Music City Drones LLC

Seth Stouder, Co-Founder

615-663-1515

700 12th Ave. S #513

Nashville, TN 37203

Admin@MusicCityDrones.com

Website: www.MusicCityDrones.com

SUMMARY

Seth T. Stouder/Music City Drones, seek an exemption from the 

requirements of 14 C.F.R §§ 61.113(a) & (b), 91.7 (a), 91.121, 

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

& (b), to operate an Unmanned Aircraft System pursuant to Section 333 

of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA). This 

exemption will permit Seth T. Stouder to operate an Unmanned Aircraft 

System (UAS), specifically a DJI Inspire1, for the commercial purpose 

of conducting aerial video and photography of real estate, weddings, 

special events, and sporting events. We at Music City Drones LLC, have 

met with Lt. Floyd Hyde of Metro Nashville Police who is over 

Emergency Contingency within their Special Operations Division in the 

middle Tennessee area and have gone through the necessary classes and 

training to make sure all authorities are informed about when, where, 

and for how long the UAS will be flown. We intend to maintain a 

cordial, professional, and close-knit relationship with all authorities to 

ensure safety and compliance with state and federal laws.

INTRODUCTION AND INTERESTS OF THE PETITIONER

My name is Seth T. Stouder, I am a 29 year old digital media and 

marketing professional with over 13 years of cinematography, graphic 

design and video production ranging from family videos to professional 

film events. I am currently in the middle of creating a company, Music 

City Drones, based in Nashville that will offer services to local 

individuals and organizations featuring aerial photography and 

professionally produced videos including primarily:
 Video for Real Estate sales and promotion

 Weddings and Special Events

 Coverage of sports and hobby club events

 Government services and contracts

UAS Description

Unmanned Aircraft System: DJI Inspire 1 UAS

Seth T. Stouder/Music City Drones seek an exemption to operate DJI 

systems Inspire1 for compensation or hire within the NAS. The DJI 

Inspire 1 is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft 

(UA) with a Ground Control Station (GCS) utilizing electronic tablet or 

smart phone systems. The DJI Inspire 1 has a maximum gross weight of 

6 pounds 7.5 ounces, a length of 17.3 inches, width of 17.7 inches, 

height of 11.8 inches, and a maximum speed of approximately 42 knots. 

The DJI Inspire 1 USA is equipped with four main rotors; driven by 

Lithium Polymer battery powered electric motors. The DJI Inspire 1 

UAS that will be operated by Seth T. Stouder.

BASIS FOR PETITION

Petitioner, Seth T Stouder, pursuant to the provisions of the Federal

Aviation

Regulations (14 C.F.R. § 11.61) and the FAA Modernization and 

Reform Act of 2012

(FMRA), Section 333, Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft 

Systems, hereby

petitions the Administrator to commercially operate the DJI Inspire 1 

UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS), and for an exemption 

from the requirements of 14 C.F.R §§ 61.113(a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 

91.151(b), 91.405(a),

91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b). 

In consideration of the speed, weight, size, and limited operating area 

associated

with the unmanned aircraft and its operation, Seth T. Stouder’s operation 

of the DJI Inspire 1 UAS meet the conditions of FMRA Section 333 and 
therefore, will not require an airworthiness certificate in accordance with 

14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H.

Accordingly, Seth T. Stouder requests relief from Sections 61.113(a), 

91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) & (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b), as 

these sections set forth requirements for maintenance that only apply to 

aircraft with an airworthiness certificate. Only experienced personnel or 

technicians will be used to perform maintenance, alterations, or 

preventive maintenance on the UAS using the

methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the operating 

documents (i.e., Monthly Maintenance Log, and DJI Inspire 1 

Instruction

Manuals). Furthermore, Seth T. Stouder will document and maintain all 

maintenance

records for the DJI Inspire 1 UAS. Seth T. Stouder submits that he will 

ensure that the DJI Inspire 1 UAS is in an airworthy condition, prior to 

every flight, by determining

that the UAS is in compliance with the operating documents and that the 

aircraft is in a condition for safe flight.

