Joseph Busalacchi

Page 1 of 16

April 22, 2015 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Joseph Busalacchi Petition for Exemption to Operate

Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Aerial Photography, Filming and Scientific Data collection

FAA Regulatory Docket

 

Re: Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations from: 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; 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR 

91.151(a); 14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b); 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1); 14 CFR 91.409 

(a)(2); 14 CFR 91.417(a) & (b) 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) 

and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Joseph Busalacchi, seeks an exemption from Federal Aviation Regulations 

(“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of an sUAS, so long as such operations are conducted 

within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as 

required by Section 333.

Joseph Busalacchi provides high quality imagery and data that can be used independently or in 

the case of surveying and modelling, can be combined to produce precision digital point clouds, 

triangle models, and contour maps of the surveyed area. Applications for these sUAS include 

assistance to law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation, traffic accident 

reconstruction and tactical support, emergency services emergency site management in cases 

of natural and manmade disasters as well as search and rescue, environmental monitoring, 

wildlife monitoring and enforcement, inspection of sensitive infrastructure including oil and gas 

pipelines, flare stacks, power lines, communications towers, wind turbines, and surveying tasks 

such as precision agriculture, mining, transportation, and forestry. Use of Mr. Busalacchi for 

these emergency services, inspection and surveying applications reduces the need to operate 

conventional aircraft, providing data more safely, quickly, accurately, economically, and with 

reduced environmental impacts.
Joseph Busalacchi

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Based on the small size of Petitioner’s UAS, the qualifications and experience of Mr. Busalacchi, 

and the restricted, sterile environment within which Mr. Busalacchi will operate, the requested 

exemptions fall squarely within the zone of safety envisioned by Congress and set forth in 

Section 333. Additionally, the enhanced safety achieved by replacing significantly larger 

manned aircraft carrying crew and flammable fuel with small UAS carrying no passengers or 

crew and operated under the specific guidelines and procedures proposed by Petitioner gives 

the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operations enabled by the instant Petition are in the 

public interest. Thus, the requested exemptions should be granted.

The requested exemption would permit Joseph Busalacchi to pursue his current interests in 

providing services via small UAS in the following areas list below and in the public interest 

statement above:

1. Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, 

architecture, land surveying, engineering, precision agriculture and collection of 

scientific data in support of research, conservation and humanitarian concerns. 

2. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with 

the owners or local government authority. 

3. Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue 

operations in cases of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities 

or government has requested it by contract or donation. 

4. The ability to offer training on the technological and methodological aspects of aerial 

data capture to individuals from public or private organizations. This does not 

encompass training in the use of the sUAV’s or certification of UAV operators but on the 

applications surrounding sensor configurations and mapping methods.

 

Mr. Busalacchi states that all sUAS flights will occur over private or controlled access property 

will do so with the property owner's prior consent and knowledge. Only persons who have 

consented or otherwise agreed to be in the area where photography and videography will take 

place will be captured. 

The name and address of the applicant is:

Joseph Busalacchi

1320 Nancy Drive 

Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Phone: 352.256.6303 

Email: joey.busalacchi@gmail.com
Joseph Busalacchi

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Regulations from which the exemption is requested:

14 CFR Part 21;

14 CFR 45.23 (b);

14 CFR 61.113(a) & (b);

14 CFR 61.133 (a);

14 CFR 91.7 (a);

14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2);

14 CFR 91.103;

14 CFR 91.109;

14 CFR 91.119;

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151 (a);

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b);

14 CFR 91.405 (a);

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1);

14 CFR 91.409 (a) (2);

14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b);

Section 333: Statutory Authority

Section 333, titled “Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems”, provides a 

mechanism for seeking expedited FAA authorization of safe civil UAS operations in the National 

Airspace System (“NAS”). Section 333(a) states that the FAA “shall determine if certain 

unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system before 

completion of the [comprehensive] plan and rulemaking required by section 332(b)(1) of this 

