Petition for Exemption 14 CFR § 11.81

Exemption petition under SEC 333 

Your name and mailing address. You may include other contact 

information such as a fax number, telephone number, or email address; 

Name: Thomas Sikora Address: PO BOX 1113 / 31 NW 2nd Street 

Stevenson WA 98648 Phone: 503-866-2645 Email: 

info@sikoraphotography.com 

The specific section or sections of 14 CFR from which you seek an 

exemption; 

Petition for Exemption under Sec 333 

The extent of relief you seek and the reason you seek the relief;

Sec 333 prohibits the use of a UAS for commercial purposes on private 

property.

I am an owner of a well established photography/videography studio 

based in the Pacific Northwest. I am petitioning for an exemption to 

provide commercial services to our clients where aerial photography or 

videography is of essence. My most common project requests are: 

monitoring fish rehabilitation areas, promotional videos for yacht 

companies and real estate offices, tourism promotional material as well 

as wedding movies. I would like to accept payment for my services 

involving the commercial use of my UAS.

How your request would benefit the public as a whole; 

My request benefits the public as a whole by providing important 

services, vital to environmental protection, such as the Forest Service 

rehabilitation programs as well as providing other businesses with an 

opportunity to grow their brand, such as yacht companies and real 

estate offices. Our nature based short films are meant to raise the general 

awareness of the natural beauty and the need for environmental 
protection of our public lands. 

Reasons why the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or 

how the exemption would provide a level of safety at least equal to 

the existing rule;

I am an experienced UAS operator, I have studied in depth the FAA 

regulations and I understand the importance of the safety measures 

regarding FAA regulated airspace, I would be a good candidate for 

exemption of Sec 333 while not putting Air Safety in any risk. I have an 

extensive training in GPS systems. When flying for this commercial 

purpose I would be flying at a maximum altitude of 150 feet and and 

maintaining the aircraft always in the line of sight. I have general 

knowledge of the safety of the aviation systems and it is always my 

prerogative to keep the UAS away from traffic areas, crowded public 

spaces, airports, public events. Most of my projects involve uninhabited 

and open spaces.

I Intend to always fly in GPS safe mode. My UAS is well lit up and 

always maintained. I use only modern factory built state of the art 

equipment that has been well tested. My UAS has a ‘return home’ 

feature, which automatically brings the aircraft home when battery 

levels drop to 20% and a signal goes off at 30%. I also use First Person 

View system to help the visual positioning of the craft. During each 

flight I make sure the GPS tracking is on and I monitor all of the system 

status gauges prior to and in-flight carefully.

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced is a well tested and modern UAS, has a 

number of safety built-in features. I upgrade the factory firmware 

regularly as needed, I clean and inspect the craft before and after every 

flight.

I intend to follow these suggested safety regulations

• Always keep aircraft in sight and under control. • Always keep 
people and pets at least 25 feet away when the battery is connected. • 

Keep children out of the vicinity of this product at all times. • Always 

use fully charged batteries. • Always keep transmitter powered on 

while aircraft is powered. • Always remove batteries before 

disassembly. • Always keep moving parts clean. • Always keep 

aircraft dry. • Always let parts cool after use before touching. • 

Always remove batteries after use. • Always have a first aid kit with 

me. • Never operate aircraft with damaged wiring.

A summary we can publish in the Federal Register Federal Register 

—

I, Thomas Sikora, am seeking an exemption of the FAA’s Sec 333 rules 

that does not allow the use of an Unmanned Aircraft to be used for 

Commercial purposes in regards to National Airspace Safety. I am 

petitioning for an exemption to provide a commercial service to my 

clients and companies who wish to obtain aerial photos and videos for 

promotional purposes including real estate listings, yacht sales, fish 

habitat restoration projects and for general use as a marketing tool for 

businesses. 

I understand the importance of different uses and safety concerns 

regarding FAA regulated airspace, I would be a good candidate for 

exemption of Sec 333 while not putting Air Safety in any accelerated 

risk. When flying for this commercial purpose I would be flying at a 

maximum altitude of 150 feet and flying mostly vertically for the 

purposes of taking photos, decreasing the risk of any interference. My 

general knowledge of the aviation safety systems as well as the GPS 

systems would be used to ensure the outmost public safety. I would not 

be flying near disaster areas, sporting events, or high traffic areas 

including airports. I appreciate the FAA’s consideration of this petition 

for exemption. 

Any additional information, views, or arguments available to 

support your request;
I am fully aware of the pre flight safety checks and procedures 

implicated in the operation of DJI Phantom 3. I intend to only fly in non 

populated, residential or rural areas and stay clear of all utility lines etc. I 

intend to be fully aware of my surroundings at all times and to only fly 

the unmanned aircraft within a visual line of sight and only in Visual 

Flight Conditions. 

I understand and will comply with all the health and safety regulations 

for PIC’s and will be the only operator under this exemption. 

General Safety Precautions and Warnings I intend to Follow

• Always keep a safe distance in all directions around your model to 

avoid collisions or injury. This model is controlled by a radio signal 

subject to interference from many sources outside your control. 

Interference can cause momentary loss of control. 

• Always operate your model in open spaces away from full-size 

vehicles, traffic and people. • Always carefully follow the directions 

and warnings for this and any optional support equipment (chargers, 

rechargeable battery packs, etc.). • Always avoid water exposure to all 

equipment not specifically designed and protected for this purpose. 

Moisture causes damage to electronics. 

• Never operate your model with low transmitter batteries. • Always 

keep aircraft in sight and under control. • Always use fully charged 

batteries. • Always keep transmitter powered on while aircraft is 

powered. 

• Always remove batteries before disassembly • Always keep moving 

parts clean. • Always keep parts dry. • Always let parts cool after use 

before touching. • Always remove batteries after use. • Never operate 

aircraft with damaged wiring. • Never touch moving parts. 

If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside the 

United States, you must state the reason. 
On rare occasions, such as documenting weddings or other events I 

would like to use the UAS outside of the United States.