1 D ate : December 9th , 2 01 5 U .S
. D e p a rt m en t of T ran s p o rtat i o n D o cke t M a n a g e m en t S ys te m 12 0 0 N e w J e rs e y Ave . , S E W a s h i n g to n DC 2 05 9 0 R e : E xe m p t i o n R e que st Se ct i o n 3 3 3 of t h e FAA R e fo r m A ct a n d P art 1 1 of t h e F e de ra l Av i at i o n R e g u l at i on s f ro m 1 4 C
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. R. 4 5 .23 ( b ) ; 1 4 CFR P a rt 2 1 ; 1 4 C FR 61. 1 13 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 91
. 7 ( a ) ; 9 1.9 ( b ) ( 2 ) ; 91
. 1 0 3 ( b ) ; 9 1.1 0 9 ; 9 1 .11 9 ; 9 1. 1 21 ; 91
. 151 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 91. 4 0 5 ( a ) ; 9 1 .4 0 7 ( a ) ( 1 ) ; 91
. 4 0 9 ( a ) ( 2 ) ; 9 1. 4 1 7 ( a ) & ( b )
. D ea r S ir o r M a d a m : Pu rs u a n t to Se ct i o n 3 3 3 of th e FAA M o de r n i z at i o n an d R e f o r m A ct of 2 0 1 2 ( t h e R efo r m A ct ) a n d 1 4 C
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. R Pa rt 1 1 , I ( Stephen J. Rot h ) , he reb y a p p li e s f o r a n e xe m pt i o n f ro m t h e lis t e d F e d e ra l Av i at i o n R e g u l at i on s (“ FA Rs ” ) t o a ll o w c o m m e rci a l o pe rat i o n of i t s S m a ll U n m a n n e d A i rc ra f t S ys te m s (“ U A S ’s ” ) f o r ae r i a l im a g i n g fo r s afety an d m o n i to r i n g i n s p e ct i on s of w i re l e ss c o m m un ic at i o n to we r si te s/w i re l e ss i n f ra s t r u ct u re s i te s/c e ll to we rs , conduct agricultural and conservation research, real estate photography so l on g a s s u ch ope ra t i on s a re co n d u cte d w i th in a n d u n d e r t h e c o n d i t i on s out li n e d h e re in o r a s m ay b e e s t ab lis h e d b y th e FAA a s re q u i re d b y Se ct i o n 3 3 3
. A s de t a il e d i n th is do c u m e n t t h e re q ue s t e d e xe m pt i o n wou ld pe r m it th e o p e rat i o n of U AS ’s u n de r c o nt ro ll e d c ond i t i on s in a i rs pa ce tha t is 1 ) li m i t e d 2 ) p re dete r m i n e d 3 ) cont ro ll e d a s t o a cc e ss a n d 4 ) wou ld pro v i d e s afet y en h an ce m e n t s t o t h e a l re a d y be st p ra ct i ce s s afety p roto c o ls fo ll o we d b y mysel f (Stephen J. Roth)
. A pp ro va l o f th is e xe m pt i o n wou ld the reb y e n han ce s afety an d fu l f ill th e Se c reta ry Of T ran s po rt a t i on ’s ( t h e FAA Ad m i n is t ra to r ’s) re s pon si b ili t i e s t o “
.. . e s t ab lish re q u i re m e n t s f o r t h e s af e Operation o f s u c h a i rc raf t s ys te m s in t h e n at i o na l a i rs pa ce s ys te m . ” Se ct i o n 3 3 3 ( c) of th e R efo r m A ct . T h e n a me a n d add re s s of t h e app lica n t is: Stephen Joseph Ro th 105 Kimberly Road East Granby, CT 06026 P H: 860 - 539 - 4920 E m a il: sbjr0203@yahoo.com2 R e g u l at i on s f ro m w h ich t h e e xe m pt i o n is re q ue s t e d : 1 4 C
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. R. Pa rt 2 1 1 4 C
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. R. 45
. 23 ( b ) 1 4 C
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. R. 61
. 11 3 ( a ) & ( b ) 1 4 C
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. R. 91
. 7 ( a ) 1 4 C
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. R. 91
. 9 ( b ) ( 2 ) 1 4 C
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. R 9 1. 1 0 3 1 4 C
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. R. 91
. 10 9 1 4 C
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. R. 91
. 11 9 1 4 C
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. R. 91
. 12 1 1 4 C
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. R. 91
. 15 1 ( a ) 1 4 C
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. R. 20 3 ( a ) & ( b ) 1 4 C
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. R. 91
. 40 5 ( a ) 1 4 C
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. R. 40 7 ( a ) ( 1 ) 1 4 C
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. R. 40 9 ( a ) ( 2 ) 1 4 C