Act or the guidance required by section 334 of this Act.” In Section 332(b)(1), Congress made it 

clear that Section 333 provides a mechanism for “expedited operational authorization.” The FAA 

has committed to complying with this mandate by granting several petitions almost identical to 

the one at hand. See, e.g., Exemption No. 11062, Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2014-0352 

(granting regulatory exemptions to Astraeus Aerial for operation of unmanned aircraft systems 

for the purpose of filming for the motion picture and television industry). Section 333(b) 

identifies several factors that the FAA should consider in determining whether commercial UAS 

operations should be approved. These include UAS that, “as a result of their size, weight, speed, 

operational capability, proximity to airports and populated areas, and operation within visual 

line of sight do not create a hazard to users of the [NAS] or the public or pose a threat to 

national security.” See Section 333(b).

Section 44701(f)

In addition to the specific authority conferred by Section 333, the FAA Administrator has general

authority to grant exemptions from the FAA’s safety regulations and minimum standards when 

the Administrator decides a requested exemption is in the public interest. See U.S.C. § 44701(f). 
Joseph Busalacchi

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The sUAS’s proposed for use in this exemption request will be both fixed wing and multi-rotor 

craft, including models: 3DRobotics Aero-M and Y6; Zeta Science FX-79; and DJI S1000+. These 

craft weigh no more than 55lbs. including payload. Under normal conditions they operate at 

speeds of no more than 100 Mph or 87 Knots. They will operate in line of sight only and only by 

a qualified operator obeying all other local and federal laws and terms of this exemption.

The sUAS’s will be operated in the field with both a Pilot in Command (PIC) and a ground-based 

Visual Observer (VO) in accordance with FAA Policy N 8900.227 Section 14 "Operational 

Requirements for UAS" with the following additional restrictions: 

 

 All operations will occur at no more than 400 ft AGL. Altitude reported in feet Above 

Ground Level.

 Operations will be conducted over private property with the permission of the land owner

 All required permits will be obtained from state and local government prior to operation

 The aircraft will not be operated over urban or populated areas 

 The aircraft will not be operated at air shows or over an open-air assembly of people 

 The aircraft will not be operated over heavily trafficked roads 

 The aircraft will not be operated within 5 NM of an airport or heliport 

 Operations will be limited to day, visual meteorological conditions 

 Aircraft will remain within Visual Line of Sight at no greater than 1 NM of the PIC at all times

 While the aircraft is airborne, the VO will be positioned within voice distance to the PIC the 

best

 All Flight operations will be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, 

vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a) Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from 

the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator will ensure that 

nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where 

nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight 

operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of nonparticipating 

persons; and

b) The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for 

operating closer to those objects and 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

Mr. Busalacchi, as the Pilot in Command (PIC) during commercial operations described herein,

will hold at minimum a FAA Sport Pilot certificate and hold a current and valid U.S. driver’s 

license as evidence of medical eligibility or a third class airmen’s medical certificate. Mr. 

Busalacchi will have a sound understanding of FARs, pre-flight inspections, maintenance and 

repair, operations within airspace, as well as being trained to high safety standards. 
Joseph Busalacchi

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Currently, there are no standards for either private or commercial UAS pilot certificates, 

knowledge of airspace regulations acquired from FAA sport pilot written(knowledge test) and 

practical (flight test) courses and dexterity in the control and operation of the UAS acquired 

from actual operation of the aircraft will be the most important factors in establishing an

equivalent level of safety. According to the FAA, “the FAA considers the overriding safety factor 

for the limited operations proposed by the petitioner to be the airmanship skills acquired 

through UAS-specific flight cycles, flight time, and specific make and model experience, 

culminating in verification through testing.” See Exemption No.

