UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, DC

IN THE MATTER OF:

JL4, INC.

,

PETITIONER.

R e: E x e m p ti o n R e q u e s t P u r s u a n t to Secti o n 33 3 o f

t h e F AA R e f o r m A c t a n d P a r t 1 1 o f t h e Fe d e r al

A v iati o n R e g u lati on s f r o m : 1 4 C FR P a r t 2 1

su

bp a r t H

1 4 C FR 45.2 3 ( b) ; 1 4 C FR 61.11 3 ( a)

, (b) ; 1 4 C FR

91. 7 ( a); 1 4 C FR 91. 9 ( b ) ( 2 ); 1 4 C FR 91.103(b)(2);

14 CFR 91.105 ; 1 4 C FR 91.109 ; 1 4 C FR 91.11 9 ;

1 4 C FR 91.121 ; 1 4 C FR 91.15 1 ; 1 4 C FR 91.20 3 ;

1 4 C FR 91.40 5 ; 1 4 C FR 91.40 7 ; 1 4 C FR 91.40 9 ;

and 1 4 C FR 91.41 7 FAA Docket No

. : ______

_________

via Online Docketing SystemPETITION FOR EXEMPTION

JL4 , Inc., doing business as Georgia Land S urveying Company (“Petitioner”), by

and through the undersigned coun s el

, submit s this Petition for Exemption p u r su a n t to

Secti o n 33 3 o f t h e FAA M od e r n iz a ti o n a n d R e f o r m A ct o f 201 2 ( t h e “ R e f o r m A ct”) a n d 14

CFR § P a r t 11

, requesting e x e m p ti o n f r o m t h e Fe d e r al A v iati o n R e gu l a ti on s ( “ F A R s ”)

listed below to all o w c o mm e r cial op e r ati o n o f its small unmanned aircraft system (“ UAS ”)

,

because its proposed op e r ati o n s will be c o n d u c ted w i t h i n a n d u n d er t h e c o n d i ti o n s o u t li n ed

h e r ein o r as m y b e e s ta b li s h ed b y t h e Federal Aviation Administration (“ F AA”) from time

to time. Petitioner’s request for relief based on the proposed operations outlined in this

Petition would achieve a level of safety at least equal to that of th e FARs from which

exemption is sou ght, and in support thereof submits the following:

I

. SUMMARY OF REQUESTED RELIEF

As d e s c r i b ed in more detail b el o w

, t h e r e q u e s ted e x e m p t i o n w o u ld p er m it t h e

op e r ati o n o f UAS und er c o n t ro lled c o n d iti o n s i n t h e N A S t h at w o u ld b e ( a) l i m ited ( b )

c o n t ro lled ( c) pr e d ete r m i n ed a n d ( d ) w i ll pro v i d e s a f e t y e nh a n c e m e n ts to t h e al r ea d y s a f e

op e r ati o n s in t h e i n d u s t r y pr e s e n t l y u s i n g c on v e n ti o n al a i r c r a f t. A ppro v al o f t h i s

e x e m p ti o n w o u ld t h e r e b y e n h a n ce s a f e t y a n d f u l f i ll t h e Sec r eta r y o f T r a ns por tati on ’ s ( t h e

F AA A d m i n i s t r at or’ s ) r e s po ns i b ili ti es to “

... . e s ta b li s h r e q u i r e m e n ts f o r t h e s a f e op e r ati o n

o f s u c h ai r c r a f t s ys t e m s i n t h e n ati o n a l ai r s p ace s y s t e m

. ”

R e g u lati o n s f r o m w h ich t h e e x e m p ti o n is r e q u e s te d :

1 4 C FR P a r t 2 1 su bp a r t H

1 4 C FR 45.2 3 ( b)

1 4 C FR 61.11 3 ( a) , (b)

1 4 C FR 91. 7 ( a)

1 4 C FR 91. 9 ( b ) ( 2 )

1 4 C FR 91.103 (b)(2)

14 CFR 91.105

1 4 C FR 91.109

1 4 C FR 91.11 9

1 4 C FR 91.121

1 4 C FR 91.15 1

1 4 C FR 91.20 3

1 4 C FR 91.40 5

1 4 C FR 91.40 7

1 4 C FR 91.40 9

1 4 C FR 91.41 7

II

. SUMMARY OF PROPOSED OPERATIONS SUPPORTING

EXEMPTION

C o mm e r cial op e r ati o n UAS

, as d e s c r i b ed h e r ei n

, w h i c h a r e e q u i pp ed w i th

c a m e r as a n d s e ns or s

, w o u ld op e r ate in t h e f o ll o w i n g m a n n e r :

1. A e r ial p h o t o g r a ph y a n d / o r v i d eo f o r p u b lic a n d / o r pr i v ate us e i n cl u d i n g

la n d su r v e y i n g , building surveying and inspection, power line inspection,aerial photography, aerial videography, LIDAR based remote sensing,

and other similar functions.

