### August 10, 2015 SoutheastAerialMedia TerryHigdon, Owner 6308PringleDrive, Ooltewah,TN 37363 U.S. DepartmentofTransportation,Docket Operations WestBuildingGround Floor,Room w12-140 1200NewJerseyAvenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 .•;.·,,,**~Ld::1**



### Re: ExemptionRequest underSection 333 oftheFAAReform Act and Part 11 ofthe FederalAviation Regulations. Dear SirorMadam, Pursuantto Section 333 oftheFAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 (the Reform Act) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11 SoutheastAerial Media seeks an exemption from Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) detailed belowfor the following described Unmanned Aircraft System. THE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS) DETAILS: The manufacturer is DJI. It is a model Phantom 3 Professional quad copter, weighing 2.8 lb. gross weight. The aircraft carries the following equipment:



### • An onboard flight computerwith GPS navigation an dlocation ability that receives signals for flight controls from a ground basedtransmitter/controller. 

### • An onboard camera capable ofstill photo orvideo. • The aircraft is equipped to send flight data from the onboard flight computertothe onboardradio transmitter, including altitude AGL, horizontal and vertical speed, compass direction offlight and direction back to its launch site. • A 2.483 GHz onboardradio transmitterthattransmits live video from the onboard camera plus all the flight data from the telemetry system described above. The UAS Ground Station System:

• A pilot in command (PIC) in operational control offlight operation from beginning to end and whocontrols the UAS. As the owner ofthe business, I will also be the controller/pilot in command ofthe aircraft at all times. I am a current licensed private pilot, airplane single engine land, with a current medical certificate. Additionally, I have over 10 years' experience flying model aeronautics. • A 2.483 GHzradio transmitter/controller operatedbythe PIC to control the UAS while in flight. • A radio receiverreceiving live video and flight data from the onboard camera and computer, displays flight data 

### in one screen to the PIC. 6308 Pringle Drive, Ooltewah, TN 37363 Phone: 423-693-5139 Email: Pilot1226@gmail.comThe Unmanned Aircraft System will be operated with a PIC in accordance with the FAA PolicyN 8900.227 Section 14, Operational Requirements for UAS. SoutheastAerial Media also respectfully request Exemption Request Section 333 from (but not limited to) the Specific Sections ofTitle 14 ofthe Code ofFederal Regulations and part 11 ofthe Federal Aviation Regulations listed below: 14 CFR45.23(b); 14 CFRPart 21; 14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b); 91.7(a);91.9(b) (2); 91.103(b); 91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.201(a) and (b); 91.405(a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409(a) (2); 91.417(a) and (b). The extent ofreliefSoutheast Aerial Media Seeks and the reason why: SoutheastAerial Media is seeking relieffrom any applicable FAR's operating to prevent SoutheastAerial Mediafrom conducting low level (below 400 feet AGL) aerial video/still photos for the real estate, construction, surveying industries, among others. The weight ofthe 

### VAS meets the definition of"small unmanned aircraft" as described in section 331 of"The Reform Act". SoutheastAerial Media seeks to operate legally as a small business that caters to these customers, who may not be allowed to legally use 

### VAS's to provide aerial photography. Southeast Aerial Media would satisfy the need for safe and affordable operation ofthe UAS to provide video and still photography. SoutheastAerial Media will be using the DJI Phantom 3 Professional that is considerably less than 55 lbs., weighing almost 3 lbs., with all onboard systems. The UAS will be operated below 400 feet (AGL) and at speeds under 30MPH and not greater than airspeeds recommended bythe manufacturers. The UAS will onlybe operated in VFR conditions. The UAS will not operate within 

### 5nautical miles ofan airport reference point as denoted in the current AFD orfor airports not denoted with and ARP, the center ofthe airport symbol as denoted on the currentFAA published aeronautical chart, unless a letter ofagreement with the airport's management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to Southeast Aerial Media. TheUAS will be operated within visual line ofsight ofthe PIC at all times. A Visual Observer will be designated before the flight and used during all flights. Preceding each flight, the PIC will conduct a preflight inspection ofthe UAS to determine the VAS's condition for safe flight. Any discrepancies ordeficiencies that prohibit safe flight, will be correctedbefore flight. Southeast Aerial Media will follow the manufacturer's maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components. Additionally, the UAS will comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins. The UAS in which SoutheastAerial Mediawill be using, only utilizes batterpower and no combust able fuels will be used. The maximum flight time for the DJI Phantom 3

6308 Pringle Drive, Ooltewah, TN 37363 Phone: 423-693-5139 Email: Pilot1226@gmail.comProfessional is 23 minutes. SoutheastAerial Media will not fly the UAS more than 18 minutes at onetime and location, to allow for sufficient time to safely return to the launch site. The DGI Phantom 3 Professional to be used by SoutheastAerial Mediautilizes a safety system that includes a GPS mode that allows the UAS to hover in place ifcommunication is lost. Further, the onboard GPS allows the UAS to return backto its launch site ifthe battery life ofthe UAS is low. The UAS, weighing less than 3 lbs. fully loaded, is powered by batteries and operates with no people onboard, which lowers the likelihood ofdeath or serious bodily injury. With a small payload consisting ofelectronics such as a camera and GPS, the UAS's only purpose for SoutheastAerial Media is to take aerial photos and video. Current applicants have previously chartered helicopters and small airplanes for this purpose. The cost offuel, time and emissions ofaircraft, such as helicopters and small planes is not efficient enough for most customers to afford. Providing aerial media services usingthe UAS at a more affordable cost while creating less orno emissions than traditional aircraft will better serve the public interest.

The name and contact information ofthe applicant is: Southeast Aerial Media Attn: Terry Higdon, Owner Phone:423-693-5139 Email: piJ()_t

SoutheastAerial Mediathanks the FAA for its consideration and respectfully requestthe FAA grant its exemption request without delay. Respectfully,

# /uq/~ Terry Higdon, Owner Southeast Aerial Media 423-693-5139

6308 Pringle Drive, Ooltewah, TN 37363 Phone: 423-693-5139 Email: Pilot1226@gmail.com