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. R. 41 7 ( a ) & ( b ) I . S T A T UT O RY A U T H O R I TY F O R EXE M P T I O NS T h e F e de ra l Av i at i o n A ct e x p re ssly g rant s th e FAA a ut h o r i ty t o iss u e e xe m pt i o n s. T h is s t at u to ry aut h o r i ty i n cl ude s e xe m p t i n g ci v il a i rc ra f t , a s t h e te r m is d e f i n e d u n d e r 40 1 0 1 of t h e A ct , i n cl u d i n g U AS ’s, f ro m t h e re q u i re m e n t t h a t a ll ci v il a i rc raft m u st have a c u rren t a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f ic a te . T h e A d m i n is t ra to r m ay gran t a n e xe m p t i o n f ro m a re q u i re m en t of a re g u l at i o n p re sc r i b e d u nde r s ub s e ct i o n ( a ) o r ( b ) of th is s e ct i o n o r an y s e ct i on s 4 47 0 2 - 4 4 71 6 of t h is t i t le i f t h e A d m i n is t rato r f i n d s th e e xe m pt i o n i o n t h e pub lic i n t e re s t . 4 9 U
. S
. C. 44 7 01 (f ) S e e a lso 4 9 U S C 4 4 7 1 1 ( a ) ; 4 9 U S C 44 7 04 ; 1 4 CFR 9 1 .2 0 3 ( a ) ( 1 )
. Se ct i o n 3 3 3 ( b ) of t h e R efo r m A ct a ssis t s t h e Se c re t a ry in dete r m i n i n g w hethe r U AS ’s m ay ope rat e in t h e N a t i ona l A i rs pa ce S ys t e m ( N AS ) w i thou t c reat i n g a h a z a rd t o t h e u s e r , t h e p ub lic, o r a th rea t t o nat i o na l s e c u r i t y . I n m a ki n g th is dete r m i n a t i on , th e Se c reta ry m u st c o n si de r : ( a ) T h e U AS ’s si z e , we i g ht , s p e ed , a n d o pe rat i o n a l c a p ab ili ty ; ( b ) W he t he r t h e U AS ’s op e rate s w i th in t h e v is ua l l i n e o f si g h t of th e o perato r ( c) W he t he r t h e U AS ’s op e rate d o u t si d e of h i g h ly popu l at e d a rea s an d a wa y f ro m cl o se p ro x i m i t y t o a i r p ort s. R efo r m A ct 3 33 ( a )
. I f t h e S e c reta ry de t e r m i n e s t h a t a U AS ’s “ m ay ope rat e s afe ly in th e na t i ona l a i rs pa ce s ys te m, t h e S e c reta ry s ha ll e s t a b lish re q u i re m e n t s f o r th e s af e ope ra t i o n of s u ch a i rc ra f t in th e nat i o na l a i rs p a ce sys te m . ” Id
. 3 3 3 ( c )
. My (Stephen J. Roth) U AS ’s a re t h e D JI Ph a nt o m Se r i e s 2+ and 3 m u l t i - rot a to r veh icl e s, we i g h i n g 2 5 o r f e we r l b s. i n cl ud i n g p ay l oad
. T h e y ope ra t e u nde r n or m a l co nd i t i on s a t a s p ee d of n o m o re th a n 2 2 KI A S an d have t h e ca pab ili ty t o h o ve r , an d m o ve in th e ve rt ic a l a n d h o r i z onta l p l an e s i m u l t an e o u sl y . T h e U AS ’s w i l l ope ra t e on ly in t h e p il ot ’s v is ua l li n e of si g h t a t a ll t i m e s. S u ch o pe rat i on s w ill i n s u re t h a t3 th e U A S ’s w ill “ no t c reat e a h a z a rd t o u s e rs of th e n a t i o n a l a i rs pa ce s ys te m o r t h e p ub lic. “ R efo r m A ct Se ct i o n 3 3 3 ( b )
. G i ve n th e s m a ll si z e o f th e U A S ’s i n vo l ve d a n d t h e re s t r ict e d en v i ro n m e n t w i th in w h ich the y w i l l ope rat e ou r a pp lic at i o n f a lls s q ua re l y w i th in th e z on e of s af ety ( a n e q u i va l en t l e ve l of s afety) in w h ich C on gre ss en v isi one d tha t t h e FAA m u s t , b y e xe m p t i on , a ll ow c o mm e rci a l o pe rat i o n s of U AS ’s t o co m m e n ce i m m ed i a te l y . A lso d u e t o t h e s m a ll s i z e o f t h e U A S ’s a n d t h e l o w a l t i tude s a n d re s t r icte d a re a s in w h ich o u r U AS ’s w i ll ope rate , a p p ro va l o f t h e a pp lic at i o n p re s ent s n o nat i o na l s e c u r i ty iss ue . G i ve n th e cl e a r d i re ct i o n in S e ct i o n 3 3 3 of t h e R efo r m A ct , th e au t ho r i ty c onta i ne d in t h e F ede ra l Av i at i o n A ct , a s a m e n d ed ; t h e s t ron g e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s af e ty s u rround i n g th e p ro po s e d ope rat i on s, a n d t h e si g n i f i can t pub lic be ne f i t , i n cl ud i n g e n h a n c e d s afety , th e gran t of th e req ue s te d e xe m pt i o n s is in t h e p