September 25, 2015

Exemption No. 12990

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-2727

Mr. Michael R. Culp

Wild Wingdom LLC

1115 State Park Road

Greenville, SC 29609

Dear Mr. Culp:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

By letter dated June 7, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Wild Wingdom LLC (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an exemption. The 

petitioner requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial 

surveying, mapping, data collection, remote sensing, education and research, monitoring, 

emergency management, inspections, flight school training, filmmaking and photography, and 

surveillance.

1

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing the proposed operations and 

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner.

 

1 The petitioner also requested authority to conduct UAS training. At this time, the FAA is unable to authorize 

UAS operations for training until a further assessment is completed. When the FAA completes its review, we 

will proceed accordingly and no further action will be required by the petitioner. However, the petitioner is 

permitted to train its own pilot in commands and visual observers in accordance with condition no. 14 and the 

other conditions and limitations in this exemption.
2

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner are the DJI Phantom 2, DJI Phantom 2 Vision+, and DJI 

S1000.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products 

and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates. In accordance with the statutory criteria 

provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in 

consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the 

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft 

meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from 

14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness 

Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is 

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection2. The FAA has issued grants of 

exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. 

In Grants of Exemption Nos. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 

11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see

Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned 

aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or 

crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in 

addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled 

by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of 

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213;

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and 

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

 

2 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. 

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF 

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by 

instruments aboard the UA.
3

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, Wild Wingdom LLC is granted an exemption from 

14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 

91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to 

the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection. 

This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Wild Wingdom LLC is hereafter referred to as the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 2, 

DJI Phantom 2 Vision+, and DJI S1000 when weighing less than 55 pounds including 

payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a 

petition to amend this exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are 

not permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the 

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. 

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or 

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within 

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used 

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS 

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; 

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC 
4

must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the 

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties 

required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, 

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating 

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update 

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then 

the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s 

UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding 

updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo 

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such 

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is 

in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the 

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all 

potential discrepancies, e.g., inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is 

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the 

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and 

aircraft components.
5

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, 

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a 

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a 

state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 

government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the 

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be 

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and 

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC 

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs 

(training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to 

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, 

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During 

training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for 

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA 

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as 

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not 

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s 

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption 

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available 

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.
6

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the 

intended operation and to operate after that for at least 5 minutes or with the reserve 

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the enclosed COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification 

(N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and 

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. 

These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure 

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises 

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of 

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety 

of nonparticipating persons; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 
7

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported 

to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be 

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) 

as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this 

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards 

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day 

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities 

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted 

under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of 

the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator 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;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. 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 altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the 

exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS 

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, 

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.
8

This exemption terminates on September 30, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures
Wild Wingdom LLC

1115 State Park Road

Greenville, SC 29609

Phone: (864) 630­2118

June 7th, 2015

U. S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12­140

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act of 2012 and Part 11 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations from: 14 CFR 61.23(a) & (c); 14 CFR 61.101 (e) (4) & (5); 14 CFR

61.113 (a); 14 CFR 61.315 (a); 14 CFR 91.7 (a); 14 CFR 91.119 (c); 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR

91.151 (a) (1); 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1); 14 CFR 91.409 (a) (1) & (2); 14 CFR

91.417 (a) & (b)

Dear Exemption Manager,

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

C.F.R. Part 11, Wild Wingdom LLC (WW) herein after also known as the operator, is an operator of

small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or Unmanned Aircraft (UA). WW is an aviation technology

and services company that plans to exploit the capabilities of UA to offer a multitude of services,

including:

• Aerial surveying, mapping and data collection

• Remote sensing

• Educational and research operations

• Wildlife and forestry monitoring

• Aid in disaster and emergency management and monitoring, civil first response,

communications relay, search and rescue, monitoring fire hazards, cleanup effort supervision,

damage assessment and estimation

• Aid civil engineering: waterways and shipping, forestry, fishery protection, pollution control

and air sampling and crop performance

• Railroad and motor­vehicle road inspection

• Telecommunications infrastructure inspection

• Utility, Energy systems and electrical engineering inspections and asset management
• Agricultural surveying and produce field management

• Livestock management and accountability

• Unmanned aircraft flight school

• Aerial filmmaking and photography

• Construction site inspections and monitoring

• Oil and gas pipeline inspection/patrolling and oil­field inspection

• Real estate and marketing

• Aerial event security, surveillance and crowd management

• Aerial imagery evidence for property insurance claims

WW hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to allow

commercial operation of their UA, with full understanding that operations are conducted within and

under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333.

