U N I TED S T A TES O F A ME R I CA

D E P ARTMENT OF T R A N SP ORTA T I ON

F E D ER A L A V I A T I O N A D MINISTRATION

WAS H I N G T O N

, DC

R e g . D o c k e t No.

I n the M a t t e r of P e t i t i on for E x e mp t ion of:



### Frederick H. Meek

F or a n E x e mp t ion f

r om the r e qui r e ments of the

Code of Fe d e r a l R e g u l a t i ons S ec t i ons

Con ce rni n g op e r a t i on of a n Unm a nn e d A i r c r a ft S y s tem

P ursu a nt to S ec t i on 333 of the

F AA Mod e rni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 20122 

### C O NTENT S

I. P ET I T I O NE R ’ S D E SCRI P T I O N

............................................................................................... 3

II. P R O P O S E D O P E RAT I O NS

............................................................................................... . ..... 4

III. R ELE V ANT A UT HO RI T Y T O P ET I T I O NE R ’ S E X E M P T I O N R E Q UEST

............................... . ... 7

IV. Q UAL I F ICAT I O N F O R A P P R O V AL U NDER S E CTI O N 333 O F T H E R E F O RM A CT

................. 8

V. R E G ULATI O NS F R O M W H ICH E X EM P T I O N I S R E Q UES TE D

............................... . .............. 11

VI. P UB L IC I NT E REST

............................... . ............................................................... . .............. 22

VII. P RI V ACY

............................... . ............................................................................................ 23

VIII. F E DERAL R E G IS TE R S U MM ARY

........................................................................................ 24

IX. C O NCLUS I O N

............................... . ..................................................................................... 253

P ursu a nt to S ec t i on 333 of the F AA Mo d e rni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 2 012 ( “ R e fo r m

A c t” ) 1 a nd 14 C. F .R. 11, F rederick H. Meek ( “ P e t i t i on e r ” ) h e r e b y a ppl i e s f o r an e x e mp t ion

f r om Fe d e r a l Avi a t i on R e g u l a t i ons (“ F ARs”) i d e nt i fi e d b e lo w

, to a l l ow c om m e r c ial op e r a t i on of

small unm a nn e d ae r i a l v e hicl e s (i

. e

. small unmann e d a ir c r a ft s y stems or “ s U A S ” ).

This e x e mp t ion is in acc ord a n c e with proto c ols o ut l ined in th i s p e t i t i on for e x e mp t ion, the

e n c losed UAS Op e r a t i ons M a nu a l (“ M a nu a l” ) 2

, the U AS manu fac tu r e rs o p e r a t i ons a nd

mainten a n c e m a nu a l ( “ Ai r c raft Op e r a t i ons M a nu a l” )

, a nd a n y other r e quir e ments e s t a bl i sh e d b y

the F AA p u rsu a nt to S ec t i on 333 of the R e fo r m A c t.

I. P ET I T I O NE R ’ S D E SCRI P T I O N

P e t i t i on e r is a Private Individual b a s e d in Harmony, FL that h a s flown R/C Aircrafts

and Quadcopters for 2 years. Petitioner has experience in aerial photograph y and videography for

sole use or complimentary use to other individuals. In addition, petitioner is an experienced

commercial diver, bridge inspector with NBIS Qualification , and exercises proper judgement

,

erring on the side of safety. T he P e t i t i on er has also attended courses taught by FAA Flight

Standards Contract Instructors in UAV Piloting, Safety, and understands the regulations in the

operations of controlled and uncont rolled airspace.

The petioner ’ s intent is to utitilize his sUAS in the engineering fields (bridges and

structures) , re al estate , photography and videography across the United States.

The P e t i t i on e r ’ s use of sUAS in the engineering field of expertise such as bridge

inspection, dr a st i ca l l y r e d u c e s ov e r a ll risk to the p u bl i c while c ondu c t i ng inf ra stru c tu r e

inspe c t i on op e r a t i on s

.

1 C od i f i ed at 49 U .S. C . § 4 0101, as a mended by Pub. L . 112

- 95 Feb. 14, 2012, 1 26 St a t

. 11.

2 Pe t i t i on e r sub m

i t s t h i s m anual as a con f

i d e n t i a l doc u m

ent under 14 C .F. R . § 11

. 35 ( b ) , as t he en t i r e

M a nu a l c on t a i n s co n fi d en ti al co m m e r c i al and p r op r i e t a r y i n f

o r m a ti on t he P e t i t i o n er h a s n o t and w i l l n o t

sh a r e wi t h o t he r s. T he M a nual con t a i n s op e r a ti ng co n d i t i ons and p r o c edu r es t h a t a r e n ot a v a i l a b l e t o t he

pub l i c a n d a

r e p r o t e c t ed f

r o m r e l ease und e r t h e F r eed o m of I n f o r m a ti on A ct 5 U

. S

. C . § 552.4 Consistent with the r e quir e ments of 14 C

. F .R. § 11.81 (a ), P e t i t i on e r provi d e s the

following info r mation in support of its p e t i t i on of e x e mp t io n :

The n a me a nd a dd r e ss of the P e t i t i on e r ’ s r e p r e s e n tative is:

Attn: Frederick H. Meek

6848 Sundrop Street

Harmony, FL 34773

(407)902

- 7100

Em a i l : m rfhm@aol.com

II. P R O P O S E D O P E RAT I O NS

The P e t i t i on e r prop o s e s t o c ondu c t sU A S fl i g ht o p e r a t i ons in support of b r id g e

insp e c t i on across the United States. The Petitioner also proposes to conduct sUAS flight

operations to inspect High Mast Light Towers (HMLT’s) when geographic locations and

distance from roadway and active traffic permit use.

P rior to c ondu c t i ng a bridge inspe c t i on with the sU A S

, the P e t i t ioner will c o ndu c t

a visual inspe c t i on ut i l i z ing tr a di t io n a l c l i mb i ng a nd inspe c tion te c hniques. A r med with th i s

info r mation, the P e t i t i o n e r ca n then c ondu c t a proof of c on ce p t

- c ol l ec t i ng d a ta a nd

info r mation via sU A S to i m prove the inspe c t i on p ro c e ss a nd test n e w met h ods a nd

te c hniques.

Prior to conducting HMLT inspections with the sUAS, the petitioner will conduct a

site study, identifying potential hazards (close proximity to roadway traffic, pedestrians,

powerlines) at the location of the HMLT. An engineering and safety judge ment will be made

at the public’s best interest.

The Petitioner also proposes to conduct sUAS flight operations to document real

estate by use of video (with permission from owner or owner ’ s agent) for use in enhancement

of advertisement, listing, with the ultimate outcome of selling real estate.5 En c losed in th i s w a iver is the P e t i t i on e r ’ s sU A S M a nu a l ( E x hib i t “ A ”)

. The

e n c losed M a nu a l d e s c rib e s, in d e t a i l

, the pol i c ies a nd p ro c e d ur e s f o r P e t i t i on e r ’ s pr o p os e d

sU A S op e r a t i ons. To a ss i st the F AA in its s a f e t y a ssessment of the P e t i t i on e r ’ s prop o s e d

sU A S op e r a t i ons, b e low is a sum m a r y of t h e op e r a t i on a l l i m i tations a nd c on d i t ions which will

e nsu r e a n e quival e nt or h i g h e r lev e l of s a f e t y to o p e r a t i o ns c ondu c ted und e r c u rrent

r eg u l a to r y g uidelines:

1. The sU A S w e i g h s less than 15 pounds including p a y l o a d.

2. F l i g hts will be op e r a t e d with i n l i n e

- o f

- si g ht of a pi l ot a nd/or obs e rver d uring

d a y l i g ht hours on l y

.

3. M a x i m um to t a l fli g ht time for eac h op e r a t i on a l fli g ht will be 45 m i nutes. F l i g hts will

be te r m i n a ted a t 25% b a t t e r y po w e r r e s e r v e should that o cc ur p rior to the 45 m i nute

limit.

4. F l i g hts will be op e r a t e d a t a n a l t i t ude of no mo r e than 400 fe e t a bove gr o und

lev e l.

5. Min i mum c r e w for ea c h op e r a t i on will c onsist of the sU A S P i l ot, obs e rv e r/spot t e r

a nd inspe c t i on te a m le a d e r dir ec t i n g the inspe c t i on.

6. Operations will be conducted by personnel with roto r c r a ft e x p e ri e n c e and annual

physical

.