2. The UAS weighs less than 55 pounds.

3. Flights will be planned for a duration that will allow for a battery reserve

equaling at least 25% of the battery’s capacity.

4. Fli gh t s w ill b e op e r ated at a n alti t u d e o f n o m or e t h an 400 f eet A bo v e

G rou n d L e v el ( AG L )

. 5. The UAS operator, or pilot in command (PIC)

, will meet all minimum

requirements imposed by relevant law.

6. The UAS will always be operated while in the PIC’s line of sight. A

visual observer may be used when necessary.

7. T h e op e r at o r w ill f ile F AA F o r m 7711

- 1

, o r its e q u i v al e n t

, as m od i f ied in

l i g h t o f t h e r e q u e s ted e x e m p ti o n

, w i t h t h e a ppropr i a te l o cal Fli g h t

St a n d a rd s Di s t r i ct O f f ice ( FSDO) n o m or e t h a n 7 2 h o u r s b ut n o le s s t h a n

4 8 h o u r s f r o m p l a nn ed op e r ati o n

. 8. A br ie f i n g w i ll b e p e r f or m e d r e g a rd i n g t h e p l a nn ed UAS op e r ati o n s pr i o r

t o each flight.

9. T h e op e r at o r w ill coordinate with the appropriate FSDO per current FARs

and other regulatory guidance provided by the FAA.

10. I f t h e UAS l o s e s c o mm un icati o n s o r l o s es G P S s i gn a l, t h e UAS w ill h a v e

t h e ca p a b ili t y to r et u r n to a pr e

- d ete r m i n ed l o cati o n w i t h i n a d e s i g n ated

l o cati o n a n d la n d a u t o n o m o u s l y

. 11. T h e UAS w ill h a v e t h e c a p a b ili t y to a bor t a f li g h t in ca s e o f

un pr e d icted ob s tacle s

, w e at h e r

, o r e m e r g e n cie s

.

III. UAS AND E Q U I V A LE N T L E V EL O F SA F E T Y

Petitioner’s proposed op e r ati o n s with a grant of exemptions requested herein

will be conducted with an e q u i v al e n t o r h i g h er le v el o f s a f e t y as compared to

manned aircraft operations in compliance with the same

. FAA has granted

exemptions under the Reform Act to petitioners operating the same or similar UAS

as Petitioner in: FAA Docket Numbers FAA

- 2015

- 2337 and FAA

- 2015

- 0965. The

relevant UAS safety specifications are listed below and included in Schedule A

(Description of UAS ). The UAS :

A. 1 4 CFR P a rt 2 1

, Subp a rt H : Air w o r t hine s s Cer t i f

ic at es 1 4 CFR § 91. 2 0 3 ( a

) (

1)

Petitioner requests exemption from the FARs concerning the requirement of

airworthiness certificate s because UAS size, weight, speed, operational capability,

proximity to airports and populated areas, and operation within visual line of sight does

not create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public or pose a threat

to national security.

S u bp a r t H, e n titled A i r w or t h i n e s s C e r t i f icat e s

, e s ta b li s h e s t h e pro ce d u r al

r e q u i r e m e n ts f o r t h e i s su a n ce o f ai r w or t h i n e s s ce r t i f icates a s r e q u i r ed b y F AR §91.20 3 ( a)

( 1 )

. Gi v en t h e s ize a n d l i m ited op e r ati n g a r ea a ss o ciated w ith t h e ai r c r a f t to b e u tilized b y

Petitioner

, an e x e m p ti o n f r o m P a r t 2 1 S u bp a r t H m ee t s t h e r e q u i r e m e n ts o f a n e q u i v al e n t

le v el o f s a f e t y un d er P a r t 1 1 a n d Secti o n 33 3 o f t h e R e f o r m A ct. T h e Fe d e r al A v iati o n

A ct (4 9 U

. S

. C .§447 0 1 ( f ) ) a n d Secti o n 33 3 o f t h e R e f o r m A ct bo th a u t h or ize t h e F AA to

e x e m p t ai r c r a f t f

r o m t h e r e q u i r e m e n t fo r an ai r w or t h i n e s s ce r ti f icate, u po n c o ns i d e r ati o n

o f t h e s iz e

, w e i gh t, s p ee d

, op e r ati o n al ca p a b ilit y

, a n d pr ox i m i t y to ai rpor ts a n d pop u lated

a r eas o f t h e p a r tic u lar UAS

. I n all ca s e s

, a n a n a l ys is o f t h e s e c r ite r ia d e m o ns t r at e s t h at t h e

