ME Drone Video LLC 

17595 East View Loop 

Foley, AI 36535 

cmergle@hiwaay.net 

256-142-4277 cell phone 

April 4, 2015 

US Department Of Transportation 

Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence Ave SW 

Washington DC 20591 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

: .:_; 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012(the reform 

act) and CFR Part 11, ME Drone Video LLC, owner and operator of Smalt Unmanned 

Aircraft Systems (UASs), request to be exempted from the Federal Aviation Regulations 

{FAR) listed below so that ME Drone Video LLC may operate UASs commercially in 

airspace regulated by the FAA., as long as such operations are conducted within and 

under the conditions outlined herein or as maybe established by the FAA as required by 

Section 333. 

ME Drone Video LLC is co- owned by Clarence M Ergle and Gary Jeff Michaels. Both 

are Alabama Peace Officers with active taw enforcement certificates. Both have 

Alabama Drivers licenses. Mr. Ergle has a private pilot's license and will be the PIC. All 

operations will be performed with the public's safety and right to privacy safe guarded 

at all times. 

As described below, the requested exception would permit the operation of light 

weight (less than 55 lbs. total takeoff weight) UASs under controlled conditions for 

commercial use by a certified private pilot thereby enhancing safety and fulfilling the 

Secretary of Transportation's (the FAA Administrator's) responsibility to" establish 

requirements for safe operation of such aircraft systems in national airspace systems." 

Section 333(c), of the Reform Act. 

ME Drone video UASs are rotorcraft weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. 

(The DJI Phantom 2 Vision Quad Copter and Parrot PF 725100 Bebop Drone 14MP.)They 

operate at a speed less than 50 knots and have the capability to hover and move in the 
vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. Both have an auto return to launch point 

when battery power is under 25%. The UAS will operate within the line of sight with in a 

protected flight area as described below and at 200 feet AGL or less with an observer 

located close at hand as to make voice communication possible. These operations will 

not create a hazard to users of the nation airspace, public nor the environment. 

ME Drone Video LLC respectfully requests the grant of an exception to the following 

specific sections of the Title 14 Code of Federal regulations a11owing it to operate 

lightweight UASs for commercial use, 

14 CFR 21, subpart H, 14 CFR 45.23 (b) 14 CFR 91.7 (a), 91.9 (b) (2) 91.103 (b), 

91.109, 91.119, 91.121,91.151,(a), 91.203(a) &{b},91.405(a),91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)&(b). 

ME Drone Video LLC submits this application in accordance with the Reform Act ,112 

P .L. 95 331-334, seeking relief from any currently applicable FAR'S operating to prevent 

ME Drone Video LLC future commercial use of small UASs to operate in the national 

airspace system as described below. The reform Act section 332 provides for such 

integration of civil unmanned aircraft into our national airspace system as it is in the 

public's interest to do so. ME Drone Video LLCs UASs meet the definition of "small 

unmanned aircraft" as defined in Section 331 and therefor the integration of these UASs 

are expressly contemplated by the Reform Act. ME Drone Video LLC would like to 

operate its light weight UASs prior to the time period by which the Reform Act requires 

the FAA to promulgate rules governing such aircraft. 

The Reform Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether certain 

unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in national airspace before completion 

of the rule making required under Section 332 of the reform Act. In making this 

determination, the Secretary of Transportation is required to determine which UASs do 

create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public or pose a threat to 

national security in light of the following: 

The UASs size, speed, weight and operational capability 

Operation of the UASs in close proximity to airports and populated areas 

Operation of the UASs within visual line of sight of the operator 

Reform Act 333(a}. If the secretary determines that such vehicles "may operate safely 

in National Airspace System, the secretary shall establish requirements for the safe 

operation in national airspace. 

ME Drone Video LLC are rotorcraft weighing less than 55 lbs. and they operate at 

speeds less than 50 knots and have the capability to operate in the vertical and 

horizontal plane simultaneously. The UASs will operate only within the line of sight of 

the operator within a protected flight area and at 200 feet AGL or less. These will not 

present a hazard to the national airspace nor the public. 
The very small nature of these UASs combined with the safe guards presented below, 

will allow for the safe operation greater than that envisioned by Congress for the FAA to 

establish and by exemption allow commercial operations of UASs to commence 

immediately. Also due to the size of UASs and the areas and altitudes they will operate 

approval of this exception presents no national security issues and absolutely minimal 

safety concerns which have been mitigated through our rigorous risk management 

process. Given the clear direction given in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority 

contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended, the strong equivalent level of 

enhanced safety, reduced emissions utilizing UASs verses traditional aircraft as well as 

the economic impact of greatly reducing the cost of aerial photography thereby 

benefiting the greater public's interest. Accordingly, the applicant requests that the FAA 

grant the requested exemption without delay. 