7. The s U A S pi l ot will b e P i l ot in Com m a nd ( P IC). I f a pi l ot ce rtifi c a te h older other

than the sU A S P i l ot is pr e s e nt a nd possess e s the n e c e s s a r y P I C qu a l i fi c a t i ons, that

p e rson can a lso be d e s i g n a ted a s P I C

.

8. The UAS will on l y o p e r a te with i n a c onfin e d “S te r i l e A re a ” immediate and

adjacent to boundaries close to the bridge

, HMLT , real estate, or other subject

.

9. A bri e fing will be c o ndu c ted in re g a rd to the plann e d sU A S o p e r a t i o n s prior to

e ac h d a y ’ s a c t i vi t ies. I

t will be mand a to r y t h a t a ll p e rsonn e l who will be

p e r fo r m i ng dut i e s with i n the bound a ri e s of the s a f e t y p e rim e ter be p r e s e nt for th i s

bri e fi n g

.6 10. P i l ot a nd Obs e r v e r w i ll h a ve b e e n t r a ined in o p e r a t i on of UAS g e n e r a l l y a nd will

h a v e r e ce i v e d up

- to

- d a t e info r mation on the p a rti c ular UAS to be op e r a ted, a s

r e quir e d in the M a nu a l.

11. Obs e rver a nd P i l ot will a t a ll t i mes be a ble to c om m unic a te b y voice a nd

te x t.

1 2

. All r e quir e d p e rmiss i on a nd p e rmits will be obtain e d f r om te rritori a l, s tat e

, c oun t y

or c i t y jurisd i c t i ons, includ i ng lo c a l law e n f o r ce men t

, fi re

, or other a ppro p ri a t e

g ov e rnm e n t a l a g e n c ies

.

1 3

. I f the sU A S loses c o m m unic a t i ons or loses its GPS si g n a l, the sU A S is e quipped

with a dv a n c e d s a f

e t y f ea tu r e s that will a l l ow the s U A S to a uto m a t i ca l l y r e turn to

a pr e

- d e te r m i n e d loc a t i on.

1 4

. The sU A S will h a ve t he ca p a bi l i t y to a bort a f l i g ht in c a se o f unp r e dict e d obst ac les

or e me r g e n c ies.

15 . The sU A S will on l y op e r a te in opt i mal w e a ther c ondi t ions for

fl i g ht.7 III. R ELE V ANT A UT HO RI T Y T O P ET I T I O NE R ’ S E X E M P T I O N R E Q UEST

This p e t i t i on for e x e mp t i on is su b m i t t e d to a dv a n c e Con g r e ss’ g o a l of in t e gr a t i n g sU A S

s a f e l y in t o the NA S

. I

n the R e fo r m A c t, Con g ress dir ec ted the F AA “ to s a f e l y a c c e le ra t e the

in t e g r a t i on of c iv i l unmann e d a i r c raft s y stems in t he n a t i on a l a irsp a c e s y st e m ,” a nd, un d e r Se c t i on

333 of that l a w, di r ec t e d the S e c r e t a r y of T ra n sport a t i on (“ F AA Admin i str a tor ” ) to c onsid e r

wh e ther ce rt a in unman n e d a ir c r a ft s y stems m a y op e r a te s a f e l y in the N a t ional Airsp ac e S y stem

( “ N A S ’) b e fo r e c omp l e t i on of the rule maki n g r e q uir e d und e r Se c t i on 332 of the R e fo r m A c t

. 4

I n maki n g th i s d e t e rmin a t i on, the F AA Admin i str a tor is r e quir e d to d e t e rmine whi c h t y p e s

of sUAS do not c r e a te a h a z a rd to us e rs of the NAS or the publ i c or pose a thr ea t to n a t i on a l

s ec uri t y in l i g ht of the followin g :

• The UAS si z e

, w e i g ht, s p ee d, a nd o p e r a t i on a l c a p a bi l i t y ;

• Op e r a t i on of the UAS in c lose pro x i m i t y to a irp o rts a nd populat e d a r ea s; a n d

• Op e r a t i on of the UAS with i n visual l i n e

- of

- si g ht o f the op e r a tor

. 5

I f the S ec r e ta r y d e t e rmi n e s that su c h v e hicl e s “ m a y op e r a te s a f e l y in the N a t i on a l Airsp ac e

S y stem, the S ec r e t a r y s h all e stab l ish re q u ir em en ts for the s a fe op e r a t i on of su c h a ir c r a ft in the

N a t i on a l Airsp a c e S y st e m. ” 6

The F A A Admin i str a tor h a s g e n e r a l a uthori t y t o g r a nt e x e mp t ions f r om F AA s a f

e t y

re g ulations a nd m i ni m um stand a rds w h e n the A dm i nis t r a tor d ec ides a re qu e sted e x e mp t ion is in

the publ i c in t e r e st

. 7 A p a r t y r e q u e st i ng a n e x e mp t ion must e x plain the r e a sons w h y t h e e x e mp t io n :

(1) would b e n e fit the pu b l i c a s a whole a nd; ( 2 ) w ould not a dv e rs e l y a f f ec t s a f e t y or h o w it would

provide a le v e l of s a f

e t y a t le a st e q u a l to the e x is t ing rul e s. 8 Th e r e fo r e

, the P e t i t i on e r will

d e mon s tr a te how the pr o pos e d sU A S inf ra str u c tu r e inspe c t i on will b e n e fit the publ i c a nd that the

prop o s e d op e r a t i on will not a dv e rs e l y a f f ec t s a f e t y of the publ i c a nd to those op e r a t i n g in the N A S

.

4 R e f o r m A c t

, s u

pra n o t e 1.

5 I d. a t § 3 3 3 ( b )( 1 )

.

6 I d. § 3 33 ( c ) ( e m

pha si s ad d ed )

.

7 See 49 U .S. C

. § 4470 1 ( f ) ( au t ho r i z i ng t he g r a n t of e x e m p ti ons f r om a r eq u i r e ment of r e g u l a t i ons

p r e s c r i bed p u r s ua n t t o s e c t i on 44701 ( a )

- ( b) and s e c t i ons 447 0 2

- 44716 )

.

8 See 14 C .F. R

. § 11.8 1 ; F A A

, Pe t i t i on f o r Exe m p t i ons.8

I V

. Q UAL I F ICAT I O N F O R A P P R O V AL U NDER S E CTI O N 333 O F T H E R E F O RM A CT

A. T h e P e ti t io ne r ’s P r o p o s e d Usage Do e s n ot C r e ate a Haza r d t o Us er s of the

NAS or the P ub l i c B ec a u se of the R e du ce d S iz e , W e ig h t, Sp ee d

, a n d O p er ati o n al

Capa b i l ity of the sU A S

.

The prop o s e d o p e r a t i ons in th i s p e t i t i on for e x e mp t ion qu a l if y for e x p e di t e d a ppro va l und e r

S ec t i on 333 of the R e fo r m A c t. E ac h of the statu t o r y c rit e r i a a nd ot h e r po t e nt i a l r e le v a nt fa c tors

a re s a t i sfi e d.

The prop o s e d o p e r a t i ons would p e rmit use of sma l l a nd r e lative l y ine x p e ns i ve UAS und e r

c ontroll e d c ondi t ions in a irsp ac e that is: (1) l i m i t e d; (2) pr e d e te r m i n e d; (3) c ontroll e d a s to acce ss,

a nd; (4) would pose a n i n c r e a s e d le v e l of s a f e t y b e y ond wh a t e x is t s wh e n c l i mbe r s a re a sk e d to

inspe c t inf

ra stru c t u r e

.

P e t i t i on e r ’ s sU A S is a ro t or c raft a ir c r a ft, w e i g hing less than 15 pounds, inc l uding p a y load.

I t op e r a tes, und e r nor m a l w ea ther c ondi t ions, a t a sp ee d of no more than 29 knots a nd h a s t h e

ca p a bi l i t y to ho v e r, a nd move in v e rti ca l a nd h o ri z ontal plan e s si m ul t a n e ous l y

.