UAS op e r ated w i t h o u t a n ai r w or t h i n e s s ce r ti f icate, i n t h e r e s t r icted e nv i ron m e n t a n du nd er t h e c o n d iti o n s propo s ed w ill b e at lea s t as s a f e, o r s a f e r

, t h an a c o nv e n ti o n al ai r c r a f t

( f

i x ed w i n g o r ro t or c r a f t) op e r ati n g w i t h an ai r w or t h i n e s s ce r t i f icate w i t h o u t t h e

r e s t r icti o n s a n d c o n d iti on s pr o po s e d.

T h e UAS to b e op e r at e d h e r e un d er is l e s s t h an 12 l b s

. f u l l y l o a d e d

, ca r r ies n eit h er a

p il o t n o r p a ss e n g e r , ca rr ies n o e x p l o s i v e m ate r ia l s o r f l a mm a b le li q u id f u e l s

, a n d op e r ates

e x cl us i v e l y w i t h i n a s ec u r ed a n d d e s i g n ated a r ea. U n li k e o t h er ci v il ai r c r a f t, op e r ati o n s

un d er t h is e x e m p t i o n w ill b e t i gh tl y c o n t ro lled a n d m o n it or ed b y bo th t h e op e r at o r a n d

un d er t h e r e q u i r e m e n ts a n d in c o m p li a n ce w i t h l o cal p u b lic s a f e t y r e q u i r e m e n t s

. T h e F AA

w ill h a v e a d v a n ce n o tice o f all op e r ati o ns

. T h e s e s a f e t y e n h a n c e m e n ts pro v i d e a g r eater

d e g r ee o f s a f e t y to t h e p u b lic a n d prop e r ty o w n e r s t h an c o nv e n ti o n al o p e r ati o n s c o n d u cted

w i t h ai r w or t h i n e s s ce r t i f icates i s s u e d un d er 1 4 CFR P a r t 2 1

, S u bp a r t H. L a s t l y

, a pp licati o n

o f t h e s e s a m e c r ite r ia d e m o ns t r at e s t h at t h e r e is n o c r e d i b le t h r eat to n ati o n al s e c u r i t y po s ed

b y t h e UAS

, d u e to its s ize, s p eed o f op e r ati o n

, l o cati o n o f op e r ati o n

, lack o f e x p l o s i v e

m ate r ials o r f l a m m a b le li qu id f u e l s

, a n d i n a b ili t y to ca rr y a su b s t a n ti a l e x te r n al l o a d

. For

these reasons, Petitioner requests an exemption from 14 CFR § 45.23(b). Furthermore,

Petitioner would be required to coordinate flights with the local FSDO

— an oversight

mechanism that greatly reduces many of the concerns with national airspace system safety

and security.

B

. 1 4 CFR § 4 5 .2 3 ( b

)

. M a r k

i ng o f t he Aircr af t

T h e r e gu lati o n r e q u i r e s : W h e n m a rk s i n c l u d e o n l y t h e R o m a n ca p ital letter " N" a n d

t h e r e g i s t r ati o n n u m b er is d i s p l a y ed o n l i m ite d

, r e s t r i c ted o r li gh t

- s por t cate g o r y ai r c r a f t

o r e x p e r i m e n tal o r pro v i s i o n al l y ce r ti f icated ai r c r a f t, t h e op e r at o r mus t a l s o d i s p l a y o n

t h at a i r c r a f t n ear each e n t r a n ce to t h e ca b i n

, c o c k p it, o r p il o t s tati o n

, in lette r s n o t le s s

t h an 2 i n c h es n o r m or e t h a n 6 i n c h e s h i g h

, t h e w ord s " li m ite d, " " r e s t r icte d

, " " li gh t

- s por t

, "

" e x p e r i m e n tal

, " o r " p r o v i s i o n al

, " as a pp lica b le. E v en t h o u g h t h e UAS w ill h a ve n o

ai r w or t h i n e s s ce r t i f icate, a n e x e m p ti o n m a y b e n ee d ed as t h e UAS w i l l h a v e n o e n t r a n ce

to t h e ca b i n , c o c k p it o r p il o t s tati o n o n w h i ch t h e w or d “ E x p e r i m e n tal” c an b e p lace d

