1 of 1 5 United States of A m erica D epar t m ent of T r an s po r tation Federal A viation Ad m ini s t r at ion W a s hington, DC

R e gu l at o r y Docket No : TBD

In the Matter of the Pe t i ti on F or E x e m p ti on of Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. For an Exemption seeking Relief from T it l e 14 of the Code of Federal R e gu l at i ons, sec ti ons: 21 Subpart H , 45.23(b), 61. 1 13 (a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103(b)(2), 91.105, 91

. 1 19, 91.121, 91.151(a), 91.203(a) & (b), 91.405, 91.407, 91.409, 91.417 (a) & (b ) , pu r sua n t t o Sec t i on 333 of the F AA Modernization and R e fo rm Ac t OF 2012

.

June 5 , 201 5

Elizabeth S. Walker Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. 7436 S. Ivy Way Centennial , CO 80112 T e l : 303

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- 74552 of 1 4 Int r o d ucti on Pu r suant t o Sec t i on 333 of the Federal A v i ati on Ad mi n i s tr ati on Modern i zat i on and R e form A ct of 2012, (R e fo rm Ac t ), and 14 C. F .R. § 1 1.61(b), Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. , here b y pe t iti ons for ex e mp ti on fr o m 14 C. F .R §§ 21 Subpart H, 45.23(b), 61

. 1 13 (a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103(b)(2),91.105, 91. 1 19, 91.121, 91.151(a), 91.203(a) & (b), 91.405, 91.407, 91.409, 91.417 (a) & (b ) , of the Federal A v i at i on R e gu l ati ons ( F A R s). Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. (hereinafter “Vertical”) is a real estate consulting company . It is a w oman - o wned b usiness, pursuant to the Women’s Business Enterprise Council

. Vertical seeks an exemption for a commercial Certificate of Authorization to use unmanned aircraft to support commercial activities for the purposes of property due diligence, marketing and aerial inspection and imagery

. The proposed unmanned aircraft, The In s p i re I and Phantom 2 Vision + , manufactured by DJI of China, consist of a lightweight ( approximately 6.5 pounds) battery

- operated aircraft, a PC

- based ground control station and associat ed communications equipment. The aircraft carries a camera that allows one to conduct aerial photography, both still photos and short videos , of the subject properties

. By providing high quality, aerial imagery , Vertical’s clients will be able to obtain due diligence and critical information regarding their property without the expense of using conventional aircraft or the safety concerns of hiring people to climb or conduct photography from a high and potentially dangerous vantage point. Vertical equip ment will be operated by at least one licensed pilot. T h i s pe t iti on i s s u b m i tt ed as a request t o a ll ow Vertical t o c o m m e rc i a l l y operat e both the DJI Inspire I and DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ unmanned aircraft sys tem ( U AS), i n a c cordance w ith the ir respective A i rcraft Operat i onal Handbook, and those cond iti ons that m a y be es t ab li shed b y th e F AA as requ i red b y Sec t i on 333. Included with this application are the following: Exhibit A Inspire I Aircraft Operations Handbook (aka User Manual) Exhibit B Phantom 2 Vision + Aircraft Operations Handboo k (aka User Manual) Exhibit C Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. Flight Operations Checklist Both the Inspire I and the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ are small unmanned aircraft s ystems (UAS) that are l ight weight ( no more than approximately 6.5 pounds fully loaded with a camera) , m ulti

- r otor ve hicles , with vertical takeoff and landin g capabilities

. They operate at a speed of no more than 100 mph and have the capability to hove r and move in a vertical and horizontal plane simultaneousl y. In bri ef, the reques t ed ex e mp ti ons wou l d pe rm i t the oper ati on of U A S th at are l ess than 55 l bs: 1) b y an F AA l i censed p il o t ; 2) at l ess than 400 fe e t of a l titu d e above ground l evel ( AG L ); 3) i n an area that i s l i m i t ed and prede t e rmi ne d ; 4) where pub l i c a c cess t o such area i s con tro l l ed; 5) where oper ati on a l i n t en ti ons are c o m m u n i c at ed t o the l o c al FS D O when required ;3 of 1 4 6) i n accordan c e w ith a n y o ther ru l es s et forth b y the F AA. As will be addressed herein, a pprov a l of the reques t ed ex e mp ti ons wou l d cre at e no s af

et y concerns regar d i ng the Nati on a l A i rspace S y s t e m and w il l fu l f i l l the Secre t ar y of T ransport at i on's ( the F AA Ad mi n i s tr at or's) respo n s i b i li t i es t o e s t ab li sh requ i r e m en t s for the safe oper ati on of such a i r craft s y s t e m s i n the nati on a l ai rspa c e s y s t e m . Name and address of the Petitioner Pursuant t o 14 C. F .R. § 1 1.81(a) the n am e and address of the applicant i s: Elizabeth S. Walker Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. 7436 S. Ivy Way Centennial , CO 80112 T e l : 303

