Planet Inhouse, Inc. 1

Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

Planet Inhouse, Inc.

MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION 

FLIGHT OPERATIONS MANUAL

_________________________

Planet Inhouse, Inc.

PO Box 411306

Melbourne, FL 32941

todd.hillhouse@planetinhouse.com
Planet Inhouse, Inc. 2

Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

Revision Control Page

Revision# Date Initials
Planet Inhouse, Inc. 3

Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4

C. Persons Authorized 4

D. Area of Operations 5

E. Plan of Activities 5

F. Permission to Operate 6

G. Security 6

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 6

I. Certification/Airworthiness 7

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 7

K. Communications 7

L. Accident Notification 7

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 8

N. Special Provisions 8

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 8

B. Pilot in Command 9

3. Appendix A

A. List of Approved Pilots 10

B. List of Approved Aircraft 11

C. Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 12
Planet Inhouse, Inc. 4

Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by “Planet Inhouse, Inc.” (hereafter referred to as “Planet 

Inhouse”) in conjunction with an application for an amendment to Planet Inhouse’s Grant 

of Exemption (Exemption No. 12593), as amended, from the provisions of 14 CFR 

§ 91.119(c) for the purpose of aerial filming on closed sets for the television and motion 

pictures and other commercial closed set filming operations. Planet Inhouse pilots, 

operators and other company personnel when applicable will comply with the policies, 

procedures, and conditions contained in this manual, whenever motion picture or television 

flight operations are performed in accordance with the above mentioned Exemption and/or 

other authorization, as applicable.

B. Chief Pilot & Organization

Todd Hillhouse

President, CEO, and Chief UAS Pilot

Planet Inhouse, Inc.

P.O. Box 411306 

Melbourne, FL 32941

321.895.4359

www.planetinhouse.com/

C. Persons Authorized

14 CFR § 91.119(c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures 

directly involved in the performance of the actual filming and television productions, and 

to the extent waived under Exemption No. 12593 (as amended) and associated COA. The 

Exemption holder, Planet Inhouse, and/or its employees or other agents, will ensure that no 

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

necessary for the filming production (UAS flight crew, filming crews, actors under 

contract for on-screen performances, etc.). 

Planet Inhouse will take the following actions to ensure compliance with the above:

1) Require and/or provide an adequate number of assistant directors and production 

personnel to stand guard at publicly accessible entrances to the closed 

production area;

2) Tape off additional entrances with a notice regarding production activities and 

schedule; and

3) Notify site/property manager 48-72 hours prior to production.
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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

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. that may protect nonparticipating persons 

from debris, or as specified in Exemption No. 12593 (as amended) and associated COA, or 

any other applicable authorization.

D. Area of Operations

Planet Inhouse’s approved area of operations will be the United States of America and its 

territories in accordance with Planet Inhouse’s Certificate of Waiver or Authorization 

issued simultaneously with Planet Inhouse’s Section 333 Grant of Exemption (Exemption 

No. 12593), as amended.

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Planet Inhouse will submit a written 

plan of activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) having jurisdiction 

over that area. The plan of activities will include the following at a minimum, as specified 

in Exemption No. 12593:

1) Dates and times for all flights;

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

and/or the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted under Exemption No. 

12593;

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

the UAS;

4) Make, model, and N-Number of UAS to be used;

5) Name and certificate number of UAS PIC(s) involved in the aerial filming;

6) A statement that Planet Inhouse or its agent has obtained permission from 

property owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event; 

the list of those who gave permission will be made available to the inspector 

upon request;

7) Signature of Planet Inhouse’s agent or representative;

8) 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 operation.

The three (3) day notification requirements 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.
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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

F. Permission to Operate

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

Exemption No. 12593, as amended, the associated COA, and this MPTFOM, 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;

2) Law enforcement officials;

3) Fire department officials;

4) Local, State, and Federal government;

5) Air traffic control

The Planet Inhouse 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 C and may be used when obtaining written permission. Planet 

Inhouse 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.

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 will cover at a minimum:

1) Authorization for motion picture and television under Exemption No. 12593, as 

amended, and the associated COA;

2) Operations manual;

3) Plan of activities;
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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

4) Aircraft parking and starting;

5) Taxi procedures, as applicable;

6) Radio communications;

7) Takeoff procedures;

8) Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event;

9) Approach and landing procedures;

10)Recall procedures;

11)Emergency procedures;

12)Risks to participating personnel;

13)How to control nonparticipating persons;

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All Planet Inhouse aircraft used in operations conducted pursuant to this manual have will 

have been specifically authorized under Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and 

Reform Act of 2012 (“FMRA”) as granted to Planet Inhouse under Exemption No 12593, 

as amended, and the associated COA. 

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

inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. The pilot in command will

assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and 

maintenance has been completed before each flight.

J. Pilot/Operator Minimum Requirements

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

requirements will meet or exceed the following:

1) Each pilot/operator will possess the minimum qualification and flight experience 

requirements listed in Exemption No. 12593, as amended.

K. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the operator and/or pilot in 

command 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 14 CFR Part 830 will apply.
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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

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 the operation.

N. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in this Motion Picture and Television 

Flight Operations Manual, Exemption No. 12593, as amended, and the associated COA are

the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be jeopardized. 

Rotorcraft/multirotor takeoff and landing area will be protected in a manner that will 

prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

Planet Inhouse 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 applicable authorization(s) before beginning the activities. No person 

may participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing on the provisions of 

any such authorizations. 

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 

Minimum Duties and Responsibilities: 

1) Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual; 

2) Act as liaison between Planet Inhouse and the FAA on matter concerning this

manual; 

3) 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;

4) Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Planet 

Inhouse;

5) Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and 

processed properly;

6) Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by Planet 

Inhouse under the provisions of this manual;

7) Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such;

8) The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

responsibility;
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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

B. Pilot in Command- To Be Designated in Each Plan of Activities 

Minimum Duties and Responsibilities: 

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

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

2) Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the 

provisions of this manual. 

3) Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the 

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein. 

4) Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, 

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

5) Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any 

job or operation requiring the waiver. 

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

responsibility. 
Planet Inhouse, Inc. 10

Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

Appendix A

Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name: Todd Hillhouse

Certificate Number: 3428613

Contact Number: 321-895-4359

Pilots

Name:

Certificate Number:

Contact Number:

Name:

Certificate Number:

Contact Number:

Name:

Certificate Number:

Contact Number:
Planet Inhouse, Inc. 11

Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

Appendix B

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI Inspire 1 N357WH

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.
Planet Inhouse, Inc. 12

Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual

Date: September 17, 2015 Revision: Original

Appendix C

Sample Permission Acquisition Form

Planet Inhouse, Inc.

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Planet Inhouse, Inc. permission to operate their 

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

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

Name:

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location:

Date of Operation: 

Signature:

Date:

Planet Inhouse, Inc. Representative Receiving Permission: