Date: 1/18/2016 Revision: Original

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Motion 

Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Engler & Associates, LLC

207 E Duke Dr • Tempe, AZ 85283

(602) 377-8132
Date: 1/18/2016 Revision: Original

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A) Purpose

B) Operator Organization / Pilot

C) Persons Authorized

D) Area of Operations

E) Plan of Activities

F) Permission to Operate

G) Security

H) Briefing of Pilot / Production Personnel

I) Certification / Airworthiness

J) Pilot Personnel / Minimum Requirements

K) Communications

L) Accident Notification

M) Recall / Stop Procedures

N) Special Provisions

2. Company Organization

A) Chief Pilot

B) Pilot in Command

Appendix A

A) List of Approved Pilots

B) List of Approved Aircraft

C) Permission Acquisition Form (sample)

D) Revision Letter (sample)
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Revision Control Page

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1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "Engler & Associates, LLC.", hereafter referred to as 

"E&A", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the 

provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. E&A pilots and other 

company personnel when applicable will comply with the conditions and limitations stated in 

the Grant of Exemption, in addition to those in the COA as well as the policies, procedures 

and conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television flight operations are 

performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above.
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B. Operator Organization / Pilot

Travis Engler – Director of Aviation Services 

207 E Duke Dr. Tempe, AZ 85283 (602)377-8132

Pilots – Hired on Contract basis

C. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures directly 

involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall ensure that no 

persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and 

necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if 

an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For 

example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the 

filming production area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may 

protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the 

event of an accident.

D. Area of Operations

E&A’s approved area of operations will be the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and 

any country/territory outside of the United States will be reviewed prior to approval of any 

operations.

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, E&A will submit a written plan of 

activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area of proposed filming. The plan of 

activities should include the following:

A)Dates and times for all flights.

B) Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS filming production conducted 

under this grant of exemption.

C)Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of the 

UAS.

D)Make, model, and serial or N-number of UAS to be used and type of airworthiness 

certificate, including category.

E) Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the filming production event, 

including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic competency, if 

required.

F) A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners and/or 

local officials to conduct the filming production event. The list of those who gave 
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permission must be made available to the inspector upon request from the operator.

G)Signature of exemption holder or representative.

H)A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, 

county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and the minimum altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operations.

The three (3) day notification requirement may be waived, however, the operator should 

contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in detail 

why the three (3) day notification is not practical.

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of the 

certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these 

operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from 

whom permission may be required are listed below:

A) Property owners

B) Law enforcement officials

C) Fire department officials

D) Local, State, and Federal government

E) Air traffic control

The E&A personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical, 

however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is provided 

in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written permission. E&A personnel will assure 

a sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms will 

be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned into the 

chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will be made 

available for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request.

G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate production personnel 

to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons and 

vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations should the area(s) 

become unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety.
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H. Briefing of Pilot / Production Personnel

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in command 

will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks involved, 

emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the filming production event. 

Personnel will also be briefed on additional provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that 

has geographic responsibility for the operational area, including the location of boundaries or 

time limits.

The briefing shall cover:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the attached special 

provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Launch and Landing Zones including dimensions of the landing zone

• Aircraft parking and starting

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification / Airworthiness

All E&A aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) for the 

purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness certificates. However, 

restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" in motion picture and 

television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category must have an airworthiness 

certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order to be used in motion picture and 

television filming. The aircraft will be 50hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests 

and inspections (transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. 

Each aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and 

inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is also 
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found in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the aircraft to be flown is in airworthy 

condition and all required inspections and maintenance has been completed before each 

flight. The UAS will not be operated unless the pilot in command has reviewed the Aircraft 

Discrepancy Log and verified there are not any maintenance issues.

J. Pilot Personnel / Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum 

requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

A)The Pilot In Command (PIC) must possess at least a sport pilot license and a current 

driver license. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 

CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his/her pilot certificate.

B) The PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 

61.51 (b), a minimum of 200 flight cycles and 25 hours of total time as a UAS rotorcraft 

pilot and at least ten hours logged as a UAS pilot with a similar UAS type (single blade 

or multirotor).

C)A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under the waiver.

D)In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external-load 

operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots used in the operation shall be 

qualified. This qualification may be obtained through a knowledge test (which may be 

oral and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or another company pilot approved by the 

geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads externally will give the 

test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements and cover the following subjects:

a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the Flight area.

b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load.

c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating

procedures and the aircraft flight manual.

d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate.

K. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will formulate 

a plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the actual operation and 

filming. Oral, visual, or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is 

capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised of the current status of the 

operation.

If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a predetermined location within the security perimeter and land or be recovered in accordance with 
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the operator’s manual.

L. Accident Notification

Any 1) incident, 2) accident, or 3) flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the 

Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours. 

Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per 

instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov. Further flight operations may not 

be conducted until the incident, accident, or transgression is reviewed by AFS-80 and 

authorization to resume operations is provided.

M. Recall / Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual, or a combination will be utilized to keep the participants 

continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

N. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the E&A motion picture and television 

operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be 

jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those specified 

in the E&A motion picture and television operations manual (“Appendix A” page 11) or 

associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each 

daily plan of activity. All UAS and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA 

inspection before the scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands 

the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c).

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that 

will prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

E&A will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are thoroughly 

briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on the provisions 

of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No person may participate 

in any event unless that person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver.

2. Company Organization

Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

•Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual.
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•Act as liaison between E&A and the FAA on matters concerning this manual.

•Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed 

statement from each that they have read and understand its contents.

•Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for E&A.

•Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed 

properly.

•Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by E&A under the 

provisions of this manual.

•Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

•The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility.

Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and 

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of 

this manual.

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, 

policies and conditions contained herein.

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, 

etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern.

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job or 

operation requiring the waiver.

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains 

responsibility.
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Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name :

Certificate Number :

Grade :

Medical Class/Date :

Contact Number :

Pilot In Command (PIC)

Name :

Certificate Number :

Grade :

Medical Class/Date :

Contact Number :

Pilots

Name :

Certificate Number :

Grade :

Medical Class/Date :

Contact Number :

Name :

Certificate Number :

Grade :

Medical Class/Date :

Contact Number :
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Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI Inspire 1

2. DJI Phantom 3
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Appendix A .3

Engler & Associates, LLC.

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Engler & Associates, LLC. Permission to operate their 

aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or 

affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production.

Name:

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature __________________________________________________

Date __________________________

E&A Representative Receiving Permission

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Appendix A .4

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

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R • Remove and Replace D • Delete and Destroy N • Insert New Page

Manual Serial# ___________________ Issued To ___________________________

Revised By _________________________________

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than _____________________________