June 16, 2015

Exemption No. 11838 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

– 20 15

– 1162

Mr. John Blickem GIS Analyst DuPage County Stormwater Management 421 N County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187

Dear Mr. Blickem :

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 March 27, 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on

behalf of DuPage County Stormwater Management ( hereinafter petitioner or operator ) for an exemption . The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned ai rcraft system (UAS) to

conduct flood control facility inspections

.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA des cribing 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

.

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a DJI Phantom 2 Vision +

.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates

. In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Sec tion 333 of P ublic Law 112

− 95 in reference to 49 U

. S

. C

. § 44704, and in2

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

, C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates , and any associated noise certification and testing requirem ents of part 36, is

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 1

. The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition.

In Grants of Exemption No s

. 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 Lab s , 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

ad dition 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 pre sent; and

• A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

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, DuPage County Stormwater Management 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 l imitations listed

below.

1 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.), chemic al measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by

instruments aboard the UA.3

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, DuPage County Stormwater Management 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

Vision + when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other airc raft 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

t he 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 ;

e lectronic 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. Thi s 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,4

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 revisio ns 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 ope rator 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 FA A’s UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questi ons 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 d etermine 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 l ife limit requirements for the aircraft and

aircraft components.

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 Col u mbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirements specified in

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.5

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 a nd 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 (traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a ma nner 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

traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- bu ilding 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 n ight, 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 symbo l 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 operat ed 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 sign al, the UA must return to a

pre

- determined location within the pr ivate or controlled

- access 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 cond ucted 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 attached COA

.6

22. All aircraft operated in accorda nce 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 vehi cle.

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 imm ediately 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 opera ting 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 control led

- access 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, o r flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported

to the FA A's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Tran sportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions

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

.7

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 a rea of proposed filming. The 3

- day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activitie s 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 th e 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, co unty, 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 pro duction, 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 June 30, 2017 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service

EnclosuresDU PAGE COUNTY

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Daniel J. Cronin, County Board Chairman

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT  STORMWATER REGULATORY SERVICES  NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION

REGIONAL FLOOD CO NTROL OPERATIONS

421 N. County Farm Road (630) 407-6700 Phone Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 407-6701 Fax www.dupageco.org/swm

U

. S

. D epa r tment o f T r an s po r tation March 27, 2015

D ocket Operations

1200 N e w J e rs ey A ve., S E

Wa s hingto n , D C 20590

Re: P etition o f DuPage County Stormwater Management f o r

Exemption P u rs uant to
S ection 333 o f the FAA M ode r nization and Re f o r m A ct o f 2012

To Whom It May Concern:

P u rs uant to S ection 333 o f the FAA M ode r nization and Re f o r m A ct o f 2012 (FMRA)

and 14 C. F .R. P a r t 11, DuPage County Stormwater Management he r eby applie s f o r

an exemption fr om F ede r al A viation Regulation s identi f ied belo w

.

Thi s exemption i s in acco r dance w ith p r otocol s outlined in thi s petition f o r

exempti o n, the enclo s ed UAS manu f actu r e r's o pe r ation s and/o r in s t r uction s manual and any othe r

r e q ui r ement s e s tabli s hed by the FAA pu rs uant to S ecti o n 333 o f the FRMAPage 2

F o r y ou r convenience, the petition i s o r ganized a s f ollo ws :

I

. Pe t i t io n er' s D e s cri pt io n

II

. R eleva nt St a tut ory Auth ori t y

III

. Q u ali f ica t io ns f or App roval Und er S ec t io n 333 o f th e R e f or m A c t

IV

. D e s cri pt io n o f Pro p o s e d O p era t io ns

V

. R eg u la t io ns Fro m W h ic h Exe mpt io n i s R e qu e st e d

A

. 14 C .F. R

. Par t 21, Subp ar t H

– A ir w or th i n e ss C er t i f ica t e s a nd 14

C .F. R

. § 91.203

B. 14 C .F. R

. Par t 27 A ir w or th i n e ss St a nd ar ds: N or m al C a t egory R o t orcra ft

C

. 14 C .F. R

. § § 91.9 ( c )

, 45.23 (b) a nd 45.27 ( a ): A ircra ft Mar k i n g a nd

Id e nt i f ica t io n R e qu ire m e nts

D

. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.9 (b)( 2 ): C ivil A ircra ft Flig ht Ma nu al i n th e A ircra ft

E. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.7 ( a ): C ivil A ircra ft A ir w or th i n e ss F. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.103 : Pre f lig ht A c t io n G. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.109 ( a ): Flig ht Inst r u c t io n H. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.119 : Mi n i mum S a f e A l t i tud e s I

. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.121 : A l t i m e t er S e tt i n g s J. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.151 ( a ): F u el R e qu ire m e nts f or Flig ht i n V F R

C o nd i t io ns K. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.203 ( a ) a nd (b): C arryi n g C ivil A ircra ft C er t i f ica t io n a nd

R egi st ra t io n L. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.405 ( a )

, 91.407 ( a )( 1 )

, 91.409 ( a )( 2 ); 91.417 ( a ) a nd (b):

Mai nt e n a n ce Insp ec t io ns

VI

. P ub lic Int ere st

VII. Privacy

VIII

. Fe d eral R egi st ry Summ ary IX

. C o n cl us io nP age 3

I

. Pe t i t io n er' s D e s cri pt io n

DuPage County Stormwater Management wa s established in 1989 in recognition of the critical

need to limit the reoccurrence of extensive flood da mage to various communities within the County. The County owns and operates several flood control faci lities that help to provi de this essential flood

relief. One of these facilities includes the Elmhurst Quarry Fl ood Control Facility. This 8,300 acrefoot facility (containing two lobes at a depth of 200’) has the capacity to hold 8.7 billion gallons of

flood water that would otherwise inundate seve ral communities along Salt Creek. Other major

facilities include the Fawell Dam on the West Branch of the DuPage River, and the Wood Dale/Itasca Reservoir. Because the operation of these various f acilities is so critical, exhaustive maintenance and quality control inspection is one of our top priorities.

There is an inherent danger when working in the waterways, around large scale hydraulic structures, and near the high walls of a stone quarry. Our emphasis on maintenance inspections and efficient operation analysis has led us to explore better ways to perform these critical tasks. The safety of our communities and of our inspection team is pa ramount. We have an obligation to identify and control potentially dangerous situat ions through early intervention in the safest and most efficient manner possible.

John Blickem DuPage County Stormwater Management 421 N County Farm Rd Wheaton, IL 60187

630-407-6721 john.blickem@dupageco.orgP age 4

II

. R eleva nt St a tut ory Auth ori t y

Thi s petition f o r

exemption i s s ubmitted to f ul f ill Cong r e ss' goal in pa ss ing S ection

333 ( a ) th r o u gh ( c ) o f the Re f o r

m A ct. Cong r e ss ha s di r ected the FAA " to s a f ely accele r ate the integ r ation o f civil unmanned ai r c r a f t s y s tem s into the national ai rs pace s y s tem. " P u rs uant to
S ection 333 o f the Re f o r

m A ct, the FAA A dmini s t r ato r i s to con s ide r w hethe r ce r tain unmanned

ai r c r a f t s y s tem s may ope r ate s a f ely in the N ational A i rs pace ("NAS") be f o r e completion o f the

f o r mal UAS r ulemaking, ba s ed on the f ollo w ing con s ide r ation s :

 The UAS's s ize, w eight, s peed, and ope r ational capability;

 O pe r ation o f the UAS i n clo s e p r oximity to ai r po r t s and populated a r ea s ; and

 O pe r ation o f the UAS w ithin the vi s ual line o f s ight o f the ope r ato r

. 2

If

the S ec r eta r y dete r mine s that s uch vehicle s " may ope r ate s a f ely in the N ational

A i rs pace S y s tem, the S ec r eta r y sh all e st a b li sh re qu ire m e nts f o r

the s a f e ope r ation o f s uch

ai r c r a f t in the N ational A i rs pace S y s tem " ( empha s i s added )

. 3

A d d itionally, the FAA A dmini s t r ato r ha s gene r al autho r ity to g r ant exemption s fr om it s

s a f ety r egulation s and minimum s tanda r d s w hen the A dmini s t r ato r decide s a r eque s ted exemption i s in the public inte r e s t. See 49 U

. S .C. § 44701 (f) ( pe r mitting exemption s fr om §§

44701 ( a )

, ( b ) and §§ 44702 – 44716, et s eq

. )

. A pa r ty r eque s ting an exemption mu s t explain the

r ea s on s w h y the exemption: ( 1 ) w ould bene f it the public a s a w hole, and ( 2 ) w ould not adve rs ely

a ff ect s a f ety ( o r ho w it w ould p r ovide a level o f s a f ety at lea s t equal to the exi s ting r ule s)

. See

14 C. F .R. § 11.81 ( petition s f o r

exemption )

.

2 I d. at § 333 ( b )( 1 )

.

3 I d. at § 333 ( c )

.P age 5

III

. Q ua li f ica t io ns f or App roval Und er S ec t io n 333 o f th e R e f or m A c t

The p r opo s ed ope r ation s in thi s petition f o r

exemption quali f y f o r

expedited app r oval

unde r S ection 333 o f the Re f o r m A ct. Each o f the s tatuto r y c r ite r ia and othe r r elevant f acto rs

a r e s ati sf ied.

The p r opo s ed ope r ation s w ould pe r mit the u s e o f s mall and r elatively inexpen s ive UAS

unde r cont ro lled condition s in ai rs pace that i s : ( 1 ) limited; ( 2 ) p r edete r mined; ( 3 ) cont r olled a s

to acce ss ; and that ( 4 ) p r ovide s an inc r ea s ed level o f s a f ety beyond that exi s ting w hen f ixed o r

r oto r w ing ai r c r a f t a r e u s ed to accompli s h the s ame pu r po s e.

P etitione r’s UAS a r e r oto r c r a f t, w eighing approximately 3 pound s . They ope r ate, unde r no r mal condition s , at lo w s peed and have the capability to hove r , and move in the

ve r tical an d ho r izontal plane. P etitione r’s UASs w ill ope r ate in line o f s ight and w ill only

ope r ate w it h in a s te r ile a r ea de s c r ibed in the enclo s ed M anual. 4

G iven the s mall s ize o f the UASs involved and the r e s t r icted s te r ile envi r onment w ithin

w hich they w ill ope r ate, thi s petition exemption f all s w ithin the zone o f s a f ety i.e., an equivalent level o f s a f ety, in w hich Cong r e ss de s i r ed the FAA to pe r mit comme r cial UAS

ope r ation s by exemption pending completion o f f o r mal r ulemaking. A l s o, due to the s ize o f

the UASs and the r e s t r icted a r ea in w hich the UASs w ill ope r ate, app r oval o f the application

p r e s ent s no nati o nal s ecu r ity i ss ue.

Con s ide r ing the clea r di r ectio n in S ection 333 o f the Re f o r

m A ct, the autho r ity

contained in the F ede r al A viation A ct, a s amended, the equivalent level o f s a f ety s u rr ounding the p r opo s ed ope r ation s , and the s igni f icant public bene f it, the g r ant o f the r eque s ted exemption s i s al s o i n the public inte r e s t.

A cc or dingly, P etition r e s pect f ully r eque s t s the FAA g r ant the r eque s ted exemption w ithout delay.