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- 7455 E m ai l : liz@verticalrec.com Specific Provisions from which Exemption is Sought 14 C. F .R. P art 21 S ubpart H : A i r w or th i ness Cert i f i cates Subpart H, en t i tl ed A i rworth i ness C e rti f i c at es, es t ab l i shes the procedu r al requ i r e m e n t s for the i ssuance of a i rworth i ness certi f i c at es as requ i red b y F AR § 91.203 (a)(1). R equest for Ex e m pti on Vertical reques t s exe mp t i on fr o m the requ i r e m en t s for an a i rworth i ness cert i f i c at e, pu r suant t o 49 U.S. Code § 44701(f) and Sec t i on 333 of the R e form Ac t
. Wh il e the U A S s here are m anu f

ac tured w ithout an a i rworth i ness certi f i c at e and there are no m e cha n i cs t o certi f y these a i r craf t , an equ i v a l ent l e v el of f l i ght safe t y i s att a i ned b y s pe c i al p il ot trai n i ng, ground based secur it y procedures, redunda n t safe t y procedures as we l l as safe t y featu r es progra mm e d i n t o the U A S t o guard aga i nst l ost or degraded c o m m u n i c ati ons, l ost sat e l l it e recep t i on, or ge o m a gne t i c i n t erferen c e. T he U A S s t o be operat ed , specifically the Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + , manufactured by DJI , wei gh approximately six and one half (6.5) l bs., including battery and camera, f l y at low sp eeds in a controlled environment , f l y at a l titu d es of l ess than fo u r - hundred (400) feet above ground l ev e l ( A G L ), have a t o t al f li ght t i m e of no m ore than twenty

- five (25) m i nu t es, and are con tr o ll ed b y a li c ensed p il o t th at w il l m a i n t a i n visual li n e of s i ght ( V L OS) of the U AS s . Furthe r , the U A S carr y ne i ther p i l ot nor passengers, carr y no f l am m ab l e li qu i d or exp l os i ve m at e ri a l s, and will be operated over private property only with the express permission of the landowner, and will not be operated within four nautical miles of an airport. It will be operated over public p roperty only with the necessary permits from state and local governments, prior to operation. The aircraft will be operated in the field with both a pilot in command (PIC) and a ground based visual observer (VO), in compliance with FAA Policy N 8900.227 Section 14

.4 of 1 4 T he Feder a l A v i ati on Act § 49 U.S.C. §44701 (f) and Sec ti on 333 au thori z e the F AA t o ex e mpt a i r craf t , upon cons i derat i on of the s i ze, we i gh t , s peed, operat i onal capab i li t y , and prox i m i t y t o a i rport s and popu l at ed areas. A pp l i cat i on of that cri t eri a t o the prop o sed U A S s oper ati ons and procedu r es d e m ons tr at e that the Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + can be opera t ed i n a m a nner th at is safer th an conven t i onal a i rcra f t w it h ai rworth i ness cert i f i c at es. A dd i ti ona ll y , th ere i s no thr e at t o Nati o n al A i rspace S y s t e m ( NAS) or nati on a l securit y as the a i rc r aft cannot be operat ed w ith i n four (4) m i l es of a n y ai rport , and in the event Vertical is requested to do conduct services within (4) miles of an airport, no ti ce w il l be g i ven t o the l o c al F li g h t Serv i ce D i s tri ct O f f i c e (F S DO) pri or f l i ght oper ati ons as mandated by the FAA

. 14 C.F.R. § 45.23(b) Aircraft Markings (a) E ach operat or of an ai rcra f t m ust d i sp la y on that a i rcraft m arks cons i s ti ng of the R o m an cap i t al l e tt er “ N ” (deno t i ng Un it ed S t at es reg i s tr ati on) fo ll owed b y th e reg i s tr ati on nu mber of the ai rc r af t
. E a ch su f f i x l e tt er u sed i n the m arks d i sp l a y e d m ust a l so be a R o m an cap i t al l e tt e r . (b) When m arks i nc l ude on l y the Ro m an cap it al l e tt er “ N” and the re g i s tra ti on nu mber i s d i sp l a y ed on l i mi t ed, r e s tri c t ed or li gh t

- sport c at ego r y a i rc r aft or expe ri m e n t al or prov i s i on a l l y certi f i cat ed ai rc r af t , the operat or m u s t a l so d i sp l a y on th at a i rc r aft near each en tr ance t o the cab i n, cockp it , or p il ot s t ati on, i n l e tt ers not l ess than 2 i nches nor m ore than 6 i nches h i gh, the words “ l i m i t ed , ” “ r e s tri c t ed,” “ li gh t

- sport ,” “ experi m e n t a l ,” or
“ prov i s i ona l ,” as app li c ab l e. Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on A n ex e mp ti on i s reques t ed, or i n the a lt ern ati ve, a f i nd i ng that § 45.23(b) does not app l y as the Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + h ave no cab i n, nor en tr ance t o the cab i n, and no cockp i t or p i l ot s t ati on where markings could be placed

