July 24 , 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
Dear Sir/Madam,
This petition is being submitted on our own behalf without legal counsel or consulting services. Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the Reform Act), and 14 C.F.R. Part 11 , ExplAura LLC , an Iowa based company operating a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) equipped to conduc t aerial photography and survey for various industries, hereby applies for an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) listed below to allow operation of our sUAS commercially in airspace regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so long as such operations are conducted with and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333.
The requested exemption would permit ExplAura LLC to pursue its commercial interests in providing servic es to consumers interested aerial data capture using a small advanced sUAS in the following areas:

 Agricultural Surveying

 sUAS Operator Training

 Real Estate Photography

 Product Demonstrations

 Research and Development

 Civil Construction Surveying

 Aerial Mar keting Videography

ExplAura LLC states that all sUAS flights that will occur over private or controlled access property will do so with the property owner's prior consent and knowledge and that only people who have consented or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where photography and videography will take place will be captured.
Additionally, ExplAura LLC pilots hold FAA Private Pilot Licenses with Class I II Medical Certificates and if observers are not qualified pilots, they will be trained by ExplAu ra LLC pilots to understand the proper roles of an observer, communication procedures, proper visual scan techniques, operations at non

towered airports, and appropriate sections of the Aeronautical Information Manual.
Regulations from which the exemption is requested:

14 C.F.R. Part 2114 C.F.R. 45. 23(b)

14 C.F.R. 61. 113(a) and (b) 14 C.F.R. 91. 7 (a) 14 C.F.R. 91. 9(b) (2) 14 C.F.R. 91. 109 14 C.F.R. 91. 119 14 C.F.R. 91. 121 14 C.F.R. 91. 151(a) 14 C.F.R. 91. 203 (a) & (b) 14 C.F.R. 91. 205 (b) 14 C.F.R. 91. 215 14 C.F.R. (91. 401

- 91. 417)

Unmanned Aircraft System
With the projected increase in world population to 9 billion by 2050, producers must find a way to double agricultural output. sUAS are a feasible method to obtain information of agricu ltural cropland to determine optimum inputs that result in cost savings to farmers, yield security , reduce environmental impact of excess fertilizers , and the overall benefit of society.
We are petitioning for exemption to enable ExplAura LLC to operate a Turbo Ace Matrix

- S multi

- rotor
equ ipped with a two

- axis gimbaled camera, and a Skywalker X8 fixed wing sUAS . These sUAS all weigh less than 25 lbs.; have a built

- in capability to limit the AGL height , to limit the radius of the distance it flies from t he operator and to exclude it from Class B, C and D airspace including a no fly zone feature. Each system also has several failsafe function s ;

 If communication between the flight c ontroller and the transmitter is lost, the system will automatically trigger Retu rn to Home mode and will land safely or once control is re gained, the operator will land manually.

 If battery level onboard is low, the flight controller will automatically trigger Return to Home mode

.

 If GPS signal is compromised, Loiter mod e will trigger at which point the operator will manually land the sUAS safely

. The above specifications meet standards listed below, some derived in accordance with the Model Aircraft Operating Standards:

 The petitioner will only operate its sUAS in line o f sight of a pilot and/or observer and will operate at sites that are a 'sufficient distance' from populated areas within the sterile area described in the operator ’ s manual. Such operations will insure that the sUAS will "not create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public."

 When flying a sUA S within 3 miles of an airport, airport operators will be notified and the operator will give the right of way to avoid flying in the proximity of full

- scale aircraft. Maximum flight time for ea ch operational flight will be 60 minutes.

 Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 60 minute limit.

 The sUA S will be programmed so that it will not be operated at an altitude of more than 500 feet AGL

.

 Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the sUAS Operator and the Visual Observer.

 The sUAS PIC's (Pilot in Command) will be an FAA licensed airman holding an FAA Private Pilot’s License and Class III Medical.

 The sUAS operated by the petitioner weighs less than 55 pounds, including the payload (i.e. camera, lens, and gimbal).

 The sUAS will operate at speeds of no more than 55 knots.