11062, Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2014-0352, at p. 18. With those factors in mind,

Mr. Busalacchi shall be required to meet several conditions and limitations as outlined in the 

flight operations manual, including the following:

 Joseph Busalacchi will have accumulated and logged a minimum of 200 flight cycles and 25 

hours of total time as a UAS pilot and at least 10 hours logged as a UAS pilot with a similar 

UAS type (single blade or multirotor).

 Joseph Busalacchi will have accumulated and logged a minimum of five hours of flight time 

with the specific make and model of the UAS to be utilized for operations under the 

exemption and three take-offs and landings in the preceding 90 days.

I submit that the combination of the aircraft's light weight, flight performance, fully qualified 

flight crew and strict operation under the guidelines established in 8900.227, the FAA can have 

confidence that Mr. Busalacchi will have an equivalent or greater level of safety of manned 

aircraft performing the same mission. 

I am prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to satisfy the need for an equivalent 

level of safety. We look forward to working with your office. Please contact us at any time if 

you require additional information or clarification.

Sincerely, 

Joseph Busalacchi

Appendices: 

A. Exemption Request and Equivalent Level of Safety 

B. Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS’s) Descriptions

C. sUAS User Manuals
Joseph Busalacchi

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APPENDIX A

EXEMPTION REQUESTS AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY 

Joseph Busalacchi requests an exemption from the following regulations as well as any 

additional regulations that may technically apply to the operation of the sUAS’s described 

herein:

14 CFR Part 21, Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificates 

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for the 

issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1). Given the size and 

limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, an exemption 

from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 

and Section 333 of the Reform Act. The Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C.§44701 (f)) and Section 

333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an 

airworthiness certificate, upon consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability, 

and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular sUAS’s. In all cases, an analysis of 

these criteria demonstrates that the sUAS’s operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the 

restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe, or safer, than 

a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate 

without the restrictions and conditions proposed.

The sUAS’s to be operated here are less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor 

passenger, carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively 

within a secured and designated area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this 

exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by both the operator and under the 

requirements and in compliance with local public safety requirements. These safety 

enhancements provide a greater degree of safety to the public and property owners than 

conventional operations conducted with airworthiness certificates issued under 14 C.F.R. Part 

21, Subpart H. Lastly, application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is no credible 

threat to national security posed by the sUAS’s, due to its size, speed of operation, location of 

operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and inability to carry a 

substantial external load.

14 CFR 91.203(a) & (b) Civil aircraft: Certifications required

The regulation provides that an airworthiness certificate, with the registration number assigned 

to the aircraft and a registration certificate must be aboard the aircraft. Additionally, 

subparagraph (b) provides that the airworthiness certificate be "displayed at the cabin or 

cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew." The sUAS’s described herein are 
Joseph Busalacchi

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too small to carry documentation, does not have an entrance, and is not capable of carrying 

passengers or crew. To obtain an equivalent level of safety and meet the intent of 91.203, we 

propose that documents deemed appropriate for this aircraft by the FAA will be co-located with 

the crew at the ground control station and available for inspection upon request. In order to 

identify the aircraft, we propose that the information found on airworthiness and registration 

certificates be permanently affixed to the aircraft via placard: 

 

Manufacturer: Name and Manufacturer of sUAS

Model: Model Number 

 

Registered to: 

Joseph Busalacchi 

 1320 Nancy Drive 

 Tallahassee, Florida 32301

 

If found please contact: (352)256-6303 

 

14 CFR 45.23 (b) Marking of the Aircraft

These regulations provide that each aircraft must display "N" and the aircraft's registration 

number in letters at least 3 inches high. Additionally, the aircraft must display the word 

"EXPERIMENTAL" in letters at least 2 inches high near the entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or 

pilot station. The sUAS’s described herein do not have an entrance in which the word 

“EXPERIMENTAL" can be placed, and may not have a registration number assigned to it by the 

FAA. 