. Should the FAA mandate that the UASs be marked with registration numbers, Vertical will comply with this mandate and mark the UASs with the applicable registration number in characters or letters as large as practic able. 14 C.F.R. § 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command (a) E xcept as prov i ded i n paragraphs (b) through (h) of th i s sec ti on, no person who ho l ds a pri vat e p il ot certi f i c at e m a y act as p il ot i n c o m m a nd of an ai r craft that i s carr y i ng passengers or propert y for co mpensat i on or h i re; nor m a y that person, for c o mp ensati on or h i re, act as p il ot i n c o m m and of an a i r craf t
. (b) A pri v at e p il o t m a y , for c o mp ensati on or h i re, act as p il ot i n co mm and of an ai rcra f

t i n connec t i on w ith a n y b u s i ness or e mp l o y m e n t i f: (1) T he f li ght i s on l y i n c i den t a l t o that b u s i ness or e mp l o y m en t ; and (2) T he a i rcra f t does not carr y passengers or proper t y for c o mp ensati on or h i re.5 of 1 4 Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical reques t s an ex e mp t i on fr o m the l i mi t ati ons of § 61. 1 13 as an equivalent level of safety can be achieved as the Pilot in Command (PIC) operating the UAS s will possess at least a private pilot certificate . The PIC will 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. Here, the r i sk t o the pub li c i s mi t i g at ed be c ause the s m a l l s i ze of the U AS s (6.5 pounds) preven t s carr y i n g p il o t or passengers or a n y car go o t h er than a c a m e ra. A s the PIC, Vis ual O bserver ( VO) and crew w il l a l w a y s r e m a i n on the ground, the l ev e l of safe t y i s there b y gre at er th an what can be ach i eved i n trad i t i onal a i rcra f t
. 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a) Civil Aircraft Airworthiness (a) No person m a y oper a t e a c i v i l ai rc r aft un l e s s i t i s i n an ai rworth y cond i ti on. (b) T he p i l ot i n co mm and of a c i v i l ai r craft i s respo n s i b l e for de t ermi n i ng whe ther that a i r craft i s i n cond i t i on for safe f l i gh t
. T he p il ot i n c o m m a nd sha l l d i scon ti n u e the f li ght when una i rworth y m e cha n i c a l , e l e c tri ca l , or s truc t ural cond i t i ons occu r . Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on t o the ex t ent th i s ru l e requ i res an ai rworth i ness cert i f i c at e a s no such ce rti f i c at es e x i st for U A Ss. An equ i v a l ent l evel of safe t y w il l be ac h i eved a s th e PIC of the U A S s w il l ensure the a i rworth i ness of the U AS s through use of the Aircraft Operations Handbooks for maintenance and use of the Vertical Flight Operations C hecklis t, Exhibit C, prior to each flight

. 14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b)(2) Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft (a) E x c ept as prov i ded i n parag r aph (d) of th i s sec t i on, no person m a y operat e a c i v i l a i r craft w ithout c o mp l y i ng w ith the operati ng l i m i t at i ons spec i f i ed i n the approved A i rp l a n e or Ro t or cra f t F li g h t Manua l , m arki ngs, and p l a cards, or as o therw i se prescri b ed b y the certi f i cat i ng au tho ri t y of the coun tr y of reg i s tr y . (b) No person m a y oper a t e a U .S.

- reg i s t ered c i v i l a i rcraf t

— (1) For wh i ch an A i rp l ane or Ro t or craft F li ght Manual i s requ i r ed by §21.5 of th i s chap t er un l ess the r e i s ava i l ab l e i n th e a i rc r aft a curren t , approved A i rp l ane or Ro t or cra f t F li ght Manual or the m anu a l prov i ded for i n § 121.141(b) ; and (2) For which an Airplane or Rotor craft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved Airplane or Rotor craft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combi nation there. Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on because the small size of the Inspire I and the Phantom 2 Vision + does not allow room to carry such a UAS s Operations Manual on the aircraft, and this requirement would be unnecessary as there is no pilot on board. An equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping6 of 1 4 the Aircraft Operations Handbook at the ground control point where the PIC will have immediate access to it. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103(b) Pre - flight Action E a ch p il o t i n c o mm and s ha l l , before beg i nn i ng a f li gh t , bec o m e f a m i li ar w ith a l l av a il ab l e i nfo rm ati on concern i ng that f li gh t
. T h i s i nfo rm ati on m ust i nc l u d e

— (b) For an y f li g h t , runw a y l en g ths at ai rpo rt s of i n t en d ed use, and the fo ll ow i ng t akeo f f and l and i ng d i s t ance i nform at i on: (1) For c i v i l ai r craft for w h i ch an approved A i rp l ane or Ro t or cra f t F li ght Manual con t a i n i ng t akeo f f and l and i ng d i s t ance dat a i s requ i red, the t akeo f f and l and i ng d i s t ance dat a con t a i ned there i n ; and (2) For c i v i l ai r craft o ther than those spec i f i ed i n paragraph (b)(1) of th i s sec ti on, o th er re l i ab l e i nfo rm ati on appropr i at e t o the a i rc r af t , re l ati ng t o a i r craft perform ance under (3) exp e c t ed va l ues of a i rpo rt e l e v ati on and runw a y s l ope, a i r craft gr o ss we i gh t , and w i nd and t e mper ature. Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on t o the ex t ent the ru l e requ i res th e PIC t o have ru n w a y dat a be c ause the proposed U AS s are V erti c a l T ake

- o f f and L and i ng ( V T O L ) and w il l not be operat ed w ith i n four (4) mi l es of a n y pub l i c a i rpo rt
. A n equ i v a l e n t l ev e l of safe t y and pub li c benef i t i s ach i eved b y th e PIC taking necessary pre - flight actions as indicated in the Vertica l Flight Operations Checklist , as well as the Aircraft Operations Handbook. 14 C.F.R. § 91.105 Flight Crewmembers at Stations (a) Duri ng t akeo f f and l and i ng, and wh il e en rou t e, each requ i r ed f li g h t cre w m e mber sha l l

— (1) Be at the cre w m e mber s t ati on un l e s s the absence i s necessar y t o perfo r m du ti es i n connec t i on w ith the opera t i on of the a i rcra f t or i n connec t i on w ith p h y s i o l o g i cal needs; and (2) Keep the s af et y be l t fas t ened w h i l e at the cre w m e mber s t ati on. (b) E ach requ i red f l i ght cre w m e mber of a U

. S.

