September 1, 2015

Exemption No. 12697

Regulatory Docket No. FAA−2015−2417

Mr. Django Greenblatt-Seay

5521 North 52nd Street

Omaha, NE 68104

Dear Mr. Greenblatt-Seay:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

By letters posted to the public docket June 22 and August 14, 2015, you petitioned the Federal 

Aviation Administration (FAA) for an exemption. You requested to operate an unmanned 

aircraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial photography, videography, cinematography, 

inspections, precision agriculture, closed-set filming, search and rescue operations, and UAS 

training1.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing the proposed operations and 

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner.

 

1 The petitioner also requested authority to conduct UAS training. At this time, the FAA is unable to authorize 

UAS operations for training until a further assessment is completed. When the FAA completes its review, we 

will proceed accordingly and no further action will be required by the petitioner. However, the petitioner is 

permitted to train its own pilot in commands and visual observers in accordance with condition no. 14 and the 

other conditions and limitations in this exemption.
2

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner are the DJI Phantom 2, DJI Phantom 3, DJI Inspire 1, 

DJI Spreading Wings S800, DJI Spreading Wings S900, DJI Spreading Wings S1000, DJI 

Matrice 100, Cinestar 8, Altavian Nova F6500, Blade 350 QX3, AgEagle, 3D Robotics X8, 

3D Robotics Iris, 3D Robotics Solo, SenseFly eBee, Yuneec Q500 Typhoon, DraganFlayer 

X4-ES, Trimble UX5, and Microdrones MD4.

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in 

reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited 

operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation 

has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA 

finds that relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 

Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing 

requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection2and closed set motion picture and 

filming. The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material 

respects to those presented in your petition. In Grants of Exemption Nos. 11062 to Astraeus 

Aerial (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 

11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the 

enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned aircraft (UA) with the specifications described 

by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a manned aircraft of 

significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA 

good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of 

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213;

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and 

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

 

2 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. 

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF 

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by 

instruments aboard the UA.
3

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, Mr. Django Greenblatt-Seay is granted an exemption 

from 14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 

91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) 

and (b), to the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data 

collection and closed set motion picture and filming. This exemption is subject to the 

conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Mr. Django Greenblatt-Seay is hereafter referred to as 

the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 2, 

DJI Phantom 3, DJI Inspire 1, DJI Spreading Wings S800, DJI Spreading Wings 

S900, DJI Spreading Wings S1000, DJI Matrice 100, Cinestar 8, Altavian Nova 

F6500, Blade 350 QX3, AgEagle, 3D Robotics X8, 3D Robotics Iris, 3D Robotics 

Solo, SenseFly eBee, Yuneec Q500 Typhoon, DraganFlayer X4-ES, Trimble UX5, 

and Microdrones MD4 when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. 

Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to 

amend this exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are 

permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the 

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. 

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or

U.S. driver’s license.
4

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within 

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used 

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS 

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; 

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC 

must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the 

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties 

required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, 

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating 

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update 

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then 

the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s 

UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding 

updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo 

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such 

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is 

in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the 

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all 

potential discrepancies, e.g., inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is 

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the 

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.
5

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and 

aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, 

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a 

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a 

state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 

government. 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 or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the 

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be 

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and 

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC 

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs 

(training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to 

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, 

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During 

training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for 

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA 

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as 

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not 

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s 

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption 

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available 

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.
6

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the 

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve 

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification 

(N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and 

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. 

These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure 

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises 

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of 

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety 

of nonparticipating persons; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard.
7

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

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

to the FAA's 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.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) 

as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this 

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day 

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities 

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming 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;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

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 permission must be made available to the inspector upon request;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

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 altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the 

exemption holder’s MPTOM.
8

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS 

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, 

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.

This exemption terminates on September 30, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures
Dear Sir or Madam: 

I am writing pursuant to the FAA Modernization and 

Reform Act of 2012 (the Reform Act) and the 

procedures contained in 14 C.F.R. 11, to request that I, 

an owner and operator of small unmanned aircraft, be 

exempted under Section 333, so I may operate my 

small unmanned aircraft commercially in airspace 

regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

I am requesting this exemption because - (1) existing 

regulations will severely hinder and burden me - (2) I 

can provide and execute a level of competence and 

safety that is, at the very least, equal to (or greater than 

in many cases) to those provided by existing 

guidelines, and (3) the request is in the public interest 

and local benefit.

I am a career corporate communicator and 

independent/freelance videographer. I have a day job 

at Union Pacific Railroad as the company’s 

Communication Manager of Video, where I facilitate a 

process that makes sure company videos follow safety 

rules and regulations. In my free time, I have made 

more than 130 music videos along with dozens of other 

video projects. Many of these projects are commercial 

projects.

I have been a sUAS hobbyist for about two years, with 
more than 100 consecutive, safe flights with my DJI 

Inspire 1 in the last year alone, with more than 100 

hours of flight time. I conduct an extensive pre-flight 

check before every flight. I conduct a safety briefing 

prior to every flight, indicating the flight plan and 

making sure everyone is aware of potential hazards in 

our surroundings. The safety briefing is also an 

opportunity to designate a person to call 911 in the 

event of an emergency, and do determine whether 

anyone on site is CPR certified.

Each flight is flown line of sight with a pilot (myself), 

and a spotter. Most flights include a dedicated camera 

operator as well. Maintaining line of sight is 

accomplished by putting great effort into planning each 

camera move/pass before initiating it. 

I am formally requesting permission to fly my DJI 

Inspire 1 commercially in the United States to capture 

aerial cinematography for clients who would otherwise 

have to contract a manned aerial vehicle, which would 

put human life at a greater risk. Much of the 

commercial cinematography I plan to conduct will be at 

altitudes and in environments unsafe for a manned 

vehicle. This includes low-altitude passes over 

landscapes such as open farm land, or over wooded 

areas.

My exemption request would permit me operation of my 
DJI Inspire 1 in FAA approved airspace at a maximum 

altitude of 300 feet and no greater than 50 miles per 

hour. I will fly only in FAA approved areas, which 

include appropriate distance from airports and other 

no-fly-zone areas.

I will conduct my operations in compliance with the 

protocols established by the FAA. For the reasons 

stated in this petition, I respectfully request the grant of 

an exemption allowing me to operate a DJI Inspire 1 

within the national airspace system. 

Details about my pre-flight checklist and specifications 

about my DJI Inspire 1 are listed below.

Thank you,

Django Greenblatt-Seay

5521 N 52nd St. 

Omaha, NE 68104

402-201-8437

Pre-Flight Checklist

1. Remote controller, aircraft battery, and mobile device 

are fully charged. 

2. Propellers are mounted correctly and firmly. 

3. Micro-SD card has been inserted if necessary. 

4. Calibrate gimbal.
5. Motors can start and are functioning as normal. 

6. DJI Pilot app connected to the aircraft. 

7. Calibrate IMU.

8. Calibrate compass.

9. Identify any geographic or human obstacles that 

could challenge a safe flight.

10. Conduct safety briefing.

DJI Inspire 1 Details

Weight (Battery Included): 2,935 g

Max Ascent Speed: 5 m/s

Max Descent Speed: 4 m/s

Max Speed: 22 m/s

Max Flight Time: Approximately 18 minutes

Motor Model: DJI 3510

Dimensions: 438x451x301 mm

Operating Frequency: 5.725-5.825 GHz or 2.400-2.483 

GHz
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

DOCKET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1200 NEW JERSEY AVE., SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

Attention:

Brenda Robeson Program Analyst, 

Airmen and Airspace Rules Division

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR EXEMPTION AND THE 

FAA’S LETTER DATED JUNE 25, 2015 REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM: 

Django Greenblatt-Seay

DOCKET # FAA-2015- 2417

FOR AN EXEMPTION SEEKING RELIEF FROM 

THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FAA REFORM ACT AND 

PART 11 OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS FROM

TITLE 14 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS 

SECTIONS C.F.R. §§ 61.113 (a) & (b); 91.7(a); 91.119 (c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 

91.405 (a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.417 (a) & (b).

CONCERNING COMMERCIAL OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

PURSUANT TO SECTION 333 OF THE FAA MODERNIZATION 

AND REFORM ACT OF 2012 (PUBLIC LAW 112-95)

Submitted	on	July	23,	2015

Django	Greenblatt-Seay

5521	N	52nd	St.

Omaha,	NE	68104

Django	Greenblatt-Seay Consultant

Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC

8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.	Suite	#200

Shakopee,	MN	55379

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com

Info@GowdyBrothers.com
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Table of Contents

GLOSSARY	OF	ABBREVIATIONS...........................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION	AND	INTERESTS	OF THE	PETITIONER..............................................4

Executive	Summary .................................................................................................................4

Expeditious	Summary	Grant	Approval	Request......................................................................4

Description	of	Type,	Make	and	Models	of	sUAV/UAS	Requested:.............................................5

Commercial	(Mission,	Operation)	Purpose:........................................................................................5

Regulations	from	which	the	Exemption	Relief	is	requested:.......................................................6

The	name	and	address	of	the	Petitioner: .............................................................................................7

Background...........................................................................................................................................7

Commitment	to	Safety..................................................................................................................................7

Expertise	&	Experience................................................................................................................................8

The	Exemption	Request .........................................................................................................9

Operator	Requirements ................................................................................................................ 11

Aircraft and	Equivalent	Level	of	Safety.................................................................................... 14

Specific	Uses	Public	Benefits ....................................................................................................... 18

Equivalent	Level	of	Safety............................................................................................................. 19

14	C.F.R.	§	91.7(a):	Civil	aircraft	airworthiness..............................................................................20

14	C.F.R.	§91.119:	Minimum	safe	altitudes ......................................................................................21

