1



## AerialZeus **, L**  **L C’s**  **P e**  **ti t**  **i o**  **n f**  **o r**  **E x**  **e m**  **pt i**  **o n**  **f**

**o r**  **t h**  **e E**  **v ent**  **38 E**  **38 4**  **U n**  **m a**  **n ned**  **A eri**  **a l**  **Sy s**  **t e**  **m**

F AA Ru l e s D o c k e t :

S ubm i tt e d on April 28 , 2015 Luis Robles , CEO AerialZeus , L L C 1325 Howe Avenue, Suite 213 Sacramento, C alifornia 95825 P hon e : 916 - 768 - 4109 Em a i l : luis.robles@AerialZeus.com2 

## T **a ble**  **of Cont**  **e nts**  Pe t it i o n S ummar y ............................................................... . ............................... . ... .3 Bac k g r o un d .............................. . . ............................... . ............................... . ......... 3 ,4 S t atut o ry A

utho ri ty ............................... . ............................... . ...................... .. .... .7 - 12 Ba s i s f o r P e t i t io n ............................... . ...... ......................... . ........................... . .... . 1 3 - 24 **CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION** 

### Team Profile ............................... . ............................... . ........................ . App e n d i x A AerialZeus - Organizational Chart............... ...................................... App e n d i x B Whitepaper - Multispectral Analysis..................................................Appendix C E 3 8 4 O p e r at i on s M a

nu al ............................... . ............................... . .... . App e n d i x D E 8 3 4 M a i nt e n a

n ce M a nu a l ............................... . ............................... . .. . App e n d i x E E v e n t 3 8 T r a i n i n g S yll a

b u s ............................... . ............................... . .. . App e n d i x F Event 38 Certification for Luis Robles.............. ................................Appendix G Pilot Log for Luis Robles..................................................................Appendix H George Mason University.................................................................Appendix I University o f Minnesota...................................................................Appendix J Tetracam Training.............................................................................Appendix K3

**A. P**  **e ti**  **t ion**  **Su m**  **m a**  **r y**  P ursu ant with S ec t i on 333 of the F A A Mod e rni z at ion and R e fo r m A c t of 2 012, AerialZeus , L L C ( AerialZeus ) r e qu e s t s e x e mp t ion f r om the following Fe d e r a l Aviation R e gulations that are foun d und e r Tit l e 14 of the Co d e of Fed e r a l Re g ulations (C F R): P art 21 S ubp art H , 45.23 ( b), 9 1 .7 ( a ), 91.9 ( b), 9 1 .103, 91.109, 91.119, 91.121, 91.151 (a ), 91 . 203 ( a ) ( b), Part 91 S ubp art E ( 91.40 1 - 91.417 ) . AerialZeus s e e ks e x p e di t e d a ppro va l an d e x e mp t ion f

r om the C F Rs l i s ted a

bove in order to op e r a

te the E384 Unm an n e d Ai rc r a ft S ys t e m ( UAS ) for the pur pose o f p r o vid i ng Near Infrared (NIR), Infrared and high r e solut ion ae ri a l i m a g e r y to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) , a state agency in charge of highway , bridge and rail transportation planning, construction and mai ntenance . Moreover, AerialZeus will provide remote - sensing data to other state agencies, federal entities, private contractors and subcontractors with the intent of assisting with Mitigation and Monitoring of Environmental Projects throughout the State of California. The o p e r a t i on of the E384 b y AerialZeus will follow strict op e r a

t i on a l l i m i t at i ons , and adhere to the highest standards of securit y and privacy , a s outl i n e d in this do c ume nt and a ll re c o m mend at i ons b y the F A A . **B .**  **Ba c**  **k g**  **r o**  **un d**  **1. AerialZeus**  **, L LC**  AerialZeus is an Engineering Consulting c o mpan y lo c ated in Sacramento, CA that p r ovides Engineering - an a l ysi s , by collecting, mon i toring, and reporting of g e o gr a phic d at a ca

ptur e d via re mo t e s e nsi n g p a y l o a ds a bo ard unm ann e d , fi x e d wing a i r c r a ft. Our organization is composed of highly experienced and skilled S cientists and4

Engineers that understand technology well. (Appendix A - Team Profile & Appendix B - Organizational Chart ) Our diverse team has extensive experience on photogrammetric - anal ys is, and rem ote sensing, as we have performed pro - bono - aerial In frared data to the University of California at Davis (UC - Davis) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) . The information collected has been processed by

our team via AerialZeus' proprietary software (Appendix C Whitep aper - Multispectral Analy sis ). UC - Davis and the USDA have later used this information to provide concise advice to viney ard growers in Amador County in California for precise fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide and water applicati ons. Therefore through this unique experience, our team at AerialZeus has logged 100's of hours collecting, processing and reporting our findings.5

**2. E384**  The E384 UAS i s manu f

ac tur e d b y E v e nt 38 l o cat e d in Akr on, Ohio. The s ys t em c onsists of a l i ghtw e i ght b att e r y op e r ated a i r c raft, groun d c ontrol s t a t i on, an d a ssoci ated d ata link e quip m e nt. The E384 a ir f r ame is constr

u c ted of EPO f

o am with a carbon fi b e r tail and w e i ghs 5.9 lbs. with a win g sp an o f 6.2 f t. and to t a l l e n gth of 4.3 ft. The E384 is pow e r e d b y two l i th i um po l y m e r b att e ri e s that dr i ve an e l e c tric pro p e l l e r. Itis h and laun c h e d, h a s max i mum fli ght t i m e of 100 m i nutes, and op e r a t e s at a c ruising sp e e d of 2 7 mph. The gro und c ontrol station consist of a Tur ni g y 9XR r e mo t e and P C c omput e r whi c h h ave a max i mum d ata link r an g e o f 5.4 N M. I f the E 384 loses l i nk with the ground c ontrol s t at i on or d e te c ts a low b att e r y state at an y t i me it will i n i t iate a r e tur n - to - laun c h s e qu e n ce . The E384 h a s e x tensive f l i ght e x p e ri e n c e and a hi s to ry of o p e r a t i on a l s u cc e ss ov e rs ea s, includi n g fl i ght s b y ov e r one hundr e d p r of e ss i on a l ope r ators on 6 c ont i n e nts. I t h a s b ee n us e d in U g anda to surv e y po t e nt i a l l and f or the c onstru c t i on of a h y d r o e le c tr i c pow e r plant. It has a lso be e n us e d in G r e e c e b y th e N at i on a l T e c hnic a l Un i v e rsi t y of Ath e ns to stu d y op e n - pit m i nin g . In B e l iz e the F i s h e r y D e p artm e nt s t art e d routine fli ghts with the E384 to tr a c k i l leg a l fish i ng in pro t ec ted w ate r s. Mo r e re ce nt l y i n the Uni t e d S tat e s the E384 wa s flo w n ov e r thr e e d a ys at the C lev e land A ir show, d e monstr at i ng i t s a bi l i t y to sa fe l y inte gr ate and op e r a t e in the N A S . (please see picture below)6

