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Mark C. Rowse

13492 Tom Gaston Rd

Mobile, AL 36695

(251) 377-6851

captmark3164@yahoo.com

Attention: 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington DC 20590

Re: Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 subpart H; 14 CFR 45.23(b); 14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b); 14 CFR 

91.7(a); 14 CFR 91.9(b)(2); 14 CFR 91.103; 14 CFR 91.109; 14 CFR 91.119(c); 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR 

91.151(a); 14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b); 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and 

(2); 14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b) 

Dear U.S. Department of Transportation: 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) and 14 

CFR Part 11, Mark C. Rowse a FAA licensed commercial Rotorcraft/Helicopter pilot and operator of an 

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation 

Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of its UAS , so long as such operations are 

conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as 

required by Section 333. 

Commercial operation of an UAS, as described herein, which are equipped with camera(s) and sensors, 

would operate in the following manner:

 Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, agriculture 

use, architecture, land surveying, engineering and other related professional activities. 

 Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including television, public 

events, cinematography and news gathering. 

 Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with the 

owners or local government authority. 

 Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue 

operations in cases of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities or 

government has requested it by contract or donation. 

As described fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of a UAS under 

controlled conditions in the NAS that would be a) limited b) controlled c) predetermined and d) will 

provide safety enhancements to the already safe operations in the industry presently using conventional 
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aircraft. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of 

Transportation’s (the FAA Administrator’s) responsibilities to “....establish requirements for the safe 

operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.” 

The name and address of the petitioner/applicant is:

Mark C. Rowse

13492 Tom Gaston Road

Mobile, AL 36695

(251) 377-6851

captmark3164@yahoo.com

Applicant Information: The applicant, Mark C Rowse, is holder of a current Commercial 

Rotorcraft/Helicopter Pilot Certificate # 2842043. Applicant has 40 years in the aviation industry and 

over 12,000 hours of rotorcraft time. 

Applicant has an in depth understanding of the capabilities and safety concerns involved in using this

technology as an asset to the community. Applicant has over 25 hours by model and over 100 hours of 

total flying time in the UAS described in this petition. Applicant shall, at all times required by regulation, 

be assisted by a Visual Observer (VO). Satisfaction of criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act 

of 2012 provide more than adequate justification for the grant of the requested exemptions allowing 

the commercial operation of the applicant’s UAS.

Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 

14 CFR Part 21 subpart H 

14 CFR 45.23 (b) 

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b) 

14 CFR 91.7 (a)

14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2) 

14 CFR 91.103 

14 CFR 91.109 

14 CFR 91.119 (c) 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151 (a)

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 

14 CFR 91.409 (a) (2)

14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b) 

Mark C. Rowse will operate the following UAS vehicles:

Yuneec Electric Aviation Q500 4K Typhoon: with a takeoff weight of 1700g or 3.75 lbs. The UAS 

dimensions without rotor blades are 420mm x 420mm x 210mm or 16.5 inches x 16.5 inches x 803 
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inches. Under still air the maximum speed is no more than 30mph with GPS navigation disabled and 

15mph with GPS navigation enabled. The Q500 Typhoon has the ability to hover and move along a 

vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The Q500 Typhoon has four 700 KV motors, Motor Model 

YUNM4234, powered by a 3-cell 5400mAh Lithium Polymer battery. There are four propellers in use, 

Propeller Model YUNQ500115 (A and B). The Q500 Typhoon will be controlled with the ST10 10- channel 

remote controller with an operating frequency of 2.400GHz . The live video feed will have an operating 

frequency of 5.80GHz. The applicants will operate the UAS in line of sight within a closed off and 

predetermined area owned and or operated by the property representative

DJI Inspire 1 Pro: with a takeoff weight of 2935g or 6.55 lbs. The UAS dimensions 438x451x301 mm or 

17.24x17.75x11.85 inches. Under still air the maximum speed is no more than 22 m/s or 49.21 mph. The 

Inspire 1 Pro has the ability to hover and move along a vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The 

Inspire 1 Pro has four DJI 3510H motors powered by a 6 cell 4500mAh 22.2v Lithium Polymer battery or 

an optional 5700mAh 22.8v Lithium Polymer battery, providing for approximately 18 minutes or 22 

minutes of flight time respectively. There are four propellers in use model DJI 1345T CW+CCW. The 

Inspire 1 will be controlled by the C-1 remote controller with an operating frequency of 2.400-2.483 

GHz. The live video feed will have an operating frequency of 5.725-5.825 GHz. The applicants will 

operate the UAS in line of sight within a closed off and predetermined area owned and or operated by 

the property representative.

