MOTION	PICTURE	AND	TELEVISION	FLIGHT	OPERATION	MANUAL

Research	Laboratories,	Inc.

2010	Jimmy	Durante	Blvd.

Suite	220F

Del	Mar,	CA	92014

Table	of	Contents

Motion	Picture	and	Television	Flight	Operation	Manual...........................................1

Introduction..............................................................................................................................2

1.	Purpose ............................................................................................................................................2

2.	Pilot/Operator	Organization....................................................................................................2

3.	Persons	Authorized .....................................................................................................................2

4.	Area	of	Operations .......................................................................................................................2

5.	Plan	of	Activities ...........................................................................................................................2

6.	Permission	to	Operate ................................................................................................................3

7.	Security ............................................................................................................................................3

8.	Briefing	of	Pilot/Production	Personnel................................................................................3

9.	Certification/Airworthiness .....................................................................................................4

10.	Pilot	Personnel/Minimum	Requirements .........................................................................4

11.	Communications.........................................................................................................................5

12.	Accident	Notification ................................................................................................................5

13.	Recall/Stop	Procedures ...........................................................................................................5

14.	Special	Provisions......................................................................................................................5

Company	Organization..........................................................................................................6

A.	Chief	Pilot........................................................................................................................................6

Duties	and	Responsibilities: .......................................................................................................................6

B.	Pilot	in	Command	(PIC) ..............................................................................................................6

Duties	and	Responsibilities:		 .....................................................................................................................6

Appendices ................................................................................................................................7

Appendix	A1........................................................................................................................................7

Research	Laboratories,	Inc	– Approved	Pilot	In	Command	List.................................................7

Appendix	A2........................................................................................................................................7

Research	Laboratories,	Inc.	- Permission	Acquisition	Form ........................................................7
Research	Laboratories,	Inc. 2 May,	2015

INTRODUCTION	

1.	Purpose	

This	Motion	Picture	and	Television	Flight	Operation	Manual	(MPTOM)	created	by	

Research	Laboratories,	Inc.	(RLI) in	concert	with	an	application	for	a	Certificate	of	

Waiver	of	Authorization	in	accordance	with	FAA 333	exemption	rules,	for	the	

purposes	of	aerial	motion	picture	and	television	filming.	RLI pilots	and	other	

company	personnel	will	not	deviate	from	the	policies,	procedures	and	conditions	of	

this	manual,	except	where	otherwise	noted, whenever	motion	picture	or	television	

flight	operations	are	performed	that	require	an	FAA 333	Waiver	of	Authorization.

2.	Pilot/Operator	Organization	

RLI will	provide	pilot	information	on	an	“as	needed”	basis per	project/flight in	

accordance	with	a	scheduled	flight	plan.	We	will	be	employing various	pilots	at	

different	times	due	to	time,	scheduling,	and	location.

3.	Persons	Authorized	

FAR	91.119	(c)	is	waived	only	with	respect	to	those	persons,	vehicles	and	structures	

directly	involved	in	the	performance	of	aerial	motion	picture	or	television	filming.	

The	certificate	holder	shall	ensure	that	no	persons	are	allowed	within	500	feet	of	

the	area	except	those	consenting	to	be	involved,	or	those	personnel	or	crew		

required	for	production.	This	provision	may	be	lowered	to	200’	AGL	if	an	equivalent	

level	of	safety	can	be	achieved	and	if	approved	by	an	administrator.	For	example,	an	

equivalent	level	of	safety	may	be	obtained	by	a	cursory	or	thorough	evaluation	of	

the	production	area	with	regard	to	terrain,	obstacles, buildings,	etc. etc.	Such	

obstacles may	protect	nonparticipants	(spotters,	crew,	general	public)	from	debris	

in	the	event	of	an	accident.	

4.	Area	of	Operations	

RLI approved	area	of	operations	will	be	within	the	Continental	United	States

(CONUS).	

5.	Plan	of	Activities	

RLI will	submit	a	written	plan	of	activities	to	the	local	FAA	flight	standards	district	

office	(FSDO)	with	jurisdiction	over	the	filming	location	at	a date	no	less	than	three	

calendar	days	in	advance	of	filming.	The	flight	plan	of	activities	should include:	

1. All	anticipated	flight	dates,	times.

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	number	of	UAV	to	be	used,	including	category.		

5. Name	and	certificate	number	of	pilots	involved	in	the	filming	production	

event,	including	any	notation	of	external	load	endorsements	or	aerobatic	

competency,	if	required.		
Research	Laboratories,	Inc. 3 May,	2015

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-day	notification	equipments	may	be	waived,	however	in	this	event,	the	

operator	should	contact	the	FSDO	as	soon	as	possible	with	this	request	and	provide	

a	detailed	description	of	why	the	three-day	notification	period	may	not	be	practical.	