F or a ddi t ional info r

mati o n on the E384, r e f

e r e n c e Appendix D ( E 384 Op e r at i ons M anu a l) and Ap p e ndix E (E384 M a int e n an c e M anu a l ), which sp e c i f y manu f a c turi n g info r

mation, ai rc r a ft p e r f

orm an ce , o p e r a

t i n g l i m i ts, norm a l and e me r g e n c y pro c e dur e s, f

ai l - s a f e fe atur e s, and m a int e n an c e and insp ec t i on pro c e dur e s.7

**C. S**  **ta t**  **u to**  **r y Autho**  **r ity**  **1. F** **A A**  **M o**  **d er**  **n iza**  **t ion**  **a n**  **d R**  **e f**  **o r**  **m A**  **c t of**  **2 01**  **2, S**  **ec tion**  **333** S ec t i on 333 ( a ) stat e s th a t the F AA “s h a ll d e te r m i ne if c e rt a in unm ann e d a ir c raft s ystems m a y op e r a

te s a fe t y in the n at i on a l ai r s p a c e s ystem b e fo r e c omp l e t i on of the pl an and r u l e maki n g r e quir e d b y S ec t i on 332 ” . Se c t i on 333 ( b) then l i sts s e v e r a l f a c tors that should be c onsid e r e d in d e te r m i ning wh i c h UA S ’ would be e l i g ib l e for e x p e di t e d int e gr at i on int o the Nat i on a l Airsp a c e S ystem (N AS). S p ec ifi ca l l y UA S ’ th at “a s a r e sult of th e ir si z e , w e i ght, s p e e d, op e r a t i on a l c a p a bi l i t y , pro x i m i t y to a irpo rts and populat e d ar e a s, and op e r at i on with i n visual line of si ght do not c reate a h a z ard to the us e rs of the n at i on a l ai r sp a c e s ystem or the publ i c , or p ose a th r e at t o n at i on a l s e c uri t y ” . I f a UA S me e ts the c rit e r i a laid f

o rth i n S e c t i on 333 ( b), S e c t i on 333 (c ) th e n g ives th e F AA th e a uthori t y to d e c ide if an a ir w orthin e ss c e rtifi cat i o n a s spe c ifi e d b y Tit l e 49 Uni t e d S tat e s Cod e , S ec t i on 44704 is e v e n r e qui r e d for o p e r a t i on . S ec t i on 333 (c ) sp e c if i ca l l y stat e s that the F AA can d e t e rmine “ wh e th e r a c e rtifi c ate of wa ive r , ce rtif i cate of authori z at i on, or air w orthin e ss ce rtifi ca t i on und e r s ec t i on 44704 of Ti t le 49, Uni t e d S tat e s C od e , is r e quir e d f o r the op e r a

t i o n of unmann e d a i r c raft s ys tem s ” . Thu s , the F AA h a s the a bi l i t y to allow a UA S that me e t s the c rit e ria put f o rth in S e ct i on 333 ( b) to op e r a t e with i n the N A S without an a ir

w orth iness ce rtifi c at i on a s long a s the UAS does not po s e an y h a z ar d or threat t o the N AS, pub l i c , and n at i on a l se c uri t y .8

**2. How**  **AerialZeus m**  **e e**  **ts t**  **h e**  **c r**  **it er**  **ia l**  **aid f**  **o r**  **th in S**  **ec tion 333**  B e low are the c rit e ria l a id fo rth i n S ec t i on 333 (b) and a d e tailed d e s c ripti o n of how AerialZeus m ee ts e a c h o f th e se c rit e ri a . **a. S**  **iz e**  **, W e**  **ig h**  **t, and Sp**  **ee d**  The E384 ’ s f

o am ai r f r am e w e i ghs 5.9 lb s ., h a s a 6 . 2 f t. win g sp an, l e n gth of 4.3 ft., and op e r a

tes at c ruising s p ee ds of 27 mp h. This small, l i ghtw e i gh t a ir c r a ft th at ope r ates at r e lative l y slow sp e e ds will pos e s l i tt le to no h a z ard to p e ople or stru c tur e s on the gr ound, thus m aking it an e x pon e nt i a l l y s a f e r a l t e rn a t i ve to m ann e d, fi x e d wi ng a ir c r a ft f o r a e r i a l i ma g i n g . **b .**  **O p**  **er ational Ca**  **p a**  **b i**  **l ity**  The prim ar y fun c t i on of the E 384 is t o pr o vide a er ial i m a g e r y using o n e of two int e r c h an g e a

ble g e o - r e fer e n c e st i ll came r a s. H i gh r e solut ion data g e n e r ated f r om these c ame r a s of

f e r a wide r a

n ge of a ppl i cat i ons throu gh an a l ysi s , su c h a s bio m a ss estimation, y

i e ld m oni t orin g , le a f area in d e x ing and ov e r a ll plant h ea l th . The E384 is hand l a

un c h e d o n - si t e , r e quiri n g no runw a y for tak e - o f f a nd landing and no tr ansit to and f rom the site. On c e a irbo r

