Sept 1 8 th

, 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation
Docket Management System
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590

Re: Petition of Skyland Photography

, LL C for an Exemption Pursuant to Section 333 of the

FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012

To Whom it May Concern:

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ("Reform Act") and

14 C.F.R. Part 11, Skyland Photography

, LL C ( Skyland ) hereby applies for an exemption from the

Federal Aviation Regulations ("FARs") identified below to allow commercial operation of small

unmanned aerial vehicles ( i.e., "small unmanned aircraft" or “ UAS ”) for conducting general aerial
photography and videogr aphy for the film, video, real estate and perform industrial inspection

.

This petition for exempti on addresses pertinent FAA FAR’s and CFR’s as well as, but not limited to, these accompanying Skyland ’s documents.

1. Flight Operations Manual and;

2. Operations Manuals
(collectively referred to as Operations Manuals")

3. User Guide and;

4. User Manual

(collectively referred to as "Manufacturer's Manual"). 1

Skyland submits these as well as other Skyland supporting materials as confidential documents
pursuant to 14 C.F. R. § 11.35 (b), as the materials contain confidential commercial and/or proprietary

information that the Skyland has not and will not share with others. Additionally, these documents
contain operating conditions and procedures that are not generally availa ble to the public and are
protected from release under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552 et seq.



### _________________ 1 The term "Manufacturer's Manual" also includes all relevant manufacturer publications, including, but

not limited to: operations and flight manuals, user guides, component maintenance manuals, pilot
training manuals, service information letters and, safety/service bulletins).U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 2

This Petition is organized as follows:

I. Petitioner

II. Description of Proposed Operations



### A. Aerial Photography and Videography for the Film, V ideo, Real Estate and Industrial Inspections

III. Relevant Statutory Authority

IV. Skyland Proposed S

- UAS Operations Meet the Requirements of Section 333 of the

Reform Act

A. Approval is Warranted Based on the S

- UAS 's Size, Weight, Speed, and Operational Capability

B. Approval is Warranted Based on the Operational Restrictions Set Forth in the Operations

Manuals

V. Regulations From Which Exemption is Requested

A. 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H

– Airworthiness Certificates and 14 C.F.R. §
91.203(a)(1) B. 14 C.F.R. Part 27 Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft
C.14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a): Aircraft Marking and Identification
Requirements D. 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2); 91.417(a) and (b):

Maintenance Inspections

E. 14 C.F.R. Part 61, 14 C.F.R. § 61.3, 14 C.F.R. § 61.113: Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations

F. 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

G. 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b )(2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft and 14 C.F.R. § 91.203(a)
and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

H. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action

I. 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction

J. 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c): Minimum Safe Altitudes

K. 14 C.F.R. § 91.121: Altimeter Settings

L. 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

VI. Drug and Alcohol Program

VII. Public Interest

VIII. Privacy

IX. Federal Register Summary

X. ConclusionU.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 3

I. DESCRIPTION OF PETITIONER

Skyland is based in Pentaluma, CA working in photography and videography services. The principle
Jeremy Kaltenbach has had is PPL Private Pilot’s License since 2002 and has been buildi ng and flying
UAS for over 5 years without incident. The Company specializes in the customization of UAS for
specific application use. This customization is important when providing special services for the
company’s client in real estate, film and video production, indu strial and commercial inspection and
aerial mapping and survey. The Company’s categories of business for its clients are; precision video, data

collection and UAS customization.

This important work provides the Company’s clients with a un ique marketing edge through the u se of

customized UAS and other C ompany’s services. The Company will continue to focus it s service business on

the videography of real estate for sales purposes
, mapping, inspections, surveying and film and video
production and u pon completion of the 333 exemption grant its products and services will be the
Company’s sole source of income. The Company provides all of the documentation required by the FAA
in this petition and will commercially conduct general aerial photography and videography for the film,
video, real estate and perform industrial inspection.

The contact information for Petitioner is as follows:

Jeremy J Kaltenbach Skyland Photography

, L L C

117 Round Court

. Petaluma, CA 94952

Phone: 707

- 205

- 6768

Email: Jesse@skylandphotography.com

II. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED OPERATION

Skyland seeks an exemption pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act to operate the DJI S1000+,

S900 ( known as S

- UAS ) for the proposed operations discussed below. S

- UAS operations will occur under tightly controlled conditions on private property where Skyland has received permission to operate from the
landowner, controller or authorized representatives. The proposed S

- UAS operations will be conducted in

accordance with the conditions and limitations of this Petition for Exemption and Skyland ’s Operations

Manuals. As detailed in Skyland ’s Operations Manuals, S

- UAS operations will be limited to daytime VFR
conditions, within visual line

- of

- sight ("VLOS") of the operator, in uncontrolled airspace, and will occur at

least 5 nm away from an airport. Moreover, Skyland ’s Operations Manuals incorporate redundant safeguards to assure that the aircraft does not travel outside the controlled area of S

- UAS operations, including GPS "geo

- fencing" technologies.

A. Aerial Photography and Videography for the Film, Video, Real Estate and Perform Industrial Inspection

Skyland seeks to use S

- UAS s for the purpose of conducting general aerial photography and
videography for the film, video, real estate and perform industrial inspection.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 4

Company has tailored its operations to meet the requirements established by the FAA in prior grants of
exemptions authorizing the c ommercial use of UAS in general aerial photography and videogr aphy for
the film, video, real estate and perform industrial inspection including:

 Curve and Line LLC (Exemption No. 12289 )

 Wiregrass Aerial Photography 11977 (Exemption No. 11977)

 Team 5, LLC (Exemption No. 11158)

 Alan D. Purwin (Exemption No. 11161)

 Helinet Aviation Services, LLC (Exemption No. 11160)

 Picture Factory, Inc. (Exemption No. 11178)

 Dronair Solutions ( Exemption No. 11671 )

 Trudeau, Realtor® (Exemption No. 11138)

 Alon Sicherm an (Exemption No. 11728)

 Sokol er Medley (Exemption No. 11341)

UAS aerial photography and videography for the film, video, real estate and perform industrial
inspection operations will be conducted on private property in a controlled area, away from spectators
and persons not involved in the video production. UAS vide o photography will be conducted during
daylight hours, VFR conditions, at altitudes below 400' AGL. As set forth below, Company ’s
operations provide a superior level of safety and quality compared to performing the same filming work
using conventional fixed

- wing aircraft or helicopters.

