August 5 th , 2015

U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t i on

Do c k e t Man a g e ment S y s tem

1200 N e w J e rs e y Av e

., S E

W a shin g ton, DC 20590

R e : P e t i t i on of Radio Control Aerial Vehicles (RCAV) for a n E x e mp t ion P u rsu a nt t o S ec t i on 333 of the

F AA Mod e rni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 2012

To W hom i t M a y Con c e r n:

P u r suant to S ec t i on 333 of the F A A Mod e rni z a t i on a nd Re f o r m A c t of 20 1 2 ( " R e fo r m A c t " ) a nd 14

C. F .R. P a rt 1 1, RCAV LLC (" RCAV " ) h e r e b y a ppl i e s for a n e x e mp t ion f r om the F e d e r a l A

viation

R e gulations ( " F

AR s " ) id e nt if

ied b e low t o a l l ow c om m e r c ial op e r a t i on of small unmann e d ae r i a l vehi c les

( i.e., " small unm a nn e d a ir c r a f t " or " U A S " ) for the pu rpose o f c ondu c t i n g controlled flights for aerial

photography and videography visual video inspection of real

- time conditions of residential, commercial,

industrial, military, public and private buildings, facilities and structures.

This peti t ion for e x e mp t i on is created b a s e d on inf o rm a t i on out l ined in th i s Pe t i t i on f o r E x e mp t ion,

as we ll a s but not limited to t h e se accompanying RCAV documents ;

1. Flight Op e r a t i ons Man ua l;

2. Operations Manuals

(C ol le c t i v e l y r e fe rre d to as “ Op e r a t i ons Man ua ls" )

3. Us e r G uide and;

4. Us e r M a nu a l

( C ol lec t i v e l y r e f

e r r e d to as " M a nuf

a c tu r e r ' s Man u a l " )

. 1

The RCAV submi t s these as well as other RCAV s u pporting mat e ri a ls as c o n fid e nt i a l docum e nts

pur s u a nt t o 14 C. F .R. § 11.35 ( b )

, a s the mat e ri a ls contain c onfid e nt i a l c o m m e r c ial a nd/or p r o p ri e t a r y

info r mat i on that the RCAV h a s not a nd will not sh a re with o t h e rs. A ddi t ional l y , t h e se do c u m e nts contain

op e r a t i ng c ondi t ions and p r o ce du re s that a r e not g e n e r a l l y a v a i l a ble to the public a nd a re pro t ec ted f rom

r e le a s e und e r the F r ee d o m of I n fo r mation A c t, 5 U.S. C

. § 552 e t seq.

1 T he te r m " Man u f

ac tu r e r 's Man ua l" a lso includ e s a ll r e lev a nt manu f ac tu r e r p ubli ca tions

, in c ludin g , but not

l i m i ted to: op e r a t i ons a n d f li g h t m a nu a ls

, us e r g ui d e s

, c ompon e n t m a int e n a n c e m a n u a ls

, pilo t tr a in i ng

man u a ls, s e rvi c e info r mation l e t t e rs a nd, s a f e t y /se r vi c e bul l e t i ns).U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 2

T h is P e t i t i on is o r g a ni z e d a s follows:

I. Description of P e ti t io n e r

II. Description of Proposed Operations

A. Aerial Photography for Comme rcial Purposes

B. A e ri a l Photogrammetry, Property and Building Mapping, Sensing and Surveys

III. R e levant Sta t u to r y Au t h o r ity

IV. RCAV’S P r o p osed U A S O p er a t io n s Mee t t h e R e qu ir e m e n ts of S ec ti o n 333 of t h e R e f o r m A c t

A. App r ov a l i s W a r ra nted B a s e d on the U A S ' s S i z e

, W e i g ht, S p e e d, a nd Op e r a t i on a l C a p a bi l i t y

B

. App r ov a l i s W a rra nted B a s e d on the O p e r a t i on a l R e strictions S e t F o r th i n the Op e r a t i ons

Man u a l s

V. R e g u latio n s F r o m W h i c h Ex e m p tion i s Requested

A. 14 C. F .R. P a rt 21, Subp a rt H

– Air w o r th i n e ss C e r t ific a tes a nd 14 C. F .R. § 91.203 (a ) ( 1 )

B

. 14 C. F .R. P a rt 27 A irwo r th i n e ss S tand a rds: No r mal C a te g o r y Rotor c r a ft

C. 14 C. F .R. §§ 91.9 (c ), 45

. 23(b) a nd 45.27 ( a ): Ai r c r a ft M a rki n g a nd I d e nt i fi ca t i on Requir e m e nts

D. 14 C. F .R. § 91.405 (a ), 9 1.407 (a ) ( 1 ), 91

. 409(a) ( 1) a nd ( 2 ); 91.417 ( a ) a nd ( b ) : Mainten a n c e

I nspe c t i ons

E. 14 C. F .R. P a rt 61, 14 C. F .R. § 61.3, 14 C. F .R. § 61.113: P riv a te P i lot P rivile g e s and

L i m i t a t i o n s

F

. 14 C. F .R. § 91.7 (a ): C i vil Air c r a ft Ai r wo r th i n e ss

G. 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 ( b ) (2 ) : C iv i l Air c r a ft F l i g ht Man u a l i n the A ir c r a ft a nd 14 C. F .R. § 91.203 (a )

a nd ( b ) : C a r r y

i n g Civ i l Air c raft Ce r t i fi ca t i on a nd R e g is t r a t i on

H. 14 C. F .R. § 91.103: P r e fli g ht A c t i on

I

. 14 C. F .R. § 91.109 (a ): F l i g ht I nstru c t i on

J

. 14 C. F .R. § 91.11 9 ( c ) : M in i mum S a fe Alt i tudes

K. 14 C. F .R. § 91.121: Al t i met e r Settin g s

L

. 14 C. F .R. § 91.151 (a ): Fuel R e quir e ments for F l i g ht i n V F R Condi t ions

VI. D r u g a n d Al c o h ol P r o g r a m

VII. P ub l i c I n t e re s t

VIII. P r iv a c y

IX. F e de r al R e gis t e r S u mm a r y

X. Concl u sionU.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 3

I. D E SCRI P T I O N O F P ET I T I O NER

Radio Controlled Aerial Vehicle Services, (RCAV), uses rotary and fixed winged vehicles to provide

airborne sensing, mapping, photography, videography services, and secondary services with r otary/fixed wing

unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). RCAV also conduct s accessories sales of UASs and related equipment.

RCAV’S s business focus is in photography and videography providing services to government, private and

commercial business for their needs. The approval of exemptions for RCAV will allow commercial

operations of UAVs for airborne p hotography, videography, mapping, and contracted mapping services.

Principal Robert T. Jenkins owner/operator holds an ATP /Flight Engineer certificate with over 6,000 hours

of flight time operation in the (NAS). Jenkins a lso has more than 14 years working with a major aerospace

company providi ng flight planning services, working in so ftw are development and providing Flight

Management Systems.

The c onta c t i n f

o rm a t i on f

o r Petitioner is as f

ol l o w s:

Robert. T. Jenkins

RCAV Unlimited

328 White River Dr.

Pacific, WA 98047

Phone: (253) 335.6677

Email: theedge26@comcast.net

II. D E SCRI P T I O N O F P R O P O S E D O P E RAT I O N

RCAV s e e ks an e x e mp t ion pursu a nt t o S ec t i on 333 of the Re f o r m A c t t o op e r a te the DJI Inspire 1,

Phantom 1, QR X350 Pro Quadcopter, and the Anaconda, Skywalker X (The UASs). All U AS

ope ra t i ons will oc c ur und e r ti g ht l y c ontroll e d c ondi t ions on priv a te p r op e r t y wh e re RCAV h a s r e c e ived

p e rmission t o op e r a te f

r om t he lando w n e r, c ontroll e r o r a uthori z e d r e p re s e ntativ e s . The pro p osed U AS

op e r a t i ons will be c ondu c ted in a cc o r d a n c e with the c ondi t ions and lim i ta t ions of this P e t i t i on f o r

E x e mp t ion and RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Man u a ls. As d e tailed in RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Man u a ls, all U A S

op e r a t i ons will be l i m i ted to d a y t i me V F R c ondi t ion s , with i n visu a l l i ne

- o f

- s i g ht ( " V L OS " ) o f the

op e r a tor, in uncont r ol l e d a irsp a c e

, a nd will o cc ur a t l ea st 5 nm a w a y f rom a n a irp o rt. Mo re ov e r,

RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons Manu a ls inco r por a te r e dund a nt s a f e g u a rds to a ssu r e that the a ir c r a ft do e s not tr a v e l

ou t side the c ontroll e d are a o f U AS op e r a t i ons, in c lud i ng GPS "geo

- f e n c i ng" te c hnol o g ies.

A. Aerial Photography

RCAV s e e ks to use sm a ll U A S s for the pu r pose of c ondu c t i n g aerial videography and

p hotography to record images and gather indust r ial, military, and commercial information. RCAV h a s

t a i l o re d i t s op e r a t i ons to m ee t t he re qui r e ments e stablished b y t h e F A A in p r ior g ra nts of e x e mp t i on s

a uthori z ing c om m e r c ial use o f U AS i n photo and video production includi n g :U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 4

 RC P ro Produ c t i ons C o n su l t i n g

, LL C d/b / a V o rt e x A e ri a l (E x e mp t ion No. 11064)

 Astraeus Aerial (Exemption No. 11062)

 Alan D. Purwin (Exemption No. 11161)

 F l y i n g

- C a m

, L L C ( E x e mp t ion No. 11080)

 P icture F a c to r y

, I n c

. ( E x e mp t ion No. 1117 8 )

 Dronair Solutions ( Exemption No. 11671 )

All UAS photo and video production includi n g op e r a t i ons will be conducted on p r i v a te p r op e r t y in a

c ontrol l e d a re a

, a w a y f

r om sp ec tators a nd p e r s ons not invo l v e d in the photography and videography

sessions

. All UAS photo and video shoots will be c ondu c ted du r i n g d a y l i g h t hours , V F R c ondi t ions, a t

alt i tudes b e low 40 0 ' A G L

. As s e t fo r th below, RCAV’S op e r a t i ons pro v ide a sup e rior l e v e l of sa fe t y and

quality compared to p e r f

o r m i n g the s a m e filming wo r k using c onv e nt i on a l fi x e d

- wing a i r c raft or

h e l icopt e rs.

