I

R.

W. Zollinger Consulting

Engineers,

Inc. Environmental

Management

Consultants 1408 Coraopolis

Heights

Road Moon Township,

PA 15108 January

6, 2015 Sent

Via

Fax

& Federal eRulemaking

Portal U.S. Department

of Transportation,

Docket Operations West Building

Ground

Floor,

Room W12-140 1200

New Jersey Avenue,

SE Washington,

DC 20590 SUBJECT:

Section

333

- Petition

for Exemption Gentlemen:

Phone:

(412) 264-7776 Fax:

(412) 264-2558 E-Mail:

rzoll71 O@aol.com R.

W. Zollinger Consulting

Engineers,

Inc. (RZI), Environmental

Management

Consultants,

is requesting

an exemption

under

the following

FAR's:

Part

21, §§45.23(b),

61.113(a)

and

(b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b)(2),

91.103,

91.109,

91.119,

91.121, 91.151(a),

91.203(a)

and

(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1),

91.409(a)(2),

and 91.417(a)

and

(b)

of Title

14, Code

of Federal Regulations

(14 CFR).

The proposed exemptions,

if granted,

would

allow operation

of unmanned

aircraft

systems (UAS)

for

the purpose

of collection

aerial

data

for various

clients requesting

services.

Such

data would

include

LIDAR

remote

sensing,

visual photography,

and infrared

(IR) remote

sensing applications. The petitioner

requests

relief

from

the following regulations: Part

21 prescribes,

in pertinent

part,

the procedural requirements

for issuing

and changing

design approvals, production

approvals, airworthiness

cetiificates,

and airworthiness

approvals. Section

45.23(b) prescribes,

in petiinent

part,

that when

marks include

only

the Roman

capital letter

"N"

and

the registration

number

is displayed

on limited, restricted

or light-

spmi 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. Section 61.113(a)

and

(b) prescribes

that- (a)

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;