14	C.F.R.	§91.121	Altimeter	Settings...................................................................................................21

14	C.F.R.	§	91.151(a):	Fuel	Requirements	for	Flight	in	VFR	Conditions ..............................21

14	C.F.R.	§91.405	(a);	91.407	(a)	(1);	91.409(a)	(2);	91.417(a)	&	(b):	Maintenance	

Inspections.....................................................................................................................................................22

Federal	Register	Publication............................................................................................. 23

Privacy	and	National	Security........................................................................................... 23

Summary................................................................................................................................... 24

APPENDIX	A	- EXEMPTION	PATTERN....................................................................................... 26

APPENDIX	B	- TECHNICAL	MANUALS	AND	SPECIFICATIONS............................................ 27

APPENDIX	C	- COMMERCIAL	(MISSION/OPERATION)	PURPOSE	- FAA	PREVIOUS	

APPROVED	EXEMPTION	NUMBERS........................................................................................... 28

APPENDIX	D	- EQUIPMENT	- FAA	PREVIOUS	APPROVED	EXEMPTION	NUMBERS.... 29

APPENDIX	E	- EXEMPTION	14	C.F.R	- FAA	PREVIOUS	APPROVED	EXEMPTION	

NUMBERS............................................................................................................................................ 30

APPENDIX	F	- MONTHLY	MAINTENANCE	AND	REPAIR	LOG............................................. 31

APPENDIX	G	– MOTION	PICTURE	AND	TELEVISION	FLIGHT	OPERATIONS	MANUAL	

VERSION	1.0....................................................................................................................................... 32
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GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS

AGL Above	Ground	Level

AOI Area	of	Interest

ATC Air	Traffic	Control

ATO Air	Traffic	Organization

AV Aerial	Vehicle

CFR Code	of	Federal	Regulations

COA Certificate	of	Authorization

FAA Federal	Aviation	Administration

FAR Federal	Aviation	Regulation

GCS Ground	Control	Station

GPS Global	Positioning	System

LOL Loss	of	Link

NAS National	Airspace	System

NOTAM Notice	To	Airman

PIC Pilot	In	Command

Section	333 FAA	Modernization	and	Reform	Act	of	2012	(FMRA)	Section	333

SO Safety	Observer

SOP Standard	Operating	Procedures

sUAS Small	Unmanned	Aircraft	System

sUAV Small	Unmanned	Aircraft	Vehicle

UA Unmanned	Aircraft

UAS Unmanned	Aircraft	System

UAV Unmanned	Aircraft	Vehicle

VFR Visual	Flight	Rules

VLOS Visual	Line	of	Site

VMC Visual	Meteorological	Conditions

VTOL Vertical	Take-Off	and	Landing
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INTRODUCTION AND INTERESTS OF THE PETITIONER

Dear	Sir	or	Madam:

Pursuant	 to	Section	 333	 of	 the	 FAA	 Modernization	 and	 Reform	 Act	 of	 2012	(the	

“Reform	Act”)	and	14	C.F.R.	Part	11,	Django	Greenblatt-Seay,	(“Django	GreenblattSeay”)	Operator	 of	Small	Unmanned	Aircraft	Systems	(“sUASs”)	 equipped	to	 offer	

on-demand	commercial	UAS	operations	for	a	host	of	industries	and	applications and	

to	 perform	the	 purposes	 listed	 below, hereby	 applies	 for	 an	 exemption	 from	the	

listed	 Federal	Aviation	Regulations	(“FARs”)	to	 allow	 commercial	 operation	 of	 its	

sUAV’s/UAS,	 so	 long	 as	 such	 operations	 are	 conducted	 within	 and	 under	 the	

conditions	 outlined	 herein	 or	 as	 may	 be	 established	 by	the	 FAA	 in	 an	 exemption	

granted	under	either	Section	333	or Section	49	U.S.C.	§44701(f)	

As	 described	 more	 fully	 below,	 the	 requested	 exemption	 would	 permit	 the	

operation	 of	 a	 UAS	 under	 controlled	 conditions	 in	 airspace	 that	 is	 1)	 limited;	 2)	

predetermined;	and	3)	would	provide	safety	enhancements	in	the	fields	in	which	it	

will	 operate,	 which	 now	 depend	 upon	 conventional	 aircraft	 or	 humans	 climbing	

high	 on	 dangerous	 structures,	 walking	 in	 insect	 laden	 swamps,	 and	 working	

adjacent	to	treacherous	infrastructure. Approval	 of	this	 exemption	would	thereby	

enhance	 safety	 and	 fulfill	 the	 Secretary	 of	 Transportation’s	 (the	 FAA	

Administrator’s)	responsibilities	to	“... establish	requirements	for	the	safe	operation	

of	 such	 aircraft	 systems	 in	 the	 national	 airspace	 system.”	 Section	 333(c)	 of	 the	

Reform	Act.1

Executive Summary

Expeditious Summary Grant Approval Request

The	 petitioner	 requests	 the	 agency	 issue	 a	 summary	 grant	 process	 for	 this	

application.	Petitioner	has	provided	in	a	confidential	document	attachment	labeled	

as	petitioner	proprietary	information,	specific	exemption	numbers	whereby	the	FAA	

has	 already	 granted	 a	 previous	 exemption	 similar	 or	 identical	 to	 each	 and	 every	

request,	herein.	

For	the	FAA’s	benefit,	Petitioner’s	Consultant,	Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC,	has	

researched,	 categorized	 and	 arranged	 all	 631	 exemptions	 granted	 as	 of	 June	 23,	

																																																							

1		Django	Greenblatt-Seay relies	upon	the	following	exemptions	where	specific	

reference	to	an	exemption	is	not	provided:	Exemptions	11062	thru	11067,	11080,	

11109	through	11112,	11114,	11213,	11062	and	as	recent	as	11857.
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2015	 into	 a	 usable	 searchable	 database,	 based	 upon	 the	 following	 criteria:	 date	

submitted,	 date	 grant	 issued,	 time	 to	 petition	 grant,	 petitioner,	 petitioner’s	 state,	

exemption	 number,	 sUAV	 equipment	 type,	 grant	 purpose	 (mission/operation),	

along	with	other	supporting	data.		

Petitioner	 has	 identified	 four	 previous	 approved	 exemptions for	 each	 of	 the	

Petitioners	FAA	submission	requests:

 Commercial	(mission/operation)	purposes;

 Type	of	sUAV’s	(UAS);

 Title	14	Exemptions	(exemption	pattern	referenced	in	appendix	A)2

Description of Type, Make and Models of sUAV/UAS Requested:

The	petitioner	is	seeking	an	exemption	to	commercially	operate	sUAV’s	makes	and	

modes	as	follows:	

DJI	- Phantom	2,	DJI	- Phantom	3,	DJI	- Inspire	1,	DJI	– Spreading	Wings	S800,	DJI	–

Spreading	Wings	S900,	DJI	– Spreading	Wings	S1000,	DJI	– Matrics 100,	Cinestar	8	

Octo,	Altavian	Nova	F6500,	Blade	350	QX3,	AgEagle,	3DRobotics	X8,	3DRobotics	Iris,	

3DRobotics	Solo,	SenseFly	eBee,	Yuneec	Q500	Typhon,	DraganFlyer	X4-ES,	Trimble	

UX5,	Microdrones	MD4	

Each	 separately	 weighs	 55	 lbs.	 or	 less,	 with	 imaging	 payload	 and	 applicable	

equipment.

Equipment	 operation	manuals	for	 each	 sUAV	 are	 included	for	 your	 reference	 and	

are	considered	confidential	information	for each	respective	company’s UAS	and	are	

affixed	separately	in	these	documents labeled Appendix.

Commercial (Mission, Operation) Purpose: 

This	exemption	request, once	granted	would	allow	the	petitioner	to	operate	a	small	

unmanned	aerial	vehicle	(sUAV),	unmanned	aircraft	system	(UAS)	to	conduct	bridge	

Inspections,	flare	stack	inspection,	utility-power	generation	system	inspections	and	

patrolling,	 aerial	 inspection,	 photography	 and	 videography	 of	 residential	 and	

commercial	 real	estate,	weddings,	aerial	inspection,	photography	and	videography	

																																																							

2 Petitioner	 submits	the	Appendix	 and	 Manuals	 marked	“CONFIDENTIAL,”	 as	they	

contain	 proprietary	 confidential	 business	 information	 that	 is	 not	 released	 to	 the	

public	and	is	protected	under	the	Freedom	of	Information	Act	5	USC	§552	et.	seq.	5	

Reform	Act	Section	333	(b).	
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of	 utility	 infrastructure	 including	 but	 not	 limited	 to	 electrical	 power	 lines,	 wind	

turbines	 and	 cell	 towers,	 pipeline	 inspection	 and	 patrolling,	 filmmaking,	

cinematography,	 and	 videography,	 precision	 agriculture	 with	 on	 board	 sensors,	

wildlife	and	forestry	monitoring and	mosquito	and	insect	control, aerial	surveying,	

construction	site	inspection	and	monitoring,	public	entity	support	operations,	Aerial	

imaging	 for	 safety,	 monitoring	 and	 comparing	 work	 efforts	 and	 completion	

percentages,	 and	 security	 of	 controlled	 environment	 of	 various	 sites,	 aerial	 video	

and	live	video	feed	to	assist	with	search	and	rescue	operations	under	the	authority	

and	support	of	local	authority	officials,	aerial	video	and	photography	for	public	and	

private	 use	 including	 television,	 public	 events,	 and	 cinematography	 live	 feed	 and	

live	newsgathering,	training	to	persons	individually	or	belonging	to	both	private	and	

public	 organizations	 to	 increase	 awareness	 and	 improve	 safety	 for	 current	 and	

future	 UAS	 operations	 within	 the	 NAS,	 special	 events:	 including	 high	 schools.	

colleges,	professional	sports,	open	air	events	and	fairs,	research,	risk	management	

and	 assessment,	 motion	 picture	 production3,	 surface	 mining,	 closed	 set	 filming4,

disaster	and	catastrophe	events.

