Mike Wortman

HomeSafe Inspection

561 Ellis Drive

Weatherford, Texas 76088

817-475-1199

homesafe@swbell.net

Website: www.homesafeinspections.net

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

Aviation Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 subpart H 

14 CFR 45.23(b) 

14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.7(a) 

14 CFR 91.9(b)(2) 

14 CFR 91.103 

14 CFR 91.109 

14 CFR 91.119(c) 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151(a) 

14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 

14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2) 

14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b) 

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

CFR Part 11, Mike Wortman, operator of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), hereby applies for an 

exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of 

designated UAS, provided such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined 

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

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

sensors, and would provide professional services in the following areas: 

1. Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, 

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

2. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with 

the owners or local government authority. 

3. Training to persons (other real estate inspectors) individually or belonging to both 

private and/or public organizations to increase awareness and improve safety for 

current and future UAS operations within the NAS. 
As described fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of designated 

UAS as set forth in this document under controlled conditions in the NAS that would be

a) limited 

b) controlled 

c) predetermined

d) safe. 

Approval of this exemption would increase public awareness of UAS operations and enhance 

safety to aid in fulfilling 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.” I plan to operate a UAS, the DJI PHANTOM 3 Advanced, which is 

comprised of an unmanned aircraft (UA or Phantom 3 Advanced) and a transportable ground 

station. The Phantom 3 Advanced is referred to as a quad-copter with a maximum gross weight 

of about 3 pounds. It is equipped with four rotors that are driven by electric motors powered by 

batteries. The UA has a maximum airspeed of 16 m/s. 

Also, given the small size of the UAS involved and the restricted controlled environment, within 

which it will operate, the applicant fits within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safety) 

in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of 

UASs to commence immediately. Also due to the size of the UAS and the controlled areas in 

which the relevant UAS will operate, approval of the application presents no national security 

issue. Given the following, the grant of the requested exemptions is clearly in the public interest: 

Mike Wortman proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have 

these characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations 

provide for an exceptional level of safety to operations. These limitations and conditions to 

which Mike Wortman agrees to be bound when conducting commercial operations under an 

FAA issued exemption including: 

1. The UAS weighs less than 55 lbs. 

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of operator. 

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 15 minutes. 

4. Flights will be terminated at 20% battery power reserve. 

5. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL 

6. UAS operator will be trained and certified in the proper safety and operations of the 

UAS. 

7. The UAS will only operate within a controlled area as defined in the Procedures. 

8. The operator will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and received up-todate information on the particular UAS to be operated as required. 

9. If the UAS looses communications or looses its GPS signal, the UAS has the capability to 

return to a pre-determined location within the Security Perimeter and land. 

10. The UAS has the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies. 
Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption 

and are prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to satisfy the need for an 

equivalent level of safety. We look forward to working with your office. Please contact us at any 

time if additional information or clarifications are needed. 

Sincerely, 

Mike	Wortman

HomeSafe	Inspection

Texas	Real	Estate	Commission License	#6580