 Given the small size of the sUAS and the restricted sterile environment within which they will operate, our sUAS operation s adhere to the Reform Act's safety requirements.
Additionally, the fact that the ExplAura LLC pilots hold FAA Pilot certificates demonstrates that they have a high regard to safe operations with an understanding of FAR's, pre

- flight inspections, maintenan ce and repair, operations within airspace, NOTAM’s as well as being trained to high safety standards.
Under the requested exemption ExplAura LLC ensures that all operators have at least 5 years’ experience safely flying sUAS under AMA rules as hobbyists; have designed and built custom sUAS; have researched applicable regulations and guidance documents; including aeronautical background information such as charts, NOTAMS and Aircraft Circulars; Radio Communications Procedures; Human Factors and Crew Resourc e Management; Basic Small UAS Aerodynamics; Weather factors; Airmanship and Decision

- making and Safe Operating Procedures.

We respectfully request exemption under Section 333 to enable ExplAura LLC to operate safe, low

- risk commercial sUAS operations for t he activities stated. ExplAura LLC at all times will respect the space and privacy of citizens and property whilst keeping our skies safe.

Sincerely ,
Jakob Steenhoek 2340 Keokuk Dr. Pella, I A 50219 Cell: 641

- 780

- 8313 Steenhoekj1@central.edu

Nathan Smith 813 Redwood Dr. Norwalk , IA 50211 Cell: 515 822 8980 Nathan.Smith.J@gmail.comEXEMPTION REQUESTS AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

ExplAura LLC requests an exemption from th e following regulations as well as any additional regulations that may technically apply to the operation of the sUA S System:
14 CFR Part 21, Airworthiness Certificates.
Experimental certificates are issued for the following purposes:
(a) Research and development. Testing new aircraft design concepts, new aircraft equipment, new aircraft installations, new aircraft operating techniques, or new uses for aircraft.
(b) Showing compliance with regulations. Conducting flight tests and other operations to show compliance with the airworthiness regulations including flights to show compliance for issuance of type and supplemental type certificates flights to substantiate major design changes, and flights to show compliance with the function and reliability r equirements of the regulations

. Since the experimental certificate can be used for commercial purposes such as market surveys, sales demonstrations, and customer crew training, we would expect that an experimental certificate would permit our commercial
pu rpose as well. The aircraft will not carry persons or property, will not carry fuel, and will only fly under strict operational requirements. Combined with the s UA S 's light weight, being constructed primarily of foam, carbon fiber, and/or plastic, we pro pose that the s UA S will be at least as safe, if not safer, than a conventionally certificated aircraft performing the same mission. If an experimental airworthiness certificate is not appropriate for this application, then we request an exemption of 14 CF R Part 21, Subpart H, and the requirement for an airworthiness certificate in general, citing the equivalent level of safety outlined in the previous paragraphed.
14 CFR 45.23 Display of marks; general and 45. 29 Size of marks.
These regulations provide th at each aircraft must display "N" and the aircraft's registration number in letters at least 3 inches high. Additionally, the aircraft must display the word "EXPERIMENTAL" in letters at least 2 inches high near the entrance to the cabin, cockp it, or pilot station. The sUAS does not have an entrance in which the word "EXPERIMENTAL" can be placed, and may not have a registration number assigned to it by the FAA. We propose to achieve an equivalent level of safety by including the "EXPERIMENTAL" in the plac ard on the top of the aircraft, as shown above, where the PIC, VO and other in the vicinity of the aircraft while it is preparing for launch will be able to see the designation. Additionally, we feel that the permanent placard discussed in the previous pa ragraph will provide the aircraft's registration information a t the ground station. Finally, we will display at the ground station a high contrast flag or banner that contains the words "Unmanned Aircraft Ground Station" in letters 3 inches high or greate r. Since the aircraft will operate within .5 miles of the ground station, the banner should be visible to anyone that observes the aircraft and chooses to investigate its point of origin.14 CFR 91. 7 Prohibits the Operation of an aircraft without an airw orthiness certificate.