We propose to achieve an equivalent level of safety by including the word "EXPERIMENTAL" on 

the top of the aircraft, where the PIC, VO and others in the vicinity of the aircraft while it is 

preparing for launch will be able to see the designation. Additionally, we feel that the 

permanent placard discussed in the previous paragraph will provide the aircraft's registration 

information should it be found on the ground. Finally, we will display at the ground station a 

high contrast flag or banner that contains the words "Unmanned Aircraft Ground Station" in 

letters 3 inches high or greater. Since the aircraft will operate within 1 NM of the ground 

station, the banner should be visible to anyone that observes the aircraft and chooses to 

investigate its point of origin. 

14 C.F.R. 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

The regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy 

condition. As there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft, should this 

exemption be granted, no FAA regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness. 
Joseph Busalacchi

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Given the size of the aircraft for maintenance and use of safety checklists prior to each flight an 

equivalent level of safety will be provided. 

14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2) Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft

This regulation provides that no person may operate an aircraft unless a current, approved flight 

manual is in the aircraft. We assume that the intent of this requirement is to ensure that flight 

manual information is available to the aircrew while operating the aircraft. We request an 

exemption to this requirement since the aircraft is not only too small to carry documentation, 

the documentation would not be available to the crew. 

To obtain an equivalent level of safety and meet the intent of 91.9, we propose that a current, 

approved Flight Manual for each of the sUAS’s described herein must be available to the crew at 

the ground station anytime the aircraft is in or preparing for flight. See Appendix C.

 

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in Command

The regulation provides that no person that holds a private pilot certificate may act as pilot in 

command of an aircraft for compensation or hire. Subparagraph (b) allows a private pilot to act 

as pilot in command of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if: (1) The 

flight is only incidental to that business or employment; and (2) The aircraft does not carry 

passengers or property for compensation or hire. 

Our proposed operations meet the requirements of 8900.227 paragraph 16 (c) (2) (c) 

"Operations without a pilot certificate" in which the PIC is required to complete "FAA Sport pilot 

ground instruction" and pass "the FAA Sport Pilot written examination." Since there are 

currently no means available for the pilot of a UAS to gain the experience in an equivalent 

category and class in order to apply for a commercial pilot's license, Mr. Busalacchi proposes to 

generate an equivalent level of safety by completing, at a minimum, FAA Sport pilot ground 

instruction and pass the FAA Sport Pilot written and practical examination in addition to 

completing all sUAS pilot requirements set forth in the Petition for Exemption above. Since the

aircraft cannot carry passengers or property, we feel we meet the intent of 61.113 

Subparagraph (b) even though the intent of this application is to conduct a business. 

 

14 CFR 91.109 Flight instruction

Section 91.103 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free 

balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual 

controls. sUAS’s and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual 

controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates 

with the aircraft via radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training 

without fully functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in 

experimental aircraft. See Exemption Nos.5778K & 9862A.
Joseph Busalacchi

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The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that neither a pilot nor passengers will be 

carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft.

14 CFR 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes

The regulation provides that over sparsely populated areas the aircraft cannot be operated 

closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure. Since the aircraft will be 

operating at a maximum of 400 feet AGL, Mr. Busalacchi cannot comply with this requirement. 

To provide an equivalent level of safety Mr. Busalacchi will only fly over private property with 

the permission of the land owner. The land owner will be briefed of the expected route of flight 

and the associated risks to persons and property on the ground. We maintain that due to the 

small size of the sUAS’s described herein, the hazard to persons, vessels, vehicles, and 

structures is not comparable to manned aircraft and should be considered in granting the 

exemption. 

Consideration about risks related to ground impacts. The sUAS’s described herein will not be 

operated over congested areas nor over any open air assembly of persons. In the event of 

power unit failure and operating at 400 feet altitude, Mr. Busalacchi as PIC will be able to 

conduct an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the ground. 