. Gi v en t h e s ize o f t h e UAS

, t w o

- i n ch l e tte r i n g w ill b e i m p o ss i b le. T h e w or d

“ E x p e r i m e n tal” w i l l b e p laced o n t h e f us el a g e in c o m p li a n ce w i t h § 45.2 9 ( f )

. T h e

e q u i v ale n t le v el o f s a f e t y w i l l b e pro v i d ed b y h a v i n g t h e UAS m a r k e d o n its f us el a ge as

r e q u i r ed b y § 45.2 9 ( f ) w h e r e t h e p il o t, ob s e r v er a n d o t h e r s w o r k i n g w i t h t h e UAS w ill s ee

t h e i d e n t i f icati o n o f t h e UAS as “ E x p e r i m e n tal

. ” For these reasons, Petitioner requests an

exemption from 14 CFR § 45.23(b).

C. 1 4 CFR § 6 1 .1 1 3 ( a

) : P ri va t e P il o t P ri v ile g es a nd L i m i tat i o n s : P il o t in C o mm a n d.

Petitioner’s proposed operations fall within the FAA’s policy for the commercial

operation of UAS . Because the PIC or operator may lawfully operate a UAS for hire

pursuant to FAA policy

, Petitioner requests an exemption from 14 CFR § 61.113(a).

D. 1 4 CFR § 91

. 7( a

) : Ci v il Aircr af t Airw o r t hine ss

.

T h e r e gu lati o n r e q u i r e s t h at n o p e r s o n m a y op e r ate a ci v il a i r c r a f t u n le s s it is i n

ai r w or t h y c o n d iti o n

. A s t h e r e w ill b e n o ai r w or t h i n e s s ce r ti f icate i ss u ed f o r t h e ai r c r a f t,

s h o u ld t h is e x e m p ti o n b e g r a n te d

, n o F AA r e gu lat o r y s t a n d a r d w ill e x i s t fo r d ete r m i n i n g

ai r w or t h i n e s s

. Gi v e n t h e s ize o f t h e ai r c r a f t fo r m a i n t e n a n ce a n d us e o f s a f e t y c h eck l i s t s

pr i o r to each f li g h t a n e q u i v ale n t le v el o f s a f e t y w ill b e pro v i d e d

. For these reasons,

Petitioner requests an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.7(a).E. 1 4 CFR § 9 1

. 9 ( b) (2) : Ci v il Aircr af t F li

g ht M a nu a l in t he Aircr aft.

Secti o n 91. 9 (b ) (2 ) pro v i d e s : No p e r s o n m a y op e r ate a U

. S

. - r e g i s te r ed ci v il ai r c r a f t

.. . (2 ) F o r w h ich a n A i rp l a n e o r R o t or c r a f t Fli g h t M a nu a l is n o t r e q u i r ed b y § 21. 5 o f t h is

c h a p te r

, un l e s s t h e r e is a v aila b le i n t h e ai r c r a f t a c u rr e n t a ppro v ed ai rp la n e o r R o t or c r a f t

Fli g h t M a nu al, a ppro v ed m a nu al m ate r i al, m a r k i n gs

, a n d p laca rd s

, o r a n y c o m b i n ati o n

t h e r e o f

. T h e UAS

, g i v e n its s i ze a n d c o n f i g u r ati o n h a s n o a b ili t y o r p lace to ca rr y s u c h a

f l i g h t m a n u al o n t h e ai r c r a f t, n o t on l y b eca u s e t h e r e is n o p il o t o n bo a rd

, b u t b eca us e t h e r e

is n o roo m o r ca p aci t y to ca rr y s u ch a n it e m o n t h e ai r c r a f t. T h e e q u i v al e n t l e v el o f s a f e t y

w i ll b e m a i n t a i n ed b y k ee p i n g t h e f l i g h t m a n u al a t t h e g rou n d c o n t ro l po i n t w h e r e t h e

p il o t f l y i n g t h e UAS will h a v e i mm e d iate acce s s to it. For these reasons, Petitioner

requests an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.9(b)(2).

F. 1 4 CFR § 9 1 .1 0 3 : P re f

li

g ht Ac t i o n.

