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Flight Operation Manual

Motion Picture and Television

Elevated Perspective Media

36 Post Road Warwick RI 02888

401-261-5117

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 

B. Organization 

C. Persons Authorized 

D. Area of Operations 

E. Plan of Activities 

F. Permission to Operate 

G. Security 

H. Briefing of Operator/Production Personnel 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

J. Operator Minimum Requirements 

K. Communications 

L. Accident Notification 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

B. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A

1 List of Approved Pilots 

3 Confirmation of materials received

2 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by Elevated Perspective Media hereafter referred to

as "EPM ", 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 on closed sets for TV and motion pictures. EPM operators

and other company personnel when applicable will comply with 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.

B. Organization

Christopher Walsh

President

92 Armington Street

Cranston, Rhode island 02809

401.639.1379
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Thomas Webb

Vice President

36 Post Road

Warwick RI 02888

401-261-5117

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, EPM, 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

EPM’s approved area of operations will be the United States of America and its territories

E. Plan of Activities

EPM will submit a written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of

activities should include the following:

(1) Dates and times for all flights.

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production

event.

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft.

(4) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event.

(5) A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property owners and/or local 

officials to conduct the filming production event. The list of those who gave permission must be made 

available to the inspector upon request from the waiver holder.

(6) Signature of waiver holder or representative.

(7) 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 equipments 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:

(1) Property owners
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(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The EPM 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. EPM 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 operator 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.

H. Safety Plan

- See Pre-Flight Checklist

- sUAS operated by EPM will weigh less than 55 lbs., including payload

- sUAS operates at speeds of less than 100mph, can hover, and can simultaneously move in multiple directions

- EPM will only operate its sUAS in line of sight and will operate only with the secure environment described in the 

FOM. Such operations will insure that the sUAS will not create a hazard to users of the NAS or public.

- sUAS will adhere to FAA regulations for sUAS

- sUAS will operate leaving no trace of activity behind

- Maximum flight time will be based on what 75% of battery usage will allow

- Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 ft AGL as indicated by onboard altimeter and GPS

- Minimum crew will consist of the sUAS operator and a visual observer

- EPM will only have aircraft flying within the hours determined by local sunrise and sunset

- Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

In conjunction with producers and assistant directors and prior to the start of any operation under the 

provisions of this manual the operator 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
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attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting

• 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

J. Operator Minimum Requirements

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

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(1) Established competency in aircraft type.

(2) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used.

(3) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under

the waiver.

(4) Is at least 17 years old

(5) Speaks English fluently

K. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the operator will formulate a plan to provide 

communications capability to all meaningful 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.

L. Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification requirements of FAR Part 

830 would apply.

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 EPM motion picture and

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the

surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and operators used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be

those specified in the EPM motion picture and television operations manual

(“Appendix A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. Each operator’s name shall appear on each daily plan of 

activity. All civil aircraft and operator(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before 

the

scheduled event.

Each operator conducting operations authorized under this certificate

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR

91.119 (b) and (c). Multirotor takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will

prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

EPM will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency
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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

A. Operator

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assume the responsibilities of operator when acting as such.

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this

manual.

• Act as liaison between EPM and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

• Assure that each approved operator 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 EPM.

• 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 EPM

under the provisions of this manual.

• The operator may delegate functions to other personnel but retains

responsibility.

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

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

• 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.
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Appendix A

LIST OF APPROVED Pilots

Christopher Walsh

92 Armington Street 

Cranston Rhode Island 02908

401.639.1379

Thomas Webb

Vice President

36 Post Road

Warwick RI 02888

401.261.5117

Judson Bell

36 Old Rockingham Rd

Salem, NH 03079

603.591.6536
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I, , certify that I have read and understand the Elevated Perspective Media, LLC. 

“Flight Operation Manual for Motion Picture and Television.”

I, , certify that I have read and understand the Elevated Perspective Media, LLC. 

“Pre-Flight Checklist for Safe Operation.”

Name:

Title:

Location:

Signature __________________________________________________

Date __________________________

EPM Representative

_______________________________________________________________
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ELEVATED PERSPECTIVE MEDIA, Inc.

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of ELEVATED PERSPECTIVE MEDIA, Inc. 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 __________________________

EPM Representative Receiving Permission

_______________________________________________________________