# Av ig ato rs

Page 1 of 11

Michael V.R. Johnson C: 407 - 491 - 3450 mvrjohnson@outlook.com 8 Dec ember 2014 U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Management Sy stem 1200 New Jersey

Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Docket ID: FAA - 2014 - 0720 , Exemption Request Under Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R 45.23(b); 14 C.F.R. Part 21:14 C.F.R. 61.113 (a) & (b ); 91.7 (a); 91.103 (b); 91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.203 (a) & (b); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.417 (a) & (b). Dear Sir or Madam: Since our initial submittal on 10 September 2014, for an exemption request under Section 333, our company (NVOS) has been renamed Avigators and the name of our UAV is now First Aerial Responder (FAR)

– Sight. None of the personnel or material for our UAV has changed. We were also notified that the guidelines for submitting a request for exemption changed since our submission. Below is information according to those changes. Hopefull y we have answered the appropriate questions. Please do not hesitate to request any additional information you may need. Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Avigators has teamed up with C 2 Technologies , as developer s, trainers, and operator s of Small Unmanned Aerial Sy stems (sUAS) to operate in a role to support commercial Precision Agriculture, and seeks an exemption from Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) detailed below for the First Aerial Responder (FAR) - Sight Unmanned Aircraft S ys tem manufactured b y Avigators of the USA . All operations will be conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein and as may be established by

the FAA as required by

Section 333. As described more full y below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of small, unmanned and inexpensive sUAS under controlled conditions in airspace that is : 1) limited 2) predetermined 3) private property 4) would provide safer flight operations than using conventional aircraft. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary

of Transportation’s (the FAA Administrator’s) responsibilitie s to “...establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft sy stems in the national airspace s ys tem.” Section 333(c) of the Reform Act. The name and contact information of the applicant are: Avigators Attn: Mike Johnson Phone: 407 - 491 - 3450 Email: mvrjohnson@outlook.com Address: 2200 North Forsy th Rd Unit A - 13 Orlando, FL 32807

# Av ig ato rs

Page 2 of 11

The regulations from which the exemption is requested are as follows: 14 C FR P a r

t 21 ( Certification Procedures for Products and Parts ) 14 C FR 4 5
. 23 ( b ) (Markings) - size 14 CFR 45.29 ( Size of Markings ) 14 C FR 61
. 113 ( a ) & ( b ) (Private Pilot) 14 CFR 61.133 (Commercial Pilot) 14 C FR 9 1
. 7 ( a) ( Civil Aircraft Airworthiness) 14 C FR 91
. 9 ( b ) ( 2) (Flight Manual) 14 C FR 9 1
. 103 (Preflight Action) 14 C FR 9 1
. 109 (Dual Controls) 14 C FR 91
. 119 (Min Altitude) 14 C FR 9 1
. 121 (Altimeter) 14 C FR 91
. 203 ( a ) & ( b ) (Airworthiness) 14 C FR 91
. 405 ( a ) (Annual Inspection) 14 C FR 91.407 ( a) ( 1 ) (Auth Rtn to Srvc) 14 C FR 91.409 ( a) ( 2 ) (Inspection for Air Worthiness) 14 C FR 91.417 ( a) & ( b) (Maintenance Records) T h i s e xe m p t i on app li ca t i on i s e x p ress l y sub m itt e d t o f u l f il l C o n g ress’ g oal i n pass i n g S ect i on 333 ( a ) t h ro u g h ( c) of t he 2012 R e fo r m A ct
. T h i s l aw d i rect s t he S e c re t a r y of T ranspo r

t a t i on to cons i d e r w he t her ce r t a i n un m anned a i rc ra f

t s ys t e m s m ay ope ra t e s a fe l y i n t he n a t i onal a i rspace s ys t e m ( NAS ) be fo re co m p l e t i on of t he r u l e m a k i n g re q u i red und e r S e ct i on 332 of t he R e fo r m A ct
. I n m a k i n g t h i s de t e r m i na t i on, t h e S e c re t a ry i s re q u i red t o d e t e rm i ne w h i ch t y pes of UAS s do not c re a t e a h a z a rd t o us e rs of t he N AS or t he pub li c or pose a t h reat t o na t i onal secu r i ty i n li g h t of t he fo ll o wi n g : • T he UAS’ s s i z e, w e i g h t , speed, and ope ra t i onal c apab ili ty • O pe ra t i on of t he UA S i n c l ose proximity t o a i r p o rt s and popu l a t ed a reas • O pe ra t i on of t he UA S w i t h i n v i sual l ine of s i g h t of t he op e ra t o r . R e fo r m A ct § 333 ( c )
. L as t l y , i f t he S e c re t a r y de t e rm i nes t h a t such veh i c l es “ m ay ope ra t e s a fe l y i n t he n a t i onal a i rspace sys t e m , t he S ec re t a r y sh a l l es t ab li sh re q u i re m en t s for t he s a fe ope ra t i on of s uch a i rc ra f t i n t he na t i onal a i rs pace s ys t e m . ” T he Fede ral Av i a t i on Act e x p ress l y g ra n t s t he F A A t he a u t h o r i ty t o i ssue e xe m p t i ons. T h i s s t a t u t o r y au t ho r i t y by i t s t e rm s i nc l udes e xe m p t i n g c i v i l a i rc ra ft , as t h e t e r m i s d e f i ned under §40101 of t he A ct , t h a t i nc l udes s UAS s , fro m t he re q u i re m ent t h a t a l l c i v i l a i rc ra f t m u s t ha ve a cu rre n t a i r wo rt h i ness c e rt i f i c a t e. T he Administrator may grant an exemption from a re q uirement of a re g ulation 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).

