Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

James Bollinger

TVS Pro (TV Specialists, Inc.)

180 East 2100 South Salt Lake City, UT 84115 

(801) 486.5757 • (801) 486.7566 Fax

With Cover Sheet 13 Pages Total
1

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 3

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 3

C. Persons Authorized 3

D. Area of Operations 3

E. Plan of Activities 4

F. Permission to Operate 4

G. Security 5

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 5

I. Certification/Airworthiness 6

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 6

K. Communications 6

L. Accident Notification 6

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 7

N. Special Provisions 7

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 7

B.

Appendix

Pilot in Command

A

8

1 List of Approved Pilots 9

2 List of Approved Aircraft 10

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 11

4 Revision Letter (sample) 12
2

Revision Control Page

Revision# Date Initials
3

1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "TVS Pro (TV Specialists, Inc.)”, hereafter 

referred to as "TVS Pro", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of 

Waiver of Authorization of the provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the 

purposes of filming. TVS Pro pilots and other company personnel when applicable 

will comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this manual, whenever 

motion picture or television flight operations are performed that require a Waiver of 

Authorization as mentioned above.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

James Bollinger - Pilot

TVS Pro (TV Specialists, Inc.)

180 East 2100 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84115

(801) 486.5757 office • (801) 486.7566 fax

C. Persons Authorized

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

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate 

holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except 

those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production. This 

provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an equivalent level of safety 

can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For example, an 

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

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

may protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.)

from debris in the event of an accident.

D. Area of Operations

TVS Pro's approved area of operations will be the United States.
4

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, TVS Pro will submit a 

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

plan of activities should include the following:

(1) Dates and times for all flights.

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

event.

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

(4) Make, model, and serial of UAS to be used.

(5) Name and certificate number of pilot and personnel involved in the 

filming production event.

(6) A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property 

owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event. The 

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

upon request from the waiver holder.

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative.

(8) A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, 

city, town, county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and the 

minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the operations.

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

should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to 

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

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations are conducted at less than 500 feet under the 

provisions of the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain 

permission to conduct these operations from property owners and local officials as 

necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required are 

listed below:
5

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The TVS Pro personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing 

whenever practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A 

standard permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when 

obtaining written permission. TVS Pro personnel will assure a sufficient 

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

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

turned into the chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. 

These forms will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other official 

personnel upon request.

G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate 

production personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all 

unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately 

discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other 

reason in the interest of safety.

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

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

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the 

risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the 

filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional provisions 

that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for the 

operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The briefing 

shall cover:

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

attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• UAS parking and starting

• Radio Communications (when necessary for small UAS operation)

• Takeoff procedures
6

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All TVS Pro UAS’ used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) 

for the purpose of filming will be properly inspected before each flight, and any 

maintenance required will be properly logged in the maintenance log originally 

included as Appendix M as part of TVS Pro’s petition submitted for Exemption 

under Section 333. Each UAS will have a flight log containing any upcoming 

scheduled maintenance and inspections and the dates or times they must be 

performed. The pilot in command will assure the UAS to be flown is in airworthy 

condition and all required inspections and maintenance has been completed 

before each flight.

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

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

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(1) A current U.S. pilot certificate.

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

the waiver.

K. Communications

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

will formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants

during the actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may 

be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants

continuously apprised of the current status of the operation.

L. Accident Notification

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

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.
7

M. Recall/Stop Procedures

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

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

N. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the TVS motion picture 

and television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the 

surface will not be jeopardized.

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

those specified in the TVS motion picture and television operations manual 

(“Appendix A” page 10) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot(s) name and 

certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All UAS and pilot(s) 

participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the 

scheduled event.

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

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency 

procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before 

beginning the activities. No person may participate in any event unless that 

person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver.

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

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

manual.

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

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

signed statement from each that they have read and understand its contents.
8

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for TVS.

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

processed properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by 

TVS under the provisions of this manual.

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

• The chief pilot may delegate functions (such as camera control and 

operation) to other personnel but retains responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assure the UAS to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and 

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

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

provisions of this manual.

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

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein.

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

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

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

job or operation requiring the waiver.

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

responsibility.
9

Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name : K. James Bollinger

Certificate Number : 3023167

Grade : Private Pilot

Medical Class/Date : Third 06-2015

Contact Number : (801) 486.5757
10

Appendix A .2

List of Approved UAS

Make and Model 

1. DJI Phantom 2 

2. DJI Phantom 3

3. DJI Inspire 1

4. DJI Spreading Wings S900 w/A2

5. DJI Spreading Wings S1000

6.

7.
11

Appendix A .3

TVS Pro (TV Specialists, Inc.)

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilot(s) of TVS Pro (TV Specialists, Inc.) permission 

to operate their UAS at less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in 

which I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television 

production.

Name: 

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature 

Date 

H5 Representative Receiving Permission
12

Appendix A .4

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

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

Manual Serial# 

Issued To 

Revised By 

Date 

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