Date: 12/21/2015 Revision: Original 

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Motion Picture and Television Flight Operation 

Manual 

Skyora, LLC

20581 King Arthur Ct.,

Lynwood, IL 60411

(855) 759-6721
Date: 12/21/2015 Revision: Original 

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Revision Control Page 

Revision# Date Approved By

1.0 6/1/2015 Keenan Newton
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1. Introduction 

 A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by "Skyora, LLC", hereafter referred to as "Skyora", in 

conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the 

provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. Skyora pilots and other 

company personnel when applicable will comply with the policies, procedures and 

conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television flight operations are 

performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above. 

B. Organization Primary Contact

Keenan Newton - Owner 

Skyora, LLC

20581 King Arthur Ct.

Lynwood, IL 60411

 

C. Persons Authorized 

 FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures 

directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall 

ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting 

to be involved and necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced 

to no less than 200 feet if an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the 

Administrator has approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be 

determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain features, 

obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating persons 

(observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident. 

D. Area of Operations 

Skyora's area of operations will be the continental United States as well as Alaska and 

Hawaii. 
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E. Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Skyora will submit a written plan of 

activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of activities should 

include the following: 

1. Dates and times for all flights. 

2. Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event. 

3. Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

4. Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used 

5. Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event.

6. A statement that the waiver holder 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 from the waiver 

holder. 

7. Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

8. 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 minimum altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operations. 

The three (3) day notification may be waived, however, the operator should contact the 

FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in detail why the 

three (3) day notification is not practical. 

F. Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of the 

certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct 

these operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or appropriate. 

Persons from whom permission may be required are listed below: 

1. Property owners 

2. Law enforcement officials 

3. Fire department officials 

4. Local, State and Federal government 

5. Air traffic control 
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Skyora personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical, 

however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is 

provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written permission. Skyora

personnel will assure a sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. 

Written permission forms will be maintained at the job site until flight operations are 

completed, and then turned into the operations director to be kept on file for a minimum 

of one (1) year. These forms will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other 

official personnel upon request. 

G. Security 

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate production 

personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized 

persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations 

should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety. 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in 

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks 

involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the filming 

production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional provisions that may be 

issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for the operational area, including 

the location of boundaries or time limits. The briefing shall cover: 

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the attached 

special provisions 

• Operations manual 

• Plan of activities 

• Aircraft parking and starting 

• Taxi procedures 

• Radio Communications 

• Takeoff procedures 

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event 

• Approach and landing procedures 

• Recall procedures 

• Emergency procedures 
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• Risks to participating personnel 

• How to control nonparticipating persons 

 

I. Pilot Personnel Minimum Requirements 

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum 

requirements shall meet or exceed the following: 

(1) A current U.S. Sport, Recreational, Private or Commercial pilot certificate.

(2) At least 100 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC in the 

sUAS type. 

J. Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will 

formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the 

actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as long 

as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised of the 

current status of the operation. 

K. Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification 

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

L. Recall/Stop Procedures 

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 

M. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Skyora motion picture and 

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will 

not be jeopardized. 

Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All 

civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection 

before the scheduled event. 
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Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate 

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 

91.119 (b) and (c).

sUAS takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

Skyora will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are 

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and 

on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No 

person may participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing on the 

provisions of the waiver. 

2. Company Organization 

A. Operations Director

 Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual. 

• Act as liaison between Skyora and the FAA on matter concerning this manual. 

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed 

statement from each that they have read and understand its contents. 

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Skyora. 

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and 

processed properly. 

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by Skyora 

under the provisions of this manual. 

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such. 

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility. 

 B. Pilot in Command 

Duties and Responsibilities: 
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• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and 

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's. 

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of 

this manual. 

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, 

policies and conditions contained herein. 

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, 

etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. 

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job 

or operation requiring the waiver. 

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains 

responsibility. 
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Appendix A

Skyora, LLC

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Skyora, LLC permission to operate their aircraft at 

less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or 

affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production. 

Name: 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location: 

Date of Operation: 

Signature __________________________________________________ 

Date __________________________ 

Skyora Representative Receiving Permission 

_______________________________________________________________