- re g i s t ered c i v i l ai rcra f t sha ll , duri ng t akeo f f and l and i ng, keep h i s or her shou l der harness f a s t ened wh il e at h i s or her a s s i gned du t y s t at i on. T h i s paragraph do e s not app l y i f

— (1) T he seat at the crew m e mb er ' s s t ati on i s not equ i pped w ith a shou l der harness; or (2) T he cre w m e mber w ou l d be unab l e t o perfo rm requ i red du t i es w ith the shou l der harness fas t ened.7 of 1 4 Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on as the U A S s have no ab i l i t y t o carr y p il o t or cre w , and there b y have no seat s, seat be lt s, or crew s t ati ons. A n equ i v a l e n t l ev e l of safe t y can be ach i eved b y the p i l ot a l w a y s hav i ng pos iti ve con trol of the r e m o t e co n trol and m a i n t a i n i ng V L OS w ith the U AS s at a l l t i m es. Shou l d the p il ot bec o m e p h y s i o l og i c a l l y unab l e t o con ti n u e as PIC, the UAS s h a ve a “R eturn H o m e and L an d ” overr i de func ti on as we l l as o ther ac t i ons m o re fu l l y descri bed i n the Aircraft Operation Handbook s. 14 C.F.R. § 91.119 Minimum Safe Altitudes E x c ept when ne c e s sar y for t akeo f f or l an d i ng, no person m a y operat e an a i rc r aft be l ow the fo ll ow i ng a lt i tudes: (a) A n y w h e r e. A n a l t itude a l l ow i ng, i f a power un i t fail s, an e m e r gen c y l an d i ng w ithout undue hazard t o perso n s or propert y on the surface. (b) O ver congested a r eas. O ver an y conges t ed area of a c i t y , t own, or se t t l e m e n t , or over a n y open a i r ass e mb l y of perso n s, an a lt i tude of 1,000 feet above the h i g h est obs t ac l e w ith i n a hori zo n t al rad i us of 2,000 feet of the a i r craf t
. (c) O ver other than congested a r eas. An a lt i tude of 500 feet above the surface, exce p t over open wat er or sparse l y popu l at ed areas. In those cases, the a i rc r aft m a y not be oper at ed c l oser than 500 fe e t t o an y person, ve s se l , veh i c l e, or s truc tu r e. (d) H e l i copters, p o w e r ed parachutes, and w e i ght - sh i f t - cont r ol a i r cra f t. If the oper ati on i s condu c t ed w ithout hazard t o persons or proper t y on th e surface

— (1) A he l i cop t er m a y be oper at ed at l ess than the mi n i m u m s pr e sc ri bed i n paragraph (b) or (c) of th i s sec ti on, prov i ded e a ch person opera t i ng the he li co p t er c o mp li es w ith a n y rou t es or a lt i tudes spec i f i ca ll y prescri bed for he li co p t ers b y the F AA; and (2) A powered parachu t e or we i gh t

- sh i f t

- con trol a i r craft m a y be operat ed at l ess than the mi n i m u m s prescri bed i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec ti on. Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on here because f li ght operat i ons w il l a l w a y s be be l ow fou r - hundred (400) fe e t A G L

. A n equ i v a l e n t l ev e l of safe t y w il l be ach i eved through pre

- f li ght p l ann i ng, c o m m u n i c ati on w ith the l ocal F SDO when required , securi ng the f li ght area t o prevent the pub l i c fr o m e n t eri ng, bri e f i ng a l l crew on e m e r g en c y procedu r es, and ensur i ng oper ati on of a i rcraft safe t y s y s t e m s. Pro t e c ti ons equ i v a l ent t o mi n i m u m safe a l titudes are cre at ed be c ause, i n th e event of l ow - batt e r y powe r , l oss of c o m m u n i c ati on or i n t erfere n ce w ith co mm un i cat i on be t ween the r e m o t e con trol and the a i r craf

t , on - board safe t y progr am s w il l au t o m at i c a l l y l and the U AS at a pred e t e rm i ned safe area. S i m i l arl y , the operati o n al en v i ron m ent w il l be con tro l l ed t o restrict public access

. N o rm a l oper ati ons w il l be l ess than 400 feet A GL and ri sk t o the pub l i c and / or pri vat e propert y minimal

. T he Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + proposed h ere ha ve a t o t al ro t or area of approximately three (3) feet and we i gh approximately 6.5 pounds

. As s uch , the ri sk t o persons and proper t y i s dras t i ca ll y8 of 1 4 reduced. Furthe r , the U ASs w il l not carr y fue l , f l a m m ab l e m at e ri a l , or hazardous car go that wou l d pose a ha z ard t o pe r sons on the ground. 1 4 C.F.R. § 91.121 Altimeter Settings (a) E ach person operati ng an a i rc r aft sha l l m a i n t a i n the cru i s i ng a lt i tude or f li g h t l evel of th at a i r craf t , as the case m a y be, b y refe r ence t o an a l t i m e t er that i s s e t , w hen operati ng

