Gershwin Thomas Stephen May, 18, 2015

1560 SW 194th Avenue

Pembroke Pines Fl 33029

Cell (954) 248-7122

Email: gershwinstephen@msn.com

U.S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590

RE: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act of 2012

Attachments: These attachments are too large for submission via the submission portal.

They are available at this website for viewing or download. 

http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2-vision-plus/download

1) Phantom 2 Vision+ User Manual V1.8 2015013012

2) Phantom 2 Vision Plus (Quick Start Guide) 20141118

3) Phantom pilot training guide V1.1 20140407

References:

1) FAA Exemption No. 11138, Regulatory Docket No. FAA20140481in

the matter of the petition of DOUGLAS TRUDEAU

2) FAA Exemption No. 11136, Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2014–0508 in

the matter of the petition of ADVANCED AVIATION SOLUTIONS LLC

3) FAA Exemption No. 11080 Regulatory Docket No. FAA20140355in

the matter of the petition of FLYING CAM INC

Dear Sir or Madam,

In accordance with the FAA’s Guidelines for Submitting a Petition for Exemption

under section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, I Gershwin Thomas 

Stephen, referred to hereafter as the petitioner, request exemption from the following sections of

Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations §§

61.113(a); 61.113(b); 91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409

(a)(1); 91.409(a)(2); 91.417(a) & (b);

In order to operate small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commercially in airspace

regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the purposes of aerial

photography, videography, mapping, inspections and other flight operations that could be 

performed safely and more cost effectively with the use of small UAS at low altitude within the 

U.S. national airspace system as compared to a manned aircraft. Operations will be performed 
only at the request of and with the authorization and permission of clients or their authorized 

agents in order to facilitate

commerce and raise awareness of the beneficial uses of small unmanned air systems.

So long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined

herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333. The conditions

identified and proposed by the petitioner are drawn from references 13.

The FARs

The petitioner seeks exemption from the above mentioned FARs for the following

reasons;

61.113(a) & (b); The petitioner requests relief in order to facilitate the

utilization of pilots, who hold a PRIVATE PILOT (or greater) certificate. Any pilots

operating under this exemption would be required to comply with any conditions as set

forth and in a similar fashion to the previously granted exemptions.

91.119(c) As discussed in Exemption 11138 (DOUGLAS TRUDEAU),

operations conducted closer than 500 feet to the ground may require that the UA be

operated closer than 500 feet to essential persons, or objects that would not be possible

without additional relief. The petitioner requests modification, waiver or exemption and

clarification concerning the terms “congested areas” and “densely populated”. The

petitioner requests waiver for this condition to allow reasonable and responsible

operations in areas of subdivisions and neighborhoods if required.

91.121 As discussed in Exemption 11138 (DOUGLAS TRUDEAU) is

inapplicable since the UAS does not have an altimeter and instead utilizes electronic

GPS with a barometric sensor for altitude information.

91.151(a) As discussed in Exemption 11136 (ADVANCED AVIATION

SOLUTIONS LLC) prior relief has been granted for manned aircraft to operate at less

than the prescribed minimums, including Exemption Nos. 2689, 5745, and 10650. In

addition, similar UAS specific relief has been granted in Exemption Nos. 8811, 10808,

and 10673 for daytime, VFR conditions. The UAS provides battery power remaining in

percent to the PIC. The UA batteries provide approximately 25 minutes of powered

flight. Information provided in the operating documents discusses procedures regarding

remaining battery power management. Those documents contain a condition in which

the PIC will initiate a landing procedure when battery remaining reaches a specified

level. Given the limitations on proposed operations and the location of those proposed

operations, The FAA found that a reduced minimum power reserve for flight in daytime

VFR conditions was reasonable.

91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409 (a)(1) & (2); 91.417(a) & (b) As discussed in

Exemption 11138 (DOUGLAS TRUDEAU), The petitioner proposes to inspect and

ensure that the UAS is in a condition for safe flight in accordance with the operating

documents. The FAA found that adherence to the petitioner’s operating documents and
the conditions and limitations specified, describing the requirements for maintenance,

inspection, and recordkeeping, were sufficient to ensure that safety would not be

adversely affected.