14 CFR 91.121 Altimeter settings

The regulation provides that aircraft shall maintain cruising altitudes by reference to an 

altimeter setting available within 100 nautical miles of the aircraft. The aircraft will fly below 

400 feet AGL and will not need to maintain hemispherical cruising altitudes in order to deconflict with other aircraft. As such, an appropriate altimeter measurement presented to the 

pilot should be Above Ground Level and should be based on the barometric pressure at the 

point of launch. To provide an equivalent level of safety, the sUAS’s described herein AGL 

altimeter(s) will be set to zero on the ground prior to every flight. Since the average flight will 

be 8-60 minutes, even rapid changes in barometric pressure will have limited effect on the 

safety of the flight.

14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight action

Seeks an exemption from 14 CFR 91.103, which requires a PIC to become familiar with specific 

information before each flight, including information contains in the FAA-approved Flight 

Manual on board the aircraft. While the PIC will be familiar with all of the information 

necessary to safely conduct the flight, an exemption is requested to the extent that an FAAapproved Flight Manual is required.

14 CFR 91.151 (a) Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions

Section 91.151 (a) prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane under
Joseph Busalacchi

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VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel 

to fly to the first point of intended landing, and, assuming normal cruising speed – (1) During the 

day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or (2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 

minutes.” The battery powering the sUAS provides approximately 40 minutes of powered flight. 

To meet the 30-minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR 91.151, sUAS flights would be limited to 

approximately 10 minutes in length. Given the limitations on the UAS’s proposed flight area and 

the location of its proposed operations within a predetermined area, a longer time frame for 

flight in daylight or night VFR conditions is reasonable.

Joseph Busalacchi believes that an exemption from 14 CFR 91.151(a) falls within the scope of

prior exemptions. See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed Martin Corporation to operate 

without compliance with FAR 91.151 (a)). Operating the small UAS, in a tightly controlled area 

where only people and property owners or official representatives who have signed waivers will 

be allowed, with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel, does not engender the type of risks that 

Section 91.151(a) was intended to alleviate given the size and speed of the small UAS. 

Additionally, limiting sUAS flights to 10 minutes would greatly reduce the utility for which the 

exemption will be granted.

Mr. Busalacchi believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights to

30 minutes or 25% of battery power, whichever happens first. This restriction would be more 

than adequate to return the sUAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its limited 

operating area. Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including 

Exemptions 2689F, 5745, 10673, and 10808.

14 CFR 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.417 (a) & (b) – Maintenance Inspections

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner “shall have that aircraft inspected 

as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as 

provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of 

this chapter...,” and others shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43.

Given that these section and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, 

these sections will not apply to the applicant. The operator pursuant to the flight manual and 

operating handbook will accomplish maintenance. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved 

because these small UASs are very limited in size and will carry a small payload and operate only 

in restricted areas for limited periods of time. If mechanical issues arise the UAS can land 

immediately and will be operating from no higher than 400 feet AGL. As provided in the Manual, 

the operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform 

required maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance performed. Moreover, the operator 

is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an 

airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety.
Joseph Busalacchi

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APPENDIX B 

sUAS DESCRIPTIONS

Joseph Busalacchi requests the sUAS’s to be used are as follows but not limited to providing 

they are within the scope of the exemption granted by the FAA. Mr. Busalacchi may update or 

revise its operating documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and 

present updated and revised documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official 

upon request. Mr. Busalacchi must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions 

for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If Mr. Busalacchi determines that any 

update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then Mr. 

Busalacchi must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s UAS

Integration Office (AFS-80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions 

to the operating documents.

Fixed Wing sUAS’s:

3D Robotics Aero-M Specifications: 

 Wing Span: 74 inches/1900 mm 

 Length: 51 inches / 1300 mm 

 Cruise Speed: 25 mph / 40km/hr 

 Max Speed: 62 mph / 100 km/hr 

 Stall Speed: 9 mph / 15 km/hr 

 Autonomous capabilities: Auto-Return to Home if lost communications or lost data link; 

Auto-Loiter, Auto-Landing, Emergency Auto-Landing if Low Power Emergency 

 Maximum Range: 6+ miles / 10+ km 

 Maximum Take-off Weight: 7.7 lbs. / 3500 grams 

 Maximum Wind Speed: 25 mph

 Normal Flight Time:40 minutes hours; 4S 6000 mAh 35C LiPo

 Payload: 1.1 lbs. 