ne, the E384 will f

l y at an a l t i tude of 4 0 0 ft. A G L o r l e ss ov e r the d e si gn ated a gri c ul tur a l p l o t . P rior to fli ght, the P i lot in C o mm and (P I C) s e t s a d e s i gn ated flight ar e a and fl i ght param e te r s to e nsure that the E384 will r e main with i n the c onfi n e s of the a p p r ov e d site an d not e x cee d a max i mum alt i tu de 400 f t . A G L . I f a c ritic a l i ssue su c h a s a low b a tt e r y state or a loss of d ata - link is det ec ted at an y t i me th e E384 will i mmedi ate l y9 e x ec ute a r e turn - to - laun c h s e qu e n c e (R e f e r e n c e App e ndix D ) . The E384 ’ s sm all op e r a t i on a l footp r int and bui lt - in sa fe t y p roto c ol p rovide a much s a f e r a l t e rn at i ve for a e ri a l i m a g ing and w ould pose a m i ni m a l h a z ard to the N AS or publi c . **c .**  **P r**  **ox i**  **m i**  **ty t**  **o Ai r**  **p o**  **r ts/Pop**  **u lat**  **e d**  **A re**  **as** The E384 will on l y op e rate ov e r unpopulated areas f or the pur pose o f c ol l ec t i ng ae r i a l i mag e r y . AerialZeus will not perform fly overs with i n 5 NM from any commercial a irp o rts . The E3 8 4 will a lso op e r a te at an a l t i tude of 4 0 0 ft. A G L or l e s s , and a s a r e sult wi l l be l at e r a l l y d e - c o n fli c ted f r om mann e d a ir c r a ft op e r at i ons. B y o p e r a

t i n g at l ow a l t i tud e s o v e r environmental sites , the E384 will pose no thr eat t o ind i viduals or stru c tur e s on the gro und and will r e m a in w e ll c le ar o f a n y and a ll a ir tr a f

f ic. **d .**  **Vis u**  **al L**  **i n**  **e of**  **S i**  **g h**  **t ( V**  **LO S**  **)** The E384 will be flo wn i n acc or d an c e with d a y V i su a l F l i ght R ules ( V F R) and on l y in Visu a l Me t e o rolo g i c a l Condi t ions ( VM C ) dur ing d a y- l i ght h o urs. T he E384 will op e r a

te w i thin 1 NM and V L OS of the P IC ( a nd th e S a f

e t y Ob s e rv e r posit i on e d n e x t t o the P I C) at an a l t i tude 400 f t. A G L or l e s s . The Sa f

e t y Obs e rver will be r e spons i ble f

or e n suring that the E384 r e m a ins with i n V LOS at a ll t i m e s and will a lso assist i n spott i ng potential h a z ards.10

**3. Oth**  **e r**  **R e**  **levant F**  **a c**  **to r**  **s a.**  **O p**  **er ational**  **L i**  **m ita**  **t io**  **n s**  AerialZeus h a s e stabli s h e d th e following o p e r a t i on a l l i m i tations for E384 fli ghts ov e r d e si gn ated Environmental s i t e s. o E384 f

l i ghts ar e on l y p e r

m i tt e d ov e r d e si gn ated Environmental si t e s o The E384 will op e r a

te at or b e low 400 f

t. A G L o The E384 will op e r a

te with i n 1 NM and with i n V L OS of the P I C and S a f e t y Obs e r v e r o The S a f

e t y Ob s e rver w i l l be lo cated n e x t t o the P I C and will e nsure the a ir c r a ft r e mains within V L OS and a ss i st i n spott i ng potential h a z ards o The E384 will op e r a

te in acc or d an c e with D a y Vi s u a l F li ght R ules and on l y in Visual M e teo r ol o g i c a l C ondi t ions during d a y l i ght hours o The dur a

t i on of e ac h E3 8 4 fli ght sh a ll not e x cee d 100 m i nutes o All t ak e - off and landi n g s will o cc ur o n - si t e in a cc ord a n c e with the E384 O p e r a

t i ons Manu a l ( R e f

e r e n c e App e ndix D ) o E384 fli ghts will avoid d i r e c t ov e r f l i ght o f a n y o f fi c e or m a int e n an c e bui l din g s loc ated on - si t e o AerialZeus' e mp l o ye e s wo r king o n - si t e will be thorou gh l y br i e f e d on E384 op e r a

t i ons prior to op e r a

t i ons c omm e n c i n g o E384 op e r a

t i ons will be c ondu c ted b y AerialZeus' e mployees who have completed Ev e nt 38’s T ra in i ng P r o gr a m ( R e f e r e n c e App e ndix F ) , and have considerable aeronautical and spatial knowledge ( Appendices G, H, I, J & K)11

o E384 fli ghts will be c an c e l l e d in th e e v e nt th at an y a i r c r a ft or ground c ontrol s t at i on e quip m e nt i s inop e r a t i ve or n o t fu l l y fun c t i on a l o I f the P IC o r Sa fe t y Ob s e rv e r spot a potential h a zard, su c h a s a mann e d a ir c r a ft w i thin c l ose pro x i m i t y to the d e s i gn at e d fli ght are a , the P IC will i mmedi ate l y land the E384 and op e rat i ons will on l y r e sume a f t e r the h a z ard is c le ar of th e ar ea o All E384 mainten an c e w i ll be acc omp l ished in a cc ord a n c e with the E384 M a int e n an c e M anu a l ( R e fer e n c e App e ndix E ) o On l y one E384 will be a i rbo r ne at an y g iven ti m e for e a c h d e s i gn ated Environmental site o The P IC wi l l file a N O T AM f or E384 f l i ght s a t e ac h Environmental si t e , providing at a min i mum r a dial/D M E, r a dius, and a d ate/t i me gr oup AerialZeus w i l l be bound b y th e se l i m i tations for c omm e r c ial fl i ghts a f t e r F A A a ppro va l of the e x e mp t ions l a id fo rth i n th i s p e t i t i on. AerialZeus w i l l also follow an y g

uidan c e f rom the F A A in acc or d an c e with S e c 3 3 3 ( c ) which s t ates th at a f t e r d e te r m i ning if a UAS m e e ts the c rit e ria for s a fe o p e r a t i on that the FAA