As described more fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of small,

unmanned and relatively inexpensive UA under controlled conditions in the National Airspace System

(NAS) regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 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.​” Section 333(c) of the Reform Act.

The name and address of the applicant is:

Wild Wingdom LLC

Attn: Michael R. Culp

1115 State Park Road

Greenville, SC 29609

Phone: (864) 630­2118

Email: mike.culp@gmail.com

Regulations from which the exemption is requested:

• 14 CFR 61.23 (a) & (c) – Medical certificates: Requirements and duration

• 14 CFR 61.101 (e) (4) & (5) – Recreational pilot privileges and limitations

• 14 CFR 61.113 (a) – Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command

• 14 CFR 61.315 (a) – What are the privileges and limits of my sport pilot certificate?

• 14 CFR 91.7 (a) – Civil aircraft airworthiness

• 14 CFR 91.119 (c) – Minimum safe altitudes: General

• 14 CFR 91.121 – Altimeter settings

• 14 CFR 91.151 (a) (1) – Fuel requirements for flights in Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions

• 14 CFR 91.405 (a) – Maintenance required

• 14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) – Operation after maintenance, preventative maintenance, rebuilding,

and alteration

• 14 CFR 91.409 (a) (1) & (2) – Inspections

• 14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b) – Maintenance records
Regulatory Basis for Exemption Request

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress’ goal in passing Section 333(a)

through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether

certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system (NAS) before

completion of the rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform Act. In making this

determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of UA do not create a hazard to users

of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in light of the following:

• The UA’s size, weight, speed, and operational capability;

• Operation of the UA in close proximity to airports and populated areas

• Operation of the UA within visual line of sight of the operator.

The aircraft intended for use by the operator includes the DJI Phantom 2, DJI Phantom 2 Vision+

(Plus) & DJI S1000. All of these aircraft have previously been approved by the FAA in other

applicant’s Section 333 exemptions. Exemptions Nos. 11278, 11275, 11267, 11260, 11253 and 11230.

Reform Act § 333 (a). Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles “may operate safely in the

national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation of such

aircraft in the national airspace system.” Id. §333(c) (emphasis added).

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. This statutory

authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under §40101 of the Act,

which includes UA, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness

certificate.

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed under

subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any sections 44702­44716 of this title if the Administrator finds

the exemption in the public interest. 49 U.S.C. §44701(f) See also 49 USC §44711(a); 49 USC §44704;

14 CFR §91.203 (a) (1).

Wild Wingdom LLC’s UA are rotorcraft, weighting 55 or fewer pounds including payload. The UA

operate under normal conditions at a speed of no more than 50 knots and have the capability to hover

and move in the vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The UA will be operated only in line of

sight and will be operated only within a predetermined and protected flight area under the permission of

the property representative. The UA will be operated under the below listed limitations and conditions

to which the operator agrees to be bound when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued

exemption, as well as any other limitations the FAA may place on future operations. Such operations

will insure that the UA will “not create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public as

per the Reform Act Section 333 (b).

Given the clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority contained in the Federal

Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations,

and the significant public benefit, including enhanced safety, reduction in environmental impacts,

including reduced emissions associated with allowing UA for aerial data collection, the grant of the
requested exemptions is in the public interest. Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the

FAA grant the requested exemption without delay.

The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in material respects to those

presented in this petition. In Exemptions Nos. 11280, 11279, 11278, 11275, 11273, 11271, 11269,

11267, 11260, 11253, 11250, 11230, 11213, 11112, 11109

Aircraft and Equivalent Level of Safety

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural

requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1). 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

UA. In all cases, an analysis of these criteria demonstrates that the UA 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.

The UA to be operated hereunder are rotorcraft weighing less than 55 pounds including payload, carries

neither a pilot nor passenger. Carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates

exclusively within visual line of sight of the pilot in command (PIC) and a visual observer (VO). They

operate at a speed of less than 50 knots and have the capability to hover and move in the vertical and

horizontal plane simultaneously within a predetermined and protected flight area as described below.

