Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

David Hunt dba Image Effects 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

C. Persons Authorized 

D. Area of Operations 

E. Plan of Activities 

F. Permission to Operate 

G. Security 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

K. Communications 

L. Accident Notification 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

N. Aerobatic Competency 

O. Aerobatic Competency 

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 

B. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A

1 List of Approved Pilots 

2 List of Approved Aircraft 

3 Permission Acquisition Form

4 Revision Letter Form

Appendix B

1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 
Revision Control Page

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1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "David Hunt, dba Image Effects .", hereafter 

referred to as " IMAGE EFFECTS ", 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. IMAGE EFFECTS 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

David Hunt - UAS Pilot

Image Effects .

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. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating persons

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

D. Area of Operations

IMAGE EFFECTS approved area of operations will be the continental United

States

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, IMAGE EFFECTS 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 of USA 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 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 at less than 500 feet 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 IMAGE EFFECTS 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. IMAGE EFFECTS 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.

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 from all unauthorized

persons 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.

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. 
briefing shall cover:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the

attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All IMAGE EFFECTS aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91

.119 (b) and (c) for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold

airworthiness certificate or appropriate waivers as UAS.

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) A current U.S. Private pilot certificate with ratings appropriate to the category, class

and type (if applicable) of aircraft to be used under the terms of the waiver. However,

no medical certificate is required for unmanned aircraft (drone) flights.

(2) At least 25 hours logged as PIC of a UAS and at least 10 hours logged as the PIC of 

the UAS type being piloted.

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.

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. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a
Statement of Aerobatic Competency.

O. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the IMAGE EFFECTS 

motion picture and television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons

on the surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those

specified in the IMAGE EFFECTS motion picture and television operations

manual or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name shall appear on each daily 

plan of activity. All civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the

activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR

91.119 (b) and (c) . (see attached document under “Appendix B” page 15)

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. VIDEO SOLUTIONS,

LLC 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.

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 IMAGE EFFECTS 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 Image 

Effects.

• 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 Image 

Effects 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 aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

• 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.

• 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.

Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name : David Hunt

Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI Phantom 3 Quadcopter

2. DJI Inspire Quadcopter

3.
Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Image Effects . Permission to

operate their aircraft at less than 300 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 __________________________

IMAGE EFFECTS Representative Receiving Permission

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Appendix A .3

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

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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 _____________________________