— (1) B el ow 18,000 feet MS L , t o

— (I) T he curre n t report ed a l ti m e t er se tti ng of a s t ati on a l ong the rou t e and w ith i n 100 nau t i c a l mi l es of the ai rcraf t ; ( ii ) If there i s no s t ati on w ith i n the area pr e sc ri bed i n paragraph (a)(1)( i ) of th i s sec t i on, the current report ed a lt i m e t er se tti ng of an appropr i at e ava il ab l e s t ati on; or ( i i i ) In the case of an ai rcraft not equ i p p ed w ith a rad i o, the e l ev ati on of the depa rture a i rpo rt or an approp ri at e a l t im e t er se tt i ng av a il ab l e before departur e ; or (2) At or above 18,000 fe e t MS L , t o 29.92′′ Hg. (b) T he l owest usab l e f li g h t l evel i s de t e rm i ned b y the at m ospher i c pr e ssure i n the area of oper ati on as shown i n the fo ll ow i ng t ab l e: ( add iti on a l T ab l es Om itt e d) Request for Ex e m pti on An ex e mp ti on i s sought as the U AS s proposed are m a nufac tu r ed w ithout an a l ti m e t er or t wo - w a y co mm un i cat i ons rad i o. A n eq u i va l e n t l e v el of safe t y i s ach i e v ed through on - board s y s t e m s and G PS senso r s wh i ch cou p l e w ith a geo m agn e ti c co mpass t o a c t as a bar o m e tri c a l t i m e t er for s t ab il it y and accu r a c y of f li g h t
. I nfo rm ati on about the he i ght of the U A S s above ground l evel i s d i sp l a y ed t o the P il ot i n Co mm and at a l l t i m es. 14 C.F.R. § 91.151 Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions (a) N o person m a y be g i n a f li g h t i n an a i rp l ane under V FR cond i t i ons un l ess (cons i deri ng w i nd and forecast weath er cond i t i ons) there i s enough fuel t o f l y t o the f i rst po i nt of i n t ended l and i ng and, a s s u m i ng norm al cru i s i ng speed

— (1) Duri ng the d a y , t o f l y af t er that for at l e ast 30 mi n u t es; or (2) At n i gh t , t o f l y af t er t hat for at l east 45 mi n u t es. (b) N o person m a y be g i n a f li g h t i n a ro t or cra f t under VFR cond i t i ons un l e s s (cons i de ri ng w i nd and fore c ast weather cond i t i ons) there i s enough fuel t o f l y t o th e f i rst po i nt of i n t en d ed l an d i ng and, assu mi ng norm al cru i s i ng speed, t o f l y af t er that for at l e ast 20 mi n u t es.9 of 1 4 Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on The Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + ha ve a maximum flight duration of 25 minutes

. An equ i v a l e n t l ev e l of safe t y i s ach i e v ed b y i mp l e m e n t at i on of a m i n i m u m batt e r y li f e requ i r e m ent rather than mi n i m u m fuel requ i r e m en t
. The Vertical Flight Operations checklist prov i de s that the f l i ght w i l l be t e rmi n at ed when the batt e r y re a ches a mi n i m u m of 25%. An equ i v a l ent l evel of safe t y can be ach i eved as t o the reserve batt e r y power requ i r e m en t s prop o sed are c o mpar ab l e t o the reserve fuel requ i r e m e n t s i n the existing regulation. 14 C.F.R. §91.203 Civil aircraft: Certifications required. (a) Except as provided in Sec. 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. Each U.S. airworthiness certificate used to comply with this subparagraph (exc ept a special flight permit, a copy of the applicable operations specifications issued under Sec. 21.197(c) of this chapter, appropriate sections of the air carrier manual required by parts 121 and 135 of this chapter containing that portion of the operati ons specifications issued under Sec. 21.197(c), or an authorization under Sec. 91.611) must have on it the registration number assigned to the aircraft under part 47 of this chapter. However, the airworthiness certificate need not have on it an assigned sp ecial identification number before 10 days after that number is first affixed to the aircraft. A revised airworthiness certificate having on it an assigned special identification number, that has been affixed to an aircraft, may only be obtained upon appli cation to an FAA Flight Standards district office. (2) An effective U.S. registration certificate issued to its owner or, for operation within the United States, the second copy of the Aircraft registration Application as provided for in Sec. 47.31(c), or a registration certification issued under the laws of a foreign country. (b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under Sec. 91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to pas sengers or crew. (c) No person may operate an aircraft with a fuel tank installed within the passenger compartment or a baggage compartment unless the installation was accomplished pursuant to part 43 of this chapter, and a copy of FAA Form 337 authorizi ng that installation is on board the aircraft. (d) No person may operate a civil airplane (domestic or foreign) into or out of an airport in the United States unless it complies with the fuel venting and exhaust emissions requirements of part 34 of this chapter. Request for Exemption The regulation provides that an airworthiness c ertificate, with the registration number assigned to the aircraft and a registration certificate must be aboard the aircraft. At approximately 6.5 pounds (Inspire) and approximately less than 3 pounds (DJI Phantom 2 Vision+) , the UASs are too small to carry documentation, does not have an entrance, and is not capable of carrying passenger or crew.10 of 1 4 14 C.F.R. § 91.405 Maintenance r e qu i r ed E ach o wner or operat or of an ai rcra f t