4 See M anual S ection s 11P age 6

IV

. D e s cri pt io n o f Pro p o s e d O p era t io ns

The enclo s ed M anual de s c r ibe s , in detail, the policie s and p r ocedu r e s f o r P etitione r's

p r opo s ed UAS ope r ation s . To a ss i s t the FAA in it s s a f ety a ss e ss ment o f P etitione r's p r opo s ed

UAS ope r ation s , belo w i s a s umma r y o f ope r ational limitation s and condition s w hich w ill

en s u r e an equivalent o r highe r level o f s a f ety to ope r ation s conducted unde r cu rr ent r egulato r y guideline s :

1. The UAS w ill w eigh approximately 3 pounds.

2. F light s w ill be ope r ated w ithin line o f s ight o f a pilot and/o r ob s e r ve r

.

3. M aximum total f light time f o r

each ope r ational f light w ill be limited to the

amount o f time the UAS can be f lo w n and s till maintain a r e s e r ve batte r y po w e r

o f

no le ss than 25 %

.

4. F light s w ill be ope r ated at an altitude o f no mo r e than 400 f eet above g r ound level ("AG L ")

.

5. F light s w ill be ope r ated at a late r al di s tance o f lea s t 100 f eet fr om any inhabited

s t r uctu r e s , building s , vehicle s , ve ss el s , o r people not a ss ociated w ith the ope r ation

o r w ho have not s igned a w aive r in advance o f the ope r ation.

6. M inimum c r e w f o r

each ope r ation w ill con s i s t o f the UAS P ilot, a V i s ual

O b s e r ve r , and a S en s o r O pe r ato r

.

7. The UAS P ilot w ill be an FAA licen s ed ai r man w ith at lea s t a p r ivate pilot 's

ce r ti f icate and s econd cla ss medical ce r ti f icate.

8. The UAS P ilot w ill be P ilot in Command ("PI C ")

. If a pilot ce r ti f icate holde r othe r than the UAS P ilot, w ho po ss e ss e s the nece ss a r y PI C quali f ication s , i s al s o

p r e s ent, that pe rs on can be de s ignated a s PI C.

9. The UAS w ill ope r ate only w ithin a con f ined "S te r ile Ar ea " a s de f ined in t h e M anual. 5

10. Pr io r to the ope r ation, a p r oject packet w ill be c r eated w hich include s all s a f ety and ope r ational in f o r mation nece ss a r y to s a f ely ca rr y out the f light.

11. A b r ie f ing w ill be cond u cted in r ega r d to the planned UAS ope r ation s p r io r to each day 's mi ss ion s

. I t w ill be mandato r y that all pe rs onnel w ho w ill be

pe rf o r ming dutie s w ithin the bounda r ie s o f the s a f ety pe r imete r be p r e s ent f o r

thi s b r ie f ing.P age 7

12. P ilot, V i s ual O b s e r ve r and S en s o r O pe r ato r w ill at all time s be able to communicate by voice and/o r text.

13. P ilot, V i s ual O b s e r ve r and S en s o r O pe r ato r w ill have been t r ained in ope r ation s

o f UAS gene r ally and r eceived up

- to

- date in f o r

mation on the pa r ticula r UAS to be

ope r ated a s r equi r ed in the M anual.

14. W r itten and/o r o r al pe r mi ss ion fr om the r elevant p r ope r ty holde rs w ill be

obtained.

15. A ll r equi r ed pe r mi ss ion s and pe r mit s w ill be obtained fr om te rr ito r ial, s tate,
county o r city ju r i s diction s , including local la w en f o r cement, f i r e o r othe r

app r op r iate gove r nmental agencie s

.

16. The ope r ato r w ill f ile a FAA F o r m 7711

- 1, o r it s equivalent, a s modi f ied in light

o f

the r eque s ted exemption, w ith the app r op r iate F light S tanda r d s D i s t r ict Off ice ("FSDO")

.

17. If the UAS lo s e s communication s o r lo s e s it s GPS s ignal, the UAS w ill ha v e the capability to r etu r n to a p r e

- dete r mined location w ithin the S te r ile Ar ea and land.

18. Contingency plan s w ill be in place to s a f ely te r minate f light i f the r e i s a lo ss o f

communication bet w een the pilot and the ob s e r ve r

.

19. The UAS w ill have the capability to abo r t a f light in ca s e o f unp r edicted

ob s tacle s o r eme r gencie s

.

6 See 49 U

. S .C. § 44701 (f) ( autho r izing the g r ant o f exemption s fr om r equi r ement s o f r egulation s

p r e s c r ibed p u rs uant to S ection s 44701 ( a ) and ( b ) and S ection s 44702

- 44716 )

.P age 8

V

. R eg u la t io ns Fro m W h ic h Exe mpt io n i s requested

The F ede r al A viation A ct exp r e ss ly g r ant s the FAA the autho r ity to i ss ue exemption s

. Thi s s tatuto r y autho r ity, by it s te r m s , i n clude s exempting civil ai r c r a f t, a s the te r m i s de f ine d
unde r § 40101 o f the A ct, including UASs

, fr om it s s a f ety r egulation s and minimum s tanda r d s

w hen the A dmini s t r ato r decide s a r eque s ted exemption i s in the public inte r e s t. 6

P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om s eve r al inte rr elated p r ovi s ion s o f 14 C. F .R. P a r t s 21,

45 and 91 f o r

pu r po s e s o f conducting F la r e S tack in s pection s u s ing UASs . Li s ted belo w a r e ( 1 )

the s peci f ic s ection s o f 14 C. F .R. f o r w hich exemption i s s ought, and ( 2 ) the ope r ating

p r ocedu r e s and s a f egua r d s that P etitione r ha s e s tabli s hed w hich w ill en s u r e a level o f s a f ety

bette r than o r equal to the r ule s fr om w hich exemption i s s ought. 7

A

. 14 C .F. R

. Par t 21, Subp ar t H

– A ir w or th i n e ss C er t i f ica t e s a nd 14 C .F. R

. §

91.203 ( a )( 1 )