Such operations will insure that the UASs will not create a hazard to the users of the national airspace

system. 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, to provide security for the area of operation. 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 UA, 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.

The Secretary of Transportation has previously determined that these aircraft meets the conditions of

Section 333. Therefore, the FAA has found that request of relief from 14 CFR part 21, and any

associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is not necessary. This has been stated

in exemptions to this regulation in Exemptions Nos. 11280, 11279, 11278, 11275, 11273, 11271,

11269, 11267, 11260, 11253, 11250 and 11230

The applicant proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to aircraft that have the

characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for at least

an equivalent or even higher level of safety to operations under the current regulatory structure.

These limitations and conditions to which the operator agrees to be bound when conducting

commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption include:
1. The UA; DJI Phantom 2, DJI Phantom Vision+ and DJI S1000+ will weigh less than 55

pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new

petition or a petition to amend the exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed­set motion picture and television filming are not

permitted.

3. The UA will not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the aircraft

manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 200 feet above ground level

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This

requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than corrective

lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA­issued airman medical certificate or U.S. driver’s

license

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the

visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to satisfy

the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and

PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; electronic messaging or texting is

not permitted during flight operations. The PIC must be designated before the flight and

cannot transfer his or her designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure

that the VO can perform the duties required of the VO.

7. The exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its operations in

accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in the grant of exemption, are

hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating documents must be

accessible during UAS operations and made available to the Administrator upon request. If

a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in the exemption and the

procedures outlined in the operating documents, the conditions and limitations therein take

precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as

outlined in its operating documents. The operator may update or revise its operating

documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated

and revised documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension

or amendment to the grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or

revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted the exemption, then the

operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s UAS

Integration Office (AFS­80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or

revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or

flight characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a

functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption.

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at least

500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such a manner

so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.
9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a

condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre­flight inspection and determine the UAS is

in a condition for safe flight. The pre­flight inspection must account for all potential

discrepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a

condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from

operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be

in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement,

inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under the exemption must comply with all manufacturer's safety

bulletins.

13. A PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot

certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S.

driver’s license issued by a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a

possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight review

requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or

her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability to

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under

this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate

distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours and

currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the

purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (training, proficiency, and

experience­building) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a

manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are permitted

under the terms of the exemption. However, training operations may only be conducted

during dedicated training sessions. During training, proficiency, and experience­building

flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the

PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance

with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under

special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not denoted

with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current FAA­published

aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained

or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption holder. The letter of agreement

with the airport management must be made available to the Administrator or any law

enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally

from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a

predetermined location within the private or controlled­access property.
19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the intended

operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power

recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO­issued COA. The exemption

holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct operations that cannot

be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with the exemption must be identified by serial number,

registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N­ 6 Number)

markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as

practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any

documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the

Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents

must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at

all times.

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons,

vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from

the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure that

nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where

nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight

operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of nonparticipating

persons; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for

operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk

of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an undue

hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered nonparticipating

persons under the exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled­access property with

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission

from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight

to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to

the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS­80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported

to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the

NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.
Unless otherwise specified in the grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS operations

must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.

14 CFR § 61.23 (a) & (c): Medical certificates: Requirements and duration.

This regulation sets forth medical certificate requirements for pilots­in­command of aircraft in that a

holder must have a first­class medical certificate when exercising the PIC privileges of an airline

transport pilot certificate. Furthermore, the requirement states that the PIC must hold at least a

second­class medical certificate when exercising PIC privileges of a commercial pilot certificate, or

must hold at least a third­class medical certificate when exercising PIC privileges of a private pilot

certificate, recreational pilot certificate, or flight instructor certificate. It also states that a person must

hold and possess either a medical certificate issued under § 61.67 or a U.S. driver's license when

exercising the privileges of a PIC of a sport pilot certificate in a light­sport aircraft other than a glider

or balloon.

The FAA is granting relief from § 61.23(a) to allow any pilot that holds one of the pilot’s certificates

(discussed above) to operate a UAS with a U.S. issued driver’s license, in lieu of an FAA­issued

medical certificate. The FAA is also granting relief from § 61.23(c) to allow sport pilot certificate

holders to operate aircraft other than LSA with a U.S. issued driver’s license. The FAA has issued the

following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos.11278, 11275, 11269, 11267, 11260, 11256,

11253, 11252, 11240 and 11230.

