1

August 24, 2015

PETITIONER:

Richie Hayward Photography

Richard F. Hayward, Owner

327 Katie Ct,

Jonesborough, TN 37659

423-753-4562

Email: alba1320@embarqmail.com

Attn:

FAA

U.S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act

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, Richard Hayward, owner of Richie Hayward Photography, hereby applies for an exemption from the Federal 

Aviation Regulations (FARs) listed below to allow operation of our Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) 

commercially in airspace regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so long as such operations are 

conducted with and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 

333. 

Regulations from which exemption is requested: 14 C.F.R. Part 21: 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b):14 C.F.R. 61.113(a) & 

(b): 14 C.F.R. 91.7(a): 14 C.F.R. 91.9(b) (2): 14 C.F.R. 91.109: 14 C.F.R. 91.119: 14 C.F.R. 91.121: 14 C.F.R. 

91.151(a): 14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) & (b): 14 C.F.R. 91.401 - 91.417

PROPOSED OPERATIONS WOULD INCLUDE:

 Nature and Landscape Photography and Videography

 Construction site updates and surveys

 Tourism Promos 

 Commercial and Residential Real Estate 

 Outdoor Adventure Activities-Rafting, Kayaking and Sailing 

 Marketing/Advertising

 Emergency Management Partnering

 Assist Local Media
2

sUAS SUBMITTED FOR EXEMPTION OF THE ABOVE SAFETY REGULATIONS;

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quad-rotor aircraft:

Safety failsafe features equipped to ensure safe operation;

 Preprogrammed no-fly zones in and around airports

 GPS hovering capability

 Visual and ultrasonic sensors to augment hover capability with GPS and supplant GPS when satellite 

signals are unavailable

 Auto-return-to home-RTH to location of take off or Home Point in the event of in-flight emergency

 Auto-return to home and auto land in the event of loss of signal or low battery

 Automatic flight logs of flight route, distance, times and other metric

The DJI Phantom 3 Professional weighs 1280g (2.28lbs.) The diagonal footprint including propeller arc is 590mm. 

Max accent and decent rates are 5 and 3 meters per second respectfully. Maximum speed is 16 meters per second 

(31.1 knots). The sUAS utilizes U.S. and Russian GLONASS positioning satellites. The Phantom 3 Pro is battery 

operated with a run time of approximately 20 minutes.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR EXEMPTIONS

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA authority to issue exemptions. This statutory authority includes 

exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under §40101 of the Act, including sUAS's, from the requirement that 

all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness certificate.

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) 

of this section or any sections 44702-4416 of this if the Administrator finds the exemption in the public interest. 49 

U.S.C. §44701(f).

Section 333(b) of the Reform Act assists the Secretary in determining whether sUAS may operate

in the National Airspace System (NAS) without creating a hazard to the user, the public or a 

threat to national security. In making the determination, the Secretary must consider:

 The UAS's size, weight, speed and operational capability;

 Whether the UAS operates within the visual line of sight of the operator

 Whether the UAS operates outside of highly populated areas and away from close proximity to

airports

Reform Act §333(a). If the Secretary determines that a UAS "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).

Considering the small size of the sUAS involved and the restricted and sterile environment which

they will operate, his application falls within the zone of safety Congress envisioned the FAA, by

exemption, allow commercial operations of sUAS's to begin immediately.

In addition to the small size of the sUAS, the low altitudes and restricted areas in which his sUAS will

operate, approval of the application presents no national security issue.
3

PUBLIC INTEREST

Aerial photography and videography for real estate and events are proven strategies to enhance

marketing efforts and increase business success. The industry is not new. However, until recently

it was conducted through the use of costly manned aircraft, a prohibitive business activity for small

companies. By granting this exemption petitioner would be able to provide affordable services.

Further, the small sUAS will pose no threat to the public given its small size and lack of combustible

fuel when compared to larger manned aircraft. Additionally, the operation of our UAS will minimize

harm to the environment economic growth by providing information to companies the public looking 

to relocate or build in the metro areas the Petitioner services. Public and private events serviced by the

petitioner's business will enhance vibrancy and add culture to the community and its citizens. 

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 an equivalent or higher level of

safety because operations will further enhance the safety of the persons and/or property using conventional

aircraft. These limitations and conditions to which the applicant agrees to adhere to when conducting commercial operations under the FAA issued exemption as set forth in the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) include:

 The UAS will be less than 55 pounds.

 Flights will be operated within visual line of sight of a pilot.

 Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 15-20 minutes. The sUAS 

calculates battery reserve in real time, and will return to its ground station with at least

20% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 30 minute limit.

 Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL.

 The flights will occur no closer than a 5 mile radius of the geographic center/Airport

Reference Point (ARP) of a tower controlled or uncontrolled airport.

 All flights will occur under Visual Flight Rules Meteorologist Conditions (VMC) only. 

 Crew for each operation will consist of the sUAS pilot who will keep the sUAS within

his/her visual line of sight at all times. As well as a visual observer (VO).

The sUAS pilot will be trained in flight operations and safety procedures via FAA

regulations and the owner's manuals.

 All operations will utilize a visual observer-VO. The sUAS will be operated within the visual line of 

sight(VLOS) of the VO at all times. The VO and PIC (Pilot In Command) will be able to communicate 

verbally at all times. The PIC will be designated prior to the flight and will not transfer his or hers 

designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC will ensure that the VO can perform the functions 

prescribed in the operating documents.

 A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned sUAS operations prior to each day's

production activities. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties

within the boundaries of the safety perimeter be present for this briefing.

 All onsite personnel will consent to the sUAS flyover on site by waiver, and the operator

will obtain additional verbal or written consent of all persons who will be allowed within 100

feet of the flight operation.

 The pilot will have been trained in operation of sUAS generally and received up-to-date

information on the particular sUAS to be operated.

 Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holders will be obtained.

 All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county, or

city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire or other appropriate governmental

agencies.
4

 If the sUAS loses communications with the remote controller or loses GPS signal, the 

sUAS will have the capability to return to a pre-determined location within a designated

location and land autonomously.

 The sUAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles,

weather, or emergencies.

 The operations will be limited to a DJI Phantom 3 Pro quad-rotor aircraft weighing 2.8 lbs.

 The sUAS will not be flown above an airspeed of 30 mph.

 The sUAS will not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

 The sUAS will remain clear and yield the right of way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all 

times.

 Flight operations will 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 

the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. We will 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 and/or;

b. The aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles or structures where the owner/controller

of such vessels , vehicles or structures has granted permission 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 and;

c. Operations nearer to the PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons do not present

an undue hazard to those persons per § 91.119(a).

 The operating documents will be accessible during sUAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. Any revisions to the operating doucments will be presented to the 

Administrator upon request.

 Proir to each flight, the PIC will inspect the sUASto ensure it is in a condition for safe flight. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that effects the safe operation of the sUAS, the sUAS will not be operated 

until the necessary maimtenance has been performed and the sUAS is found to be in a condition for safe 

flight. The Ground Control Station will be included in the preflight inspection. All maintenance and 

alterations will be properly documented in the aircraft records.

 Any sUAS maintenance or alterations that affect the sUAS operation characteristics, e.g.replacement of a 

critical flight component, will undergo a functional test flight. The PIC who conducts the functional test 

flight will make an entry in the aircraft records.

 The preflight inspection section in the operating documents will account for all descrepancies , i.e. 

inoperable components, items, or equipment, not already covered in the relevant sections of the operating 

documents.

 The petitioner will follow sUAS manufacturer’s aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, replacement, 

inspection, and life limit requirements.

 Each sUAS operated will comply with all Safety Bulletins.

 Prior to operations conducted for the purpose of aerial videography/photography and for real estate listing

videos and public and private events and similar operations, unless the PIC has accumulated and logged in 

a manner consistent with 14 C.F.R. 61.51 (3), a minimum of 25 hours of total time as a sUAS rotorcraft 

pilot including at least 10 hours logged as a sUAS pilot with multi-rotor sUAS.

 Prior to operations conducted for the purpose of aerial videography/photography and for real estate listing 

videos and public and private events and similar operations, unless the PIC has accumulated and logged in 

a manner consistant with 14 C.F.R. 61.51 (3), a minimum of 5 hours as sUAS pilot operating the make and 

model of the sUAS to be used in operations. The PIC will accomplish 3 take-offs and landings in the 

preceding 90 days.

 The sUAS operations will not be during night, as defined in 14 C.F.R. 1.1. All operations will be conducted 

under visual meteorological conditions (VMC).

 The sUAS will 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.

 The PIC will abort a flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies in accordance with the 

operating documents.
5

 The PIC will not begin a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough 

power to fly at normal cruising speed to the intended landing point and land the sUAS with 30% battery 

power remaining.

 The Petitioner will obtain an Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued Certificate of Waiver or Authorization 

(COA) prior to conducting any operations, and also request a Notice to Air-man (NOTAM) not more than 

72 hours in advance, but not less than 48 hours prior to the operation.

 Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and control of the sUAS 

will comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other appropriate government 

ovesight agency requirements.

 The documents required under 14 C.F.R. 91.9 and 91.203 will be available to the PIC at the Ground 

Control Station of the sUAS any time the sUAS is operating. These documents will be made available to 

the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

 The sUAS will not be operated over congested or densely populated areas.

 Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the 

operational area as defined by the applicable COA will be reported to the FAA's UAS Integration Office 

(AFS-80) within 24 hours. Accidents will be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) 

per instructions contained on the NTSB website:www.ntsb.gov.

 

Regulations from which exemption is requested: 14 C.F.R. Part 21: C.F.R. Part 27: 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) and 

45.27(a): 14 C.F.R. 61.113(a) & (b): 14 C.F.R. 91.7(a): 14 C.F.R. 91.9(b) (2): 14 C.F.R. 91.109: 14 C.F.R. 91.119: 

14 C.F.R. 91.121: 14 C.F.R. 91.151(a): 14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) & (b): 14 C.F.R. 91.401 - 91.417

REASONS FOR SEEKING RELIEF:

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H, Airworthiness Certificates & 14 C.F.R. §91.203(a) (1).

This petition seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H, which establishes the procedural requirements

for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by 14 C.F.R. §91.203(a) (1). Given the size and limited

operating area associated with the sUAS to be utilized by the Petitioner, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H

meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act.

The Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C. §4470(f) and Section 333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA

to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, upon consideration of the size, weight,

speed, operational capability, and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular US. In all cases, 

an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the sUAS operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the

restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe or safer, than a conventional

rotorcraft operating with an airworthiness certificate, without the restrictions and conditions of the proposed sUAS

operations.

EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

The sUAS to be operated hereunder is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger, and

carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels. Unlike other civil aircraft, the proposed operations in

this petition for exemption will be controlled and monitored by the operator, in accordance with FAA requirements.

These safety enhancements, which already apply to civil aircraft operated in connection with existing inspection

operations, provide a greater degree of safety to the public and property owners than conventional operations 

conducted with airworthiness certificates issued under 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H. Lastly, application of these 

same criteria demonstrates that there is no credible threat to national security posed by the sUAS, due to its size, 

speed of operation, location of operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and inability to

carry a substantial external load.
6

14 C.F.R PART 27: Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft

14 C.F.R. Part 27 sets forth the procedural requirements for airworthiness certification of normal category rotorcraft. 

To the extent the Petitioner's sUAS would otherwise require certification under Part 27, as a rotorcraft, Petitioner 

requests an exemption from Part 27's airworthiness standards for the same reasons identified in the exemption 

request from 14C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H.

14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b), and 45.27(a). Aircraft Marking and Identification Requirements

This petition seeks an exemption from the aircraft marking and identification requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(c), 

45.23(b) and 45.27(a).

14 C.F.R. § 91.9(c), Civil aircraft flight manual, marking and placard requirements, provides that: no person may 

operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft unless that aircraft is identified in accordance with part 45 of this chapter.

14 C.F.R. § 45.23(b), Markings of the Aircraft states: When marks include only the Roman capital "N" and the 

registration number is displayed on limited, restricted or light sport category or experimental or provisionally 

certified aircraft, the operator must also display on that aircraft near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot 

station, in letters not less than 2 inches or more than 6 inches high, the words "limited", "restricted", "light sport", 

"experimental" , or "provisional", as applicable.

14 C.F.R. § 45.27(a), Rotorcraft, states: Each operator of a rotorcraft must display on that rotorcraft horizontally on 

both surfaces on the cabin, fuselage, boom, or tail the marks required by § 45.23

Exemption from § 45.23(b) is warranted because the sUAS has no entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station on 

which the word "Experimental" can be placed. Moreover, given the size of the sUAS, two inch lettering would be 

impossible. The word "Experimental" will be placed on the fuselage in compliance with § 45.29(f). Given the 

nature of the specific relief sought by this exemption request, Petitioner requires relief from the associated marking 

and identification requirements of § 45.27(a), § and 91.9(c), which would require compliance with § 45.23(b)

An equivalent level of safety for exemptions to the aircraft marking and identification requirements of §§ 91.9(c), 

45.23(b) and 45.27(a) will be provided by having the sUAS marked on its fuselage as required by§ 45.29(f) where 

the pilot, observer, and others working with the sUAS will see the identification on the sUAS as "Experimental". 

Additionally, Petitioner will ensure compliance with any requests of sUAS marking by the FAA. 