P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om 14 C. F .R. P a r t 21, S ubpa r t H

, w hich e s tabli s he s the

p r ocedu r al r equi r ement s f o r

the i ss uance o f ai rw o r thine ss ce r ti f icate s a s r equi r ed by 14 C. F .R. § 91.203 ( a )( 1 )

. G iven the s ize and limited ope r ating a r ea a ss ociated w ith the UAS to be utilized by the P etitione r , an exemption fr om P a r t 21, S ubpa r t H , meet s the r equi r ement s o f an equivalent

level o f s a f ety unde r P a r t 11 and S ecti o n 333 o f the Re f o r m A ct.

The F ede r al A viation A ct and S ection 333 o f the Re f o r m A ct both autho r ize the FAA to exempt ai r c r a f t fr om the r equi r ement f o r

an ai rw o r thine ss ce r ti f icate, upon con s ide r ation o f the

s ize, w eight, s peed, ope r ational capability, and p r oximity to ai r po r t s and populated a r ea s o f the

pa r ticula r UAS

.

I n all ca s e s , an analy s i s o f the s e c r ite r ia demon s t r ate s that the UAS ope r ated w ithout an

ai rw o r thine ss ce r ti f icate, in the r e s t r icted envi r onment and unde r the condition s p r opo s ed, w ill be

at lea s t a s s a f e a s , o r s a f e r

than, a conventional r oto r c r a f t ope r ating w ith an ai rw o r thine ss

ce r ti f icate w ithout r e s t r iction s and condition s o f the p r opo s ed UAS ope r ation s

.

7 See 14 C. F .R. § 11.81 ( e )

, w hich r equi r e s a petition f o r

exemption to include:

The r ea s on s w hy g r anting the exemption w ould not adve rs ely a ff ect s a f ety, o r ho w the exemption w ould p r ovide a le v el o f s a f ety at lea s t equal to that p r ovided by the r ule fr om

w hich you s eek exemption.P age 9

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

The UAS to be ope r ated he r eunde r , DJI Phantom 2 Vision + multi -r oto r r oto r c r a f t,

w eigh s approximately 3 pounds, ca rr ie s neithe r a pilot no r pa ss enge r , ca rr ie s no explo s ive

mate r ial s o r f lammable liquid f uel s , and ope r ate s exclu s ively w ithin a s ecu r ed and s te r ile a r ea. U nlike othe r civil ai r c r a f t, the p r opo s ed ope r ation s w ill be cont r olled and monito r ed by the

ope r ato r , a s w ell a s an ob s e r ve r and s en s o r ope r ato r , pu rs uant to the M anual 's r equi r ement s

. M o r eove r , the FAA w ill have adva nce notice o f all ope r ation s conducted unde r thi s exemption.

The s e s a f ety enhancement s , w hich al r eady apply to civil ai r c r a f t ope r ated in connection

w ith exi s ting in s pection ope r ation s , p r ovide a g r eate r deg r ee o f s a f ety to the P etitione r's employee s , membe rs o f the public, and p r ope r ty o w ne rs than conventional ope r ation s cond u cted

w ith ai rw o r thine ss ce r ti f icate s i ss ued unde r 14 C. F .R. P a r t 21, S ubpa r t H . La s tly, application o f

the s e s ame c r ite r ia demon s t r ate s that the r e i s no c r edible th r eat to national s ecu r ity po s ed by the

UAS , due to it s s ize, s peed o f ope r ation, lack o f explo s ive mate r ial s o r f lammable liquid f uel s , and inability to ca rr y a s ub s tantial exte r nal load.

B. 14 C .F. R

. Par t 27 A ir w or th i n e ss St a nd ar ds: N or m al C a t egory R o t orcra ft

14 C. F .R. P a r t 27 s et s f o r th the p r ocedu r al r equi r ement s f o r

ai rw o r thine ss ce r ti f ication o f

no r mal catego r y r oto r c r a f t. To the extent the P etitione r's UAS w ould othe rw i s e r equi r e

ce r ti f ication unde r P a r t 27, P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om P a r t 27 's ai rw o r thine ss s tanda r d s f o r

the s ame r ea s on s identi f ied in the exemption r eque s t fr om 14 C. F .R. P a r t 21, S ubpa r t H

.

C

. 14 C .F. R

. § § 91.9 ( c )

, 45.23 (b) a nd 45.27 ( a ): A ircra ft Mar k i n g a nd

Id e nt i f ica t io n R e qu ire m e nts

P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om the ai r c r a f t ma r king and identi f ication r equi r ement s contained in 14 C. F .R. § § 91.9 ( c ) , 45.23 ( b ) and 45.27 ( a )

.

 1 4 C. F .R. § 91.9 ( c ) , Civil A i r c r a f t F light M anual, M a r king and P laca r d r equi r ement s , pr ovide s that:

N o pe rs on may ope r ate a U

. S

. -r egi s te r ed civil ai r c r a f t unle ss that ai r c r a f t i s identi f ied in acco r dance w ith P a r t 45 o f thi s chapte r

.