P e t i t i on e r ’ s sU A S will o p e r a te in l i n e

- o f

- si g ht a n d on l y in a confined, ste r i l e a r e a

d e s c rib e d in the P ropos e d Op e r a t i ons s e c t i on out l ine h e re a nd in the P e t i t i on e r ’ s M a nu a l. 9

S u c h op e r a t i ons will insure that the sU A S wi l l “ not c re a te a h a z a rd to us e rs of the N a t i on a l

A irsp ac e S y stem or the publ i c

. ” 10

Giv e n the small s i z e of t he sU A S invo l v e d a nd t

he r e strict e d , confined, ste r i l e

e nvi r onment s with i n whi c h it will op e r a te, th i s p e t i t i on for e x e mp t ion fal l s squ a r e l y with i n that

z one of s a f

e t y in whi c h Con g r e ss e nvis i on e d that the F AA mus t

, b y e x e mp t ion, a l l ow

c om m e r c ial op e r a t i ons of U A S s to c om m e n c e i m medi a te l y

.

B

. T h e P e ti t io ne r ’s P r o p o s e d Usage Do e s n ot C r e ate a Haza r d t o Us er s of the

NAS or the P ub l i c b ec a u se the O p er ation of the sU A S w i l l b e c o ndu c t e d in a R e m ote

L o c ation n ot in Close P r ox i m ity t o Ai r p o r ts a n d P o pu lat e d A re as. Furthermore,

engineering judgement and safety to the public will be paramount to the operational

function of the sUAS.

9 See M a nu a l S e c t i on 6

. 1.2

. 1.

10 R e f o r m A c t

, s u

pra n o t e 1 at § 3 3 3 ( b )( 1 )

.9

The potential use and integration of an sUAS in bridge

, HMLT inspection , rea l estate,

videography to test new methods and techniques will give engineers

, inspectors , realtors, and

o ther interested parties a different perspective

.

C. T h e P e ti t io ne r ’s P r o p o s e d Usage Do e s n ot create a Haza r d t o Us er s of the NAS

or the P ub l i c b ec a u se the O p er ation of the sU A S w i l l b e c o ndu c t e d w ith i n vis u al l in e

o f

- sig h t of the o p er ato r

.

The P e t i t i on e r will remain within visual line

- of

- sight of the operator. At no time will the

sUAS endanger the public, or will be allowed to operate over roadways or populated areas.. The

p e t i t i on e r ’ s fli g ht op e r a t i o n s will r e main b e low 4 0 0 A G L for the d u r a t i on o f any inspe c t i on.

The P e t i t i on e r will use t h e sU A S to visual l y insp e c t the support stru c ture s of bri d g e s

.

Each bridge is unique in its own characteristics. Because the petitioner will not allow operations

over a roadway or populated area , In the r a r e o cc ur r e n c e that a mal f u n c t i on o cc urs to the sU A S

,

the sU A S would f

a ll to the ground or waterway below the bridge r a ther than onto a ro a d w a y

.

Mor e ov e r, t h e stru c ture o f the bridge a nd the s p ac e b e tw ee n the memb e rs of the bri d g e a l l ow the

P i l o t a nd obs e rv e r to mainta i n l i ne of s i g ht on the s U AS for the dur a t i on of the fli g ht. Thus, the

risk to the publ i c is g r e a t l y r e du ce d b e ca use the P i l ot will be a ble to a void a n y obst a c les a nd

ot h e r a ir c r a fts in r ea l tim e

.

The Petitioner will use the sUAS to visually inspect High Mast Light Towers (HMLT’s)

ONLY in cases provided that the HMLT is 100’ or more away from a traveled roadway, accessed

by vehicular traffic or in areas that are not populated. I n the r a r e o cc ur r e n c e that a mal f u n c t i on

o cc urs to the sU A S , the sU A S would f a ll to the ground

D. T h e sU A S w i ll re m ain b e low 400 A G L at all ti me s du r i n g the o p er ation.

The P e t i t i on e r ’ s sU A S will not f l y a bove 400 AG L a t a n y time duri n g the course of a

bridge or HMLT i nsp ec t i on (Most HMLT’s are between 100’ to 200’ in height)

.

The P e t i t i on e r will laun c h, op e r a te, a nd r e c o v e r t he sU A S f r om a predetermined

location close the the bridge and maintain visual line

- of

- sight at all times. T h e i n sp ec t i on method

that P e t i t i on e r will ut i l iz e will not r e quire the sU A S to p a ss a bove 400 f e e t A G L to

su cce s s ful l y c omp l e te the inspe c t i on. Th e r e fo re

, the P e t i t i on e r ’ s prop o s e d us a ge will not pose

a h a z a rd to the N A S b eca u s e the sU A S will not op e r a te a bove 400 A G L a t a n y time duri n g t he

dur a t i on of any fl i g h t

.10

Giv e n the fo r e g oi n g

, the P e t i t i on e r ’ s prop o s e d us a g e do e s not pose a h a z a rd to the NAS or

to the publ i c

. Consid e r i ng the c le a r statuto r y l a n g u a ge in S ec t i on 333 o f the R e f o rm A c t, the

a uthori t y c ontain e d in t h e F e d e r a l Avi a t i on A c t, a s a mend e d, the e quival e n t lev e l of s a f e t y to the

publ i c a nd to the men a nd wom e n c ondu c t i ng inf ra stru c tu r e inspe c t i ons, a nd the r e du c t i on in

e nvironme n tal e f

f ec t s

, the g r a nt of the r e qu e sted e x e mp t ions is in the publ i c in t e r e st. A cc ordi n g l y

,

P e t i t i on e r r e sp ec tful l y re qu e s t s that the F AA gr a n t the r e qu e sted e x e mp t i o n without d e l a y

.

V. R E G ULATI O NS F R O M W H ICH E X EM P T I O N I S R E Q UES TE D

The Fe d e r a l Avi a t i on A c t e x pr e ss l y g r a nts the F AA Admin i str a tor the a u thori t y to is s ue

e x e mp t ions. B y its te r m s

, th i s statuto r y a uthori t y i n c ludes e x e mp t ing c iv i l a ir c r a ft, a s the t e rm is

d e fin e d und e r § 40101 of the A c t, including sU A S s, f r om its s a f

e t y regulations a nd m i n i mum

stand a rds wh e n t h e Admin i str a tor d ec ides a r e q u e s ted e x e mp t ion is in the p ubl i c in t e r e st

. 12

P e t i t i on e r a sks a n e x e mp t ion f r om s e v e r a l in t e r r e l a ted provisions of 14 C. F

. R. P a rts 21, 45

a nd 91 for purp o s e s o f c ondu c t i ng ae ri a l s u rv e y s a nd inspe c t i ons usi n g s U AS. L is t e d b e low a r e :

(1) the sp e c ific s e c t i ons of 14 C. F .R. for wh i c h e x e mp t ion is sou g ht; a nd (2) the o p e r a t i n g

pro c e du r e s a nd s a fe g u a r d s that P e t i t i on e r h a s e s t a bl i sh e d whi c h will e nsure a lev e l of s a f e t y e qu a l

to or b e t t e r than the ru l e s f r om whi c h e x e mp t ion is sou g ht

. 13

A. 14 C. F

. R. P a r t 21, Subp a r t H

- Ai r w o r thi n e ss C er ti f ica te s a n d 14 C

. F

. R

. §

91.203 ( a) ( 1).

The P e t i t i on e r s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F .R. P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H, whi c h e stabli s h e s

the pro c e du r a l r e quir e m e nts for the is s u a n c e of a i r wo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a tes a s r e quir e d b y 14 C. F .R

§ 91.203 (a ) (1 )

. Giv e n t h e si z e a nd l i m i ted op e r a t i ng a r e a a ssoci a ted with t he sU A S to b e ut i l iz e d

b y t h e P e t i t i on e r, a n e x e mp t ion f r om P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H me e ts t h e r e qui r e ments of a n e quival e nt

lev e l of s a f

e t y un d e r P a rt 11 a nd S ec t i on 333 of the R e fo r m A c t.

12 See 49 U .S. C

. § 4470 1 ( f ) au t h o ri z i ng t h e g r ant of e x e m p ti ons f r om r equ i r e men t s of r e g u l a t i ons

p r e s c r i bed p u r s ua n t t o §§ 4 4710 ( a ) a n d ( b )

, §§ 44702

– 44716.

