Re: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act of the Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R. Part 21; 14 C.F.R.

61.113(a)&(b); 91.7(a); 91.9(b) (2); 91.109; 119.121; 91.151(a); 91.203(a)&(b); 91.405(a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409(a) (2); 91.417(a)&(b)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I, James Hamlin, am writing pursuant to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and the procedures contained within 14 C.F.R. 11, to

request that I, James Hamlin , an owner and operator of small unmanned aircraft, be exempted from the Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”)

listed below so that I, James Hamlin , may operate my small ultra light weight unmanned aircraft system (“UAS”) commercially in airspace

regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”).

Granting my, James Hamlin, request comports with the Secretary of Transportation’s (FAA Administrator’s) responsibilities and authority to not

only integrate UAS's into the national airspace system, but to “...establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems [UAS's] in

the national airspace system” under Section 333(c) of the Reform Act specific to the use of UAS's for commercial photography. Further I, James

Hamlin, will conduct my operations in compliance with the protocols described herein or as otherwise established by the FAA.

For the reasons stated below I, James Hamlin, respectfully request the grant of an exemption allowing me to operate ultra light weight, remote

controlled UAS’s for commercial aerial photography/videography/cinematography including motion picture and closed set television production.I. 

Contact Information:

James Hamlin dba DOP Media llc 

100 Rosemary Ct Warner Robins GA 31088 

jhamlinjr@gmail.com

II. The Specific Sections of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations From Which James Hamlin Requests Exemption are:

14 CFR 21; 

14 C FR 61.113 (a) (1); 

14 C FR 409 (a)(2);and,14 C FR 417 (a)& (b)

III. The Extent of relief James Hamlin seeks and the Reason He Seeks Such Relief:

I, James Hamlin, submit this application in accordance with the Reform Act, 112 P.L. 95 §§ 331-334, seeking relief from any currently applicable

FARs operating to prevent me, James Hamlin, contemplated commercial cinematic, academic and other flight operations within the national

airspace system. The Reform Act in Section 332 provides for such integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into our national airspace

system as it is in the public’s interest to do so. My, James Hamlins , ultra light weight UAS meets the definition of “small unmanned aircraft” as

defined in Section 331 and therefore the integration of my ultra light weight UAS is expressly contemplated by the Reform Act. I would like to

operate my ultra light weight UAS prior to the time period by which the Reform Act requires the FAA to promulgate rules governing such craft.

The Reform Act guides the Secretary in determining the types of UAS's that may operate safely in our national airspace system. Considerations

include: The weight, size, speed and overall capabilities of the UAS's; Whether the UAS will be operated near airports or heavily populated

areas; and, Whether the UAS will be operated by line of sight. 112 P.L. 95 § 333 (a). Each of these items reflect in favor of an exemption for me,

James Hamlin. My UAS utilizes eight (8) counter-rotating propellers for balance, control and stability. My UAS is equipped with GPS and auto

return safety technology. Weighing less than five (13) pounds (far below the maximum 55 pound limit); including camera with gimbal.

I, James Hamlin, consider safety as foremost with each flight. My UAS is designed to hover in place via GPS and operate in less than a 20 knot

wind. For safety, stability and fear of financial loss I will not fly in winds exceeding 10 KPH. Built in safety systems include a GPS mode that

allows my UAS to hover in place when radio controls are released. . When pilot communication is lost UAS is designed slowly descend to point

of take off. I do not operate my UAS near airports, Hospitals nor Police heliports, and do not operate near areas where general

public is within fifty to one hundred (50-100) yards depending on location, conditions and weather. . When pilot communication is lost my UAS is

designed to slowly descend to the point of take off. I do not operate my UAS near airports, hospitals nor police heliports, and do not operate near area

where general public is within fifty to one hundred (50-100) yards depending on location, conditions and weather. Utilizing battery power rather

than combustible fuels, flights generally last between three (3) to seven (7) minutes, with an altitude under one hundred fifty (200) feet AGL. I,

James Hamlin, will operate my UAS with a fully charged battery and will ensure there is enough power to return to the original starting

destination with 2 minutes reserve on a battery as tested lasting 15 minutes.

IV. How James Hamlin’s Request Will Benefit the Public As A Whole:

Aerial videography is traditionally achieved using small single engine aircraft equipped with large cameras. In order to achieve a clear picture,

the pilot is tasked with performing ground reference maneuvers at around 1000ft AGL. By utilizing a UAS for this function, pilots reduce the risk

of damages to persons or property in the event of an in flight emergency. Congress has already proclaimed that it is in the public’s interest to

integrate commercially flown UAS's into the national airspace system, hence the passing of the Reform Act.

V. Reasons Why Shanon James Hamlin's Exemption Will Not Adversely Affect Safety Or How The Exemption Will Provide a Level of

Safety At Least Equal To Existing Rule:

I, James Hamlin, believe that by allowing this exemption, it will create the beginning framework for other UAS enthusiasts to operate their aircraft

in a much more regulated and safer environment. By creating laws and regulations for commercial UAS use, it will legitimize the industry and

create a clear path for safer aviation.

I have the knowledge and skills to understand the intricacies of locating and flying in different air spaces. I have set standards and practices that

allow for a much safer use than the average UAS hobbyist. My UAS is equipped with fail safe programming that allows it to fly and return safely

if the pilot were to become incapacitated, or the connection was lost.
A. 14 C.F.R. 21 and 14 C.F.R. 91: Airworthiness Certificates, Manuals and The Like. 14 C.F.R. 21, Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, sets 

exempt aircraft from the airworthiness certificate requirement under both the Act (49 U.S.C. § 44701 (f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act. Both

pieces of legislation permit the FAA to exempt UAS's from the airworthiness certificate requirement in consideration of the weight, size, speed,

maneuverability and proximity to areas such as airports and dense populations. My, James Hamlin’s current and projected UAS's meet or

exceed each of the elements.

14 C.F.R. 91.7(a) prohibits the operation of an aircraft without an airworthiness certificate. As no such certificate will be applicable in the form

contemplated by the FARs, this Regulation is inapplicable.

14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b) (2) requires an aircraft flight manual in the aircraft. As there are no on board pilots or passengers, and given the size of the

UAS's, this Regulation is inapplicable. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by maintaining a safety/flight manual delineating areas of where s

 Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299, 9299A, 9565, 9565B, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 10700 and 32827.

14 C.F.R. § 91.121 regarding altimeter settings is inapplicable insofar as my UAS utilizes electronic global positioning systems with a barometric

sensor.

14 C.F.R. § 91.203 (a) and (b) provides for the carrying of civil aircraft certifications and registrations. They are inapplicable for the same reasons

described above. The equivalent level of safety will be achieved by maintaining any such required certifications and registrations by me, James 

Hamlin

.

14 C.F.R. § 45.23: Marking of The Aircraft.

Applicable Codes of Federal Regulation require aircraft to be marked according to certain specifications. My UAS are, by definition, unmanned.

They therefore do not have a cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which to mark certain words or

phrases. Further, two-inch lettering is difficult to place on such small aircraft with dimensions smaller that minimal lettering requirement.

Regardless, I will mark its UASs in the largest possible lettering by placing the word “EXPERIMENTAL” on its fuselage as required by 14 C.F.R.

§45.29 (f) so that I the pilot, or anyone assisting me as a spotter with the UAV will see the markings. The FAA has previously issued exemptions

to this regulation through Exemptions Nos. 8738, 10167, 10167A and 10700.

14 C.F.R. § 61.113: Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: PIC.

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. §§ 61.113 (a) & (b), private pilots are limited to non- commercial operations. I, James Hamlin, can achieve an equivalent

level of safety as achieved by current regulations because my UAS does not carry any pilots or passengers. The risks attended to the operation

of my UAS is far less than the risk levels inherent in the commercial activities outlined in 14 C.F.R. § 61, et seq. Thus, allowing me, James

Hamlin, to operate my UAS meet and exceed current safety levels in relation to 14 C.F.R. §61.113 (a) & (b).

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

14 C.F.R. § 91.119 prescribes safe altitudes for the operation of civil aircraft. It allows helicopters to be operated at lower altitudes in certain

conditions. My UAS will never operate at an altitude greater than 200 AGL; safely below the standard of 400 AGL. I, James Hamlin, will however

operate my UAS in safe areas away from public and traffic, providing a level of safety at least equivalent to or below those in relation to

minimum safe altitudes. Given the size, weight, maneuverability and speed of my UAS, an equivalent or higher level of safety will be achieved.

14 C.F.R. 91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (2); 417(a) & (b): Maintenance Inspections.

C. D. E.

The above-cited Regulations require, amongst other things, aircraft owners and operators to “have [the] aircraft inspected as prescribed in

subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired

as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter. . . .”

These Regulations only apply to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate. They

will not, therefore, apply to my, James Hamlin’s, UAS.

14 C.F.R. 21 and 14 C.F.R. 91: Airworthiness Certificates, Manuals and The Like.

14 C.F.R. 21, Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, sets forth requirements for procurement of necessary airworthiness certificates in

relation to FAR § 91.203(a)(1). The size, weight and enclosed operational area of my UAS permits exemption from Part 21 because my, James

Hamlin’s, UAS meets an equivalent level of safety pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act. The FAA is authorized to exempt aircraft from the

airworthiness certificate requirement under both the Act (49 U.S.C. § 44701 (f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act. Both pieces of legislation

permit the FAA to exempt UAS's from the airworthiness certificate requirement in consideration of the weight, size, speed, maneuverability and

proximity to areas such as airports and dense populations. My UAS meets or exceeds each of the elements. 14 C.F.R. 91.7(a) prohibits the

operation of an aircraft without an airworthiness certificate. As no such certificate will be applicable in the form contemplated by the FARs, this

Regulation is inapplicable. 14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b) (2) requires an aircraft flight manual in the aircraft. As there are no pilots or passengers, and

given the size of the UAS's, this Regulation is inapplicable. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by maintaining a manual. The FAA has

previously issued exemptions to this regulation in Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299, 9299A, 9565, 9565B, 10167, maintenance program

that involves regular software updates and curative measures for any damaged hardware. Therefore, an equivalent level of safety will be

achieved.
In summary, James Hamlin/DOP Media llc seeks an exemption from the following Regulations: 

14 C.F.R. 21, subpart H; 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. § 91.103(b); 

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) and (b); 14 C.F.R. § 91.405 (a); 

14 C.F.R. § 91.407 (a)(1); 14 C.F.R. § 91.409 (a)(2); 14 C.F.R. § 91.409 (a ) (2); and, 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.417 (a) & (b) to commercially operate my, 

James Hamlin's, small unmanned vehicle/lightweight unmanned aircraft vehicle in thereby enhance safety. 

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Regards,

James Hamlin dba DOP Media llc