Regulations from which the Exemption Relief is requested:

14	C.F.R.	§	61.113	(a)	&	(b)

14	C.F.R.	§	61.133(a)

14	C.F.R.	§	91.7(a)

14	C.F.	R.§	91.119

14	C.F.R.	§	91.121

14	C.F.R.	§	91.151	(a)

14	C.F.R.	§	91.405	(a)

14	C.F.R.	§	407	(a)	(1)

14	C.F.R.	§	409	(a)	(2)

14	C.F.R.	§	417	(a)	&	(b)

See	Appendix	E

																																																							

3 Motion	Picture	and	Television	Flight	Operations	Manual	is	herein	attached	as	

Appendix	G.

4 Motion	Picture	and	Television	Flight	Operations	Manual	for	closed	set	filming	is	

herein	attached	as	Appendix	G.
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The name and address of the Petitioner:

Django	Greenblatt-Seay

5521	N	52nd	St.

Omaha,	NE	68104

Please	direct	any	question	or	comment	regarding	this	petition	to	Petitioners	

Consultant:	Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC.	

8170	Old	Carriage	Court	N.,	Suite	#200

Shakopee,	MN	55379

www.GowdyBrothersAerospace.com

Info@GowdyBrothers.com

Background

The	 Petitioner, Django	 Greenblatt-Seay is	 a highly	 accomplished,	 capable,	

experienced	and	trusted	professional.

Django	 Greenblatt-Seay	 is a	 career	 corporate	 communicator	 and	

independent/freelance	 videographer.	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay	 has a	 day	 job	 at	 a	

major	 Railroad	 Company	 as	 the	 company’s	 Communication	 Manager	 of	 Video,	

where	 he facilitate	 a	 process	that	 makes	 sure	 company	 videos	follow	 safety	 rules	

and	 regulations.	In	 his	free	time,	 he	 has made	 more	than	 130	 music	 videos	 along	

with	dozens	of	other	video	projects.	Many	of	these	projects	are	commercial	projects.

Commitment to Safety

As	 part	 of	 its	 commitment	 to	 safety	 and	 innovation,	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay is	

asking	for	this exemption	in	part,	to	reduce	the	risk	of	injury	to	its	employees	and	

contractors	 who	 participate	 in	 the proposed	 activities	 the	 petitioner	 requests,	

including	 but	 not	 limited	to	 damage	to	 agriculture,	 natural	 habitat,	 buildings	 and	

other	structures	within	the	United States.	

Django	Greenblatt-Seay	has been	a	 sUAS	hobbyist	for	about	two	years,	with	more	

than	100	consecutive,	safe	flights	with	his DJI	Inspire	1	in	the	last	year	alone,	with	

more	than	100	hours	of	flight	time.	He conducts an	extensive	pre-flight	check	before	

every	flight.	He conducts a	safety	briefing	prior	to	every	flight,	indicating	the	flight	

plan and	making	sure	everyone	is	aware	of	potential	hazards	in	our	surroundings.	

The	 safety	briefing	is	also	an	opportunity	to	designate	a	person	to	 call	911	in	the	

event	of	an	emergency,	and	do	determine	whether	anyone	on	site	is	CPR	certified.
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Each	 flight	 is	 flown	 line	 of	 sight	 with	 a	 pilot	(myself),	 and	 a	 spotter.	 Most	 flights	

include	 a	 dedicated	 camera	 operator	 as	 well.	 Maintaining	 line	 of	 sight	 is	

accomplished	by	putting	great	effort	into	planning	each	camera	move/pass	before	

initiating	it.

Django	 Greenblatt-Seay	 is	 formally	 requesting	 permission	 to	 fly	 his DJI	 Inspire	 1	

commercially	in	the	United	States	to	capture	aerial	cinematography	for	clients	who	

would	otherwise	have	to	contract	a	manned	aerial	vehicle,	which	would	put	human	

life	at	a	greater	risk. Much	of the	commercial	cinematography	he plans to	conduct	

will	be	at	altitudes	and	in	environments	unsafe	for	a	manned	vehicle.	This	includes	

low-altitude	passes	over	landscapes	such	as	open	farm-land,	or	over	wooded	areas.

Expertise & Experience

Django Greenblatt-Seay and	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay due	 to	 his	 professional

experience	as	a	trusted	pilot	as	is extremely	qualified	and	is	considered	an	up	and	

coming	subject	matter	expert	in	the	{Region} area	for	UAS	of	all	types,	models	and	

makes.	
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The Exemption Request

Django	Greenblatt-Seay proposes the	use	of	the	 sUAV’s	will	be	for capture	of	high	

resolution	 imagery	 and	 video	 of	 residential	 or	 commercial	 applications	 and	

purposes	 to	 a	 level	 of	 quality	 that	 allows	 the	 Petitioner	 to	 use	 the	 imagery	 to	

identify,	record,	memorialize	events	and	objects	according	to	the	purposes	noted.	

The	 imagery	 and	 video	 will	 be	 used	 to	 identify	 the	 condition	 of	 landscapes,	

agriculture,	events,	disasters	and	infrastructure	to	conduct	bridge	inspections,	flare	

stack	inspection,	utility-power	generation	system	inspections	and	patrolling,	aerial	

inspection,	photography	and	videography	of	residential	and	commercial	real	estate,	

weddings,	aerial	inspection,	photography	and	videography	of	utility	infrastructure	

including	 but	 not	 limited	to	 electrical	 power	 lines,	wind	turbines	 and	 cell	towers,	

pipeline	 inspection	 and	 patrolling,	 filmmaking,	 cinematography,	 and	 videography,	

precision	 agriculture	with	 on	 board	 sensors,	wildlife	 and	forestry	monitoring and	

mosquito	 and	 insect	 control, aerial	 surveying,	 construction	 site	 inspection	 and	

monitoring,	public	entity	 support	operations,	aerial	imaging	for	 safety,	monitoring	

and	comparing	work	efforts	and	completion	percentages,	and	security	of	controlled	

environment	of	various	sites,	aerial	video	and	live	video	feed	to	assist	with	search	

and	 rescue	operations	under	the	authority	and	 support	of	local	authority	officials,	

aerial	video	and	photography	for	public	and	private	use	including	television,	public	

events,	 and	 cinematography	 live	feed	 and	 live	 newsgathering,	training	to	 persons	

individually	 or	 belonging	 to	 both	 private	 and	 public	 organizations	 to	 increase	

awareness	 and	 improve	 safety	 for	 current	 and	 future	 UAS	 operations	 within	 the	

NAS,	 special	 events:	 including	 high	 schools,	 colleges,	 professional	 sports,	 open	 air	

events	 and	 fairs research,	 risk	 management	 and	 assessment,	 motion	 picture	

production,	surface	mining,	closed	set	filming,	disaster	and	catastrophe	events.

The	UAS	will	be	operated	by	a	Django	Greenblatt-Seay and	or	contracting	operators

on	occasion	to	capture	high-resolution	imagery/video	of	large	structures	(wide	and	

tall)	such	as	warehouses,	high	rise buildings,	bridges,	and	construction	sites,	as	well	

as	“birds	eye”	views	of	fire	and	explosion sites. Given	the	 small	 size	of	the sUAV’s	

involved,	no	more	than	55 lbs.,	majority	of	the	speed	of	operation	be	between	5-15	

mph and	the	restricted	environment	within	which	they	will	operate,	the	Petitioner

falls squarely	 within	 that	 zone	 of	 safety	 (an	 equivalent	 level	 of	 safety)	 in	 which	

Congress	envisioned that	the	FAA	must,	by	exemption,	allow	commercial	operations	

of	UASs	to	commence immediately.

This	exemption	application	is	submitted	to	fulfill	Congress’	express	goal	in	passing

Sections	 333(a)	 through	(c)	 of	 the	 Reform	 Act.	 This	 law	 directs	 the	 Secretary	 of	

Transportation to	 consider	 whether	 certain	 unmanned	 aircraft	 systems	 may	

operate	 safely	 in	 the	 national airspace	 system	 (NAS)	 before	 completion	 of	 the	

rulemaking	 required	 under	 Section	 332	 of	 the Reform	 Act.	 In	 making	 this	

determination,	the	Secretary	is	 required	to	determine	which	types	of UASs	do	not	
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create	a	hazard	to	users	of	the	NAS	or	the	public	or	pose	a	threat	to	national security	

in	light	of	the	following:

 The	UAS’ size,	weight,	speed,	and	operational	capability;

 Operation of	the	UAS	in	close	proximity	to	airports	and	populated	areas;	and

 Operation	of	the	UAS	within	visual	line	of	sight	of	the	Operator.

Reform	Act	 §	 333	(a).	 Lastly,	 if	the	Secretary	 determines	that	 such	 vehicles	“may	

operate safely	 in	 the	 national	 airspace system,	 the	 Secretary	 shall	 establish	

requirements	for	the	safe operation	of	such	aircraft	in	the	national	airspace	system.”	

Id.	§333(c)	(emphasis	added).5

The	 Federal	 Aviation	 Act	 expressly	 grants	 the	 FAA	 the	 authority	 to	 issue	

exemptions.	This statutory	authority,	by	its	terms,	includes	exempting	civil	aircraft,	

as	the	term	 is	 defined	 under §40101	 of	the	Act: The	Administrator	 may	 grant	 an	

exemption	from	a	 requirement	of	a	 regulation prescribed	under	 subsection	(a)	or	

(b)	of	this	section	or	any	of	sections 44702-44716	of	this	title	if	the	Administrator	

finds	the	 exemption	is	in	the public	interest. 49	U.S.C.	 §44701(f).	See	 also	49	USC	

§44711(a);	 49	 USC	 §44704;	 14	 CFR	 §91.203(a)(1) This	 authority	 to	 grant	

exemptions	reaches	such	issues	as	authorization	of commercial operation	of	aircraft	

without	an	FAA	issued	pilot’s	license.