13 See 14 C .F. R

. § 11.8 1 ( e ) w h i ch r eq u ir e s a p e t i t i on f o r exe m p ti o n t o i n c l u d e: “ t h e r e a sons w hy g r an ti ng

t he e xe m p ti on w o u l d n o t adv e r s el y a f f e c t s a f e t y , or h o w t he e x e m

p ti on w o u l d p r ov i de a l e v el of s a f e t y at

l ea s t e qu a l t o t h a

t p r o v i ded by t he r u l e fr om w h i ch y ou see k exe m p ti on

. ”11

The F e d e r a l Avi a t i on A ct 1 4 a nd S ec t i on 333 of the R e fo r m A c t 1 5 both a uthor i z e the F A A

to e x e mpt a ir c r a ft f

r om the r e quir e ment f

o r a n a i r wo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a te, upon c onsid e r a t i on of the

si z e

, w e i g ht, sp ee d, o p e r a t i on a l ca p a bi l i t y

, a nd p r o x i m i t y to a irp o rts a nd p opulat e d a re a s of the

p a rti c ular U A S

. I n a ll c a s e s, a n a n a l y sis o f the s e c rit e ria d e monstr a tes t h a t the s U AS op e r a ted

without a n a ir w orthin e s s ce rtifi ca te, in the r e strict e d e nvironme n t a nd und e r the c ondi t ions

prop o s e d will be a t l e a st a s s a f e

, or s a f e r, th a n a c onv e nt i on a l roto r c r a ft op e r a t i n g with an

a ir w orthin e ss c e rtifi ca t e without the r e strictions a nd c ondi t ions of the prop o s e d sU A S op e r a t i ons

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

The sU A S to b e o p e r a t e d h e reund e r is less than 15 lbs. ful l y load e d, c a r r ies n e i t h e r a pi l ot

nor p a sse n g e r, ca rri e s no e x plos i ve mat e ri a ls nor fl a m m a ble l i quid fu e ls, a nd op e r a tes

e x c lus i v e l y with i n close proximity to the brid g e or HMLT being inspected. Un l ike other c iv i l

a i r c raft, the prop o s e d o p e r a t i ons in th i s p e t i t i on for e x e mp t ion will be c ontroll e d a nd mon i tor e d

b y the o p e r a tor, p u rsu a nt to the M a nu a l ' s r e quir e m e nts. Mor e ov e r, the F AA will h a ve a dv a n c e

not i c e o f a ll op e r a t i ons c ondu c ted und e r th i s e x e mp t ion.

Th e se s a f e t y e n h a n c e m e nts, whi c h a lr e a d y a pp l y to c iv i l a ir c r a ft op e r a ted in c onn ec t i on

with e x is t ing inspe c t i on op e r a t i ons, provide a g re a ter d e g r e e of s a f e t y to the publ i c a nd prop e r ty

own e rs than c onv e nt i on a l op e r a t i ons c ond u c ted with a ir w orthin e ss c e rti f ic a tes is s u e d un d e r 14

C. F .R. P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H. L a st l y

, a ppl i ca t i on of these s a me c rit e r i a d e monstr a tes that the r e is no

c r e dib l e thr e a t to n a t i on a l s ec uri t y po s e d b y the s U AS, due to its s i z e

, sp ee d of op e r a t i on, loc a t i on

of op e r a t i on, la c k of e x plos i ve mat e ri a ls or f l a m m a ble l i quid fu e ls, a n d inabil i t y to c a r r y a

subs t a nt i a l e x te r n a l load.

14 See 49 U .S. C

. § 4470 1 ( f )

.

15 See R e f

o r m A c t

, s u

pra n o t e 1.12

B

. 14 C. F

. R. P a r t 2 7 : Ai r w o r thi n e ss S tan d a r d s: No r m al Ca te g o r y Ro t o r c r a f t

14 C. F .R. P a rt 27 s e ts f

o rth the proc e dur a l r e qui r e ments for a i r w orthin e ss ce rtifi c a t i on of

norm a l ca t e g o r y rot o r c r a ft. To the e x tent the P e t i t i on e r ' s sU A S s wo u ld othe r wise r e quire

ce rtifi c a t i on und e r P a rt 27, a s a roto r c raft, P e t i t i on e r r e qu e sts a n e x e mp t ion f r om P a rt 27 ’ s

a ir w orthin e ss stand a rds f or the s a me r e a sons ide n t i fi e d in the e x e mp t ion r e qu e st f r om 14 C. F .R.

P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H.

C. Ai rcr a f

t M a r k i n g a n d I d e n ti f

ica t ion R e qu ir eme n ts: 14 C

. F .R. §§ 91.9 ( c ),

45.23 ( b ), a n d 45.27 ( a).

This p e t i t i on s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om the a i r c raft ma r king a nd i d e nt i fi ca t i o n r e qui r e ments

of 14 C. F .R. §§ 91.9 (c ), 45.23 ( b), a nd 45.27 ( a ).

14 C. F .R. § 91.9 (c ), C i vil a ir c r a ft fli g ht man u a l, ma r kin g

, a nd pla c a rd r e quir e ments,

provid e s that:

No p e rson m a y op e r a te a U.S.

- re g is t e r e d c iv i l a ir c raft unless that

a ir c r a ft is identifi e d in a c c ord a n c e with p a rt 45 of th i s c h a pte r

. 16

14 C. F .R. § 45.23 ( b), M a rkin g s of t h e Aircr a ft, st a tes:

W h e n ma r ks include o n l y the Roman ca pi t a l l e t t e r " N " a nd the

re g is t r a t i on number is di s pl a y e d on l i m i ted, r e stri c ted or l i g h t

- sp o rt

ca t e g o r y a ir c r a ft or e x p e rim e ntal or provisional l y c e rtifi ca t e d

a ir c r a ft, the o p e r a t o r m u st a lso disp la y on that a ir c r a ft n e a r e ac h

e ntr a n c e to the ca bin, c o c kpi t

, or p i lot sta t ion, in l e t t e rs not less than

2 inch e s nor more than 6 inch e s hi g h, the wo r ds “ l i m i ted,"

" r e strict e d

, " " l i g h t

- sp o rt," " e x p e rim e ntal

, " or " provisional

, " as

a ppl i ca ble

. 17

14 C. F .R. § 45.27 (a ), Ro t or c raft, stat e s:

E ac h op e r a tor o f a ro t or c r a ft must disp la y o n that roto rc r a ft

hori z ontal l y on both sur f ace s o f the ca bin, fu s e l a g e

, boom, or tail

the ma r ks r e qui r e d b y § 4 5.23. 18

16 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 (c)

.

17 14 C. F .R. § 45.23 ( b )

.

18 14 C. F .R. § 45.27 (a)

.13

E x e mp t ion f

r om § 45.2 3 ( b) is w a rr a nted b e c a use the sU A S h a s no e ntr a n c e to the ca bin,

c o c kpi t , or pi l ot station o n whi c h the re g is t r a t i on number c a n b e pl a ce d. M or e ov e r, g iven t h e si z e

of the s U A S

, two

- inch l e t t e ring would be i m poss i ble. The a i r c raft re g is tr a t i o n

, or “ N Num b e r ’ ”

will be pla ce d on the fu s e l a g e in c omp l ian c e with § 45.29 ( f )

.

Giv e n the n a ture o f the s p ec ific r e l i e f so u g ht b y th i s e x e mp t ion r e qu e st, P e t i t ioner r e quir e s

r e l i e f f r om the a ssoci a t e d ma r king a nd identifi c a t i on r e quir e ments of § 4 5.27 (a ) a nd § 91. 9 ( c ),

whi c h would r e qui r e c o mp l ian c e with § 45.23 ( b )

.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

An e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y for e x e mp t ions to the a ir c r a ft ma r ki n g a nd identifi ca t i on

r e quir e ments of §§ 91.9 ( c ), 45.23 ( b )

, a nd 45.27 ( a ), wi l l be provid e d b y h a ving the sU A S ma r k e d

on its fus e l a g e a s r e qu i red b y § 45.29 ( f) wh e re t h e pi l ot, obs e rv e r, a nd ot h e rs wo r ki n g with the

sU A S will s e e the identif

i ca t i on of the U AS a s " E x p e rim e ntal." Addit i on a l l y

, P e t i t i on e r will e nsu r e

c omp l ian c e with a n y r e q u e sts of sU A S ma r ki n g b y the F A A

.

The F AA h a s is s u e d the following e x e mp t ions to the a ir c raft ma r king r e q u ir e ments of §

45.23 ( b): E x e mp t ions N o s. 10700, 8738, 10167 a nd 10167A.

D. 14 C. F

. R. § 61.113 (a) a n d (b): P r iva t e P i l ot P r i vi l e g e s a n d Li m ita t io n s: P i l ot in

C o m m a nd

.

