### Viewpoint Elevated Imagery, LLC

David Simmons

14806 Adios

San Antonio, TX 78248

FAA Rulemaking Section

333

Of the

FAA Reform Act and Part 11

July 13. 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

1200 New Jersey Ave, SEWashington, DC 20590

Attention: FAA Administrator

Re: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations form 14 CFR Part 21; 14 CFR 45.23(b); 14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b); 14 CFR 91.7 (a); 14 CFR 91.9

(b) (2); 14 CFR 91.103; 14 CFR 91.109; 14 CFR 91.119; 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR 91.151 (a); 14 CFR 91.203

(a) & (b); 14 CFR 91.215 (a) & (b); 14 CFR 91.131 (d); 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 14 CFR 407 (a) (1); 14 CFR 409

(a) (2); 14 CFR 417 (a) & (b)

Dear Administrator,

Pursuant to the Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (The Reform Act) and 14

CFR Part 11, Terry Camnitz (LAI.) is the operator of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) equipped to

conduct aerial photography and cinematography services hereby applies for an exemption from the listed

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to allow commercial operations of its sUAS so long as such

operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the

FAA as required by Section 333.

As described in more detail below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of small,

unmanned and relatively inexpensive sUAS under controlled conditions in the NAS that is both limited

and predetermined. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of

Transportation’s (the FAA Administrator’s) responsibilities to “...establish requirements for the safe

operations of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.” Section 333 (c) of the Reform Act.

Regulations from which the exemption is requested:

14 CFR Part 21

14 CFR 45.23 (b)

14 CFR 61.113 (a) & (b)

14 CFR 91.7 (a)

14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2)

14 CFR 91.103

14 CFR 91.109

14 CFR 91.119

14 CFR 91.121

14 CFR 91.151 (a)

14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b)

14 CFR 91.215 (a) & (b)

14 CFR 91.131 (d)

14 CFR 91 405 (a)

14 CFR 407 (a) (1)

14 CFR 409 (a) (2)

14 CFR 417 (a) & (b)This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress’ goal in passing Section 333 (a)

through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether

certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system (NAS) before

completion of the rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform Act. In making this

determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of sUASs do not create a hazard to

users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in light of the following:

• The sUAS’s size, weight, speed, and operational capability;

• Operation of the sUAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas

• O p e r a t i o n o f t h e s U AS w i t h i n v i su a l l i n e o f s i g h t ( V L O S ) o f t h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ”

Reform Act § 333 (a). Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles “may operate safely in the

national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft

in the national airspace system.” Id. §333(c).

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. This statutory

authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under §40101 of the Act,

that includes sUASs, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness

certificate.

T h e Ad mi n i s t r a t o r ma y g r a n t a n e x e mp t i o n f r om t h e r eq u i r e me n t o f a r e g u l a t i o n p r e s c r i be d u n d e r

su bsect ion ( a ) or ( b ) of t his sect ion or a n y sect ions 4470 2

- - 44716 o f t h i s t i t l e i f t h e Ad mi n i s t r a t o r f i n ds

t h e e x e mp t i o n i n t h e p u b l ic i n t e r e s t

. 49 U

. S

. C §4 4701 ( f ) S ee a l s o 49 U S C §4 4744 ( a ) ; 49 US C §4 4 704l 14

C F R §9 1

. 203 ( a ) ( 1 )

.

Low Altitude Imaging I n c

. UA S s a r e r o t o r c r a f t w e i g h t i n g 55 o r f e w e r l b s

. i n c l ud i n g p a y l o a d

. T h e y o p e r a t e

u n d e r n o r ma l c o n d i t i o n s a t a s p ee d o f n o mo r e t h a t 50 kts and h a v e t h e c apab i li ty to h o v e r

, a n d mo v e i n

t h e v e r t ic a l a n d h o r i z o n t a l p l a n s i mu l t a n e o us l y

. T h e y w i ll o p e r a t e o n l y i n l i n e o f s i g h t o f t h e

P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” a n d w i ll o p e r a t e w i t h t h e p e r mi ss i o n o f t h e p r o p e r t y o w n e r o r a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e

. S u c h

o p e r a t i o n s w i ll i n su r e t h a t t h e s U AS w i ll “ n o t c r ea t e a h a z a r d t o us e r s o f t h e n a t i o n a l a i r s p a c e s y s t e m o r

t h e p u b l ic ” a s p e r t h e R e f o r m Ac t S e c t i o n 333 ( b )

.

