CORRECTED COPY

The FAA is reissuing the June 16, 2015, grant of exemption of Exemption No. 11818. A 

correction was made to add closed set filming. Below is the amended Exemption No. 11818 

that includes the aforementioned change. We made the correction in our records as of 

June 29, 2015.

June 16, 2015

Exemption No. 11818

Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2015–1069

Mr. Robert Mark Donnell

Counsel for Sky Realty Productions

Waypoint Law PLLC

424 Church Street, Suite 2000

Nashville, TN 37219

Dear Mr. Donnell:

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 dated April 14, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Bowers, LLC dba Sky Realty Productions (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an 

exemption. The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to 

conduct aerial photography for the broadcast television industry.

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. However, the FAA 

received three comments in support of the petition made to the docket.
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Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner are the DJI S800 and DJI S1000.

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 collection1 and closed-set motion picture and 

television filming. 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, 

 

1 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.
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delegated to me by the Administrator, Sky Realty Productions 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

and closed-set motion picture and television filming. This exemption is subject to the 

conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Sky Realty Productions 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 S800 and DJI 

S1000 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 

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.
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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 June 30, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures
U. S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

April 14, 2015 

Re: ExemptionRequestSection333 oftheFAAReformActandPart 11 ofthe 

Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b); 14 CFR Part 21; 14 CFR 

61.113 (a) & (b); 91.7 (a);91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b); 91.109;91.119; 91.121; 

91.151(a);91.203(a) & (b);91.405 (a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2);91.417 (a) & 

ili1 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 (the Reform 

Act) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Bowers, LLC d/b/a Sky Realty Productions, operator of multiple 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ("UAS") equipped to conduct aerial photography for the broadcast 

television industry 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. 1 

As described more fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of 

small UAS under controlled conditions in airspace that is 1) limited in scope; 2) predetermined; 

3) controlled as to who and what may enter and 4) would replace comparatively hazardous 

operations in the television industry presently using conventional aircraft with small, unmanned 

and relatively inexpensive UASs. 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." Section 333( c) of the Reform Act. 

The name and address of the applicant is: 

Bowers, LLC d/b/a Sky Realty Productions 

Attention: Ben McClung 

Phone: (904) 701-4025 

Email: -:en((~ skvrealtvproducti ons. com 

Address: 1799 Tall Tree Drive East, Jacksonville, FL 32246 

Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 

14 CFR Part 21 

14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) 

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) 

1 The conditions proposed by the applicant are drawn from Order 89000.1 CHG 0, Volume 3, 

Chapter 8-Issue a Certificate of Waiver for Motion Picture and Television Filming. 
14 C.P.R. 91.7 (a) 

14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2) 

14 C.P.R. 91.103 

14 C.P.R. 91.109 

14 C.F. R. 91.119 

14 C.P.R. 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151 (a) 

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 407 (a) (1) 

14 CFR 409 (a) (2) 

14 CFR417 (a) & (b) 

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress' goal in passing 

Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation 

to consider whether certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national 

airspace system before completion of the rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform 

Act. In making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types ofUASs 

do not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in 

light of the following: 

• The UAS's size, weight, speed, and operational capability; 

• Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and 

• Operation of the UAS within visual line of sight of the operator. 

Reform Act§ 333 (a). Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles "may 

operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the 

safe operation of such aircraft in the national airspace system." Id. §333(c) (emphasis addedi. 

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. 

This statutory authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined 

under §40 101 of the Act, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current 

airworthiness certificate. 

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed 

under subsection (a) or (b) ofthis section or any sections 44702-44716 ofthis title ifthe 

Administrator finds the exemption in the public interest. See also 49 USC §44711(a); 49 USC 

§44704; 14 CFR §91.203 (a) (1) 49 U.S.C. §44701(f). 

Equipment or aircraft to be utilized under this exemption grant are the S800 and S 1000 

rotorcrafts, weighting 55 or fewer lbs. with the camera attached. These devices operate at a 

2 Applicant interprets this provision to place the duty on the Administrator to not only process 

applications for exemptions under section 333, but for the Administrator to craft conditions 

for the safe operation of the UAS, if it should be determined that the conditions set forth 

herein do not fulfill the statutory requirements for approval. 

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maximum speed of 50 knots and have the capability to hover, and move in 360 degrees. It will 

operate only by line of sight and will operate only within the sterile area described in the 

Operations Manual, attached as Exhibit 1 (hereinafter "the Manual"). Such operations will 

insure that the UAS will "not create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the 

public."3 

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. §11.35, applicant requests confidential treatment for certain 

information provided with this request for exemption included in Exhibit 1, the Manual. 