“ s h a ll [ a lso] e stabli s h r e quir e ments for the s a fe op e r a t i o n of th e ” UA S in the N AS .12 **b .**  **Environmental Sites** There is an urgent need to provide reliable imagery: infrared, near infrared, thermal, multispectral and h yp erspectral in an economical and prompt fashion. The state of California is in dire need of stri ctly monitoring its natural resources now more than ever. The scarcit y of water, due to a severe drought, has placed a great deal of stress in the local flora and fauna. Add to this, the impact of human interaction, and you have a recipe for disaster. Th e s e si t e s are Environmental p l ots wh e r e flora and fauna are mon i tor e d b y s c ientist s i n an e f fo rt t o preserve local plants and animals, as well as to mitigate the impact of human interaction, primaril y due to construction of infrastructure and housing. A f e w sm a ll of f ice and mainte n an c e bui l din g s might be foun d at sev e r a l o f th e se si t e s an d AerialZeus w i l l ensur e a ll E384 op e r at i ons avoid ove r - fl i ght of these stru c tur e s . I

n a ddi t ion to this , AerialZeus will verify that the r e are no c om m e r c ial a irpo rts with i n 5 NM and no g e n e r a l aviation ai r p o rts with i n 3 NM of these si t e s . AerialZeus s e e ks a

ppro va l t o op e r a

te at future Environmental sit e s that m ee t the f ol l owing c rit e ri a : 1) si t e is own e d and op e r at e d b y Caltrans and/o r other state /federal agency , 2 ) site c o nsists of Environmental p l ots, 3) no c omm e r c ial a i r ports are w ith i n 5 NM of th e si t e , and 4) no g e n e r a l av iation ai r ports are with i n 3 NM of the sit e . AerialZeus will a lso comp l y with an y a d di t ional re quir e ments or r e strictions the F AA m a y h ave for E384 op e r a t i ons at futur e s i t e s for which AerialZeus will provide precise GPS coordinate prior to an y project.13

**D. Basis**  **f**

**or P**  **e ti**  **t ion**  **1. N**  **a m**  **e a**  **n d**  **Ad d**  **re ss**  **of the**  **P e**  **ti t**  **io n**  **e r**  AerialZeus, L LC , Attention: Luis Robles, CEO & Co - Founder 1325 Howe Avenue, Suite 21 3 

### Sacramento, CA 95825 P hon e : 916 - 768 - 4109 Em a i l : luis.robles@aerialzeus.com **2. Sp**  **ec i**  **f**

**ic Se c**  **tions of 14**  **C F**  **R f** 

**r o**  **m w**  **h ich**  **AerialZeus S**  **ee k**  **s E**  **x e**  **m p**  **tion** B e low are the s ec t i ons f

r om whi c h AerialZeus s ee ks e x e mp t ion, with sp ec ifi c s on the e x tent of re l i e f so u ght, r e a son for r e l i e f, a nd wh y e x e mp t ion would not a dv e rs e l y a f f ec t s a f e t y . **a. P**  **a r**  **t 21 S ubp**  **a r**  **t H –**  **Ai r**  **w o**  **r thi**  **n e**  **ss C er**  **ti f**  **ica t**  **i o**  **n** P art 21 Subp art H e stabli s h e s the r e qui r e ments for the issuan c e of an a ir w orth i n e ss c e rtifi cat e. AerialZeus s ee ks c omp l e te e x e mp t ion f r om P art 21 Sub p art H pur su ant wi th S ec t i on 333, whi c h a uthori z e s the F AA to e x e mpt a UA S f r om the re quir e m e nts o f a n a i r w orthin e ss c e rtifi cate b a sed on c onsid e r at i on of the followin g : s iz e , w e i gh, sp ee d, op e r at i o n a l ca p a bi l i t y , pro x i m i t y to ai r

p o rts and populat e d are a s , and o p e r at i on with i n V LO S . An e qu a l l e v e l of s a f

e t y will be ac hiev e d with the op e r a t i on a l li m i t at i ons e stabli s h e d in this do c ument ( R e fer e n c e B .3 . a ) f o r a ll AerialZeus' E384 f

l i ghts.14 S p ec ifi ca l l y that a ll fli ght s will o cc ur w i thin V L O S of the P IC and S a f e t y Obs e rv e , at an a l t i tude of 400 f t . A G L or l e s s , and on l y ov e r d e s i gn ated a gri c ul tur a l plo t s. As a re sult the E384 can s a f e l y op e r a te without c r e at i n g a h a z ard to an y other a ir c ra ft, p e ople, or str u c tur e s o n the gr o und . **b .**  **4 5.23**  **(b) –**  **M a**  **r k** **i n**  **g R equ**  **ir e**  **m e**  **n ts**  45.23 ( b) r e qui r e s a i r c ra f

t t o displ a y th e r oman c api t a l l e tt e r “N” with re g is tr a t i on number and t he wo r ds “ r e strict e d ” , “ l i ght - sport ” , “e x p e rim e nta l ” , or

“ provisional ” , a s a

ppl icable, on the e ntr an c e to th e c abin, c o c kpi t , or p i l ot s t at i on in l e tt e ring that is b e tw ee n 2 i n . and 6 in. in hei ght . The E384 is unm ann e d and thus h a s no ca

bin, co c kp i t, p i lot s t at i on, or e ntr an c e on whi c h these r e quir e d mar kin g s c ould be disp laye d. In a ddi t ion , AerialZeus m a y not h ave a re g is tr a t i on number a ss i gn e d b y the F AA. As a r e sult AerialZeus s ee ks full e x e mp t ion f r om this re g ulation. AerialZeus w i l l t o the m ax i mum e x tent po s sib l e c omp l y with the lo c at i on r e quir e ments of 45.27 ( a) and the s i z e r e quir e ment s of 45.29 ( f ) . A erialZeus sp ec ifi ca l l y pro p o s e s to put the wo r d “ E X P E R IM EN T A L ” in the l ar g e st le tt e ring poss i ble on the f us e l a g e of the a ir c r a ft in a cc or dan c e with 45.29 ( f ) “ i f no sur fa c e authori z e d to be m ark e d b y 45.27 is lar ge e no u gh for fu l l si z e mar ks, m ar k s a s lar ge a s p r ac t ic a

ble mu st be pla ce d on th e l ar g e st o f the a uthori z e d sur f

a ce s ” . AerialZeus a lso prop o s e s pl ac ing a f l a g at the ground c ontrol station wi th the w ords “ E X PE R I M E N T A L UAS ” in 3 i n . lette r in g .15 An e qu a l l e v e l of s a f