# Av ig ato rs

Page 3 of 11 **First Aerial Responder (FAR)**  **- Sight**  **UAV** Avigators’ First Aerial Responder (FAR) – Sight is a lightweight battery powered fixed wing sUAS, weighing less than six ( 7 ) lbs. including payload. Normal operating conditions for the FAR - Sight is cruising at 25 mph with a maximum sustained speed of 40 mph. FAR - Sight will only operate within line of sight and at or below 400 feet. Flights will also be restricted to operations over p rivate property where the owner has given written permission. Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) will be filed at surrounding airfields. S uch op e ra t i ons w i l l i nsu re t hat t he s UA S w il l “ not c rea t e a ha z a rd t o us e rs of t he na t i onal a i rspace s ys t e m o r t he p u b li c”, per Section 333 (b) (1)
. Given: the limited area of operations (agricultural fields), the slow speed, the ve ry lightweight ( 7 lbs.) nature of FAR - Sight, being made of soft Expanded PolyOlefin (EPO) Foam, and w ith the propeller m ounted to the rear of the fuselage the results are a very safe sUAS. Certainly the FAR - Sight is m uch safer to conduct the mission of Precision Agriculture than em ploying a m anned fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft. FAR Sight is clearly in the z one of s a fe ty ( an e q u i va l ent l e ve l of s a fe ty ) i n w h i ch C on g re s s en v i s i oned t h a t t he F A

A m u s t , by e xe m p t i on, a ll ow co mm e rc i al ope ra t i ons of UAS s t o co m m ence i m m ed i a t e l y . Al so due t o t he s i z e of t he UAS s and t he re s tr i ct ed a reas i n w h i ch t he re l e vant s U A S s w i l l ope ra t e, app ro v al of t he app li ca t i on p resen t s no n a t i onal se c u r i ty i s s ue. G i ven t he c l ear d i re ct i on i n S e ct i on 3 33 of t he R e fo r m A ct , t he a u t ho r i ty co n t a i ned i n t he Fede ral Av i a t i on Act , as a m ende d ; t he s t ro ng e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty s u rround i n g t he p roposed ope ra t i ons, and t he s i g n i f i ca n t pub li c be ne f i t , i nc l ud i ng enhanced s a fe ty , reduct i on i n en v i ron m en t al i m p act s, i nc l ud i ng reduced e m i ss i ons assoc i a t ed wi t h a ll o wi ng UAS s f or Precision Agriculture ope ra t i ons, t he g ra n t of t he re ques t ed e xe m p t i ons i s i n t he pub li c i n t e re s t
. A cco rd i n g l y , t he app li ca n t respectf u ll y re q u e s t s t h at t he F AA g rant t he re q ues t ed e xe m p t i on w i t hout de l a y . **A I**  **RCRA FT**  **AN D**  **E Q**  **U I**  **V A**  **L EN**  **T L**  **EVE L**  **O F**  **SA F**  **E T** **Y** T he a p p li cant p rop o ses t hat t he e xe m p t i on re q u es t ed h e re i n app l y t o c i v i l a i rc ra f t t h a t ha ve t he cha ra ct e r i s t i cs and t h a t ope ra t e w i t h t he li m i t a t i ons li s t ed h e re i n. 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 increased safety from conducting Precision Agriculture using manned aircraft. T hese li m i t a t i ons and cond i t i ons t o w h i ch Avigators and C 2 Technologies a g ree t o b e bound w hen conduct i n g co m m e rc i al o pe ra t i ons und e r a F AA i ssued e xe m p t i on i nc l ud e : 1. T he s UA S w i l l we i g h l e s s t han 7 l b s ., including payload
.