B. A e ri a l Photogrammetry, Property and Building Mapping and Surveys

RCAV s e e ks to use sm a ll U A S s for the pu r pose of c ondu c t i n g controlled flights for aerial

photography and videography visual video inspection of real

- time conditions of residential, commercial,

industrial, military, public and private buildings, facilities and structures

. T r a di t ional methods of building

and property video capture and surveying in c lud i ng accessing areas with pow e r lin e s, steep and uneven

roo f top s

, tight spaces, heating and air

- conditioning equipment, and chimneys which e x pose survey and

photogrammetry professionals to uncalled r isk, physical h a rm, se r ious i nju r y or death

. Pho tographers and

professional s urveyors in most situations are required to cli m b tow e r s and p e r f o r m el e v a ted w o r k that

e x poses th e m t o the r isk of d a n g e rous f a l l s , electrocutio n or other work

- related harm, injury or death

. I n

a ddi t ion, photographers and professional surveyors are exposed to uneven and unstable geography and

p r o x i m i t y to e quip m e nt which involves a r isk of e x posure to radiation or m e c h a nic a l h a z a rds a ssoci a t e d

with industrial si t e s and c onstru c t i on f a c i l i t ies. The use o f s m a ll U A S m i t i g a tes th e se h a z a rds for a nd is

ul t i m a te l y a much s a f

e r m e thod of p e r f

o rming the s e and most other t y p e s of insp ec t i ons for insurance risk

assessment

.

S mall UAS i nspe c t i on is a lso s a f e r and is basically impossible to perform low altitude inspections

with tr a di t ional mann e d a ir c r a ft. Conv e nt i on a l ope ra t i ons us i ng roto rc r a ft a nd fi x e d

- wing a ir c r a ft i n low

le v e l op e r a t i ons pr e s e nt risks a ssoci a ted w i t h v e hicl e s w e i g hi n g thous a nds of po u nds a nd ca rr y i n g la r ge

a moun t s of f

u e l. I t is i mport a nt t o note th a t t he use o f sm a ll U A S in t his a re a will not on l y be sa f e r a nd

mo r e c ost e f

f e c t i v e , but t he qu a l i t y of collected data and in f o r mation is f

a r sup e rio r

. S mall U A S

inspe c t i on is more r e l i a ble, a nd a l l ows f o r the c ol l ec t i on, diss e m i n a t i on, a nd sto r a g e o f visual a nd other

senso r y d a ta w i t h gr e a t e r p r ec is i o n a nd du ra t i on. S mall UASs are a lso ca p a ble o f a c ce ss i n g a nd

inspe c t ing a re a s that wo u ld o t h e r w ise be in a cce ss i ble to humans or cannot be completed with

c onv e nt i on a l aircr a ft.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 5

III. R ELE V ANT ST ATUT O RY AUT H O RI T Y

This P e t i t i on f

o r E x e mp t i on is submi t ted pu r suant to S ec t i on 333 (a ) th r o u gh ( c ) of the F AA

Mod e rni z a t i on a nd R e fo r m A c t of 2012 ( " R e fo r m A c t " ). Co n g r e ss h a s dir e c ted the F AA " to sa f e l y

a c ce le r a te the i nte g r a t i on of c iv i l un m a n n e d a ir c r a ft s y stems i nto t he n a t i on a l airsp a c e s y stem

. " P u r suant

to S e c t i on 333 of the Re f o r m A c t, t he F AA Admin i str a tor is t o p e rmit unm a nn e d a ir c r a ft s y st e ms t o

op e r a te in the Na t i on a l Air Sp ac e (" N AS " ) wh e re it is s a f e to do so b a s e d on the f

ol l owi n g c onsid e r a t i ons:

● The U A S ' s s iz e , w e i g ht, spe e d a nd op e r a t i on a l c a p a bi l i t y ;

● Op e r a t i on of the U A S in close pro x i m i t y to ai rp o rts a nd populat e d a r ea s; a n d

● Op e r a t i on of the U A S with i n the visu a l l ine of sight of the op e r a tor.

Addit i on a l l y , the FAA A dm i nis t r a tor h a s ge ne r a l autho r i t y to g r a nt e x e mp t ions f r om t he a g e n c y 's

s a f e t y re g ulations a nd m i ni m um s t a nd a rds w h e n the A dm i nis t r a tor d ec ides a r e q u e sted e x e mp t ion i s in

the publ i c in t e r e st. S e e 49 U.S. C . § 106( f ) ( d e fini n g the a u t hori t y of the Admin i str a tor ) ; 49 U. S .C. §

44701 ( f) ( p e rmit t ing e x e mp t ions f r om §§ 447 0 1 (a ), ( b ) a nd §§ 44702

– 44716, e t se q

. ). A p a r t y

r e qu e st i n g a n e x e mp t ion m ust e x p l a in t he rea sons w h y the e x e mp t ion: ( 1) would b e n e fit the publ i c a s a

w ho l e

, a nd ( 2 ) would not adv e rs e l y a f f ec t s a f e t y ( or how it would provide a lev e l of s a f e t y a t l ea st e q u a l

t o the e x is t ing r ules )

. S e e 14 C. F .R. § 11.81 (p e t i t i ons for e x e mp t ion).

IV. RCAV’S P R O P O S E D U AS O P E RAT I O NS M EE T T H E R E Q UIR EME NTS O F SE CTI O N

333 OF THE REFORM ACT

The small U A S op e r a t i ons p r opos e d b y RCAV i n th i s P e t i t i on for E x e m p t i on qu a l if y f o r e x p e di t e d

a ppro va l purs u a nt to S ec t i on 333 of the Re f o r m A c t a s e a c h of t h e st a tu t o r y c rite r i a a nd r e lev a nt f ac tors

a re s a t i sfi e d.

A. Ap p r oval i s Wa rr a n t e d Based on t h e U A S 's S i z e , W e ig h t, S p ee d , a n d O p er a t io n al Ca p a b i l ity

A G r a nt of E x e mp t ion i s ap p rop r iate for op e r a t i o n s co n du c ted usi n g the U A S s due t o its si z e w e i g ht, sp e e d,

a nd op e r a t i on a l ca p a bi l i t y

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 6

 The UASs h a s b ee n a ppro ve d for u s e in prior S ec t i on 333 G ra nts of E x e mp t ion f r om t he F A A

. 2

 The UASs w ei g hs l e ss t h a n 5 5 pounds, in c lud i ng p a y load.

 The UASs will not be f lown a t a g r ound speed in e x ce ss of 50 knots.

 Alt i tude in f

o r mation wi l l be g e n e r a ted b y e quip m e nt onboa r d the U A a s s p ec ified using GPS

tria n g u l a t i on, di g i t a l l y e n c o d e d b a rom e tric a l t i m e te r

, ra dio a l t i m e te r , or a n y c omb i n a t i on the re o f . This

i n f o r mation wi l l be t ra nsm i t t e d to t he pi l ot v i a tel e metric d a ta f e e d.

 The UASs will h a ve s y stem r e dund a n c ies a nd in d e p e nd e nt fu n c t i on a l i t y to e nsure the ov e r a ll sa f e t y a n d

p re dict a bi l i t y of the s y stem. I f c onn e c t i on to t he re m ote c ontrol or g round c ontrol station is l ost, f a i l s a fe

s y stems wi l l pe r m i t t he U A S to r e turn to a p r e d e t e rmin e d loc a t i on a nd s a f e l y l a nd without in

j u r y o r

d a m a g e

.

 The ra dio f

r e qu e n c ies u s e d for op e r a t i ons a nd c o n trol of the U A S c omp l y with t he Fe d e r a l

C om m unic a t i ons C om m is s ion ( " F CC " ) a n d other a ppro p ri a te g ov e rnm e nt ove r s i g ht a g e n c y re qu i r e ments.

The operating frequency for The UASs are 2.4 GHz & 5.8 GHz

.

I f the s a me o p e r a t i ons w e re c ond u c ted usi n g a h e l i c opte r , the a i r c raf t ' s tak e

- o f f w e i g ht would l i k e l y

e x cee d 6,0 0 0 pounds carrying a pilot, camera operator and VO

- visual observer

- navigator . The

dif f e r e n c e in w e i g ht betw e e n The UASs a nd a h e l i c opt e r si g n ific a nt l y r e du ce s t h e potential h a rm to the

p a r t icip a t i ng a nd no n

- p a rticip a t i ng ind i viduals or pro pe r t y in t he e v e nt o f a n a c c ident or incid e nt. I n

a ddi t ion, t he r isk to t he onbo a rd pilot a nd ca me r a op e r a tor is eli m inat e d.

_______________________

2 S e e e .g

., G r a nt of E x e mp t ion t o S hotover C a me r a S y stems L

. P

. ( E x e mp t ion No. 11159 ) ; G ra nt of

E x e mp t ion t o V D OS G l ob a l, LL C ( E x e mp t ion No. 11112 ) ; Gr a nt of E x e mp t ion t o L ow Count r y RC,

Corp. ( E x e mp t ion No. 11184 ) ; G ra nt of E x e mp t ion t o Al a n P u r win ( E x e mp t ion No. 11161 ) ;

Gr a nt of E x e mp t ion t o H e l i n e t Aviation S e rvi ce s ( E x e mp t i on No. 11160 ) ; Gr a nt of E x e mp t ion t o Total

S a f e ty U.S., I n c

. ( E x e mp t ion No. 11156 )

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 7

B. Ap p r oval i s Wa rr a n t e d B a s e d on t h e O p er a t io n al R e st r ic t io n s S e t F o r th in RCAV’S O p er a t io n s

M a nu a l s

RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons M a nu a l s a nd the M a nu f ac tu r e r ' s Manu a l f

o r the sel e c t e d U A S s will c ontain

the p r o c e dures and l i m i tations n ece ss a r y to s a f e l y a nd s u cce s s f

ul l y p e r fo r m t h e op e r a t i ons spe c if i e d in

t his P e t i t i on f

o r E x e mp t io n . To a s si s t t he F AA in m a king a sa f e t y a ssessment of RCAV p ropos e d

op e r a t i ons, b e low is a summa r y of o p e r a t ional l i m i tations a nd c ondi t ions that RCAV will a dh e re to, and

w h i c h will e nsure a n e q u i v a le n t or hi g h e r l e v e l of s a f e t y to ope r a t i ons c on d u c ted und e r c u r r e nt r e g u l a to r y

g ui d e l i n e s:

1. The U A S w e i g hs l e ss t h a n 5 5 pounds, ful l y load e d

.

2. All ope ra t i ons shall be c o ndu c ted ov e r p riv a te or c ontroll e d

- a c ce ss prop e r t y with p e rmission f r om

t he land o w n e r/ c ontroll e r o r a ut h o r i z e d r e p re s e ntative. P e rmission f r om l a nd own e r/ c ontroll e r o r

a uthori z e d r e p r e s e ntative w i l l be obtain e d for e ac h fl i g ht o p e r a t i on.

3. All UASs op e r a ted und e r the G r a nt of E x e mp t ion wi l l be id e nt i fi e d b y s e ri a l numbe r

, r e g is t e r e d in

a cc o r d a n c e with 14 C F R p a r t 47, and h a ve identifi c a t i on ( N

- Numb e r) ma r ki n g s in acc o r d a n c e with

14 C F R p a rt 45, Subp a rt C. M a r kin g s will be a s la r g e a s pr a c t ic a ble.

4. Mini m um c re w f

or e ac h fli g ht op e r a t i on will c onsist of a pi l ot, who will be P i l o t

- in C om m a nd

( " P I C " ) o f the U A S

, a nd one o r mo r e Visu a l Obs e rvers ( " Obs e rv e r " ) a s ne c e s s a r y to sa f e l y c o ndu c t

t he m i ss i on.

