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Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Nashville Drones Aerial Asset Resources

1008 Wade Avenue • Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 596-4422

December 05, 2015 Revision: Original
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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4

C. Persons Authorized 4

D. Area of Operations 4

E. Plan of Activities 5

F. Permission to Operate 5

G. Security 6

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 6

I. Certification/Airworthiness 7

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 7

K. Communications 8

L. Accident Notification 8

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 8

N. Aerobatic Competency 8

O. Aerobatic Competency 9

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 9

B. Pilot in Command 10

Appendix A

1 List of Approved Pilots 11

2 List of Approved Aircraft 12

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 13

4 Revision Letter (sample) 14
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Revision Control Page

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1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "Nashville Drones Aerial Asset Resources", 

hereafter referred to as "Nashville Drones", 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. Nashville Drones 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 F. Gafney III 

Chief Pilot, Nashville Drones Aerial Asset Resources

Certificate Number 3037897

Commercial Pilot, Instrument, Helicopter

PO BOX 30453

Clarksville, TN 37040

931.933.3656 cell

james.gafney@gmail.com

Mark A. Corralez – Chief Technology Officer (615) 596-4422 cell

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

Nashville Drones Aerial Asset Resources approved area of operations will be the continental 

United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
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E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Nashville Drones 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 or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of airworthiness 

certificate, including category.

(5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event, 

including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic competency, if 

required.

(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 equipments 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 is 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:
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(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

Nashville Drones 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. 

Nashville Drones 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

• Aircraft parking and starting

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event
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• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All Nashville Drones aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) 

and (c) for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness 

certificates. However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" 

in motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category must 

have an airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order to be used 

in motion picture and television filming. The aircraft will be 100hr/annual inspection 

program. Other required tests and inspections (transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be 

performed as per Part 91 when necessary. Each aircraft will have a flight log containing 

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

performed. A section for discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in 

command will assure the aircraft 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. Commercial pilot certificate with ratings appropriate to the category, 

class and type (if applicable) of aircraft to be used under the terms of the waiver.

(2) At least 500 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC in the 

aircraft type.

(3) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used.

(4) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under the waiver.

(5) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14 CFR 

91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers must hold FAA 

Form 8710-7, Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to perform the operations.

(6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external-load 

operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots used in the operation shall be 
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qualified. This qualification may be obtained through a knowledge test (which may be 

oral and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or another company pilot approved by the

geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads externally will give the 

test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements and cover the following subjects:

(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the Flight area.

(b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load.

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating procedures and the 

aircraft flight manual.

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load combination 

flight manual and limitations, if appropriate.

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 appraised of the

current status of the operation.

L. Accident Notification

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

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.

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. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a

Statement of Aerobatic Competency.

O. Special Provisions
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The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Nashville Drones 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 Nashville Drones motion picture and television operations manual

(“Appendix A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name and certificate 

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

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

event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 

(b) and (c).

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

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

Drones.

• 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 Nashville 

Drones under the provisions of this manual.

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

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assure that aircraft 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.
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Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name : James Gafney III

Certificate Number : 3037897

Grade : Commercial : Commercial Pilot, Instrument, Helicopter

Medical Class/Date : Class One / 9-21-15

Contact Number : (931) 933 - 3656
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Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI Phantom 3 Professional Registration Pending

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.
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Appendix A .3

Nashville Drones Aerial Asset Resources

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Nashville Drones Aerial Asset Resources 

Permission to operate their aircraft 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 __________________________

Nashville Drones Aerial Asset Resources Representative Receiving Permission

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Appendix A .4

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

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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 _____________________________