T h is r e gu la t i o n r e q u i r es ea c h p il o t in c o mm a n d to ta k e ce r t a in acti on s b e f or e f l i g h t

to i n s ur e t h e s a f e t y o f f l i g h t. As F AA a ppro v ed ro t o r c r a f t f l i g h t m a n u a l s w ill n o t b e

pro v i d ed f o r t h e ai r c r a f t an e x e m p ti o n w ill b e n ee d e d

. T h e P I C w ill t a k e all acti o n s

i n c l u d i n g r e v i e w i n g weat h e r

, f l i g h t b atte r y r e q u i r e m e n t s

, l a n d i n g a n d ta k e of f d i s t a n ces

a n d ai r c r a f t p e r f or m a n ce d ata b e f or e i n iti a ti o n o f f li g h t. For these reasons, Petitioner

requests an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.103.

G. 1 4 CFR §91

. 10 9 : F li

g ht I n s t ruc t i o n.

Secti o n 91.10 3 p ro v i d es t h at n o p e r s o n m a y op e r ate a ci v il a i r c r a f t ( e x ce p t a

m a nn ed f r ee b all oo n ) t h at is b ei n g us ed f o r f li g h t i ns t r u cti o n u n le s s t h at ai r c r a f t h as f u ll y

f u n cti o n i n g d u a l c o n t ro l s

. UAS a n d r e m o te l y p il o ted ai r c r a f t, b y t h eir d e s i g n d o n o t h a v e

f u l l y f un c ti o n al d u al c o n t ro l s

. Fl i g h t c o n t ro l is acc o m p l i sh ed t h rou g h t h e u s e o f a c o n t ro l

bo x t h at c o m m u n icat e s w i t h t h e ai r c r a f t v ia r a d io c o mm u n icat i o ns

. T h e FAA h as

a

ppro v ed e x e m p ti o n s f o r f li g h t t r ai n i n g w i t h o u t f u l l y fun cti o n al d u al c o n t ro ls f o r a

n u m b er o f ai r c r a f t a n d f o r f l i g h t i n s t r u c ti o n i n e xp e r i m e n tal ai r c r a f t. T h e e q u i v ale n t l e v el

o f s a f e t y pro v i d ed b y t h e f act t h a t n ei t h er a p il o t n o r p a ss e ng e r s w i l l b e ca rr ied in t h e

ai r c r a f t a n d b y t h e s ize a n d s p eed o f t h e ai r c r a f t. For these reasons, Petitioner requests

an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.109.

H. 1 4 CFR § 91

. 11 9 : M in i m u m S af

e Al t i t ude s

.

Because Petitioner intends to operate the UAS within the permissible altitudes

specified in the blanked COA for UAS or any subsequent COA, Petitioner requests

exemption from the minimum safe altitude regulations contained in 14 CFR § 91.119.

I. 1 4 CFR § 91

. 12 1 Al t i m e t er Se tt in g s

.

T h is r e gu la t i o n r e q u i r es ea c h p e r s o n op e r ati n g an ai r c r a f t to m ai n tain c r u i s i n g

alti t u d e b y r e f e r e n ce to an alt i m eter t h at is s et “

... to t h e e l e v ati o n o f t h e d e p a r t u r e ai rpor t

o r an a pp r opr iate alti m eter s e tti n g a v a i la b le b e f or e d e p a r t u r e

. ” A s t h e UAS m a y n o t h a v e

a b a r o m et r ic a lt i m ete r

, b u t i n s tead a G P S altit u d e r ead o u t, an e x e m p ti o n m a y b e n ee d e d

. An e q u i v al e n t le v e l o f s a f e t y w i l l b e ac h ie v ed b y t h e op e r at or

, p u r su a n t to t h e s a f e t y

c h e c k li s t a n d li v e f l i g h t d ata m o n i t or i n g

, c o n f i r m i n g t h e alti t u d e o f t h e la u n c h s i te

sh o w n o n t he G P S altit u d e i n d icat o r b e f or e f li g h t. For these reasons, Petitioner requests

an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.121.J. 1 4 CFR § 9 1 .1 5 1(a ) : F uel Requir e m e n t s fo r F li

g ht in V F

R C o ndi t i o ns

Secti o n 91.15 1 ( a ) p r o h i b its an i n d i v i d u al f r o m b e g i n n i n g “a f l i gh t i n a n ai rp la n e

u n d er VFR c o n d iti o n s un l e s s ( c on s i d e r i n g w i n d a n d for eca s t w ea t h er c o n d iti on s ) t h e r e is

e n ou g h f u el to f l y to t h e f i r s t po i n t o f i n t e n d ed la n d i n g

, a n d

, a s s u m i n g n o r m al c ru i s i n g

s p eed

– (1 ) D u r i n g t h e d a y

, to f l y a f ter t h at f o r at lea s t 30 m i nu t e s ; o r (2 ) A t n i g h t, to f l y

a f

ter t h at f o r at lea s t 4 5 m i n u t e s

.

