Dear Sir or Madam: 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) and 14 

CFR Part 11, Michael E. Daugherty, operator of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), 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. 

Commercial operation of an UAS, as described herein, which are equipped with camera(s) and sensors, 

would operate in the following manner: 

• Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, architecture, land 

surveying, engineering and other related professional activities.

• Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including television, public events, 

cinematography and news gathering. 

• Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with the owners or 

local government authority. 

• Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue operations in 

cases of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities or government has requested 

it by contract or donation. 

• The ability to offer training to persons individually or belonging to both private and/or public 

organizations that have interests in the use and application of a UAS for the purpose of the safe 

operation of a UAS to enhance the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS) as well as for the 

protection of the persons and property. 

As described fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of a UAS under 

controlled conditions in the NAS that would be a) limited b) controlled c) predetermined and d) will 

provide safety enhancements to the already safe operations in the industry presently using conventional 

aircraft. 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.” The name and address of the 

applicant is: Attn: Michael E. Daugherty, Owner/Chief Pilot Email: michaeledaugherty@gmail.com 

Address: 8309 E 900 S Lafayette, IN 47909 

Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 

14 CFR Part 21 subpart H 14 

CFR 45.23 (b) 14 

CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) 14 

CFR 91.7 (a) 14 
CFR 91.9 (b) (2) 14 

CFR 91.103 14 

CFR 91.109 14 

CFR 91.119 (c) 14 

CFR 91.121 14 

CFR 91.151 (a) 14 

CFR 91.203 (a) & (b) 14 

CFR 91.405 (a) 14 

CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 14 

CFR 91.409 (a) (2) 14 

CFR 91.417 (a) & (b) 

Michael E. Daugherty , will operate the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, with a total weight of 1280g or 2lbs 

13 oz. The dimensions are 40.36cm x 40.36cm x 19.05cm or 16inch x 16inch x 7.5inch. Under still air the 

maximum speed is no more than 16m/s or 35mph with a cruising speed of 11m/s or 25mph. The DJI 

Phantom 3 Professional has the ability to hover and move along a vertical and horizontal plane 

simultaneously. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional has four motors, Motor Model DJI 3510, powered by a 

4480mAh 4s LiPo Lithium Polymer battery. There are four propellers, Propeller Model DJI 1345, in use. 

The DJI Phantom 3 Professional will be controlled with the C3 remote controller with an operating 

frequency of 2.400GHz – 2.483GHz. The live video feed will have an operating frequency of 2.4GHz ISM 

with maximum range of 1.2 miles. The applicant will operate the UAS in line of sight within a closed off 

and predetermined area owned and/operated by the property representative. 

DJI Phantom 3 Professional 

GENERAL FEATURES 

• Ready to fly 

• 3-axis camera stabilization

• Precision flight and stable hovering 

• GPS/GLONASS positioning & auto return home 

• Onscreen real-time flight parameters

• High Definition 4k Camera 

• Camera tilt control 

• Film straight down 

• Supports Adobe DNG RAW 

• Adobe lens profile support 

• Camera parameter settings 

• Album synchronization 

• FAA no-fly zones locked out via installed software TRANSMITTER

• Operating Frequency:2.400 GHz – 2.483 GHz

• Communication Distance(open area): CE: 2000m; FCC: 2000m 

• Receiver Sensitivity(1%PER):-101dBm +/- 2dBm 

• Transmitter Power: CE: 16dBm; FCC: 20dBm

• Working Voltage: 1.2A @ 7.4V 
• Battery: 6000 mAh LiPo 2s CAMERA 

• Operating Environment Temperature: 0°C-40°C

• Max Resolution: 4096 x 2162p @ 24/25fps 

• FOV: 94°/ 85° 

• Sensor size: 1/2.3" 

• HD Recording: 4k p 24/25fps / 720p 60fps DJI VISION APP

• System Requirement of Mobile Device: iOS version 6.0 or above/ Android system version 4.0 or above 

• Mobile Device Support: Recommended: Ipad Air 2, Ipad mini iPhone4s, iPhone5, iPhone5s, iPod 

Touch4, iPod Touch5; Given the small size of the UAS and the controlled environment provided the 

proposed operations will adhere to the Reform Act’s safety requirements. The approval of this 

application presents no national security issues. Regarding the level of safety surrounding the proposed 

operations and the public benefit, reduction in environmental impacts, including but not limited to 

reduced emissions and noise, the grant of the requested exemption is in the public interest. Accordingly 

the applicant requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption with minimum delay. AIRCRAFT AND 

EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY The operation limitations proposed for an equivalent or higher level of 

safety because operations will further enhance the safety of the persons and/or property using 

conventional aircraft. These limitations and conditions to which the applicant agrees to adhere to when 

conducting commercial operations under the FAA issued exemption as set forth in the Flight Operations 

Manual (FOM) include: • The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs. (DJI Phantom 3 Professional weighs 1280G 

or 2lbs 13oz) • The UAS will have a maximum operating speed of no more than 35mph. • Flights will be 

operated within line of sight of the Pilot in Command (PIC) and/or Visual Observer (VO). • Maximum 

flight time for each operational flight will be 20 minutes. Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power 

reserve or 20 minutes of flight time whichever occurs first. • Flights will be operated at an altitude of no 

more than 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) and not more than 200 feet above an elevated platform 

from which filming is planned. • Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UAS Pilot, the 