DJI Phantom3 Pro: with a takeoff weight of 1280g or 2.85 lbs. The UAS dimensions 590x590x225 mm or 

23.25x23.25x8.85 inches. Under still air the maximum speed is no more than 16 m/s or 35.8 mph. The 

Phantom 3 has the ability to hover and move along a vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The 

Phantom 3 has four DJI Model 2312 – 960kv motors powered by a 4 cell 4480mAh 15.2v Lithium 

Polymer battery providing approximately 23 minutes of flight time. There are four propellers in use 

Model 9450 CW+CCW. The Phantom 3 Pro will be controlled by the DJI Advanced Controller 47867 with 

an operating frequency of 2.400-2.483 GHz. The live video feed will have an operating frequency of 

5.725-5.825 GHz. The applicants will operate the UAS in line of sight within a closed off and 

predetermined area owned and or operated by the property representative.

Copies of the following manuals and literature, which contain proprietary information, are attached 

hereto as Exhibits:

Manuals cover product Dimensions, Cameras and Ground Station Descriptions

 Exhibit 1 - Q500 Typhoon 4K Operators Manual 

 Exhibit 2 – Preflight Checklist

 Exhibit 3 – Q500 Typhoon 4K Warning Sheet

 Exhibit 4 – DJI Inspire 1 Operators Manual

 Exhibit 5 - DJI Inspire 1 Safety Guidelines

 Exhibit 6 – DJI Phantom 3 Operators Manual

 Exhibit 7 - DJI Phantom 3 Safety Guidelines

Given the small size of the UAS and the controlled environment provided, the proposed operations 

will adhere to the Reform Act’s safety requirements. The approval of this application presents no 

national security issues. Regarding the level of safety surrounding the proposed operations and the 

public benefit, reduction in environmental impacts, including but not limited to reduced emissions 
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and noise, the grant of the requested exemption is in the public interest. Accordingly the applicant 

requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption with minimum delay.

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY 

The operation limitations proposed for an equivalent or higher level of safety because operations will 

further enhance the safety of the persons and/or property using conventional aircraft. These limitations 

and conditions to which the applicant agrees to adhere to when conducting commercial operations 

under the FAA issued exemption as set forth in the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) include: 

 The UAS will weigh less than 55lbs.

 The UAS will have a maximum operating speed of no more than 87 knots.

 Flights will be operated within line of sight of the Pilot in Command (PIC) and Visual Observer 

(VO).

 Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 20 minutes. Flights will be terminated at 

25% battery power reserve or 20 minutes of flight time whichever occurs first.

 Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 200 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) and 

not more than 200 feet above an elevated platform from which filming is planned. 

 Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UAS Pilot, the Visual Observer (VO) and 

may include but not limited to a Camera Operator. 

 The UAS pilot will be the designated Pilot in Command (PIC) and hold an FAA Pilot’s License with 

a Third or higher Class Medical Certificate or valid state drivers’ license. If the PIC feels another 

operator to be qualified with the necessary skills to be PIC, and holds an FAA Pilot’s License 

along with a Third or higher Class Medical Certificate or valid state drivers’ license, that person 

may be designated PIC provided they have a minimum of 20 hours of flight time with the UAS.

 A briefing will be performed regarding the planned UAS operations prior to each day’s flight 

consisting of all the days’ production activities.

 All flights will occur under Visual Flight Rules Meteorological Conditions (VMC) only. 

 The flights will occur no closer than a 5 mile radius of the geographic center/Airport Reference 

Point (ARP) of a tower controlled or uncontrolled airport. 

 If operations will be within a 5 mile radius of the geographic center/Airport Reference Point 

(ARP) of a tower controlled or uncontrolled airport the respective airports will be contacted 

advising them of the estimated flight time, flight duration, elevation of flight and other pertinent 

information. 
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 The operator will file FAA Form 7711-1, or its equivalent, as modified in light of the requested 

exemption, with the appropriate local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) no more than 72 

hours but no less than 48 hours from planned operation. 

 The operator will obtain verbal/written consent of all persons involved with the planned 

operation and ensure that only consenting persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight 

operation, and the radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety 

determination, as required under the FOM. With the advanced permission of the FSDO, 

operations at closer range may be approved.