u b lic i nte re s t . A cc o rd i n g l y , I re s pe ctfu lly re q ue st t h a t t h e FAA gran t t h e re q ue s te d e xe m pt i o n w i thou t de l ay . II . P UBL I C I NT E R ES T T h is e xe m pt i o n a pp lic at i o n is e x p re ssly s ub m i tte d t o fu l f ill C on gre ss’ g oa l in pa ssi n g Se ct i o n 3 3 3 ( a ) th ro u g h ( c) of t h e R e fo r m A ct . T h is l a w d i re ct s t h e S e c reta ry o f T ra n s p o rtat i o n t o c o n si de r w het h e r c e rt a in u n m a nn e d a i rc raf t sys te m s m ay ope ra t e s af e ly in th e N A S be f o re c o m p l et i o n of th e r u l e m a ki n g re q u i re d u n d e r Se ct i o n 3 3 3 of t h e R e fo r m A ct . B y grant i n g a n e xe m pt i o n t h e FAA w ill fu l f ill C on gre ss’ i nte n t of a ll o w i n g U A S t o o p erat e w i t h si g n i f ic a n t s afety p re c aut i on s in l o w r isk en v i ron m e n t s. T h e u s e of U AS ’s fo r co m m u n ic at i o n to we r i n s pe ct i o n s c a n si g n i f ica nt ly redu ce t h e r isk t o wo r ke rs o f fa lls w h ile c ondu ct i n g i n s pe ct i o n of co m m un i cat i o n to we rs. U AS ’s c a n i n s p e ct , pho t o graph , a n d c o l l e ct da t a o n h a rd t o g e t t o a rea s t hat o t he rw ise wou ld re q u i re wo r ke r i n s pe ct i on . F a lls a r e t h e l e a d i n g s ou rce of wo r k p l a ce f a t a li ty an d i n j u ry o n co m m un i cat i o n to we rs, a n d redu c i n g fa lls th rou g h U A S ’s u s e f o r si t e im a g i n g c ou ld s a ve wo r ke rs l i ve s. III . E Q U I V A L E NT L E V E L O F S A F E TY I (Stephen Roth) p ropo s e s t ha t th e e xe m pt i o n re q ue s t e d he re in app ly t o ci v il a i rc raft t h a t have th e c ha ra cte r is t ics a n d th at o p e rat e w i t h t h e li m i t at i on s lis t e d h e re i n . I w ill b e b o un d b y th e fo ll o w i n g li m i tat i on s w he n c on d u ct i n g i t s U AS ’s o p e rat i o n s un d e r a n FAA iss u e d e xe m pt i on : ( a ) T h e U AS ’s w ill b e l e ss tha n 5 5 p o und s . ( b ) Fli g ht s w ill b e ope ra t e d w i th in v is ua l li n e o f si g h t of a p il ot . ( c) M ax i m u m t o ta l f li g h t t i m e fo r e a ch ope ra t i o n a l f li g h t w i l l b e 2 5 m i nu te s. T h e U A S C alculates ba tte ry re s e rve in rea l t i m e , a n d w i l l retu r n t o it grou n d s t a t i o n w i t h a t l e a st 2 0 % batt e ry po we r re s e rve s hou ld th a t o c c u r p r i o r t o t h e 2 5 m i nu t e li m i t . ( d ) Fli g ht s w ill b e ope ra t e d a t a n a l t i t u d e ne ve r t o e xc eed i n g 40 0 f e e t A G L
.4 ( e ) C re w f o r ea ch o p e rat i o n w ill c on sist o f t h e U A S ’s p il o t in co mm an d ( PI C) w h o w i ll kee p t h e U AS ’s w i th in h is v is ua l li n e of si g h t at a ll t im e s an d the use of a v is ua l ob s e rve r ( VO ) w h o will a lso kee p th e a i rc raft in si g h t a t a ll t i m e s when appropriately required
. ( f ) T h e U AS ’s PI C w ill b e t ra i ne d i n f li g ht , o pe rat i on s, an d s a fety p ro c e d u re s and will po ss e ss a c u rren t FAA a i r m a n m ed ic a l c e rt i f ic a t e o r a va lid U .S
. d r i ve r ’s lic en s e . (g ) T h e U AS ’s w ill on ly ope rat e w i th in a pre - determined and or co n f i ne d a rea . ( h ) A b r i e f i n g w ill b e c on d u ct e d in re g a rd to t h e p l an n e d U A S ’s o p e rat i on s p r i o r t o e a ch day ’s p rodu ct i o n a ct i v i t i e s. I t w i ll b e m a n d ato ry tha t a ll pe rs o n ne l w h o w ill b e p e r f o r m i n g dut i e s wi th in th e bo u nda r i e s of th e s af ety pe r im ete r b e p re s en t fo r th is b r i e f i n g . ( i) A ll on si t e pe rs o n ne l w ill c on s e n t t o t h e U A S f l yo ve r o n si t e b y wa i ve r , a n d t h e o pe ra t o r w ill obta i n a d d i t i o n a l ve r b a l o r w r i tte n c on s e n t of a ll pe rs on s w h o w i l l b e a ll o we d w i th in 10 0 fe e t of th e f li g h t ope ra t i on . (j) T h e PI C w ill ha ve be e n t ra i n e d in o p e rat i o n of U AS s g e n e ra lly an d re c e i ve d up - t o - da t e i nfo r m at i o n o n th e pa rt i c u l a r U A S t o b e o pe ra ted