— (a) Sha l l have th at a i r craft i nspec t ed as prescri bed i n sub part E of th i s part and s ha l l be t ween requ i red i nspe c ti ons, exce p t as prov i ded i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec t i on, have d i screpan c i es repa i r ed as prescr i bed i n part 43 of t h i s chap t er; (b) Sha l l ensure that m a i n t enance personnel m ak e appropr i at e en tri es i n the ai r craft m a i n t enan c e records i nd i cat i ng the a i rcra f t has been approved for re turn t o serv i ce; (c) S ha l l have an y i nope r ati ve i ns tru m ent or it e m of equ i p m e n t , pe rm i tt ed t o be i noperat i ve b y § 91.213(d)(2) o f th i s part , repa i red, rep l aced, r e m oved, or i nspec t ed at t he next requ i r ed in spe c ti on; and (d) W hen li s t ed d i screpan c i es i n c l ude i noper ati ve i ns tru m en t s or equ i p m en t , sha l l ensure that a p l a c ard has been i ns t a l l ed as requ i red b y § 43

. 1 1 of th i s chap t e r . Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on An exemption to these regulations is needed because Part 43 and these sections apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, which the Inspire I and the Phantom 2 Vision + will not have. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be performed in accordance with Exhibit A and B. The operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform required maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenanc e performed. The operator is most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety. If mechanical issues arise, the UAS can land immediately and will be operating no higher than 400 feet AGL. Moreover, the UAS s are both of a small size, carrying capacity, and the fact that flight operations will only take place in restricted areas for limited periods of time, create less risk than the same factors associated with conventional fixed

- wing aircraft and rotorcraft performing the same operation. 14 C.F.R. § 91.407 Operation after Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, Alteration (a) No person m a y oper at e an y ai rcraft that has unde r gone m a i n t ena n ce, preve n ti ve m a i n t enan c e, rebu il d i ng, or a l t er ati on un l ess

— (1) It has been approved for re turn t o serv i ce b y a person au thori zed under §43.7 of th i s chap t e r ; and (2) T he m ai n t ena n ce record en tr y requ i red b y §43.9 or §43

. 1 1, as app l i cab l e, of th i s chap t er has been m a d e. (b) N o person m a y carr y an y person (o ther than crew - m e mb ers) i n an ai r craft that has been m a i n t a i ned, rebu i lt , or a lt e r ed i n a m a nner th at m a y have appr e c i ab l y changed it s f

li ght chara c t eri s t i cs or su b s t an ti a l l y a f f e c t ed it s operat i on i n f l i ght un t i l an appropr i at e l y rat ed p il o t w ith at l east a pri vat e p il o t certi f i c at e f li es the ai rc r af t , m akes an operati o n al check of the m a i n t enance perfo rm e d or a l t erat i on m a de, and l ogs the f l i ght i n the a i rcra f t records.11 of 1 4 (c) T he ai rcraft does not have t o be f l own as requ i red b y paragraph (b) of th i s sec ti on i f, pri or t o f l i gh t , ground t es t s, i nspec ti on, or bo th show conc l us i ve l y that the m a i n t e n ance, preven ti v e m ai n t enance, reb u il d i ng, or a lt e r ati on has not apprec i ab l y changed the f

li g h t chara c t eri s t i cs or su b s t a n ti a l l y a f f e c t ed the f li g h t oper ati on of the a i rc r af t
. Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical i s seeki ng ex e mp ti on fr o m § 91.407 as there are curre n t l y no persons au thori zed t o serv i ce the UAS s pursuant to the section above

. A s w ith the request for ex e mp t i on under § 91.405, an equ i va l e n t l e v el of safe t y w il l be ach i e v ed b y thorough pre

- f li ght i nspec ti ons and records of a l l m ai n t enan c e or repa i rs be i ng kept i n the U A S l og book s . Furthe r , Vertical will m a i n t a i n the a i rcra f

t and perform pos t

- m a i n t ena n ce, pre - f li ght i nspec ti ons and ground t es t s t o conf i rm that the f li g h t char ac t e ri s ti cs of th e U A S have not been subs t an t i a l l y impacted af t er m a i n t e n ance. 14 C. F .R. § 91.409 I nspect i ons (a) E xcept as prov i ded i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec ti on, no person m a y oper at e an ai rcraft un l ess, w ith i n the pre c ed i ng 12 ca l endar m o n ths, i t has had

— (1) An annu a l i nspec ti on i n accor d ance w ith part 43 of th i s chap t er and has been approved for re turn t o serv i ce b y a person au thori z ed b y §43.7 of th i s chap t er; or (2) An i nspe c ti on for the is suan c e of an a i rworth i ness certi f i c at e i n accordan c e w ith part 21 of th i s chap t e r . No i nspe c ti on perfo rm ed under paragraph (b) of th i s sec t i on m a y be subs titu t ed for a n y i nspe c ti on requ i red b y t h i s paragraph un l ess i t i s perfo rm ed b y a pe r son au thori zed t o perfo rm annu a l i nspec ti ons and i s en t ered as an “ annua l ” i nspec t i on i n the req u i red m a i n t e n ance records. (b) E xcept as prov i ded i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec ti on, no person m a y oper at e an a i rcra f

t carr y i n g an y person (o ther than a crew m e mb er) for h i re, and no person m a y g i ve f

li ght i ns tru c ti on for h i re i n an ai rcra f t wh i ch th at person prov i des, un l e s s w ith i n the preced i ng 100 hours of t i m e i n s erv i ce the ai rcra f t has rec e i ved an annual or 100