Django	Greenblatt-Seay in	filing	this	application	is	requesting	that	the	FAA	combine	

the	 grant	 of the	 Section	 333	 exemption	 with	 a	 standard	 Certificate	 of	 Operation	

(COA)	 that	 will	 allow commercial	 operations	 of	 its	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay’ sUAV

without	the	necessity	of	filing	for	a	COA	for	 each flight,	unless	 such	flight	is	to	be	

conducted	 in	 an	 area	 not	 approved	 in	 the	 exemption. Compliance	 with	 the	

conditions	 agreed	to	 herein	 and	that	 may	 be	 imposed	 by	the	 FAA,	 as	 set forth	 in	

prior	Section	333	exemptions,	provide	the	separation	needed	from	other	aircraft.

In	addition,	given	that	all	operations	will	be	conducted	below	400	AGL	feet	and	no	

closer than	5	nautical	miles	of	the	geographic	center	of	an	airport	as	denoted	on	a	

current	 FAA published aeronautical	 chart,	 unless	 a	 letter	 of	 agreement	 with	 that	

airport’s	management	is obtained,	Django	Greenblatt-Seay requests	that	operations	

over	congested	or	densely	populated	areas	be allowed.	The	new sUAV’s	do have	GPS	

geo-fencing,	 it	 will	 operate	 at	 a	 very	 low	 altitude,	 within confined	 areas,	 at	 low	

speed	and	weighs	no	more	than 55 lbs..	Such	operations	will	only	be under-taken	

with	the	approval	of	the	land	or	home	owner,	as	set	forth	herein,	and	will	comply

with	the	 requirements	that	 operations	 be	 no	 closer	than	 500	feet	to	the	 adjacent	

																																																							

5 Applicant	interprets	this	provision	to	place	a	duty	on	the	Administrator	to	not	only	

process	applications	for	exemptions	under	section	333,	but	for	the	Administrator	to	

craft	conditions	for	the	safe	operation	of	the	UAS,	if	it	should	be	determined	that	the	

conditions	set	forth	herein	do	not	fulfill	the	statutory	requirements	for	approval.
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building	unless the	land	owner	has	provided	permission,	and	the	Operator	has	made	

a	safety	assessment	of the	risk	from	such	operations.	

Operator Requirements

Given	 the	 sUAV proposed	 by	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay,	 Operators	 should	 not	 be	

required	to	hold	a private	pilot	license.	Django	Greenblatt-Seay believes	that	1)	the	

operator,	 instead	 of	 understanding	 how to	 operate	 a	 passenger	 carrying	 aircraft,	

should	have	knowledge	and	experience	that	enables the	 safe	operation	of	a	 small,	

remotely	 piloted	 sUAV	 should	 understand	 airspace	 restrictions and know	 how	to	

ensure	separation	from	other	aircraft	as	well	as	non-participants	and	property;	2)	

the sUAV has	 built-in	 technical	 capabilities	 that	 limit	 the	 potential	 for	 unsafe	

operation	 and 3)	 there	 are	 other	 security	 screening	 mechanisms	 already	 in	

existence	that	Django	Greenblatt-Seay will utilize	to	ensure	the	operators	are	acting	

consistently	with	national	security	interests.	

Given	 the	 sUAV safety	 features	 outlined	 below,	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay proposes	

that	its operations	under	this	Exemption	request	should	not	be	required	to	hold a	

commercial	or	private pilot	certification.	Instead,	Operators	should	be	required	to:

have	 successfully	 completed,	 at	 a	 minimum,	 FAA	 private	 pilot	 ground	 instruction	

and passed	 the	 FAA	 Private	 Pilot	 written	 examination	 or	 FAA-recognized	

equivalents;	 have completed	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay’ training	 program	 for	

operation	of	the	UAS.

Django	 Greenblatt-Seay notes	 that	 1)	 the	 FAA	 has	 found	 that	 safety factors	

permitted	operation	of	sUAV’s	by	Operators	with	these	qualifications	in	the	case	of	

operations	 pursuant	 to	 public	 COAs when	 the	 mandatory	 operating	 conditions	

specified	 above	 were	 present; and 2)	 that	 the	 Notice of	 Proposed	 Rulemaking	

entitled	 Operation	 and	 Certification	 of	Small	 Unmanned	 Aircraft Systems,	 80	 F.R.	

9544	(February	23,	2015)	(“NPRM”),	does	not	require	the	operator	to	hold	a private	

pilot	license	or	a	third	class	medical.

Advanced	sUAV’s has	a	navigation	and	control	system	and	auto-pilot	that	allows it	to

execute	very	accurate	pre-programed	flights.	Flights	are	pre-programmed	with	GPS	

waypoint	to	establish	perimeters	beyond	which	the	aircraft	will	not	operate.	Flights	

under	 auto-pilot	 are not	 directed	 by	 positive	 manual	 input,	 but	 through	 preprogrammed	flight	 parameters	that	 are executed	 by	the	 auto-pilot.	In	the	 case	 of	

unplanned	events,	the	Operator	inputs	preprogrammed evasive	maneuvers	from	the	

control	 unit,	 and	 the	 autopilot	 executes	 those maneuvers.	 Pre-programmed	

Operator	interventions	include:	initiation	of	holding	at	present position;	suspension	

of	 mission;	 fly	 back	 to	 launch	 point;	 abort	 mission	 and	 land	 immediately; and	

emergency	 power	 cut	 off	 and	 land	 (flight	 termination	 system). Additional	

automated	 safety	functions	and	 safety	enhancing	features	of	the	Advanced	 sUAV’s

may	include	the	following:
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1)	 Auto-pilot	 detection	 of	 lost	 GPS	 or	 of	 insufficient	 satellites	 initiates	 an	

immediate landing,	

2)	 Low	power	on	the	aircraft	triggers	escalating	alarms	at	GCS	at	35%	and	10%	

levels. Low	power	below 10%	triggers	an	immediate	landing,	

3)	 If	the	auto-pilot	detects	a	lost-link	to	the	ground	controller,	the	UAS	will	hold	

position at	its	current	location	for	5	seconds	and	if	the	signal	is	not	restored,	

execute	a	return to	home	and	land,	

4)	 Redundant	“kill	switches”	that	enable	completely	shutting	the	aircraft	down	

in	flight	in the	event	of	a	loss	of	control	or	un-commanded	deviation	from	the	

flight	path,	

5)	 The	aircraft,	weighs less	than	55	lbs.,	fully	loaded,	

6)	 The	motors	are	driven	by	pulse	width	modulated	signals,	not	analog	signals,	

7)	 The	 aircraft	 will	 operate	 for	the	 Purposes	 at	 no	 more	than	 30 mph (while	

imaging)	 nor above	 200	 feet	 above	 the	 structure	 (imaging	 altitude)	 or	 a	

maximum	of	400	feet AGL.

See	 Federal	 Aviation	 Administration,	 Notice	 N-8900.227,	 Unmanned	 Aircraft	

Systems	 (UAS) Operational	 Approval,	 at	 20-21	 (July	 30,	 2013);	 As	 the	 FAA	 has	

determined	in	Exemptions	11062	thru	11067,11080	and	11110	(the “Exemptions”),	

in	 comparing	 the	 requirements	 for	 private	 pilot	 knowledge	 and	 the	 knowledge	

required	 for	 a	 commercial	 pilot,	 that	 knowledge	 associated	 with	 a	 private	 pilot	

license,	 and therefore	 private	 pilot	 ground	 school,	 was	 sufficient	to	 allow	 private	

pilots	to	operate	sUAV’s under	those	exemptions.	

Based	upon	that	analysis,	Django	Greenblatt-Seay believes	successful completion	of	

FAA	private	pilot	ground	school	is	a	suitable predicate	to	operating	the	sUAV	under	

this	 exemption. Django	 Greenblatt-Seay proposes	 that	 the	 Operator	 accumulate	

required	 sUAV flight	 training hours	 through	 the	 operation	 of	 sUAV’s	 rather	 than	

flight	 hours	 in	 conventional	 aircraft.	 Those hours	 are	 more	 relevant	 to	 the	

operations	 proposed	 herein	 than	 hours	 gained	 in	 obtaining	 a private	 pilot’s	

certificate	in	conventional	or	rotor	aircraft.	Those	aircraft	are	orders	of	magnitude

heavier	than	the	sUAS	and	carry	not	only	the	pilot	himself,	but	also	passengers	and	

fuel,	none of	which	is	 carried	in	the	 sUAS.	These	 conventional	 aircraft	fly	over	 all	

sorts	of	airspace	without the	permission	or	knowledge	of	the	landowner.	

A	handheld	radio	controller	controls	the	sUAV and	the	vehicle	is	operated	within	the	

line	of	 sight.	The	 requirements	of	Part	61.127 (commercial	flight	proficiency)	and	

§61.107 (private	 flight	 proficiency),	 to	 the	 extent	 they	 are relevant	 to	 UAS	

operations,	 can	 be	 taught	 in	 the	 training	 proposed	 herein.	 As	 a	 review	 of	 the	

requirements	 of	 part	 61.127	 and	 107	 demonstrate,	 the	 issues	 presented	 as	 they	

relate	 to	 a	 55	 pound	 aircraft, operating	 at	 less	 than	 30	 mph during	 filming	

operations	 are	 those	 taught	 in ground	 school	 and	 in	 flight	 training	 with	 the	

particular	 UAS	 and	 not	 gained	 from	 accumulating flight	 hours	 in	 a	 fixed	 wing	 or	

rotorcraft	 gas	 or	 jet	A	powered	 aircraft	 completing	 cross	 country flights	 and	take	

offs	and	landings	at	controlled	and	uncontrolled	airports.
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As	 to	 national	 security	 review	 of	 pilots,	 each	 of	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay’

pilots/operators	 will	 obtain	 internally	 provided	 certified	 training	 (Ground	 and	

Practical) from	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay to	 operate the	 sUAV.	 This	 review and	

certification could	reasonably vet	the	Operators	against	any	known	terrorist	or	no	

fly	listings	that	are	relevant and	publically	available.