e t y would be maintain e d b y disp la y i n g the w ord

“ E X P E R I M E N T A L ” on the f

us e l a g e o f the a i r c ra f

t and b y pl a c i n g a fl a g at the ground c ontrol station wi th the w ords “ E X P E R IM EN T A L UA S” . S ince th e E384 will a lw a ys b e with i n V L O S of the P IC (posit i on e d at the ground c ontrol s t at i on) and flo wn at a low a l t i tude (4 00 f t . A G L o r l e ss) t he mar

ki n g s on the a i r f

r ame and the f l a g loc ated at the gr o und c ontrol station would allow a ll p arti e s to visual l y be info r med of the U AS’ op e r a

t i n g status. **c .**  **91.7 (a)**  **– Civil**  **Air cr**  **a f**  **t Air**  **w o**  **r thi**  **n e**  **ss** 91.7 (a ) st ates th at “ no p e rson m a y o p e r ate a c iv i l a ir c r a ft unless it is i n an a ir w orth y c ondi t ion” AerialZeus s e e k s full e x e mp t ion f r om th i s re g

ulation , since AerialZeus w i l l a c hieve a high l e v e l of s a f e t y b y using E384 O p e r a

t i ons M anu a l and M a int e n an c e M anu a l ( App e ndix D an d E ) whi c h c ontain p r e - f l i ght proto c ol for e ac h fl i ght, s a f

e t y c h ec ks, and c ompr e h e nsive m a int e n an c e pro c e dur e s. In a ddi t ion the E384 h a s a l r ea d y d e m onstr a ted the a bi l i t y to f l y s a f e l y in the N A S at the Clev e land A ir - show, and thus is a ir w orth y . **d .**  **91.9 (b)**  **– Civi**  **l Air**  **cr a**  **f t**  **F l**  **i g**  **h t**  **M a**  **nu al**  **i n**  **the Air cr**  **a f**  **t** 91.9 (b) stat e s that no p e r son m a y o p e r a te an a i r c r a ft unless the r e is a c ur re nt a ppro ve d fli ght manu a l for the a ir c r a ft o n bo ard. T he E38 4 ’s sm a ll and l i ghtw e i ght ai r f

r a me is n ot p h ysic a l l y c a

p a ble o f c ar r y i n g an a ir c r a ft f

l i ght m anu a l onbo ard. In a ddi t ion t o this the E384 is unm ann e d, and the P IC is l o cat e d at the16 ground c ontrol station. AerialZeus thus se e ks e x e mp t ion f r om the r e qui r e ment t o car r y the a ir c r a ft f

l i ght m anu a l onbo ard. AerialZeus inst ea d p ropos e s that the E384 Op e r a

t i ons M anu a l (R e fer e n c e App e ndix D ), whi c h c ontai n s info r mation norm a l l y foun d in an a ir c r a ft f l i ght m anu a l, be k e p t at the ground c ontrol station wh e re is r ea di l y a sses s a

b le to the P IC and S a f

e t y Obs e rver f

or r e f e r e n ce . I f it w e re p h ys i ca l l y poss i ble f or th e se r e quir e d d o c uments to be pla ce d onbo ard the a i r c raf

t , the P IC and S a f

e t y Obs e rv e r would h ave no me ans o f ac c e ss i ng the in f

o rm at i o n due to the f

a c t th at E3 8 4 is unm ann e d with no ai rc rew onbo ard. T h e r e fo r e , an e qu a l l e v e l of s a f e t y w ill be me e t b y k ee pi n g the E3 8 4 Op e r a t i ons M anu a l at the ground c ontrol station wh e re it will be re a di l y ac c e ss i ble ( with i n arm ’ s r e ac h ) to the P IC who is op e r a t i n g the a i r c raft, thus me e t i ng the intent of th e re g ulation. **e .**  **91.103 –**  **P re**  **f**

**l i**  **g h**  **t A c**  **tion** 9 1.103 re quir e s that the P IC be f am i l i ar w i th sp e c ific i n fo r mation be f

o r e eac h fl i ght such a s w eath e r , fo r eca st, and f ue l r e qu ir e ments. I

n a ddi t ion t o th i s the P IC must be f

a m i l i ar w i th info r

mation found w i thin the a ppro ve d f l i ght m anu a l r e lating to a ir c r a f

t p e r f o rman c e and t ak e - o ff and l anding dis t an c e s. Due to the fac t that the E384 h a s no F A A - a ppro v e d f l i ght m anu a l AerialZeus s ee ks e x e mp t ion f r om th i s r eg

ulation. AerialZeus p r opos e s to use the E384 O p e r a t i ons M anu a l ( R e f e re n c e App e ndix D ) in l i e u of an F AA - a ppro ve d f l i ght m anu a l. T his publ i cat i on h a s e x tensive pr e - fl i ght ch ec kl i s t s that include r e vie w ing w e athe r , b att e r y r e quir e ments, t ak e - o f f a n d landing dis t an c e s , and a ir c r a ft p e r fo r man c e d at a .17 The info r mation found in the E384 O p e r at i ons Manu a l i s c o mpara ble to the in f orm at i on found in a F AA - a ppro v e d f l i ght m anu a l, t o include a c ompr e h e nsive ste p - b y- s tep p r e - fl i ght c h ec kl i st. As a re sult an e qu a l l e v e l of s a f e t y will be maintain e d b y the P I C usi n g th i s public at i o n , whi c h a ddr e s s e s the i t e ms l is t e d in 91.103. **f .**  **91.109 –**  **F l**  **i g**  **h t Inst**  **r u**  **c t**  **ion** 91.109 stat e s that “ no p e r son m a y o p e r a te a c iv i l a ir c r a ft th at i s b e i n g us e d for fli ght i nstru c t i on unl e ss th at ai rc raft h a s ful l y f un c t i oning du a l c ontrol s ” . The E384 is ope rated b y the P IC thro u gh a ground c o ntro l s t at i on that c omm u nic ates with the a ir c r a ft v ia line of si ght ( L OS) tr ansm i ss i ons. The E384 b y d e s i gn do e s not have ful l y fun c t i oni n g du a l c ontrols and a s a r e sult AerialZeus s ee ks e x e mp t i on f