T h e b atte r y p o w e r i n g t h e UAS pro v i d es a ppro x i m ate l y 22 m i n u t e s o f p o w e r ed

f l i g h t. T o m eet t h e 30 m i nu te r e s e r v e r e q u i r e m e n t i n 1 4 C FR §91.1 5 1

, UAS f l i g h t s

w o u ld b e l i m ited to a ppro x i m ate l y 10 m i nu t e s i n le n g t h

. Gi v e n t h e l i m itati o n s o n t h e

UAS ’ s propo s ed f li g h t a r ea a n d t h e l o cati o n o f its propo s ed op e r ati o n s w i t h i n a

pr e d ete r m i n ed a r ea, a l o ng er t i m e f r a m e f o r f l i g h t in d a y li g h t o r t w il i g h t V F R

c o n d iti o n s i s r ea s o n a b le.

Petitioner requests exemption from 1 4 C F R §91.1 5 1 ( a) because public safety and

the safety of the national airspace system is not compromised under Petitioner’s proposed

operations. This request has also been granted by the FAA under pr i o r Section 333

e x e m p ti o ns . O p e r ati n g t h e s m all U AS, in a ti g h t l y c o n t ro lled a r ea w h e r e o n l y p e op le

a n d prop e r ty o w n e r s o r o ff icial r e pr e s e n tati v e s w h o h a v e s i gn ed w ai v e r s w ill b e

all o w e d

, w i th le s s t h a n 3 0 m i nu t e s o f r e s e r v e f u el, do es n o t e n g e n d er t h e t y p e o f r i s k s

t h at Secti o n 91.151( a ) w a s i n t e n d ed to alle v iate g i v e n t h e s i ze a n d s p eed o f t h e s m all

U AS. A dd iti o n al l y

, li m it i n g UAS f li g h t s to 1 0 m i nu t e s w o u ld g r eat l y r e d u ce t h e u tili t y

f o r w h ich t h e e x e m p ti o n w i ll b e g r a n te d

. Petitioner b eli e v es t h at a n e q u i v a le n t l e v el o f

s a f e t y c a n b e ac h ie v ed b y l i m i t i n g f l i gh t s to 17 m i n u tes o r 25 % o f b atte r y p o w e r

—

w h ic h e v er h a pp e n s f i r s t. T h is r e s t r icti o n w o u ld b e m or e t h a n a d e q u ate to r et u r n t h e

UAS to its p la n n ed la n d i n g z o n e f r o m a ny w h e r e in i t s l i m ited op e r ati n g a r ea. For these

reasons, Petitioner requests an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.151(a).

K. 1 4 CFR § 91

. 20 3 (a ) a nd ( b

) : C a rr y ing Ci v il Aircr a f

t Cer t i f

ic at i o n a nd Re g i

s t r at i on

T h e r e gu lati o n pro v i d es i n p e r ti n e n t p a r t:

( a) E x ce p t as pro v i d ed in § 91 .715

, n o p e r s o n m a y op e r ate a ci v il

ai r c r a f t u n le s s it h a s w i t h in it t h e f o ll o w i n g :

(1 ) A n a ppropr iate a n d c u rr e n t ai r w or t h i n e s s ce r ti f icate.

. . .

(b ) No p e r s o n m a y op e r ate a ci v il ai r c r a f t u n le s s t h e ai r w or t h i n e s s

ce r t i f icate r e q u i r ed b y p a r a g r a p h ( a) o f t h is s ecti o n o r a s p ecial f l i g h t

a u t h or izati o n i s su ed u n d er §91.71 5 is d i s p l a y ed at t h e ca b in o r c o c k p it

e n t r a n ce s o t h at it i s le g i b le to p a ss e n g e r s o r c r e w

.

T h e UAS f u l l y l o a d ed w e i g h s n o m or e t h a n 5 5 l b s

. a n d is op e r ated w i t h o u t an

o n bo a r d p il o t. A s s u c h

, t h e r e is n o a b ili t y o r p lace to c a rr y ce r t i f icati o n a n d r e g i s t r at i o n

do c u m e n ts o r to d i s p l a y t h e m o n t h e UAS

. An e q u i v al e n t le v e l o f s a f e t y w i l l b e ac h ie v ed

b y k ee p i n g t h e s e do c u m e n ts at t h e g r o un d c o n t ro l po i nt w h e r e t h e p il o t f l y i n g t h e UAS

w ill h a v e i m m e d iate acce s s to t h e m

, to t h e e x t e n t t h e y a r e a pp lica b le to t h e UAS . For

these reasons, Petitioner requests an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.203(a) and (b).L. 1 4 CFR § § 91

. 40 5 (a ) ; 4 0 7 ( a

) (1) ; 4 0 9 ( a

) (

2

) ; 4 17 ( a

) and ( b

) : M a in t en a nce

I

n s

pec t i o n s

.