14 CFR § 61.101 (e) (4) & (5): Recreational pilot privileges and limitations.

This section limits recreational pilots to non­commercial operations and that they may not act as pilot

in command of a recreational aircraft for compensation or hire, or in the furtherance of a business.

Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the UA is remotely controlled with

no living thing on board. The area of operation will be predetermined and in a protected flight area

under the permission of the property representative, and all flights are planned and coordinated in

advance. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos.11278,

11275, 11269, 11267, 11260, 11256, 11253, 11252, 11240 and 11230.

14 CFR § 61.113 (a): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command.

This section limits private pilots to non­commercial operations and that they may not act as pilot in

command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire. Unlike a

conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the UA is remotely controlled with no living

thing on board. The area of operation will be predetermined and in a protected flight area under the

permission of the property representative, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance. The

FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos.11278, 11275, 11269,

11267, 11260, 11256, 11253, 11252, 11240 and 11230.
14 CFR § 61.315 (a): What are the privileges and limits of my sport pilot certificate?

This section limits sport pilots to non­commercial operations and that they may not act as pilot in

command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire, or in the

furtherance of a business. They also may not carry more than one passenger, fly at night, and under

other restrictions that are outside of the scope of intended flights of the UA. Unlike a conventional

aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the UA is remotely controlled with no living thing on

board. The area of operation will be predetermined and in a protected flight area under the permission

of the property representative, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance. The FAA has

issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos.11278, 11275, 11269, 11267,

11260, 11256, 11253, 11252, 11240 and 11230.

14 CFR § 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 preflight actions as prescribed by the aircraft’s manufacturer prior to each

flight, and given the FAA’s prior approval of the same types of aircraft to be used in previous

exemptions to this requirement (as set forth in Exemptions Nos. 11278, 11275, 11267, 11260, 11253

and 11230) we believe we can maintain a high standard of safety and due regard as to the aircraft’s

airworthiness during flight operations. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation:

Exemption Nos.11278, 11275, 11269, 11267, 11260, 11256, 11253, 11252, 11240 and 11230.

14 CFR § 91.119 (c): 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 UAS that are rotorcraft and the exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes up

to 200 feet AGL, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. As set forth herein, the UA

will never operate at higher than 200 feet AGL, will always be operated under VLOS of both the PIC

and VO, its area of operation will be predetermined and in a protected flight area under the permission

of the property representative, all flights are planned and coordinated in advance and the UA will

remain clear of, and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all times.

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

location where it is operated and under the conditions previously stated. Compared to flight operations

with aircraft or rotorcraft weighting far more than the maximum 55pounds 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 feet AGL. In addition, the low­altitude operations

of the UA will ensure separation between these small­ UAS operations and the operations of

conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119. The FAA has issued the following
exemptions to this regulation: Exemptions Nos. 11278, 11275, 11269, 11267, 11260, 11256, 11253,

11252, 11240 and 11230.

14 CFR § 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 UA 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 manufacturer’s published procedures and live flight data monitoring, confirming the

altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. In the event that the GPS

altitude read out system becomes none functional during flight, the UA will also have a

pre­programmed maximum flight limit of 200 feet programmed into them so that they may not fly

above unapproved altitude limits. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation:

Exemptions Nos. 11278, 11275, 11269, 11267, 11260, 11256, 11253, 11252, 11240 and 11230.

14 CFR § 91.151(a) (1): 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 – (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least

30 minutes; or (2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.”

The LiPo battery powering the DJI Phantom 2 & DJI Phantom Vision + UA provides approximately 20

minutes of powered flight while the LiPo battery powering the DJI S1000 provides approximately 30

minutes of flight. The PIC will not begin a flight unless there is enough available power for the UA to

conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

Applicant believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151(a) falls within the scope of prior

exemptions, and that flight 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.

Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions Nos. 11278, 11275,

11269, 11267, 11260, 11256, 11253, 11252, 11240 and 11230.

14 CFR § 91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (1) & (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 sections and

Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections will not apply to the

applicant.
An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because these small UASs are very limited in size and

will carry a small payload and operate only in restricted areas for limited periods of time. If mechanical

issues arise the UA can land immediately and will be operating from no higher than 200 feet AGL and

within VLOS of the PIC and VO. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre­flight inspection and

determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre­flight inspection must account for all

potential discrepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a

condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the

necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and

life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components. The FAA has issued the following

exemptions to this regulation: Exemptions Nos. 11278, 11275, 11269, 11267, 11260, 11256, 11253,

11252, 11240 and 11230.

Privacy

All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property representative or

owner’s prior consent and knowledge. Filming will be of people who have also consented to being

filmed or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where filming will take place.

All flights will occur in accordance with any state or local laws regarding privacy.

Additional Views, Information & Summary

Wild Wingdom LLC has 2 years of experience in unmanned aircraft flight operations and currently

hold a valid private pilot certificate, own and operate two GA aircraft. We understand that safety is

paramount, but we also know that integrating and operating in congested airspace along with manned

aircraft is possible without incident.

Wild Wingdom LLC was established January, 2007.

As a public benefit Wild Wingdom LLC will advance:

­Research into future safety guidelines for the use of UAS,

­Reduction in dangers by limiting the use of larger rotorcraft or fixed­wing aircraft,

­Reducing carbon emissions, &

­Advancement of science through advanced data collection

*********

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal

Register, should it be determined that publication is needed:

Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules:
14 CFR 61.23(a) & (c); 14 CFR 61.101 (e) (4) & (5); 14 CFR 61.113 (a); 14 CFR 61.315 (a); 14

CFR 91.7 (a); 14 CFR 91.119 (c); 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR 91.151 (a) (1); 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 14

CFR 91.407 (a) (1); 14 CFR 91.409 (a) (1) & (2) and 14 CFR 91.417 (a) & (b) to operate

commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55pounds or less) for the purpose of aerial surveying,

mapping and data collection; remote sensing; educational and research operations; wildlife and forestry

monitoring; aid in disaster and emergency management and monitoring, civil first response,

communications relay, search and rescue, monitoring fire hazards, cleanup effort supervision, damage

assessment and estimation; aid civil engineering: waterways and shipping, forestry, fishery protection,

pollution control and air sampling and crop performance; railroad and motor­vehicle road inspection;

telecommunications infrastructure inspection; utility, energy systems and electrical engineering

inspections and asset management; agricultural surveying and produce field management; livestock

management and accountability; unmanned aircraft flight school; aerial filmmaking and photography;

construction site inspections and monitoring; oil and gas pipeline inspection/patrolling and oil­field

inspection; real estate and marketing; aerial event security, surveillance and crowd management and

aerial imagery evidence for property insurance claims.

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of UA in the listed industries will enhance

safety by reducing risk. Conventional flight operations using jet, piston or multi­engine powered

aircraft occasionally operate at extremely low altitudes to complete some of the requested uses and in

extreme proximity to people and structures. This presents associated risks as these vehicles weigh in

excess of 3,000 pounds and carry large amounts of jet A or other fuel. Such aircraft must fly to and

from the mission location. In contrast, a UA weighing fewer than 55 pounds, powered by batteries,

virtually eliminates all of the above risks given the UA’s reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel

carried on board. The UA is carried to the mission site. The UA will carry no passengers or crew,

therefore, the UA will not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft flights.

The operation of small UASs, weighing less than 55 pounds, conducted in the strict conditions outlined

above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the exemptions requested

herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 21 and allowing commercial

operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground but under 200 feet

AGL, and within visual line of sight of the pilot in command and a visual observer. As a result, the

small UASs are far safer than conventional flight operations conducted with large manned aircraft.

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012­­size, weight, speed,

operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas, operation within visual line of sight,

national security and the significant public benefit as well as the positive economic impacts – provide

more than adequate justification for the grant of the requested exemptions allowing commercial

operation of applicant’s UA. Granting Wild Wingdom LLC the above exemptions will allow for the

expansion of UAS systems into the future, in a professional, safety conscious culture steeped in the

tradition of Aviation. Wild Wingdom LLC respectfully requests that the FAA grant its exception

without delay. The FAA has the authority to issue the exemption sought by Wild Wingdom LLC

pursuant to the Federal Aviation Act, 85 P.L. 726 (1958), as amended (the "Act").
Sincerely,

Michael R. Culp

Wild Wingdom LLC, Member