As no such certificate will be applicable in the form contemplated by the FARs, this Regulation is inapplicable.
14 CFR 91. 9 Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard requirements.
This regulation provides that no person ma y operate an aircraft unless a current, approved flight manual is in the aircraft. We assume that the intent of this requirement is to ensure that flight manual information is available to the aircrew while operating the aircraft. We request an exemption to this requirement since the aircraft is not only too small to carry documentation, the documentation would not be available to the crew during flight operations. To obtain an equivalent level of safety and meet the intent of 91. 9, we propose that a cu rrent, approved sUAS Flight Manual must be available to the crew at the ground station anytime the aircraft is in, or preparing for, flight.
14 CFR 91. 109 Flight Instruction; Simulated instrument flight and certain flight tests.
The regulation states that : "No person may operate a civil aircraft that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls." The sUAS ground

- based control station consists of a small hand

- held radio transmitter that offer s a second set o f "controls"; both the student and instructor can, and will, operate the single set of controls simultaneously. With both student and instructor having "hands

- on" the controls during flight, we feel that this technique meets the intent of 91. 109 and prov ides an equivalent level of safety.

14 CFR 91. 119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.
The regulation states that over sparsely populated areas the aircraft cannot be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure. Since the typic al mission of the sUAS would be photography or survey of persons, vessels, vehicles or structures it would be necessary to operate closer than 500 feet to the items listed. Operations will only be flown over property or persons where permission has been o btained and careful pre

- flight planning has taken place. The aircraft will be operated at a low altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. Therefore we maintain that due to t he small size of the UAS, the hazard to persons, vehicles and structures is minimal compared to manned aircraft, which should be considered in granting the exemption.
14 CFR 91. 121 Altimeter Settings.
The regulations requires that aircraft shall mainta in cruising altitudes by refere nce to an altimeter setting available within 100 NM of the aircraft. The sUAS will always fly below 600 feet AGL and will not need to maintain cruising altitudes in order to prevent conflict with other aircraft. An Above Groun d Level altimeter measurement above the takeoff point is transmitted via radio from the sUAS on

- board computer to the display screen held by the PIC, providing a constant updated AGL readout.
14 CFR 91. 151 Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions.T he regulation provides that no person may begin a flight in an airplane under day

- VFR conditions unless

there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and to fly after that for at least 30 minutes. We feel the intention of this paragra ph is to provide an energy reserve as a safety buffer for delays to landing. The sUAS are battery operated and the maximum duration of flight form a single battery charge is 12

- 45 (depending on which sUAS) minutes with a 20% reserve. Since the aircraft w ill never fly more then .5 NM from the point of intended landing, a full battery charge at launch will ensure that we meet the reserve energy requirement of this paragraph. We request an exemption to the word "fuel" and ask for an equivalent interpretatio n with the word "energy". We also request an exemption from the 30 minute reserve and ask that our reserve will be to fly the mission to the point of intended landing and have at least a 20% battery reserve after that.
14 CFR 91. 203 (a) & (b) Civil aircr aft: Certifications required.
The regulation provides that an airworthiness certificate, with the registration number assigned to the aircraft and a registration certificate must be aboard the aircraft. Additionally, subparagraph (b) provides that the air worthiness certificate be "displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew." With our largest vehicle, the Skywalker X8 , at a maximum gross weight of 13 pounds, the sUAS is too small to carry documentation, does not have an entrance, and is not capable of carrying passengers or crew. To obtain an equivalent level of s afety and meet the intent of 91. 203, we propose that documents deemed a ppropriate for this aircraft by the FAA will be co

- located with the crew at the ground control station and available for inspection upon request. In order to identify the aircraft, we propose that the information found on airworthiness and registrations certificates permanently affixed to the aircraft via placard containing the following information plus the word "EXPERIMENTAL" to satisfy the requirement of 14 CFR 45. 23.
14 CFR Subpart E (91. 401

- 91. 417)

- Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Alterations.
The regulation provides that the operator is primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft in an airworthy condition, including compliance with part 39 and 43. Paragraphs 91. 407 and 91. 409 require that the aircraft be "approved for return to service by a person authorized unde r 43. 7" after maintenance and inspection. It is our intention that the PIC perform maintenance and inspection of the aircraft and "be authorized to approve the aircraft for return to service." The PIC will ensure that the aircraft is in an airworthy con dition prior to every flight and in addition, conduct detailed inspections after every two hours of flight. Maintenance performed by the PIC is limited to repairing small cracks, replacing propellers, checking electrical connections and updating software and firmware for the on

board computer. All other maintenance will be performed by the manufacturer or their designated repair facility. The PIC will document work performed in accordance with 91. 417. We feel that due to the size, construction, and sim plicity of the aircraft, the PIC can ensure an equivalent level of safety.