Specifically, valuable proprietary information contained in the Manual would cause harm to the 

applicant should this information be disclosed publically. Such valuable commercial data is not 

available publically and are protected from release under the Freedom oflnformation Act, 5 

U.S.C. §552(b)(4). Regarding the two utilized aircraft (S800 and S1000) please see Exhibit 2, 

"Aircraft Flight Manual", for additional information provided by the manufacturer of each 

aircraft. 

Given the small size of the UASs involved and the restricted sterile environment within 

which they will operate, the applicant falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalent 

level of safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA would, by exemption, allow certain 

commercial operations ofUASs to commence immediately. Also, due to the size of the UASs 

and the restricted areas in which the relevant UASs will operate, approval of the application 

presents no national security issue. Given the clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act, 

the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of 

safety surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit, including 

enhanced safety and cost savings associated with allowing UASs for television operations, the 

grant of the requested exemptions is in the public interest. Accordingly, the applicant 

respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without delay. 

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY 

The applicant proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that 

have the characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations 

provide for at least an equivalent level of safety to operations under the current regulatory 

structure because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement to the already safe 

movie and television filming operations conducted with conventional aircraft. 

These limitations and conditions to which Sky Realty Productions agrees to be bound 

when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption include: 

1. The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs. 

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of a operator and/or observer. 

3. Maximum total flight time for each filming event will be 30 minutes. Flights will be 

terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 30 minute 

limit. 

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL or, not more than 

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

5. Minimum crew will consist of the sUAS operator, the camera operator, and an 

observer. 

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6. UAS crew will include an FAA licensed airman with at least a private pilot's 

certificate and third class medical. 

7. The crewmember holding the private pilot's certificate will be Pilot In Command 

(PIC) and act as Safety Officer and Aerial Coordinator. 

8. The UAS will only operate within a confined "Sterile Area" as defined in the Manual. 

Section F of the manual requires the establishment of a "Security Fence" for the flight 

operations area. 

9. The Safety Officer will conduct a Safety Briefing before each flight as required in the 

Manual. 

10. The operator will file a FAA Form 7711-1, or its equivalent, as modified in light of 

the requested exemption, with the appropriate Flight Standards District Office, as 

required in the Manual. 

11. The operator will obtain the consent of all persons involved in the filming and ensure 

that no one who has failed to sign the consent will be allowed within 100 feet of the 

flight operation, and this radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent 

level of safety determination, as required by the Manual. 

12. The operator will submit a written Plan of activities to the FSDO three days before 

the proposed shoot as required in the Manual. 

13. Operator and observer will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and 

received up-to-date information on the particular UAS to be operated. 

14. Observer and operator will at all times be able to communicate by voice and/or text. 

15. Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holders will be obtained. 

16. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or 

city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate 

governmental agencies. 

17. The UAS will not carry any equipment other than the equipment of the 

owner/ operator. 

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have 

capability to return to a pre-determined location within the Sterile Area and land. 

19. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case ofunpredicted obstacles 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 ofthe 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. 

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The UAS to be operated hereunder is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot 

nor passenger, carries no flammable fuel, and operates exclusively within a secured area as set 

out in the ManuaL Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be tightly 

controlled and monitored by both the operator, pursuant to the Manual's requirements, and by 

state and local police, in compliance with local public safety requirements, to provide security 

for the area of operation as is now done with conventional filming. The FAA will have advance 

notice of all operations. These safety enhancements, which already apply to civil aircraft 

operated in connection with filming movies and television programs, provide a greater degree of 

safety to the public and property owners than conventional operations conducted with 

airworthiness certificates issued under 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 flammable fuel, and inability to carry an 

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 may 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 UA V, 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 UA V marked on its 

fuselage as required by §45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the UAV 

will see the identification of the UAS as "Experimental." The FAA has issued the following 

exemptions to this regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167 and 10167A. 

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

Sections 61.113 (a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Because the 

UAS will not carry passengers and/or property of others, the proposed operations can achieve the 

equivalent level of safety of current operations by requiring the crew operating the aircraft to 

have a private pilot's license rather than a commercial pilot's license to operate this small UAS. 

Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries the pilot, passengers, and cargo, the UAS is remotely 

controlled with no passengers or cargo on board. The area of operation is controlled and 

restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance as set forth in the Manual. The 

level of safety provided by the requirements included in the Manual exceeds that provided by a 

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single individual holding a commercial pilot's certificate operating a conventional aircraft. The 

risks associated with the operation ofthe UAS are so diminished from the level of risk associated 

with commercial operations contemplated by Part 61when drafted, that allowing operations of 

the UAS as requested with a private pilot as the PIC exceeds the present level of safety achieved 

by 14 C.P.R. §61.113 (a) & (b). 

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 and the requirements contained in the Manual for maintenance and 

use of safety checklists 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. The FAA 

has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299, 

9299A, 9565, 9565B, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 32827, and 10700. 