5. P I Cs shall poss e ss at le a s t a Priv a te P i lo t ' s C e rtifi c a te a nd c u r re nt C lass I I I Medi ca l C e rtifi ca t e

. The

P I C will a lso m ee t t he f

l i g ht r e vi e w re qui r e ments spe c ified in 14 C

. F .R 61

. 56 in an a ir c r a ft in which

the P I C is r a ted on his or h e r pi l ot c e rtifi ca te.

6. The UA shall be o p e r a t e d with i n V L OS of the P IC a nd Obs e rver a t all t i m e s. The P I C must use

h uman vision un a ided b y a n y d e v i c e other t h a n c o rr e c t i ve l e n s e s, as spe c ified on the P I C ' s F AA

is s u e d medi c a l c e rti f

ic a te.

7. The P I

C a nd Obs e r v e r desi g n a t e d for a n y o p e r a t i o n will be a ble to c om m unic a te v e rb a l l y a t all

t i m e s.

8. Ele c tronic mess a g i n g or t e x t i ng will not be p e rmit t e d du r ing fli g ht o p e r a t i o ns.

9. The a ddi t ional re qui r e m e nts i d e nt i fi e d in t he G ra n t of E x e mp t ion shall be a dd e d to t he RCAV’S

O p e r a t i o ns Man ua l s.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 8

The Op e r a t i ons Man ua l s will be maintain e d a nd made a v a i l a ble to the Admin i str a tor upon re q u e st. I f a

disc r e p a n c y e x is t s b e tw ee n the c ondi t ions and lim i tations in the G r a nt of E x e mp t ion a nd RCAV’S

Op e r a t i ons Man u a l s, the c ondi t ions and lim i tatio n s in t he G ra nt of E x e mp t ion shall t a ke pre ce d e n c e a n d

must be f ol l ow e d. Oth e r w ise, RCAV shall follow the p r o ce du r e s outl i n e d in t h e ir Op e r a t i ons Man ua ls.

10. RCAV m a y u pd a te or r evis e it s O p e ra tio ns M a n u a ls

. R e vision s w il l b e t r a c k e d a n d a r e vi s e d c o p y

of t he M a n u a l w il l be p r ovi d e d to th e A dminist r a to r upo n re q u e st

. RCAV w il l a ls o p re s e n t a n u pd a t e d a n d

r e vis e d O p e r a

tion s M a n u a l s i f i t p e tition s f o r e x t e nsio n o r a m e nd m e n t t o it s G r a n t of E x e mption

. I f a n

up d a t e or r e vis i on would a f f ec t t he b a sis upon whi c h the F A A g ra nts t he e x e mp t ion, RCAV will se e k a n

a m e ndment to i ts Gr a nt of Ex e mp t ion. RCAV will c o nta c t the F A A ’s U AS I nt e g r a t i on O f fi c e ( A F S

- 80) if

q u e st i ons a rise r e g a rdi n g u pd a tes or re vis i ons to the op e r a t i ng do c u m e nts.

11. RCAV’S O p e ra t i on s M a n u a l s a nd it s G r a n t o f E x e mptio n w il l be a v a i l a bl e to th e

P I C a t the g r o un d c on t r o l st a tio n a n y tim e t h e UA S is op e ra ti n g

.

12. The P I

C is prohib i ted f

r o m be g inn i n g a UAS f

l i g ht un l e ss ( c onsid e r i ng wind a nd f o re ca st w ea th e r

c ondi t ions) the r e is en o u g h po w e r to f l y to t he f i rst in t e nd e d point of l a nding, and a ssu m ing n o rm a l

c r uis i ng spe e d, to f

l y a ft e r t h a t for a t l ea st 10 m i nute s

.

13. Ma x i m um to t a l fli g ht t i m e f or e ac h o p e r a t i on a l fl i g ht usi n g The UASs will be l i m i ted to 40

m i nutes or the a mount of time the U A S ca n be flo w n a nd s t i ll maintain a re s e rve b a t ter y po w e r of no less

than 25 % , whi c h e v e r oc c u r s fi r s t

.

14. F l i g hts will be op e r a ted a t an a l t i t ude of no more t h a n 400 fee t A G L a nd w i ll n e v e r e n t e r n a v i g a ble

c o ntroll e d a irsp a c e without prior w r i t ten a uthori z a t i on a nd a ppro va l f r om t he F A A. I n the e v e nt t he

str u c ture b e ing insp e c ted e x cee ds 400 f e e t A G L

, t h e U A S will not be oper a ted m o re th a n 100 fee t abo v e

the h i g h e st point on the stru c tur e

, a n d no more than 50 f e e t h o r i z ontal l y f

r om t he s t ructur e

.

15. F l i g ht op e r a t i ons must be c ondu c ted a t le a st 500 fe e t f r om all nonpa r t i c ipat i ng p e rsons. ( p e rsons

oth e r t h a n the P I

C, V O, op e r a t o r t ra ine e s o r e ssential p er sonnel ), v e ssels, v e hicl e s, and st r u c tur e s unl e ss:

a. B a r ri e rs or str u c tur e s a re p re s e nt t h a t suf f ic i e nt l y p rot ec t nonpa r t i c i p a t i ng p e rsons f rom the

U A a n d /or d e b r is i n the e v e nt of a n a c c ident. The op e r a tor must e nsu r e that nonp a rti c ipating

p e rsons re main und e r s u c h p r ote c t i on. I f a si t u a t i on a ris e s wh e re nonp a rticip a t i ng p e rsons

l e a ve such p r ote c t i on a nd a re with i n 500 fee t of the U A

, f l i g h t ope ra t i ons must c ea se

i m medi a te l y a nd/or;U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 9

b. The a ir c r a ft is op e r a ted n ea r v e s s e ls, vehi c les or s t ru c tur e s w h e re t h e own e r/ c ontroll e r o f su c h

v e ssels, v e hicl e s or str u c tur e s has g r a nted p e rmission and the P I C h a s made a s a f e t y

a s s e ss m e nt of the r isk of op e r a t i n g c loser to t hose obje c ts and d e t e rmin e d that it do e s not

pr e s e nt an undue h a z a rd, a nd;

c

. Op e r a t i ons n e a rer to the P I C, V O , op e r a tor t r a in e e s or e ssential p e rsons do not pr e s e nt an

undue h a z a rd to those p e rsons p e r § 91.119 (a ).

16. The UA m a y not be o p e r a ted l e ss t h a n 500 f e e t b e low or less than 2,000 f e e t hori z ontal l y f

r om a

c loud or w h e n vis i bi l i t y is l e ss t h a n 3 st a tu t e m i les f rom the P I C.

17. The UA m a y not op e r a te with i n 5 nm of a n a irpo r t re fer e n c e point a s de n o t e d on a c u r r e nt F A A

publ i shed a e ron a

ut i ca l c h a rt unless a letter of a g r ee ment with that a irpo r t’s man a g e ment is obtain e d, a nd

the op e r a t i o n is condu c ted in a c c o r d a n c e with a N OT A M as r e qui r e d b y t h e RCAV COA. The letter of

a g re e ment with the a irpo r t m a n a g e ment will be made a v a i l a ble to the A dm i nis t r a tor upon r e qu e st.

18. P rior to e ac h fl i g ht t he P IC sh a ll inspe c t t he U A S to con f irm th a t i t i s in a c ondi t ion sa f e f or fli g ht.

The pr e

- fli g ht i nsp e c t i on will acc ount for a ll disc re p a n c ies, e .g. inop e r a ble c omponents, items, or

e quip m e nt, not a lr e a d y c ov e r e d in t he r e le v a nt s e c t i ons of the op e r a t i n g d o c uments. The P I C s h a ll not

op e r a te the U A S if the i n spe c t i on r e v e a ls a c ondi t i on that a f f e c ts t he sa f

e op e r a t i on of the U AS un t il the

n ece ssa r y m a in t e n a n c e h a s b e e n p e r f o r med a nd the U A S is found to be in a c ondi t ion for sa f e f l i g ht. The

g r ound c ontrol s t a t i o n shall be includ e d in t he preflight ins p ec t i on. All m a in t e n a n c e a nd a l t e r a t i ons must

be p r op e r l y do c umen t e d in t he U A S r e c o r ds a s r e qui r e d b y RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Man ua l s

.

19. RCAV will c a r

r y out i ts m a in t e n a n ce , insp e c t i ons, a nd r e c o rd ke e ping r e quir e ments in a cc o r d a n c e

with t he Op e r a t i ons Ma n u a ls. M a in t e n a n ce , inspe c t i on, a nd a l t e r a t i ons will be not e d in t he U A S rec o r ds,

in c lud i n g to t a l t i m e in se r vic e , d e s c ription of wo r k a c c omp l ished, a nd the si g n a tu r e of the a uthori z e d

p e rson re turni n g the U A S to se r vic e

.

20. A n y U A S that h a s un d e r g one m a in t e n a n c e or a l t e r a t i ons that a f f ec t t h e U A S op e r a t i on or fl i g ht

c h a r a c te r is t ics ( e .g

., r e p l ace m e n t of a fli g ht c ritic a l c om p on e nt) must und e r g o a fun c t i o n a l test fli g ht in

a cc o r d a n c e with RCAV O p e r a t i ons Man ua l s

. The P I C who c ondu c ts the fun c t i on a l test fli g ht must make a n

e nt r y i n th e U A S a ir c raft r e c o rds of the fli g ht. The r e qui r e men t s a n d p r o ce du r e s f o r a f u n c tion a l test fli g ht

a nd U A S r e c o r d e nt r y shall be includ e d in the RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons Man ua l s

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 10

21. The U A S will be op e r a t e d a nd maintain e d a cc o r d i ng to t he Ma n u f a c tu r e r ' s Man ua ls and a n y

r e quir e d manu fac tu r e r Sa f e t y / Se rvi c e B ul l e t i ns.

22. P rior to t he op e r a t i on, a Miss i on P ac k e t wi l l be c r ea ted in a cc o r d a n c e with t he r e quir e ments on

RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Manu a ls.

23. RCAV will obtain a n A i r T r a f fic O r gani z a t i on ("AT O ") issu e d Ce r t i fi c a te of W a iver or

A uthori z a t i on, othe r wise known a s a CO A

, prior to condu c t i n g a n y op e r a t i ons und e r this G ra nt of

E x e mp t ion. A N OT A M will be issued a s r e quir e d b y the CO A

. All ope ra t i ons will be c ondu c ted in

acc o r d a n c e with a irsp a c e r e quir e ments in the A T O is s u e d COA in c lud i ng c l a ss of a irsp a ce

, a l t i t ude l e v e l

a nd potential tr a nspond e r re quir e ments.

24. All r e quir e d p e rmissions and p e rmits will be obtain e d f r om t e r ritori a l, s t a t e

, c oun t y or c i t y

j u risdictions, including loc a l la w e n f o rce m e nt, fire or ot h e r a ppro p ri a te g o v e rnm e nt a l ag e n c ies.