. ( k) W r i tte n a n d/o r o ra l pe r m issi o n f ro m th e re l e van t p rope rt y ho l d e rs w i ll b e o bta i n ed
. ( l) A ll re q u i re d pe r m issi o n s an d pe rm i t s w ill b e o bta i n e d f ro m te rr i to r i a l, s tat e , co unty , o r ci ty j u r is d ict i on , i n cl u d i n g l o c a l l a w e n f o rce m e nt , f i re , o r o t he r a pp ro p r i a te g o ve r n m en t a l a g en c i e s. ( m ) I f t h e U AS ’s l o s e s c o m m un i cat i on s o r l o s e s i t s GP S si g na l, it w ill have th e c a pab ili ty t o re t u r n t o a p re - d e te r m i n e d l o cat i o n w i th in t h e S e c u r i ty Pe r i m ete r a n d l a nd
. ( n ) T h e U AS ’s w ill ha ve t h e c a p ab ili ty t o a b o rt a f li g h t in c a se of u np re d icte d ob s t a cl e s o r e m e rg en ci e s . IV . D ES CR IP T I O N O F SPE C I F I C R EG U L A T IO NS 1 4 CFR Pa rt 21 , S ub p a rt H: Ai rw ort h i n e s s C e rt i f ica t e s 1 4 C . F . R 91. 2 03 ( a )( 1 ) Sub p a rt H, ent i t l e d A i rwo rth i ne ss C e rt i f ic a te s , e s t a b lis he s th e p ro ce du ra l re q u i re m ent s fo r th e iss uan ce of a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f i cate s a s re q u i re d b y FA R 9 1. 2 0 3 ( a ) ( 1 )
. G i ve n th e si z e an d l i m i te d ope rat i n g a r e a a ss o ci a te d w i t h t h e a i rc ra ft t o b e u t ili z ed , a n e xe m pt i o n f ro m P a rt 2 1 S u bpa rt H m e e t s t h e re q u i re m e nt s of a n e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s af ety u n de r P a rt I I a n d S e ct i o n 3 3 3 of t h e R e fo r m A ct . T h e F e d e ra l Av i at i o n A ct ( 4 9 U
. S. C 4 47 0 1 (f ) a n d Se ct i o n 3 3 3 of th e R e f o r m A ct b o t h aut h o r i z e th e FAA t o e xe m p t a i rc raft f ro m t h e re q u i re m e n t f o r a n a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f ic a te , u p o n con si d e rat i o n of th e si z e , we i g ht , s pe ed , o p e rat i o n a l c a pab ili ty , an d p ro x i m i t y t o a i r po rt s a n d p opu l a te d a rea s of t h e pa rt ic u l a r U AS
. Ou r s m a ll U AS ’s w ill b e o p e rate d a t l o w s pee d in a c ont ro ll e d en v i ron m en t , a t l e a st f i ve m il e s f ro m a n a i rp o rt . A n a n a l ysis o f the s e c r i te r ia d e m on s t ra t e s tha t t h e U A S o p e rat e d w i thou t a n a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f i c ate , i n t h e re s t r ict e d e n v i ron m en t a n d u nde r th e cond i t i o n s p ropo s e d w ill b e a t l ea st a s s afe , o r s af e r , tha n c on vent i o na l a i rc raf t (f i xe d w i n g o r he lic opte r) o p e rat i n g w i t h a n a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f ic a te w i thou t t h e re s t r ict i o n s a n d co nd i t i o n s p rop o s ed
. T h e U AS ’s t o b e o pe rate d he re u n d e r is l e ss t ha n 2 5 l b s . fu lly l oade d , c a rr i e s ne i t he r a p il o t no r pa ss e n g e r , c a rr i e s n o e x p l o si ve m ate r i a ls o r f l a m m ab le li q u id f ue ls, an d ope rate s e xcl u si ve ly w i th in a s e c u re d a rea . L ike ot h e r ci v il a i rc ra f t , o p e rat i on s u nde r th is e xe m pt i o n w ill b e t i g ht ly c ont ro ll e d a n d m on i t o re d b y th e ope rato r , a n d u n de r t h e re q u i re m e nt s a n d i n co m p li an ce w i t h l o c a l p ub lic s af ety re q u i re m ent s , t o p ro v i d e s e c u r i ty fo r t h e a re a of o pe rat i o n a s is c u rre nt ly don e o n a ct i ve c o n s t r u ct i o n si te s.5 T h e se s af ety e n h a n ce m e n t s, w h ich a l re a d y app ly t o ci v il a i rc ra f t o perate d in c o n ne ct i o n w i t h c on s t r u ct i o n si t e s , p ro v i d e a grea t e r de gre e of s af ety t o th e p u b lic a n d p ro p e rty o w ne rs tha n c on vent i o n a l o p e rat i on s c on d u ct e d w i t h a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f ic a te s is s ue d un d e r 1 4 C