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

The Petitioner submits that the equivalent level of safety established by § 61.113(a) and (b) will be maintained 

because the PIC will be allowed to operate the DJI Phantom 3 Professional sUAS unless that PIC has demonstrated, 

by meeting the minimum flight-hour and currency requirements, that the PIC is able to safely operate the DJI 

Phantom 3 Professional sUAS in a manner consistent with the exemption, including evasive and emergency 

maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from people, vessels and structures.

Considering the petitioner's proposed area of operations and the operating limitations set forth above, the parallel 

nature of private pilot aeronautical knowledge requirements to those of commercial pilot requirements (see 

Exemption No11062), and the airmanship skills necessary to safely operate the DJI Phantom 3 Professional sUAS, 
7

the Petitioner submits that the additional manned airmanship experience of a commercially certified pilot would not 

correlate to the airmanship skills necessary for the Petitioner's specific proposed flight operations.

The FAA has previously granted relief from § 61.13(a) and (b) specific to sUAS in circumstance similar, in all 

material respects, to those presented herein (e.g. Exemption Nos. 11062, 11063,11064, 11065, 11066, 11067, 11180, 

11109, 11110, 11112, 111361,1138,1 1150, 11153, 11156, 11159, 11160,11161).

Specifically, the PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 C.F.R. § 61.51(b), 25 hours 

total time as a sUAS rotorcraft pilot (with a minimum or 5 hours of those hours as a sUAS to be used for operations 

under the exemption). In addition to the hour requirements, the PIC must accomplish 3 takeoffs and landings in the 

preceding 90 days (for currency purposes).

As in Exemption Nos. 11062, 11138 and 11153, prior to documented flight experience that was obtained in 

compliance with applicable regulations will ensure an equivalent level of safety during the Petitioner's proposed 

operations. The Administrator has held that prior documented flight experience that was obtained in compliance 

with applicable regulations would ensure safe operations, stating as follows:

In Exemption No. 11062, the FAA required that prior to conducting operations for the purpose of motion picture 

filming (or similar operations), the PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 C.F.R. 

61.51(b), 25 hours of total time as a sUAS rotorcraft pilot including at least 10 hours logged as a sUAS pilot with 

multi rotor sUAS. Prior operations under Exemption No. 11062, the PIC must have also accumulated a minimum of 

5 hours as a sUAS pilot operating the same make and model of sUAS to be used for operations under the exemption. 

For clarification, the FAA considers these minimum hour requirements to be inclusive rather than additive: i.e. 5 

hours make and model time may be included in the 10 hours of sUAS rotorcraft time. In addition to the hour 

requirement, the PIC must accomplish 3 takeoffs and landings in the preceding 90 days (for currency purposes). The 

FAA finds that at a minimum, the flight-hour requirements in Exemption No. 11062 are appropriate to practice and 

build proficiency in the skills necessary to safely conduct the Petitioner's proposed operations. The FAA also finds 

that prior documented flight experience that was obtained in compliance with applicable regulations would satisfy 

the requirement. Training, proficiency, and experience building flights can also be conducted under the grant of 

exemption to accomplish the required flight time. During training, proficiency, and experience-building flights the 

PIC is required to operate the sUAS with appropriate distances in accordance with 14 C.F.R. 91.119.

14 C.F.R 91.7(a) Civil Aircraft Worthiness

The equivalent level of safety established by § 91.7(a) will be maintained because prior to very flight, the Petitioner 

will ensure that the DJI Phantom3 Professional is in an airworthy condition based upon the sUAS compliance with 

it's operating documents and as stated in the conditions and limitations herein.

Additionally, the FAA has previously granted relief from § 91.7(a) specific to sUAS, in circumstance similar, in all 

material respects to those presented herein (e.g. Exemption Nos. 11062, 11063, 11064, 11065, 11066, 11067, 11080, 

11109, 11110, 11112, 11136, 11138, 11150, 11153, 11157, 11158,11160, 11161).

14 C.F.R 91.9(b) (2); Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft

Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides: No person may operate a U.S. registered aircraft. (2) for which an Airplane or 

Rotorcraft Flight manual is not required by 21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current 

approves airplane or rotorcraft Flight manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards or any combination 

thereof. The sUAS, given its small size and configuration has no ability or place to carry such a flight manual on the 

aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on board, but because there is no room or capacity to carry such an item 

on the aircraft.
8

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping the flight manual at the ground control point where the 

PIC of the sUAS will have immediate access to it.