Zeta Science FX79 Specifications: 

 Wing Span: 79 inches/2000 mm 

 Length: 33.93 inches / 862 mm 

 Cruise Speed: 25 mph / 40km/hr 

 Max Speed: 50 mph / 80 km/hr 

 Stall Speed: 12 mph / 19 km/hr 

 Autonomous capabilities: Auto-Return to Home if lost communications or lost data link; 

Auto-Loiter, Auto-Landing, Emergency Auto-Landing if Low Power Emergency 

 Maximum Range: 6+ miles / 10+ km 

 Aircraft Weight w/ battery: 9.7 lbs. / 4535 grams
Joseph Busalacchi

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 Payload: 1.5 lbs. 

 Maximum Take-off Weight: 11.2 lbs. / 5080 grams 

 Maximum Wind Speed: 40 mph

 Normal Flight Time: 1 hour; 4S 6000 mAh 35C LiPo

Muti-Rotor sUAS’s:

3D Robotics Y6: 

 Width: 13.7 in/348 mm 

 Length: 20.1 in/ 511 mm

 Height: 11.8 in/300 mm

 Cruise Speed: 22 mph / 36km/hr 

 Approx. Max Air Speed: 30 mph / 50 km/hr 

 Minimum Airspeed: 0 mph / 0 km/hr

 Maximum Range: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km 

 Multi-Rotor Weight w/ battery: 4.7 lbs. / 2120 g

 Payload Capacity: 1.1 lbs/500g

 Maximum Take-off Weight: 5.8 lbs./2630 g

 Autonomous capabilities: Auto-Return to Home if lost communications or lost data link;

Auto-Loiter, Auto-Landing, Emergency Auto-Landing if Low Power Emergency

 Maximum Wind Speed: 30 mph

 Normal Flight Time: 15 minutes; Max payload: 8 minutes hours; various battery 

configurations available 

DJI S100+: 

 Width: 41 in/1045 mm 

 Length: 41 in/ 1045 mm

 Top Diameter:13 in/338mm

 Height: 24 in/ 609 mm

 Cruise Speed: 22 mph / 36km/hr 

 Approx. Max Air Speed: 30 mph / 50 km/hr 

 Minimum Airspeed: 0 mph / 0 km/hr

 Maximum Range: 1+ miles / 1.6+ km 

 Multi-Rotor Weight w/ battery: 11.5 lbs. / 5200 grams

 Payload Capacity: 12.5 lbs/5660 g

 Maximum Take-off Weight: 24 lbs/11000g

 Autonomous capabilities: Auto-Return to Home if lost communications or lost data link; 

Auto-Loiter, Auto-Landing, Emergency Auto-Landing if Low Power Emergency

 Normal Flight Time: 15 mins; 6S 15,000mAh LiPo
Joseph Busalacchi

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Power Source: 

Lithium polymer or Lithium ion batteries. Charging of batteries can be completed via: standard 

wall outlet, direct connection to vehicle battery, or via the vehicle’s cigarette lighter.

Propulsion System:

The sUAS’s described herein are powered by electric direct drive brushless DC motors. 

Autonomous Flight:

The key element of the sUAS’s described herein is the system’s autopilot which automatically 

compensates for wind versus relying on the operator’s sense of feel for what the impact of the 

wind is at launch or at the altitude the system is flying. All flight operations are GPS and 

autopilot controlled making the system extremely easy to operate and navigate. The autopilot 

serves in a “cruise control” like manner limiting the operator from placing any the sUAS’s 

described herein in an unusual attitude while maintaining desired altitude. At any point if the 

signal between the Ground Control Station (GCS) and the aircraft is lost, the aircraft will return 

to the designated home station and loiter or land as preprogrammed.

