June 22, 2015

U. S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

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

the Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b);14 CFR Part 

21;14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b); 91.7 (a);91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b); 

91.109;91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a);91.203(a) & (b);91.405 (a); 91.407(a) 

(1); 91.409 (a) (2);91.417 (a) & (b).

To Whom Is Reading This Request,

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

Act) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, John Robert West II, individual who is looking to start up his own 

business flying and operating (UASs) equipped to conduct aerial photography for Landscaping, 

home remodeling, pool work, and personal photo shoots, hereby applies for an exemption from 

the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of its UASs, 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.

As described more fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of 

small, unmanned and relatively inexpensive UAS under controlled conditions in airspace that is 

1) limited 2) predetermined 3) controlled as to access and 4) would provide safety 

enhancements to the already safe operations in the private property of those who would seek 

his employment using conventional aircraft/. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance 

safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation’s (the FAA Administrator’s) responsibilities to 

“...establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace 

system.” Section 333(c) of the Reform Act.

The name and address of the applicant is:

John Robert West II

44 Old Country Road

Ph: 631-741-8931

Email: jrwpics1@gmail.com

Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 

14 CFR Part 21 

14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) 

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) 

14 C.F.R. 91.7 (a) 

14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2) 

14 C.F.R. 91.103 

14 C.F.R. 91.109

14 C.F. R. 91.119 
14 C.F.R. 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151 (a) 

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 407 (a) (1) 

14 CFR 409 (a) (2) 

14 CFR 417 (a) & (b)

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress’ goal in passing 

Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to 

consider whether certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace 

system (NAS) before completion of the rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform 

Act. In making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of UASs 

do not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in 

light of the following: 

• The UAS’s size, weight, speed, and operational capability; 

• Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and 

• Operation of the UAS within visual line of sight of the operator. 

Reform Act § 333 (a). Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles “may 

operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for 

the safe operation of such aircraft in the national airspace system.” Id. §333(c).

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. 

This statutory authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined 

under §40101 of the Act, that includes UASs, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must 

have a current airworthiness certificate.

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed 

under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any sections 44702-44716 of this title if the 

Administrator finds the exemption in the public interest. 49 U.S.C. §44701(f) See also 49 USC 

§44711(a); 49 USC §44704; 14 CFR §91.203 (a) (1).

John Robert West II’s UASs are rotorcraft, weighting 55 or fewer lbs. including payload. 

They operate, under normal conditions at a speed of no more than 50 knots and have the 

capability to hover, and move in the vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. They will 

operate only in line of sight and will operate only within the realm of the needed area of 

employment which is safe to do so. Such operations will insure that the UAS will “not create a 

hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public.”

Given the small size of the UASs involved and the restricted environment within which 

they will operate, the applicant falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of 

safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial 

operations of UASs to commence immediately. Also due to the size of the UASs and the 

restricted areas in which the relevant UASs will operate, approval of the application presents no 

national security issue. Given the clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority 

contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of safety 

surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit, including enhanced 

safety, reduction in environmental impacts, including reduced emissions associated with 

allowing UASs for private surveying of land, photography of home remodeling, and 
photographing private events at the request of the proprietor, the grant of the requested 

exemptions is in the public interest, not only will people be exposed to the UASs but they will be 

getting educated by the pilot about safety features and regulations benefiting all who are in 

attendance, because otherwise ignorant people will become familiar with the rules and 

regulations that go in effect with UASs. Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the 

FAA grant the requested exemption without delay.

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY 

The applicant proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that 

have the characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations 

provide for at least an equivalent or even higher level of safety to operations under the current 

regulatory structure because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement to the 

already safe movie and television filming operations conducted with conventional aircraft. 

These limitations and conditions to which John R West II agrees to be bound when 

conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption include:

1. The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs. 

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of a pilot and/or observer. 

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 30 minutes. Flights will be 

terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 30 minute limit. 

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL or, not more than 

200 feet above an elevated platform from which filming is planned. 

5. Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UAS Pilot, and the Visual Observer. 

6. UAS Pilot will be Pilot in Command (PIC). 

7. The UAS will only operate within a confined privately owned area.

8. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned UAS operations prior to each day’s 

production activities. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties 

within the boundaries of the safety perimeter be present for this briefing. 

9. The operator will file a FAA Form 7711-1, or its equivalent, as modified in light of the 

requested exemption, with the appropriate Flight Standards District Office. 

10. The operator will obtain the consent of all persons involved in the filming and ensure that 

only consenting persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight operation, and this 

radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety 

determination. 

11. The operator will submit a written Plan of Activities to the FSDO three days before the 

proposed shoot as required in Section K of the Manual. 

12. Pilot and observer will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and received upto-date information on the particular UAS to be operated as required Sections M and N 

of the Manual. 

13. Observer and pilot will at all times be able to communicate by voice and/or text. 

14. Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holders will be obtained. 

15. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or city 

jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate governmental 

agencies. 

16. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have capability to 

return to a pre-determined location within the area. 

17. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies.
14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificates 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) (1) 

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 UAS. In all cases, an 

analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the UAS 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 UAS to be operated hereunder is 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 area as set out in the Manual. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations 

under this exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by both the operator, pursuant to 

the Manual’s requirements, and under the requirements and in compliance with local public 

safety requirements, to provide security for the area of operation as is now done with 

conventional filming. The FAA will have advance notice of all operations. These safety 

enhancements, which already apply to civil aircraft operated in connection with motion picture 

and television production, 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 UAS, 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 C.F.R. § 45.23 (b). Marking of the Aircraft 

The regulation requires: 

When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration 

number is displayed on limited, restricted or light-sport category aircraft or 

experimental or provisionally certificated aircraft, the operator must also display 

on that aircraft near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters 

not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words "limited," 

"restricted," "light-sport," "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable. 