r om this r e g

ulation. E x e mp t ion f

r om this r e g

ulation r e quiring d

u a l c o ntrols wi l l not c r e ate a s a f e t y h a z ard b eca

u s e the E384 is unm ann e d and d o e s not car ry a pi l ot or p a sse n g ers on b o ard. In a ddi t ion the E384’s sm a ll si z e and f oam ai r f r ame is si gnifi cant l y less h a z ard o us to pe r sons and stru c tur e s on the ground than a mann e d , fi x e d - wing a ir cr a ft. B eca u s e the E384 gr ound c ontrol station consist of a RX9 c ontroll e r a

nd P C c omput e r , it will be acce s s ib l e to bo th the I nstru c t o r and S tudent at all t i m e s. The “c ontrols” c an in ess e n c e be p a ssed b a c k and fo rth b e tw ee n the I

ns tru c tor an d S tudent , ac hieving an e quival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y a s h aving two s e ts of c ontr o ls.18 **g. 91.119**  **– M**  **i n**  **i m**  **u m**  **S a**  **f e**  **Alti t**  **ud e**  91.119 e stabli s h e s the mini mum alt i tude th at civil a ir c r a ft m a y s a f e l y op e r a te at. 91.119 ( c ) s p e c ifi ca l l y stat e s that ov e r “ other than c o n g e s t e d ar e a s ” a c iv i l ai rc raft cannot op e r ate b e low an “a l t i tude of 500 fee t abo v e the sur f a c e , e x ce pt over op e n w a

t e r o r sp ars e l y populat e d are a s ( an d ) in those ca s e s, the a ir c r a ft m a y not be op e rated c loser than 500 f ee t t o an y p e rson, v e s s e l, ve h icl e , or stru c tur e” . T h e sole fun c t i on of the E384 is t o f l y a t l ow a l t i tud e s ov e r Environmental Monitoring plo t s, whi c h can be c a t e gori z e d a s “ other than c o n g e sted ar ea s ” . S mall UAS ’ , l i ke the E384, b y d e si gn are t y p i c a l l y flo w n at alt i tud e s of l e ss th an 500 f t . A G L and in close pro x i m i t y to the P IC and S a f e t y Obs e r v e r to m a int a in V L OS. AerialZeus h a s e stabli s h e d op e r a t i n g l i m i t at i ons to ac hieve the h i gh e st l e v e l of s a f e t y , sp e c ifi ca l l y that the E384 will not ope rate a bove 400 f

t . AG L and that th e E384 will remain with i n V LOS of the P I C and S a f e t y Obs e rv e r. F or these re a so n s AerialZeus s ee ks e x e mp t ion f r om this r e g u lation. I n a ddi t ion , the E384’s small s i z e and f oam ai r f r ame i s s i gnifi c ant l y less h a z ardous to pe r sons and stru c tur e s on the ground th an a mann e d, fi x e d - wing a i r c r a ft p r ovid i n g the s ame s e rvi ce . Also b y o p er a t i n g at an a l t i tude of 4 0 0 ft. A G L or l e ss the E384 w i ll be lat e r a l l y de - c onfli c ted f r o m m ann e d a ir c r a ft th at ar e subj ec t t o th i s m i ni mu

m sa f e a l t i tude re g

ulation and thus an e qu a l i f not gre ater lev e l of s a f

e t y will be maintain e d.19 **h .**  **91.121 –**  **Alti me**  **t e**  **r S**  **e t**  **tings** 91.121 re quir e s a ir c r a ft t o maintain a c ruis in g le v e l or f l i ght l e v e l i n r e fer e n c e to a c ur

re nt r ep ort e d a l t i m e ter s e tt i n g . T he E384 is not e quipped with a programm a

ble a l t i m e ter but r ather d e t e rmin e s lo c at i on and a l t i tude via an onbo ard GP S . Also s i n c e the E384 will be op e r a t i n g at or b e low 400 f

t. A G L , th e re is no n ee d to m a int a in hemisph e ri ca l c ruising a l t i tud e s for d e - c onfli c t i on with m ann e d a ir c r a ft. F o r th e se r ea so n s Aeri a lZ eus s ee ks e x e mp t ion f r om this r e g

ulation. An e qu a l l e v e l of s a f

e t y will be ac hiev e d thro u gh the E384’s G PS , whi c h provid e s a l t i tude and lo c at i on d ata to the P IC via t he gro und c ontrol s t at i o n . The E384 O p e r a

t i ons Manu a l spe c ifi ca l l y a d dr e s s e s c h e c ki n g the GPS r e a d - out t o e nsure that i t ’s with i n to l e r a n c e prior to comme n c ing fl i ght ope r at i ons. This, c omb i n e d with the f

a c t th at the a ir c r a ft ’ s a l t i tude will be visual l y mon i tor e d b y the P IC and Sa f

e t y Obs erv e r , e nsur es an e qu a l l e v e l of s a f e t y is atta i n e d in l ieu of r e fer e n c i n g an a l t i m e ter s e tt in g . F urth e rmo r e b y o p e r a t i n g at or b e low 400 f

t . A G L the E384 will not c r e ate a h a z ard to an y m a nn e d a ir c r a ft m a int a in i n g h e m i sph e ric c ru i si n g a l t i tud e s b a s e d on a c urr e nt a l t i m e ter s e tt in g . **i. 91.151**  **(a) –**  **F u**  **e l R**  **e qu**  **ir e**  **m e**  **n ts**  **f or**  **F l**  **i g**  **h t in V**  **F R**  **Con d**  **itio n**  **s** 91.151 ( a) st ates th at no p e rson m a y b e g in a fli ght in D a y V F R c ondi t ions unless the r e is eno u gh f

u e l t o f l y to the int e nd e d l anding point and f l y for 30 m i nutes a ft e r th at po i nt i s r eac h e d. The E384 is b att e ry o p e r ated and d o e s not car r y fu e l. It h a s a max i mum f l i ght t i m e of 100 minutes on f ul l y c h ar g e d b att e ri e s . Comp l ian c e with the regulation wou l d le ave the E 384 with 70 m i nutes of fli ght t i me. 70 m i nutes of fli ght t i m e would be suf f ici e nt e nou gh to acc omp l is h the task20 of im a g i n g the d e si gn ate a gri c ul tur a l p l ot but this r e striction i s not n ece ssary due to the f a c t E384 h a s the abi l i t y to l and an y wh e r e . T h e r e f

