled production.
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4. Each PIC conducting flight operations authorized under this waiver (exemption) has read and 

understands the conditions of exemption issuance, and that it constitutes an exemption of only 

specific FARs.

5. No person may participate in any flight operations unless that person has received a briefing on 

the provisions of the waiver (exemption).

Company Organization

1. Chief Pilot

a. Duties and Responsibilities:

i. Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this MPTOM.

ii. Act as liaison between UAV and the FAA on matters concerning this MPTOM.

iii. Assure that each approved PIC is issued a copy of this MPTOM and obtained a 

signed statement from each that they have read and understand its contents.

iv. Maintain a current copy of this MPTOM at the main base of operations for UAV.

v. Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this MPTOM are distributed and 

processed properly.

vi. Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or flight operation performed by 

UAV under the provisions of this MPTOM.

vii. Assume the responsibilities of PIC when acting as such.

viii. The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains

responsibility.

2. Pilot in Command

a. Duties and Responsibilities:

i. Assure that the UAS to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's and waivers 

(exemptions) that have been approved.

ii. Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions 

of this MPTOM.

iii. Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this MPTOM and abide by the

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein.

iv. Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate flight plans, flight 

routes, locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved being the primary 

concern.

v. Conduct a flight safety meeting with other persons involved with the film 

production at least once each day of filming.

vi. Direct and instruct the VO as necessary.

vii. Maintain their copy of this MPTOM in current condition and have it on site at any 

job or operation requiring the waiver (exemption).

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

responsibility.

3. Visual Observer

a. In general, is someone employed and properly trained by UAV. However, in 

circumstances approved by the chief pilot, can be someone designated and properly

trained and briefed by the responsible PIC (e.g. can be a member of the film crew).

b. Duties and Responsibilities:

i. Receive training from the PIC before any flight operations. 

ii. Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this MPTOM and abide by the

procedures, policies, and conditions contained herein.

iii. Attend daily flight safety meetings.

iv. Coordinate with the PIC their exact location during flights and any movements 

along the flight path.

v. Review, understand, and follow the communications plan for each flight.

vi. Must keep the UAS in visual sight at all times the UAS is in flight.
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vii. If visual sight of the UAS is lost for any amount of time, they must orally notify the 

PIC immediately.

viii. Follows direction given by PIC during flight operations.

ix. Cannot delegate any responsibility or function to anyone else.
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Appendix

Names of Pilots

Chief Pilot:

Paul Minne (FAA airman certificate 2863738)

Pilots:

Paul Minne (FAA airman certificate 2863738)

Alexander Minne (FAA airman certificate 3779456)

List of Approved UAS

1. DJI Phantom 3

2. DJI Spreading Wings S1000

3. Other UAS as approved via 333 Exemption Amendments
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Up Above Vision

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Minne Photography, LLC dba Up Above Vision permission to 

operate their UAS at less than 400 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: ____________________

Minne Photography, LLC dba Up Above Vision representative Receiving Permission:

_______________________________________________________________