6.	Permission	to	Operate	

Before	flight	operations	are	conducted	at or	less	than	500’	AGL	under	the	provisions	

of	the	certificate	of	waiver	and	those	outlined	in	this manual,	the	operator	will	

obtain	permission	to	conduct	these	operations	from	property	owners	and	local	

officials	as	necessary	or	appropriate.	Authorized	permission	may	be	obtained from:	

1) Property	owners;

2) Law	enforcement	officials;

3) Fire	department	officials;

4) Local,	State	and	Federal	government;

5) Air	traffic	control.

RLI personnel	obtaining	such	permission	will	do	so	in	writing	whenever	practical,	

however,	verbal	permission	is	otherwise	acceptable.	A	standard	permission	form	is	

provided	and	may	be	used	when	obtaining	written	permission (see	appendices.) RLI

personnel	will	assure	a	sufficient	number	of	these forms	are	available	at	the	

production	site.	Written	permission	forms	will	be	maintained	at	the	production	site	

until flight	operations	are	complete,	at	which	time	the	chief	pilot	will	provide	

bookkeeping	activities	retaining	all	forms	(flight	plan,	signatures,	production	

waivers,	etc.)	for	a	minimum	of	six	months.	These	forms	will	be	made	available	to	

the	FAA	and/or	other	official	personnel	upon	request.	

7.	Security	

The	pilot-in-command	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	unsafe	or	an	event	occurs	that	would	otherwise	endanger	persons,	

animals,	property,	or	for	any	other	reason	in	the	interest	of	public	safety.	

8.	Briefing	of	Pilot/Production	Personnel	

The	pilot	in	command	will	conduct	a	briefing	of	all	procedures	including	emergency	

and/or	contingency	plans,	to	all	participating	personnel.	This	briefing	will	outline	

potential	hazards, emergency	procedures,	and	safeguards	to	be	followed	during	
Research	Laboratories,	Inc. 4 May,	2015

the	production	and	filming.	Personnel	will	also	be	briefed	on	additional	provisions	

that	may	be	issued	by	the	FSDO	with	geographic	authority for	the	operational	area,	

including	the	location	of	boundaries	or	time	limits.	The	briefing	shall	cover:	

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

attached	special	provisions;

• Operations	manual;

• Plan	of	activities;

• UAV	starting	locations;

• Radio	Communications;

• Takeoff	procedures;

• Aviation	activities	to	be	conducted	during	the	filming	production	event;

• Approach	and	landing	procedures;

• Recall	procedures;

• Emergency	procedures;

• Risks	to	participating personnel;

• Control	regarding	non-participating	persons.

9.	Certification/Airworthiness	

All	RLI FAA	pre-approved	UAV’s	may be	used	as	the	filming	vehicle in	motion	

picture	and	television	filming,	including	those	manufactured	on	behalf	of	itself	and	

its	related	affiliates	under	common	ownership	and	control.	All aircraft	will	undergo	

a	daily	inspection	program which	includes	a	flight	log	with	scheduled	maintenance	

and/or	inspection	dates and	times.	A	section	for	discrepancies	is	in	the	flight	log.	

The	pilot	in	command	will	ensure	the	airworthiness	of	all	aircraft	to	be	flown,

including verification	that	all	required inspections	and	maintenance	have	been	

completed	prior	to	flight.	

10.	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.	Commercial	pilot	certificate	with	ratings	appropriate	to	the	

category,	class	and	type	(if	applicable)	of	aircraft	to	be	used	under	the	

terms	of	the	waiver.	

2. At	least	100	hours	logged	as	PIC	and	at	least	20	hours	logged	as	the	PIC	in	

the	aircraft	type.	

3. A	minimum	of	20	hours	in	the	category	and	class	of	aircraft	to	be	used.	

4. A	minimum	of	5	hours	in	the	make	and	model	aircraft	to	be	used	under	

the	waiver.	

In	the	event	the	flight	plan	includes	an	external-load	operation,	whether fixed	or	

rotary	wing,	all	pilots	used	will	be	duly	qualified with	regard	to	the	aforementioned	

requirements.	This	qualification	may	also	be	obtained	through	a	knowledge	test	

(oral	or	written)	and/or	a	skill-based	test.	The	inspector	or	another	company	pilot	

approved	by	the	geographically	responsible	FSDO	who	is	qualified	to	carry	
Research	Laboratories,	Inc. 5 May,	2015

loads	externally	will	give	the	test(s)	which	are	similar	to	part	133	operations	

requirements to	cover	the	following	subjects:	

1. Steps	to	be	taken	before	starting	operations,	including	a	survey	of	the	

Flight	area.	