Relief is also sought from the requirements of Section 91.121, entitled 

Altimeter Settings, as the DJI Inspire 1 UAS will not have a typical 

barometric altimeter onboard. However, altitude information of the DJI 

Inspire 1UAS will be provided to the PIC via Global Positioning System 

(GPS) equipment and radio communications telemetry data link, which 

downlinks from the UA to the GCS for active monitoring of the flight 

path. This altitude information, combined with Seth T. Stouder’s 

operation of the 

DJI Inspire 1 UAS, always within visual line of sight and at or below 

400 feet

AGL, will ensure a level of safety equivalent to Section 91.121.

Additionally, Seth T. Stouder seeks an exemption from the requirements 

of

Section 91.151(b), entitled Fuel requirements for flight in VFR 

conditions as that does not apply to the operation of the DJI Inspire 1 

UAS during daylight hours in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) 

under visual flight rules (VFR), with enough battery power to fly for a 
total duration of approximately 12 minutes to the first point of intended 

landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 

10 minutes.

In accordance with 14 C.F.R. § 11.81, Seth T. Stouder provides the 

following

information in support of its petition for exemption:

A. Name And Address Of The Petitioner.

The name and address of the Petitioner and point of contact is:

Seth T. Stouder

615-663-1515

17203 Wyndchase Circle 

Franklin, TN 37067

The Reasons Why Granting This Request Would Be In The Public’s 

Interest; That Is, How It Would Benefit The Public As A Whole.

Granting the present Petition will further the public interest by allowing 

Seth T. Stouder to safely, efficiently, and economically perform aerial 

video and photography of

construction sites, real estate, landscape, weddings, special events, etc. 

over specific areas of the United States. This will boost commerce by 

promoting public events for more efficient advertising and by 

promoting sales within the real estate market.

Additionally, use of the DJI Inspire 1 UAS will decrease congestion of 

the NAS and reduce pollution. Please also note that the operation of the 

DJI Inspire 1 UAS will be utilized without implicating any privacy 

issues.

The Reasons Why Granting The Exemption Would Not Adversely 

Affect Safety,

And/Or Provide A Level Of Safety At Least Equal To That

Provided By The Rule From Which Seth T. Stouder Seeks 

Exemption.
Seth T. Stouder will operate the DJI Inspire 1 UAS within all the 

regulations and guidelines outlined in Title 14, FMRA Section 333, and 

will not require an airworthiness certificate in accordance with 14 C.F.R. 

Part 21, Subpart H. Seth T. Stouder will only operate the UAS within 

VLS and under 400 FT AGL. These restrictions will maintain the same 

level of safety previously established before the exemption is/was 

granted. The following conditions will also be instated to ensure 

maximum flight safety:

 The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs. 

 Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 30 

minutes. 

 Flights will be terminated at 15% battery power reserve. 

 UAS operator will be trained and certified in the proper safety and 

operations of the UAS. 

 The UAS will only operate within a controlled area as defined in 

the Procedures. 

 The operator will post advisor notice around the controlled area. 

 The operator will have been trained in operation of UAS generally 

and received up-to-date 

 information on the particular UAS to be operated as required. 

 If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS 

will have capability to 

 return to a pre-determined location within the Security Perimeter 

and land. 

 The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of 

unpredicted obstacles or 

 emergencies.

Summary to be published in the Federal Register 

Rules From Which Exemption is Sought:
Music City Drones seeks exemption from the requirements of 14 C.F.R 

Sections

61.113(a)&(b), 91.7(a), 91.121, 91.151(b), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 

91.409(a)(1)

& (a)(2), and 91.417(a) & (b).

A Brief Description Of The Nature Of The Exemption Seth T. 

Stouder Seeks:

This exemption will permit Seth T. Stouder and Music City Drones LLC

to commercially operate an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for the 

purpose of conducting for profit aerial video and photography services

over specific areas of the United States.

Any Additional Information, Views, Or Arguments Available To 

Support

Seth T. Stouder’s Request.

In conclusion the applicant respectfully requests the approval of the 

FAA on this exemption request and is prepared to make any changes 

required to ensure safety and compliance. We look forward to working 

with your office and hearing from you. Please feel free to contact us 

anytime for any additional information.

Sincerely,

Seth T. Stouder