Visual Observer (VO) and may include but not limited to a Camera Operator. • The UAS pilot will be a 

designated Pilot in Command (PIC) and will take and pass all necessary certifications currently being 

approved by the FAA administration for commercial use. • A briefing will be performed regarding the 

planned UAS operations prior to each day’s flight consisting of all the days’ production activities. • All 

flights will occur under Visual Flight Rules Meteorological Conditions (VMC) only. • The flights will occur 

no closer than a 5 mile radius of the geographic center/Airport Reference Point (ARP) of a tower 

controlled or uncontrolled airport. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional has built in software for all FAA 

regulated ‘No Fly Zones’ and was uploaded by DJI (February 2015) for all DJI drones to download and 

prevent any possible flights occurring within no-fly zones. DJI Phantom 3 Professional has installed 

software (code) that denies flights within the FAA no-fly zones. • If operations will be within a 5 mile 

radius of the geographic center/Airport Reference Point (ARP) of a tower controlled or uncontrolled 

airport the respective airports will be contacted advising them of the estimated flight time, flight 

duration, elevation of flight and other pertinent information. • The operator will file FAA Form 7711-1, 

or its equivalent, as modified in light of the requested exemption, with the appropriate local Flight 

Standards District Office (FSDO) no more than 72 hours but no less than 48 hours from planned 

operation. • The operator will obtain verbal/written consent of all persons involved with the planned 

operation and ensure that only consenting persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight 
operation, and the radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety 

determination, as required under the FOM. With the advanced permission of the FSDO, operations at 

closer range may be approved. • The PIC and VO will have been trained in operation of UAS and receive 

up-to-date information for the particular UAS to be operated. • The PIC and VO will be able to 

communicate by voice, radio, and/or text at all times. • Written and/or verbal permission and permits 

will be obtained from territorial, state, county or city jurisdictions, including law enforcement, fire or 

other appropriate governmental agencies. • If the UAS loses communications with the remote controller 

or loses GPS signal, the UAS will have the capability to return to a pre-determined location within a 

designated location and land autonomously. • The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case 

of unpredicted obstacles, weather, 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 of the 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. The UAS to be operated 

hereunder is less than 55 lbs. (3 lbs.) fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger, carries no 

explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a secured and designated 

area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored 

by both the operator and under the requirements and in compliance with local public safety 

requirements. The FAA will have advance notice of all operations. These safety enhancements provide a 

greater degree of safety to the public and property owners than conventional operations conducted 

with airworthiness certificates issued under 14 C.F.R. Part 21, 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 explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, 

and inability to carry a substantial 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 will 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 UAS, 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 UAS 
marked on its fuselage as required by §45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the 

UAS will see the identification of the UAS as “Experimental.” 

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

Pursuant to 14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b), 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. An equivalent 

level of safety can be achieved by current Regulations because the applicant’s UAS do not carry any 

pilots or passengers nor property. The risks attendant to the operation of UAS is far less than the risk 

levels inherent in the commercial activities outlined in 14 CFR 61. The operation and limitations set forth 

in the FOM will equate to the safe operation of the UAS. 

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 for 

maintenance and use of safety check lists 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. 

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. The PIC will take all actions as stated in the manufacturer FOM in the pre-flight 

inspection section, including but not limited to reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing 

and takeoff distances and aircraft performance data before initiation of flight. 

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. UAS 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. 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 and speed 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, the UAS will never operate at higher than 

400 AGL with the exception that in circumstances where the UAS is used to survey or photograph a 

structure whose height exceeds 400 feet AGL, the UAS will not be operated more than 200 feet above 

the highest point on the structure. It will however be operated in a restricted area with security 

perimeter, 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 property 

owner or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and participants in the 

filming activity, all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight operations. Compared to flight 

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 

presented with conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 AGL. In addition, the low-altitude 

operations of the UAS will ensure separation between these 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 may 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 safety check list and live flight data monitoring, confirming the altitude of the launch 

site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. 

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 25 minutes of powered flight. To meet the 30 minute reserve requirement in 14 

CFR §91.151, UAS flights would be limited to approximately 10 minutes in length. Given the limitations 

on the UAS’s proposed flight area and the location of its proposed operations within a predetermined 

area, a longer time frame for flight in daylight or twilight VFR conditions is reasonable. Applicant 

believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151(a) falls within the scope of prior exemptions. Operating 

the UAS, in a tightly controlled area where only people and property owners or official representatives 

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 10 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 20 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. 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. The UAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lbs. 

and is operated without an onboard pilot. As such, there is no ability or place to carry certification and 

registration documents or to display them on the UAS. 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; to the extent they are applicable to the UAS. 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. Maintenance will be 

accomplished by the operator pursuant to the flight manual and operating handbook. An equivalent 

level of safety will be achieved because the UAS is very limited in size and will carry a small payload and 

operate only in restricted areas for a limited period of time. If mechanical issues arise the UAS can land 

immediately and will be operating from no higher than 400 feet AGL. 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. An 

equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be performed in 

accordance with the UAS Manufacturer's User Manual. As provided in the FOM, the operator will ensure 

that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight and perform required maintenance needed. 

Additional Information

The applicant, Michael E. Daugherty, has logged more than 40 hrs with the UAS without incident and 

continues to practice safety first in regard to person and other natural and manmade objects. Also the 

primary pilot, Michael E. Daugherty, has an in-depth understanding of the capabilities and safety 

concerns involved in using this technology as an asset to the community. Satisfaction of criteria provided 

in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012 provide adequate justification for the grant of the requested 

exemptions allowing the commercial operation of the applicant’s UAS.

Sincerely, 

Michael E. Daugherty

Michael E. Daugherty

President

JP Video Productions