2. Proper	method	of	loading,	rigging,	or	attaching	the	external	load.	

3. Aircraft	performance	capabilities	under	motion	picture	operating	

procedures	and	the	aircraft	flight	manual.	

4. Proper	instructions	for	flight	and	ground	crew	personnel.	

5. Aircraft	flight	manual,	pilot	operations	handbook,	or	a	rotorcraft-load	

combination	flight	manual	and	limitations,	if	appropriate.	

11.	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	

flight	operation,	production, and	filming.	Oral,	visual, and/or	radio	communications	

may	be	used	as	long	as	effective,	provided	it	as	capable	of	keeping	all participants	

continuously	apprised	of	the	current	status	of	the	operation.	

12.	Accident	Notification	

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

comply	with	notification	requirements	of	NTSB	PART	830—NOTIFICATION	AND	

REPORTING	OF	AIRCRAFT	ACCIDENTS	OR	INCIDENTS	AND	OVERDUE	AIRCRAFT,	

AND	PRESERVATION	OF	AIRCRAFT	WRECKAGE,	MAIL,	CARGO,	AND	RECORDS.

13.	Recall/Stop	Procedures	

Radio	communication,	oral,	visual	or	a	combination	will	be	utilized	to	keep	the	

participants	continuously	notified	of	the	current	status	of	flight	operations.

14.	Special	Provisions	

The	controls,	procedures,	and	conditions	set	forth	in	the	RLI MPTOM is	the	primary	

assurance	that	people,	animals,	and	property	will	remain	safe.	The	pilots	used	under	

this	authorization	and/or	waiver	will only	be	those	specified	on	the	flight	plan	

under	the	terms	outlined	in	section	two	(2)	above.	The	name	and	certificate	number

of	the	pilot	in	command shall	appear	on	each	flight	plan.	All	civil	aircraft	and	pilot(s)	

participating	in	the	activity	shall	be	available	for	FAA	inspection	prior the	scheduled	

event.	UAV	takeoff	and	landing	areas	will	be	protected	in	a	manner	that	will	prevent	

unauthorized	persons	from	entering	the	takeoff	and	landing	area.	RLI 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	flight	activity	starts.	No	person	may	

participate	in	any	event	unless	that	person	has	received	a	briefing	on	the	provisions	

of the	waiver.	
Research	Laboratories,	Inc. 6 May,	2015

COMPANY	ORGANIZATION

A.	Chief	Pilot	

Duties	and	Responsibilities:	

• Final	word	in	the	formulation	of	policy	and	procedures	concerning	this	

manual;

• Act	as	liaison	between	RLI 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	corporate	office;

• Responsible	for	assuring	that	all	updates to	this	manual	are distributed	and	

processed	properly;

• Approve	or	decline	proposed	flight	plan	or	activity performed	by	RLI under	

the	provisions	of	this	manual;

• Assume other	responsibilities	of	pilot	in	command,	if	acting	in	said	capacity;

• Delegation	of	flight	operations out	side	the	scope	of	the	pilot-in-command;

• Assume	responsibility for	the	general	safety	of	the	production	and	flight	

activities.		

B.	Pilot	in	Command	(PIC)

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	FARs;

• Acquire	permission	from	the	chief	pilot	before	any	operation	under the	

provisions	of	this	manual;

• Have	knowledge of	the	contents	of	this	manual	and	adhere	to	all	procedures,	

policies, and	terms	described	herein;

• Coordinate	with	movie	and	television	personnel	to	formulate plans,	routes,	

locations,	and	general	production	activities	with	safety	of	all	persons	

involved	as	a	primary	concern;

• Maintain	a	separate	current	copy	of	this	manual	on	site	during	flight	plan	and	

operation	activities, or	any	other	operation	requiring	the	waiver.	The	pilot	in	

command	may	delegate	functions	to	other	personnel,	but	retains	full	

responsibility for	the	flight	operations.		
Research	Laboratories,	Inc. 7 May,	2015

APPENDICES

Appendix	A1

Research	Laboratories,	Inc	– Approved	Pilot	In	Command	List

Date

PIC	Name

Airmen	

Certificate	#

Type	Rating

ATP/Comm/Priv

FAA	Medical

Certificate

Contact	Info

Appendix	A2	

Research	Laboratories,	Inc. - Permission	Acquisition	Form	

In signing	this	form,	I/we	hereby	grant	the	pilots	of	Research	Laboratories,	Inc.	

permission	to	operate	their aircraft	at	less	than	500’	from	property,	or	in	some	

jurisdiction	in	which	I	am	responsible	for	or	affiliated	with,	for	the	purpose	of	aerial	

film	or	television	production.	

Name

Title

Date

Basis	of	Authority

Date(s)	of	operation

Contact	Info

Signature

Date

RLI	Representative

Date	Received