# Av ig ato rs

Page 4 of 11

2. F li g h t s w i l l be ope ra t ed wi t h i n li ne of s i g ht of a p il ot an d /or obse r ve r . 3. F li g h t s w il l be t e r m i na t ed with 30 minute b a tt e r y p o wer rese rve . 4. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) will be filed prior to flight operations
. 5. F li g h t s w il l be ope ra t ed a t an a l t i t ude not to exceed 400 fe e t A G L
. 6. A ircraft will not be operated over urban or populated areas
. 7. A ircraft will not be operated at air shows or over an open - air assembly of people
. 8. The aircraft will not be operated over heavily trafficked roads
. 9. The aircraft will not be operated within 5 NM of an airport or heliport. 10. Operations will be limited to day, visual meteorological conditions
. 11. Minimum c rew fo r e ach ope ra t i on w il l cons i st of t he s UA S Pil o t and a Vi su a l O bse r ve r . 12. s UA S p il ot w i l l be an F A A li censed pilot w i t h at l east a p r i va t e p il o t ’ s c e r t i f i ca t e and t h i rd c l ass m ed i ca l
. T he obse r ver w il l ho l d at l east a t h i rd c l ass m ed i ca l 13. s UA S Pil ot w i l l be Pil ot i n C o m m and ( P I C )
. I f a p il ot c e rt i f i c a t e ho l der o t her t han t he s UA S Pil o t , w ho possess t he necess a r y P I C q ua l i f i ca t i ons, i s a l so p re sent on site , t hat p e rson c a n a l so be d es i g na t ed as P I C
. 14. The UAS will only operate within the confined area of the designated operational area . 15. A b r i e f i n g w il l be condu c t ed with re g a rd t o t he p l a n ned s UA S ope ra t i ons p r i or t o each da y’s flight operations. I t w il l be m anda t o r y t hat a l l pe rsonnel w ho w i l l be performing duties w i t h i n t he bounda r i es of t he flight operations to be p re s ent for t h i s b r i e f i ng. 16. T he ope ra to r w i l l f il e a F AA Fo r m 7711 - 1 , or i t s e q u i va l en t , as m od i f i ed i n li g ht of t he re q ues t ed e xe m p t i on, w i t h t he app ro p r i a t e F l i g ht S t anda rds Di s tr i ct O f f i ce 17. Only persons qualified or being trained to fly or launch the FAR- Sight will be permitted within 100’ of flight operations
. 18. Pil ot and obse r

ver w i l l h a ve been tra i ned i n ope ra t i on of UA S g ene ra ll y and rece i ved up - t o - da t e i n fo r m a t i on o n t he pa r t i cu l ar UA S t o be ope ra t ed
. 19. O bse r

ver and p il ot w il l at a l l t i m es be ab l e t o co m m un i ca t e by vo i ce and / or t e xt
. 20. W ri tt en p e r m i ss i on from t he re l e vant p rope r ty ho l de rs w il l be ob t a i ned. 21. Al l re q u i red pe r m i ss i ons and pe rm it s w i l l be ob t a i ned f ro m t e rr i t o r i a l , s t a t e , coun ty or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate Go v e rn m en t a l a g enc i e s . 22. T h e sUA S h a s t h e c a p a b il i t y t o a bo rt a f l i g h t i n c ase o f un p red i ct ed o bs t ac l es o r e m e rg enc i e s . 23. Emergency Procedures and System Failures  Fai lure Handling – Th e F AR - S i g ht has extensive failure detection and handling capabilities. All failures are deemed to be either fatal or nonfatal. Failures classified as fatal result in a Fatal Condition Response (FCR); and failures classified as non -fatal result in a Non - Fatal Conditi on Response (NFCR).  Sensor Failure – Failure of onboard flight instruments/sensors will degrade the UAS performance and will result in either a FCR or a NFCR, depending on their severity. If the UAS experiences a sensor failure, it will respond by alerting the pilot in command and maintain loiter at location until action is taken.  If FAR - Sight loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS is programmed to automatically return to a pre - determined location within the confines of the operating area
.

# Av ig ato rs

Page 5 of 11

 Motor Failure – In case of motor failure, the pilot in command will be alerted and an aided or autonomous landing will take place.  Airframe Failure – If airframe is damaged in ways that impacts flight characteristics, the FAR - Sight autopilot will alert the pilot in command and attempt to maintain stable flight.  Navigation System Failure – In a navigation system failure, degraded GPS will result in the FAR - Sight loitering at its current location until GPS signal is restored or the pilot in command takes aid ed control.  Power Failure – A complete battery failure which results in power loss to the FAR - Sight will result in FAR - Sight gliding to the ground.  Low Battery Condition – Pilot in command will be alerted of a low battery condition and will land the aircra ft as soon as possible. Once the critical low level is reached, the FAR - Sight will conduct an autonomous landing.  Line of Sight Loss – All flight operations will be conducted with the FAR - Sight within visual sight of the pilot. If the pilot’s view becomes obstructed and line of sight is lost, the pilot may instruct FAR - Sight to loiter in place until line of sight is re - established, to return to the takeoff position, or to land at the current position. In addition, a moving map display provides an accurate location of FAR - Sight.  Security - t he system and communication links are encrypted by the manufacturer’s proprietary software. FAR - Sight can only communicate with the pilot in command’s ground station. **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. P**  **a r** 

**t 2**  **1, S**  **ubpart H**  **: A** **i r** 

**w o**  **r t**  **h i**  **ness C**  **er t**  **i fi**  **c a**  **t es**  **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. § 9**  **1 .**  **203 (**  **a) (**  **1 )**  S ubpa rt H , e n t i t l ed Ai r wo rt h i ness C e r

t i f i ca t e s, e s t ab li shes t he p rocedu ral re q u i re m e n t s for t he i ssua n ce of a i r wo rt h i ness ce r

