Hocker Farms, Inc.

% Robert S. Hocker

2660 N County Rd 2500

La Harpe, IL 61450

smiley@laharpe.us

Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 sub-part H

14 CFR 45.23(b)

14 CFR 61.113(a) and(b)

14 CFR 91.7(a)

14 CFR 91.9(b)(2)

14 CFR 91.103

14 CFR 91.109

14 CFR 91.119(c)

14 CFR 91.121

14 CFR 91.151(a)

14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b)

14 CFR 91.405 (a)

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1)

14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2)

14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b)

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) and 14 

CFR Part 11, Robert S. Hocker, doing business as 'Hocker Farms, Inc.', operator of Unmanned Aircraft 

Systems (UAS), hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations ('FARs') 

to allow commercial operation of designated UAS, provided such operations are conducted within and 

under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333. 

Commercial operation of an UAS, as described herein, which are equipped with camera(s) and sensors,

would provide professional services in the following areas:

1. Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including agriculture, real estate, 

architecture, land surveying and other professional activities.

2. Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including public events, 

cinematography, television and news gathering.

3. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/agricultural/commercial structures under contract 

with the owners or local government authority.

4. Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue 

operations in cases of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities or 

government has requested it by contract or donation.

As described fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of designated UAS as 

set forth in this document under controlled conditions in the NAS that would be limited, controlled, 

predetermined and safe. Approval of this exemption would increase public awareness of UAS 

operations and enhance safety to aid in fulfilling the Secretary of Transportation's (the FAA 

Administrator's) responsibilities to “....establish requirements for safe operation of such aircraft systems

in the national airspace system.”
Hocker Farms, Inc. plans to operate a UAS, the DJI Inspire 1 which is comprised of an unmanned 

aircraft (UA or Inspire 1) and a transportable ground station. The Inspire 1 is referred to as a quadcopter with a maximum gross weight of about 6.5 pounds. It is equipped with four rotors that are 

driven by electric motors powered by batteries. The UA has a maximum airspeed of 22 m/s.

Hocker Farms, Inc. also plans to operate a UAS, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional which is comprised of

an unmanned aircraft (UA or Phantom 3) and a transportable ground-station The Phantom 3 is referred 

to as a quad-copter with a maximum gross weight of about 3 pounds. It is equipped with four rotors 

that are driven by electric motors powered by batteries. The UA has a maximum airspeed of 16 m/s.

Given the small size of the UAS's involved and the restricted controlled environment within which they

will operate, the applicant fits within that zone of safety in which Congress envisioned that the FAA 

must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of UASs. Also due to the size of the UASs and the 

controlled areas in which the relevant UASs will operate, approval of this application presents no 

national issue.

Robert S. Hocker, doing business as 'Hocker Farms, Inc.', an Illinois agricultural corporation in good 

standing with the state of Illinois agrees to be bound by the limitations and conditions necessary when 

conducting commercial operations under this FAA issued exemption including:

1. The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs.

2. Flights will be conducted within line of sight of the operator.

3. Maximum flight time of 30 minutes per operational flight.

4. Flights will be terminated at 15% battery power reserve.

5. Flights will be operated at an altitude of less than 400 feet AGL.

6. UAS operator will be trained in proper safety and operations of the UAS.

7. The UAS will only operate within a controlled area as defined in the Procedures.

8. The operator will post advisory notice around the controlled area.

9. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have the capability to 

return to a predetermined location within the Security Perimeter and land.

10. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies.

Accordingly, Hocker Farms, Inc. respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption. 

Please contact us if any additional information or clarification is needed.

Sincerely,

Hocker Farms, Inc.

Robert Scott Hocker, Pres.