o re , AerialZeus s ee ks f ull e x e mp t ion f

r om this r e g

u lation b eca

use the risk or d ang e r a ss o c iat e d with f a i l ing to r eac h a s a f

e landi n g p oint with 30 m inut e s of e x tra “ fu e l” do e s not e x is t . The E384 do e s not h ave to r e turn to a “ landi n g point ” but r a ther c an be s a f e l y p ut down an y

wh e re ov e r an y Environmental site . An e qu a l l e v e l of s a f

e t y will be m a int a ined simply b y the f ac t th at the E384 is desi gn e d to s a f

e l y land an y

wh e re ov e r any

Environmental site in the e v e nt that the b att e r y is e x h a usted. An y risk a ssoci at e d with batte ry d ur a t i on ( f u e l) in r e lationship t o fli ght t i m e is m i t i g ated b y th e fa c t th at E384 h a s the a bi l i t y t o land an y

w h e r e and at an y g iv e n t i me. **j .**  **91.203 (a)**  **& (b)**  **– Civil**  **Air cr**  **a f**  **t: C**  **er ti**  **f ica**  **t io**  **n s**  **R e**  **qu ir**  **e m**  **e n**  **ts** 91.203 re quir e s a ll c iv i l ai rc r a ft to h av e “ with i n i t ... an a ppro p r i ate and c ur re nt a ir w orthin e ss c e rt ifi cate” that must be “ di s pl a ye d at the c a bin or c o c kpit e ntr an c e so th at i s le g ib l e to pass e ng e rs or c rew ” T he E 3 84, due to i ts s i z e and d e si gn , h a s no ca

bin or c o c kpit and the re f

o re do e s not h ave th e a

bi l i t y to a f

fix or c ar r y ce rtifi c at i on or re g is tr a t i o n do c uments. F urth e rmo r e the E3 84 do e s not c ar r y an y p a sse n g e rs o r c r e w f

or w hom the ce rtifi cat e is r e quir e d to be d ispl a ye d. AerialZeus prop o s e s that an y F AA - r e quir e d do c uments b e k e pt at the g round c ontrol s tation and that a small pla c ard be a f f i x e d to the E384 a i r f

rame w i th manu f ac tur e , re g is tr a

t i on, and c ont a c t i nfo r

mation.21 An e qu a l l e v e l of s a f

e t y will be ac hiev e d b y h av i ng an y F AA r e qui r e d do c uments lo cated at the ground c ontrol station wh e re it will be re a di l y ac c e ss i ble to the P IC and an y oth e r a g e n c ies th at m a y r e qui r e the in f orm at i on. H avi n g a pla card att ac h e d to the E 384 a ir f r a m e will a lso a l l ow an y p e rson o r a g e n c i e s to be info r med of the UAS’ o r i g in and st atus. **k .**  **P a**  **r t 91**  **Subp a**  **r t E (**  **9 1.40**  **1 -**  **91.417) –**  **M ai**  **n t**  **e n**  **a n**  **ce ,**  **P r**  **e v**  **e n**  **ta t**  **ive M**  **ai n**  **t e**  **n a**  **n ce**  **, a n**  **d Alt**  **e r**  **ations** Th e se re g u l at i o ns provid e d the m a int e n an c e and i nsp ec t i ons r e quir e m e nts in r e f e r e n c e to P art 39 an d P art 43. 91.405 (a ) sp e c ifi ca l l y stat e s that “ no p e rson m a y p e r f orm m a int e n an c e , pr e v e nt i ve m a int e n an c e , and a l t e r at i ons on an a i r c raft other than a s p r e s c ribed i n th i s subpart and oth e r appl i ca ble r e g ulations, i n c lud i ng p art 43 of th i s c h a

pt e r ” . AerialZeus s ee ks full e x e mp t ion f r om th e se re gulations due to the fac t th at an e qu a l l e v e l of s a f e t y will be ac hiev e d b y usi n g the E384 O p e r at i ons M anu a l (Re f

e r e n c e Ap p e ndix D ) a

nd E384 M a inte n an c e M anu a l ( R e f e r e n c e App e ndix E ) which p r ovide step - b y- step ins tru c t i ons on re g ular and c o r r e c t i ve mainten an c e. T h e P IC will be r e spons i ble f or c on du c t i ng mainte n an c e in acc or d an c e with these p r o ce dur e s . An y E384 ma i nten an c e th at i s not c ov e r e d in these proc e dur e s will be p e r f orm e d b y th e manu fa c tur e r . AerialZeus will e nsure that a ll mainten an c e p e r f

o rm e d on the E384 b y the P I C and manu f a c turer is do c ument e d in a c c ord a

n c e with 91.407 ( a ) (1 ) . S p ec ifi ca l l y that the r ec o rds w i l l include “ a d e s c ription of the w ork pe rf orm e d; and the d ate of c omp l e t i on of the22 wo r k p e r fo r med; and the si gn atur e ...of the p e rson a ppro v i n g the a i r c raft f

or r e turn to se r

vi c e” . T h e P IC will a

uthori z e the E384 for r e turn to s e rvi c e for a ll mainten an c e c ov e r e d in the E384 O p e r at i ons Man u a l and M a int e n an c e M anu a l and the m anufa c tur e r will a uthori z e the E384 for r e turn to se r vice for a ll mainten an c e th at i s outside the s c ope o f th e se two do c ument s . AerialZeus w i l l a lso e nsure that no mod i fi cat i ons or a l t e r a t i ons ar e m a de to the a ir f

r ame that a f f ec t the fli ght ope r at i ng c h ar ac t e r is t ics of the E384. **3. How**  **re qu**  **e st bene**  **f**