This p e t i t i on s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om the priv a te pi l ot privil e g e s a nd l i m i tations of §§

61.113 ( a ) a nd (b ) , whi c h stat e s:

( a ) E x ce pt a s p r ovided in p a ra g r a phs (b) thro u g h ( h) of th i s s ec t i on,

no p e rson who holds a priv a te pi l ot ce rtifi ca te m a y ac t a s pi l ot in

c om m a nd of a n a ir c r a ft t h a t is ca rr y i n g p a sse n g er s or prop e r t y for

c ompens a t i on or hir e ; nor m a y that p e rson, for c o m p e ns a t i on or hir e

,

ac t a s pi l ot in c om m a nd of a n a i r c raft.

(b) A priv a t e pi l ot m a y

, for c ompen s a t i on or hi r e

, ac t a s pi l ot in

c om m a nd of a n a i r c raft in c onn e c t i on with a n y busin e ss or

e mp l o y ment if:

(1) The fl i g ht is on l y inc i d e ntal to that busin e ss or e mp l o y ment; a nd

(2) The a i r c raft do e s not c a rr y p a sse n g e rs or pro p e r t y f o r

c ompens a t i on or hir e

. 1914

14 C. F .R. § 61.113 (a ) l i m i t s priv a te pi l ots to b e ing in c om m a nd of non

- c om m e r c ial fli g hts.

14 C. F .R. § 61.113 ( b ) (1) provid e s a n e x ce pt i on that a l l ows a p riv a te pi l ot t o c om m a nd a n a ir c r a ft

without p a ssen g e rs or p r op e r t y

, in c on n ec t i on with busin e ss or e mp l o y m e n t if " [ t]the fli g ht is on l y

incid e ntal to that busin e s s or e mp l o y ment

. " 2 0 The stat e d e x ce pt i on lik e l y d o e s not a pp l y to t h e

prop o s e d op e r a t i ons un d e r th i s p e t i t i on for e x e mp t ion, a s the fli g hts a re not incid e ntal to the

prop o s e d ae r i a l surv e y s a nd inspe c t i ons but r a ther e ssential to it. A cc ordin g l y

, the P e t i t i on e r s ee ks

a n e x e mp t ion to 14 C. F .R. § 61.113( a ) ' s c om m e r c ial l i m i tation a nd/or 14 C. F .R. § 61.113 ( b) ( 1 ) ' s

r e quir e ment that the fli g h t be incid e ntal to the busin e ss to b e n e fit f r om the e x ce pt i on.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

As r e quir e d b y t h e M a n u a l, P e t i t i on e r ' s sU A S op e r a tors ac t i n g a s P I C will have extensive

experience in conducting flight operations with various sUAS a nd h a ve roto r c raft e x p e ri e n c e.

B eca u s e the s U A S will not ca r r y a pi l ot or p a sse n g e rs, the prop o s e d op e r a t i ons ca n ac h i e ve t he

e quival e nt lev e l of s a f

e t y to 14 C. F .R. §§ 6 1 .113 ( a ) a nd (b )

.

Unlike a c onv e nt i on a l a ir c raft that ca rr ies the pi l ot a nd p a ssen g e rs, the sU A S is r e mo t e l y

c ontroll e d with no p a s s e ng e rs on bo a rd. Mor e ov e r, the a rea of op e r a t ion is c ontroll e d a nd

r e strict e d close the bridge or HMLT. A ll fli g hts will be plann e d, c oordin a ted, a nd bri e f e d to the

a p p rop r i a te of

f ici a l in a d v a n c e a s s e t fo r th in the M a nu a l

.

IEI ca n ac hie v e or exceed a n e qui v a lent lev e l of s a f e t y a s a c hiev e d b y c urr e nt R e g u l a t i ons

b eca u s e the sU A S s do n o t ca rr y a n y pi l ots or p a sseng e rs. F urth e r, while h e lpful, a pi l ot l ic e nse

will n o t e nsure r e mo t e c ontrol pi l ot i ng ski l ls. However, IEI’s sUAS p i l ot s will attend

comprehensive t r a in i ng prog ra ms that will e nsure the P I C h a s subs t a nt i a l e x p e ri e n c e on the

a ir f r a m e

. IEI’s sUAS pilots will op e r a t e sU A S s with the s a me ski l l. The risks a t t e nd a nt to

the op e r a t i on of IEI’s sU A S s a re f a r less than the risk lev e ls in h e r e nt in the c om m e r c ial

a c t i vi t ies out l ined in 14 C. F .R. § 61, e t s e q. Thus, a l l owing IEI to op e r a te i ts U A S s with a

trained p i l ot a s the P I

C and will e x ce e d c ur r e nt s a f e t y l e v e ls in r e lation to 14 C. F .R. §§ 61.113

( a ) a nd (b )

.

19 14 C .F. R . § 61. 1 13 ( a) an d ( b )

.

20 14 C .F. R . § 61. 1 13 ( b ) ( 1 )

.15

E

. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.9 ( B) ( 2 ) : Civil Ai rcr a f t F l i g h t M a nu al i n the Ai rcr a f t.

The P e t i t i on e r s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om the f l i g ht manu a l r e quir e ments of 14 C. F .R. §

91.9 ( b) ( 2), wh i c h stat e s:

(b) No p e rson m a y op e ra te a U.S.

- re g is te r e d c iv i l a ir c r a ft

(2) F or whi c h a n Airp l a ne or Rotor c r a ft F l i g h t M a nu a l is not

r e quir e d b y § 21.5 of th i s c h a pte r

, unless the r e is a v a i l a ble in the

a ir c r a ft a c u rr e nt a ppro v e d a irpl a ne or Rotor c r a f t F l i g ht M a nu a l,

a ppro ve d man u a l mat e ri a l, ma r ki n g s, a nd p l aca rds, o r a n y

c omb i n a t i on the re of

. 21

Giv e n its si z e

, c onfi g u ra t i on, a nd load ca p ac i t y

, the sU A S h a s no a bi l i t y t o ca rr y su c h a

manu a l on the a ir c r a ft, n ot on l y b e ca use th e re is no pi l ot on bo a rd, but b eca use the r e is si m p l y no

room or ca p ac i t y to ca r

r y su c h a n item on the a i r c r a ft.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

The s a f e t y r e l a ted purp ose of th i s manu a l r e q uir e ment ca n be e qu a l l y s a t i sfi e d by

maintaining the sU A S fl i g ht manu a l a t the grou n d c ontrol point wh e re the pi l ot f l y i n g the s U AS

will h a ve i m medi a te a cc e ss to it. A cc o rdi n g l y

, P e t i t i on e r r e qu e sts a n e x e mp t ion f r om § 91.9 ( b ) (2 ) ' s

fli g ht manu a l r e quir e m e n ts, on the c ondi t ion that the sU A S fl i g ht manu a l be a v a i l a ble a t t h e c ontrol

point during e a c h op e r a t i on.

The F A A h a s is s u e d the following e x e mp t ions to th i s r eg ulation: E x e mp t ion Nos. 8607,

8737, 8738, 9299, 9299A, 9565, 9565 B , 10167, 1 0 167A, 10602, 32827, a nd 10700.

21 14 C .F. R . § 91. 9 ( B ) ( 2 )

.16

F

. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.7 ( a): Civil Ai rcr a f t Ai r w o r thi n e ss.

This p e t i t i on s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F

. R. § 91.7 (a ), whi c h r e quir e s that a c iv i l

a ir c r a ft be in a n a i r w or th y c ondi t ion to be op er a ted. I n a smuch th e re w i ll be no a ir w orthin e ss

ce rtifi c a te is s u e d for the sU A S

, should th i s e x e mp t i on be g r a n t e d, no F AA re g ulato r y stand a rd will

e x ist for d e te r m i ning a i r wo r th i n e ss.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

ety

The P e t i t i on e r ’ s P I C h a s ov e r 600 fli g ht hours a nd a stellar s a f e t y re c or d

. Giv e n the si z e of

the sU A S a nd the r e quir e ments c ontain e d in the M a nu a l for mainten a n c e a nd use of s a f e t y

c h ec kl i sts prior to e a c h f

l i g ht, a n e qui v a lent lev e l of s a f e t y will be provi d e d.