25. I f the U AS l oses c om m u nic a t i on with t he pi l ot, i t will h a ve the ca p a bi l i t y t o r e turn to a p r e

d e t e rmin e d loc a t i on with i n the op e r a t i on a l a r e a a nd land s a f e l y

.

26. Cont i n g e n c y plans w i l l b e in p l a c e to s a f e l y te r m i n a te f

l i g ht i f t h e re is a lo s s of c om m unic a t i on

b e tw ee n the P I

C a nd the Obs e r v e r

.

27. The U A S will h a ve the c a p a bi l i t y to sa f e l y a bort f

l i g ht i n the ca se o f un p redict e d obst ac les or

e m e r g e n c ie s

.

28. P I

Cs and Obs e rv e rs will h a ve a t le a st a c u r r e nt Class I I I Me d i ca l C e rtifi c a te.

29. P rior to condu c t i ng o p e rat i ons for f i l m i n g , the P I C will h a ve a c c umu l a ted a nd log g e d, in a m a nn e r

c on s is t e nt wi t h 14 C F R § 61.51 ( b ) , a m i ni m um of 200 f l i g ht c y c les a nd 25 ho u rs total t i me a s a U AS

rotor c r a ft pi l ot and a t l ea s t 10 hou r s log g e d a s a U AS p i lot with a simi l a r U AS t y p e

.

30. P rior to condu c t i ng o p e rat i ons for f i l m i n g , the P I C will h a ve a c c umu l a ted a nd log g e d, in a m a nn e r

c on s is t e nt wi t h 14 C F R § 61.51 ( b ) , a m i ni m um of 5 4 C F R § 61.51 ( b ) , a m i ni m um o f 10 logged hours a s

U A S pi l ot ope r a t i ng the m a ke a nd model of U A S to be uti l i z e d for op e r a t i ons und e r the e x e mp t ion and

th irty tak e

- o f

fs a nd thirty landi n g in t he p r ec e ding 90 d a y s.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 11

31. Op e r a t i ons shall oc c u r d u r ing d a y t i me V F R Met e o r olo g i c a l C ondi t ions; f l i g hts und e r Sp ec i a l

V i sual F l i g h t Rul e s ( " S V F R") sh a ll n o t be c ondu c ted.

32. The UA shall r e main c l e a r a nd y ield the ri g ht of w a y to all o t h e r m a nn e d op e r a t i ons a nd a c t i vi t ies

a t all t i m e s (in c lu d in g

, b ut not l i m i ted to, u l t r a l i ght v e hicl e s, pa r ac hute ac t i vi t ies, p a r a s a i l i n g ac t i vi t ie s

,

h a ng g l i d e rs, e tc. )

.

33. U A S Op e r a t i ons und e r Instr u ment F l i g ht R ules, a t n i g ht, or b e y ond V L OS a re p r ohib i ted.

34. The U A s will not be op e r a ted f rom a n e lev a ted pl a tfo r m or mov i ng d e v i ce / v e hicl e

.

35. B e f

o re c ond u c t i ng o p e r a t i ons, the ra dio f re q u e n c y spe c trum used f o r op e r a t i on a nd c ontrol of the

U A w i ll c omp l y with t he F e d e r a l C om m unic a t i ons C o m m i ss i on ( F CC) or other a ppro p r i a te g o v e rnm e nt

ov e rsi g ht a g e n c y r e quir e m e nts.

V. R E G ULATI O NS F R O M W H ICH E X EM P T I O N IS R E Q UES TE D

The Fe d e r a l Aviation A c t e x p re ss l y g r a nts t he F A A the a uthori t y to i ssue e x e mp t ions. This statuto r y

a uthori t y

, b y i t s te r ms, i n c ludes e x e mp t ing c iv i l air c r a ft, a s t he te r m i s de f ined und e r § 40101 of the A c t

, including U A S s, f

r om i t s sa fe t y r e g u l a t i ons a nd m i ni m um s t a nd a rds wh e n the A dm i nis t r a tor d ec ides a

r e qu e sted e x e mp t ion i s in t he publ i c in t e r e st

. 3

RCAV s e e ks an e x e mp t ion f r om sev e r a l i nte r r e la t e d pr o vis i ons of T i t le 14 of the Code of Fe d e r a l

Re g ula t ions ( "14 C

. F .R " ) Pa r ts 21, 45, 61 a nd 91 f or pur p o s e s o f c ondu c t i n g the r e qu e sted o p e r a t i ons us i ng

a U A S

. L

is t e d b e low a r e : ( 1) the s p ec ific s ec t i o ns of 14 C. F .R f or whi c h e x e mp t ion i s sou g ht, and ( 2) the

op e r a t i n g p r o ce du r e s and s a fe g u a r d s that P e t i t i o n e r h a s e stablished whi c h will e n sure a le v e l of s a f e t y

b e t t e r th a n or e qu a l t o the r u l e s f r om which e x e mp t ion i s sou g ht

. 4

________________________________

3 49 U.S. C . § 44701 ( f) (a

u thori z ing the g ra nt of e x e mp t ions f r om r e quir e me n ts of r e g ulations p re s c rib e d

p u rsu a nt t o Se c t i ons 44701( a ) a nd (b) a nd S ec t i ons 44702

- 44716 )

.

4 14 C. F .R § 11.81 (e ), w h ich re quir e s a p e t i t i on f o r e x e mp t ion t o inclu d e:

The r e a sons w h y gr a nt i n g the e x e mp t ion would not a dv e rs e l y a f f e c t s a f e t y

, or how the e x e mp t ion would

p r ovide a lev e l o f s a f

e t y a t that p r ovided b y t h e rule f rom w hich y ou s ee k e x e mp t ion.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 12

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

A. 14 C. F

. R. P a r t 21, Subp a r t H

– Ai r w o r thi n e ss C er ti f ica te s a n d 14 C

. F

. R. § 91.203 ( a ) (1)

The F A A h a s s t a ted th a t no e x e mp t ion i s ne e d e d f r om t his s ec t i on if a f

ind i ng is m a de und e r the

R e f o rm Ac t t h a t t he U A S sel ec ted p r ov i d e s an e quival e nt l e v e l of sa fe t y wh e n c ompa re d to a i r c r a ft

no r mal l y used f

o r the same a ppl i ca t i on. Th e se c rite r i a a re m e t, and the re fo r e no e x e mp t ion i s ne e d e d

. 5 I f,

ho we v e r, t h e F AA d e te r m i n e s that t h e re a re some c h a ra c te r is t ics of the c h o s e n U A S that fa il to m ee t the

re quir e m e nts of the R e fo r m A c t, an e x e mp t ion i s r e qu e sted.

Eq u ival e n t Le v e l of Sa

f e ty

RCAV’S use o f The UASs i s s af e w h e n taki n g in t o acc ount their si z e , w e i g ht, sp ee d, a nd

op e r a t i on a l c a p a bi l i t y

. A s set f o r th i n the d e s c ript i on of pro p osed op e r a t i ons in S ec t i on I V ( A), The UASs

w e i g hs l e ss t h a n 55 pou n ds, in c lud i ng p a y load a n d will not be f lown a t a g r ound sp ee d in e x ce ss of 50

knots. UAS is a lso e quipped w i t h s a f e t y fe a tur e s that will allow P e t i t i on e r to op e r a te the U A S sa f e l y a ft e r

e x p e ri e n c e c e rt a in i n

- fli g ht conti n g e n c ies or f a i l u re s

. 6 7

__________________________________

5 S e e G r a nt of E x e mp t ion No. 11062 to Astr a e us A e r i a l ( F A A

- 201 4

- 0352 a t p g s. 1 3

- 14, 2 2 ).

6 S e e e .g

., G r a nt of E x e mp t ion No. 11184 to L o w Count r y RC, Corp. (F A A

- 2014

- 0803 a t p g . 3):

" The UASs h a ve the ca p a bi l i t y to op e r a te s a f e l y a f t e r e x p e ri e n c i n g ce r tain i n

- fli g ht c ont i n g e n c ies o r

f a i l u re s a nd uses a n a ut o

- pi l ot s y stem to mainta i n U A S stabili t y a nd c ontrol. The U A S is a lso a ble to

r e spond to a loss of g lobal pos i t i oning s y stem ( G PS ) or a los t

- l i nk e v e nt with a p r e

- c oo r dinat e d, p re dict a ble,

a u t omat e d fli g ht man e u v e r, a nd m a nu a l fli g ht c ontrol fun c t i on a l i t y a s a b a c kup. Th e s e s a f e t y f e a tu r e s

p r ovide a n e q u ival e nt lev e l of s a f e t y c ompa re d to a mann e d a ir c r a ft p e r f o r m i n g a si m i l a r oper a t i on."

7 S e e e .g

., G r a nt of E x e mp t ion No. 11184 to VD O S Glob a l, LL C. ( F A A

- 2 0 1 4

- 0382 a t p g s. 4

- 5 ) :

The UASs ’s can be operated entirely by a touch

- screen, map

- based interface. This means the operator only

needs to command the system where to go, and the system does all the flying for the operator. The UASs

can be operated in both semi and fully autonomous flight modes, with the operator simply clicking on a

map to create a pre

- p lanned flight path for a flight. In addition, the operator can create no fly zones or

maximum flight ranges and altitudes so the system cannot enter areas

{footnote continued}U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 13

Addit i on a l l y

, The UASs c a r r y n e i t h e r pilots nor p a sseng e rs, c a r r y no e x plo s ive m a te r ials or fl a m m a ble

liqu i d fu e ls, a nd op e r a te e x c lus i v e l y w i t hin t he p a r a met e rs st a t e d in RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Man u a ls

.

Op e r a t i ons c ond u c ted u n d e r this e x e m pt i on will b e c lose l y c ontroll e d a nd mon i tor e d b y the op e r a tor

a nd will be c ondu c ted in c omp l ian c e with l o ca l pub l ic s a f e t y r e quir e ments, to p r ovide s ec u r i t y f o r the a r e a

of o p e r a t i on. RCAV will a lso provide the F A A w i t h a dv a n c e not i c e of a ll op e r a t i o n s via N O TAMs a s

r e quir e d b y the a ppl i ca ble CO A

. In a ll ca s e s, op e r a t i on of The UASs und e r the pro p osed c ondi t ions will be

a t l ea st as s a f

e a s, or s a f

e r th a n, c onv e nt i on a l r otor c r a ft o p e r a t i n g with a n a irwo r th i n e ss c e rtifi ca t e

.

