Petition for exemption under Section 333

Petitioner: Ian Padden, (DBA Solliton Technologies Ltd)

Airman’s Certificate No: 3523043 Commercial Pilot: Airplane Single & Multi engine land; Instrument Airplane; R otorcraft-helicopter.

Current 2 nd Class Medical

Last BFR 03-28-2015 Total Logged Hours: 10,065

A&P/IA - Current - Sacramento FSDO

1. Seeking exemptions to the f ollowing Sections of 14 C.F.R. 45.23(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); and 91.417(a) and (b) of Title 14, Code of Feder al Regulations (14 CFR). The proposed exemption would allow I an Padden and Solliton Technolo gies Ltd the right to operate the DJI Inspire 1 Pro (Model T 600) quad-copter unmanned aircraf t system (Micro UAS: 2935g – 6.47lb ) to conduct aerial pho tography and cinematography ove r private property with prior permission and restricted access by non-participants. The init ial general geographic area of operations would be Sacramento, S olano, Yolo and Eldorado count ies California but would on occasions include other regions with appropriate notifications to the FSDO responsible for the region.

2. This petition is based on the pr ecedent set by the Regulator y Docket No. FAA-2014-0481, Exemption No. 11138 Douglas Trudeau issued January 5 th , 2015.

3. The requested exemptions will allow myself personally, and m y company to provide aerial photography, cinematography, data c ollection, safety inspection s and surveys for clients in the Oil, Agriculture, Construction, R eal Estate, Surveying, other s uch commercial entities and Federal and State agencies wh ile meeting the necessary safe ope rating parameters and regulations defined by the FAA an d other local and regional age ncies.

4. Relevant Experience: I have b een flying RC helicopters and f ixed wing model aircraft for the past 30 years and I have been fly ing UAS (Various Quad copters - DJI Phantom 2 and 3, etc.) since June 2012. I have experienced emergency landings, had no significant crashes, no injuries to persons or damage to personal property. Furthermore, as a cu rrent commercial pilot of fixed wing and rotorcraft (helicopter) I have flown pipeline and oil well safety and inspection patrols as well as photographic surveys.

5. Public Benefit: Conducting aerial work with micro UAS craft, such as the DJI Inspire 1 Pro, instead of manned aircraft, w ill benefit the public by drastica lly reducing the levels of air and noise pollution since they are el ectric powered and considerabl y quieter than piston or turbine powered helicopters of aircraft . Additional benefits are greate r flexibility, enhanced safety andthe considerable cost savings t o both the public and commercial organizations as compared the
use of traditional aircraft.

6. I have attached below my pers onal pre-operational, pre-fligh t safety and technical check lists as well as flight rules that will be observed during operations . Additionally, I will comply with any further requirements mandated by the FAA.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Ian Padden ian@solliton.com

Tel: 805-828-0424Pre-operational Procedures:
Ground reconnaissance of area of operation: Location of potenti al hazards to flight: Location of ‘sensitive’ areas not specifie d by FARs such as hospitals, scho ols, stadiums, animal breeding facilities, retirement homes, etc . In agricultural areas check on local crop dusting operations. Check area for any significant Radio Transmitters that might in terfere with UAS signals.

Obtain necessary permissions fro m property owners/local authori ties, etc.

Advise local FSDO at leas t three days in advance.

Advise Local law enforcement agency about UAS operations in the ir area.

Immediately Prior to Operati ons: (Day of Operations)
Check: NOTAMS/AIRMETS/SIGMETS /METAIRS/TFRs/Solar wind conditio ns etc.

Immediately Prior to Flight:

Conduct safety briefing with Vis ual Observer and personnel invo lved in the operation (client’s representative, etc.). Situationa l awareness, emergencies such as UAS failure and intrusion of non-participating part ies, etc. Brief all concerned on the flig ht plan.

General Flight Rules: Comply with all FAR’s as well as rules specific to UAS operatio ns Maintain Line of Sight (LOS) wit h the UAS at all times at all t imes.

Have at least one Visual Ob server (VO) at all times.

VO to be in verbal communication w ith UAS operator at all times during operations. Conduct flight only during daylight hours and VFR as per FARs Maintain a minimum clearance off the ground of at least 10 feet

. Not to exceed a flying he ight 400’ above ground level

Maintain 30’ of clearance of a ll objects and obstacles being ob served. Perform an emergency landing if the situation becomes unsafe. Perform and emergency landing if the vessel shows any unstable characteristics. Return to ground with 15% batt ery life in reserve.

UAS Preflight check list :

Inspect rotors for shape, and cr acks, any signs of loss of inte grity. Inspect / Attach rotors – chec k rotation direction and nut tens ion. Inspect overall vessel for signs of damage and loose connection s. Inspect motors for smooth bala nced, quiet opera tion - free of d ebris. Check battery – minimum 95% cha rged, clean connections, no defe cts. Check all external devices are attached securely: gimbal, came ra, etc.Check camera lens is clean. Check camera settings are correct. Check all control switches are in proper start up position. Calibrate compass. Confirm GPS satellite coverage. Clear and reset flig ht clock to zero.

Check take off area is clear of objects and persons for 10 ft r adius. Announce “Clear Prop “ Spin up rotors, listen for unus ual noises or vibrations. Allow the system to complete its full start up procedure. Confirm that the system status is flight-ready. Check that battery still indicat es operational status at 95% or better Start flight-clock.

Lift off and hover at 4 feet. Check all status lights on the UAS and Controller.
Check that hover is stable (not drifting or erratic).
Check that the camera is fully operational.

Check that all control commands are responsive. Set altitude to not to exceed requirement. (Max 400 ft)

Set current home location for Lost Link: “Return to Home” Confirm Visual Observer readiness, and proceed with the flight plan.