. F
. R. P a rt 21 , Sub p a rt H. La s t l y , app l ic at i o n o f t he se s a m e c r i te r ia d e m on st rate s t h a t t h e re is n o c red i b le t h rea t t o nat i o na l s e c u r i ty po s e d b y th e U A S , d u e to i t s si z e , s pee d of ope ra t i o n , l o c a t i o n of ope ra t i o n , l a ck of e x p l o si ve m ate r i a ls o r f l a m m ab le li q u id f ue ls a n d t h e i n ab ili ty t o c a rry a s u b s t a nt i a l e xte r na l pay l oad
. 1 4 C . F . R. 45 . 23 ( b ) : M a r ki ng of t he Ai r c r a ft T h is re g u l at i o n re q u i re s c e rta in e x pe r i m e n ta l, p ro v isi ona lly c e rt i f i e d a i rc ra f t , o r li g ht - s po rt cate g o ry a i rc ra f t t o b e m a r ke d w i t h l ett e rs bet wee n 2 i n c he s a n d 6 i n c h e s h i g h “ li m i ted ” , “re s t r icted ” , “ li g ht - s po rt ” , “ e x pe r i m e nta l ” , o r “ p ro v isi ona l ” , nea r e a ch e nt ran ce t o a cab i n , c o c k p i t , o r p il o t s t at i on . E ve n th o u g h t h e U A S w i ll ha ve n o a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f ic a t e , a n e xe m pt i o n m ay b e ne e d e d a s t h e U A S w i ll ha ve n o e n t ran ce to t h e ca b i n , co ck p i t , o r p il o t s t at i o n o n w h ich a n a i rc raf t re g is t rat i o n nu m be r c a n b e p l a ced
. G i ve n t h e si z e of t h e U A S ’s, two - i n ch l ette r i n g w i ll b e i m p o ssi b l e . 1 4 CFR 6 1 .1 1 3 ( a ) & ( b ) : P r i va t e p il ot pr i v i l e g e s a nd limi t a t i o n s : Pil ot i n c o m m a nd Se ct i on s 6 1 .1 1 3 ( a ) & ( b ) li m it p r i vat e p il ot s t o non - c o m m e rci a l o p e ra t i on s. B e c au s e t h e U A S w ill no t c a rry a p il o t o r pa s s e ng e rs, th e p ropo s e d o p e rat i on s ca n a c h i e ve t h e e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s af ety o f c u rren t o pe rat i on s b y r e q u i r i n g th e p il o t ope rat i n g th e a i rc raft t o have c o m p l et e d a U A S f li gh t t ra i n i n g c ou rse of 1 0 0 hou rs b e fo re f l y i n g a U AS
. U n l i ke a con vent i o n a l a i rc raf t t ha t ca rr i e s t h e p il o t an d pa ss e n g e rs, th e U A S i s re m o te ly c ont ro ll e d wi t h n o li v i n g th i n g o r c a rg o o n b o a rd
. T h e a re a of ope rat i o n is cont ro ll e d an d re st r icted , a n d a ll f li g ht s a re p l a n ne d a n d c oo rd i n a te d in a d van c e . T h e r isks a ss o ci at e d w i t h c o m m e rci a l o pe rat i on s c ont e m p l at e d b y Pa rt 6 1 w he n d raf t e d , t ha t a ll o w i n g ope rat i on s of t h e U A S ’s a s re q ue s t e d w i t h a p il o t w h o ha s m e t t h e m i n im u m re q u i re m e nt s e xc eed s t h e p re s e n t l eve l o f s afety a c h i e ve d b y 1 4 C
. F
. R. 6 1. 1 1 3 ( a ) & ( b )
. 1 4 C . F . R. 91 . 7 ( a ) : C i v i l ai rc r a ft ai rw ort h i n e s s T h e re g u l at i o n re q u i re s tha t n o pe rs o n m ay o pe rat e a ci v il a i rc ra f t u n l e ss it is in a i rwo rth y c ond i t i o n . A s the re is n o a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f ica t e iss u e d fo r th e a i rc raf t , s h o u ld t h i s e xe m pt i o n b e gran ted , n o FAA re g u l ato ry s ta n d ard w i l l e x ist f o r d e te r m i n i n g a i rwo rth i ne ss. G iv e n t h e si z e of th e a i rc raf t a n d th e u se of s afety c he cklis t s p r i o r t o ea ch f li g h t a n e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s afety will b e p ro v i ded
. 1 4 C . F . R. 91 . 9 ( b )(2 ) : C i v i l ai r c ra ft f li ght ma nu al , ma r ki ng, a nd p l aca rd re qu i re m e n t s T h e U AS , g i ve n i t s size a n d c on f i g u rat i o n h a s n o ab ili ty o r p l a ce t o c a rry s u ch a f li g h t m a n ua l o n t h e a i rc ra f t , n o t o n ly be c a u se t h e re is n o p il o t o n boa rd , b u t b e c au s e t h ere is n o ro o m o r ca pa c i ty t o c a rry s u ch a n i t e m o n t h e a i rc raft