nor

may

that person,

for compensation

or hire,

act

as pilot

in command

of

an aircraft.USDept.ofTransportationDocketOperationsJanuary6,2015Page2(b)aprivatepilotmay,forcompensationorhire,actaspilotincommandofanaircraftinconnectionwithanybusinessoremploymentif:(1)Theflightisonlyincidentaltothatbusinessoremployment;and(2)Theaircraftdoesnotcarrypassengersorprope1iyforcompensationorhire.Section91.7(a)prescribes,inpertinentpmi,thatnopersonmayoperateacivilaircraftunlessitisinanairworthycondition.Section91.9(b)(2)prohibitsoperationofU.S.-registeredcivilaircraftunlessthereisavailableintheaircraftacurrentapprovedAirplaneorRotorcraftFlightManual,approvedmanualmaterial,markings,andplacards,oranycombinationthereof.Section91.103prescribes,inpe1iinentpart,thateachpilotincommandshall,beforebeginningaflight,becomefamiliarwithallavailableinformationconcerningthatflight,toinclude-(a)ForaflightunderIFRoraflightnotinthevicinityofanairport,weatherreportsandforecasts,fuelrequirements,alternativesavailableiftheplannedflightcannotbecompleted,and anyknowntrafficdelaysofwhichthepilotincommandhasbeenadvisedbyATC;(b)Foranyflight,runwaylengthsatairpmisofintendeduse,andthefollowingtakeoffandlanding distanceinformation:(1)Forcivil aircraftforwhichanapprovedAirplaneorRotorcraftFlightManualcontainingtakeoffandlandingdistancedataisrequired,thetakeoffandlandingdistancedatacontainedtherein;and(2)Forcivil aircraftotherthanthosespecifiedinparagraph(b)(l)ofthissection,otherreliableinformationappropriatetotheaircraft,relatingtoaircraftperformanceunderexpectedvaluesofairportelevationandrunwayslope,aircraftgrossweight,andwindandtemperature.Section91.109prescribes,inpe1iinentpmi,thatnopersonmayoperateacivilaircraft(exceptamannedfreeballoon)thatisbeingusedforflightinstructionunlessthataircrafthasfullyfunctioningdualcontrols.Section91.119prescribesthat,exceptwhennecessaryfortakeofforlanding,nopersonmayoperateanaircraftbelowthefollowingaltitudes:USDept.ofTransportationDocketOperationsJanuary6,2015Page3(a)Anywhere.Analtitudeallowing,ifapowerunitfails,anemergencylandingwithoutunduehazardtopersonsorpropetiyonthesurface.(b)Overcongestedareas.Overanycongestedareaofacity,town,orsettlement,oroveranyopenairassemblyofpersons,analtitudeof1,000feetabovethehighestobstaclewithinahorizontalradiusof2,000feetoftheaircraft.(c)Overotherthancongestedareas.Analtitudeof500feetabovethesurface,exceptoveropenwaterorsparselypopulatedareas.Inthosecases,theaircraftmaynotbeoperatedcloserthan500feettoanyperson,vessel,vehicle,orstructure.(d)Helicopters,poweredparachutes,andweight-shift-controlaircraft.Iftheoperationisconductedwithouthazardtopersonsorpropertyonthesurface.(1)Ahelicoptermaybeoperatedatlessthantheminimumsprescribedinparagraph(b)or(c)ofthissection,providedeachpersonoperatingthehelicoptercomplieswithanyroutesoraltitudes specificallyprescribedforhelicoptersbytheFAA;and(2)Apoweredparachuteorweight-shift-controlaircraftmaybeoperatedatlessthantheminimumsprescribedinparagraph(c)ofthissection.Section91.121requires,inpertinentpart,eachpersonoperatinganaircrafttomaintaincruisingaltitudebyreferencetoanaltimeterthatisset"totheelevationofthedepartureairportoranappropriatealtimetersettingavailablebeforedeparture."Section91.151(a)prescribesthatnopersonmaybeginaflightinanairplaneunderVFRconditionsunless(consideringwindandforecastweatherconditions)thereisenoughfueltoflytothefirstpointofintendedlandingand,assumingnormalcruisingspeed,(1)duringtheday,toflyafterthatforatleast30minutes;or(2)Atnight,toflyafterthatforatleast45minutes.