- hour i nspec ti on and been approved for re turn t o serv i c e i n accordan c e w ith part 43 of th i s chap t er or has re c e i ved an i nspec t i on for the is suan c e of an a i rworth i ness certi f i c at e i n accordan c e w ith part 21 of th i s chap t e r . T he 100

- hour l i mi t ati on m ay be exceeded b y not m ore than 10 hours wh i l e en rou t e t o reach a p l a ce w here th e i nspec ti on can be done. T he excess t i m e used t o reach a p l ace where the i nspec t i on can be done m ust be i nc l uded i n c o mp u ti ng the next 100 hours of t i m e i n serv i ce. (c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of th i s s e c ti on do not app l y t o

— (1) An a i r craft th at carri es a s pe c i al f li g h t permi t , a curre n t experi m e n t al ce rti f i cat e, or a li g h t

- sport or prov i s i on a l ai rworth i ness certi f i c at e;12 of 1 4 (2) A n a i rcraft i nspec t ed i n a c cordance w ith an approved ai rcra f t i nspe c ti on progr a m under part 125 or 135 of th i s chap t er and so i d en ti f i ed b y the reg i s tr ati on n u mber i n the oper ati ons spec i f i cat i ons of the ce rti f i cat e ho l der hav i ng the approved i nspe c ti on progr a m ; Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical seek s ex e mp ti on fr o m § 91.409 for reasons s imil ar t o those arti cu l at ed i n the reques t s for ex e mp ti on from § 91.407 and § 91.405 above. T here are curre n t l y no perso n s au tho ri zed t o serv i ce or i nspect the U A S pursuant to the section above , but an equ i v a l ent l evel of safe t y w il l be ac h i eved b y Vertical m aki ng thorough pre

- f li ght i nspec ti ons and keep i ng de t a i l ed records of a l l m a i n t e n ance or rep a i rs. As above, pos t

- m a i n t ena n ce pre - f li ght i nspec ti ons and ground t es t s w il l be conduc t ed t o conf i rm th at the f li ght chara c t eri s t i cs of the UAS have not been su b s t a n ti a l l y impacted

. 14 C. F .R. § 91.417 Ma i ntenance r ec o rds (a) E xcept for w ork perfo rm e d i n accordan c e w ith §§91.4 1 1 and 91.413, each reg i s t e r ed owner or oper at or sha l l keep the fo ll ow i ng records for t he peri ods spec i f i ed i n paragraph (b) of th i s sec t i on: (1) R e cords of th e m ai n t ena n ce, preve n ti ve m a i n t enance, and a l t erat i on and records of the 100

- hou r , annu a l , progress i ve, and o ther requ i r ed or approved i nspec ti ons, as appropr i at e, for each a i r craft ( i nc l ud i ng the ai rfr am e) and each eng i ne, prope ll e r , ro t o r , and app l i ance of an a i rcra f

t
. T he records m ust i n c l ude

— ( i ) A descri p t i on (or refe r ence t o dat a acce p t ab l e t o the Ad mi n i s tr at or) of th e work perform ed; and ( ii ) T he dat e of c o mp l e t i on of the w ork perfo rm e d; and ( i i i ) T he s i gnature, and certi f i c at e n u mber of the pe r son appro v i ng the a i rcra f t for re turn t o serv i c e. (2) R e cords co n t ai n i ng the fo ll ow i ng i nfo rm ati o n : ( i ) T h e t o t a l t i m e i n serv i ce of the a i rf r am e, each eng i n e, each prope l l e r , and each ro t o r . ( ii ) T he curre n t s t atus of l i fe

- l imi t ed part s of each a i rf r am e, eng i ne, prope ll e r , ro t o r , and app l i ance. ( i i i ) T he t i m e s i nce l ast overhaul of a l l it e m s i ns t a l l ed on the a i rcra f t wh i ch are requ i red t o be overhau l ed on a s pe c i f i ed t i m e bas i s. ( i v) T h e current i nspec t i on s t atus of the a i rcra f t , i n c l ud i ng the t i m e s i nce the l ast i nspec t i on requ i r ed b y the i nspec ti on program under w h i ch the ai rcraft and it s app li an c es are m a i n t a i ned.(v) T he current s t atus of app li c ab l e a i rworth i ness d i r e c ti v es ( AD) and safe t y d i rec t i ves i n c l ud i ng, for each, the m e thod of co mp l i ance, the A D or safe t y d i rec t i ve n u mber13 of 1 4 and rev i s i on da t e. If the AD or safe t y d i re c ti ve i nvo l ves recurri ng ac t i on, the t i m e and da t e when the next a c ti on i s req u i red. (v i ) Cop i es of the fo rm s prescri b ed b y §43.9(d) of th i s chap t er for each m a j or a l t er ati on t o the a i rf r am e and curren tl y i ns t a ll ed eng i nes, ro t ors, prope l l ers, and app l i ances. (b) T he o wner or operat or sha l l re t a i n the fo ll ow i ng records for the peri ods prescr i b ed: (1) T he records spec i f i ed i n parag r aph (a)(1) of th i s sec ti on sha l l be re t a i ned un ti l the work i s rep e at ed or s uperseded b y o ther work or for 1 y ear a f t er the work i s perfor m ed. (2) T he records spec i f i ed i n parag r aph (a)(2) of th i s sec ti on sha l l be re t a i ned and transferred w ith the a i r craft at the t i m e the ai rcra f t i s so l d. (3) A li st of def e c t s furn i shed t o a reg i s t e r ed owner or opera t or under §43. 1 1 of th i s chap t er sha l l be re t ai ned un ti l the defe c t s are rep a i red and t he a i r craft i s approved for re turn t o serv i ce. (c) T he owner or opera t or s ha l l m ak e a l l m ai n t ena n ce records req u i red t o be kept b y th i s sec ti on av a il ab l e for i nspe c ti on b y th e A d m i n i s trat or or a n y au thori zed represe n t at i ve of the Nati on a l T ransport ati on Safe t y Bo ard (N T SB). In add i ti on, the owner or opera t or s ha l l present Form 337 descr i b ed i n parag r aph (d) of th i s sec t i on for i nspe c ti on upon request of a n y l aw enfor ce m e n t o f f i c e r . (d) When a fuel t ank i s i ns t a l l ed w ith i n the pa s senger co mpartm ent or a baggage c o mpartm e n t pursuant t o part 43 of th i s chap t e r , a co p y of F AA Form 337 sha l l be kept on board the m o d i f