The following will be considered as the binding limitation on operations of ME Drone 

Video llC, 

1. Flights will only occur in the day time hours, 

2. Flights wilt be operated in the line of sight of the operator{ PIC) and Observer,(VSO) 

3. Flights will be terminated at any time weather and wind deteriorate to "unsafe for 

flight" by manufacturers recommendations, 

4. The UASs will weigh less that 55 lbs., 

5. Flights will be operated at 200 feet AGL or less. 

6. Crew will be at a minimum of operator(PIC) and an observer and/or camera 

operator(VSO), 

7. Operator and crew will remain in contact during the flight operation, 

8. The UASs operator will perform a check of the flight area and make certain of the 

safety of all persons in the area, 

9. Consent will be obtained from all persons with in the video capabilities of the units to 

further reduce the chance of violating anyone's privacy. 

10. All required FAA clearances, will be obtained and distances from airports strictly 

observed. 

11. All UASs will have the capability to return automatically to the operator in a safe 

manner with the auto return function checked and working. 

12. When operated in conjunction with fishing vessels in the gulf, a chase boat will be 

assigned to operate the UASs at a safe distance from the main fishing boat. 

13. Flights will only operate in VFR conditions. 

14. UASs have a function on the control to tell operator the distance away from the 

operator and its battery power remaining. 

15. Flight team will communicate by voice and the use of two-way radio if the area is too 

big to hear voice from all team members. 

16. UASs will be used to video private outings and functions, boating, jet skiing, kayaking, 

fishing trips in the gulf area and sporting events from a safe distance. 
l • 

17. When operating over or near water the UASs will be equipped with flotation devices 

so that recovery can be made as to prevent lithium battery exposure to the water 

table. 

14 CFR part 21 Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificate 14 CFR 91.7(a}, 91.203(a)(1) 

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, sets forth requirements for procurement 

of necessary certificates in relation to FAR 91.203(a)(1). The size, weight and defined 

area of operations for ME Drone Video LLC UASs flights permits exception from Part 21 

because they meet 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 USC 4470(f) and Section 333 of the Reform Act. 

Both pieces of legislation permit the FAA to exempt UASs from airworthiness certificates 

in consideration of weight, size, speed, maneuverability and proximity to areas such as 

airports and dense populations. ME Drone Video LLC meets or exceeds each of these 

elements 

As of March 23, 2015 the FAA has stated that it will automatically grant a "blanket" COA 

for flights at or under 200 AGL to any UASs operator with a section 333 exemption. 

14 CFR 91.203(a&b) provides for carrying of civil aircraft certifications and 

registrations. These are inapplicable for the same reasons stated above. The equivalent 

level of safety will be achieved by maintaining such certifications and registrations at ME 

Drone Video LLC operations center. 

14CFR91. 7 (a) prohibits the operation of an aircraft without an airworthiness 

certificate. As no such certificate will be applicable in the form contemplated by FAR's 

this regulation is inapplicable. 

14 CFR 91.9(b)(2) Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in Aircraft 

14 CFR 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 UASs this regulation is inapplicable. An 

equivalent level of safety will be achieved by maintaining such certifications and 

registrations at ME Drone Video LLC operations center. 

The FAA has previously issued exemptions to this regulation in Exemptions No's 

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

14 CFR 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes, prescribes safe altitudes for operation of civil 

aircraft. It allows helicopters to be operated at lower altitudes in certain conditions. ME 

Drone Video lLC will only operate its UASs at or below 200AGL. They will be operated on 

a will defined AOR that has been carefully reviewed for hazards and minimizes the 
presence of any persons not essential for these operations. Flights will only be over 

private property that the owner has consented and all persons within this video area also 

give consent for this filming. Compared to flight operations of conventional and 

traditional aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than 50 lbs., operating below 500 AGL 

with flammable fuel UASs operations present a far smaller risk to the public. 

Approval of these 333 Exemptions allowing commercial operations of small UASs in the 

service of aerial photography will greatly enhance safety by reducing the overall risk 

associated with traditional aircraft. Traditional aerial photography requires large aircraft 

with flammable fuel to fly in close proximity of populated areas and people in general. 

With the use of small UASs of 55 lbs. or less, battery operated and fling below 200 feet 

AGL the risk of injury of people on the ground or the crew has been reduced or almost 

erased. The granting of the use of these small UASs by ME Drone Video LLC will give the 

people another avenue to express themselves and to have a video record to share with 

family and friends forever. 

Granting ME Drone Video LLC the above exemption will allow for the expansion of UAS 

systems into the future for the safe conduct of free enterprise and the enjoyment of the 

masses. 

ME Drone Video LLC respectfully requests the FAA grant its exception without delay. The 

FAA has the authority to issue the exemption sought by ME Drone Video LLC pursuant to 

the Federal Aviation Act, 85 P.l. 726 {1958) as amended {the ACT). 

Clarence M Ergle 

ME Drone Video LLC 

17595 East View loop, 

Foley AI 36535 

cmergle@hiwaay.net