Epic Aerial

Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual

Epic Aerial

2033 Oxford St

Edmond OK 73013

(405)820-6716

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Epic Aerial

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 3

A. Purpose 3

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 3

C. Persons Authorized 3

D. Area of Operations 3

E. Plan of Activities 4

F. Permission to Operate 4

G. Security 5

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 5

I. Certification/Airworthiness 6

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 7

K. Communications 8

L. Accident Notification 8

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 8

N. Aerobatic Competency 8

O. Aerobatic Competency 8

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 9

B. Pilot in Command 10

Appendix A

1. List of Approved Pilots 11

2. List of Approved Aircraft 11

3. Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 12

4. Revision Letter (sample) 13

Appendix B

1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 14

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1. Introduction 

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by “Epic Aerial", hereafter 

referred to as “Epic Aerial", in conjunction with an application 

for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the provisions of 

FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. Epic Aerial 

pilot(s) and other company personnel, when applicable will 

comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this 

manual, whenever motion picture or television flight operations 

are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as 

mentioned above.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

Chad Vaughn - Pilot

Epic Aerial

2033 Oxford St.

Edmond OK 73013

C. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, 

vehicles and structures directly involved in the performance of 

the actual filming. The certificate holder shall ensure that no 

persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming 

production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 

feet if an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the 

Administrator has approved it. For example, an equivalent 

level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the 

filming production area to note terrain features, obstructions, 

buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating 

persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris 

in the event of an accident.

D. Area of Operations

Epic Aerial's approved area of operations will be the 

continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.

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E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Epic 

Aerial will submit a written plan of activities to the local FSDO 

having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of activities should 

include the following:

(1) Dates and times for all flights.

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the 

filming production event.

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft.

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used 

and type of airworthiness certificate, including category.

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

production event, including any notation of external load 

endorsements or aerobatic competency, if required.

(6) A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission 

from property owners and/or local officials to conduct the 

filming production event. The list of those who gave permission 

must be made available to the inspector upon request from the 

waiver holder.

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative.

(8) A description of the flight activity including maps or 

diagrams of any area, city, town, county, and/or State over 

which filming will be conducted and the minimum altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operations.

The three (3) day notification equipments may be waived, 

however, the operator should contact the FSDO as soon as 

possible with this request and be prepared to explain in detail 

why the three (3) day notification is not practical.

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet 

under the provisions of the certificate of waiver and this 

manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these 

operations from property owners and local officials as 

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necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may 

be required are listed below:

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government (5) Air traffic 

control

The Epic Aerial personnel obtaining such permission will do so 

in writing whenever practical, however, verbal permission is 

acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is provided 

in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written 

permission. Epic Aerial personnel will assure a sufficient 

number of those forms are available at the job site. Written 

permission forms will be maintained at the job site until flight 

operations are completed, and then turned into the chief pilot 

to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms 

will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other 

official personnel upon request.

G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with 

appropriate production personnel to devise a plan of securing 

the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons and 

vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue 

operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any 

other reason in the interest of safety.

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this 

manual, the pilot in command will conduct a briefing of all 

procedures to participating personnel of the risks involved, 

emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during 

the filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on 

additional provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has 

geographic responsibility for the operational area, including the 

location of boundaries or time limits. The briefing shall cover:

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• Authorization for motion picture and television 

certificate of waiver and the attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting • Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming 

production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .

119 (b) and (c) for the purpose of filming will be properly 

certified and hold airworthiness certificates. However, 

restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming 

"vehicle" in motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft 

in the experimental category must have an airworthiness 

certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order to be 

used in motion picture and television filming. The aircraft will 

be 100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and 

inspections (transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per 

Part 91 when necessary. Each aircraft will have a flight log 

containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and inspections 

and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for 

discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in 

command will assure the aircraft to be flown is in airworthy 

condition and all required inspections and maintenance has 

been completed before each flight.

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J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot 

requirements. Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the 

following:

(1) A minimum of a current Sport Pilot Certificate with ratings 

appropriate to the category, class and type (if applicable) of 

aircraft to be used under the terms of the waiver.

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

logged as the PIC in the aircraft type.

(3) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of 

aircraft to be used.

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

used under the waiver.

(5) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard 

contained in the 14 CFR 91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot 

performing aerobatic maneuvers must hold FAA Form 8710-7, 

Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to perform the operations.

(6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains 

elements of an external-load operation, whether fixed or rotary 

wing operations, pilots used in the operation shall be qualified. 

This qualification may be obtained through a knowledge test 

(which may be oral and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or 

another company pilot approved by the geographically 

responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads externally will 

give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements and 

cover the following subjects:

(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, 

including a survey of the Flight area.

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

external load.

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion 

picture operating

procedures and the aircraft flight manual.

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew 

personnel.

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(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or 

a rotorcraft-load combination flight manual and 

limitations, if appropriate.

K. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the 

pilot in command will formulate a plan to provide 

communications capability to all participants during the actual 

operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications 

may be used as long as it is effective and is capable of 

keeping the participants continuously appraised of the current 

status of the operation.

L. Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the 

NTSB occur, the notification requirements of FAR Part 830 

would comply.

M. Recall/Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be 

utilized to keep the participants continuously apprised of the 

current status of operation.

N. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 

8710-7, Statement of Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 

5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a Statement of Aerobatic 

Competency.

O. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Epic 

Aerial motion picture and television operations manual is the 

primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be 

jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or 

waiver will only be those specified in the Epic Aerial motion 

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picture and television operations manual (“Appendix A”) or 

associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name and certificate 

number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil 

aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be 

available for FAA inspection before the scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized 

under this certificate understands the conditions of issuance, 

and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) . (see 

attached document under “Appendix B”)

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a 

manner that will prevent unauthorized persons from entering 

the takeoff and landing area.

Epic Aerial will ensure that the participating persons involved in 

the operations are thoroughly briefed on special procedures, 

communication, emergency procedures, and on the provisions 

of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the 

activities. No person may participate in any event unless that 

person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver.

2. Company Organization 

A. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures 

concerning this manual.

• Act as liaison between Epic Aerial and the FAA on matter 

concerning this manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this 

manual and obtain a signed statement from each that they 

have read and understand its contents.

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of 

operations for Epic Aerial.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are 

distributed and processed properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation 

performed by Epic Aerial under the provisions of this 

manual.

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• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting 

as such.

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel 

but retains responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and 

all inspections and required maintenance have been 

performed as per appropriate FAR’s.

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation 

under the provisions of this manual.

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and 

abide by the procedures, policies and conditions contained 

herein.

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate 

plans, routes, locations, etc. with safety of all persons 

involved as the primary concern.

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and 

have it on site at any job or operation requiring the waiver.

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other 

personnel, but retains responsibility.

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Appendix A.1

List of Approved Pilots

Chad Vaughn - Pilot

Epic Aerial

2033 Oxford St.

Edmond OK 73013

(843)-754-4188

Appendix A.2

List of Approved Aircraft - Make and Model

1. DJI S1000 (Unmanned Aircraft System)

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Appendix A.3

Epic Aerial

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Epic Aerial 

permission to operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from 

property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for 

or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television 

production.

Name: ____________________________________________

Title: _____________________________________________

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

__________________________________________________

Location: __________________________________________

Date of Operation: ___________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________ 

Date: _____________________________________________

Epic Aerial

 Representative Receiving Permission: 

__________________________________________________

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Appendix A.4

Revision Letter

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

R • Remove and Replace D • Delete and Destroy N • Insert New Page

Manual Serial# ___________________ 

Issued To ___________________________

Revised By _________________________________

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than 

_____________________________

Revision# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

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Appendix B .1

(see attached form 7711-2)

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