Django	Greenblatt-Seay additionally	asks	that	the exemption	be	issued	without	the	

requirement	for	a	visual	observer.	As	set	forth	herein,	an	equivalent	level	of	safety	is	

provided	 by	the	 size, speed	 and	 control	 capabilities	 of	the	 aircraft,	 as	well	 as	the	

operational	procedures	that	will	be applicable	to all	flight	hereunder.	These	obviate	

the	need	for	the	visual	observer.	

The	Operator will	be	operating	the	aircraft,	always	within	line	of	sight.	He	or	she	will	

walk	and	follow	the aircraft	around	the	inspection	area	so	that	while	it	is	flying	its	

pre-programed	and	at	times,	manual	flight	path,	the	UAS will	always	be	directly	in	

his	or	her	line	of	sight.	The	Operator	will	not	be	distracted	by	viewing the	pictures	

taken	during	the	flight.	Rather,	once	the	sUAV is	launched,	the	Operator’s	only duty	

will	be	to	watch	the	flight	of	the	UAS	over	the	 structure	and	intervene	to	address	

flight	path deviations	or	other	issues	that	arise	during	the	flight.	The	functions	that	

an	observer	performs where	the	aircraft	is	flown	at	long	distances	from	the	launch	

area	will	not	be	necessary	as	the Operator	will	always	have	the	aircraft	in	his	or	her	

direct	 sight.	 The	 observer	 also	 will	 not	 be necessary	 because	 the	 Operator	 will	

conduct	a	pre-flight	inspection	of	the	area,	will	and	if	needed,	 cordon	off the	area	

and	will	perform	frequent	visual	scans	of	the	area	while	the	vehicle	is	operating.

Django	 Greenblatt-Seay again	 notes	that	the	NPRM	 does	 not	 require	the	 use	 of	 a	

visual	 observer.	 Given	 the	 clear	 direction	 in	 Section	 333	 of	 the	 Reform	 Act;	 the	

authority	contained	in	the Federal	Aviation	Act,	as	amended;	the	strong	equivalent	

level	 of	 safety	 surrounding	 the proposed	 operations,	 and	 the	 significant	 public	

benefit,	 including	 enhanced	 safety,	 reduction	 in environmental	 impacts,	 including	

reduced	 emissions	 associated	 with	 allowing	 battery	 powered sUAV’s	 for	 these	

functions	 instead	 of	turbine	 or	 gas	 power	 aircraft/rotorcraft	 and	 operations	with

pilots	having	at	least	a	private	pilot	license,	the	grant	of	the	requested	exemptions	is	

in	the public	interest.	6

																																																							

6 Should	the	FAA	determine	that	it	cannot	grant	such	an	exemption	for	operations	

without	 a	FAA	licensed	private	pilot,	despite	the	 showing	made	herein,	under	the	

statutory	 authority	 the	 FAA	 already	 has,	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay will	 operate	 its	

aircraft	with	pilots	holding	at	least	a	private	pilot	 certificate	issued	by	the	FAA.	In	

that	 event,	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay requests	 that	 the	 exemption	 be	 granted	 with	

conditions	similar	to	those	contained	in	numbered	paragraphs	14-15	in	Exemption	

11136
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Aircraft and Equivalent Level of Safety

The	Petitioner proposes	that	the	exemption	requested	herein	apply	to	civil	aircraft	

that	 have	 the	 characteristics	 and	 that	 operate	 with	 the	 limitations	 listed	 herein.	

These	limitations provide	for	at	least	an	equivalent	or	even	higher	level	of	safety	to	

operations	under	the	current regulatory	structure	because	the	proposed	operations	

represent	 a	 safety	 enhancement	 to	 the operations	 conducted	 with	 conventional	

aircraft	 or	with	 humans	 climbing	 up	 and	 around structures.	These	 conditions	 are	

drawn	 from	 Exemptions	 11136,	 11138,	 11172,	 11174	 and 11177,	 11062,	 11109,	

11112,	and	11213 and	as	recent	as	11857.

These	 limitations	 and	 conditions	to	which	Django	Greenblatt-Seay (referred	to	 as	

“Operator”)	agrees	to	be	bound	when	conducting	commercial	operations	under	an	

FAA	issued	exemption include:

1) Operations	authorized	by	this	grant	of	exemption	are	limited	to	

the	aircraft	described	in	the	Operator’s	manual,	which	is	a	multirotor weighing	 up to	 55 pounds:	 Proposed	 operations	 of	 any	

other	aircraft	will require	a	new	petition	or	a	petition	to	amend	

this	grant.

2) The	UA	may	not	be	flown	at	an	indicated	airspeed	exceeding	30

mph (10 mph during	inspections).

3) The	UA	must	be	operated	at	an	altitude	of	no	more	than	400	feet	

above	 ground level	 (AGL),	 as	 indicated	 by	 the	 procedures	

specified	in	the	Operator’s	manual. All	altitudes	reported	to	ATC	

must	be	in	feet	AGL.

4) The	UA	must	be	operated	within	visual	line	of	sight	(VLOS)	of	the	

Aircraft Operator	at	all	times.	This	requires	the	Aircraft	Operator	

to	be	able	to	use	human vision	unaided	by	any	device	other	than	

corrective	lenses..

5) The	Exemption	Holder’s	Manuals	must	be	amended	to	include	all	

conditions	 and limitations	 required	 by	 the	 FAA.	 The	 Manuals	

must	 be	 maintained	 and	 made available	 to	 the	 Administrator	

upon	request.	If	a	discrepancy	exists	between	the conditions	and	

limitations	in	the	exemption	and	the	procedures	outlined	in	the

Exemption	 Holder’s	 Operator’s	 manual,	 the	 conditions	 and	

limitations	 in	 the exemption	 take	 precedence	 and	 must	 be	

followed. Otherwise,	 the	 Aircraft Operator	 must	 follow	 the	

procedures	 as	 outlined	 in	 its	Aircraft’s	 manual. The	Exemption	

Holder	 may	 update	 or	 revise	 its	 Manuals.	 It	 is	 the	 Exemption

Holder’s	 responsibility	 to	 track	 such	 revisions	 and	 present	

updated	 and	 revised documents	 to	 the	 Administrator	 upon	
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request.	The	Exemption	Holder	must	 also present	updated	 and	

revised	documents	if	it	petitions	for	an	extension	or amendment	

of	this	exemption.	If	the	Exemption	Holder	determines	that	any

update	 or	 revision	 would	 affect	the basis	 upon	 which	the	 FAA	

granted	 this exemption,	 then	 the	 Exemption	 Holder	 must	

petition	for	amendment	to	its exemption.

6) Prior	to	each	flight,	the	Aircraft	Operator	must	inspect	the	UAS	to	

ensure	it	is	in	a condition	for	safe	flight.	If	the	inspection	reveals	

a	condition	that	affects	the	safe operation	of	the	UAS,	the	aircraft	

is	 prohibited	 from	 operating	 until	 the	 necessary maintenance	

has	been	performed,	and	the	UAS	is	found	to	be	in	a	condition	for

safe	flight.	The	Ground	Control	Station	must	be	included	in	the	

preflight inspection.	 All	 maintenance	 and	 alterations	 must	 be	

properly	documented	in	the aircraft	records.

7) Any	 UAS	 that	 has	 undergone	 maintenance	 or	 alterations	 that	

affect	 the	 UAS operation	 or	 flight	 characteristics,	 e.g.,	

replacement	 of	 a	 flight critical	 component, must	 undergo	 a	

functional	test	flight	in	accordance	with	the	Exemption	holder’s

Manuals.	The	Aircraft	Operator	who	conducts	the	functional	test	

flight	 must	 make an	 entry	 in	 the	 UAS	 aircraft	 records	 of	 the	

flight.	 The	 requirements	 and procedures	 for	 a	 functional	 test	

flight	and	aircraft	record	entry	must	be	added	to the	Exemption	

Holder’s	Operator’s	manual.

8) The	 Exemption	 Holder	 must	 follow	 the	 manufacturer’s	 UAS	

aircraft/component, maintenance,	 overhaul,	 replacement,	

inspection,	and	life limit	requirements,	with particular	attention	

to	 flight	 critical	 components	that	 may	 not	 be	 addressed	 in	the

manufacturer’s	manuals.

9) The	 Exemption	 Holder	 must	 carry	 out	 its	 maintenance,	

inspections,	 and	 record keeping	 requirements	 in	 accordance	

with	 the	 Operator’s	 Manuals.	 Maintenance, inspection,	 and	

alterations	must	be	noted	in	the	aircraft	logbook,	including	total	

flight	hours,	description	of	work	accomplished,	and	the	signature	

of	the authorized	technician	returning	the	UAS	to	service.

10) The	authorized	technicians	must	receive	and	document	training	

referenced	in	the Exemption	Holder’s	Manuals.

11) Each	UAS	operated	under	this	exemption	must	 comply	with	all	

manufacturer System	and	Safety	Bulletins.

12) The	 Exemption	 Holder’s	 maintenance	 personnel	 must	 make	 a	

record	entry	in	the UAS	logbook	or	equivalent	document	of	the	
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corrective	 action	 taken	 against discrepancies	 discovered	

between	inspections.