L a st l y

, The UASs do not ne e d a m e a ns to c om m unic a te w i t h other a i r c r a ft o r A TC, b eca use tho s e

ca p a bi l i t ies w i l l be poss e ssed b y t h e P I C a nd Obs e r v e r, w ho a re not onbo a rd the U A S

. 8 I n a ddi t ion, no

s e ns e

- a nd

- a void t ec hnol o g y is ne ce ssa r y for The UASs b eca use t h e y will be op e r a t e d a t all t i m e s in V F R

c ondi t ions and w i th i n V L OS of the P I C a n d Op e r a tor

. 9

B

. 14 C. F

. R. P a r t 27 Ai r w o r thi n e ss S tan d a r d s: N o r m al Ca te g o r y Ro t o r c r a f t

Tit l e 14 C. F .R. P a rt 27 s e ts fo r th t he pro c e d u r a l r e quir e ments for a i r wo r th i n e ss ce rtifi c a t i on of

norm a l c a te g o r y roto r c r a ft. To the e x tent that Company’s sm a ll U A S s would othe r wise r e q uire c e rtifi c a t i on

und e r Pa r t 27, P e t i t i on e r s ee ks an e x e mp t ion f r om P a rt 2 7 ' s a irwo r th i n e ss s a me r ea sons s t a nd a rds f or the

i d e n t ified in t he re qu e st f o r e x e mp t ion f

r om 14 C. F .R. P a rt 21, Subp a rt H, supra.

__________________________ {continued from previous page}

deemed unsafe or unnecessary to fly over. The p e t i t i on e r stat e s fu r ther t h a t the U A S h a s bui lt

- in in t e l l i g e nt

f a ult h a ndl i ng whi c h a l l ows The UASs to d e te c t a s y stem f a ult while in t h e a i r a n d a uto m a t i ca l l y f l y b ac k to

i t s tak e o f f lo c a t i on a nd land. Fa ul t s that ca n be d e t e c t e d includ e : lo s s of c om m u nic a t i on; e x cee ding p re

- s e t

wind thr e sholds; and low b a t ter y le v e ls.

All fli g ht op e r a t i ons a re g lobal posit i oning s y st e m ( G PS ) c ontroll e d, m a king the s y stem ea s y to n a v i g a te.

At a n y point if t h e op e r a t or is not e x pl i c i t l y c om m a nding the s y stem t o move, the s y stem a uto m a t i ca l l y

holds i t s G P S posi t ion. The fli g ht c ontrol s y s t e m e mp l o y s n ot on l y GPS posit i oning but a v a ri e t y of s e nsors

i n c lud i ng sona r

, b a rom e tr i c p re ssu r e

, temp e r a tu r e

, wind speed a nd othe r s to e nsure stabi li ty s o long a s wind

thr e s h olds a re not e x cee d e d. Also a fli g ht t e rmin a t i on l i nk

– to p re v e nt a ' f l y a w a y ' or other po t e nt i a l l y

d a n g e rous situ a t i on

– is av a i l a ble to the op e r a tor

. "

8 S e e G r a nt of E x e mp t ion No. 11062 to Astr a e us A e ri a l ( F A A

- 201 4

- 0352 a t p g . 13).

9 Id. a irwo r th i n e ss s t a nd a rds f or the s a me r ea sons i d e n t ified in t he re qu e st f o r e x e mp t ion f

r om 14

C. F .R. P a rt 21, Subp a rt H, supra

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 14

C. 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a): Aircraft Marking and Identification Requirements

RCAV s e e ks an e x e mp t ion f r om t he a ir c r a ft m a r k ing a nd identifi c a t i on r e q uir e ments c ontain e d in

14 C. F .R. § § 91.9 (c ), 45

. 23( b ) a nd 4 5.27 (a ).

● 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 (c ), Civ i l Air c r a ft F l i g ht M a nu a l, Ma r king a nd P la c a rd re q uir e ments, p r ovides th a t:

No p e rson m a y op e r a te a U.S

. - re g is t e r e d c iv i l aircr a ft unless that a ir c r a ft is identifi e d in a cc o r d a n c e

with Pa rt 45 of th i s ch a

pte r

.

● 14 C. F .R. § 45.23 ( b ) , M a rkin g s of t h e Aircr a ft, st a tes:

W h e n ma r ks include only the Roman c a pi t a l lett e r " N " a nd the re g is tr a t i on number is d i spl a y e d on l i m i ted,

re strict e d or li g h t

- sport ca t e g o r y a i r c raft or e x p e rime n tal or p r ovis i o n a l l y c e rtifi ca ted a i r c raf t

, the op e r a tor

must a lso disp la y o n that a ir c raft n ea r e a c h e ntr a n c e to the ca bin, c o c kpi t

, or pi l ot station, in lette r s not

less than two inch e s nor mo r e than six inch e s h i g h, the wo r ds " l i m i ted," " r e stric t e d," " l i g h t

- sp o rt,

" Experimental ," or " p rovisional," a s ap p l i ca ble.

● 14 C. F .R. § 45.27 (a ), Ro t o rc raft, stat e s:

E ac h o p e r a tor of a rot o rcr a ft must disp l a y on that r otor c raft hori z ontal l y on both sur f a ce s o f the c a bin,

fus e l a g e

, boom, o r ta i l the ma r ks r e quir e d b y § 45.23.

I n a pr e v i ous G r a nt of E x e mp t ion, t he F AA d e t e r m i n e d that e x e mp t ion f r om t h e se r e quir e ments w a s

w a rra n ted p r ovided th a t t he a i r c r a ft " h a ve i d e nt i fi ca t i on ( N

- Numb e r ) m a rki n g s in a cc o r d a n c e with 14 C

. F .R

P a rt 45, Subp a rt C i f the ma r kin g s a re a s la r ge a s pr ac t ic a ble

. " 10

Eq u ival e n t Le v e l of Sa

f e ty

All UA f lown b y RCAV will b ea r N

- numb e r m a r kin g s that a r e a s l a r g e a s p rac t i ca b l e in acc o r d a n c e

with 14 C

. F

. R. P a rt 45, Subp a rt C

. 11

____________________________

10 F AA D o c k e t No. F AA

- 2 014

- 0352.

1 1 S ee

, e .g., F AA D o c k e t N o. F AA

- 201 4

- 0352, a t 1 4

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 15

D. C. F

. R. § 91.405 ( a )

, 9 1.407 ( a ) (1 ) , 91.40 9 (a ) (1) a n d ( 2 ) ; 91. 4 17(a) a n d ( b ): M ai n t e n a n c e

I n s p ec tions

RCAV s e e ks an e x e mp t ion f r om t he mainten a n c e inspe c t i on r e quir e ments c ontain e d in 14 C. F .R. §

91.405 (a ), 9 1.407 (a ) ( 1 ), 91

. 409(a) ( 2 ) ; 91.417( a ) a nd (b ) . Th e s e r e g ulations spe c i f y mainten a n c e a nd

insp ec t i on st a nd a rds in r e f e r e n c e to 14 C

. F .R. P a rt 43. S ee

, e .g., 14 C. F .R. § 91.405 (a ) ( stati n g that ea c h

own e r o r op e r a tor of a n a ir c r a ft " sh a ll h a ve t h e a ir c r a ft insp e c ted a s p re s c rib e d in sub p a rt E o f this pa r t and

sh a ll b e t w ee n r e qu i r e d insp ec t i ons ...h a ve disc r e p a n c i e s r e p a i r e d a s p r e s c rib e d in p a rt 43 of th i s ch a pt e r" )

.

An e x e mp t ion f

r om t h e se r e g ulations is n ee d e d b eca u s e P a rt 43 a nd these se c t i ons on l y a p p l y to ai r c r a ft

with an a i r wo r th i n e ss c e rtifi c a te, whi c h the U AS t o be op e r a ted und e r this g r a nt of e x e mp t ion wi l l not

h a v e

.

Eq u ival

e n t Le v e l of Sa

f e ty

An e quival e nt l e v e l of s a f e t y will be ac hie v e d b ec a use m a in t e n a n c e a nd in s p ec t i ons will be

p e r f o rm e d in a c c o r d a n c e with t he Man u f ac tu r e r ' s Manu a l a nd a n y r e q u ir e d manu f a c tur e r S a f

e t y o r Se r vi c e

B ul l e t i ns. F u r the r

, a s r e qui r e d b y RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons Man ua l s, the P I C will c ondu c t a p r e

- fl i g ht

i nspe c t i on of the U AS and a ll a ssoci a ted e quip m e nt t o acc ount f o r a ll disc re p a n c ies a nd/or ino p e r a ble

c omponents. Ma i nten a n c e will be p e r f o rm e d a nd v e r i fi e d to a ddr e ss a n y c ondi t ions po t e nt i a l l y a f f e c t i n g

s a fe o p e r a t i on of the U AS and no fli g hts will o cc ur unless, a nd unt il

, a ll f l i g h t c r i t ic a l compon e nts of t he

U A S h a ve b ee n fo u nd to be a irwo r t h y a nd in a c ondi t ion sa f e f o r o p e r a t i on. A f

u n c t i on a l t e st fl i g ht wi l l be

c ondu c t e d f

ol l owing the r e pla c e ment of a n y fli g h t

- c ritic a l compon e nts. As r e quir e d b y RCAV’S

O p e r a t i ons Manu a l s, the P I C who c ond u c ts t he f

u n c t i on a l t e st fl i g ht wi l l m a ke a n e nt r y in t he U A S a ir c r a ft

r e c o r ds of the fli g ht.

RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons M a nu a l also in c ludes re qu i r e ments to follow the m a n u fac tu r e r ’ s U A S

a ir c r a ft/compon e nt, mainten a n ce , o v e rh a ul, r e pla ce m e nt, i nspe c t i on, a nd l i fe l i m i t r e quir e ments f o r the

f ol l owing a ppl ic a ble c omp o n e nts: pow e rt ra in s y stem ( pow e rpl a nt), p r op e l l e rs, a vion i c s a nd c ontrol

sur fa c e s (in c lud i n g a i le rons/ e levons ) , str u c tur e s & a ir f r a me, ca me r a s y s t e m, el ec tr i ca l s y stems (in c lud i n g

b a t te ri e s), g round c on t rol station, ha z a rd ac c e ssori e s, and s p a re p a rts. F u r the r

, RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons

Manu a l s a lso i n c ludes p r o c e dur e s to do c ument a nd maintain a rec o r d o f the U A S main t e n a n c e

,

pr e v e ntative m a i nten a n ce

, a l t e r a t i ons, status of re pla c e ment /o v e rh a ul compon e nt p a rts, a nd the total t i me

in s e rv i c e of The UASs us e d und e r this G ra nt of E x e mp t ion. As a whol e , the m a in t e n a n c e a nd insp ec t i o n

pr oce du r e s r e qu i r e d in RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Man ua l s e nsure t h a t an e quival e nt or hi g h e r l e v e l of s a f e t y will

be ac hiev e d.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 16

P I L O T

- I N

- C O MM AND O F T H E UAS

E

. 14 C. F

. R. § 61.113: P r i vate P i l ot P r iv i leg e s a n d Li m ita t io n s

RCAV s e e ks e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C F R § 61.113, w h ich re stricts priv a t e pi l ot c e rtifi ca te holde r s f r om

f l y i n g a i r c r a ft f

or c om p e nsation or h ir e

, a nd would a lso r e quire a s e c ond c lass medi ca l c e rtifi ca te. T h e

purp o se of P a rt 61 is t o e nsure that the skill and c ompet e n c y of a n y P I C mat c h e s the a irs p ac e in whi c h the

P I C will be o p e r a t i n g

, a s w e ll a s r e quir i ng c e rtifi c a t i ons if the p r ivate pi l ot i s c a r r y i n g p a sse n g e rs o r c ar g o

for hi re

. I n th i s c a s e

, while The UASs will be op e r a ted a s pa r t of a c o m me rc ial op e r a t i on, it ca rr i e s neither

p a s s e n g e rs n o r ca r g o for hire. I n t h e G r a nt of E x e mp t ion t o Astr ae us A e ri a l 12 , the F AA d e t e r m ined th a t t he

unique c h ar ac te r is t ics of U AS op e r a t i on outside of c on t roll e d a irsp a c e did not w a rra nt t he a ddi t ion cost a nd

r e strictions a t t e nd a nt wi t h r e quiri n g a the P I C to ha v e a Co m me rc ial P i l ot C e rtifi ca te a nd C l a ss II Me d i c a l

C e rtifi ca te. T he ful f

i l l m e nt of the a ddi t ional re q u ir e ments for a p riv a te pi l ot t o b ec ome qu a l i fi e d a s a

c om m e r c ial pi l ot would not le a d to a n y a ddi t ional s a f e t y b e n e fits wh e n U A S op e r a t i ons a r e invo l v e d.