[emphasisadded]Section91.203(a)prohibits,inpertinentpati,anypersonfromoperatingacivilaircraftunlessithaswithinit(1)anappropriateandcurrentairworthinesscertificate;and(2)aneffectiveU.S.registrationcertificateissuedtoitsowneror,foroperationwithintheUnitedStates,thesecondcopyoftheAircraftRegistrationApplicationasprovidedforin§ 47.31(c).Section91.203(b)prescribes,inpertinentpart,thatnopersonmayoperateacivilaircraftunlesstheairworthinesscertificateoraspecialflightauthorizationissuedunder§91.715isdisplayedatthecabinorcockpitentrancesothatitislegibletopassengersorcrew.Section91.405(a)requires,inpertinentpart,thatanaircraftoperatororownershallhavethataircraftinspectedasprescribedinsubpartEofthesamepatiandshall,betweenrequiredUSDept.ofTransportationDocketOperationsJanuary6,2015Page4inspections,exceptasprovidedinparagraph(c)ofthesamesection,havediscrepanciesrepairedasprescribedinpart43ofthechapter.Section91.407(a)(l)prohibits,inpertinentpart,anypersonfromoperatinganaircraftthathasundergonemaintenance,preventivemaintenance,rebuilding,oralterationunlessithasbeenapprovedforreturntoservicebyapersonauthorizedunder§43.7ofthesamechapter.Section91.409(a)(2)prescribes,inpertinentpart,thatnopersonmayoperateanaircraftunless,withinthepreceding12calendarmonths,ithashadaninspectionfortheissuanceofanailworthinesscertificateinaccordancewithpmi21ofthischapter.Section91.417(a)and(b)prescribes,inpertinentpart,that:(a)Eachregisteredowneror operatorshallkeepthefollowingrecordsfortheperiodsspecifiedinparagraph(b)ofthissection:(1)Recordsofthemaintenance,preventivemaintenance,andalterationandrecordsofthe100-hour,annual,progressive,andotherrequiredorapprovedinspections,asappropriate,foreachaircraft(includingtheairframe)andeachengine,propeller,rotor,andapplianceofanaircraft.Therecordsmustinclude:(i)Adescription(orreferencetodataacceptabletotheAdministrator)oftheworkperformed;(ii)The dateofcompletionoftheworkperformed;and(iii)Thesignatureandcertificatenumberofthepersonapprovingtheaircraftforreturntoservice.(2)Recordscontainingthefollowinginf01mation:(i)Thetotaltimeinserviceoftheairframe,eachengine,eachpropeller,andeachrotor.(ii)Thecunentstatusoflife-limitedpartsofeachairframe,engine,propeller,rotor,andappliance.(iii)Thetimesincelastoverhaulofallitemsinstalledontheaircraftwhicharerequiredtobeoverhauledona specifiedtimebasis.(iv)Thecunentinspectionstatusoftheaircraft,includingthetimesincethelastinspectionrequiredbytheinspectionprogramunderwhichtheaircraftanditsappliancesaremaintained.USDept.ofTransportationDocketOperationsJanuary6,2015Page5(v)Thecurrentstatusofapplicableairworthinessdirectives(AD)andsafetydirectivesincluding,foreach,themethodofcompliance,theADorsafetydirectivenumberandrevisiondate.IftheADorsafetydirectiveinvolvesrecurringaction,thetimeanddatewhenthenextactionisrequired.(vi)Copiesoftheformsprescribedby§43.9(d)ofthischapterforeachmajoralterationtotheairframeandcurrentlyinstalledengines,rotors,propellers,andappliances.(b)Theowneroroperatorshallretainthefollowingrecordsfortheperiodsprescribed:(1)Therecordsspecifiedinparagraph(a)(l)ofthissectionshallberetaineduntiltheworkisrepeatedorsupersededbyotherworkorfor1yearaftertheworkisperformed.(2)Therecordsspecifiedinparagraph(a)(2)ofthissectionshallberetainedandtransferredwiththeaircraftatthetimetheaircraftissold.(3)Alistofdefectsfurnishedtoaregistered owneroroperatorunder§43.11ofthischaptershallberetaineduntilthedefectsarerepairedandtheaircraftisapprovedforreturntoservice.Thepetitionersupportsitsrequestwiththefollowinginformation:UnmannedAircraftSystemTheUASproposedbythepetitionerisaproprietarydesign,conceivedandconstructedbyDJI,andreferredtoastheDJIPhantom2.Thisaircrafthasfourrotorsandfourmotorsinaquadcopterconfiguration(X4).Thepetitionerstatesthatgiventhesize,weight,speed,andlimitedoperatingareaassociatedwiththeaircrafttobeutilizedbytheapplicant,anexemptionfrom14CFRpart21,SubpartH(AirworthinessCertificates),subjecttocertainconditionsandlimitations,iswarrantedandmeetstherequirementsforanequivalentlevelofsafetyunder14CFRpmi11andSection333oftheFAAModernizationandReformActof2012(PL112-95).ThepetitionerfurtherstatesthatUASoperatedwithoutanairworthinesscetiificateintherestrictedenvironmentandundertheconditionsandlimitationsproposedbythepetitionerwillbeatleastassafe,orsafer,thanaconventionalaircraft(fixedwingorrotorcraft)operatingwithanairworthinesscertificateissuedunder14CFRpart21,SubpartHandnotsubjecttotheproposed conditionsandlimitations.