. T h e e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s af ety w ill b e m a i n t a i n e d b y ke e p i n g th e f li g h t m an u a l a t th e groun d c ont ro l po i n t w he re t h e PI C f l y i n g th e U AS ’s w ill ha ve i m m ed i a t e a c ce ss t o i t . T h e FAA h a s iss u e d t h e fo ll o w i n g e xe m pt i o n s t o th is re g u l at i on : E xe m pt i o n N o s. 8 60 7 , 8 73 7 , 87 3 8 , 92 9 9 , 9 2 9 9A , 9 565 , 95 6 5B , 10 1 67 , 1 0 16 7A , 1 0 60 2 , 3 28 2 7 , a n d 1 07 0 0
.6 1 4 C . F . R. 91 . 10 3 : P ref li ght Ac t i on T h is re g u l at i o n re q u i re s ea ch PI C t o ta ke c e rta in a ct i on s be f o re a f l i g h t t o e n s u re th e s afe ty o f f li g ht
. A n e xe m pt i o n is n e e de d f ro m th is re q u i re m en t a s t h e PI C w ill ta ke s epa ra t e p re f li g h t a ct i on s, i n cl ud i n g c he cki n g fo r weathe r c o n d i t i on s, c h e cki n g f li g h t b att e ry re q u i re m ent s, c he ck i n g ta ke off a n d l and i n g d is t a n c e s, a n d a ll ot h e r a ct i o n s in t h e P re f li g h t C he cklist in t h e M an u a l. T h e se a ct i o n s w ill p ro v i d e a n e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s afety . 1 4 C . F . R. 91 . 10 9 F li g ht I n s t ru c t i on Se ct i o n 9 1 .1 0 3 p ro v i d e s tha t n o pe rs o n m ay o pe rat e a ci v il a i rc ra f t (e xc ep t a m a n ne d f re e b a ll oon ) tha t is be i n g u s e d fo r f l i g h t i n s t r u ct i o n un l e ss t ha t a i rc raft h a s f u lly f u n ct i on i n g d ua l c o nt ro ls. B y de si g n , U AS ’s a n d re m o t e ly p il ote d a i rc raft d o no t have fu lly f un ct i ona l dua l cont ro ls. Fli g h t c ont ro l is a cc o m p lis h e d th ro u g h t h e u s e of a cont ro l b o x tha t c o m m u n ic ate s w i t h th e a i rc raf t v ia ra d io c o m m u n ic at i on s . T h e e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s af e ty p ro v i de d b y th e f a ct tha t ne i t he r a p il o t no r pa ss e n g e rs w i l l b e c a rr i e d in t h e a i rc raft , t h e a b ili t y t o c ont ro l t h e U A S ’s v ia rad io si g na ls f ro m th e c ont ro ll e r , a n d b y th e s i z e an d s p e e d of t h e a i rc ra f t . 1 4 C . F . R. 91 . 11 9 : M i n i m um Sa fe Al t i t ud e s Se ct i o n 9 1 .1 1 9 e stab l i s he s s af e a l t i tu d e s f o r ope rat i o n of ci v il a i rc ra f t . S e ct i o n 91
. 1 1 9 ( d ) a ll o ws he lic op t e rs t o b e o p e rate d a t l e ss th a n t h e m i n i m u m s p re sc r i bed , p ro v i de d th e pe rs o n ope rat i n g th e h e lic op t e r c o m p li e s w i t h an y rou t e o r a l t i tu d e s p re sc r i be d fo r h e lic op te rs b y th e FAA
. T h is e xe m pt i o n is fo r a m u l t i - roto r c ra ft tha t f li e s si m il a r ly t o a he lic op t e r , w i t h ve rt ic a l ta keo ff an d ve rt ic a l l and i n g , w h ich w ill t y p ic a l l y op erat e a t a l t i t u de s of 2 0 0 AGL , s o a n e xe m pt i o n m ay b e ne e d e d t o a ll ow s u ch ope rat i on s. T h e U A S w i ll ne ve r ope rat e a t a l t i tud e h i g he r t h a n 40 0 AG L a n d w ill b e in a re s t r icte d a re a w i t h s e c u r i ty pe r i m e t e r , w he re bu il d i n g s an d p e op le w ill no t b e e x po s e d t o o pe rat i on s w i thou t the ir p re - o bta i n e d con s ent . T h e e q u i va l en t l e ve l of s af ety w ill b e a c h i e ve d g i ve n th e si z e , w e i g ht , s pe e d of t h e U A S a s we ll a s t h e l o ca t i o n w he re it is o pe ra t ed
. N o f li g h t w ill b e ta ke n w i thou t th e pe r m issi o n of th e p rop e rty o w ne r o r l o c a l o ff i ci a ls. Be c a u se of t h e a d van ce n o t ice t o t h e p rope rty o w ne r an d an y on si t e pe rs o n ne l, a ll affe ct e d i nd i v i dua ls w i l l b e a wa r e of th e p l a nn e d f li g h t ope rat i on s. C o m p a re d t o f li g h t o p erat i on s w i t h a i rc ra f t o r roto rc raf t we i g h i n g f a r m o re th a t t h e m ax i m u m 5 5 l b s. p ropo s e d he re in a n d ca rry i n g f l a m m ab le fue l, an y r isk a ss o ci at e d w i t h o u r o p e rat i on s of t h e U AS ’s w i ll en s u re s e pa rat i o n betwee n t he se sm a ll U A S o pe rat i o n s a n d th e ope rat i on s of co n vent i ona l a i rc ra f t t h a t m u st co m p ly w i t h Se ct i o n 9 1. 1 19