The UAS

The DJI Phantom 2 vision plus is a highly successful consumer grade small

rotorcraft in the quadcopter configuration with an advertised weight of less than 44

Ounces (1242g) designed primarily to carry aloft a high definition camera. It has an

advertised maximum speed of less than 30 knots (15m/s) and a maximum climb rate of

less than 1200 feet per minute (6 m/s). It is powered by four electric motors with a

distance between motors of less than 14 inches (350mm) It utilizes an internal inertial

measuring unit (IMU) with integrated barometric sensor augmented with global

positioning system (GPS) to maintain its geospatial orientation and position. It is

controlled primarily through an FCC certified radio control (RC) unit. Real time video

and telemetry information is transmitted back to a ground control station allowing the

operator and/or PIC to monitor battery level, GPS signal strength, altitude (AGL),

distance from PIC, camera imagery, and control camera angle. It has failsafe modes of

operation for either loss of RC or GPS signal. Altitude can be limited by the onboard

flight controller and maximum altitude can be preprogrammed by the PIC. Battery life

limits flight times to approximately 25 minutes. The onboard flight controller will warn the

pilot via telemetry and external lighting cues before reaching a low battery state. An

automatic termination of flight and landing will be initiated when the battery reaches a

predetermined low state. It is anticipated that flights will usually last less than 10

minutes. More information is available in attachment 1 or

http://www.dji.com/product/phantom2visionplus

Risk mitigation

The petitioner has reviewed FAA exemptions reference’s 13Conditions and

Limitations section and believes that the procedures specified therein are reasonable

and will be utilized in order to manage and mitigate risk and ensure public safety. A

preflight checklist will be developed and employed to ensure that the UA airworthiness

will be verified before launch. Airworthiness will be maintained by performance of

routine inspections before each flight, maintaining flight and maintenance logs to record

time on failure prone components.

The petitioner does request that in a manner similar to reference 3, he be allowed to

operate within 5 miles of an airport provided that;

“The UA may not operate in Class B, C, or D airspace without

written approval from the FAA. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical

miles of the geographic center of a non towered airport 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 operator’s COA. The letter
of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the

Administrator upon request.”

Operations within 5 miles of an airport are not anticipated to be routine but the petitioner

is requesting a mechanism to facilitate such activities without requesting a new and

separate exemption(s) should the need arise. Operations within class B airspace are

not requested due to the lack of mode C transponder.

Public interest

Use of the UAS in lieu of a manned aircraft would enhance safety and reduce the

environmental impact as compared to similar operations conducted with manned aircraft

of greater proportions, carrying a crew and flammable fuel. Additionally, use of the UAS

in order to facilitate commerce could lead to economic growth. Operations for this

petition will enable service for property owners or their designees seeking an enhanced

perspective for characteristics, amenities, and benefits of their desired photographic

subjects that cannot be displayed through ground level videography/photography. Aerial

photography is a valuable marketing tool that can lead to increased commerce and

enhance personal photography. Crop surveying applications could lead to decreased

use of pesticides and fertilizer and conservation of water as well as increased crop

yields and decreased costs. Aerial surveying and inspections can increase work site

efficiency, improve volumetric estimations and reduce risks. The petitioner will provide

clients with photographic data for these purposes on a ‘for hire’ basis acting as an

independent contractor. A visual observer will be utilized. Liability insurance will be

obtained commensurate with the granting of this request for exemption. Flight data

including UA flight time, Control Unit operation time, incident, accident, and details

concerning any deviations from normal operations will be available to FAA for use in

collecting data regarding the use of UAS as part of this application. This data may be

submitted to FAA via traditional means, e.g. COA Monthly Reports, or other means as

required.

Conclusion

The petitioner is requesting this exemption for the purposes of “aerial

photography, videography, mapping, inspections and other flight operations for REAL ESTATE 

sales and services. ” The petitioner is a licensed Real Estate Agent in the State of Florida.

The reason for such this petition is that the petitioner wishes to utilize a business strategy of 

horizontal integration and maximize economies of scope in order to capitalize on opportunities 

as they may arise within his profession of Real Estate Sales and services.

The petitioner's business involves taking photographs and videos of houses, buildings and land 

for Real Estate Sales and Services. The petitioner wishes to showcase properties that he will list, 

market and sell only. Aerial photographs currently exists in the real estate market and is an 

emerging trend. Although mapping and inspections are included in this request, these will be on 

a as needed basis as the primary objective will be aerial photography of houses, buildings and 

land that will be offered on the Real Estate Market. The petitioner has refrained from engaging in 

commercial use of the UAS. The primary purpose of seeking
this exemption is to obtain the capability to offer those services while remaining in

compliance. The petitioner has 2 years of experience in the radio control model aircraft

hobby, as well as a valid drivers license in the state of Florida and is a Veteran of the US Navy. 

Respectfully submitted,

Gershwin Thomas Stephen