Traditional methods of real estate video, general video production and inspection of structures,

expose s videographer

- inspectors to higher risks of serious injuries, or death. Videographer

- inspectors

need to climb roof tops or otherwise perform elevated work, which exposes them to the risk of
dangerous falls, electrocution or other work related extremes. In addition, depending on the nature of

the video needed and inspection, proximity to equipment, and other mechanical hazards associated

with industrial sites and construction facilities often involves a risk of exposure to hazardous. The use

of S

- UAS s mitigates these hazards and is ultimately a much safer method of performing these and

most other types of inspections.

S

- UAS real estate video production and inspection of structures is much safer than traditional
manned aircraft performing the same function. Conventional operations using rotorcraft and fixed

- wing
aircraft in low level operations present very high risks with vehicles weighing thousands of pounds,
carrying passengers and large amounts of fuel. It is important to note that the use of small S

- UAS in this
area will not only be safer and more cost effective, but the quality of collected data and information is

far superior.

S

- UAS real estate video production and inspection of structures is more reliable, and allows for
the collection, dissemination, and storage of visual content and other sensory data with greater precision

and duration. S

- UAS s are also capabl e of accessing finish and structural quality through the use of
video and inspecting areas that would otherwise be inaccessible to humans and would be impossible to be completed with conventional aircraft or other inspection methods.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 5

III. RELEVANT STATUTORY AUTHORITY

This Petition for Exemption is submitted pursuant to Section 333(a) through (c) of the FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ("Reform Act"). Congress has directed the FAA "to safely
accelerate the integration of civil unmann ed aircraft systems into the national airspace system."
Pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act, the FAA Administrator is to permit unmanned aircraft
systems to operate in the National Air Space ("NAS") where it is safe to do so based on the following

considerations:

● The S

- UAS 's size, weight, speed and operational capability;

● Operation of the S

- UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and

● Operation of the S

- UAS within the visual line of sight of the operator.

Additionally, the FAA Adm inistrator has general authority to grant exemptions from the agency's
safety regulations and minimum standards when the Administrator decides a requested exemption is in
the public interest. See 49 U.S.C. § 106(f) (defining the authority of the Administra tor); 49 U.S.C. §
44701(f) (permitting exemptions from §§ 44701(a), (b) and §§ 44702

– 44716, et seq. ). A party requesting an exemption must explain the reasons why the exemption: (1) would benefit the public as a whole, and (2) would not adversely affect safety (or how it would provide a level of safety at least
equal to the existing rules). See 14 C.F.R. § 11.81 (petitions for exemption).

IV. REAL ESTATE SHOWCASES’ PROPOSED S

- UAS OPERATIONS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 333 OF THE REFORM ACT

The small S

- UAS operations proposed by Skyland in this Petition for Exemption qualify for
expedited approval pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act as each of the statutory criteria and

relevant factors are satisfied.

A. Approval is Warranted Based on the S

- UAS 's Size, Weight, Speed, and Operational
Capability

A Grant of Exemption is appropriate for operations conducted using the S

- UAS s due to its size weight,
speed, and operational capability.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 6

 The S

- UAS s have been approved for use in prior Section 333 Grants of Exemption from the FAA. 2

 The S

- UAS s weigh less than 55 pounds, including payload.

 The S

- UAS s will not be flown at a ground speed in excess of 50 knots.

 Altitude information will be generated by equipment onboard the UA as specified using GPS
triangulation, digitally encoded barometric altimeter, radio altimeter, or any combination thereof.
This information will be transmitted to the pilot via telemetric data feed.

 The S

- UAS s will have system redundancies and independent functionality to ensure the overall
safety and predictability of the system. If connection to the remote control or ground control station
is lost, failsafe systems will permit the S

- UAS to return to a predetermined location and safely land
without injury or damage.

 The radio fr equencies used for operations and control of the S

- UAS comply with the
Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and other appropriate government oversight agency requirements. The operating frequency for S

- UAS s are 2.4 GHz.

If the same operations were conducted using a helicopter, the aircraft's take

- off weight would likely exceed
6,000 pounds carrying a pilot, camera operator and VO

- visual observer

- navigator. The difference in
weight between S

- UAS s and a helicopter significantly reduces the potential harm to the participating and

non

- participating individuals or property in the event of an accident or incident. In addition, the risk to the
onboard pilot and camera operator is eliminated.

2 See e.g ., Grant of Exemption to Shotover Camera Systems L.P. (Exemption No. 11159); Grant of
Exemption to VDOS Global, LLC (Exemption No. 11112); Grant of Exemption to Low Country RC, Corp.
(Exemption No. 11184); Grant of Exemption to Alan Purwin (Exemption No. 11161); Grant of Exemption

to Heli net Aviation Services (Exemption No. 11160); Grant of Exemption to Total

Safety U.S., Inc. (Exemption No. 11156).U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 7

B. Approval is Warranted Based on the Operational Restrictions Set Forth in Skyland ’s Operations Manuals

Skyland ’s Operations Manuals and the Manufacturer's Manual for the selected S

- UAS s will contain
all the procedures and limitations necessary to safely and successfully perform the operations specified in
this Petition for Exemption. To assist the FAA in making a safety assessment of Skyland ’s proposed
operations, below is a summary of operational limitations and conditions that Skyland will adhere to, and
which will ensure an equiv alent or higher level of safety to operations conducted under current regulatory
guidelines:

1. The S

- UAS weighs less than 55 pounds, fully loaded.

2. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled

- access property with permission from

the land ow ner/controller or authorized representative. Permission from land owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight operation.

3. All S

- UAS s operated under the Grant of Exemption will 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 will be as large as practicable.

4. Minimum crew for each flight operation will consist of a pilot, who will be Pilot

- in Com mand

("PIC") of the S

- UAS , and one or more Visual Observers ("Observer") as necessary to safely

conduct the mission.

5. PICs shall possess at least a Sport or Private Pilot's Certificate and current Class III Medical

Certificate or a valid state driver ’ s license . The PIC will also meet the flight review requirements
specified in 14 C.F.R 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

6. The UA shall be operated within VLOS of the PIC and Observer at all times. The PIC must us e human vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC's FAA

issued medical certificate.

7. The PIC and Observer designated for any operation will be able to communicate verbally at all

times.

8. Electronic messaging or tex ting will not be permitted during flight operations.

9. The additional requirements identified in the Grant of Exemption shall be added to the Skyland ’s Operations Manuals.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 8

The Operations Manuals will be maintained and made available to the Administrator upon request. If
a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in the Grant of Exemption and Skyland ’s
Operations Manuals, the conditions and limitations in the Grant of Exemption shall take precedence

and must be followed. Otherwise, Skyland shall follow the procedures outlined in their Operations

Manuals.

10. Skyland may update or revise its Operations Manuals. Revisions will be tracked and a revised
copy of the Manual will be provided to the Administrator upon request. Skyland will also present an updated and revised Operations Manuals if it petitions for extension or amendment to its Grant of
Exemption. If an update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA grants the exemption,
Skyland will seek an amendment to its Grant of Exemption. Skyland will contact the FAA’s RE

UAS Integration Office (AFS

- 80) if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating

documents.

11. Skyland ’s Operations Manuals and its Grant of Exemption will be available to the PIC at the ground control station anytime the S

- UAS is operating.

12. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a UAS flight unless (considering wind and forecast
weather conditions) there is enough power to fly to the first intended point of landing, and assuming
normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 10 minutes.

13. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight using the UAS will be limited to 40

minutes or the amount of time the S

- UAS can be flown and still maintain a reserve battery power of

no less than 25%, whichever occurs first.

14. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL and will never enter navigable controlled airspace without prior written authorizati on and approval from the FAA. In the
event the structure being inspected exceeds 400 feet AGL, the S

- UAS will not be operated more than
100 feet above the highest point on the structure, and no more than 50 feet horizontally from the

structure.

15. Flight ope rations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons. (persons
other than the PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential personnel), 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 and/or;U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 9

b) The aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles or structures where the owner/controller of such

vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission and the PIC h as made a safety
assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an undue hazard, and;

c) Operations nearer to the PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons do not present an undue hazard to those per sons per § 91.119(a).

16. 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 three statute miles from the PIC.

17. The UA may not operate within 5 nm of an airport reference point as denoted on a current

FAA

- published aeronautical chart unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is
obtained, and the operation is conducted in accordance with a NOTAM as required by the
Skyland COA. The letter of agreement with the ai rport management will be made available to the Administrator upon request.

18. Prior to each flight the PIC shall inspect the S

- UAS to confirm that it is in a condition safe
for flight. The pre

- flight inspection will account for all discrepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment, not already covered in the relevant sections of the operating documents. The
PIC shall not operate the S

- UAS if the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation

of the S

- UAS until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the S

- UAS is found to be in
a condition for safe flight. The ground control station shall be included in the preflight inspection.
All maintenance and alternations must be properly documented in the S

- UAS records as required by
Skyland ’s Operations Manuals.

19. Skyland will carry out its maintenance, inspections, and record keeping requirements in
accordance with the Operations Manuals. Maintenance, inspection, and alterations will be noted in

the S

- UAS record s, including total time in service, description of work accomplished, and the
signature of the authorized person returning the S

- UAS to service.

20. Any S

- UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the S

- UAS
operation or flight characteristics ( e.g ., replacement of a flight critical component) must undergo a functional test flight in accordance with Skyland ’s Operations Manuals. The PIC who conducts

the functional test flight must make an entry in the S

- UAS aircraft records of the flight. The
requirements and procedures for a functional test flight and S

- UAS record entry shall be included

in the Skyland ’s Operations Manuals.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 10

21. The S

- UAS will be operated and maintained according to the Manufacturer's Manuals and

any required manufacturer Safety/Service Bulletins.

22. Prior to the operation, a Mission Packet will be created in accordance with the requirements

on Skyland ’s Operations Manuals.

23. Skyland will obtain an Air Traffic Organization ("ATO") issued Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, otherwise known as a COA, prior to conducting any operations under this Grant of
Exemption. A NOTAM will be issued as required by the COA. All operations will be conducted in
accordance with airspace requirements in the ATO issued COA including class of airspace, altitude
level and potential transponder requirements.

24. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or city
j urisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire or other appropriate governmental agencies.

25. If the S

- UAS loses communication with the pilot, it will have the capability to return to a

pre

- determined location within the operational area and land safel y.

26. Contingency plans will be in place to safely terminate flight if there is a loss of

communication between the PIC and the Observer.

27. The S

- UAS will have the capability to safely abort flight in the case of unpredicted

obstacles or emergencies.

28. PICs and Observers will have at least a current Class III Medical Certificate or a valid state

driver ’ s license

.

29. Prior to conducting operations for filming, the PIC will have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b), a minimum of 200 flight cycles and 25 hours total time

as a S

- UAS rotorcraft pilot and at least 10 hours logged as a S

- UAS pilot with a similar RE

- UAS

type. This requirement can be met through logging flight time as a hobbyist.