t i f i ca t es as re q u i red by F A R §91
. 203 ( a) ( 1 )
. G i ven t he s i z e and limited ope ra t i n g area assoc i a t ed w i t h t he a i rc ra f t to be utilized by t he Applicant, an e xe m p t i on f ro m P a rt 21 S ubpa rt H m e e t s t he re qu i re m en ts of an e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty under P a rt 11 and S ect i on 333 of t he R e fo r m Act
. T he Fede ral Av i a t i on A ct ( 49 U
. S
. C
. §44701 ( f ) ) and S ect i on 333 of t he R e fo r m A ct bo t h au t h o r i z e t he F AA t o e xe m pt a i rc ra f t from t he re q u i re m e n t for an a i r wo rt h i ness c e rt i f i c a t e, upon cons i d e ra t i on of t he s i z e, we i g h t , spee d , ope ra t i onal capab ili ty , and p ro x i m i t y t o a i r po r t s and popu l a t e d a reas of t he pa r

t i cu l ar UAS
. I n a l l case s , a n ana l ys i s of t hese c r i t e r i a de m ons tra t es t h a t t he UA S o pe ra t ed w i t hout an a i r wo rt h i ness ce rt i f i c a t e, i n t he res t r i ct ed env i ron m ent and under t he cond i t i ons p ropo s ed w i l l be at l east as s a fe, or s a fe r , t han a con ven t i onal a i rc ra f t (f i x ed w i ng or ro t o rc ra f t ) ope ra t i n g w i t h an a i r wo rt h i ness ce r

t i f i ca t e wi t hout t he res t r i ct i ons a nd cond i t i ons p ropose d
. The s UA S to be operated hereunder i s l ess t han 7 l bs. fu ll y l oaded, carr i es ne i ther a p il ot nor passenger, carr i es no ex p l osive mater i a l s or fl ammab l e li quid fue l s, and operates exc l usively w i th i n a secured area as set out i n the pre programmed Precision Agriculture fl ight path. U n li ke other c i vil a i rcraft, operat i ons under th i s exempt i on w i ll be tight l y con t ro ll ed and mon i tored by both the operator, pursuant to the Operators Manual ’ s requ i rements, and under the requ i rements and

# Av ig ato rs

Page 6 of 11

i n comp li ance w i th l ocal pub li c safety requ i rements. The F A A wil l have advance not i ce of all operat i ons. These s afety enhancemen t s, wh i ch already a pp l y to civil a i rcraft operated i n connect i on wi th precision agriculture, p ro v i de a g re a t er d e g ree of s a fe ty t o t he pub l i c and p rope r ty o w ne rs t han con ven t i onal ope rat i ons conduct ed w i t h a i r

wo rt h i ness ce rt i f i c a t es i s sued under 14 C
. F
. R
. P a rt 21, S ubpa r t H
. L a s t l y , app li ca t i on of t hese sa m e c r i t e r i a de m ons t ra t es t h a t t he re i s no c red i b l e t h re a t to n a t i onal secu r i ty posed by t h e UAS , due t o i ts s i z e, speed of ope ra t i o n , l oca t i on of op e ra t i on, l ack of e x p l os i ve m a t e r i a l s or f l a mm ab l e li q u i d fue l s , and i nab ili ty t o ca r ry a subs t a n t i al e xt e r nal l o a d. **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §**  **45 .**  **23 (**  **b )**  **. M**  **ark i**  **ng o**  **f t**  **he A** **i rcra**  **f t**  T he re g u l a t i on re q u i re s : W he n m a r k s i nc l ude on l y t he R o m an cap i t al l e tt e r " N " and t he re g i s tra t i on nu m ber i s d i sp l a yed on li m i t ed, re s t r i ct ed o r l i g ht - spo rt ca t e g o r y a i rc ra f t or e x pe r i m en t al or p ro v i s i ona l l y ce rt i f i c a t ed a i rc ra f t , t he op e ra t o r m u s t a l so d i sp l ay on t h a t a i rc ra f t near each en t rance t o t he cab i n, coc k p i t , or p il ot s t a t i on, i n l e tt e rs not l ess t han 2 i nches n o r m o re t han 6 i nches h i gh, t he wo rds " li m i t ed , " "re s tr i ct e d , " " l i g h t spo r t , " " e x pe r i m en t a l, " o r " p ro v i s i ona l , " as app li cab l e. E ven t hou g h t he UA S w i l l ha ve no a i r wo rt h i ness c e rt i f i c a t e, an e xe m p t i on m ay be needed as t he UA S w il l ha ve no en tra n ce t o t he cab i n, co c k p i t o r p il ot s t a t i on on w h i ch t he wo rd

“ E x pe r i m en t a l ” can be p l aced. G i ven t he s i z e of t he s UAV , two - i nch l e tt e r i ng w i l l be i m poss i b l e. T he wo rd “ E x pe r i m en t a l ” w i l l be p l aced on t he f u s e l a g e i n co m p li ance w i t h §45
. 29 (f )
. T he e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty w i l l be p ro v i ded by ha v i ng t he s UAV m a r k ed on i t s f use l a g e as re q u i red by §45
. 29 (f ) w he re t he p il o t , obs e r ver and o t h e rs wo r k i ng w i t h t he s UA V wil l see t he i den t i f i c a t i on of t he UA S as “ E x pe r i m e n t a l
. ” T he F AA has i ss u ed t he fo ll o w i ng e xe m p t i ons t o t h i s re g u l a t i on t o E xe m p t i ons N o s . 10700, 873 8 , 10167 and 10167 A
. **14 CFR §**  **45.29 (a) (1) Size of Marks** 

Section 45.29 (a) (1) requires registration marks on fixed -wing aircraft, must be at least 12 inches high Due to the small size of the FAR - Sight sUAV it is unable to meet the requirements of this regulation.

# Av ig ato rs

Page 7 of 11

**14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §**  **61 .**  **113 (**  **a )**  **& (**  **b )**  **: P**  **r i**  **v a**  **t e**  **P il**  **o t**  **P r**  **i v**  **i l**  **eges and**  **L i**  **m it**  **a ti**  **on s**  **: P**  **il ot**  **i n**  **C o**  **m mand.**  S ect i ons 61
. 113 ( a ) & ( b ) li m i t p r i va t e p il o t s t o n o n - co m m e rc i al ope ra t i on s **.** B ecause t he UA S w i l l not ca rry a p il o t or passe n g e rs, t he p ro posed ope ra t i ons can a ch i e ve t he e q u i va l ent l e ve l of s a fe ty of c u rre n t ope ra t i ons by re q u i r i n g t he P I C ope ra t i ng t he a i rc ra f t t o ha ve a p r i va t e p il o t ’ s li cense ra t her t h a n a co m m e rc i al p il o t ’ s l i cense t o ope ra t e t h i s s m a l l UAS
. U n li k e a con ven t i onal a i rc ra ft t hat ca rr i es t he p il ot and pa s sen g e rs, t he s UA S i s re m o t e l y con tro ll ed w i t h no li v i ng t h i n g on boa rd
. T he a rea of ope ra t i on i s con tro ll ed and re s tr i ct ed, and a l l f li g h t s a re p l anned and coo rd i na t ed i n a d vance with local officials including the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
. T he l e vel of s a fe ty p ro v i ded b y t he se re q u i re m en t s e xceeds t hat p ro v i ded by a s i n g l e i nd i v i dual h o l d i ng a co mm e rc i al p il o t ’ s ce r t i f i ca t e op e ra t i n g a con ven t i onal a i rc ra f t conducting the same mission of precision agriculture
. T he r i s ks assoc i a t ed w i t h t he ope ra t i on of t he s UA S a re so d i m i n i shed from t he l e vel o f r i s k ass o c i a t ed w i t h co m m e rc i al ope ra t i ons con t e m p l a t ed by P a rt 61 w hen d ra f t ed, t hat a ll o w i ng ope ra t i ons of t he s UA S as re q ues t ed w i t h a p r i va t e p il ot as t he P I C e x ceeds t he p rese n t l e v el of s a fe ty ach i e ved by 14 C
. F
. R . §61
. 113 ( a ) & ( b )
. **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §9**  **1 .**  **7 (**  **a )**  **: C**  **i v**  **i l a**  **i r** **c ra**  **f t**  **a i**  **r w**  **o r**  **t h**  **i nes**  **s .**  T he re g u l a t i on re q u i res t hat no p e rson m ay ope ra t e a c i v i l a i rc ra f t un l ess i t i s i n a i r

wo rt hy cond i t i on. A s t he re w i l l be no a i r wo rt h i ness c e rt i f i c a t e issued for t he a i rc ra f t , should t h i s e xe m p t i on be g ran t e d , no F A A re g u l a t o r y s t a n da rd w i l l ex i st for d e t e r m i n i ng a i r wo rt h i nes s . G i ven t he s i z e of t he a i rc ra f

t and t he re q u i re m en t s con t a i ned i n t he Operator’s M anual fo r m a i n t enance and use of s a fe ty che c k li s t s p r i or t o each f l i g h t , an e q u i va l ent l e ve l of s a fe ty w il l be p ro v i ded.
**14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §**  **91 .**  **9 (**  **b )**  **( 2**  **) :**  **C i**  **v i**  **l A** **i rcra**  **f t**  **F li**  **g h**  **t M**  **a nual**  **i n**  **t he**  **A i**  **rcra f**  **t .**  S ect i on 91
. 9 ( b ) ( 2) p ro v i des: N o pe rson m ay ope ra t e a U
. S
. - re g i s t e red c i v i l a i rc ra f t ... ( 2) For w h i ch an Ai r p l ane or R o t o rc ra f t F li g h t M anual i s not re q u i red by §21
. 5 of t h i s cha p t e r , un l ess t h e re i s a va il ab l e i n t he a i rc ra f t a cu r rent ap p ro ved a i r p l ane or R o to rc ra f t F l i g h t M anua l , app ro ved m anual m a t e r i a l , m a r k i n g s , and p l aca rds, or any co m b i n a t i on t h e re of
. Given the s UAS , s i z e and co n f i g u ra t i on no ab ili ty or p l ace exists to c a rry s uch a f l i g h t m anual on t he a i rc ra f t
.

# Av ig ato rs

Page 8 of 11 **Ground Control Station** 

**Xbox Controller** T he e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty w i l l be m a i n t a i ned by k eep i n g t he f l i g h t m a n ual at t he g round co n trol station location w he re t he p il ot f l y i ng t he s U AS w i l l ha ve i mm ed i a t e a ccess t o it
. T he F A A has i ssued t he fo ll o w i ng e xe m p t i ons t o t h i s re g u l a t i on: E xe m p t i on N os. 8 6 07, 873 7 , 873 8 , 929 9 , 9299 A , 956 5 , 9565 B , 1 0 167, 10167 A , 1060 2 , 3 2 827, and 10700. **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §**  **91 .**  **10 3**  **: P**  **re f** **li g**  **h t**  **a c**  **ti on** 

T h i s re g u l a t i on re q u i res each p il ot i n co mm and t o t a k e c e rt a i n a ct i ons b e fo re f l i g ht t o i nsu re t he s a fe ty o f f li g h t
. A s F AA app ro ved aircraft f li g h t m anua l s w i l l n ot be p ro v i ded for t he a i rc ra f t an e xe m p t i on w i l l be needed. A n e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe t y w i l l be p ro v i ded as set fo rt h i n t he Operator’s M anu a l
. T he P I C w i l l t a k e a l l act i ons i nc l ud i ng automated preflight checks, re v i e w i ng wea t he r , f l i g ht ba tt e r y re q u i re m e n t s, l and i ng and t a k e o f f d i s t ances and a i rc ra f

t p e r fo r m ance d a t a b e fo re i n i t i a t i on of f l i g h t
. **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §9**  **1 .**  **109: F l**  **i g**  **ht i**  **ns t**  **ru c**  **ti o**  **n** :

S ect i on 91
. 103 p ro v i des t hat no p e rson m ay ope ra t e a c i v i l a i rc ra ft ( e xcept a m anned free ba ll oon) t h a t i s be i n g used for f l i g ht i ns t r uct i o n un l ess t hat a i rc ra f

t has f u ll y f unct i on i n g dual con tro l s . s UAS s and re m o t e l y p i lo t ed a i rc ra ft , by t he i r des i g n do n o t ha ve f u ll y f un cti onal dual con tro l s . F li g ht co n trol i s acc o m p li shed t h ro u g h t he use of a X box controller t hat c o m m un i ca t es w i t h t he a i rc ra f t v i a rad i o co m m un i ca t i ons. T he F AA h as app ro ved e xe m p t i ons fo r f l i g ht t ra i n i ng wi t hout f u ll y f un ct i onal d ual con tro l s fo r a nu m ber of a i rc ra f t and fo r f l i g ht i ns tr u ct i on i n e x pe r i m en t al a i rc ra f t
. S ee E xe m p t i on N os . 5 7 78K & 9862 A
. An e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty is p ro v i ded by t he fa ct t h a t ne i t her a p il ot n o r pa s s e n g e rs w il l be ca rr i ed i n t h e a i rc ra f t and by t he s i z e and speed of t he a i rc ra ft
. **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §9**  **1 .**  **119: Mi**  **n i**  **mum sa f** **e a**  **l t**  **i t**  **udes**

S ect i on 91
. 119 e s t ab li shes s a fe a l t i t ud e s for ope ra t i on of c i v i l a i rc ra f t
. A s t h i s e xe m p t i on i s for a s UA S t h a t i s an aircraft and t he e xe m p t i on re q ue s t s a u t h o r i ty t o op e ra t e at a l t i t udes up t o 400 A G L, an e xe m p t i on m ay be n e eded t o a ll ow such ope ra t i ons. T he UA S w il l ne ver ope ra t e at h i g her t han 400 A G L. I t wil l h o we ver be ope ra t ed i n a specified and limited a rea w i t h the approval of the property owner , w he re bu il d i n g s and pe o p l e w i l l not be e x posed to ope ra t i ons w i t hout t he i r p re - o b t a i ned consen t
. T he e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty w i l l be ach i e ved g i ven t he small s i z e, low we i g h t , and low spe e d of t he UA S as we l l as t he l oca t i on w he re i t i s op e ra t e d
.

# Av ig ato rs

Page 9 of 11

N o f l i g h t w il l be t a k en w i t hout t he p e rm i ss i on of t he p rope r ty o w ner or l ocal o ff i c i a l s. B ecause of t he a d vance no t i ce t o t he p ro pe rty o w ner, a l l a f fe ct ed i nd i v i dua l s wil l be a wa re of t h e p l anned f l i g ht ope ra t i on. C o m p a red to f l i g h t op e ra t i ons w i t h manned a i rc ra f t weighting fa r m o re t han t he m a x i m um 7 lbs
. p rop o sed h e re i n a n d t he l a c k of f l a mm ab l e f ue l , any r i s k assoc i a t ed w i t h t he s e o p e ra t i ons i s fa r l ess t han t hose p rese n t l y p resen t ed w i t h con ven t i onal a i rc ra f t ope ra t i ng at o r be l ow 500 A G L i n conducting precision agr iculture
. I n add i t i on, t he l o w- a l t i t ude ope ra t i ons of t he s UA S wil l ensu re sepa ra t i on b e tween t hese small UA S ope ra t i ons a n d t he ope ra t i ons of con ven t i onal a i rc ra f t t h a t m u s t c o m p l y w i t h S ect i on 91
. 119. **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §9**  **1 .**  **121 A** **lti m**  **e t**  **er S**  **e t** **t i**  **ngs**

T h i s re g u l a t i on re q u i res each pe rson ope ra t i n g a n a i rc ra f t t o m a i n t a i n c r u i s i ng a l t i t ude by re fe rence to an a l t i m e t er t hat i s s e t “
... t o t he e l e v a t i on of t he depa r t u re a i r p o rt or an ap p rop r i a t e a l t i m e t er s e tt i n g a va il ab l e b e fo re dep a rt u re . ” An e xe m p t i on m ay be nee d ed. A n e qu i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty w il l be ach i e ved b y during the automatic preflight procedure the onboard computer references barometric pressure to set the altimeter. **14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §9**  **1 .**  **203 (**  **a) a n**  **d (**  **b )**  **: C**  **arr y**  **i ng**  **C i**  **v i**  **l A** **i rcra**  **f t**  **C e**  **r t**  **i fi**  **c a**  **ti on**  **and R**  **eg i**  **s t**  **r a**  **ti on**  T he re g u l a t i on p ro v i des i n pe r t i nent p a rt : ( a) E xcept as p ro v i ded i n § 91
. 715, no p e rson m ay o pe ra t e a c i v i l a i rc ra f

t un l ess i t has w i t h i n i t t he fo ll o wi n g : ( 1) A n app ro p r i a t e and c u rre n t a i r wo rt h i ness ce r

t i f i c a t e. ( b) N o pe rson m ay ope ra t e a c i v i l a i rc ra ft un l ess t he a i r wo rt h i ness ce r t i f i ca t e re q u i red by pa ra g raph ( a ) of t h i s se ct i on o r a spe c i al f l i g ht au t h o r i z a t i on i ssued under §9 1
. 715 i s d i sp l ayed at t he cab i n o r co c kp i t en t rance so t hat i t i s l e g i b l e t o passen g e rs or c re w . T he UA S f u ll y l oaded we i g hs no m o re t han 7 l bs
. and i s op e ra t ed w i t hout an onboa rd p il o t
. A s suc h , t he re i s n o ab ili ty or p l ace to c a rry ce rt i f i c a t i on and re g i s t ra t i on docu m e n t s or t o d i sp l ay t hem on t he s UAS
. A n e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty w i l l be ach i e ved by k eep i ng t hese docu m e n t s at t he g round con trol station w he re t he p il ot f l y i ng t he s UA S w il l h a ve i mm ed i a t e a ccess t o t h e m , t o t he e xt ent t hey a re app li cab l e t o t h e s UAS
. T he F A A has i s sued nu m e rous e xe m p t i ons to t h i s re g u l a t i o n . A rep re sen t a t i ve sa m p l e of o t her e xcep t i ons i nc l udes E xe m p t i on N o s . 95 6 5, 966 5 , 978 9 , 9789 A , 979 7 , 9797 A , 9 8 16 A , and 10700.

# Av ig ato rs

Page 10 of 11

**14 C**  **. F**  **. R**  **. §9**  **1 .**  **405 (**  **a )**  **; 4**  **07 (**  **a )**  **( 1**  **) ; 409**  **( a**  **) (**  **2 )**  **; 4**  **1 7**  **( a) &**  **( b**  **) :**  **M a**  **i n**  **t enan**  **c e**  **I nspe**  **c ti**  **ons** T hese re g u l a t i ons re q u i re t h a t an a i rc ra f t op e ra t o r or o w ner “ s ha l l ha ve t h at a i rc ra f

t i nspect ed as p re s c r i bed i n subpa r t E of t h i s pa r

t a nd sha l l be tween re q u i re d i nspect i ons, e xcept as p ro v i ded i n pa ra g raph ( c ) of t h i s se ct i on, ha ve d i sc repanc i es re pa i red a s p re s c r i bed i n p a rt 43 of t h i s chap t e r . . . , ” and o t h e rs sha l l i nspe ct o r m a i n t a i n t he a i rc ra f t i n co m p li ance w i t h P a rt 43. G i ven t hat t hese se ct i on and P a rt 43 app l y on l y t o a i rc ra f t w i t h an a i r wo rt h i ness ce rt i f i c a t e, t hese se ct i o n s w i l l not app l y t o t he a p p li can t
. M a i n t enance w i l l be acc o m p li shed by t he op e ra t o r p u rsuant t o t he f l i g ht m anual and o p e ra t i n g handbo o k as re fe renced i n t he Operator’s M anu a l
. A n e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty w i l l be ach i e ved because t hese s m a l l UAS s a re ve r y li m i t ed i n s i z e and w il l ca rry a s m a l l pa y l oad and op e ra t e on l y i n res t r i ct ed a reas for li m i t ed p e r i ods of t i m e. I f m echan i cal i s sues a r i se t he UA S can l and i mm e d i a t e l y and wil l be ope ra t i n g fro m no h i g h e r t han 400 fe e t AG L. A s p ro v i ded i n t he Operator’s M anua l , t he ope ra tor w il l ensu re t hat t he UA S i s i n wo r k i n g o rder p r i or t o i n i t i a t i ng f l i g h t , p e r fo r m req u i red m a i n t enance, and k eep a l o g of any m a i n t enance pe r f o r m e d
. M o re o ve r , t he ope ra t o r i s t he pe rson m ost fa m ili ar w i t h t he a i rc ra f