13) Prior	to	commencing	operations,	the	Aircraft	Operator	shall	have	

logged	at	least 25	hours	of	total	time	as	a	UA	rotorcraft	pilot	and	

at	least	ten	hours	logged	as	a UA	pilot	with	a	similar	UA	type	and	

5	hours	in	the	make	and	model.

14) If	the	UAS	loses	communications	or	loses	its	GPS	signal,	the	UA	

must	 return to	a	pre-determined	location	within	the	private	or	

controlled-access	 property and	 land	 or	 be	 recovered	 in	

accordance	with	the	Exemption	Holder’s	Manuals.

15) The	 Aircraft	 Operator	 must	 abort	 the	 flight	 in	 the	 event	 of	

unpredicted	 obstacles or	 emergencies,	 including	 unauthorized	

people	 entering	 the	 flight	 area,	 in accordance	 with	 the	

Exemption	Holder’s	Manuals.

16) The	Aircraft	Operator	is	prohibited	from	beginning	a	UAS	flight	

unless (considering	wind	and	forecast	weather	conditions)	there	

is	enough	power	to	fly to	the	first	point	of	intended	landing	and,	

assuming	normal	cruising	speed,	to	fly after	that	for	at	least	10	

minutes.

17) All	aircraft	operated	in	accordance	with	the	exemption	must	be	

identified	 by serial	 number,	 registered	 in	 accordance	 with	 14	

CFR	 part	 47,	 and	 have identification	(N- Number)	 markings	 in	

accordance	with	14	CFR part	45,	Subpart C.	Markings	must	be	as	

large	as	practicable.

18) Before	 conducting	 operations,	 the	 radio	 frequency	 spectrum	

used	for operation	and	control	of	the	UA	must	comply	with	the	

Federal Communications	 Commission	 (FCC)	 or	 other	

appropriate	government oversight	agency	requirements.

19) The	documents	required	under	14	CFR	91.9	and	91.203	must	be	

available	 to the	 Operator	 at	 the	 Ground	 Control	Station	 of	 the	

UAS	any	time	the	aircraft	is operating.	These	documents	must	be	

made	 available	 to	 the	 Administrator	 or any	 law	 enforcement	

official	upon	request.	

20) The	UA	must	remain	clear	and	yield	the	right	of	way	to	all	other	

manned operations	and	activities	at	all	times	(including,	but	not	

limited	 to,	 ultra-light vehicles,	 parachute	 activities,	 parasailing	

activities,	hang	gliders,	etc.).
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21) The	UA	may	not	be	operated	by	the	Aircraft	Operator	from	any	

moving	device	or vehicle.

22) UAS	operations	may	not	be	conducted	during	night,	as	defined	in	

14	CFR	1.1.

23) All	 operations	 must	 be	 conducted	 under	 visual	 meteorological	

conditions	(VMC). The	 UA	 may	 not	 be	 operated	 less	 than	 500	

feet	below	or	less	than	2,000	feet horizontally	from	 a	 cloud	or	

when	visibility	is	less	than	3	statute	miles	from	the Operator.

24) During	 operations	 the	 UA	 may	 not	 operate	 within	 5	 nautical	

miles	 of	 the geographic	 center	 of	 an	 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,	 if	 as

required	by	the	Operator’s	COA.	The	letter	of	agreement	with	the	

airport management	 must	 be	 made	 available	 to	 the	

Administrator	upon	request.

25) The	 UA	 may	 not	 be	 operated	 over	 congested	 or	 densely	

populated	areas	unless the	conditions	set	for	in	#26	are	satisfied.	

These	populated	areas	include	but are	not	limited	to	the	yellow	

areas	 depicted	 on	 World	 Aeronautical	 Charts (WAC),	Sectional	

Aeronautical	Charts	(Sectionals),	or	Terminal	Area	Charts (TAC).	

However,	 aeronautical	 charts	 may	 not	 reflect	 pertinent	 local	

information. Ultimately,	 it	 is	 the	 Operator’s	 responsibility	 to	

maintain	the	 minimum	 safe altitudes	 required	 by	 §	 91.119	(d)	

(1).

26) Flight	 operations	 must	 be	 conducted	 at	 least	 500	 feet	 from	 all	

nonparticipating persons,	 vessels,	 vehicles,	 and	 structures	

unless:

a. Barriers	or	 structures	 are	present	that	 sufficiently	protect

nonparticipating	 persons	 from	 debris	 in	 the	 event	 of	 an	

accident.	 The Aircraft	 Operator	 must	 ensure	 that	

nonparticipating	persons	remain under	such	protection.	If	a	

situation	arises	where	nonparticipating persons	leave	such

protection	 and	 are	 within	 30	 feet	 of	 the	 UA,	 flight

operations	must	cease	immediately	and/or;

b. The	aircraft	is	operated	near	vessels,	vehicles	or	structures	

where the	 land	 owner/controller	 has	 granted	 permission	

and/or	the	Aircraft	Operator	has	made	a	safety	assessment	

of	the	risk	of operating	closer	to	those	objects	and;
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c. Operations	 near	 the	 Aircraft	 Operator	 do	 not	 present	 an	

undue	hazard to	the	Operator	per	§	91.119(a).

27) All	 operations	 shall	 be	 conducted	 over	 private	 or	 controlledaccess	property with	permission	from	the	land	owner/controller	

or	 authorized	 representative. Permission	 from	 land	

owner/controller	or	authorized	 representative	will	be obtained	

for	each	flight	to	be	conducted.

28) Any	incident,	accident,	or	flight	operation	that	transgresses	the	

lateral	or	vertical boundaries	of	the	operational	area	as	defined	

by	 the	 applicable	 COA	 must	 be reported	 to	 the	 FAA’s	 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.

Specific Uses Public Benefits

Django	Greenblatt-Seay proposes	use	of	its	sUAV provided	equivalent	or	augmented	

levels	of safety	for	each	of	the	uses	proposed	herein:

The	 present	 systems	 of	 photography	 and	 videography	 and	 mapping	 of	 inspecting	

the	 roofs,	 agriculture	 land,	 buildings	 and	 large structures	 site	 surveys,	 wild	 life	

monitoring,	 mosquito	 and	 insect	 control	 are	 now	 conducted	 by	 either	 humans	

wading	through	 swamps,	 climbing	on	the	 roofs and	 structures	that	are	 steep,	tall,	

slippery,	weakened	or	otherwise	hazardous	or	by	the	use	of conventional	aircraft.	

The	 current	 procedures	 can	 result	 in	 significant	 injuries	to	 the	 people	 who must	

climb	on	the	roofs	or	require	the	use	of	aircraft	that	are	orders	of	magnitude	greater	

in	 size than	 the	 sUAV.	 Either	 method,	 manual	 inspection	 or	 large	 conventional	

aircraft,	 results	 in increased	 risk	 of	 injury	 due	 to	 personnel	 falling	 off	 roofs	 or	

ladders,	carrying	heavy	ladders	and dealing	with	confined	and	dangerous	spaces,	or	

increased	 risk	 from	 low	 altitude	 flyovers	 with helicopters	 or	 fixed	 wing	 aircraft	

inspecting	 buildings	 after	 damage	 from	 storms	 or	 other disasters,	 such	 as	

earthquakes	or	fires.	Such	flights	are,	of	 course,	 significantly	more expensive	than	

those	undertaken	with	a	sUAV.	

The	present	system	exposes	those	not	only	in the	immediate	area	of	inspection,	but	

those	who	are	along	the	path	of	flight	associated	with	the arrival	and	departure	of	

the	conventional	aircraft	at	the	inspection	site	because	the	aircraft	must be	flown	to	

and	from the	site.	By	contrast,	the	sUAV is	carried	to	the	site	and	transits	no	other

property.	 Conventional	 aircraft	 carry	 flammable	 fuels	 that	 are	 not	 carried	 by	 the	

UAS	and	emit pollutants	 associated	with	internal	 combustion	engines.	The	 sUAV’s	

proposed	herein	are battery	powered	and	have	no	emissions.
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Equivalent Level of Safety

14	C.F.R.	§	61.113(a)	&	(b);:	Private	Pilot	Privileges	and	Limitations;	Pilot	in	

Command;

Section	61.113(a)	&	(b) limit	private	pilots	to	non-commercial	operations.	Unlike	a	

conventional aircraft	 that	 carries	 a	 pilot,	 passengers,	 and	 cargo,	 the	 Django	

Greenblatt-Seay’ sUAV is	 remotely	 controlled	 with no	 passengers	 or	 property	 of	

others	on	board.	Section	61.133(a)	requires	an	individual	with	a commercial	pilot’s	

license	to	be	pilot	in	command	of	an	aircraft	for	compensation	or	hire.	

Django	 Greenblatt-Seay respectfully	 proposes	 that	 Operator	 requirements	 should	

take	into	account	the characteristics	of	the	particular	UAS.	Django	Greenblatt-Seay’

sUAV has	 a	high	degree	of	pre-programmed control	 and	 various	built-in	technical	

capabilities	that	 strictly	 limit	the	 potential	 for	 operation outside	 of	 the	 operating	

conditions	set	forth	in	the	exemption	application. The	Django	Greenblatt-Seay’ sUAV

has	navigation	and	control	system	comprised	of	a	Ground	Control	Station (GCS)	and	

auto-pilot	 system	 that	 can	 be	 pre-programmed	 to	 set	 operational	 boundaries.	 All

flights	are	pre-programmed	with	precision	GPS	guidance..	In	the	case	of	unplanned	

events,	 the	 Operator	 may	 input	 pre-programmed evasive	 maneuvers	 from	 the	

control	unit,	and	the	onboard	autopilot	executes	those	maneuvers. Pre-programmed	

Operator	interventions	include	initiation	of	holding	at	present	position; suspension	

of	 mission;	 fly	 back	 to	 launch	 point;	 abort	 mission	 and	 land	 immediately;	 and

emergency	power	cut	off	and	land	(Flight	Termination	System).