Landing styles/types – Aided or Autonomous:

 In “Aided” landing mode the autopilot continues to assist the pilot in maintaining 

altitude and stability as the pilot controls the fixed wing sUAS to the desired landing 

location. 

 In “Autonomous” Landing mode without human intervention, the fixed wing sUAS

autopilot can land the aircraft consistently within a narrow and limited landing area, 

even in crosswinds. The autopilot intelligently manages the landing pattern and 

glideslope to minimize overshoot or undershoot. If signal is lost and cannot be 

reestablished for some reason, the autopilot will initially return to home location and 

loiter.

Onboard Flight Instruments: 

The sUAS’s described herein are equipped with an Inertial Navigation System (3axis gyroscope, 

3axis magnetometer, GPS receiver, and static pressure sensor and secure radio link to the 

operator). 

Onboard Computer Systems:

The sUAS’s described herein are equipped with onboard computer systems to monitor, control, 

and communicate the essential fight status to the PIC and VO.

Frequency Allocations:

915 MHz, 2.4 GHz OR 5.8 GHz 
Joseph Busalacchi

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Navigation System:

Specific maps can be downloaded to the display screen (such as air sectional and geographic 

maps) which are overlaid with GPS positional data. Waypoints can be created before and during 

flight operations, thus creating specific locations and flight sequences for the aircraft. During 

flight waypoints can be clicked and dragged to change their location and/or altitude. 

Command and Control Systems:

All missions will be flown in using a handheld radio transmitter in conjunction with ground 

control station (GSC) computers providing PIC and VO all of the essential flight data via 

telemetry from the sUAS at least once per second.

GCS Data Displayed:

 sUAS Barometric Altitude

 sUAS Bearing

 sUAS Heading

 sUAS Ground Speed

 sUAS Climb Rate

 sUAS Flight Time

 sUAS Data Link Quality

 sUAS Position

 GPS Number of Satellites

 sUAS Battery Level

 Altitude

 Local Time

 Direction to Home

 Active Flight Mode

 sUAS Status

 Pitch/Roll/Yaw Horizon

Emergency Procedures and System Failures:

 Sensor Failure- Failure of onboard flight instruments/sensors will degrade the UAS

performance and will result in either a fatal critical response or a non-fatal critical 

response, depending on the nature and severity. If the UAS becomes unstable due to 

sensor failure, this may result in loss of performance or features but still allow for stable 

Pilot in Command flight, an automated landing or in extreme cases a fatal response.

 Motor Failure- This will cause a fatal response in the UAS flight performance if one or 

more motors fails.

 Airframe Failure- Depending on the nature and severity, this may result in decreased 

flight performance or a fatal response.

 Navigation System Failure- In a navigation system failure, degraded GPS will result in a

response warning to the pilot where-by the system would be flown in manual mode. This 
Joseph Busalacchi

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will result in degraded GPS position performance, manual Pilot in Command flight will 

not be effected.

 Power Failure -A complete battery failure which results in power loss to the UAS will 

result in a fatal response.

 Low Battery Condition - Operator will be alerted of a low battery condition and will land 

the

 UAS as soon as able.

 Critical Battery Condition - Operator will be alerted of a Critical low battery condition 

and will land the UAS as soon as able, the UAS will begin to descend at a controlled rate.

 Line of Sight Loss -All flight operations will be conducted with the UAS within visual sight 

of the pilot. If the pilot's view becomes obstructed and line of sight is lost, the pilot may 

instruct the

 UAS to hover in place until line of sight is re-established, to return to the takeoff 

position, or to land at the current position.

 Security - The system and communication links are encrypted by the manufacturer's 

proprietary software.
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Appendix C

sUAS User Manuals

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(User Manuals Attached as Separate Files)