. 1 4 C . F . R. 9 1 : 1 2 1 : Al t ime t e r S ett i ngs T h is re g u l at i o n re q u i re s ea ch pe rs o n o pe rat i n g a n a i rc raf t t o m a i n t a i n c r u isi n g a l t i tu d e b y re f e ren ce to a n a l t i m e t e r t h a t is s e t “ .t o t h e e l e vat i o n of t h e d e pa rtu re a i r po rt o r a n a p p rop r i a t e a l t i m e t e r s ett i n g ava il ab le b e fo re d e p a rt u re. ” A s t h e U A S ’s m ay no t ha ve a ba ro m et r i c a l t i m e te r , bu t i n s te a d a G P S a l t i tu d e re a d o ut , a n e xe m p t i o n m ay b e n e e de d
. A n e q u i va l en t l e ve l of s afety w i l l b e a c h i e ve d b y t h e ope ra t o r , p u rs u a n t t o t h e Saf ety C he cklis t , con f i r m i n g th e a l t i t u d e of th e l a un ch si t e s ho w n o n t h e GP S a l t i t u d e i nd ic a t i o n b e fo re f li g ht
.7 1 4 C . F . R. 91 . 15 1 ( a ) : Fu e l re qu i reme n t s f o r f li ght i n V FR c ond i t i ons Se ct i o n 9 1 .1 5 1 ( a ) o ut l i ne s f u e l re q u i re m e nt s fo r be g i nn i n g a f li g h t in V FR c o n d i t i on s. Ou r U A S is li m i te d t o o pe rat i on s in s te r ile a n d co nt ro ll e d en v i ron m e n t s a s out li n e d a bo ve a n d h a s a li m i te d ran g e an d f li g h t t i m e w h ich re q u i re a n e xe m pt i o n f ro m 1 4 CFR 9 1 .1 5 1 ( a )
. T h e b atte ry po we r i n g th e U AS ’s p ro v i de s a ppro x i m ate ly 2 5 m i n ute s of p o we re d f li g ht
. To m ee t t h e 2 0 m i nu t e re s e rve re q u i re m e n t in 1 4 CFR 9 1. 15 1 , U AS ’s f li g ht s wou ld b e li m i t e d t o a pp ro x im ate ly 1 5 m i nu t e s in l en g th
. G i ve n t h e li m i t a t i on s o n th e U AS ’s p ro p o s e d f li g h t a re a a n d th e l o c at i o n of i t s p ropo s e d ope ra t i on s w i th in a p re d ete rm i ne d area , a l on g e r t ime f ra me f o r f li g h t in day li g h t o r n i g h t V FR c ond i t i o n s is re a s on a b l e . I (Stephen J. Roth) b e li e ve th a t a n e xe m pt i o n f ro m 1 4 CFR 91
. 15 1 ( a ) f a lls w i th in th e s cop e of p r i o r e xe m pt i o n s. S e e E xe m pt i o n 1 0 6 7 3 ( a ll o w i n g Lo ck he e d M a rt in C o r po rat i o n t o o p e rat e w i t hou t c o m p li a n ce w i t h FA R 9 1. 1 5 1 ( a ))
. O p e rat i n g t h e s m a ll U AS , in a t i g ht ly c ont ro ll e d a re a w he re on ly pe o p le a n d p rope rty ow ne rs o r off ici a l rep re s ent a t i ve s w h o ha ve si gne d wa i ve rs w ill b e a ll o wed , w i t h l e ss th a n 2 5 m i nu t e s of re s e rve fue l, doe s n o t en g en d e r t h e ty p e of r isks tha t S e ct i o n 9 1. 15 1 ( a ) wa s i nte n de d t o a ll e v i at e g i ve n th e si z e a n d s p e e d of th e sm a ll U AS
. A d d i t i ona ll y , li m i t i n g U AS ’s f li g ht s t o 1 5 m i nu t e s wou ld gre a t ly redu ce t h e ut ili ty fo r w h ich th e e xe m pt i o n w i ll b e granted
. A n e q u i va l en t l e ve l of s af ety c a n b e a c h i e ve d b y li m i t i n g f li g ht s t o 2 5 m i n u te s, o r e nou g h b a tte ry re s e rve t o en s u re t ha t th e U A S ’s l and s a t th e groun d s t a t i o n w i t h a t l ea st 20 % of b att e ry po we r ( a s dete r m i n e d b y th e o nb oa rd m o n i to r i n g s ys te m a n d t h e p il ot ) , w h ic he ve r hap p en s f i rs t . T h i s re s t r ict i o n wou ld b e m o re t h a n ad e q uat e t o re t u r n t h e U AS ’s t o i t s p l a nn e d l a n d i n g z on e f ro m an yw he re in i t s li m i te d ope ra t i n g a rea . S i m il a r e xe m p t i on s h ave bee n gran t e d t o ot h e r ope rat i on s, i n cl ud i n g E xe m pt i on s 26 8 9 F, 57 4 5 , 10 6 73 , an d 1 0 8 0 8