Additional	automated	safety	functions	and	safety	enhancing	features	of	the	Django	

Greenblatt-Seay’ sUAV’s may	include	the following:

1.1.	Auto-pilot	detection	of	lost	GPS	or	of	insufficient	 satellites	initiates	an	

immediate landing.

1.2.	Low	power	on	the	aircraft	triggers	escalating	alarms	at	GCS	at	35%	and	

10%	levels.	Low	power	below 10%	triggers	an	immediate	landing.

1.3.	If	the	auto-pilot	detects	a	lost-link	to	the	ground	controller,	the	UAS	will	

hold	position	at	its	current	location	for	5	seconds	and	if	the	signal	is	not	

restored, execute	a	return	to	home	and	land.

1.4.	Redundant	“kill	 switches”	that	 enable	 completely	 shutting	the	 aircraft	

down	 in	 flight	 in	 the	 event	 of	 a	 loss	 of	 control	 or	 un-commanded	

deviation	from	the	flight	path.

1.5.	The	aircraft,	weighs	less	than	55	lbs.,	fully	loaded.

1.6.	 The	 motors	 are	 driven	 by	 pulse	 width	 modulated	 signals,	 not	 analog	

signals.

1.7.	 The	 aircraft	 will	 operate	 for	 the	 Purposes at	 no	 more	 than	 30 mph

(while	 imaging) nor	 above	 200	 feet	 above	 the	 structure	 (imaging	

altitude)	or	a	maximum	of	400 AGL.
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Given	these	safety	features,	Django	Greenblatt-Seay proposes	that	Operators	of	the	

Django	 Greenblatt-Seay’ sUAV should not	 be	 required	 to	 hold	 a	 commercial	 or	

private	pilot	certification.	

Instead,	 Operators	 should	 be required	 to: have	 successfully	 completed,	 at	 a	

minimum,	 FAA	 private	 pilot	 ground	 instruction	 and passed	the	 FAA	 Private Pilot	

written	 examination	 or	 FAA-recognized	 equivalents;	 have	 completed	 the	

manufacturer’s	 or	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay’ training	 program	 for	 operation	 of the	

UAS.

Django	Greenblatt-Seay notes	that	the	FAA	has	found	that	safety	factors permitted	

operation	of	UASs	by	Operators	with	these	qualifications	in	the	case	of	operations	

pursuant	to	public	COAs	where	the mandatory	operating	conditions	specified	above	

were	present.	See,	Federal	Aviation Administration,	Notice	N-8900.227,	Unmanned	

Aircraft	Systems	(UAS)	 Operational	 Approval,	 at 20-21	(July	 30,	 2013).	 Likewise,	

Django	 Greenblatt-Seay notes	 that	 the NPRM	 does	 not	 require	 that	 the	 Operator	

hold	a	private	pilot	license	issued	by	the	FAA.

Given	 these	 conditions	 and	 restrictions,	 an	 equivalent	 level	 of	 safety	 will	 be	

provided	 by	 allowing operation	 of	 the	 Django	 Greenblatt-Seay’ sUAV without	 a	

private	pilot’s	certificate	or	a	commercial	pilot’s certificate,	under	the	conditions	set	

forth	herein.

The	risks	associated	with	the	operation	of	the	Django	Greenblatt-Seay’ sUAV (given	

its	 size,	 speed,	 operational	 capabilities,	 and	 lack	 of	 combustible	 fuel)	 are	 so	

diminished	 from	 the	 level	 of	 risk	 associated with	 private	 pilot	 operations	 or	

commercial	 operations	 contemplated	 by	 Part	 61	 with conventional	 aircraft	(fixed	

wing	or	rotorcraft),	that	allowing	operations	of	the	UAS	as	set	forth above	meets	or	

exceeds	the	present	level	of	safety	provided	under	14	C.F.R.	§	61.113(a)	&	(b) and	

does	 not	 rise	 to	 the	 level	 of	 requiring	 a	 commercial	 pilot	 to	 operate	 the	 aircraft	

under §	61.133(a).

14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil aircraft airworthiness.

This	 regulation	 requires	that	no	person	may	operate	 a	 civil	 aircraft	unless	it	is	in	

airworthy	 condition.	 Should	 the	 exemption	 be	 granted	 allowing	 commercial	

operation	of	the	UAS	without an	airworthiness	certificate,	no	standard	will	exist	for	

airworthiness	of	the	UA.	Given	the	size	of the	aircraft	and	the	requirements	that	the	

Operator	has	agreed	to	as	it	relates	to	airworthiness, as	contained	in	the	manual,	an	

equivalent	level	of	safety	will	be	achieved	by	insuring compliance	with	the	manuals	

prior	to	each	flight.	The	FAA	has	granted	exemptions	to	conduct similar	operations	

in	Exemptions	11062	through	11067,	11080	and	11110.
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14 C.F.R. §91.119: Minimum safe altitudes

Section	 91.119	 establishes	 safe	 altitudes	 for	 operation	 of civil	 aircraft.	 Section	

91.119	(d)	allows	helicopters	to	be	operated	at	less	than	the	minimums	prescribed,	

provided	the	person operating	the	helicopter	complies	with	any	route	or	altitudes	

prescribed	 for	 helicopters	 by	 the FAA.	 As	 this	 exemption	 is	 for	 a	 sUAS	 that	 is	 a	

helicopter	and	the	exemption	 requests	authority to	operate	at	altitudes	up	to	400	

AGL,	an	exemption	may	be	needed	to	allow	such	operations.	

The	equivalent	level	of	safety	will	be	achieved	given	the size,	weight,	and	speed of	

the	UAS	as	well	as	the	location	where	it	is	operated.	No	flight	will	be	taken	without	

the	permission	of	the property	owner,	facility	owner,	and/or	local	officials.	Because	

of	the	advance	notice	to	the property	owner	and	participants,	all	affected	individuals	

will	be	aware	of	the	planned	flight	operations	as	set	forth	in	the	Manuals.	Compared	

to	flight	operations	with	aircraft	or	rotorcraft weighing	far	more	than	the	maximum	

55	lbs.	and	the	lack	of	flammable	fuel,	any	risk	associated with	these	operations	is	

far	 less	 than	 those	 presently	 presented	 by	 conventional	 aircraft operating	 at	 or	

below	 500	 AGL	 in	 the	 aerial	 photography	 industry.	 In	 addition,	 the	 low-altitude

operations	of	the	sUAS	will	ensure	separation	between	these	small-UAS	operations	

and	the operations	of	conventional	aircraft	that	must	 comply	with	Section	91.119.	

The	 FAA	 has	 granted exemptions	 to	 conduct	 similar	 operations	 in	 Exemptions	

11062	through	11067,	11080	and 11110.

14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimeter Settings

This	 regulation	 requires	 each	 person	 operating	 an	 aircraft	 to	 maintain	 cruising	

altitude	by	reference	to	an	altimeter	that	is	set	“...to	the	elevation	of	the	departure	

airport	 or	 an	 appropriate altimeter	 setting	 available	 before	 departure.”	 As	 the	

Django	 Greenblatt-Seay’ sUAV,	 in	 manual	 or	 emergency mode,	 will	 not	 have	 a	

barometric	altimeter	display,	but	instead	a	GPS	altitude	display,	an exemption	will	

be	 needed.	 The	Operator,	 pursuant	to	the	 procedures	 set	forth	 in	the	 Manuals	 as	

indicated	 before	 flight,	 will	 achieve	 an	 equivalent	 level	 of	 safety.	 The	 FAA	 has

granted	 exemptions	 to	 conduct	 similar	 operations	 in	 Exemptions	 11062	 through	

11067,	11080 and	11110.

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

Section	 91.151(a)	 prohibits	 an	 individual	 from	 beginning	 “a	 flight	 in	 an	 airplane	

under VFR	 conditions	 unless	(considering	 wind	 and	 forecast	 weather	 conditions)	

there	 is	 enough	 fuel to	 fly	 to	 the	 first	 point	 of	 intended	 landing,	 and,	 assuming	

normal	cruising	speed	– (1)	During	the day,	to	fly	after that	for	at	least	30	minutes;	

or	(2)	At	night,	to	fly	after	that	for	at	least	45 minutes.”
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The	 battery	 powering	 the	 sUAS	 provides	 approximately	 40	 minutes	 of	 powered	

flight.	To meet	the	30-minute	reserve	requirement	in	14	CFR	§91.151,	sUAS	flights	

would be	limited	to approximately	10	minutes	in	length.	Given	the	limitations	on	the	

UAS’ proposed	 flight	 area	 and the	 location	 of	 its	 proposed	 operations	 within	 a	

predetermined	area,	a	longer	time	frame	for flight	is	reasonable.

Petitioner believes	that	an	exemption	from	14	CFR	§91.151(a)	falls	within	the	scope	

of prior	exemptions.	See	Exemption	10673	(allowing	Lockheed	Martin	Corporation	

to	operate without	compliance	with	FAR	91.151	(a)).	Operating	the	small	UAS,	in	a	

tightly	 controlled	 area where	 only	 people	 and	 property	 owners	 or	 official	

representatives	who	have	signed	waivers	will be	allowed,	with	less	than	30	minutes	

of	 reserve	 fuel,	 does	 not	 engender	 the	 type	 of	 risks	 that Section	 91.151(a)	 was	

intended	to	alleviate	given	the	size	and	speed	of	the	small UAS.

Petitioner believes	 that	 an	 equivalent	 level	 of	 safety	 can	 be	 achieved	 by	 limiting	

flights	to 30	minutes	or	25%	of	remaining	battery	power	whichever	happens	first.	