•Thepetitionerstatesthattheunmannedaircraft(UA)tobeoperatedunderthisrequestislessthan10lbswithequipmentloaded,fliesataspeedofnomorethan30knots,carriesUSDept.ofTransportationDocketOperationsJanuary6,2015Page6neitherapilotnorpassenger,carriesnoexplosivematerialsorflammableliquidfuels,andoperatesexclusivelywithinprivateproperty.•ThepetitionerstatesthattheywillbeoperatingtheirUAwithinVisualLineofsight.TheoperatorwillmaintainvisualcontactwiththeUAwithouttheaidofbinocularsoranyothermethodtoseetheUA•Thepetitionerfurtherdescribesthat,intheeventtheUASlosescommunicationsoritsGPSsignal,theUAwillhavethecapabilitytoreturntoapre-dete1minedlocationwithintheSecurityPerimeterandland.Itwillalsohavethecapabilitytoabortaflightintheeventofunpredictedobstaclesoremergencies.TheDJIPhantomhasafailsafefunctionpreloadedfromthemanufacturer.•Thepetitioneralsostatesthattheunmannedaircraftwillbeflownunder400ftAGL.TheDJIPhantomhasanaltitudereadoutwhichwillbedisplayedonavideomonitoralongwithaseparatedisplayonanIPAD.Thealtimeterwillberesettogroundlevelatanaltitudeofzerofeet.Thiswillbepmiofabeforeflightchecklist.Apre-flight,beforetakeoffchecklistwillbereadandcompliedwithforeveryflight.AlloftheflightswillbeoperatedinClassGairspaceatthistime.IfflightsoccurundertheshelforinsidePittsburghclassBairspace.ACOAapplicationwillbesubmitted.NotificationtothelocalFSDOwillbecompliedwith.AftercommunicationwiththeFSDOappropriatelocalairtrafficcontrolwillbenotifiedforandappropriateNOTAMtobefiled.•ThepetitionerstatesthattheradioremotecontrolthatoperatestheUAisinFCCcompliance.Thedevicecomplieswithpart15oftheFCCrules.TheFCCIDisSS3-201306002.ThepetitionerstatesthateventhoughitsUASwillhavenoairworthinesscertificate,anexemptionmaybeneededfrom14CFR§45.23astheUAwillhavenoentrancetothecabin,cockpit,orpilotstationonwhichtheword"experimental"canbeplaced.GiventhesizeoftheUA,thepetitionernotesthatthetwo-inchletteringwillbeimpossible.Thepetitionerasse1isthatanequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeprovidedbyhavingtheUAmarkedwiththeword"experimental"onthefuselageincompliancewith14CFR§45.29(f),inalocationwherethepilot,observer,andothersworkingwiththeUAwillseetheidentification.Thepetitionerstatesthatthemaintenancerequirementsinthepertinentsectionsof14CFRpmi91areonlyapplicabletoaircraftwithanairworthinesscertificateinaccordancewithpart43.ThepetitionerstatesthatitsDJIPhantomdoesnothavespecificmaintenanceinstructions;thereforethepetitionerhasdevelopedaPreflightChecklist.Thepetitionerhasalsostatedthatitintendstofollowanymanufacturers'recommendedinstructionsandprocedureswhenthoseproceduresexistforcertaincomponentsofitsDJIPhantom.USDept.ofTransportationDocketOperationsJanuary6,2015Page7UASPilotInCommand(PIC)TheoperatingpilotcunentlyhasanATPcommercialpilotslicense.FAAcetiificate#3059604.Cunent1stclassmedical,issuedate12/3/2014.Approximately7000hoursofflighttimeinthepast10years.1yearofdroneexperienceaccumulatingapproximately150hourswiththeDJIproduct.UASOperatingParametersThepetitionerstatesthatallflightswillbeoperatedwithinvisuallineofsight(VLOS)ofapilotand/orobserver,andthattheUAflightswillbelimitedtoamaximumaltitudeof400feetAGL.Thepetitionerassetisthatanequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachievedgiventhesize,weight,andspeedoftheUAS,aswellasthelocationwhereitisoperated.ThepetitionerstatesthattheUASwillbeoperatedwithinasafeoperatingperimeter,theboundariesofwhichwillbedeterminedbyproductionpersonnelandtheUAPICbasedonthesite-specificdatacollectingactivitiesandspeedoftheUArequiredfortheoperation,andcoordinatedwiththejurisdictionalFAAFSDOandlocalgovernmentofficialsasapplicable.ThesafetyofconductingflightsbyaUAisdrasticallysaferthanthealternative.Ahelicopteristhealternativetogainingclosehighresolutionphotosorinfrareddata.TheUAcarriesnoflammablefuelandposesvirtuallynosafetythreattoanyworkersonsite.Withrespecttopreflightactions,thepetitionernotesitmayneedanexemptionfrom14CFR§91.103,becauseitwillnothaveapprovedrotorcraftflightmanuals,althoughthereare3checkliststhatwillbeadheredtopriortoanyflight. ThepetitionerassertsthatanequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedbythePICtakingallpreflightactionsassetforthintheirchecklist,includingreviewingweather,flightbatteryrequirements.Additionally,thepetitionerstatesthatabriefingwillbeconductedpriortoeachday'sdatacollectingregardingplannedUAoperations,andallpersonnelwhowillbeperformingdutieswithintheboundariesofthesafetyperimeterwillberequiredtoattend.Withrespecttothefuelrequirements,thepetitionernotesthat,inordertomeetthe30minutereserverequirementsin14CFR§91.151,UASflightswouldhavetobelimitedtoapproximately0minutes.Thepetitionerbelievesthatanequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachievedbylimitingflightsto15minutesor25%ofbatterypower,whicheveroccursfirst.Thepetitionernotesthatitmayneedanexemptionfrom14CFR§91.121,asitsUASmayhaveaGPSaltitudereadoutinsteadofabarometricaltimeter.Thepetitionerassertsthatanequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachieved.Specifically,thealtitudeinformationwillbeprovidedtotheUAPICviaadigitallyencodedtelemetricdatafeed.Priortoeachflight,azeroaltitudeinitiationpointwillbeestablishedandconfirmedforaccuracybythePIC.USDept.ofTransportationDocketOperationsJanuary6,2015Page8PublicInterestThepetitionerstatesthat,giventhesmallsizeoftheUAinvolvedandtherestrictedsterileenvironmentwithinwhichitwilloperate,itsproposedoperation"fallssquarelywithinthatzoneofsafety(anequivalentlevelofsafety)inwhichCongressenvisionedthattheFAAmust,byexemption,allowcommercialoperationsofUAStocommenceimmediately."AlsoduetothesizeoftheUAandtherestrictedareasinwhichtheUASwilloperate,approvaloftheapplicationpresentsnonationalsecurityissue.Thepetitionerstatesthat,giventhecleardirectioninSection333,thestrongequivalentlevelofsafetysunoundingtheproposedoperations,andthesignificantpublicbenefit,includingenhancedsafety,reductioninenvironmentalimpacts,andincludingreducedemissionsassociatedwithallowingUAforLIDARremotesensing,visualphotography,andIRremotesensingoperations,grantingtherequestedexemptionsisinthepublicinterest.ThankyouforyourtimelyconsiderationofthispetitionforexemptionunderSection333,andpleasecontactanyoftheundersignedindividualsassociatedwithRZIEnvironmentalManagementConsultantsshouldanyadditionalinformationbenecessarytofavorablyconsiderthisexemptionpetition.Sincerely,CharlesZollinger,PICCommercialPilot412-720-3313(mobile)RicharW--:-"1ollinger,PrincipalEnvironmentalEngineer412-841-7383(mobile)rzoll71O@aol.comMatthewMercurio,GISPPrincipalGISManager315-420-0620(mobile)R.W.ZollingerConsultingEngineers,Inc.(RZI)EnvironmentalManagementConsultantsJanuary2015UASChecklistAUTHORIZATION:•UARegistration,Operatorlicense/medical•LetterofExemption,COA(ifapplicable)•FSDOnotified/ATCnotified,operatingwithinNOTAMtimeENVIRONMENTAL:•Checkforpeople,andpropertylimitswithinflightvicinity•Notifyworkersorbystandersofintentions•Obtainaweatherforecast,noprecipitationexpectedwithinflight•Windspeedlessthan10mph•FirstAid/SafetykitonhandHARDWARE/EQUIPMENT:•VisualInspectionoftheAirframeoCracksinairframeorlandinggearoLooseordamagedscrews/fasteners/bands/straps/tiesoLooseordamagedwiringoInspectpropmounts&screwsandapplypressuretoensurepropellersaresecuredoPropsaresmoothandfreeofdamage/defect(checkblade,surface&hub)oForFPV,inspectcleanGoProcameralensandensureitissecure•Datacardisemptyandbatteryischarged•CameraisincorrectmodefortheassignmentoUAbatteryisfullychargedandsecuredoCheckwhetherthetransmitterispairedwiththeUAPRE-FLIGHT:•Batteriescharged&secured•PositionUAonalevelsafelocationfortakeoffoIftakeoffpointnotlevel,useportabletakeoff/landingpad•ForFPV,powerupgroundstationIPAD,videoreceiver•Onboardcamera,turnon•Alltransmittercontrolsandswitchesincorrectposition•Radiotransmitteron•UApoweron•EnsureledindicatorsarecorrectandUAhasnoerrorcodes•FPVcheckvideofeedFLIGHT:•Scanfornearbypeopleoranimals•Standclear,announce"CLEAR!"•Activatepropsatgroundidle•Hoverat5-10feetfor20-30seconds•Ifnoerrorcodes,commencewithflight