30. Prior to conducting operations for filming, the PIC will have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b), a minimum of 54 CFR §61.51(b), a minimum of 10
logged hours as S

- UAS pilot operating the make and model of S

- UAS to be utilized for
operations under the exemp tion and thirty take

- offs and thirty landing in the preceding 90 days.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 11

31. Operations shall occur during daytime VFR Meteorological Conditions; flights under
Special Visual Flight Rules ("SVFR") shall not be conducted.

32. The UA shall remain clear and yield the right of way to all other manned operations and
activities at all times (including, but not limited to, ultralight vehicles, parachute activities,
parasailing activities, hang gliders, etc.).

33. S

- UAS Operations under Instrument Flight Ru les, at night, or beyond VLOS are prohibited.

34. The S

- UAS s will not be operated from an elevated platform or moving device / vehicle.

35. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and control
of the UA will comply with the F ederal Communications Commission (FCC) or other appropriate
government oversight agency requirements.

V. REGULATIONS FROM WHICH EXEMPTION IS REQUESTED

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 § 40101 of
the Act, including S

- UAS s, from its safety regulations and minimum standards when the Administrator

decides a requested exemption is in the public interest. 3

Skyland seeks an exemption from several interrelated provisions of Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations ("14 C.F.R") Parts 21, 45, 61 and 91 for purposes of conducting the requested operations using

a S

- UAS . Listed below are: (1) the specific sections of 14 C.F.R for which exemption is sought, and (2) the
operating procedures and safeguards that Petitioner has established which will ensure a level of safety

better than or equal to the rules from which exemption is sought. 4

3 49 U.S.C. § 44701(f) (authorizing the grant of exemptions from requirements of regulations prescribed
pursuant to Sections 44701(a) and (b) and Sections 44702

- 44716).

4 14 C.F.R § 11.81(e), which requires a petition for exemption to include:

The reasons why granting the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the exemption would
provide a level of safety at that provided by the rule from which you seek exemption.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 12

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

A. 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H

– Airworthiness Certificates and 14 C.F.R. § 91.203(a)(1)

The FAA has stated that no exemption is needed from this section if a finding is made under the

Reform Act that the S

- UAS selected provides an equivalent level of safety when compared to aircraft

normally used for the same application. These criteria are met, and therefore no exemption is needed. 5 If,

however, the FAA determines that there are some characteristics of the chosen S

- UAS that fail to meet the
requirements of the Reform Act, an exemption is requested.

Equivalent Level of Safety

Skyland ’s use of the S

- UAS is safe when taking into account their size, weight, speed, and
operational capability. As set forth in the description of proposed operations in Section IV (A), the RE

UAS weighs less than 55 pounds, including payload and will not be flown at a ground speed in excess of

50 knots. S

- UAS is also equipped with safety features that will allow Petitioner to operate the S

- UAS

safely after experience certain in

- flight contingencies or failures. 67

5 See Grant of Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (FAA

- 2014

- 0352 at pgs. 13

- 14, 22).

6 See e.g ., Grant of Exemption No. 11184 to Low Country RC, Corp. (FAA

- 2014

- 0803 at pg. 3):

"The S

- UAS have the capability to operate safely after experiencing certain in

- fli ght contingencies or

failures and uses an auto

- pilot system to maintain S

- UAS stability and control. The S

- UAS is also able to
respond to a loss of global positioning system (GPS) or a lost

- link event with a pre

- coordinated,
predictable, automated flight maneuver, and manual flight control functionality as a backup. These safety
features provide an equivalent level of safety compared to a manned aircraft performing a similar
operation."

7 See e.g ., Grant of Exemption No. 11184 to VDOS Global, LLC. (FAA

- 2014

- 0382 at pgs. 4

- 5):

The S

- UAS ’ s can be operated entirely by a touch

- screen, map

- based interface. This means the operator only needs to command the system where to go, and the system does all the flying for the operator. The S

UAS can be operated i n both semi and fully autonomous flight modes, with the operator simply clicking

on a map to create a pre

- planned flight path for a flight. In addition, the operator can create no fly zones or
maximum flight ranges and altitudes so the system cannot

enter areas {footnote continued}U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 13

Additionally, the S

- UAS s carry neither pilots nor passengers, carry no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operate exclusively within the parameters stated in Skyland ’s Operations

Manuals.

Operations conducted under this exemption will be closely controlled and monitored by the
operator and will be conducted in compliance with local public safety requirements, to provide security
for the area of operation. Skyland will also provide the FAA w ith advance notice of all operations via
NOTAMs as required by the applicable COA. In all cases, operation of the S

- UAS under the proposed
conditions will be at least as safe as, or safer than, conventional rotorcraft operating with an

airworthiness certi ficate.

Lastly, the S

- UAS s do not need a means to communicate with other aircraft or ATC, because
those capabilities will be possessed by the PIC and Observer, who are not onboard the S

- UAS

. 8 In addition,

no sense

- and

- avoid technology is necessary for the S

- UAS s because they will be operated at all times in

VFR conditions and within VLOS of the PIC and Operator. 9

B. 14 C.F.R. Part 27 Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft

Title 14 C.F.R. Part 27 sets forth the procedural requirements for airworthi ness certification of normal category rotorcraft. To the extent that Company's small UASs would otherwise require certification under Part 27, Petitioner seeks an exemption from Part 27's

{continued from previous page}

deemed unsafe or unnecessary to fly over. The petitioner states further that the S

- UAS has built

- in intelligent fault handling which allows the Phantom II and S1000+ to detect a system fault while in the air and automatically fly back to its takeoff location and land. Faults that can be detected include: loss of communication; exceeding pre

- set wind thresholds; and low battery levels.

All flight operations are global positioning system (GPS) controlled, making the system easy to navigate.