The F A A h a s is s u e d the following e x e mp t ions to th i s r eg ulation: E x e mp t ion Nos. 8607,

8737, 8738, 9299, 9299A, 9565, 9565 B , 10167, 1 0 167A, 10602, 32827, a nd 10700.

G

. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.103: P r e f l i g h t A c tion.

This p e t i t i on s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om § 91.103, whi c h r e qui r e s a P I C to b ec ome f a m i l i a r

with sp ec ific info r mation b e fo r e e ac h fl i g ht, including info r mation c ontain e d in the F AA a ppro ve d

F l i g ht M a nu a l on b o a rd the a ir c r a ft

. 2 2 I n a smuch a s a n F AA a p p rov e d fli g ht manu a l will not be

provid e d for the s U AS, a n e x e mp t ion is r e qu e sted.

E qu i v alent L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

An e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y will be provid e d b y f

ol l owing the Aircr a ft O p e r a t i ons

M a nu a l c omp r e h e nsive pr e fl i g ht c h ec kl i st. The P I C will ta k e a ll a c t i ons, including r e v i e wi n g

w ea the r , fl i g ht b a t te r y re quir e ments, landi n g a nd t a k e off dis t a n ce s, a nd a ir c r a ft p e r f or m a n c e d a ta,

b e fo r e in i t i a t i on of fl i g ht.

22 14 C .F. R . § 91. 1 03.17

H. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.109 ( a): F l i g h t I n st r u c tion.

The P e t i t i on e r s e e ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F

. R. § 91.109 (a ), whi c h p r ovides that “ no

p e rson m a y o p e r a te a c i vil a ir c r a ft ( e x ce pt a mann e d f r e e b a l l oon) that is b e ing us e d for fli g ht

ins t ru c t i on unless that a i r c r a ft h a s ful l y fu n c t i on a l du a l c ontrols. ” 2 3 sU A S s a nd r e mo t e l y pi l oted

a ir c r a ft, b y their d e si g n do not h a ve ful l y fu nc t i on a l du a l c ontrols. I n s te a d, fl i g ht c ontrol is

acc omp l ished thro u g h t he use of a c ontrol b o x c om m unic a t i ng with the sU A S via r a dio

c om m unic a t i ons.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

Giv e n the si z e a nd sp e e d of the sU A S

, a n e q uival e nt lev e l of s a fe t r a in i ng c a n st i ll be

p e r f orm e d without du a l c ontrols b eca use no pi l o t or p a sseng e rs a r e a bo a rd the sU A S

, a nd a ll

p e rsons will be a s a fe dis t a n c e a w a y should the sU A S e x p e ri e n c e a n y d i f f icult i e s during fl i g ht

ins t ru c t i on.

The F A A h a s a ppro v e d e x e mp t ions for fli g ht tr a in i ng without ful l y fun c t i o n a l du a l c ontrols

for a number of a i r c raft a nd for fl i g ht ins t ru c t i on in e x p e rim e ntal a ir c r a ft

. 24

I. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.119: M i n i m u m S a f e Alti t ud e s.

This p e t i t i on s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om the m i ni m u m s a fe a l t i t ude r e quir e m e nts of 14 C. F .R.

§ 91.119. This S ec t i on p r e s c rib e s the m i ni m um s a fe a l t i t ud e s und e r whi c h a ir c raft m a y not op e r a te,

including 500 fe e t a bove the sur fa c e a nd a w a y f r om a n y p e rson, v e ss e l, v e hicl e

, or stru c tu r e in

non

- c o n g e sted a re a s

. 2 5 S e c t i on § 91.119 ( d) ( 1) a l l o w s for a h e l i c opter to op er a te a t less than tho s e

m i ni m um a l t i t ud e s wh e n it ca n b e op e r a ted “ with o ut h a z a rd to p e rsons or p r op e r t y on the sur f a c e ,”

provid e d that “ e a c h p e rson op e r a t i ng t h e h e l i c opter c omp l ies with a n y rout e s or a l t i t ud e s

sp ec ifi ca l l y p r e s c rib e d f

o r h e l i c opte r s b y the F A A

.

To provide the in t e nd e d inspe c t i ons, the sU A S wi l l norm a l l y n ee d to be op e r a ted with i n a r a n g e

o f a ppro x i m a te l y 50 f

e e t f rom the inf

r a st r u c tu r e b e i n g insp e c ted. A cc ordi n g l y

, due to the n a ture

of the prop o s e d o p e r a t i ons, the P I C a nd the d e si g n a ted obs e rver m a y a t t i mes be less than 500

f e e t a w a y f

r om str u c tur e s duri n g the op e r a t i on, a nd a n e x e mp t ion is t h e r e f o re r e quir e d

.

23 14 C .F. R . § 91. 1 09 ( a )

.

24 See E x e m

p ti on N os. 5 77 8 K a n d 9862 A

.

25 See 14 C .F. R

. § 91.1 1 9 ( c )

.18

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

Compa re d to fl i g ht o p e r a t i ons with roto r c r a ft w e i g ht i ng far mo r e than the ma x i m um 15

pounds prop o s e d h e r e in, a nd the l a c k of fl a m m a b l e fu e l, a n y risk a ssoci a t e d with these o p e r a t i ons

is f a r less than those pr e s e nt l y p r e s e nted with c o n v e nt i on a l a ir c r a ft. An e q uival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y

will be ac h i e v e d g i v e n t he si z e

, w e i g ht, sp e e d o f the U AS a s w e ll a s t h e loc a t i on w h e r e it is

op e r a ted. As s e t f

o rth in the M a nu a l, the sU A S will be op e r a ted in an adjacent

, r e str i c t e d a re a

,

wh e re bui l di n g s a nd p e ople will not be e x pos e d to op e r a t i ons. The sUAS will not operate

over roadways or populated areas. All a f f ec t e d ind i viduals will be a w a re of the plann e d fli g ht

op e r a t i ons a s s e t fo r th in the M a nu a l. F urth e rm o r e

, b y op e r a t i ng a t su c h low e r a l t i t ud e s, the sU A S

will not in t e r fe re with other a ir c r a ft that a re subj ec t to the m i ni m um s a fe a l t i t ude re g ulations.

J. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.121: Alt i me ter S e t t i n gs.

The P e t i t i on e r s e e ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F

. R. § 91.121, whi c h r e q uir e s a p e rson

op e r a t i n g a n a ir c r a ft to maintain c ruising a l t i t ude or fli g ht lev e l b y r e f e r e n c e to a n a l t i m e ter that is

s e t to the e le v a t i on of t h e d e p a rtu r e a irp o rt or b a rom e tric p r e ssur e

. 2 6 An e x e mp t ion is r e quir e d

b eca use t h e sU A S do e s n ot h a ve a b a rom e tric a l t i met e r, but r a th e r a GPS a l t i t ude r e a d out.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

An e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y will be ac hie v e d b y f

ol l owing the pro c e du r e s s e t fo r th in the

M a nu a l. As pr e s c ri b e d in the M a nu a l, the op e r a t or will c onfi r m the a l t i t ude of the laun c h si t e

shown on the GPS a l t i t u de ind i ca tor b e fo r e fl i g h t. P rior to e ac h fli g ht, t he P I C will r e s e t the

a l t i m e ter to z e ro a nd will f l y the s U AS b e low 400 f

e e t A G L

. M o r e ov e r, the P I C will use the GPS

a l t i t ude ind i ca tor to c ons t a nt l y mon i tor t h e sU A S s h e i g ht, thus e nsuri n g o p e r a t i on a t s a fe a l t i t ud e s.

26 See 14 C .F. R

. § 91.1 2 1.19

K

. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.151 ( a): F u el R e qu ir e m e n ts f or F l i g h t in V F R Con d itio ns

.