Eq u ivale n t Le v e l of Sa

f e ty

The re strictions RCAV h a s pl ace d on i t s U A S o p e r a t i ons m ee t or e x cee d t he re strictions si m i l a r l y

i m posed on Astr ae us A e ri a l. RCAV w i ll op e r a te on p r iva t e pro p e r t y a w a y f r om p e rsons a nd p r o p e r t y not

invo l v e d in t he op e r a t i o n

. RCAV will a lso obta i n a n A T O issued COA prior to condu c t i n g a n y o p e r a t i ons

und e r this G ra nt of E x e mp t ion. All op e r a t i ons will be c ondu c ted in a cc o r d a n c e with ai r spa c e r e qui r e me n ts

i n the A TO issu e d COA in c lud i ng c l a ss of a irsp a c e

, a l t i t ude lev e l a n d pote n t i a l t r a nspond e r r e quir e ments.

A N O T A M will also be is s u e d a s r e quir e d b y the a ppl i ca b l e CO A

.

I n a ddi t ion t o these f

l i g ht re strictions, RCAV will f u r ther e ns u re s a fe o p e rat i on b y r e quiri n g that

a n y P I C be thorou g h l y v e rs e d not o n l y in ai r sp a c e a nd c o m mun i ca t i on is s u e s p e rt a in i ng to a ll a ir c r a ft

o p e r a tors but also in the u nique a spe c ts of U A S f l i g ht. As set f

o rth in the O p e r a t i ons Man u a l s, pi l ots will

h a ve e x p e ri e n c e not on l y in U AS ope r a t i ons g e n e r a l l y but h a ve l o g g e d fl i g ht t i m e in t he spe c ific m a k e a nd

model us e d for the op e r a t ions b e fo r e th e y a re p e rmit t e d to pa r t i c ipate i n c om m e r c ial fl i g hts on b e h a lf of

RCAV

. T h e p i l ot qualifi ca t i on, tr a in i n g

, a nd c u r r e n c y requir e ments in the O p e r a t i ons Manu a ls ensu r e t h a t

RCAV’S pilo t s a r e c ompet e nt and p r o fi c ient in t he U A S th e y a re o p e r a t i n g

. RCAV’S tr a in i n g a nd

qu a l i fi ca t i on r e quir e ments a re c onsistent with those c ontain e d in prior F AA Se c t i on 333 G ra nts of

E x e mp t io n

, a nd will pro v ide a h i g h e r lev e l of c ompet e n c y a nd pro f ici e n c y for i t s pilo t s and w i ll e nsure a t

le a st an e quival e nt l e v e l of sa fe t y

.

_______________________

1 2 E x e mp t ion No. 11062 ( F AA D o c k e t No. F AA

- 2 014

- 0352 )

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 17

O P E RAT I NG P ARA METE RS O F T H E UAS

F

. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.7 ( a ) : Civil Ai rcr a f t A ir w o r thi n e ss

Although th e re will be no a irwo r th i n e ss c e rtifi c a te issued f or The UASs

, RCAV s e e ks a n

e x e mp t ion f

r om 14 C

. F .R. § 91.7 (a ), whi c h r e q uir e s that a c iv i l aircr a ft be in ai r wo r t h y c ondi t ion t o be

op e r a ted. The F A A h a s s t a ted th a t no e x e mp t ion i s r e quir e d for 14 C. F .R. § 91.7 (a ) to the e x tent that the

re quir e m e nts of P a rt 21 a re w a ived or f ound inapplic a ble

. 13 A cc o r di n g l y

, P e t i t i on e r r e qu e sts that the

re qui r e m e nts for § 91.7 ( a ) be t r ea t e d in a cc o rd a n c e with S ec t i on V ( A )

, supra.

G

. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.9 ( b ) ( 2 ) : Civil Ai rcr a f t F l i g h t Ma nu al i n t h e Ai rcr a f t and 14

C. F

. R. § 91.203 ( a) a n d (b ): Ca rr yi n g Civil Ai r c r a f t Cer ti f ic a tion a n d R e gist r a t ion

Tit l e 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 ( b ) (2) a nd § 91.203 ( a ) a nd ( b) re quire t h e op e r a tor to ca r r y a irwo r th i n e ss

docum e nts a nd other a i r c raft m a nu a l s onbo a rd the a i r c raft. Pursu a nt t o 14 C. F .R. § 91.9 ( b ) (2 ) :

(b) No p e rson m a y op e r a te a U.S

. - r e g is t e r e d c iv i l air c r a ft

...

(2) F o r w hich a n Airpl a ne or Rotor c r a ft F l i g ht M a nu a l i s r e quir e d b y § 21

. 5 of th i s ch a pte r

,

unless the r e is av a i l a ble in the a ir c r a ft a c u rr e nt app r o v e d Ai rp l a ne or Rotor c r a ft F l i g ht M a n u a l,

app r ov e d man u a l ma te r ial, ma r ki n g s, a nd pl a c a rds, or a n y c omb i n a t i on the re o f

.

P u r suant to 14 C

. F .R. § 91.203 (a ) a nd (b ) :

( a ) E x ce pt a s p r ovided in § 91.715, no p e rson m a y op e r a te a c iv i l a ir c r a ft u n less it h a s within i t t he

f ol l owin g :

(1) An a p p rop r iate a nd c u rr e nt ai r w o rthin e ss c e rtifi c a te...

(b) No p e rson m a y o p e r a te a c iv i l a ir c r a ft unl e ss the a irwo r th i n e ss ce r t ific a te r e quir e d b y

p a rag ra ph (a ) of th i s s ec t i on or a sp e c ial fli g ht a uth o ri z a t i on i ssued und e r § 91.715 is disp l a y e d a t

t h e c a bin or c o c kpit e ntr a n c e so that it is l e g ib l e to p a sse n g e rs o r c r e w.

Giv e n the small s iz e a nd c onfi g u r a t i on of The UASs , it would be i m poss i ble to ke e p a irwo r th i n e ss

docum e nts a nd other a i r c raft m a nu a l s on bo a rd the U A S b e c a use th e re is s i m p l y no room a nd the U AS has

n o ca bin or c o c kpit.

__________________

1 3 S e e id. a t 13

- 14, 22U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 18

Eq u ival e n t Le v e l of S a

f e ty

I n a n F AA O f

fi c e of Ch i e f Couns e l ' s Opinion d a ted A u g ust 8, 2014, a nd p r e p a r e d b y D ea n E.

G ri f fith, Atto r n e y

, A G C

- 220, it w a s a c k n owl e dg e d that the intent of 14 C. F .R. 91.9 ( b) a nd 91.203 (a ) a nd

( b ) is met if the pi l ot of the u nmann e d a ir c r a ft h a s ac c e ss t o the U AS fli g ht manu a l, r e g is t r a t i on c e rtifi ca te,

a nd ot h e r r e quir e d do c uments f r om t he g r o und c ontrol s t a t i on f r om which he o r she is o p e r a t i n g the

a i r c raft

. 1 4 As th i s F AA O f f i c e of Chief Couns e l Opin i on c la r ifies, the in t e nt of the r ule is to e nsure the

pilot h a s a c c e ss t o these k e y d o c uments during fli g ht. Th e r e fo r e

, a n e q u ival e nt l e v e l of s a f e t y will be

ac hie v e d b y e nsuri n g that the pilot h a s ac c e ss t o the do c uments a t t he gro u nd c ontrol s t a t ion f r om which he

or s h e is p i lo t ing the U AS.

H. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.103: P ref l i g h t Ac tion

RCAV s e e ks an e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C

. F .R. § 91.103, whi c h r e qui r e s a P I C to be c ome f a m i l i a r w i t h

sp ec ific in f

o r mation be f

o r e e a c h fl i ght, i n c lud i ng info r mation c ontain e d in t he F A A

- a ppro ve d F l i g ht

Manu a l on board the a ir c raft. W hi l e the P I C will be fa m i l i a r w i t h a ll info r mation ne ce s s a r y to s a f e l y

c ond u c t t he f

l i g ht, a n e x e mp t ion i s r e qu e sted to the e x tent that a n F A A

- a ppro ve d F l i g ht Manu a l i s r e quir e d.

Eq u ival e n t Le v e l of Sa

f e ty

An e quival e nt l e v e l of s a f e t y w i ll be pro v ided b y f

ol l owing the RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons Man ua ls a nd

the Man u fa c tur e r ' s Man u a l . The P IC will p e r f o r m a s e r i e s of c h ec kl i sts d e s i g n e d to identi f y a n y d e f ec ts or

i n op e r a ble c omponents in acc o r d a n c e with t he RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Man ua ls, including c h e c kl i sts c ov e ring

P r e

- F l i g h t

, L a u n c h, L a ndi n g

, a nd P os t

- F l i g ht pr o ce du r e s. The P I C will a lso be r e q uir e d to r e view w ea t h e r,

fli g ht r e qui r e ments, b a t ter y c h a r g e , landi n g a nd tak e o f f distan c e , UA p e r f

o r man c e d a ta, a nd c ont i n g e n c y

landi n g a r ea s

—

b e f o r e i n i t iation of fli g ht. RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Man ua ls a nd the M a nuf a c tu r e r ' s Man u a l

will be k e pt at the g round c ontrol s t a t i on a nd will be a c ce ss i ble to the P I C a t a ll t i mes w hi l e op e r a t i ng the

U AS.