At any point if the operator is not explicitly com manding the system to move, the system automatically

holds its GPS position. The flight control system employs not only GPS positioning but a variety of sensors including sonar, barometric pressure, temperature, wind speed and others to ensure stability so long

as wind thresholds are not exceeded. Also a flight termination link

– to prevent a 'fly away' or other potentially dangerous situation

– is available to the operator.

8 See Grant of Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (FAA

- 2014

- 0352 at pg. 13).

9 Id.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 14

C. 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a): Aircraft Marking and Identification

Requirements

Skyland seeks an exemption from the aircraft marking and identification requirements contained in 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a).

● 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(c), Civil Aircraft Flight Manual, Marking and Placard requirements, provides

that:

No person may operate a U.S.

- registered civil aircraft unless that aircraft is identified in

accordance with Part 45 of this chapter.

● 14 C.F.R. § 45.23(b), Markings of the Aircraft, states:

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 two inches nor more than six inches high, the words

"limited," "restricted," "light

- sport, "Experimental," or "provisional," as applicable.

● 14 C.F.R. § 45.27(a), Rotorcraft, states:

Each operator of a rotorcraft must display on that rotorcraft horizontally on both surfaces of the

cabin, fuselage, boom, or tail the marks required by § 45.23.

In a previous Grant of Exemption, the FAA determined that exemption from these requirements
was warranted provided that the aircraft "have identification (N

- Number) markings in accordance

with 14 C.F.R Part 45, Subpart C if the markings are as large as practicable." 10

Equivalent Level of Safety

All UA flown by Skyland will bear N

- number markings that are as large as practicable in accordance with 14 C.F.R. Part 45, Subpart C. 11

________________________________________

10 FAA Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0352.

11 See, e.g., FAA Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0352, at 14.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 15

D. 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2); 91.417(a) and (b): Maintenance

Inspections

Skyland seeks an exemption from the maintenance inspection requirements contained in 14

C.F.R. § 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(2); 91.417(a) and (b). These regulations specify
maintenance and inspection standards in reference to 14 C.F.R. Part 43. See, e.g., 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a)
(stating that each owner or operator of an aircraft "shall have the aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart
E of this part and shall between required inspections

... have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43
of this chapter"). An exemption from these regulations is needed because Part 43 and these sections only
apply to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, which the S

- UAS to be operated under this grant of
exemption will not have.

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be
performed in accordance with the Manufacturer's Manual and any required manufacturer Safety or Service
Bulletins. Further, as required by Skyland ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC will conduct a pre

- flight
inspection of the S

- UAS and all associated equipment to account for all discrepancies and/or inoperable
components. Maintenance will be performed and verified to address any conditions potentially affecting
safe operation of the S

- UAS and no flights will occur unless, and until, all flight critical components of the

S

- UAS have been found to be airworthy and in a condition safe for operation. A functional test flight will
be conducted following the replacement of any flight

- critical components. As required by Skyland ’s
Operations Manuals, the PIC who conducts the functional test flight will make an entry in the S

- UAS

aircraft records of the flight.

Skyland ’s Operations Manual also includes requirements to follow the manufacturer ’ s S

- UAS
aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the
following applicable components: powertrain system (powerplant), propellers, avionics and control
surfaces (including ailerons/elevons), structures & airframe, camera system, electrical systems (including
batteries), ground control sta tion, hazard accessories, and spare parts. Further, Skyland ’s Operations
Manuals also includes procedures to document and maintain a record of the S

- UAS maintenance,
preventative maintenance, alterations, and status of replacement /overhaul component parts , and the total

time in service of the S

- UAS s used under this Grant of Exemption. As a whole, the maintenance and
inspection procedures required in Skyland ’s Operations Manuals ensure that an equivalent or higher level
of safety will be achieved.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 16

PILOT

- IN

- COMMAND OF THE UAS

E. 14 C.F.R. § 61.113: Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations

Skyland seeks exemption from 14 CFR § 61.113, which restricts private pilot certificate holders from
flying aircraft for compensation or hire, and would also require a second class medical certificate. The purpose

of Part 61 is to ensure that the skill and competency of any PIC matches the airspace in which the PIC will be
operating, as well as requiring certifications if the private pilot is carrying passengers or cargo for hire. In this

case, while the S

- UAS s will be operated as part of a commercial operation, it carries neither passengers nor

cargo.

In the Grant of Exemption to Astraeus Aerial.12, the FAA determined that the unique characteristics

of S

- UAS operation outside of controlled airspace did not warrant the addition cost and restrictions
attendant with requiring a the PIC to have a Commercial Pilot Certificate and Class II Medical Certificate.

The fulfillment of the addition al requirements for a private pilot to become qualified as a commercial pilot
would not lead to any additional safety benefits when S

- UAS operations are involved.

Equivalent Level of Safety

The Skyland restrictions have placed on its S

- UAS operations meet or exceed the restrictions
similarly imposed on Astraeus Aerial. Skyland will operate on private property away from persons and
property not involved in the operation. Skyland will also obtain an ATO issued COA prior to conducting

any oper ations under this Grant of Exemption. All operations will be conducted in accordance with
airspace requirements in the ATO issued COA including class of airspace, altitude level and potential
transponder requirements. A NOTAM will also be issued as require d by the applicable COA.

In addition to these flight restrictions, Skyland will further ensure safe operation by requiring that
any PIC be thoroughly versed not only in airspace and communication issues pertaining to all aircraft
operators but also in the unique aspects of S

- UAS flight. As set forth in the Operations Manuals, pilots will
have experience not only in S

- UAS operations generally but have logged flight time in the specific make
and model used for the operations before they are permitted to parti cipate in commercial flights on behalf

of Skyland . The pilot qualification, training, and currency requirements in the Operations Manuals ensure

that Skyland pilots are competent and proficient in the S

- UAS they are operating. Skyland ’s training and
qualification requirements are consistent with those contained in prior FAA Section 333 Grants of
Exemption, and will provide a higher level of competency and proficiency for its pilots and will ensure at
least an equivalent level of safety.