**its p**  **ub l**  **i c**  **as a w**  **h ole**  The E384 is a s a f

e , e f fi c i e nt, and an e c onom i ca l a l te r n at i ve to m ann e d, fi x e d wing a i r c r a ft that ar e c urr e nt l y b e i n g us e d to c on d u c t a e r i a l i m a g i n g of Environmental sites . Th e re are multiple r e a sons wh y th e publ i c w o uld ben e fit f r om gr ant i ng AerialZeus e x e mpt i ons f

r om th e se re g

ulations : 1) re du c e the number of m ann e d a ir cr a ft in the N A S , 2) r e du c e a ir and noise pol l ut i on, 3) r e du c e the r i sk to l i fe and p r op e rt y on the gro und, and 4) in c re a se e c ono m ic gr owth, Uti l i z ing the E384 in l ieu of a tr a di t ional mann e d, fi x e d wing a ir c r a ft w i l l r e sult in the ov e r a ll r e du c t i on of mann e d a ir c r a ft in the N AS. Thus th e re will be l e ss ai rc raft th at r e qui re c ontrol and c o o r d ination wi th Air T ra f f ic Controll e rs ( A TC). B ec ause the E384 can tak e - off and land on - si t e and op e r a t e at an a l t i tude of 400 f

t . A G L ( o r l e ss) w i thin V L OS of the P IC th e re is no n ee d for A T C to pro v ide c oordin at i on dur i n g groun d, tak e of f , d e p arture , tr ansi t , arr ival, and landing p h a s e s of f l i ght.23 At 5.9 lb s . the b att e r y o p e r a ted E384 with an e l e c tric mo t or provid e s a mu c h quiet e r a l t e r

n at i ve to m ann e d, fi x e d - wing a ir c r a ft. T ra di t ional l y a mann e d a ir c r a ft w ould h ave to tr ansit f

r om the d e p artur e a irpo rt to the d e sir e d site and f l y at low a l t i tud e s to ac hieve h i gh - r e solut ion i mag e r y . The E384 will r e quire no tr ansit t i m e , an d the e le c tric mo t or w i l l be e x pon e nt i a l l y quiet e r th an a twi n - e n g ine c ombust i on mo t or on p a sse n g e r a ir c r a ft th at i s t y

pi c a l l y u s e d to condu c t a e r i a l i m a g i n g . In a ddi t ion the E384 r e quir e s no fu e l s i n c e it is batt e r y o p e r a ted. A m ann e d a i r c r a ft on the oth e r h a nd t y pic a ll y bur

n s 20 - 30 g a l l ons of aviation fu e l per hour whi c h is po l lut ing the a ir not on l y ov e r t he si t e but ov e r the p ath of tr ansit and around the a irp o rt. Condu c t i ng a e ri a l i m a g i n g with the E384 in l ieu of a mann e d a i r c r a ft w ould thus gr eat l y re du c e both air pol l ut i on and noise pol l ut i on whi c h is of gre at ben e fit to the public. Using the E384 would a lso gr eat l y r e d u c e if not c omp l e te l y e l i m i n ate the r isk t o l i fe and p r op e rt y on th e groun d. The E384’s in c r e d ib l y small si z e , r e du ce d w e i ght, and fo a m ai r f r a me pose no h az ard to p e ople or stru c tur e s on the ground a s opp o s e d to a mann e d twin e n g i n e - p a sseng e r ai r c r a ft which h a s a much gre ater potential for c ol l at e r a l d am a g e . In a ddi t ion the E384 is unm ann e d and a s a r e sult the r isk asso c i ated w i th pi l ot i ng th i s a ir c raft is no n - e x is t e nt. Ov e r a ll the E 384 provid e s a much s a fer a l t e rn a t i ve to mann e d, fi x e d - wing a ir c r a ft op e r at i ons for the pur pose of c ol l ec t i n g a e ri a l i mag e r y . L a st l y usi n g the E384 to provide a e ri a l i m a g e r y w ould r e sult valuable Environmental data . H i gh - r e solut ion data g e n e r ated f r om E384 fli ghts would provide s c ientis t s with i nv a luable in f orm at i on on bio m a ss estimation, y i e ld m oni t orin g , le a f ar e a inde x in g , and ov e r a ll plant h ea l th. The preservation and conservation of flora and fauna are critical for economical, cultural and ethical reasons. I n order to properly mitigate the human impact on nature, there must exist the collective - will to execute smart environmental strategies.24

Itis AerialZeus intent to assist on the following Environmental strategies, a). - Establishment and rehabilitation of high quality wetlands to benefit sensitive biological re sources b). - Increase of cover, diversity and population native plant, especially those with 'special status.' c). - Manage grazing d). - Manage invasive plants e). - Improver habitat quality for native flora and fauna **4. Ad**  **d itio**  **n al**  **in f** 

**o r**  **m ation,**  **vie w**  **s, a n**  **d a**  **r g**  **u m**  **e n**  **ts** The following d o c ument s h ave b ee n i n c luded a s App e ndic e s to this P e t i t i on. These a pp e ndi ces h ave b ee n submi tted c onfi d e nt i a l l y f o r p r opri e t ar y re a sons and will not be av a i l able to the public. Team Profile ............................... . ...... ......................... . .................... . App e n d i x A AerialZeus - Organizational Chart..................................................... App e n d i x B Whitepaper - Multispectral Analy sis..................................................Appendix C E 3 8 4 O p e rat i on s M a

nu al ............................... . .............................. . App e n d i x D E 8 3 4 M ai nt e n an ce M anu a l ............................... . ............................ . App e n d i x E E v e nt 3 8 T r ai n i n g S y

ll a b u s ............................... . ...... .......................App e n d i x F Event 38 Certification for Luis Robles.............. ............................... Appendix G Pilot L og for Luis Robles.................................. ............................... Appendix H George Mason University .... .............................................................Appendix I University

of Minnesota...................................................................Appendix J Tetracam Training.................................................................. ...........Appendix K25

**5. Su**  **m m**  **a r**  **y f** 

**or F**  **e de**  **r al**  **R e**  **gist e**  **r** P ursu ant with S ec t i on 333 of the F A A Mod e rni z at ion and R e fo r m A c t of 2 012, AerialZeus , L L C r e qu e sts e x e mp t ion f r om the following Fe d e r a l Aviation Re g u l at i ons that are found und e r Tit l e 14 o f the Code of Feder a l Re g u lations: P art 21 S ubp art H, 45.23 ( b), 91.7 (a ), 91 . 9 ( b ), 91 . 10 3 , 91.109, 91.119, 91.121, 91.151 (a ), 91 . 203 ( a ) ( b ), P art 91 S ubp art E ( 91.40 1 - 91.4 1 7). E x e mp t ion f r om th e se re g

ulations would allow Aerial Zeus , L L C to ope rate the E384 Unm ann e d A e ri a l S ystem o v e r Environmental S i t e s for t he pur p ose of providing h i gh - r e solut ion a e ri a l i m a g e r y .