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. An equivalent level of safety will be provided as set 

forth in the Manual. The PIC will take all actions including reviewing weather, fuel 

requirements, landing and takeoff distances and aircraft performance data before initiation of 

flight. 

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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. 

UASs 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. See Exemption Nos.5778K & 9862A. 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 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, 

except for the limited conditions stated herein, the UAS will never operate at higher than 400 

AGL. It will however be operated in a restricted area with security and limited access, 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 

land owner or those that control the land. Because of the advance notice to the landowner and 

participants in the filming activity, all affected individuals will be aware of the flights. 

Compared to film 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 allowed with conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 AGL 

in the movie industry. In addition, the low-altitude operations of the UAS will ensure separation 

between these small-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 will 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 Manual and Safety Check list, confirming the 

altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. 

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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 50 minutes of powered flight. To 

meet the 30-minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, UAS flights would be limited to 

approximately 20 minutes in length. Given the limitations on the UAS's proposed flight area 

and the location of its proposed operations, a longer time frame for flight in daylight or night 

VFR conditions is reasonable. 

Applicant believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151 (a) is safe and falls within the 

scope of prior exemptions. See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed Martin Corporation to 

operate without compliance with FAR 91.151 (a)). Operating the small UAS, in a tightly 

controlled area where only people and property holders 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 20 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 

30 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. 

Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions 2689F, 

5745, 10673, and 10808. 

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. 

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The UAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lbs. As such, there is no ability or place 

to carry certification and registration documents or to display them on the UAS. In addition, 

there is no pilot on board the aircraft. 

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. The FAA has 

issued numerous exemptions to this regulation. A representative sample of other exceptions 

includes Exemption Nos. 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789A, 9797, 9797A, 9816A, and 10700. 

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, these sections are not applicable in this 

case. Here maintenance will be accomplished by the operator pursuant to the flight manual and 

operating handbook as referenced in the Manual. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved 

because these small UASs are very limited in size and will carry a small payload and operate 

only in restricted areas for limited periods oftime. If mechanical issues arise the UAS can land 

immediately and will be operating from no higher than 400 feet AGL. As provided in the 

Manual, 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. 

********* 

Publishable Summary 

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the 

Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed: 

Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules: 

14 C.F.R. §21, subpart H; 14 C.F.R 45.23(b);14 C.F.R. §§ 61.113( a) & (b);91.7 

(a); 91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b);91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.15l(a);91.203(a) and (b); 91.405 

(a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) & (b) to operate 

commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55lbs or less) in television operations. 

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations ofUASs in the film and 

television industry will enhance safety by reducing risk. Conventional film operations, using jet 

or piston power aircraft, operate at extremely low altitudes just feet from the subject being filmed 

and in extreme proximity to people and structures; and present the risks associated with vehicles 

that weigh in the neighborhood of 4,000lbs., carrying large amounts of jet A or other fuel (140 

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gallons for jet helicopters shown below). Such aircraft must fly to and from the film location. In 

contrast, a UAS weighing fewer than 55 lbs. and powered by batteries eliminates virtually all of 

that risk given the reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel carried on board. The UAS is 

carried to the film set and not flown. The UAS will carry no passengers or crew and, therefore, 

will not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft flights. 

In addition, the public interest is served by the reduced cost associated with UAS 

operations. In general terms, operations with a jet helicopter, such as a Eurcopter AS 350B3, 

operating on a 4-hour minimum daily standard and 1 0-hour per day crew schedule costs roughly 

$30,000 for a day's shoot. A UAS would cost in the neighborhood of$10,000 for the same time 

period. 

The operation of small UASs, weighting less than 55 lbs., conducted in the strict 

conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the 

exemptions requested herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 21 

and allowing commercial operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to 

the ground, and in a sterile environment and, as a result, are far safer than conventional 

operations conducted with turbine helicopters operating in close proximity to the ground and 

people. 

********* 

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UAS Filming 

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PrivacY 

All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the owner's prr~ 

consent and knowledge. Filming will be of people who have also consented to being filmed or 

otherwise have agreed to be in the area where filming will take place. 

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of2012; size, 

weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas and operation 

within visual line of sight and national security- provide more than adequate justification for the 

grant of the requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of apnlicant's UAS in t!-.:: 

television industry pursuant to the Manual appended here~::·. 

Sincerely, 

Robert Mark Donnell 

Counsel for Sky Realty Productions 

W aypoint Law PLLC 

424 Church Street, Suite 2000 

Nashville, TN 37219 

P: (615) 756-3520 

mdonnell@waypointlaw.com 

Ben McClung 

Owner, Sky Realty Productions 

1799 Tall Tree Drive E 

Jacksonville, FL 32246 

P: (904) 701-4025 

ben@skyrealtyproducti ons. com 

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