T h e s e r e gu lati o n s r e q u i r e t h at an ai r c r a f t op e r at o r o r o w n er “ sh all h a v e t h at ai r c r a f t

i n s p ec t ed as pr e s c r i b ed in s u bp a r t E o f t h is p a r t a n d s h all b e t w e e n r e q u i r ed i ns p ecti o ns

,

e x ce p t as pro v i d ed in p a r a g r a p h ( c) o f t h i s s ecti o n

, h a v e d i s c r e p a n ci e s r e p ai r ed as

pr e s c r i b e d in p a r t 4 3 o f t h i s c h a p te r

... , ” a n d o t h e r s sh all i ns p ect o r m a i n ta i n t h e ai r c r a f t in

c o m p li a n ce w i t h P a r t 43

.

Gi v e n t h at t h e s e s ecti o n a n d P a r t 4 3 a p p ly o n l y to ai r c r a f t w i th an ai r w or t h i n e s s

ce r t i f icate, t h e s e s ec t i o n s w i l l n o t a pp l y to t h e Petitioner

. Mai n t e n a n ce w i ll b e

acc o m p l i sh ed b y t h e op e r at o r p u r su a n t to t h e f l i g h t m a n u al a n d op e r ati n g h a n dboo k

. An

e q u i v al e n t le v e l o f s a f e t y w ill b e ac h i e v ed b eca us e t h e s e s m a ll U A S s a r e v e r y l i m ited in

s ize a n d w i ll ca rr y a s m a l l p a y l o ad a n d op e r ate o n l y in r e s t r icted a r eas f o r l i m ited p e r i od s

o f t i m e. I f m e c h a n ical i s s u es a r i s e t h e UAS can l a n d i mm e d iate l y a n d w ill b e op e r ati n g

f r o m n o h i g h er t h an 40 0 f eet A G L

. T h e op e r at o r w ill e n s u r e t h at t h e UAS i s in w ork i n g

ord er pr i o r to i n itiat i n g f l i g h t, p e r f o r m r e q u i r ed m a i n t e n a n ce, a n d k eep a l o g o f a n y

m a i n te n a n ce p e r f o r m e d

. Mor e o v e r

, t h e operator is the person m o s t f a m iliar w i t h t h e

ai r c r a f t a n d b e s t s u ited to m a i n ta i n t h e ai r c r a f t i n an ai r w or t h y c o n d iti o n to pro v i d e t h e

e q u i v ale n t l e v el o f s a f e t y

.

An e q u i v al e n t le v e l o f s a f e t y w i l l b e ac h ie v ed b eca u s e m a i n te n a n ce a n d

i n s p ecti o n s w i ll b e p e r f or m ed i n acc ord a n ce w i t h t h e UAS M a n u f ac t u r e r ’s Ma n u al, as

r e f e r e n ced in t h e A i r c r a f t O p e r ati on s M a n u al ( A O M)

. A s pro v i d ed in t h e F O M

, t h e

op e r at o r w i ll e n su r e t h at t h e UAS i s i n w o r k i n g ord er pr i o r to i n itia t i n g f li g h t a n d

p e r f o r m r e q u i r ed m ai n te n a n ce n ee d e d

. For these reasons, Petitioner requests an

exemption from 14 CFR §§ 91

. 40 5 (a ) ; 4 0 7 ( a ) (1) ; 4 0 9 ( a ) ( 2 ) ; 4 17 ( a ) and ( b ).

IV. REGARDING THE UAS PILOT IN COMMAND

Petitioner is committed making safety of the national airspace and public safety a

priority. Petitioner will only utilize the services of UAS operators for its commercial

flights that have demonstrated proficiency in UAS operations and meet the minimum

qualifications required by law. The relief requested in this section is bifurcated with the

relief in section B being requested in anticipation of possible PIC requirements the FAA

may include in its order.

