August 3, 2015

Exemption No. 12294

Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2015–1452

Mr. Thomas Platt

Owner/Chief Pilot

Aerial Video NorthWest

4348 149th Place NE.

Marysville, WA 98271

Dear Mr. Platt:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

By letter entered into the public docket on May 5, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) on behalf of Aerial Video NorthWest (hereinafter petitioner or 

operator) for an exemption. The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system 

(UAS) to conduct aerial photography and/or video, land surveying, cinematography 

inspection, and UAS training.

1

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing the proposed operations and 

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner.

 

1 The petitioner also requested authority to conduct UAS training. At this time, the FAA is unable to authorize 

UAS operations for training until a further assessment is completed. When the FAA completes its review, we 

will proceed accordingly and no further action will be required by the petitioner. However, the petitioner is 

permitted to train its own pilot in commands and visual observers in accordance with condition no. 14 and the 

other conditions and limitations in this exemption.
2

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a DJI Phantom 3 Professional.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products 

and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates. In accordance with the statutory criteria 

provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in 

consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the 

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft 

meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from 

14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness 

Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is 

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection2

. The FAA has issued grants of 

exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. 

In Grants of Exemption Nos. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 

11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see

Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned 

aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or 

crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in 

addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled 

by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

• They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of 

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213;

• The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and 

• A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

 

2 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. 

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF 

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by 

instruments aboard the UA.
3

delegated to me by the Administrator, Aerial Video NorthWest is granted an exemption from 

14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 

91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to 

the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection. 

This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Aerial Video NorthWest is hereafter referred to as the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 3 

Professional when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed 

operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this 

exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are 

not permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the 

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. 

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within 

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used 

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS 

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; 

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC 

must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the 

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties 

required of the VO.
4

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, 

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating 

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update 

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then 

the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s 

UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding 

updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo 

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such 

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is 

in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the 

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all 

potential discrepancies, e.g., inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is 

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the 

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and 

aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, 

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a 
5

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a 

state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 

government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the 

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be 

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and 

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC 

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs 

(training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to 

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, 

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During 

training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for 

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA 

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as 

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not 

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s 

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption 

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available 

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the 

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve 

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.
6

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification 

(N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and 

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. 

These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure 

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises 

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of 

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety 

of nonparticipating persons; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported 
7

to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be 

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) 

as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this 

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards 

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day 

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities 

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted 

under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of 

the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator 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;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. 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 altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the 

exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS 

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, 

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.
8

This exemption terminates on August 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures
(Aerial Video NorthWest)

Owner: Thomas Platt

4348 149th PL NE

Marysville, WA 98271

Re: Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation 

Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 subpart H; 14 CFR 45.23(b); 14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b); 14 CFR 91.7(a); 14 CFR 

91.9(b)(2); 14 CFR 91.103; 14 CFR 91.109; 14 CFR 91.119(c); 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR 91.151(a); 14 CFR 91.203 

(a) and (b); 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2); 14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b)

Dear Sir or Madam:

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) and 14 CFR 

Part 11, Thomas R. Platt, operator of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), hereby applies for an exemption 

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

Commercial operation of an UAS, as described herein, which are equipped with camera(s) and sensors, would 

operate in the following manner:

 Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, architecture, 

land surveying, engineering and other related professional activities.

 Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including television, public events, 

cinematography and news gathering.

 Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with the owners 

or local government authority.

 Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial utility infrastructure including but not 

limited to electrical power lines, wind turbines and cell towers.

 Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue operations in 

cases of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities or government has 

requested it by contract or donation.

 The ability to offer training to persons individually or belonging to both private and/or public 

organizations that have interests in the use and application of a UAS for the purpose of the safe 

operation of a UAS to enhance the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS) as well as for the 

protection of the persons and property.
As described fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of a UAS under controlled 

conditions in the NAS that would be a) limited b) controlled c) predetermined and d) will provide safety 

enhancements to the already safe operations in the industry presently 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.”