 1 4 C. F .R. § 45.23 ( b )

, M a r king s o f the A i r c r a f t, s tate s :

When ma r k s include only the Roman capital lette r "N" and the r egi s t r ation

numbe r i s di s played on limited, r e s t r icted o r light -s po r t catego r y ai r c r a f t o r

expe r imental o r p r ovi s ionally ce r ti f icated ai r c r a f t, the ope r ato r mu s t al s o di s play

on that ai r c r a f t nea r each ent r ance to the cabin, cockpit, o r pilot s tation, in lette rs not le ss than 2 inche s no r mo r e than 6 inche s high, the w o r d s " limited, "

"r e s t r icted, " " light -s po r t, " expe r imental, " o r " p r ovi s ional, " a s applicable.P age 10

 1 4 C. F .R. § 45.27 ( a ) , Roto r c r a f t, s tate s :

Each ope r ato r o f a r oto r c r a f t mu s t di s play on that r oto r c r a f t ho r izontally on both

s u rf ace s o f the cabin, f u s elage, boom, o r tail the ma r k s r equi r ed by § 45.23.

Exemption fr om 14 C. F .R. § 45.23 ( b ) i s w a rr anted becau s e the UAS ha s no ent r ance to the cabin, cockpit, o r pilot s tation on w hich the w o r d " Expe r imental " can be placed. M o r eove r , given the s ize o f the UAS , t w o

- inch lette r ing w ill be impo ss ible.

G iven the natu r e o f the s peci f ic r elie f s ought by thi s exemption r eque s t, P etitione r

r equi r e s r elie f fr om the a ss ociated ma r king and identi f ication r equi r ement s o f § 45.27 ( a ) and § 91.9 ( c )

, w hich w ould r equi r e compliance w ith § 45.23 ( b )

.

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

The equivalent level o f s a f ety f o r

exemption s to the ai r c r a f t ma r king and identi f ication

r equi r ement s o f §§ 91.9 ( c ) , 45.23 ( b ) and 45.27 ( a ) w ill be p r ovided by having the UAS ma r ked

on it s f u s elage a s r equi r ed by § 45.29 (f)

.

The FAA ha s p r eviou s ly i ss ue d the f ollo w ing exemption s to the ai r c r a f t ma r king

r equi r ement s o f § 45.23 ( b ) : Exempti o n N o s . 10700, 10167 and 10167 A

.

D

. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.9 (b)( 2 ): C ivil A ircra ft Flig ht Ma nu al i n th e A ircra ft

P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om the f light manual r equi r ement s o f 14 C. F .R. §

91.9 ( b )( 2 )

, w hich s tate s :

( b ) N o pe rs on may ope r ate a U

. S

. -r egi s te r ed civil ai r c r a f t –

...

( 2 ) F o r w hich an A i r plane o r Roto r c r a f t F light M anual i s not r equi r ed by § 21.5 o f

thi s chapte r , unle ss the r e i s available in the ai r c r a f t a cu rr ent app r oved ai r plane o r Roto r c r a f t F light M anual, app r oved manual mate r ial, ma r king s and placa r d s , o r any combination the r eo f

.

G iven it s phy s ical dimen s ion s , con f igu r ation and load capacity, the UAS ha s no ability

to ca rr y s uch a manual on the ai r c r a f t, not only becau s e the r e i s no pilot on boa r d, but becau s e the r e i s s im p ly no r oom o r capacity to ca rr y s uch an item on the ai r c r a f t.

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

The s a f ety r elated pu r po s e o f t h i s manual r equi r ement can be equally s ati sf ied by maintaining the UAS f light manual at the g r ound cont r ol point w he r e the pilot f lying the UAS

w ill have immediate acce ss to it. A cco r dingly, P etitione r r eque s t s an exemption fr om 91.9 ( b )( 2 )'s f light manual r equi r ement s , on the condition that the UAS f light manual be

available at the cont r ol point du r ing each ope r ation.P age 11

E. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.7 ( a ): C ivil A ircra ft A ir w or th i n e ss

P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om 14 C. F .R. § 91.7 ( a )

, w hich r equi r e s that a civil

ai r c r a f t be i n ai rw o r thy condition to be ope r ated. I na s much the r e w ill be no ai rw o r thine ss

ce r ti f icate i ss ued f o r

the UAS

, s hould thi s exemption be g r anted, no FAA r egulato r y s tanda r d

w ill exi s t f o r

dete r mining ai rw o r thine ss

.

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

The DJI Phantom 2 Vision + ha s a s tella r s a f ety r eco r d, demon s t r ating that the UAS i s ai rw o r thy. F u r the r , given the s ize o f the UAS and the r equi r ement s contained in the M anual f o r maintenance and p r e -f light s a f ety check li s t s , an equivalent level o f s a f ety w ill be p r ovided.

The FAA ha s i ss ued the f ollo w ing exemption s to thi s r egulation: Exemption N o s . 8 6 07, 8737, 8738, 9299, 9299 A , 9565, 9565B, 10167, 10167 A , 10602, 32827, and 10700.

F. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.103 : Pre f lig ht A c t io n

P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om 14 C. F .R. § 91.103, w hich r equi r e s a PI C to bec o me f amilia r w ith s peci f ic in f o r mation be f o r e each f light, including in f o r

mation contained in the

FAA- app r oved F light M anual on boa r d the ai r c r a f t. While the PI C w ill be f amilia r w ith all

in f o r mation nece ss a r y to s a f ely conduct the f light, an exemption i s r eque s ted to the extent that an

FAA- app r oved F light manual i s r equi r ed on boa r d the ai r c r a f t.

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

A n equivalent level o f s a f ety w ill be p r ovided by f ollo w ing the A i r c r a f t O pe r ation s
M anual. The PI C w ill take all r equi r e d p r e f light action s

- including r evie w ing w eathe r , f light

batte r y r equi r ement s , landing and takeo ff di s tance, and ai r c r a f t pe rf o r

mance data

- be f o r e initiation o f f light. The A i r c r a f t O pe r ation s M anual w ill be kept at the g r ound s tation w ith the

ope r ato r at all time s

.

G. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.109 ( a ): Flig ht Inst r u c t io n

P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om 14 C. F .R. § 91.109 ( a )

, w hich p r ovide s that "[ n ] o

pe rs on may ope r ate a civil ai r c r a f t ( except a manned fr ee balloon ) that i s being u s ed f o r f light

in s t r uction unle ss that ai r c r a f t ha s f ully f unctioning dual cont r ol s

. " UASs and r emotely pil o ted

ai r c r a f t, by thei r de s ign, do not have f unctional dual cont r ol s

. I n s tead, f light cont r ol i s accompli s hed th r ough the u s e o f a box that communicate s w ith the ai r c r a f t via r adio

communication s

.P age 12

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

G iven the s ize and s peed o f the UAS , an equivalent level o f s a f e t r aining can s till be

pe rf o r med w ithout dual cont r ol s becau s e no pilot o r pa ss enge rs a r e aboa r d the UAS , and all

pe rs on s w ill be a s a f e di s tance a w ay in the event that the UAS expe r ience s any di ff icultie s du r ing f light in s t r uction.

The FAA ha s app r oved exemption s f o r f light t r aining w ithout f ully f unctional dual

cont r ol s f o r

a numbe r o f ai r c r a f t and f o r f light in s t r uction in expe r imental ai r c r a f t. Exemption s include: N o s . 5778 K and 9862 A

.

H. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.119 : Mi n i mum S a f e A l t i tud e s

P etitione r r eque s t s an exemption fr om the minimum s a f e altitude r equi r ement s o f 1 4

C. F .R. § 91

. 119. S ection 91.119 p r e s c r ibe s the minimum s a f e altitude s unde r w hich ai r c r a f t may
not ope r ate, including 500 f eet above the s u rf ace and a w ay fr om any pe rs on, ve ss el, vehicle, o r

s t r uctu r e in non

- conge s ted a r ea s

. See 14 C. F .R. § 91.119 ( c )

. S ection 91.119 ( d ) allo ws f o r

a helicopte r to ope r ate at le ss than tho s e minimum altitude s w hen it can be ope r ated "w ithout

haza r d to pe rs on s o r p r ope r ty on the s u rf ace, " p r ovided that " each pe rs on ope r ating the helicopte r complie s w ith any r oute s o r altitude s s peci f ically p r e s c r ibed f o r

helicopte rs by the FAA

. "

To pr ovide the intended flood control facility in s pection s , the UAS i s always ope r ated

bel ow 400 f eet AG L. A dditionally, due the n atu r e o f the p r opo s ed ope r ation s , the UAS w ill

maintain a late r al di s tance o f at lea s t 100 f eet fro m inhabited s t r uctu r e s , building s , vehicle s , and

ve ss el s , and fr om people not a ss ociated w ith the ope r ation.

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

Compa r ed to f light ope r ation s w ith r oto r c r a f t w eighing f a r

mo r e than the maximum 25 pound s p r opo s ed he r ein, and given the lack o f f lammable f uel, any r i s k a ss ociated w ith the s e

ope r ation s i s f a r

le ss than tho s e that p r e s ently exi s t w ith conventional ai r c r a f t. A n equivalent

level o f s a f ety w ill be achieved given the s ize, w eight, and s peed o f the UAS , a s w ell a s the

location w he r e it i s ope r ated. As s et f o r th in the M anual, the UAS w ill be ope r ated in a

r e s t r icted and s te r ile a r ea, w he r e building s and people w ill not be expo s ed to ope r ation s w ithout

thei r p r e

- o b tained con s ent. Becau s e o f the advance notice to the p r ope r ty o w ne rs and

pa r ticipant s , all a ff ected individual s w ill be w ell a w a r e o f the planned f light ope r ation s a s s et
f o r th in the M anual.

F u r t h e r mo r e, by ope r ating at s uch lo w e r altitude s , the UAS w ill not inte rf e r e w ith o the r ai r c r a f t that a r e s ubject to the minimum s a f e altitude r egulation s

. F inally, the s ucce ssf ul s a f ety

r eco r d o f the DJI Phantom 2 Vision + demon s t r ate s that the UAS can be s a f ely u s ed at the s e lo w e r altitu d e s and clo s e r o pe r ating envi r onment s

.P age 13

I

. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.121 : A l t i m e t er S e tt i n g s

Thi s petition s eek s an exemption fr om 14 C. F .R. § 91.121, w hich r equi r e s a pe rs on

ope r ating an ai r c r a f t to maintain c r ui s ing altitude o r f light level by r e f e r ence to an altimete r that

i s s et to the elevation o f the depa r tu r e ai r po r t o r ba r omet r ic p r e ss u r e. A n exemption i s r equi r ed

becau s e the UAS doe s not have a ba r omet r ic altimete r , but r athe r a GPS altitude r ead out.

Eq u ivale n t Level o f S a f

ety

A n equivalent level o f s a f ety w ill be achieved by f ollo w ing the p r ocedu r e s s et f o r th in the

M anual. As p r e s c r ibed in the M anual, the ope r ato r w ill con f i r m the altitude o f the launch s ite

s ho w n on the GPS altitude indicato r be f o r e f light. M o r eove r , the PI C w ill u s e the GPS altitude

indicato r built in to the UAS to con s tantly monito r height, thu s en s u r ing ope r ation at s a f e altitude s

.

J. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.151 ( a ): F u el R e qu ire m e nts f or Flig ht i n V F R

C o nd i t io ns

P etitione r r eque s t s an exemption fr om 14 C. F .R. § 91.151 ( a )'s f uel r equi r ement s f o r f light

in VF R condition s

. S ection 91.151 s tate s :

( a ) N o pe rs on may begin a f light in an ai r plane unde r VF R condition s unle ss ( con s ide r ing w ind and f o r eca s t w eathe r condition s) the r e i s enough f uel to f ly to

the f i rs t point o f intended landing and, a ss uming no r mal c r ui s ing s peed –

( 1 ) D u r ing the day, to f ly a f te r that f o r

at lea s t 30 minute s ; o r

( 2 ) A t night, to f ly a f te r that f o r

at lea s t 45 minute s

.