The P e t i t i on e r s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C. F .R. § 91.151 (a ) ' s f u e l r e qui r e ments for fli g ht

in V F R c ondi t ions. S ec t i on 91.151( a ) stat e s:

( a ) No p e rson m a y b e g in a fli g ht in a n a irp lane und e r V F R

c ondi t ions unless ( c onsid e ring wind a nd fo re c a st w ea th e r

c ondi t ions) the r e is e no u g h fu e l to f l y to the fi r st point of in t e nd e d

landing a nd, a ssu m ing n o rm a l c ruising s p ee d

(1) Du r i n g the d a y , to f

l y a ft e r that f

o r a t le a st 30 m i nutes; or

(2) At ni g ht, to f

l y a ft e r t h a t for a t l e a st 45 m i nutes. 27

The b a t t e r y pow e ri n g the sU A S provid e s a ppro x i mat e l y 25 m i nutes of pow e r e d fl i g ht. An

e x e mp t ion f

r om the 30 m i nute r e s e r v e r e qui r e ment in 14 C F R § 91.151 is t h e r e f o re r e quir e d.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

An e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y c a n b e ac hiev e d b y l i m i t ing fli g hts to 45 m i n utes or 2 5 % of

b a t t e r y p o w e r, whi c h e v e r h a pp e ns fi r st. This r e striction would be more than a d e qu a te to r e turn the

sU A S to its plann e d landing z one f r om a n y w h e r e with i n its l i m i t e d op e r a t i ng a r ea

. Op e r a t i on of

the sU A S with less than 3 0 m i nutes of r e s e rve fu e l do e s not e n g e n d e r t h e t y p e of risks that S ec t i on

91.151 (a ) w a s in t e nd e d to a l l e viate g iven the si z e a nd sp ee d of the small U A S

. Mor e ov e r

,

op e r a t i ons will be l i m i ted to c ontroll e d a re a s w h e re on l y ins p ec tors o r of f i c i a l r e pr e s e ntatives who

h a ve si g n e d w a ive r s will be a l l ow e d.

This r e qu e st for e x e mp t i on f a l l s with i n the s c ope of prior e x e mp t ions

. 28

27 14 C .F. R . § 91. 1 51 ( a )

.

28 See e

. g. Exe m

p ti on 10673 ( a l l o wi ng Loc k heed M a r ti n C o r p o r a t i on t o o p e r a t e w i t ho u t co m p li a n ce w it h

§ 91.151 ( a ) ) ; s e e a l so F A A Exe m p ti ons 26 8 9F, 574 5 , 10673, a nd 10 8 08.20

L

. 14 C

. F .R. §§ 91.20 3 (a) a n d (b): Ca r r yi n g Civi li an Ai rcr a f t C e r ti f ica t ion a n d

R e gist r ation.

This p e t i t i on s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om c iv i l a ir c raft ce rtifi c a t i on a nd re g is tr a t i on

r e quir e ments of 14 C

. F .R. §§ 91.203 ( a ) a nd (b )

. T he re g ulatio n s provide in p e rtin e nt p a rt:

( a ) E x ce pt a s p rovid e d i n § 91.715, no p e rson m a y op e r a te a c iv i l

a ir c r a ft unless it h a s with i n it the followin g :

(1) An a p p rop r iate a nd c urre nt a ir w o rthin e ss c e rtifi ca te

(b) No p e rson m a y o p e rate a c iv i l a ir c r a ft unless the a ir w orthin e ss

ce rtifi c a te r e quir e d b y p ar a gr a ph ( a ) of th i s s e c t i on or a s p ec ial fli g ht

a uthori z a t i on issu e d un d e r § 91.715 is d isp la y e d a t the ca bin or

c o c kpit e ntr a n c e so that i t is le g ib l e to p a sse n g e rs or c rew

. 29

I n a ddi t ion to the f

a c t that P e t i t i on e r is s ee king a n e x e mp t ion f r om the a ir w orthin e ss

ce rtifi c a te r e qu i r e ments, a n e x e mp t ion to th i s r eg u lation is n ece ssa r y b e c a u s e : (1) the s U AS’s load

ca p a c i t y a nd si z e do e s n o t a l l ow it to ca rr y ce rtifi c a t i on a nd re g is t r a t i on do c uments; (2) the sU A S

do e s not h a v e a ca bin o r c o c kpit e ntr a n c e a t whi c h the do c uments c ould be disp la y e d; a nd (3) th e re

a re no p a s s e n g e rs o r c re w for whom the c e rtifi c a tes n ee d be disp l a y e d.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

To the e x tent these r e gulations a re a ppl i ca ble to the prop o s e d sU A S op e r a t i ons, an

e quival e nt lev e l of s a f

e t y will be ac hiev e d b y k ee p ing these do c uments a t the g round c on t rol point

wh e re the pi l ot f

l y i n g the sU A S will h a ve i m medi a te a c ce ss to them.

The F AA h a s is s u e d n u me r ous e x e mp t ions to th i s re g ulation. A r e p r e s e n tative s a mp l e of

other e x ce pt i ons includ e s E x e mp t ion Nos. 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789A, 9797, 9797A, 9816A, a nd

10700.21 M

. 14 C. F .R. §§ 91.405 ( a) ( 1 ) ; 91.407 ( a) ( 1 ) ; 91.409 ( a) ( 1 ) ; 91.417 ( a) a n d

(b): M ai n t e n a n c e I n s p ec tions

The P e t i t i on e r s ee ks a n e x e mp t ion f r om the mainten a n c e insp e c t i on r e q u ir e ments of 14

C. F .R. §§ 91.405 (a ); 91

. 407( a ) ( 1 ); 91.409 (a ) (2 ) ; 91.417 ( a ) a nd (b )

. Th e s e re g ulations sp ec i f y

mainten a n c e a nd inspe c t i on stand a rds in r e fer e n c e to 14 C. F .R. P a rt 43

. 3 0 An e x e mp t ion to th e se

re g ulations is n ee d e d b eca use P a rt 43 a nd the s tat e d s ec t i ons a pp l y on l y to a i r c raft with an

a ir w orthin e ss c e rtifi ca t e

, whi c h the sU A S will not h a v e

.

E qu iva l e n t L e v e l o f S a f

e ty

An e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y will be ac hie v e d b e c a use mainten a n c e a nd inspe c t i ons will

be p e r f orm e d in a cc o rdan c e with the Ai r c r a ft O p e r a t i ons M a n u a l

. 3 1 As pr o vided in the M a nu a l,

the P I C will e nsure that t he UAS is in wo r king ord e r prior to in i t i a t i ng fli g ht, ov e rs e e a nd a ss i st in

p e r f orm a n c e of r e qui r e d mainten a n ce

, a nd k ee p a log of a n y mainte n a n c e p e r f orm e d. T h e P I C is

the p e rson most f

a m i l i a r with the a ir c r a ft a nd b e st sui t e d to maintain the a i r c raft in a n a ir w ort h y

c ondi t ion to provide the e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y

.

I f m e c h a ni c a l is s u e s a ris e

, the sUAS ca n land i m medi a te l y a nd will be op e r a t i n g f r om no

hi g h e r than 400 f

ee t A G L

. M o r e ov e r, the sU A S 's small si z e

, ca rr y i n g c a p ac i t y

, a nd the f a c t that

fli g ht op e r a t i ons will on l y take pl a c e in r e str i c ted a r e a s for l i m i ted p e riods of t i me, c r e a te less risk

than the s a me f

ac tors a s s o c iat e d with c onv e nt i on a l fi x e d

- wing a ir c r a ft a nd roto rc raft p e r f ormi n g

the s a me op e r a t i on.

29 14 C .F. R . §§ 91

. 203 ( a) a nd ( b )

.

30 See e

. g. 14 C .F. R . § 91.4 0 5 ( a) ( s t a ti ng t h at each o w n e r or o pe r a t o r o f an a i r c r a f t i nsp e c t ed as

p r e s c r i bed i n s ubp a

r t E of t h i s p a r t and sh a l l b e t w e en r equ i r ed i ns p e c ti o n s

. . . . h av e d i s c r epa n c i e s

r ep a i r ed as p r e s c ri b ed i n p a r t 43 of t h i s c h ap t e r ” )

.22 VI. P UB L IC I NT E REST

Consistent with the r e qu i r e ments of 14 C. F .R. § 11.81 ( d), P e t i t i on e r of f e rs the followi n g

r e a sons w h y g r a nt i ng th i s p e t i t i on for e x e mp t ion is in the publ i c in te r e st, i.e., how g r a nt i n g it would

b e n e fit the publ i c a s a w hole. App r ov a l of e x e mp t ions a l l owing c om m e rcial op e r a t i ons of small

a nd l i g htw e i g ht sU A S in the inf ra stru c ture insp e ct ion indust r y b e n e fits the publ i c a s a whole in

s e v e r a l w a y s.