12 Exemption No. 11062 (FAA Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0352).U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 17

OPERATING PARAMETERS OF THE S

- UAS

F. 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

Although there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the S

- UAS s, Skyland seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a), which requires that a civil aircraft be in airworthy condition to be
operated. The FAA has stated that no exemption is required for 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a) to the extent that the
requirements of Part 21 are waived or found inapplicable. 13 Acc ordingly, Petitioner requests that the
requirements for § 91.7(a) be treated in accordance with Section V (A), supra.

G. 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft and 14

C.F.R. 03(a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

Title 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2) and § 91.203(a) and (b) require the operator to carry airworthiness

documents and other aircraft manuals onboard the aircraft. Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2):

... (2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manu al is 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.

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 91.203(a) and (b):

(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.

13 See id. at 13

- 14, 22U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 18

Given the small size and configuration of the S

- UAS s, it would be impossible to keep airworthiness

documents and other aircraft manuals on board the S

- UAS because there is simply no room and the S

- UAS

has no cabin or cockpit.

Equivalent Level of Safety

In an FAA Office of Chief Counsel's Opinion dated August 8, 2014, and prepared by Dean E.
Griffith, Attorney, AGC

- 220, it was acknowledged that the intent of 14 C.F.R. 91.9(b) and 91.203(a) and

(b) is met if the pilot of the unmanned aircraft has access to the S

- UAS flight manual, registration
certificate, and other required documents from the ground control station from which he or she is operating

the aircraft. 14 As this FAA Office of Chief Counsel Opinion clarifies, the intent of the rule is to ensure the
pi lot has access to these key documents during flight. Therefore, an equivalent level of safety will be
achieved by ensuring that the pilot has access to the documents at the ground control station from which he
or she is piloting the S

- UAS

.

H. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action

Skyland seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.103, which requires a PIC to become familiar with
specific information before each flight, including information contained in the FAA

- approved Flight

Manual on board the aircraft. Whi le the PIC will be familiar with all information necessary to safely
conduct the flight, an exemption is requested to the extent that an FAA

- approved Flight Manual is required.

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety will be provided by following the Skyland ’s Operations Manuals and
the Manufacturer's Manual. The PIC will perform a series of checklists designed to identify any defects or
inoperable components in accordance with the Skyland ’s Operations Manuals, including checklists
covering Pre

- Flight, Launch, Landing, and Post

- Flight procedures. The PIC will also be required to review
weather, flight requirements, battery charge, landing and takeoff distance, UA performance data, and
contingency landing areas

— before initiation of fl ight. Skyland ’s Operations Manuals and the
Manufacturer's Manual will be kept at the ground control station and will be accessible to the PIC at all
times while operating the S

- UAS

.

I. 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction

14 Memorandum from Mark Bury, FAA Assistant Chief Counsel for International Law, Legislation and
Regulation, to John Duncan, FAA Flight Standards Service (Aug. 8, 2014); see also Docket No. FAA

2014

- 0352 at 16

- 18.U.S. Department of Transportation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 19

Skyland seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a), which provides in pertinent part that "[n]o
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 control s." S

- UAS s and remotely piloted aircraft, by their
design, do not have functional dual controls. Instead, flight control is accomplished through the use of a
device that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. Accordingly, an exemption wil l be
required for the flight instruction requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a).

Equivalent Level of Safety

Given the size and speed of the S

- UAS s that Skyland intends to use, an equivalent level of safe
training can still be performed without dual controls because no pilot or passengers are aboard the RE

UAS, and as required by the Skyland ’s Operations Manuals, all persons will be a safe distance away in the

event that the S

- UAS experiences any difficulties during flight instruction. Moreover, as r equired by the
Skyland ’s Operations Manuals, all flight training will be conducted in controlled and sterile environment.
As a whole, the safety procedures provided for in Skyland ’s Operations Manuals ensure that the proposed

S

- UAS operations provide an eq uivalent or higher level of safety than that provided by the flight

instruction regulations.

J. 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c): Minimum Safe Altitudes

Skyland requests an exemption from the minimum safe altitude requirements of 14 C.F.R. §

91.119(c). 15 Section 91.119 prescribes the minimum safe altitudes under which aircraft may not operate, including 500 feet above the surface and away from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure in non

congested areas. See 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c). Section 91.119(d) allows for a helicopter to operate at less
than those minimum altitudes when it can be operated "without hazard to persons or property on the
surface," provided that "each person operating the helicopter complies with any routes or altitudes
specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA."

An exemption is required because the proposed S

- UAS operations will normally need to occur below 400 feet AGL. In circumstances where the S

- UAS is used to inspect a structure whose height exceeds 400 feet AGL, the S

- UAS will n ot be operated more than 100 feet above the highest point on the structure, and within 50 feet horizontally of the structure. Additionally, due the nature of the proposed operations, the Pilot and/or Observers(s) may need to be less than 500 feet away from the S

- UAS

.

15 Relief from § 91.119(a) will not be necessary because Petitioner will be able to perform an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the ground in the event of a failure. Petitioner's
proposed S

- UAS operations will not occur over congested areas, and therefore an exemption from §
91.119(b) will not be necessary. See e.g ., Grant of Exemption No. 11157 to Slug wear, Inc., dba Like on a tree Aerial (FAA

- 2014

- 0534 at 15).U.S. Department of Transp ortation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 20

Equivalent Level of Safety

Compared to flight operations with rotorcraft weighing far more than the maximum weights
proposed herein, and given the lack of flammable fuel with the S

- UAS s, any risk associated with
these operations is far less than those that presently exist with conve ntional aircraft. An equivalent
level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, and speed of the S

- UAS s, as well the
controlled location where the operations will occur. In order to avoid any risk to manned aircraft,
flight operations will be rest ricted to 400 feet AGL or below, or when inspecting a structure whose
height exceeds 400 feet AGL, within 100 feet above the highest point on that structure and 50 feet
horizontally of the structure.