. 1 4 CFR 9 1 .2 0 3 ( a ) & ( b ) : C a r r yi ng c i v i l ai r c r a ft ce rt i f ica t i on a nd r e g is t r a t i on. T h e re g u l at i o n p ro v i d e d in p a rt : ( a ) E xc ep t a s p ro v i de d in 91. 7 15 , n o pe rs o n m ay ope ra t e a ci v il a i rc ra f t un l e ss it ha s w i th in it th e fo ll o w i n g : ( 1 ) A n a pp rop r i a t e an d c u r ren t a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f ic a te .... ( b ) No pe rs o n m ay ope ra t e a ci v il a i rc ra f t un l e ss h e a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f i c at e re q u i re d b y pa ra grap h ( a ) of t h is s e ct i o n o r a s pe ci a l f li gh t au t ho r i z at i o n iss u e d un d e r 91
. 7 1 5 is d is p l a ye d a t th e c ab i n o r c o ck p it ent ra n ce s o tha t it is l e g i b le t o pa s s en g e rs o r c re w . T h e U A S fu lly l oad e d we i g h s n o m o re t h a n 5 5 l b s. an d is o p e rat e d w i thou t a n on b oa rd p il ot . T h e re f o re t h e re is n o a b ili t y o r p l a ce t o ca rry c e rt i f ic a t i o n a n d re g is t rat i o n d o c u m e nt s o r t o d i s p l ay th e m o n t h e U AS ’s. A n e q u i va l en t l e ve l of s af ety w ill b e a c h i e ve d b y keep i n g t h e se do c u m e nt s a t t h e grou n d c ont ro l p o i n t w he re t h e p il o t f l y i n g th e U AS ’s w i ll ha ve i mm e d i at e a cc e ss t o th e m , t o th ee xten t t h e y a re a p p lica b le t o t h e U AS ’s. T h e FAA ha s iss u e d n u m e rou s e xe m pt i o n s t o th is re g u l at i on . A rep re s e nt a t i ve s a m p l e of ot h e r e xc ept i o n s i n cl ude s E xe m pt i o n N o s. 9 5 65 , 9 6 65 , 97 8 9 , 9 789 A , 97 9 7 , 9 79 7 A , 98 1 6A , a n d 1 07 0 0
. 1 4 CFR 9 1 .4 0 5 ( a ) ; 4 0 7 ( a ) ( 1 ) ; 4 0 9 ( a ) (2 ) ; 41 7 ( a ) & ( b ) : M ai n t e n a n c e i n s p ec t i ons T h e se re g u l at i on s re qu i re tha t a n a i rc raf t o pe rato r o r o w ne r “ s ha ll h a ve tha t a i rc ra ft i n s pe ct e d a s p re sc r i be d in s u b pa rt E of th is p a rt a n d s ha ll betwee n re q u i re d i n s p e ct i on s, e xc ep t a s p ro v i de d in pa ra grap h © of th is s e ct i on , have d isc re p an c i e s repa i re d a s p re sc r i b e d in pa rt 4 3 of t h is c h apte r ... , ” an d ot h e rs s ha ll i n s pe ct o r m a i n t a in t h e a i rc raft in co m p li a n ce w i t h P art 43
. G i ve n tha t the s e s e ct i o n s a n d P a rt 4 3 a p p ly on ly t o a i rc raft w i t h a n a i rwo rth i ne ss c e rt i f ic a te , the se s e ct i on s w ill no t a pp ly t o mysel f (Stephen J. Roth)
. M a i n t e n an ce w ill b e a cco m p lis h e d b y th e op e ra to r p u rs u a n t to t h e f li g h t m a n ua l an d o p e rat i n g ha n d b oo k a s re f eren c e d i n t h e M a n ua l. A n e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s af ety w ill b e a c h i e ve d b e c au s e t he se s m a ll U A S s a re ve ry li m i te d in si z e an d w i ll c a r ry a s m a ll p ay l oa d a n d Operate o n ly in re s t r icte d a re a s fo r li m i t e d p e r i od s of t im e . I f m e c h a n ic a l iss ue s a r ise th e U A S c a n l an d i m m ed i a t e ly an d w i ll b e ope rat i n g f ro m n o h i g he r t h a n 4 0 0 fe e t AG L
. A s p ro v i de d in t h e M a n ua l, th e ope ra to r w ill en s u re t h a t t h e U A S is in wo r ki n g o rde r p r i o r t o i n i t i at i n g f li g ht , pe rf o r m req u i re d m a i n t e n an ce , a n d ke e p a l o g of a n y m a i n t e n an ce pe r f o rm e d
. M o re o ve r , th e o pe ra to r is t h e pe rs o n m o st f a m ili a r w i t h th e a i rc ra f t an d be st s u i t e d to m a i nta i n t h e a i rc raf t in a n a i rwo rth y c ond i t i o n t o p ro v i d e th e e q u i va l en t l e ve l o f s af e ty . If you have any questions concerning this application, please feel free to contact me at (860) 539 - 4920 or sbjr0203@yahoo.com
. Thank you for your consideration in this most important matter.
Stephen J. Roth