F irst, gr a nt i n g the P e t i t i on e r ’ s e x e mp t ion h e lps f ulfill Con g r e s s ' g o a l in p a ss i ng S ec t i on

333( a ) thro u g h ( c ) of the R e fo r m A c t, n a me l y

, t h e F AA Admin i str a to r ' s a ssessment of wh e ther

ce rt a in U AS m a y o p e r a t e s a f e l y in the N a t i on a l Airsp ac e S y stem b e fo r e c omp l e t i on of the rule

making r e quir e d un d e r S ec t i on 332 of the R e f o rm A c t.

N e x t, the P e t i t i on e r ’ s p r opos e d op e r a t i on si g nif i ca nt l y i m p r ov e s s a f

e t y a nd r e du c e s risk

c on ce rni n g inf

ra str u c ture i n sp ec t i on b y a l l e v i a t i ng hu m a n e x posure to d a n g e rs a ss o c iat e d with

c ur re nt a e ri a l surv e y a n d inspe c t i on methods. M a nn e d h e l i c opte r s p er fo r m i ng ut i l i t y

- po w e r

g e n e r a t i on insp e c t i ons a n d p a trols h a v e e x p e ri e n ce d a n e x ce e din g l y h i g h n u m b e r of a c c idents a nd

f a tali t ies.

Oth e r bri d ge inspe c t i on methods include ut i l iz i n g a mob i le insp e c t i on p l a tfo r m to lo w e r

inspe c tors ov e r the side o f the bri d g e

. To e mp l o y t his method, inspe c tors c o ordin a te with the s t a te

d e p a rtm e nt of tr a nsport a t ion to c lose a la n e of tr a ff ic for the le n g th of the br i d g e

. P la c i n g a static

v e hicle in a l a ne n e x t to mov i ng tr a f f ic is p a rti c u l a r l y h a z a rdous to mo t or i sts a nd the inspe c tors

a l i ke a nd h a s c a us e d s e r i ous tr a f f ic inci d e nts in the p a s t

.

P e t i t i on e r ' s sU A S s a r e b a t t e r y pow e r e d a nd c r e a te no e m i ss i ons. I f P e t i t i on e r ' s sU A S

c r a sh e s, th e re is no fu e l t o i g ni t e a nd e x plode. A n y i m p ac t of P e t i t i on e r ' s l i g htw e i g ht sU A S s is f a r

less than a full si z e h e l ic opte r

. The publ ic ' s in te rest is fu r the re d b y m i ni m i z ing ec o l o g ic a l i m p a c t

of a n a c c ident a nd b y r e d u c ing human e x posure to potential l y h a rm f ul e m i ss i ons a ssoci a ted with

mann e d a ir c r a ft.

31 See M a nu a l s e c ti on 4.24

F inal l y

, a e ri a l surv e y s a re v a luable too l s for ut i l i t y

- po w e r g e n e r a t i on inspe c t i ons.

Ho we v e r, probl e ms with s a f e t y

, c ost, stati s t i ca l in t e g ri t y

, a nd l o g is t ics c o n t i nue to i m p e de a e ri a l

surv e y s a nd inspe c t i ons f r om c onv e nt i on a l man n e d a i r c raft. The u s e of sU A S a ddr e s s e s these

probl e ms a nd is a pow e r f

ul tool for p e r f

orming a w ide

- r a n ge of ut i l i t y

- pow e r g e n e r a t i on inspe c t i on

a nd p a trol a ppl i ca t i ons. The publ i c a s a whole w i ll b e n e fit f r om the s a f

e r a nd more c os t

- e f

f e c t i ve

ut i l i t y a e ri a l s e rvi ce s that sU A S op e r a t i ons provi d e

.

VII. P RI V ACY

All fli g hts will o cc ur o v e r Op e r a t i ons to be c o n du c ted ov e r publ i c or c o ntroll e d ac c e ss

prop e r t y

. Addit i on a l l y

, a l l fli g ht op e r a t i ons will be c ondu c ted in a “ S te r i l e A re a ” adjacent to the

bridge a s d e s c rib e d by the M a nu a l, in whi c h a ll p e rmissions will be g a ined b y a ll of f ici a l

p e rs o nn e l a nd or g a ni z a t i ons pr e s e nt in the S te r i l e A re a

.

Addit i on a l l y

, the U.S. S upr e me Court h a s h e ld th a t “ ‘ [ a ] p e rson tr a v e l i ng in a n a uto m obi l e

on publ i c thorou g hf

a r e s h a s no r e a son a ble e x p ec t a t i on of priv a c y .

. . .’ ” 3 2 Th e r e f o r e

, P e t i t i on e rs

use of sU A S do e s not pose a priv a c y th r ea t to mo t orists tr a v e l i ng on the ro a dw a y inad v e rt e nt l y

ca ptur e d on video b e ca u se th e y h a v e no r ea son a ble e x p ec tation of priv ac y

. H o w e v e r, to fu r t h e r

prot ec t ind i viduals who h a ve h a d the i r i ma g e ca ptur e d duri n g a n insp e c t i on, the P e t i t i on e r will

s a ni t i z e the l i k e n e sses of ind i viduals f r om the fin a l prod uc t provid e d to the c usto m e r.2 5 VIII. F E DERAL R E G IS TE R S U MM ARY

A. 14 C. F .R. P a rt 21, S ubp a rt H

- Ai r wo r th i n e ss C e rtifi ca tes a nd 14 C. F .R. § 91.203 (a ) ( 1 ).

B . 14 C. F .R. P a rt 27: Ai r wo r th i n e ss S tand a rds: N orm a l C a t e g o r y Rotor c ra ft.

C

. Air c raft M a rki n g a nd I d e nt i fi ca t i on R e quir e m e nts: 14 C. F .R. §§ 91.9 (c )

, 45.23 ( b) a nd

45.27 (a ).

D. 14 C. F .R. § 61.113 ( a ) a nd ( b ): P riv a te P i l ot P rivile g e s a nd L i m i t a t i ons: P i l o t in

Com m a nd.

E. 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 ( B ) ( 2 ): Civ i l Air c r a ft F l i g ht M a nu a l in the Aircr a ft.

F . 14 C

. F .R. § 91.7 ( a ): Civ i l Air c r a ft Air w o rthin e ss.

G. 14 C. F .R. § 91.103: P r e fl i g ht A c t i on.

H. 14 C. F .R. § 91.109 (a ) : F l i g ht I nstru c t i on.

I . 14 C

. F .R. § 91.119: Min i mum S a fe Alt i tudes.

J . 14 C. F .R. § 91.121: A l t i met e r S e t t in g s.

K. 14 C. F .R. § 91.151 ( a ) : F u e l R e quir e ments f o r F l i g ht in V F R Condi t io n s

` L

. 14 C. F .R. § 91.20 3 ( a ) a nd (b ) : C a r r y i n g Civ i l i a n Air c r a ft C e rtif i ca t i on a nd R e g is tr a t i on.

M. 14 C. F .R. §§ 91.405 (a ) ( 1); 91.407 ( a ) ( 1 ); 91.409 (a ) ( 1 ); 91.417 (a ) a nd ( b): M a in t e n a n c e

I ns p ec t i ons

32 U .S. v. Jo n e s

, 1 32 132 S

. C t

. 945 ( 201 2 ) qu o t i ng U .S. v. K no t ts

, 4 60 U .S. 276, 2 8 1 ( 198 3 )

.26 IX. C O NCLUS I O N

The P e t i t i on e r moves the F AA Admin i str a tor to g r a nt th i s e x e mp t ion. Giv e n the fo r e g oing,

the P e t i t i on e r ’ s prop o s e d us a g e do e s not pose a h a z a rd to the NAS or to t h e publ i c

. Consid e ring

the c le a r statuto r y la n g u a ge in S ec t i on 333 of t he R e fo r m A c t, the a uthori t y c ontain e d in the

Fe d e r a l Avi a t i on A c t, a s a mend e d, the e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y to the pu b l i c a nd to the men a nd

wom e n c ondu c t i n g inf

ra s tru c ture inspe c t i ons, a nd t he r e du c t i on in e nviron m e ntal e f f ec t s

, the gr a nt

of the r e q u e sted e x e mp t ions is in the publ i c in t e rest. A cc ordi n g l y

, P e t i t i on e r r e sp e c tful l y r e q u e s t s

that the F AA gr a nt the re qu e sted e x e mp t ion with o ut d e l a y

.

S ubm i t t e d on June 29 , 2015 b y :

Frederick H. Meek

Frederick H. Meek,

6848 Sundrop Street

Harmony, FL 34773

407

- 902

- 7100