The name and address of the applicant is:

Aerial Video NorthWest

Attn: Thomas Platt, Owner/Chief Pilot

Email: PV1191@yahoo.com.com or PV1191@comcast.net (family email)

Address: 4348 149th PL NE, Marysville, WA, 98271

Regulations from which the exemption is requested:

14 CFR Part 21 subpart H

14 CFR 45.23 (b)

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b)

14 CFR 91.7 (a)

14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2)

14 CFR 91.103

14 CFR 91.109

14 CFR 91.119 (c)

14 CFR 91.121

14 CFR 91.151 (a)

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b)

14 CFR 91.405 (a)

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1)

14 CFR 91.409 (a) (2)

14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b)

Aerial Video NorthWest, will operate the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, with a total weight of 1280g or 2lbs 13 

oz. The dimensions are 40.36cm x 40.36cm x 19.05cm or 16inch x 16inch x 7.5inch. Under still air the 

maximum speed is no more than 16m/s or 35mph with a cruising speed of 11m/s or 25mph. The DJI Phantom 

3 Professional has the ability to hover and move along a vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The DJI 

Phantom 3 Professional has four motors, Motor Model DJI 3510, powered by a 4480mAh 4s LiPo Lithium

Polymer battery. There are four propellers, Propeller Model DJI 1345, in use. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional 

will be controlled with the C3 remote controller with an operating frequency of 2.400GHz – 2.483GHz. The 

live video feed will have an operating frequency of 2.4GHz ISM with maximum range of 1.2 miles. The 

applicant will operate the UAS in line of sight within a closed off and predetermined area owned 

and/operated by the property representative.
DJI Phantom 3 Professional

GENERAL FEATURES

 Ready to fly 

 3-axis camera stabilization 

 Precision flight and stable hovering 

 GPS/GLONASS positioning & auto return home 

 Onscreen real-time flight parameters 

 High Definition 4k Camera

 Camera tilt control 

 Film straight down 

 Supports Adobe DNG RAW 

 Adobe lens profile support 

 Camera parameter settings 

 Album synchronization 

 FAA no-fly zones locked out via installed software

TRANSMITTER

 Operating Frequency:2.400 GHz – 2.483 GHz 

 Communication Distance(open area): CE: 2000m; FCC: 2000m 

 Receiver Sensitivity(1%PER):-101dBm +/- 2dBm

 Transmitter Power: CE: 16dBm; FCC: 20dBm

 Working Voltage: 1.2A @ 7.4V 

 Battery: 6000 mAh LiPo 2s

CAMERA

 Operating Environment Temperature: 0°C-40°C

 Max Resolution: 4096 x 2162p @ 24/25fps

 FOV: 94°/ 85° 

 Sensor size: 1/2.3" 

 HD Recording: 4k p 24/25fps / 720p 60fps

DJI VISION APP

 System Requirement of Mobile Device: iOS version 6.0 or above/ Android system version 4.0 or above 

 Mobile Device Support: Recommended: iPhone4s, iPhone5, iPhone5s, iPod Touch4, iPod Touch5; 

Given the small size of the UAS and the controlled environment provided the proposed operations will adhere 

to the Reform Act’s safety requirements. The approval of this application presents no national security 

issues. Regarding the level of safety surrounding the proposed operations and the public benefit, reduction 

in environmental impacts, including but not limited to reduced emissions and noise, the grant of the 
requested exemption is in the public interest. Accordingly the applicant requests that the FAA grant the 

requested exemption with minimum delay.

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

The operation limitations proposed for an equivalent or higher level of safety because operations will further 

enhance the safety of the persons and/or property using conventional aircraft.

These limitations and conditions to which the applicant agrees to adhere to when conducting commercial 

operations under the FAA issued exemption as set forth in the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) include:

 The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs. (DJI Phantom 3 Professional weighs 1280G or 2lbs 13oz)

 The UAS will have a maximum operating speed of no more than 35mph.

 Flights will be operated within line of sight of the Pilot in Command (PIC) and/or Visual Observer 

(VO).

 Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 20 minutes. Flights will be terminated at 25% 

battery power reserve or 20 minutes of flight time whichever occurs first.

 Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) and not 

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

 Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UAS Pilot, the Visual Observer (VO) and may 

include but not limited to a Camera Operator.

 The UAS pilot will be a designated Pilot in Command (PIC) and will take and pass all necessary 

certifications currently being approved by the FAA administration for commercial use.