As set forth in the Operations Manuals, the S

- UAS s will be operated in a restricted area, and all
flights will be operated at a lateral distance of at least 500 feet from any nonparticipating persons, unless
that person is in a position where he or she is shielded from the S

- UAS and any possible debris resultin g

from S

- UAS failure. As required by the Operations Manuals, flights will be terminated if a nonparticipating
person within 500 feet of the S

- UAS leaves a shielded position. Further, S

- UAS operations will occur at
least 500 feet away from vehicles or struc tures unless the property owner /controller has granted permission and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating
closer to those objects and, operations near the PIC or Observer will not present an undue hazard per §
91.119(a). Adherence to these restrictions in Skyland ’s Operations Manuals will ensure operations can be
conducted without compromising safety. 16

K. 14 C.F.R. § 91.121: Altimeter Settings

Skyland seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.121, which requires a person operating an aircraft to
maintain cruising altitude or flight level by reference to an altimeter that is set to the elevation of the
departure airport or barometric pressure An exemption is required to the extent that the S

- UAS s do not

have a barome tric altimeter, but rather a GPS altitude read out.

16 See e.g. , Grant of Exemption No. 11138 to Douglas Trudeau (FAA

- 2014

- 0481 at 19):

"If barriers or structures are present that can sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from the UA or

debris in the event of an accident, then the UA may operate closer than 500 feet to persons afforded such
protection. The operator must also ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a

situation arises where nonparticipating persons leav e such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA,
flight operations must cease immediately. When considering how to immediately cease operations, the
primary concern is the safety of those nonparticipating persons. In addition, the FAA finds that operations

may be conducted closer than 500 feet to vessels, vehicles and structures when the owner/controller of any

such vessels, vehicles or structures grants permission for the operation and the PIC makes a safety
assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determines that it does not present an undue

hazard.U.S. Department of Transp ortation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 21

The FAA has stated that an equivalent level of safety to the requirements of 14 C. F.R. §

91.121 can be achieved in circumstances where: (1) the S

- UAS s will be operated below 400 feet

AGL or below 17 , (2) within VLOS, (3) where GPS based altitude information is relayed in real time

to the operator at a ground

- based on

- screen display and, (4) where prior to each flight, a zero

altitude initiation point is established for the PIC to confirm accuracy of the onboard GPS. 18

The S

- UAS s that Skyland intends to use for the proposed operations will meet all these operational

characteristics. Moreov er, as required by Skyland ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC will be required to
calibrate the aircraft's GPS compass prior to each flight operation. Like prior FAA Section 333 Grants of
Exemption, the S

- UAS s Skyland to use, and the safety mitigation procedure s contained in the Operations
Manuals, both ensure that an equivalent level of safety will be achieved, and a Grant of Exemption to the
requirements of § 191.121 is therefore appropriate.

L. 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Condition s

Skyland requests an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a)'s fuel requirements for flight in VFR

conditions. Section 91.151 states:

(a) No person may begin 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.

Here, the technological limitations on S

- UAS battery power means that no meaningful flight
operations can be conducted while still maintaining a 30

- minute battery reserve. An exemption from the
fuel requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a) is therefore requir ed.

17 If the height of the structure being inspected exceeds 400 feet AGL, the S

- UAS will not be operated more
than 100 feet above the highest point on the structure.

18 See Grant of Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (FAA

- 2014

- 0352 at 21).U.S. Department of Transp ortation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 22

Equivalent Level of Safety

In the Grant of Exemption to VDOS (Exemption No. 11112), the FAA determined that an equivalent level of safety to the fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions could be achieved by
prohibiting the PIC from beginning a S

- UAS flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather
conditions) there was enough power to fly to the first intended point of landing and, assuming normal
cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 10 minut es. In reaching this conclusion, the FAA considered that

the S

- UAS batteries for the S

- UAS provided provide approximately 20 minutes of powered flight (with
payload) and provided battery level and battery time remaining in minutes and seconds to the PIC. 19 The

FAA also considered the fact that the S

- UAS operating manual states: “s tart every flight with a fully
charged battery in the aerial vehic le”, and that in the event that the S

- UAS should run low on power, the

PIC will be alerted and can land the S

- UAS as soon as possible. Like the VDOS Grant of Exemption,
Skyland ’s use of the S

- UAS , combined with the requirements of Petitioner's Operations Manuals, ensure
that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved.

Similarly, in the Grant of Exemption to Alan Purwin (Exemption No. 11161), the FAA determined
that an equivalent level of safety to the fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions could be achieved by
prohibiting the PIC from beginning a flight with the S

- UAS unless (considering wind and forecast weather
conditions), there was enough power to fly at normal cruising speed to the intended landing point and land
the UA with 25% battery power remaining. Skyland will adhere to this limitation for S

- UAS flights.

The S

- UAS includes a low battery warning system and the amount of battery reserve power remaining is transmitted to the PIC via telemetric data feed, which downlinks from the S

- UAS to a ground

- based

- on

- screen display. 20 As required by Skyland ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC will promptly
fly the S

- UAS back to the home launch location or pre

- determined abort location where the S

- UAS may safely land, while still maintaining a minimum of 25% reserve battery power. Skyland submits that the
procedures requiring flights to be safely terminated once the batteries fall below 25% capacity, combined
with the requirement that flights only be conducted within a secure, isolated area, using a RE

- UAS
weighting less than 55 pounds, and within VLOS of the PIC and Observer(s), ensure that the proposed
operation wi ll provide an equivalent or higher level of safety to that provided by the regulations from
which exemption is sought.