14 C.F.R. 91.103: Flight Instruction

Section 91.103 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used 

for flight instruction unless that aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. sUAS and 

remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight control is accomplished 

through the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. The FAA has 

approved exemptions for flight training without fully functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight 

instruction in experimental aircraft. The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that neither a pilot nor 

passengers will be carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft.

14 C.F.R. 91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. § 91.119(d) allows helicopters to be operated 

less than the minimum 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, or not more than 200 above an elevated platform from 

which filming is being planned, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. As set forth herein the sUAS 

will never operate at higher than 400 AGL with the exception that in circumstances where the sUAS is used to 

survey or photograph a structure whose height exceeds 400 AGL, the sUAS will not be operated more than 100ft 

above the highest point on the structure. It will however be operated in a restricted area with security perimeter, 

where buildings and people will not be exposed to the operations without their pre-obtained consent. The equivalent 

level of safety will be achieved given the size of the sUAS as well as the location where it is operated. No flight will 

be taken without the permission of the property owners. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and 

participants in the filming activity, all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight operations. Compared 

to flight operations with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than the maximum 55 lbs proposed herein and the 

lack of flammable fuel , any risk associated with these operations is far less than those presently presented with 

conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 AGL. In addition, the low-altitude operations of the sUAS will 

ensure separation between these sUAS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with 

§ 91.119. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 9299, 

9299A, 9565, 9565b, 10167a, 10602, 32827 and 10700.

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 sUAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the safety check list and live flight data 

monitoring, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight.

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

This petitioner seeks an exemption from C.F.R. § 91,151(a) fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions. Section 

91.151 states:(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless(considering wind and 
9

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.

The battery powering the sUAS provides approximately 20 minutes of powered flight.

An exemption from the 30-minute reserve requirement in C.F.R. § 91.151 is therefore required.

An equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights to 25 minutes or 25% of battery power, whichever 

happens first. This restriction would be more than adequate to return the sUAS to its planned landing zone from 

anywhere within its limited operating area. Operation of the sUAS with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel does not 

engender the type risks that § 91.151(a) was intended to alleviate given the size and speed of the sUAS. Moreover, 

operation will be limited to controlled areas where only people and property owners, or official representatives who 

have signed waivers will be allowed.

14 C.F. R. 91.203 (a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

The regulation provides in pertinent part: (a) Except as provided in 91,715, no person may operate a civil aircraft 

unless it has with it the following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate...(b) No person may 

operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight 

authorization issued under 91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or 

crew. The sUAS fully loaded weighs no more than 5 lbs and is operated without an onboard pilot. As such, there is 

no ability or place to carry certification and registration documents or to display them on the sUAS. An equivalent 

level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control point where the PIC is flying the 

sUAS will have immediate access to them: to the extent they are applicable to the sUAS.

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

This petition seeks an exemption from the maintenance inspection requirements of 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.405(a); 

91.407(a) (1): 91.409(a) (2); 91.417 (a) and (b). These regulations specify maintenance and inspection standards in 

reference to C.F.R. Part 43. See, e.g., 14 C.F.R. 91.405(a) (stating that each owner or operator of an aircraft "shall 

have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections... have 

discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter").An exemption to these regulations is needed because 

Part 43 and these sections apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, which the sUAS will not have.

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be performed in accordance 

with the manufactures owners' manual. As provided in the manual, the operator will ensure that the sUAS is in 

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

performed. The operator is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an 

airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety. If mechanical issues arise, the sUAS can land 

immediately and will be operating from no higher than 400 ft AGL. Moreover, the sUAS's small size, carrying 

capacity, and the fact that flight will only take place in restricted areas for limited periods of time, create less risk 

than the same factors associated with conventional fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft performing the same operation.

CONCLUSION: 

The Petitioner, who has over 34 years in law enforcement and military, can greatly appreciate the need for 

regulations to govern our NAS for the safety of those who fly or those on the ground. The field of aerial 

photography/videography with UASs is mushrooming daily and presents great opportunities for economic growth.
10

Therefore, in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations and the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 

2012, Section 333, the Petitioner respectfully requests that the Administrator grant this Petition for an exemption 

from the above requirements and permit the Petitioner to operate the DJI Phantom 3 Pro sUAS commercially for the 

purpose of aerial video and photography over certain areas of the United States.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Hayward

President/Owner

Richie Hayward Photography

327 Katie Ct.

Jonesborough, TN 37659

423-753-4562

e-mail alba1320@embarqmail.com

Appendices:

Link to DJI Phantom 3 Manual:

DJI Phantom 3 Pro Manual