This	 restriction	 would	 be	 more	 than	 adequate	 to	 return	 the	 sUAS	 to	 its	 planned	

landing	zone	from	anywhere	in	its	limited operating	area. Similar	exemptions	have	

been	granted	to	other	operations,	including	Exemptions	2689F, 5745,	10673,	10808	

and	Exemptions	11062,	through11067,	11080	and	11110.

14 C.F.R. §91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409(a) (2); 91.417(a) & (b): Maintenance

Inspections

These	 regulations	 require	 that	 an	 aircraft	 Operator	 or	 owner	 “shall	 have	 that	

aircraft	inspected	as	prescribed	in	subpart	E	of	this	part	and	shall	between	required	

inspections,	except as	provided	in	paragraph	(c)	of	this	section,	have	discrepancies	

repaired	 as	 prescribed	 in	 part 43	 of	 this	 chapter...,”	 and	 others	 shall	 inspect	 or	

maintain	the	aircraft	in	compliance	with	Part	43.

Given	that	these	 sections	and	Part	43	apply	only	to	aircraft	with	an	airworthiness

certificate,	 these	 sections	 will	 not	 apply	 to	 the	 Petitioner.	 Maintenance	 will	 be	

accomplished	by the	Operator	or	manufacturer	pursuant	to	the	flight	manual	 and	

operating	handbook	as referenced	in	the	Manuals	attached	as	confidential	Exhibits	

An	 equivalent	 level	 of	 safety	 will	 be achieved	 because	these	 small	UASs	 are	 very	

limited	in	size	and	will	carry	a	small	payload	and operate	only	in	defined	areas	for	

limited	periods	of	time.	If	mechanical	issues	arise,	the	UAS can	land	immediately	and	

will	 be	 operating	 from	 no	 higher	 than	 400	 feet	 AGL.	 As	 provided	 in the	 Aircraft	

Flight	Operations	Manual	the	Operator	will	ensure	that	the	UAS	is	in	working	order

prior	 to	 initiating	 flight,	 perform	 required	 maintenance,	 and	 keep	 a	 log	 of	 any	

maintenance performed.	 Moreover,	 the	 Operator	 and	 manufacturer	 are	 most	

familiar	with	the	 aircraft	 and best	 suited	to	 maintain	the	 aircraft	 in	 an	 airworthy	

condition	to	provide	the	equivalent	level	of safety.	The	FAA	has	granted	exemptions	

for	similar	operations	in	Exemptions	11062	through 11067,	11080	and	11110.
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*********

Federal Register Publication

Pursuant	to	14	C.F.R.	Part	11,	the	following	summary	is	provided	for	publication	in	

the	Federal	Register,	should	it	be	determined	that	publication	is	needed:

Petitioner seeks	an	exemption	from	the	following	rules:

14	C.F.R.	§§	61.113(a)	&	(b);	91.7(a);	91.119;	91.121;	91.151(a);	91.405(a);

91.407(a)(1);	 91.409(a)(2)	 and	 91.417	(a)	&	(b)	to	 operate	 commercially	 a	 small	

unmanned	 vehicle	(55	 lbs.	 or	 less)	 for	the	 following	 purposes: to	 conduct bridge	

inspections,	flare	stack	inspection,	utility-power	generation	system	inspections	and	

patrolling,	aerial	inspection	and	photography	of	 residential	and	commercial	utility	

infrastructure	including	but	not	limited	to	electrical	power	lines,	wind	turbines	and	

cell	 towers,	 pipeline	 inspection	 and	 patrolling,	 filmmaking,	 cinematography,	 and	

videography,	 precision	 agriculture	 with	 on	 board	 sensors,	 wildlife	 and	 forestry	

monitoring and	 mosquito	 and	 insect	 control,	 aerial	 surveying,	 construction	 site	

inspection	 and	 monitoring,	 public	 entity	 support	 operations,	 aerial	 video	 and	 live	

video	 feed	 to	 assist	 with	 search	 and	 rescue	 operations	 under	 the	 authority	 and	

support	 of	 local	 authority	 officials,	 aerial	 video	 and	 photography	 for	 public	 and	

private	 use	 including	 television,	 public	 events,	 and	 cinematography	 live	 feed	 and	

live	newsgathering,	training	to	persons	individually	or	belonging	to	both	private	and	

public	 organizations	 to	 increase	 awareness	 and	 improve	 safety	 for	 current	 and	

future	 UAS	 operations	 within	 the	 NAS,	 special	 events:	 including	 high	 schools.	

colleges,	professional	sports,	open	air	events	and	fairs,	research,	risk	management	

and	 assessment,	 motion	 picture	 production,	 surface	 mining,	 closed	 set	 filming,	

disaster	and	catastrophe	events.

Privacy and National Security

All	flights	will	occur	over	private	or	controlled	access	property	with	the	property	

owner’s	prior	consent	and	knowledge.	Inspection	will	be	of	inanimate	objects	in	

areas	where	the	owners will	have	consented	to	the	inspections or	otherwise	have	

agreed	to	allow	the	UAS	and	the Operator	to	be	in	the	area	where	operations will	

take	place.	

The	size	of	the	UAS,	its	speed	and	restricted	area	of	operation	do	not	raise	national

security	issues.
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Summary

Approval	of	exemptions	allowing	commercial	operations	of	sUAV’s	for	petitioner	to	

operate	 an	 unmanned	 aircraft	 system	 (UAS)	 to	 conduct	 bridge	 Inspections,	 flare	

stack	inspection,	utility-power	generation	system	inspections	and	patrolling,	aerial	

inspection	 and	 photography	 of	 residential	 and	 commercial	 utility	 infrastructure	

including	 but	 not	 limited	to	 electrical	 power	 lines,	wind	turbines	 and	 cell	towers,	

pipeline	 inspection	 and	 patrolling,	 filmmaking,	 cinematography,	 and	 videography,	

precision	 agriculture	with	 on	 board	 sensors,	wildlife	 and	forestry	monitoring and	

mosquito	 and	 insect	 control,	 aerial	 surveying,	 construction	 site	 inspection	 and	

monitoring,	 public	 entity	 support	 operations,	 aerial	 video	 and	 live	 video	 feed	 to	

assist	with	 search	and	 rescue	operations	under	the	authority	and	 support	of	local	

authority	officials,	aerial	video	and	photography	for	public	and	private	use	including	

television,	 public	 events,	 and	 cinematography	 live	 feed	 and	 live	 newsgathering,	

training	 to	 persons	 individually	 or	 belonging	 to	 both	 private	 and	 public	

organizations	to	increase	awareness	and	improve	safety	for	current	and	future	UAS	

operations	 within	 the	 NAS,	 special	 events:	 including	 high	 schools.	 colleges,	

professional	 sports,	 open	 air	 events	 and	 fairs,	 research,	 risk	 management	 and	

assessment,	motion	picture	production,	surface	mining,	closed	set	filming,	disaster	

and	catastrophe	events,	will	enhance safety	by	reducing	risk.	

Conventional	 operations,	 using	 jet	 or	 piston	 powered	 aircraft,	 ladders	 or placing	

people	in	swamps,	on	roofs	or	tall,	hazardous	or	weakened	structures,	exposes	them	

to	 higher	 risks than	 those	 created	 by	 use	 of	 a	 sUAV’S.	 Conventional	 aircraft	 that	

operate	at	extremely	low altitudes	just	feet	from	the	subject	being	inspected	and	in	

extreme	 proximity	 to	 people	 and structures	 present	 the	 risks	 associated	 with	

vehicles	that	weigh	in	excess	of	6,000	lbs.,	carrying large	amounts	of	jet	A	or	other	

fuel	(140	gallons	for	jet	helicopters).	Such	aircraft	must	fly	to	and from	the	project	

location.	In	contrast,	a	sUAV weighing	fewer	than	55 lbs.	and	powered	by batteries	

eliminates	virtually	all	of	that	risk	given	the	reduced	mass	and	lack	of	combustible	

fuel carried	 on	 board.	 The	 sUAV is	 carried	to	the	target	 area	 and	 not	 flown.	 The	

sUAV will	carry	no passengers	or	crew	and,	therefore,	will	not	expose	them	to	the	

risks	associated	with	manned aircraft	flights.

The	operation	of	small	UASs,	weighing	less	than	55 lbs.,	conducted	under	the	strict

conditions	outlined	above,	will	provide	an	equivalent	level	of	safety	supporting	the	

grant	of	the exemptions	requested	herein.	These	lightweight	aircraft	operate	at	slow	

speeds,	close	to	the ground,	and	in	areas	that	are	under	the	control	of	the	customer	

for	 the	 operations and,	 as	 a result,	 are	 far	 safer	 than	 conventional	 operations	

conducted	with	turbine helicopters	operating	in close	proximity	to	the	ground	and	

people	or	the	use	of	individuals	to	climb	the	structures	to conduct	the	operations.

Satisfaction	of	the	criteria	provided	in	Section	333	of	the	Reform	Act	of	2012	–size,	

weight,	speed,	operating capabilities,	proximity	to	airports	and	populated	areas	and	

operation within	 visual	 line	 of	 sight	 and	 national	 security	 – provide	 more	 than	
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adequate	 justification	 for	 the grant	 of	 the	 requested	 exemptions	 allowing	

commercial	operation	of	Petitioner’s	UAS	for	the Purposes	outlined	herein	and	are	

consistent	with	exemptions	already	granted,	including Exemptions number	11171	

through	 11174,	11176,	11177,	11062,	11109,	11112,	 and	11213 and	 as	 recent	 as	

11857.

Sincerely,

Django	Greenblatt-Seay

5521	N	52nd	St.

Omaha,	NE	68104

and	

Stephen	Gowdy

Chief	Pilot,

Gowdy	Brothers	Aerospace,	LLC

Consulting	Agent	for	Django	Greenblatt-Seay