H e r e, the batte r y po w e r ing the DJI Phantom 2 Vision + p r ovide s app r oximately 15

minute s o f po w e r ed f light. To meet the 30 minute s r e s e r ve r equi r ement in 14 C. F .R. § 91.151,

UAS f light s could not be conducted. G iven the limitation s on the UAS’s p r opo s ed f light a r ea and

the location o f it s p r opo s ed ope r ation s w ithin a p r edete r mined a r ea, a s a f ety ma r gin ba s ed on a

r e s e r ve amount o f batte r y li f e i s needed. P etitione r w ill not be conducting any UAS f light s at night.

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

A n equivalent level o f s a f ety w ill be achieved becau s e the ope r ation s w ill be conducted

on -s ite w ithout s igni f icant t r an s it time by the UAS

. A ll f light s w ill be planned to be te r minated

w ith no le ss than 25 % r e s e r ve batte r y po w e r s till available. Thi s r e s t r iction w ould be mo r e than adequate to r etu r n the UAS s a f ely to the g r ound and it s planned landing zone fr om any w he r e in

it s limited ope r ating a r ea even in the event o f an unexpected occu rr ence. O pe r ation o f the UASP age 14

w ith le ss than 30 minute s o f r e s e r ve f uel doe s not include the type o f r i s k s that S ection 91.151 ( a )

w a s intended to alleviate given the s ize and s peed o f the s mall UAS , and the p r oximity o f t h e f light ope r ation to the landing zone. M o r eove r , ope r ation w ill be limited to cont r olled a r ea s

w he r e only people and p r ope r ty o w ne rs , o r o ff icial r ep r e s entative s w ho have s igned w aive rs

. w ill

be allo w ed.

Thi s r eque s t f o r

exemption f all s w ithin the s cope o f p r io r exemption s , including Exemption N o s . 10673, 2689 F , 5745, 1 0673, and 10808.

K. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.203 ( a ) a nd (b): C arryi n g C ivil A ircra ft C er t i f ica t io n

a nd R egi st ra t io n

P etitione r s eek s an exemption fr om civil ai r c r a f t ce r ti f ication and r egi s t r ation

r equi r ement s o f 14 C. F .R. § 91.203 ( a ) and ( b ) . The r egulation s tate s in pe r tinent pa r t:

( a ) Except a s p r ovided in § 91.715, no pe rs on may ope r ate a civil ai r c r a f t unle ss it

ha s w ithin it the f ollo w ing:

( 1 ) A n app r op r iate and cu rr ent ai rw o r thine ss ce r ti f icate...

( b ) N o pe rs on may ope r ate a civil ai r c r a f t unle ss the ai rw o r thine ss ce r ti f icate r equi r ed by pa r ag r aph ( a ) o f thi s s ection o r a s pecial f light autho r ization i ss ued unde r § 91.715 i s di s played at the cabin o r cockpit ent r ance s o that it i s legible to

pa ss enge rs o r c r e w

.

I n addition to the f act that P etitione r i s s eeking an exemption fr om the ai rw o r thine ss

ce r ti f icate r equi r ement s , an exemption to thi s r egulation i s nece ss a r y becau s e: ( 1 ) the UAS’s

con f igu r ation, load capacity and s ize doe s not allo w it to ca rr y ce r ti f ication and r egi s t r ation

document s ; ( 2 ) the UAS doe s not ha v e a cabin o r cockpit ent r ance at w hich document s co u ld be

di s played; and ( 3 ) the r e a r e no pa ss enge rs o r c r e w f o r w hom the ce r ti f icate s need to be

di s played.

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

To t h e extent the s e r egulation s a r e applicable to the p r opo s ed UAS ope r ation s , an equivalent level o f s a f ety w ill be achieved by keeping the s e document s at the g r ound cont r ol point w he r e the PI C w ill have immediate acce ss to them.

The FAA ha s i ss ued nume r ou s exemption s to thi s r egulation, including: Exemption N o s

. 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789 A , 9797, 9797 A , 9816 A , and 10700.P age 15

L. 14 C .F. R

. § 91.405 ( a )

, 91.407 ( a )( 1 )

, 91.409 ( a )( 2 ); 91.417 ( a ) a nd (b):

Mai nt e n a n ce Insp ec t io ns

P etitione r al s o s eek s an exemption fr om the maintenance in s pection r equi r ement s containe d in

14 C. F .R. § 91.405 ( a ) , 91.407 ( a )( 1 ) , 91.409 ( a )( 2 ) ; 91.417 ( a ) and ( b ) . The s e r egulation s s peci f y maintenance and in s pection s tanda r d s in r e f e r ence to 14 C. F .R. P a r t 43. See, e.g., 14 C. F .R. §

91.405 ( a ) (s tating that each o w ne r o r ope r ato r o f an ai r c r a f t "[s] hall have the ai r c r a f t in s pected a s

p r e s c r ibed in s ubpa r t E o f thi s pa r t an d s hall bet w een r equi r ed in s pection s ...have di s c r epancie s

r epai r ed a s pr e s c r ibed in pa r t 43 o f thi s chapte r")

. A n exemption to the s e r egulation s i s needed

becau s e P a r t 43 and the s e s ection s only apply to ai r c r a f t w ith an ai rw o r thine ss ce r ti f icate, w hich

the UAS w ill not have.

E qu ivale nt Level o f S a f e t y

A n equivalent level o f s a f ety w ill be achieved becau s e maintenance and in s pection s w ill be pe rf o r med in acco r dance w ith the A i r c r a f t O pe r ation s M anual a s r e f e r enced in the M anual.