Even though the UAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be 

needed as the UAS will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the word 

“Experimental” can be placed. Given the size of the UAV, two-inch lettering will be impossible. 

The word “Experimental” will be placed on the fuselage in compliance with §45.29 (f). 

The equivalent level of safety will be provided by having the UAV marked on its fuselage 

as required by §45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the UAV will see the 

identification of the UAS as “Experimental.” The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this 

regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167 and 10167A.

14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) & (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command. 
Sections 61.113 (a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Because the 

UAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent 

level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have a private 

pilot’s license rather than a commercial pilot’s license to operate this small UAS. Unlike a 

conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the UAS is remotely controlled with 

no living thing on board. The area of operation is controlled and restricted, and all flights are 

planned and coordinated in advance. The risks associated with the operation of the sUAS are 

so diminished from the level of risk associated with commercial operations contemplated by Part 

61 when drafted, that allowing operations of the UAS as requested with a private pilot as the 

PIC exceeds the present level of safety achieved by 14 C.F.R. §61.113 (a) & (b). 

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. 

Given the size of the aircraft and the requirements contained in the Manual for maintenance and 

use of safety check lists prior to each flight, as set forth in Sections J, L and Q, an equivalent 

level of safety will be provided. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b) (2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft. 

Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides: 

No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft ... 

(2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by 

§21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current 

approved airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, 

markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.

The UAS, given its size and configuration has no ability or place to carry such a flight 

manual on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on board, but because there is no 

room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft. 

The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the 

ground control point where the pilot flying the UAS will have immediate access to it. The FAA 

has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299, 

9299A, 9565, 9565B, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 32827, and 10700.

14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight action 

This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to 

insure the safety of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be provided for the 

aircraft an exemption will be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be provided as set forth in 

Sections J and K of the Manual. The PIC will take all actions including reviewing weather, flight 

battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances and aircraft performance data before 

initiation of flight.
14 C.F.R. §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. 

UASs 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. 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 C.F.R. §91.119: Minimum safe altitudes 

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119 (d) 

allows helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the person 

operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the 

FAA. As this exemption is for a UAS that is a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to 

operate at altitudes up to 400 AGL, or not more than 200 above an elevated platform from which 

filming is planned, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. As set forth herein, 

except for the limited conditions stated in the Manual, the UAS will never operate at higher than 

400 AGL. It will however be operated in a restricted area with security perimeter, where 

buildings and people will not be exposed to operations without their pre-obtained consent.

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed of the UAS 

as well as the location where it is operated. No flight will be taken without the permission of the 

property owner or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and 

participants in the filming activity, all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight.

Compared to flight operations with aircraft or rotorcraft weighting far more than the maximum 

55lbs. proposed herein and the lack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with these operations

is far less than those presently presented with conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 

AGL in the movie industry. In addition, the low-altitude operations of the UAS will ensure 

separation between these small-UAS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that 

must comply with Section 91.119. 

14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimeter Settings 

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by 

reference to an altimeter that is set “...to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate 

altimeter setting available before departure.” As the UAS may not have a barometric altimeter, 

but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety 

will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the Manual and Safety Check list, confirming the 

altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. 

14 C.F.R. § 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 

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 UAS provides approximately 25 minutes of powered flight. To 

meet the 30 minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, UAS flights would not be possible.

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. 

Applicant 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 UAS flights to 10 minutes would greatly reduce the utility for which the 

exemption will be granted. 

Applicant 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 UAS 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 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration 

The regulation provides in pertinent part: 

(a) Except as provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless 

it has within it the following: 

(1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. . . . 

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate 

required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued 

under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to 

passengers or crew. 

The UAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lbs and is operated without an onboard 

pilot. As such, there is no ability or place to carry certification and registration documents or to 

display them on the UAS. 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground 

control point where the pilot flying the UAS will have immediate access to them, to the extent 

they are applicable to the UAS. The FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this regulation. A 

representative sample of other exceptions includes Exemption Nos. 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789A, 

9797, 9797A, 9816A, and 10700. 

14 C.F.R. §91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (2); 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. Maintenance will be accomplished by 

the operator pursuant to the flight manual and operating handbook as referenced in the 

Manual.(See Sections L and Q) 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.

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the 

Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed: 

Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules: 

14 C.F.R. §21, subpart H; 14 C.F.R 45.23(b);14 C.F.R. §§ 61.113( a) & (b);91.7 

(a); 91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b);91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a);91.203(a) and (b); 91.405 

(a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) & (b) to operate 

commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55lbs or less) in motion picture and television 

operations. 

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of UASs in the photography 

industry will enhance safety by reducing risk. Conventional photography operations, using jet or 

piston power aircraft, operate at extremely low altitudes causing noise and hazards to other 

aircraft and in extreme proximity to people and structures; and present the risks associated with 

vehicles that weigh in the neighborhood of 4,000lbs., carrying large amounts of fuel. Such 

aircraft must fly to and from the photography location circling about many times to get the 

perfect photos. In contrast, a UAS weighing fewer than 55 lbs and powered by batteries 

eliminates virtually all of that risk given the reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel carried 

on board. The UAS is carried to the photography location set and not flown. The UAS will carry 

no passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks associated with manned 

aircraft flights. 

The operation of small UASs, weighting less than 55 lbs., conducted in the strict 

conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the 

exemptions requested herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 

21 and allowing commercial operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close 

to the ground, and in a sterile environment and, as a result, are far safer than conventional 

operations conducted with turbine helicopters operating in close proximity to the ground and 

people. 

Privacy

All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property owner’s 

prior consent and knowledge. Filming will be of buildings, pools, or people who have also 
consented to being filmed or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where filming will take 

place.