Petitioner’s proposed operations can be carried out by a PIC holding a Student

Certificate without compromising public safety and the safety of the national airspace

system. 1 The Student Certificate is the most appropriate certificate for Petitioner’s

proposed UAS operations due to:

(1) the minimal imposition on navigable airspace;

(2) cooperation with FSDO prior to operations;

(3) the lack of any people onboard the UAS;

1 Petitioner asserts, as many other petitioners have, that its proposed operations can be carried out safely

without using an operator that possesse s an FAA

- issued airman certificate; however, the FAA’s policy

interpretation that it is not permitted to authorize an operator to control an aircraft in the national airspace

without an airman certificate gives rise to this request for the airman certifica te that bears the closest

resemblance to the degree of aeronautical knowledge and proficiency necessary for Petitioner to operate a

UAS with the same degree of safety as a traditional aircraft. It is Petitioner’s position that the foregoing

statement is c onsistent with the policy outlined in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for UAS regulations.(4) the majority of operations being conducted over uninhabited and unimproved

land;

(5) the UAS being battery powered rather than combustible fuel pr opelled;

(6) the widely accepted practice of the public operating the same or similar UASs

in the same application for non

- commercial purposes with no formal training or

certificate;

(7) the relative ease of familiarization with UAS technology as contra sted with

traditional aircraft; and

(8) the greatly reduced implications of a UAS incident as contrasted with a

traditional aircraft.

The level of aeronautical knowledge experience, and training attributable to a

student pilot of a traditional aircraft operating in a variety of controlled airspaces with

advanced technological systems is adequate to facilitate Petitioner’s safe operation of

UAS while adhering to the United States legislature’s mandate that all aircraft oper ators

in the national airspace must be certificated. Should a more advanced degree of

certification be required, the result would cause undue economic hardship given the

Petitioner’s options would be limited to hiring a licensed pilot or sending Petitione r’s

agents through a more advanced level of flight training than would be required. A

requirement that a certificate more advanced than a Student Certificate could arguably be

arbitrary and capricious as the proposed regulations for UAS operation in the U AS Notice

of Proposed Rulemaking is substantially less burdensome than even a Light Sport or

Recreational Certificate. Requiring such certificates could diminish Petitioner’s ability to

engage in the very types of operations supported by the legislature b y making it either

economically impracticable or causing Petitioner’s employees to spend more time on

airman certification than will likely be required by the permanent UAS regulations. The

current regulatory framework governing the oversight of commerci al civil UAS operation

provides an adequate level of accountability as the requests of this Section are applied to

Petitioner’s proposed operations. Petitioner also submits the foregoing in support of

requiring a valid driver’s license with self

- certificat ion of medical fitness as an alternative

to a Medical Certificate.

V. PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC BENEFIT

Public safety is dramatically improved by Petitioner’s proposed operations because

the UAS can perform inspection s and surveying functions in dangerous environments

including, but not limited to, hazardous waste accidents; natural disasters; and areas

where ongoing hostile or criminal events are occurring. These types of dangerous

environments typically put emergency response personnel in da nger of physical harm.

Petitioner’s proposed operations benefit the public by gather information despite these

harms and improves public safety by mitigating the need for personnel to be on the

scene.

Petitioner’s proposed operations will improve publi c safety and provide a public

benefit because the UAS will not emit pollutants like larger aircraft. The public will

also benefit from reduction in noise pollution because Petitioner’s use of a UAS over a

traditional manned aircraft.

VI. CONCLUSIONPetitioner respectfully requests that this exemption be grated due to its s ati s f acti o n

o f the c r ite r ia pro v i d ed in Secti o n 33 3 o f t h e R e f or m A ct o f 201 2 . The extent of relief

requested by Petitioner is for exemption from all regulations listed above in full subject to

conditions or partial denials, if any, prescribed by the FAA as it has done for the substantially

similar petitions for exemption noted ab ove

.

Respectfully submitted

,

HARDY LAW, LLC

By: /s/

Jason Kemp

Attorney for PetitionerSCHEDULE A

Schedule 1

- UAS Description

Item Description

Full Legal Name of UA Manufacturer or Builder Turbo Ace

sUA Model Designation Matrix

- S

Serial No. JL4

- 1

Class (Airplane, Airship, Rotorcraft, Gyroplane, Ducted Fan) Rotorcraft

sUA Maximum Takeoff Weight 11 lbs

Category (Land, Sea, or Both) Land

Name of Engine Manufacturer Turbo Ace

Engine Model Designation TA

- MAT

- 13

Engine Serial

- Numbers (if none shown, enter 'none') None

Number of Engines 4

Engine Power Output (given in HP or Lbs. Thrust) 7.4 pounds of thrust

Engine Type (2 or 4 Cycle Reciprocating, Electric,

Turbo

- Fan/Prop/Shaft/Jet) Electric

FAA Registration No. To be determined:

Application submitted

to FAA Registration

Division