 A briefing will be performed regarding the planned UAS operations prior to each day’s flight 

consisting of all the days’ production activities.

 All flights will occur under Visual Flight Rules Meteorological Conditions (VMC) only.

 The flights will occur no closer than a 5 mile radius of the geographic center/Airport Reference Point 

(ARP) of a tower controlled or uncontrolled airport. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional has built in 

software for all FAA regulated ‘No Fly Zones’ and was uploaded by DJI (February 2015) for all DJI 

drones to download and prevent any possible flights occurring within no-fly zones. DJI Phantom 3 

Professional has installed software (code) that denies flights within the FAA no-fly zones.

 If operations will be within a 5 mile radius of the geographic center/Airport Reference Point (ARP) of 

a tower controlled or uncontrolled airport the respective airports will be contacted advising them of 

the estimated flight time, flight duration, elevation of flight and other pertinent information.

 The operator will file FAA Form 7711-1, or its equivalent, as modified in light of the requested 

exemption, with the appropriate local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) no more than 72 hours 

but no less than 48 hours from planned operation.
 The operator will obtain verbal/written consent of all persons involved with the planned operation 

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

the radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety determination, as 

required under the FOM. With the advanced permission of the FSDO, operations at closer range may 

be approved.

 The PIC and VO will have been trained in operation of UAS and receive up-to-date information for 

the particular UAS to be operated.

 The PIC and VO will be able to communicate by voice, radio, and/or text at all times.

 Written and/or verbal permission and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or city 

jurisdictions, including law enforcement, fire or other appropriate governmental agencies.

 If the UAS loses communications with the remote controller or loses GPS signal, the UAS will have 

the capability to return to a pre-determined location within a designated location and land 

autonomously.

 The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles, weather, 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. (3 lbs.) fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor 

passenger, carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a secured 

and designated area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be tightly controlled and 

monitored by both the operator and under the requirements and in compliance with local public safety 

requirements. The FAA will have advance notice of all operations. These safety enhancements 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 will 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 UAS, 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 UAS marked on its fuselage as required by 

§45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the UAS will see the identification of the UAS as 

“Experimental.” 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) and (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command.

Pursuant to 14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b), no person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as a pilot in 

command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire. An equivalent level 

of safety can be achieved by current Regulations because the applicant’s UAS do not carry any pilots or 

passengers nor property. The risks attendant to the operation of UAS is far less than the risk levels inherent 

in the commercial activities outlined in 14 CFR 61. The operation and limitations set forth in the FOM will 

equate to the safe operation of the UAS.

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 for maintenance and use of safety check lists prior to each flight 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. 

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. The PIC will take all actions as stated in the manufacturer FOM in the pre-flight inspection section,

including but not limited to 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. UAS 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. 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, the UAS will never operate at higher than 400 AGL with the exception that in 

circumstances where the UAS is used to survey or photograph a structure whose height exceeds 400 feet 

AGL, the UAS will not be operated more than 200 feet above the highest point on the structure. 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 operations. 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 addition, the low-altitude operations of the UAS will ensure separation 

between these 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 

safety check list and live flight data monitoring, 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 be limited to approximately 10 minutes in length. 

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 twilight VFR conditions is reasonable. 

Applicant believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151(a) falls within the scope of prior exemptions. 

Operating the 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 20 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. 

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. 

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. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because the UAS is very 

limited in size and will carry a small payload and operate only in restricted areas for a limited period of time. 

If mechanical issues arise the UAS can land immediately and will be operating from no higher than 400 feet 

AGL. 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. 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be performed in 

accordance with the UAS Manufacturer's User Manual. As provided in the FOM, the operator will ensure that 

the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight and perform required maintenance needed.

Additional Information

The applicant, Thomas R Platt, has been involved in piloting of remote controlled aircraft for more than 25

years with single engine, up to more advanced hobbyist copters with 6+ channel configurations. Also the 

primary pilot, Thomas R Platt, has an in-depth understanding of the capabilities and safety concerns involved 

in using this technology as an asset to the community. Satisfaction of criteria provided in Section 333 of the 

Reform Act of 2012 provide more than adequate justification for the grant of the requested exemptions 

allowing the commercial operation of the applicant’s UAS.

Sincerely,

Thomas R Platt

“Safety is always first!”