I. 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction

_______________________________________

1 4 Memo ra ndum f

r om M ar k B u r y

, F AA Assistant C hief Couns e l for I nt e rn a t i on a l L a w, L e g is l a t i on a nd

R e g u l a t i o n, to J ohn Dun ca n, F A A F l i g ht S tand a rds Se r v i c e ( A u g . 8, 201 4 ); s e e also Do c k e t No. F A A

2 0 1 4

- 0352 a t 16

- 18.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 19

RCAV s e e ks an e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C

. F .R. § 91.109 (a ), w hich p rovid e s in p e rtine n t pa r t that " [ n ] o

p e rson m a y o p e r a te a c iv i l aircr a ft ( e x c e pt a m a nn e d f r e e b a l l oon) that is b e ing used for f l i g ht i nstru c t i on

unl e ss t h a t air c raft h a s ful l y f un c t i oning du a l cont r ols

. " U A S s and r e mo t e l y pi l oted a ir c raft, b y t h e ir

d e si g n, do not ha v e f

un c t ional du a l cont r ols. I nst e a d, fli g ht con t rol is acc omp l ished thro u g h t h e use o f a

d e vice t h a t c o m m unic a tes w i t h the a ir c r a ft via r a dio c om m unic a t i ons. A cc o r din g l y

, a n e x e mp t ion wi l l be

r e quir e d for the f

l i g h t i nstru c t i on r e quir e ments of 14 C

. F .R. § 91.109 (a ).

Eq u ival e n t Le v e l of Sa

f e ty

Giv e n the si z e a nd sp ee d of The UASs that RCAV in t e nds to us e

, a n e quiv a lent lev e l of s a fe

tr a in i n g c a n sti l l be p e r f

o r med without du a l c ontrols be ca u s e no pi l ot or p a sse n g e rs a r e a bo a rd the U AS,

and a s r e quir e d b y the RCAV’S Op e r a t i ons Man u a l s, a ll p e rsons w i l l be a s a fe dis t a n c e a w a y in t he e v e nt

t h a t t he U A S e x p e ri e n ce s a n y dif f i c ul t ies du r ing f

l i g ht i nstru c t i on. Mor e ov e r, a s r e qui r e d b y the RCAV’S

O p e r a t i ons Man ua ls, a ll f l i g ht tr a in i ng will be c ond u c ted in cont r ol l e d a nd st e rile environme n t. As a

whol e

, the s a f

e t y pr o ce du r e s p r ovided f or in RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons M a nu a l s e nsure that the p r o posed U A S

op e r a t i ons p r ovide a n e quival e nt or hi g h e r l e v e l of s a f e t y th a n that p r ovided b y t h e f l i g ht i nstru c t i on

re g ulatio n s.

J. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.119(c): M i n i m u m S a f e Alti t ud e s

RCAV r e qu e sts a n e x e mp t ion f r om t he m i ni m u m sa f

e a l t i t ude re qu i r e m e nts of 14 C. F .R. §

91.119( c )

. 1 5 S ec t i on 91.119 p re s c rib e s t h e m i ni m um sa f e a l t i t ud e s und e r whi c h a ir c r a ft m a y not ope ra te,

in c lud i n g 5 0 0 f

e e t abo v e the su r f

a c e a nd a w a y f

rom a n y p e rson, v e ssel, v e hicl e , or stru c ture in non

c o n g e st e d a r e a s. S e e 14 C

. F .R. § 91.119 (c ). S ec t i on 91.1 1 9 ( d) a l l ows f or a h e l i c opter to op e r a te a t le ss

t h a n those m i ni m um a l t i tudes w h e n it ca n be o p e r a ted " without h a z a rd to p e rsons or pro p e r t y on t h e

sur f ace

, " p ro v ided th a t " e ac h p e rson o p e r a t i n g the h e l i c opt e r c omp l ies w i t h a n y rout e s or a l t i t ud e s

spe c ifi c a l l y p re s c rib e d for h e l i c op t e rs b y the F A A

. "

An e x e mp t ion i s r e quir e d b eca use t h e pro p osed U AS ope ra t i ons will norm a l l y n e e d to o cc ur b e low

4 00 fe e t A G L

. I n c ir c ums t a n ce s wh e re the U AS i s used to insp ec t a stru c tu r e whose h e i g ht e x c e e ds 400

f e e t A G L , the U AS wi l l not be op e r a t e d more t h a n 100 fee t abo v e the h i g h e st point on the stru c tur e

, a n d

with i n 50 fee t hori z ontal l y of the str u c tur e

. A d di t ional l y , d u e the n a ture of the p ropos e d o p e r a t i ons, the

P i l ot and/or Obs e rvers ( s) m a y n ee d t o be less than 500 f e e t a w a y f

rom the U AS.

_________________________

1 5 R e l i e f f rom § 91.119 ( a ) will not be n ece ssa r y b e c a use Petitioner will be a b le to p e r f o r m an e me r g e n c y

landi n g without undue h a z a rd to p e rs o ns or p r op e r t y on the g r o und in t he e v e nt of a f a i l u re

. P e t i t i on e r ' s

pro p osed U A S op e r a t i ons wi l l not o cc ur ov e r c o n g e st e d a r e a s, a nd the r e fo r e a n e x e mp t ion f r om §

91.119(b) will not be n e c e ssa r y

. S e e e .g ., G r a nt of Ex e mp t ion No. 11157 to S lu g w e a r, I n c ., d b a L i k e on a

tr e e A e ri a l (FA A

- 2 014

- 0534 a t 15)U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 20

Eq u ival e n t Le v e l of Sa

f e ty

Compa re d to fli g ht op e rat i ons with roto rc r a ft w e i ghing f a r mo r e than t h e ma x i m um w e i g hts

propo s e d h e r e in, a nd g i v e n the l ac k o f f l a m m a ble f

u e l wi t h The UASs , a n y r isk a ssoci a ted w i t h these

o p e r a t i ons is f

a r l e ss t h a n t h ose th a t pr e s e nt l y e x ist with conv e nt i on a l a ir c r a ft. A n e quiva l e nt l e v e l of

s a f e t y will be ac h iev e d g iven the si z e , w e i g ht, and s p ee d of The UASs

, a s w e ll the c ontr o l l e d loc a t i on

wh e re t h e o p e r a t i ons will oc c u r

. I n o r d e r to a void a n y risk to m a nn e d a ir c r a ft, f l i g ht op e r a t i ons will be

re stri c ted to 400 fee t A G L o r b e lo w , or w h e n inspe c t i ng a str u c ture w h ose he i g ht e x cee ds 400 f ee t A G L

,

with i n 100 f

e e t a bove the h i g h e st point on that stru c ture a n d 50 fee t hori z ontal l y of t he stru c tur e

.

As s e t fo r th i n the Op e r a t ions Man ua ls, The UASs will be op e r a ted in a r e st r ict e d a re a

, a nd a ll

f l i g hts will be op e r a ted a t a l a te ra l d i sta n c e of a t l ea st 500 f e e t f r om a n y non p a rticip a t i n g p e rsons, unl e ss

t h a t pe r s o n is i n a posit i on wh e re he or she is s hield e d f rom the U AS and a n y poss i ble d e b r is r e sul t ing f r om

UAS f a i l u re

. As r e quir e d b y t h e Op e r a t i ons Man ua ls, f l i g hts will be te r m i n a ted if a nonp a r t i c ipating p e rson

with i n 500 fee t of the U A S le a v e s a shi e lded position. F u r the r

, U A S op e r a t i ons will oc c ur a t l ea st 500 fe e t

a w a y f rom v e hicl e s o r stru c tur e s unl e ss t he p r op e r t y own e r/ c ontroll e r h a s g r a nted p e rmission and the P I C

h a s made a s a f

e t y a ssess m e nt of the r isk of op e r a t i ng c loser to t hose obje c ts and, o p e r a t i ons n e a r the P I C o r

Obs e rver w i l l not p re s e nt an und u e h a z a rd p e r § 9 1 .119 ( a ). Adh e ren c e to these r e strictions in RCAV’S

O p e r a t i ons Man ua ls will e nsure op er a t i ons ca n be c ond u c ted without c ompromising s a f e t y

. 16

K

. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.121: Al t i m e ter S e t t i n gs

RCAV s e e ks an e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C

. F .R. § 91.121, whi c h r e qui r e s a pe r s on op e r a t i n g a n a ir c r a ft

to m a in t a in c r uis i ng a l t i t ude or f l i g ht le v e l b y r e f

e r e n c e to an a l t i m e ter that is set to the e lev a t i on of the

d e p a r ture a irpo r t or b a rom e tr i c pr e ssur e An e x e mp t ion i s r e quir e d to t he e x tent that The UASs do not

have a b a rom e tr i c a l t i m e te r , but r a th e r a GPS a l t i t ude rea d out.

__________________________

1 6 S e e e .g.

, G r a nt of E x e mp t ion No. 11138 to Dougl a s Tr u d ea u ( F A A

- 201 4

- 0481 a t 19 ) :

" I f b a rr i e rs or stru c tur e s a re p re s e nt that ca n suf f i c ient l y p r ot e c t nonp a rtic i p a t i ng p e rsons f r om the UA or

d e b r is in the e v e nt o f a n a c c ident, then the UA m a y op e r a te c loser than 500 f e e t to p e rsons a f

fo r d e d s u c h

p r o te c t i on. The op e r a tor m u st a lso e nsure t h a t nonp a rtici p a t i ng p e rsons r e main un d e r such p rot ec t i on. I f a

s i tuation a ris e s w h e re nonp a rtici p a t i ng p e rsons le a v e such p rot e c t i on a nd a r e with i n 5 00 f e e t of the U A

,

fli g ht o p e r a t i ons must cea s e i m medi a te l y

. W h e n c onsid e ri n g how to i m medi a te l y c e a se op e r a t i ons, the

p rima r y c on ce rn is the s a f e t y o f those nonp a rticip a t i ng p e rson s

. I n a ddi t ion, the F AA finds that

op e r a t i ons m a y b e c ondu c ted c los e r than 500 f e e t to v e ssels, v e hicl e s a nd stru c tur e s w h e n the

own e r/ c ontroll e r o f a n y s u c h v e ssels, v e hicl e s or stru c tur e s g r a nts p e rmi ssio n f o r th e op e r a t i on a nd the P I C

mak e s a s a f

e t y a ssessment of the risk of op e r a t i ng c loser to those obj ec ts and d e t e rmin e s that it does not

pr e s e nt an undue h a z a rd .”U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 21

Eq u ival e n t Le v e l of Sa

f e ty

The F A A h a s s t a ted th a t a n e quival e nt l e v e l o f s a f e t y to t he r e quir e m e nts of 14 C. F .R. § 91.121

ca n be ac hie v e d in ci rc ums t a n c e s wh e r e : ( 1) The UASs will be op e r a ted b e low 400 f ee t A G L or

b e lo w 17

, ( 2) with i n V L OS, (3) wh e re GPS b a s e d a l t i t ude info r mati o n is r e l a y e d in r e a l t i me to the

op e r a tor a t a g roun d

- b a s e d o n

- s c r ee n disp la y a nd, (4) w h e re p r ior to eac h fl i g ht, a z e ro a l t i t ude in i t i a t i on

p o int is establish e d for the P I C to co n fi r m a cc u r a c y of the onbo a rd G PS

. 18

The UASs that RCAV i ntends to use f or the p r o p osed op e r a t i ons will m e e t all t h e se op e r a t i on a l

c h a ra c te r is t i c s. Mor e ov e r, a s r e qui r e d b y RCAV’S O p e r a t i ons Man ua ls, t he P I C will be re qui r e d to

c a l i b ra t e the a ir c r a f

t ' s GPS c ompa s s prior to e ac h fli g ht op e r a t i on. L ike p rior F A A S ec t i on 333 G ra nts of

E x e mp t ion, The UASs RCAV in t e nds to us e

, a nd the sa fe t y m i t i g a t i on p r o ce du r e s co n tain e d in t he

Op e r a t i ons Manu a l s

, both ensu r e that a n e quival e nt l e v e l of s a f e t y will be ac hiev e d, a nd a G r a nt of

E x e mp t ion t o the re quir e ments of § 191.1 2 1 is t h e r e fo r e a ppro p ri a te.

