Petition for Exemption 14 CFR § 11.81 

Exemption petition under SEC 333 

Your name and mailing address. You may include other contact information such as a fax 

number, telephone number, or email address; 

Name: James Walter McCord

Address: 608 Eastbrook Road

Phone: 625-594-1987

Email: Walter.McCord@gmail.com

The specific section or sections of 14 CFR from which you seek an exemption; Petition 

for Exemption under Sec 333 

The extent of relief you seek and the reason you seek the relief; 

Sec 333 prohibits the use of a UAS for commercial purposes on private property. I am a member 

of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and am simply petitioning for an exemption to provide a 

commercial service to private land owners and companies who wish to obtain and capture 

Aerial photos and videos of said property for purposes including real estate listings, insurance 

property claims, and for use as a marketing tool for businesses. I would like to be able to accept 

payment for these services therefore making this a commercial use of a UAS. 

How your request would benefit the public as a whole; 

My request benefits the public as a whole by providing an opportunity for small business 

owners, real estate agents, and others who wish to document their land or property to take 

advantage of the technology that now exists in the form of UAS’s and allows them to do so 

using an experienced and certified RC Pilot in Command that understands how to safely 

operate such technology. 
Reasons why the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the exemption would 

provide a level of safety at least equal to the existing rule; 

Being an FAA licensed Private Pilot, a certified AMA RC Pilot and therefore understanding the 

importance of different uses and safety concerns regarding FAA regulated airspace, I would be 

a good candidate for exemption of Sec 333 while not putting Air Safety in any accelerated risk. 

The specific UAS (Blade 350qx whose Operating Manual is Included in my petition) I am seeking 

exemption with is one with many safety programs, including SAFE technology and GPS 

navigating. When flying for this commercial purpose I would be flying at a maximum altitude of 

40 meters and flying mostly vertically for the purposes of taking photos, decreasing the risk of 

any interference. My general knowledge of the aviation safety systems implemented by the 

FAA would be used to ensure that safety would not be affected by my operations. I would not 

be flying near disaster areas, sporting events, or high traffic areas including airports, and I 

would pay attention to NOTAMS. 

I intend to fly in one of these two safe modes: 

Flight Mode 0– Smart Mode (Default) 

(Solid Green Indicator LED) 

Stick Relativity– While in Smart Mode, the path of the 

aircraft will always follow the control stick input 

direction relative to the SAFE Circle, regardless of the 

direction the nose of the aircraft is pointing. 

• SAFE CircleTM– In most scenarios, the quad will 

not enter the SAFE Circle. 

• Position Hold– The aircraft will hold its 

position when elevator and aileron inputs are at 

neutral. 

• Self-Leveling– Brings the 350 QX to a level 

attitude when the elevator and aileron inputs are at 

neutral. • Altitude Command– Altitude is relative to 

throttle stick position. 

Flight Mode 1– Stability Mode 

(Solid Blue Indicator LED) 

• Self-Leveling– Brings the 350 QX to a level 

attitude when the elevator and aileron inputs are at 

neutral. 

• Position Hold– The 350 QX uses GPS to hold a 

given location when this function is activated. If GPS 

is enabled and has a solid lock, the aircraft will hold 
its position when elevator or aileron inputs are at 

neutral. 

• Throttle provides proportional thrust– The 

throttle responds directly to the throttle input, giving 

the pilot direct control over hovering as well as 

ascent and descent rates. 

I Intend to follow these suggested safety regulations • 

Always keep aircraft in sight and under control. 

• Always keep people and pets at least 35 feet (10 meters) away when the battery is 

connected. 

• Keep children out of the vicinity of this product at all times. 

• Always use fully charged batteries. 

• Always keep transmitter powered on while aircraft is powered. 

• Always remove batteries before disassembly. 

• Always keep moving parts clean. 

• Always keep parts dry. 

• Always let parts cool after use before touching. 

• Always remove batteries after use. 

• Always have a first aid kit with you. 

• Always have an appropriate fire extinguisher with you. 

• Never operate aircraft with damaged wiring. 

• Never touch moving parts. 