i ed a i r craft b y the owner or oper at o r . Re q uest f o r E x e m p ti on Vertical i s seeki ng ex e mp ti on fr o m § 91.417 t o the ex t ent the ru l e requ i res a certi f

i ed person t o perform work under § 91.417(a)(1)( i ii ), co mp l i ance w ith A i rworth i ness D i re c ti ves under s ub

- sec t i on (a)(1)(v), and/or cop i es of a lt er ati on form s under (a)(1)(v i ). A n eq u i va l e n t l e v el of safe t y w il l be ach i eved b y Vertical keep i ng m ai n t enance l ogs and doc u m e n t at i on i n th e A i rcra f t Operat i onal Handbook for both of the UAS s indicated in this application. W h y Gra nti n g th e Exe mptio n s W o u l d b e in th e Pub l ic I nt e r es t Genera l l y , av i ati on ac ti v i t y i s i n the pub l i c i n t erest when i t i s regu l at ed, pred i c t ab l e and has a m at eri al pos i t i ve i mp act on s o c i e t y . T he ex e mp ti ons reques t ed here in w ou l d a ll ow for ae ri al photography and videography pursuant t o ex i s ti ng F AA regu l a ti ons. T he ru l es, procedu r es and processes con t ai n ed ther e i n cr e at e a safe and h i gh l y pred i c t ab l e process b y w h i ch aeri al c i n e m at ograp h y m a y t ake p l ace. G ran ti ng the reques t ed ex e mp t i ons w il l g i ve the pub li c access t o the process of aer i al photography and videography and the produc t s w h i ch are the resu l t of those endeavors. A UAS can inspect, photograph, and collect data on hard to get to areas that otherwise require worker inspection. The use of the UAS will reduce workplace injuries and/or fatalities associated with falls. Moreover, the UAS can replace the use of helicopte rs and small aircraft to monitor similar sites, reducing the cost, emissions and associated dangers of using conventional aircraft.14 of 1 4 W h y Gra nti n g th e Exe mptio n s W o u l d Pr ovi d e an E qu ivale n t Le v el of S a f e ty t o C u r r e n t R u le s G ran ti ng the reques t ed ex e mp t i ons wou l d prov i de a l evel of safe t y equ i v a l e n t t o th at prov i ded i n current ru l es, and i n so m e cases great e r , due the s pe c i f i c i t y w ith w h i ch the A i rcra f t Operati o n al Handbook s i de n ti f y un i que aspec t s of U A S s, and l a y out m e thods of opera t i on wh i ch e mphas i ze safe t y of the pub li c, pro t ec t i on of pr i v at e prope rt y , y e t a ll ows operat i on of U A S. The risk of life and property in the air and on the ground, which is usually associated with traditional manned aircraft flight operations , will be substantially reduced or completely eliminated. In addition to the lack of crew members, the UAS, because of the small size and weight has less potential for collateral damage to life and property on the ground and in the air, compared to manned aircraft, which carry fuel and have a significantly larger wingspan. A Summary That Can Be Published In The Federal Register The Rules from Which Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc . Seeks Exemption : Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. se e k s e x e mp ti o n fr o m the f o llow i ng : 1 4 C

. F

. R

. § § 21 Subpart H, 45.23(b), 61

. 1 13 (a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103(b)(2), 91.105, 91. 1 19, 91.121, 91.151(a), 91.203(a) & (b), 91.405, 91.407, 91.409, 91.417 (a) & (b). A Br i ef Descr i p ti on O f T he E x e m p ti ons Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. Seeks: T he proposed ex e mp ti ons w i l l allow Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. , t o operat e s m a l l U n m an n ed A i rcra f t S y s t e m s (U A S) for ae ri al imagery in con tr o ll ed l ocat i ons to provide clients with visual information for marketing and/or due diligence regarding subject properties

. P r i va c y All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property owner’s prior consent and knowledge. Any incidental i mages taken of persons will be of individuals who have given consent or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where the aerial photography will take place. Sincerely, 

# Elizabeth S. Walker
Elizabeth S. Walker Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc.