Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Joseph A. Oleske 

2312 Forest Circle • Toms River, NJ 08755

(732) 236-1834 • drjoehd@gmail.com

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

C. Persons Authorized 

D. Area of Operations 

E. Plan of Activities 

F. Permission to Operate 

G. Security 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

K. Communications 

L. Accident Notification 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

N. Aerobatic Competency 

O. Aerobatic Competency 

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 

B. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A

1 List of Approved Pilots 

2 List of Approved Aircraft 

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

Appendix B

1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 
1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed 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. Pilots 

and other 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

Joseph Oleske - Pilot

2312 Forest Circle

Toms River, NJ 08755

(732) 236-1834 cell

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

Our approved operating area will be the continental United States

E. Plan of Activities

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

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 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 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. H5 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. A 25 foot diameter “exclusion zone” for TO/LA is to be marked, using cones or 

other devices. Only the pilot and observer are allowed within the exclusion zone. 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:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the attached 

special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft checklist

• 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

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.

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 current U.S. Commercial 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 100 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC in the aircraft 

type.

(3) A minimum of 50 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) No aerobatic operations allowed.

(6) Note, we shall only fly fixed-gimbal-camera equipment, such as found on Phantom 2 

and Phantom 3 aircraft, as the gimbal and camera are considered integral in its 

construction. No external loads are to be flown without permission. 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 nd/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.

(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

No aerobatic maneuvers are to be undertaken during MPT (motion picture and television) 

operations.

O. Special Provisions

 The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the H5 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 motion 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.

 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 with 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 H5.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed 

properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or under the provisions of this manual.

• 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 in 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.
Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name : Joseph Oleske

Certificate Number : 199504472

Grade : Single Engine Land

Medical Class/Date : Active Driver’s License

Contact Number : (732) 236-1834

Pilots

No other pilots approved at this time

Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus

2. DJI Phantom 3 
Appendix A .3

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving Joseph A. Oleske permission to operate aircraft at less than 500 

feet from property, or persons, 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 __________________________
Appendix B .1

(see attached form 7711-2)