The Blade 350 QX has many more features than other Blade quad copters. 

A summary we can publish in the Federal Register Federal Register — 

I, James Walter McCord am seeking an exemption of the FAA’s Sec 333 rules that does not 

allow the use of an Unmanned Aircraft to be used for Commercial purposes in regards to 

National Airspace Safety. I am simply petitioning for an exemption to provide a commercial 

service to private land owners and companies who wish to obtain and capture Aerial photos 

and videos of said property for purposes including real estate listings, insurance property 

claims, and for use as a marketing tool for businesses. Being an FAA licensed Private Pilot, a 

certified AMA RC Pilot and therefore understanding the importance of different uses and safety 

concerns regarding FAA regulated airspace, I would be a good candidate for exemption of Sec 

333 while not putting Air 

Safety in any accelerated risk. The specific UAS (Blade 350qx whose Operating Manual is 

Included in my petition) I am seeking exemption with is one with many safety programs, 

including SAFE technology and GPS navigating. When flying for this commercial purpose I would 

be flying at a maximum altitude of 40 meters and flying mostly vertically for the purposes of 

taking photos, decreasing the risk of any interference. My general knowledge of the aviation 
safety systems implemented by the FAA would be used to ensure that safety would not be 

affected by my operations. I would not be flying near disaster areas, sporting events, or high 

traffic areas including airports, and I would pay attention to NOTAMS. I appreciate the FAA’s 

consideration of this petition for exemption. 

Any additional information, views, or arguments available to support your request; 

I am fully aware of the pre-flight safety checks and procedures implicated in the operation 

manual for the Blade 350qx and intend to implement pre-flight safety checks and utilize the 

safety technology provided with this unit. I intend to only fly in non-populated, residential or 

rural areas and stay clear of all utility lines etc. I intend to be fully aware of my surroundings at 

all times and to only fly the unmanned aircraft within a visual line of sight and only in Visual 

Flight Conditions. 

My FAA Issued Private Pilot License Certificate Number is 3491318

My Membership Number in the Academy of Model Aeronautics is 1040892 for 2015 

I understand the regulations and will comply with all the health and safety regulations for PIC’s 

and will be the only operator under this exemption. 

Operations of the Blade 350qx include the following information and operations manual: 

Length 18.30 in (465mm) 

Height 5.43 in (138mm) 

Main Rotor Diameter 22.80 in (580mm) Flying 

Weight 24 oz (680 g) 

Airframe Blade 350 QX Quadcopter 

Motors 4x Brushless Outrunner Motor, 1100Kv 

ESCs 4x 10-Amp Brushless ESC 

Battery 3S 11.1V 2200mAh 30C Li-Po 

Charger 2–3S Li-Po Balancing DC Charger, 0.5–3A 

Transmitter DSM2®/DSMX® compatible transmitter 
General Safety Precautions and Warnings I intend to Follow

• Always keep a safe distance in all directions around your model to avoid collisions or injury. 

This model is controlled by a radio signal subject to interference from many sources outside 

your control. Interference can cause momentary loss of control. 

• Always operate your model in open spaces away from full-size vehicles, traffic and people. 

• Always carefully follow the directions and warnings for this and any optional support 

equipment (chargers, rechargeable battery packs, etc.). 

• Always keep all chemicals, small parts and anything electrical out of the reach of children. 

• Always avoid water exposure to all equipment not specifically designed and protected for this 

purpose. Moisture causes damage to electronics. 

• Never place any portion of the model in your mouth as it could cause serious injury or even 

death. 

• Never operate your model with low transmitter batteries. 

• Always keep aircraft in sight and under control. 

• Always move the throttle fully down at rotor strike. 

• Always use fully charged batteries. 

• Always keep transmitter powered on while aircraft is powered. • Always remove batteries 

before disassembly 

• Always keep moving parts clean. 

• Always keep parts dry. 

• Always let parts cool after use before touching. 

• Always remove batteries after use. 

• Never operate aircraft with damaged wiring. 

• Never touch moving parts. 

If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside the United States, you must 

state the reason. 

I have no intention of using this exemption outside the United States