19 Grant of Exemption No. 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (FAA

- 2014

- 0382 at 10).

20 The S

- UAS ground control station displays, the S

- UAS s posi tion, navigation route, tail number,
altitude, heading, north seeking arrow, range to targets, calculated target position, date/time, and sensor heading and orientation relative to the S

- UAS

.U.S. Department of Transp ortation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 23

VI. DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAM

Skyland will have policies in place to ensure that no person may participate in S

- UAS flight
operations if they are under the influence of alcohol or any drug.

VII. PUBLIC INTEREST

The public interest will be served by granting Skyland ’s Petition for Exemption. Cong ress has
established a national policy that favors early integration of S

- UAS into the NAS in controlled, safe
working environments such as those proposed in this Petition. Granting this Petition for Exemption helps
fulfill Congress' goal in passing Sectio n 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act

— the FAA Administrator's

assessment of whether certain S

- UAS may operate safely in the NAS before completion of the statutorily
required rulemaking.

The proposed S

- UAS operations in this Petition for Exemption significantly improve safety and
reduce risk harm or serious injury to inspecting enginee rs. Traditional methods of real estate and general
video production and inspection of structures, expose videographer

- inspec tors to higher risks of serious
injuries, or death. Videographer

- inspectors need to climb roof tops or otherwise perform elevated work,
which exposes them to the risk of dangerous falls, electrocution or other work related extremes. In
addition, depending on the nature of the video needed and inspection, proximity to equipment, and other

mechanical hazards associated with industrial sites and construction facilities often involves a risk of

exposure to hazardous. The use of S

- UAS s mitigates these hazards an d is ultimately a much safer method
of performing these and most other types of inspections.

The use of small S

- UAS s also enhances safety and reduces risk because, unlike manned aircraft
weighing thousands of pounds, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, the S

- UAS s carry no passengers or crew. Further, in the unlikely event of an accident, Skyland small battery powered RE

- UASs
presents significantly less danger to persons on the ground when compared to operations by conventional

manned aircraft. 21 As Petitioner's S

- UAS s are battery powered, the public will also benefit from a reduction
in harmful emissions associated with conventional aircraft performing in the same functions proposed
herein. Lastly, as recognized by the FAA in prior Section 333 Gra nts of Exemption to filmmakers, S

- UAS s provide an additional tool for the aerial filming industry, adding a greater degree of flexibility, which
supplements the current capabilities offered by manned aircraft. 22

21 See Grant of Exemption No. 11158 to T eam 5, LLC (FAA

- 2014

- 0783 at 12): Manned helicopters conducting aerial filming can weigh 6,000 pounds or more and are operated by an onboard pilot, in addition to other onboard crewmembers, as necessary. The petitioner ’ s UAs will weigh less than 55 pounds with no onboard pilot or crew. The pilot and crew will be remotely located from the aircraft. The limited weight significantly reduces the potential for harm to participating and nonparticipating individuals or property in

the event of an incident or accid ent. The risk to an onboard pilot and crew during an incident or accident is eliminated with the use of a UA for the aerial filming operation."U.S. Department of Transp ortation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 24

S

- UAS s provide an additional tool for the aerial filming industry, adding a greater degree of flexibility,
which supplements the current capabilities offered by manned aircraft. 22

VIII. PRIVACY

All Skyland ’s S

- UAS operations will be conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, or
local laws regarding privacy. All operations shall be conducte d over private or controlled

- access property with permission from the land owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission from land
owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted.

IX. FEDERAL REGISTER 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:

Petitioner seeks an exemption from the following rules in Title 14 of the Code of Feder al Regulations:

Part 21, Subpart H; Part 27; 45.23(b); 45.27(a); 61.113; 91.7(a); 91.9(b)(2); 91.9(c); 91.103; 91.109(a);

91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.203 (a) & (b); 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409(a)(1) & (2); 91.417 (a)

& (b).

The exemption will enhance safety by reducing risk to the general public and property owners from the substantial hazards associated with performing equivalent general aerial photography and
videography for the film, video, real estate and perform industrial inspection with conventional fixed

wing aircraft, rotorcraft, or other methods.

X. CONCLUSION

Skyland ’s Petition for Exemption satisfies the criteria articulated in Section 333 of the Reform Act of
2012 including weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas, operation
within VLOS and national security. The proposed S

- UAS operations will benefit the public as a whole by
improving safety and reducing risk by alleviating human exposure to danger. In consideration of the
foregoing, this Petit ion for Exemption provides the FAA with more than adequate justification for granting
the requested exemptions allowing Skyland use small S

- UAS for providing general aerial photography and
videography for the film, video, real estate and perform industrial inspection.

22 See e.g ., Grant of Exemption No. 11178 to Picture Factory, Inc. (FAA

- 2014

- 0794 at 18).U.S. Department of Transp ortation

S e p t 1 8 th

, 2015 Page 25

We thank you for your prompt consideration of our requested exemptions.

Respectfully Submitted,

J eremy J Kaltenbach Skyland Photography

, L L C

117 Round Court

. Petaluma, C A 94952

Should you have any questions, or if you need any additional information to support the requested exemptions, please contact the undersigned at: Skyland Photography

Phone: 707

- 205

- 6768

Emai l: Jesse@skylandphotography.com
(The following attached items contain and commercial information exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 522 et seq. , and should be held in a separate file pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 11.35(b).

Atta chments:

1. General Operations Manual

2. PIC Operating Manual

3. Skyland Protocols

4. Location Protocols

5. Flight Communications Protocols

6. Departing Location Protocols

7. Transmitter Protocols

8. Preflight Checklist

9. Post Flight Checklist

10. Equipment Checklist

11. UAS Manufacturer’s Manuals

a. User Manuals

b. Maintenance Manuals