 The PIC and VO will have been trained in operation of UAS and receive up-to-date information 

for the particular UAS to be operated. 

 The PIC and VO will be able to communicate by voice, radio or phone at all times. 

 Written and/or verbal permission and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or 

city jurisdictions, including law enforcement, fire or other appropriate governmental agencies. 

 If the UAS loses communications with the remote controller or loses GPS signal, the UAS will 

have the capability to return to a pre-determined location within a designated location and land 

autonomously. 

 The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles, weather, or 

emergencies. 

 UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 C.F.R. § 1.1. 

 All flight operations will be entered into a log book, with all records available for viewing by 

governing agencies.

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H: Airworthiness Certificates 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) (1)

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for the issuance 

of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1). Given the size and limited operating area 

associated with the aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets 

the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act. The 

Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C.§44701 (f)) and Section 333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to 

exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, upon consideration of the size, 

weight, speed, operational capability, and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular 

UAS. In all cases, an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the UAS operated without an 

airworthiness certificate, in the restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at 

least as safe, or safer, than a conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an 

airworthiness certificate without the restrictions and conditions proposed.
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The UAS to be operated hereunder is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger, 

carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a secured and 

designated area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be tightly controlled 

and monitored by both the operator and under the requirements and in compliance with local public 

safety requirements. The FAA will have advance notice of all operations. These safety enhancements 

provide a greater degree of safety to the public and property owners than conventional operations 

conducted with airworthiness certificates issued under 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H. Lastly, application of 

these same criteria demonstrates that there is no credible threat to national security posed by the UAS, 

due to its size, speed of operation, location of operation, lack of explosive materials or flammable liquid 

fuels, and inability to carry a substantial external load. 

14 C.F.R. § 45.23 (b). Marking of the Aircraft 

The regulation requires: When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration 

number is displayed on limited, restricted or light-sport category aircraft or experimental or 

provisionally certificated aircraft, the operator must also display on that aircraft near each entrance to 

the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inches high, the 

words "limited," "restricted," "light-sport," "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable. 

Even though the UAS will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be needed as the UAS 

will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the word “Experimental” can be 

placed. Given the size of the UAS, two-inch lettering will be impossible. The word “Experimental” will be 

placed on the fuselage in compliance with §45.29 (f). 

The equivalent level of safety will be provided by having the UAS marked on its fuselage as required by 

§45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the UAS will see the identification of the 

UAS as “Experimental.” 

14 C.F.R. § 61.113 (a) and (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command. 

Pursuant to 14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b), no person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as a pilot in 

command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire. The risks 

attendant to the operation of UAS is far less than the risk levels inherent in the commercial activities 

outlined in 14 CFR 61. The PIC of the UAS will have a Pilot’s License along with a current Third Class or 

higher Medical or valid state drivers’ license exceeding the current safety levels in relation to 14 CFR 

61.113 (a) & (b). 

14 C.F.R. §91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness. 

The regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy condition. As 

there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft, should this exemption be granted, no 

FAA regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness. Given the size of the aircraft for 

maintenance and use of safety check lists prior to each flight an equivalent level of safety will be 

provided.

14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b) (2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft. 

Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides: No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft ... (2) For which an 

Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in 
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the aircraft a current approved airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, 

markings, and placards, or any combination thereof. The UAS, given its size and configuration has no 

ability or place to carry such a flight manual on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on board, 

but because there is no room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft. The equivalent level of 

safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the ground control point where the pilot flying 

the UAS will have immediate access to it. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action.

This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to insure the safety 

of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft an exemption 

will be needed. The PIC will take all actions as stated in the FOM in Section 4 under Normal Procedures 

including but not limited to reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff 

distances and aircraft performance data before initiation of flight.

14 C.F.R. §91.109: Flight Instruction. 

Section 91.103 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that 

is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls. UAS and 

remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight control is 

accomplished through the use of a ground station that communicates with the aircraft via radio 

communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully functional dual 

controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. The equivalent level 

of safety is provided by the fact that neither a pilot nor passengers will be carried in the aircraft and by 

the size and speed of the aircraft. 

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

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119 (d) allows 

helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the person operating the 

helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the FAA. As this exemption 

is for a UAS that is a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes up to 200 

AGL, or not more than 200 above an elevated platform from which filming is planned, an exemption 

may be needed to allow such operations. As set forth herein, the UAS will never operate at higher than 

200 AGL with the exception that in circumstances where the UAS is used to survey or photograph a 

structure whose height exceeds 200 feet AGL, the UAS will not be operated more than 200 feet above 

the highest point on the structure. It will however be operated in a restricted area with security 

perimeter, where buildings and people will not be exposed to operations without their pre-obtained 

consent. 

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed of the UAS as well as the 

location where it is operated. No flight will be taken without the permission of the property owner or 

local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and participants in the filming 

activity, all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight operations. Compared to flight 

operations with aircraft or rotorcraft weighting far more than the maximum 55lbs. proposed herein and 

the lack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with these operations is far less than those presently 

presented with conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 AGL. In addition, the low-altitude 
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operations of the UAS will ensure separation between these UAS operations and the operations of 

conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119. 

14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimeter Settings.

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by reference to 

an altimeter that is set “...to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting 

available before departure.” As the UAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude 

read out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, 

pursuant to the safety check list and live flight data monitoring, confirming the altitude of the launch 

site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. 

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions.

Section 91.151 (a) prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions 

unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of 

intended landing, and, assuming normal cruising speed. 

The battery powering the UAS provides approximately 20 minutes of powered flight. To meet the 20 

minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, UAS flights would be limited to approximately 20 

minutes in length. Given the limitations on the UAS’s, proposed flight area, and the location of its 

proposed operations within a predetermined area, a longer time frame for flight in daylight is not 

practical. 

Applicants believe that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151(a) falls within the scope of prior exemptions. 

Operating the UAS, in a tightly controlled area where only people and property owners or official 

representatives who have signed waivers will be allowed, with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel, does 

not engender the type of risks that Section 91.151(a) was intended to alleviate given the size and speed 

of the small UAS. Additionally, limiting UAS flights to 20 minutes would greatly reduce the utility for 

which the exemption will be granted. Applicant believes that an equivalent level of safety can be 

achieved by limiting flights to 20 minutes or 25% of battery power— whichever happens first. This 

restriction would be more than adequate to return the UAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere 

in its limited operating area. 

14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration.

The regulation provides in pertinent part: 

(a) Except as provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the 

following: 

(1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. . . . 

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) 

of this section or a special flight authorization issued under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit 

entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew. 

The UAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lbs. and is operated without an onboard pilot. As such, 

there is no ability or place to carry certification and registration documents or to display them on the 

UAS. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control 
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point where the pilot flying the UAS will have immediate access to them, to the extent they are 

applicable to the UAS. 

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

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner “shall have that 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...,” and 

others shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43. 

Given that these section and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these 

sections will not apply to the applicant. Maintenance will be accomplished by the operator pursuant to 

the flight manual and operating handbook. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because the 

UAS is very limited in size and will carry a small payload and operate only in restricted areas for a limited 

period of time. If mechanical issues arise the UAS can land immediately and will be operating from no 

higher than 400 feet AGL. The operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating 

flight, perform required maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance performed. Moreover, the 

operator is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an 

airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety. 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be performed in 

accordance with the UAS Manufacturer's User Manual .The operator will ensure that the UAS is in 

working order prior to initiating flight and perform required maintenance needed. 

This Petition is made pursuant to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA) Section 333, 

which directs the Secretary of Transportation to determine if certain UAS may operate safely in the NAS. 

As such, Mark C Rowse request for exemption may be granted pursuant to the authority of FMRA 

Section 333 and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, as set forth above. 

FMRA Section 333 sets forth the requirements for considering whether a UAS will create a hazard to 

users of the NAS or the public, or otherwise pose a threat to national security; and further, provides the 

authority for such UAS to operate without airworthiness certification. As discussed in detail above, 

Mark C Rowse will operate the Yuneec Electric Aviation Q500 Typhoon Series, DJI Inspire 1 Pro Series,

and the DJI Phantom Pro 3 Series UASs safely in the NAS without creating a hazard to users of the NAS, 

or the public, or otherwise pose a threat to national security. 

WHEREFORE, in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations and the FAA Modernization and 

Reform Act of 2012, Section 333, Reform Act of 2012, Section 333, Mark C. Rowse, respectfully requests 

that the Administrator grant this Petition for an exemption from the requirements of 14 C.F.R Sections 

39 61.113(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 

91.417(a) & (b), and permit Mark C Rowse to operate the aforementioned UAS”s for the purpose of 

conducting commercial aerial flights.

Respectfully Submitted on December ??, 2015.

Mark C Rowse