t a nd best su i t ed t o m a i n t a i n t he a i rc ra f t i n an a i r

wo rt hy cond i t i on t o p ro v i de t he e q u i va l ent l e vel of s a fe ty . * * * P u rsuant t o 14 C
. F
. R
. P a rt 11, t he fo ll o w i ng su m m a r y i s p ro v i ded for pub li ca t i on i n t he Fede ral R e g i s t e r , shou l d i t be de t e rm i ned t h a t p u b li ca t i on i s needed: A pp li cant se e k s an e xe m p t i on fro m t he fo ll o w i ng r u l es: 14 C
. F
. R
. §2 1 , subpa r

t H ; 14 C
. F
. R 45
. 2 3 ( b ) ; 14 C
. F
. R . §§ 6 1
. 11 3 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 91
. 7 ( a ) ; 9 1
. 9 ( b) ( 2 ); 9 1
. 103 ( b ); 9 1
. 109; 91
. 11 9 ; 9 1
. 12 1 ; 9 1
. 203 ( a ) a n d ( b ) ; 91
. 405 ( a ) ; 9 1
. 407 ( a) ( 1 ) ; 91
. 4 0 9 ( a ) ( 2 ) ; 9 1
. 409 ( a) ( 2 ) a nd 91
. 417 ( a ) & ( b ) t o o p e ra t e co mm e rc i a ll y a s m a l l u n m anned veh i c l e ( 7 l bs. o r l ess) i n precision agriculture ope ra t i ons. A pp ro val of e xe m p t i ons a ll o w i ng co m m e rc i al op e ra t i ons of s UAS s i n t he conduct of precision agriculture w i l l enhance s a fe ty by reduc i ng r i s k. C on ven t i onal precision agriculture op e ra t i on s , present a significant risk us i n g j e t o r p i s t on po wer a i rc ra ft , ope ra t ing at l o w a l t i t udes , weighing 6,500 pounds, carrying 250 gallons of fuel, with at least one pilot onboard. S uch a i rc ra f t m ust f l y t o and fro m t he precision agriculture site l oc a t i on. I n con t ra s t , a s UA S we i g h i ng fe wer t h an 7 l bs. and po we red by ba tt e r i es e li m i na t es v i rt ua ll y a l l of t h a t r i s k g i ven t he reduced m a ss and l a c k of c o m bu s t i b l e fuel ca rr i ed on bo a rd. T h e s UA S i s c a rr i ed t o t he designated operational site and not f l o w n. T he s UA S w il l ca rry no passe n g e rs o r c rew and, t he re f o re , w il l not e x pose t hem to t he r i s k s assoc i a t ed w i t h m anned a i rc ra f t f li g h t s.

# Av ig ato rs

Page 11 of 11 T he ope ra t i on o f s m a l l UAS s, we i g h t i n g l ess t han 7 l bs
. , conduc t ed i n t he s t r i ct cond i t i ons ou t li ned abo ve, w il l p ro v i de an e q u i va l ent l e vel o f s a fe ty supp o r t i ng t he g ra n t o f t he e xe m p t i ons re q ue s t ed h e re i n, i nc l ud i ng e xe m p t i n g t he app li cant fro m t he re q u i re m en t s o f P a r t 21 and a ll o w i ng co m m e rc i al ope ra t i ons. T h e se li g h twe i g ht a i rc ra ft o p e ra t e at s l ow speeds, c l ose t o t he g roun d , and i n a limited en v i ron m ent and, as a resu lt , a re far s a fer t han con ven t i onal ope ra t i ons conduc t ed w i t h manned aircraft op e ra t i n g i n c l ose p ro x i m i t y t o t he g round and peop l e. **P r**  **i v** **a c**  **y** Al l f li g h t s w i l l occur o v er p r i va t e or con t ro ll ed ac c ess p rop e rty w i t h t he p ro pe rty o w ne r ’ s p r i or conse n t a n d k no w l ed g e. S a t i sfact i on o f t he c r i t e r i a p ro v i ded i n S ect i on 3 3 3 o f t he R e fo r m A ct o f 2 0 12 -- s i z e, we i g h t , spee d , op e ra t i n g capab ili t i es, p ro x i m i ty t o a i r po r t s and popu l a t ed a reas and ope ra t i on wi t h i n v i sual li ne of s i g h t and na t i onal sec u r i ty – p ro v i de m o re t han ad e q u a t e j us t i f i c a t i on for t he g rant o f t he re q ue s t ed e xe m p t i ons a ll o wi ng c o m m e rc i al ope ra t i on o f app li can t ’ s UA S i n t he precision agriculture i ndus try . We are prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to satisfy the need for an equivalent level of safety. We look forward to working with your office. Please contact us at any time if you require additional information or clarification. Sincerely ,
Michael V. R. Johnson Avigators Vice President, Aviation Operations

cc: R obe rt P appas