L

. 14 C. F

. R. § 91.151 ( a ) : F u e l R e qu ir e m e n ts f or F l i g h t in V F R Con d itio n s

RCAV r e qu e sts a n e x e mp t ion f r om 14 C

. F .R. § 91.151 (a ) ' s f u e l r e qui r e ments f

o r f l i g ht in V F R

c ondi t ions. S ec t i on 91.151 st a tes:

(a) No p e rson m a y b e g i n a fl i g ht in a n a irpl a ne und e r V F R c ondi t ions unless ( c onsid e ri n g wind a nd

fo r eca st w ea t h e r c ondi t ions) the r e is e nou g h fu e l to fly to the fi r st po i nt of int e nd e d la n ding a nd,

a ssu m ing nor m a l c r uis i ng s p ee d

–

(1) Du r i n g the d a y , to fly a ft e r th a t f o r a t l ea st 30 m i nutes; or

(2) At ni g ht, t o f

l y a ft e r t h a t for a t le a st 45 m i nutes.

H e r e , the t ec hnol o g ic a l l i m i tations on U A S b a t t e ry po w e r m ea ns t h a t no m ea ni n g ful fli g ht

ope r a t i ons ca n be c ondu c ted w hi l e st i ll maintaining a 3 0

- m i nute b a t ter y r e s e rv e . An e x e mp t ion f r om t he

f u e l r e quir e ments of 14 C

. F .R. § 91.151 (a ) is the r e fo r e r e quir e d.

________________________

1 7 I f t h e h e i g ht o f the str u c t u r e b e i n g inspe c ted e x ce e ds 400 fe e t A G L

, the U A S will not be op e r a ted more

than 100 f

e e t a bove the hi g h e st po i nt on t he stru c tur e

.

1 8 S e e G r a nt of E x e mp t ion No. 11062 to Astr a e us A e ri a l ( F A A

- 201 4

- 0352 a t 2 1 )

.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 22

Equivalent Level of Safety

In the Grant of Exemption to VDOS (Exemption No. 11112), the FAA determined that an

equivalent level of safety to the fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions could be achieved by

proh ibiting the PIC from beginning t he UASs flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather

conditions) there was enough power to fly to the first intended point of landing and, a ssuming normal

cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 10 minutes. In reaching this conclusion, the FAA considered

that the UAS batteries for The UASs provided provide approximately 2 0 minutes of powered flight (with

payload) and provided battery le vel and battery time remaining in minutes and seconds to the PIC. 19 The

FAA also considered the fact that the UASs operating manual states: “start every flight with a fully

charged battery in the aerial vehicle”, and that in the event that the UAS should run low on power, the

PIC will be alerted and can land The UASs as soon as possible. Like the VDOS Grant of Exemption,

RCAV use of the DJI S1000 , combined with the requirements of Petitioner's Operations Manuals, ensure

that an equivalent level of safety c an be achieved.

Similarly, in the Grant of Exemption to Alan Purwin (Exemption No. 11161), the FAA

determined that an equivalent level of safety to the fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions could

be achieved by prohibiting the PIC from beginning a flight with The UASs unless (considering wind and

forecast weather conditions), there was enough power to fly at normal cruising speed to the intended

landing point and land the UA with 25% battery power remaining. RCAV will adhere to this limitation

fo r The UASs flights.

The UASs includes a low battery warning system and the amount of battery reserve power

remaining is transmitted to the PIC via telemetric data feed, which downlinks from the UAS to a ground

based

- on

- screen display. 20 As required by RCAV’S Operations Manuals, the PIC will promptly fly the

UAS back to the home launch location or pre

- determined abort location where the UAS may safely land,

while still maintaining a minimum of 25 % reserve battery power. RCAV submits that the procedures

r equiring flights to be safely terminated once the batteries fall below 25% capacity, combined with the

requirement that flights only be conducted within a secure, isolated area, using a UAS weighting less than

25 pounds, and within VLOS of the PIC and Obse rver(s), ensure that the proposed operation will provide

an equivalent or higher level of safety to that provided by the regulations from which exemption is

sought.

_________________________ 19 Grant of Exemption No. 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (FAA

- 2014

- 0382 at 10).

20 The UASs ground control station displays, The UASs position, navigation route, tail number, altitude,

heading, north seeking arrow, range to targets, calculated target position, date/time, and sensor heading

and orientation relative to the UAS.U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 23

VI. DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAM

RCAV will have policies in place to ensure that no person may participate in UAS flight

operations if they are under the influence of alcohol or any drug.

VII. PUBLIC INTEREST

The public interest will be served by granting RCAV’S Petition for Exemption. Con gress has

established a national policy that favors early integration of UAS into the NAS in controlled, safe

working environments such as those proposed in this Petition. Granting this Petition for Exemption helps

fulfill Congress' goal in passing Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act

— the FAA Administrator's

assessment of whether certain UAS may operate safely in the NAS before completion of the statutorily

required rulemaking.

The proposed UAS operations in this Petition for Exemption significantly improve safety and

reduce risk harm or serious injury to inspecting engineers. T r a di t ional methods of building and property

video capture and surveying in c lud i ng accessing areas with pow e r lin e s, steep and uneven roo f top s , tight

spaces, heating and air

- conditioning equipment, and chimneys which e x pose survey and photogrammetry

professionals to uncalled r isk, physical h a rm, se r ious i nju r y or death

. Photographers and professional

surveyors in most situations are required to cli m b tow e rs and p e r f o r m el e v a ted w o r k that e x poses th e m t o

the r isk of d a n g e rous f

a l l s, electrocution or other work

- related harm, injury or death. I n a ddi t ion,

photographers and professional surveyors are exposed to uneven and unstable geography and p r o x i m i t y to

e quip m e nt which involves a r isk of e x posure to radiation or m e c h a nic a l h a z a rds a ssoci a t e d with industrial

si t e s and c onstru c t i on f

a c i l i t ies. The use o f s m a ll U A S m i t i g a tes th e se h a z a rds for a nd is ul t i m a te l y a

much s a f e r m e thod of p e r f

o rming the s e and most other t y p e s of insp ec t i ons for insurance risk assessment.

The use of small UASs also enhances safety and reduces risk because, unlike manned aircraft weighing

thousands of pounds, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, The UASs carry no passengers or

crew. Further, in the unlikely event of an accident, RCAV small battery powered UASs presents

significantly less danger to persons on the ground when compared to operations by conventional manned

aircraft. 21 As Petitioner's UASs are battery powered, the public will also benefit from a reduction in

harmful emiss ions associated with conventional aircraft performing in the same functions proposed

herein.

_____________________________ 21 See Grant of Exemption No. 11158 to Team 5, LLC (FAA

- 2014

- 0783 at 12):

"Manned helicopters conducting aerial filming can weigh 6,000 pounds or more and are operated by an

onboard pilot, in addition to other onboard crewmembers, as necessary. The petitioner’s UAs will weigh

less than 55 pounds with no onboard pilot or crew. The pilot and crew will be remotely located from the

aircr aft. The limited weight significantly reduces the potentia l for harm to participating and

nonparticipating individuals or property in the event of an incident or accident. The risk to an onboard

pilot and crew during an incident or accident is eliminated w ith the use of a UA for the aerial filming

operation."U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 24

Lastly, as recognized by the FAA in prior Section 333 Grants of Exemption to video producers , UASs

provide an additional tool for the aerial photo, video and inspection industry, adding a greater degree of

flexibility, which supplements the current capabilities offered by manned aircraft. 22

VIII. PRIVACY

All RCAV UAS operations will be conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local

laws regarding privacy. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled

- access property with

permission from the land owner/controller or authorized repres entative. Permission from land

owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted.

IX. FEDERAL REGISTER SUMMARY

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the

FEDERAL REGISTER, should it be determined that publication is needed:

Petitioner seeks an exemption from the following rules in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

Part 21, Subpart H; Part 27; 45.23(b); 45.27(a); 61.113; 91.7(a); 91.9(b)(2); 91.9(c); 91.103; 91.109(a);

91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.203 (a) & (b); 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409(a)(1) & (2); 91.417 (a)

& (b).

The exemption will enhance safety by reducing risk to the videography, photography and

inspection

- survey crew, the property owners

, residents, and the general public of potential substantial

hazards from those associated with perf orming equivalent aer ial production work performed by with

conv entional fixed

- wing aircraft, rotorcraft, or other methods.

X. CONCLUSION

RCAV Petition for Exemption satisfies the criteria articulated in Section 333 of the Reform Act of

2012 including weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas, operation

within VLOS and national security. The proposed UAS operations will benefit the public as a whole by

improving safety and reducing risk by alleviating human exposure to danger s of injury or death . In

consideration of the foregoin g, this Petition for Exemption provides the FAA with more than adequate

justification for granting the requested exemptions allowing RCAV to use small UASs for the pu rpose o f

c ondu c t i n g controlled flights for aerial photography and videography visual video inspection of real

- time

conditions of residential, commercial, industrial, military, public and private buildings, facilities and

structures.

_______________________ 22 See e.g ., Grant of Exemption No. 11178 to Picture Factory, Inc. (FAA

- 2014

- 0794 at 1 8).U.S. D e p a rtme n t of T r a n sport a t ion

August 5 th , 2015

P a g e 25

We thank you for your prompt consideration of our requested exemptions.

Respectfully S ubmitted,

Robert T. Jenkins

Radio Control Aerial Vehicles (RCAV)

328 White River Dr.

Pacific, WA 98047

Should you have any questions, or if you need any additional information to support the requested

exemptions, please contact the undersigned at:

RCAV Unlimited

Phone: (253) 335.6677

Office: (253) 394.4316

Email: theedge26@comcast.net

(The following attached items contain and commercial information exempt from disclosure under the

Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 522 et seq. , and should be held in a separate file pursuant to 14

C.F.R. § 11.35(b)).

Attachments:

1. General Operations Manual

2. PIC Operating Manual

3. Company Protocols

4. Location Protocols

5. Flight Communications Protocols

6. Departing Location Protocols

7. Transmitter Protocols

8. Preflight Checklist

9. Post Flight Checklist

10. Equipment Checklist

11. UAS Manufacturer’s Manuals

a. User Manuals

b. UAS Maintenance Manuals