As p r ovided in the M anual, the ope r ato r w ill en s u r e that the UAS i s in w o r king o r de r p r io r to initiating f light, pe rf o r

m r equi r ed maintenance, and keep a log o f any maintenance pe rf o r med. The ope r at or i s the pe rs on mo s t f amilia r w ith the ai r c r a f t and be s t s uited to maintain the ai r c r a f t
in an ai rw o r thy condition to p r ovide the equivalent level o f s a f ety.

If

mechanical i ss ue s a r i s e, the UAS’s s ize and ca rr ying capacity, and the f act that f light

ope r ation s w ill only take place in r e s t r icted a r ea s f o r

limited pe r iod s o f time du r ing daylight

hou rs , c r eate s le ss r i s k than that a ss ociated w ith conventional r oto r c r a f t pe rf o r

ming the s ame

ope r ation.

VI

. P U BL IC IN TE R E S T

Gr anting DuPage County Stormwater Management’s exemption r eque s t f u r the rs the public inte r e s t. N ational policy s et by Cong r e ss f avo rs ea r ly integ r ation o f UAS into the national

ai rs pace in cont r olled, s a f e w o r king envi r onment s s uch a s tho s e p r opo s ed in thi s petition.

By thei r nature, flood control facilities p r e s ent unique di ff icultie s f o r

pe rs on s attempting

to in s pect and maintain thi s vital piece o f in fr a s t r uctu r e. S ending personnel to inspect dam structures and high walled flood storage facilities put s personnel at risk. The s e r i s k s can be avoided by u s ing a s mall UAS unde r cont r olled condition s to photog r aph and document the

s tate o f the equipment. Thi s help s to f acilitate r epai rs and ide n ti f y i ss ue s be f o r e they become

p r oblem s . The public deserves to have the highest leve l of quality control as they rely heavily on these facilities for flood protec tion. Employing the UAS in this capacity will further help to insure their safety.P age 16

VII

. Privacy

A ll f light s w ill occu r ove r p r ope r ty w ith the p r ope r ty o w ne r's p r io r con s ent and

kno w ledge.

VIII

. Fe d eral R egi st ry Summ ary

P u rs uant to 14 C. F .R. P a r t 11, the f ollo w ing s umma r y i s p r ovided f o r

publication in the

F ede r al Regi s te r , s hould it be dete r mined that publication i s needed:

DuPage County Stormwater Management s eek s an exemption fr om the f ollo w ing r ule s :

14 C F R P a r t 21, S ubpa r t H ; 1 4 C F R P a r t 27; 14 C F R 45.23 ( b ) ; 14 C F R 91.7 ( a ) ; 14 C F R

91. 9( b )( 2 ) ; 14 C F R 91.103; 14 C F R 91.109 ( a ) ; 14 C F R 91.119; 14 C F R 91.121; 14 C F R

91. 1 51 ( a ) ; 14 C F R 91.203 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 14 C F R 91.405 ( a ) ; 14 C F R 91.407 ( a )( 1 ) ; 14 C F R

91. 4 09 ( a )( 2 ) ; 14 C F R 91.417 ( a ) & ( b )

.

A p pr oval o f the s e exemption s allo w ing comme r cial ope r ation s o f s mall and light w eight

unmanned ai r c r a f t ("UAS") to conduct f la r e s tack in s pection s w ill enhance s a f ety by r educing

r i s k to DuPage County Stormwater Management employee s , the gene r al public and p r ope r ty

o w ne rs

.

The DJI Phantom 2 Vision + UAS

, w eighing approximately 3 pound s and po w e r ed by

batte r ie s , eliminate s vi r tually all o f that r i s k given the r educed ma ss and lack o f combu s tible

f uel ca rr ied on boa r d. The UAS i s t r an s po r ted to the de s ignated s u r vey a r ea s et up. I t i s not
f lo w n fr om an exte r nal location to the w o r k -s ite. The UAS w ill ca rr y no pa ss enge rs o r c r e w and, the r e f o r e, w ill not expo s e them to the r i s k s a ss ociated w ith manned ai r c r a f t f light s

.

The ope r ation o f thi s s mall UAS w ill p r ovide an equivalent level o f s a f ety, s uppo r ti n g the

g r ant o f the exemption s r eque s ted he r ein, including exempting the applicant fr om the

r equi r ement s o f P a r t 21 and allo w ing comme r cial ope r ation s . The s e light w eight UASs ope r ate at

s lo w s peed s , clo s e to the g r ound, and in a s te r ile envi r onment. As a r e s ult, they a r e f a r s a f e r

than

conventional ae r ial s u r vey and in s pection ope r ation s conducted w ith f ixed w ing ai r c r a f t o r helicopte rs

.P age 17

IX

. C o n cl us io n

S ati sf action o f the c r ite r ia p r ovided in S ection 333 o f the Re f o r m A ct o f 2012— s ize,

w eight, s peed, ope r ating capabilitie s , p r oximity to ai r po r t s and populated a r ea s and ope r ation

w ithin vi s ual line o f s ight and national s ecu r ity—p r ovide s mo r e than adequate ju s ti f ication f o r the g r ant o f the r eque s ted exemption s to pe r mit DuPage County Stormwater Management to

ope r ate a UAS in s uppo r t o f its flood control facility in s pection s in acco r dance w ith the m anual appended he r eto.

If

additional in f o r mation i s r equi r ed, o r i f you have any que s tion s r ega r ding thi s P etition

f o r

Exemption, plea s e contact the unde rs igned o r at:

John Blickem GIS Analyst Stormwater Management 421 N County Farm Rd Wheaton, IL 60187
630-407-6721 john.blickem@dupageco.org