Applicant submits the attached ( LAI), Safety Policy and ( LAI). Operations Checklist as confidential

documents under 14 CFR 11.35 (b) as these documents contain proprietary information that the

applicant has not and will not share with others. The safety policy contains operating conditions and

procedures that are not available to the public and are protected from release under the Freedom of

Information Act 5 USC 552 et.seq.

Given the small size of the sUASs involved and the limited environment within which that will operate,

the applicant falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safety) in which Congress

envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of sUASs to commence

immediately. Also due to the size of the sUASs and the limited areas in which the relevant sUASs will

operate, approval of the application presents no national security issue. Given the clear direction in

Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the

strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit,

including enhanced safety with allowing sUASs for commercial aerial videography and photograph y

operations, the grant of the requested exemptions is in the public interest. Accordingly, the applicant

respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without delay.AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

The applicant proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the

characteristics and they operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for at least

and equivalent or even higher level of safety of operations under the current regulatory structure

because the proposed operations are conducted on closed off property under the permission of the

property owner or property representative.

These limitations and conditions to which ( LAI) agrees to be bound when conducting commercial

operations under an FAA issued exemption include:

1. The sUAS will weigh less than 55 lbs.

2. Fl i g h t s w i l l be o p er a t ed w i t hi n vis u a l l i n e of si g h t (VL O S ) of a Pi l o t / ” O p er a t or ” a n d / or o b server.

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 30 minutes. Flights will be terminated

at 20% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 30 minute limit.

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 500 feet AGL or, when photographing a

structure taller than 500 feet, the sUAS will not be operated more than 100’ above the highest

point on the structure.

5. M i n i mu m c r e w f o r ea c h o p e r a t i o n w i ll c o n s i s t o f t h e s U AS P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ”

, a n d t h e V i su a l

Ob s e r v e r

. 6. s U AS P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” w i ll be P i l o t i n C o mma n d ( P I C )

. I f t h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” d ee ms a n o t h e r

“ P i l o t/”Ope r at o r ” “ to be q ual i f i e d w i th t h e n e c e ss ar y s k i lls to be t h e “ P i l o t/”Ope r at o r ”

, t h at p e r s o n

c a n a l s o be d e s i g n a t e d a s “ P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” “ p r o v i d e d t h e y h a v e a mi n i mu m o f 40 h o u rs of f l i g h t

t i me w i t h t h e s U AS

. 7. Flights will be operated at a lateral distance of at lest 50 feet from any inhabited structures,

buildings, vehicles, vessels, or people not associated with the operation.

8. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned sUAS operations prior to each flight activity.

It will be mandatory that all personnel involved with the operational duties of the flight be present

for this briefing.

9. P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” a n d o b s e r v e r w i ll h a v e bee n t r a i n e d i n o p e r a t i o n o f s U AS g e n e r a l l y an d received

up

- - to

- - d a t e i n f o r ma t i o n o n t h e p a r t ic u l a r s U AS t o be o p e r a t e d

. 10. T h e “ P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” “ w i ll h a v e a t l ea s t a c l a ss 3 me d ic a l c e r t i f ic a t e

. 11. O b s e r v e r a n d P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” w i ll a t a ll t i me s be ab l e t o c o mmu n ic a t e b y v o ic e

, r a d i o

, a n d / o r

t e xt.

12. Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holders or property representatives

will be obtained.

13. I f t h e s U AS l o s e s c o mmu n ic a t i o n s o r l o s e s i t s G P S s i g n a l

, t h e s U AS w i l l h a v e t h e c apab i li ty to

ret u rn t o a p r e

- - d e t e r mi n e d l o c a t i o n a n d l a n d a u t o n omo us l y

. 14. The sUAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles, weather, or

emergencies.

14 CFR §91.109: Flight Instruction

No person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for flight

instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls.

sUAS and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual. Flight control is

accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft via radio

communication. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without full functional dual

controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. See Exemption Nos.

5778K & 9862A. The equivalent level of safety is provi ded by the fact the neither a pilot nor passengers

will be carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft.14 CFR §91.119: Minimum Safe Altitudes

Section 91.119 established safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119 (d) allows that

helicopter may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section,

provided each person operating the helicopter complies with any routes or altitudes specifically

prescribed for helicopters by the FAA. As this exemption is for a sUAS that is a helicopter and the

exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes up to 500 feet AGL, an exemption may be needed to

allow such operations. As set forth herein, the sUAS will never operate higher that 500 AGL with the

exception that in circumstances where the sUAS is used to survey or photograph a structure whose

height exceeds 500 feet AGL, the sUAS will not be operated more than 100 feet above the highest point on

the structure.

T h e eq u i v a l e n t l e v e l o f s a f e t y w i ll be a c h i e v e d g i v e n t h e s i z e

, w e i g h t

, s p ee d o f t h e s U AS a s w e ll a s t h e

l o c at i o n w h e r e i t i s o p e r at e d

. N o f l i g h t w i l l be tak e n w i t h o ut t h e p e r mi ss i o n o f t h e p r o p e r t y o w n e r

. B e cau s e o f t h e a d vance n o t i ce to t h e p r o p e r t y o wne r and o t h e r pa r t i c i pants i n t h e act i v i ty

, al l a f f e ct e d

i n d i v i du a l s w i ll be a w a r e o f t h e p l a nn e d f l i g h t o p e r a t i o n s

. C o mp a r e d t o f l i g h t o p e r a t i o n s w i t h a i r c r a f t o r

rot orc r a f t w e i g h i n g f a r mo r e t h a n t h e ma x i mu m 55 l b s

. p r o p o s e d h e r e i n a n d t h e l a c k o f f l a mma b l e f u e l

,

an y r i s k a ss o c i at e d wi th t h e s e o p e r at i o ns i s f ar le s s t h a n t h o s e p r e s e ntly p r e s e nt e d wi th c o nv e nt i o nal

a i r c r a f t o p e r a t i n g a t o r be l o w 500 f ee t AG L

. I n a dd i t i o n

, t h e lo w

- - a l t i t ud e o p e r a t i o n s o f t h e s U AS w i ll

e n su r e s e p a r a t i o n be t w ee n t h e s U AS o p e r a t i o n s a n d t h e o p e r a t i o n s o f c o n v e n t i o n a l a i r c r a f t t h a t mu s t

c o mp l y w i t h S e c t i o n 91

. 119

.

14 CFR §91.121 Altimeter Settings

This regu l a t ion requires ea ch perso n opera t ing a n a i r c r a f t t o ma i n t a i n c r u i s i n g a l t i t ud e b y r e f e r e n c e t o a n

a l t i me t e r t h a t i s s e t “ ...t o t h e e l e v a t i o n o f t h e d e p a r t u r e a i r p o r t o r a n a pp r o p r i a t e a l t i me t e r s e tt i n g

a v a i l ab l e be f o r e d e p a r t u r e

. ” As t h e s U AS ma y n o t h a v e a ba r o me t r ic a l t i me t e r

, b u t i n s t ea d a GPS a l t it ude

r ea d o u t

, a n d e x e mp t i o n ma y be n ee d e d

. An eq u i v a l e n t l e v e l o f s a f e t y w i ll be a c h i e v e d b y t h e

P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ”

, p u r su a n t t o t h e s a f e t y c h e c k l i s t a n d l i v e f l i g h t d a t a mo n i t o r i n g

, c o n f i r mi n g t h e a l t i t ud e

of t he l a unc h sit e show n on t he GPS a l t it u d e indica t or b efore fl ight

.

14 CFR §91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

Sections 91.151(a) prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions

unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions” there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of

intended landing, and, assuming normal cruising speed

– (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least

30 minutes; or (2) at night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.”

The battery powering the sUAS provides less than 30 minutes of powered flight. To meet the 30 minute

reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, sUAS flights would be limited to approximately 10 minutes in

length. Given the limitations of the sUAS’s proposed flight area and the location of its proposed

operations within a predetermined area, a longer timeframe for flight in daylight or twilight CFR

conditions is reasonable.

Applicant believes that an exemption from 14 CFR §91.151 (a) falls within the scope of prior exemptions.

See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed Martin Corporation to operate without compliance with FAR

91.151 (a)). Operating the sUAS, in a limited area where only people and property owners or

representative with less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel, does not engender the type of risk that Section

91.151 (a) was intended to alleviate given the size and speed of the sUAS. Additionally, limiting the sUAS

flight to 10 minutes would greatly reduce the utility for which the exemption will be granted.Applicant believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights to 30 minutes or

20% of battery power

– whichever happens first. This restriction would be more than adequate to return

the sUAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its limited operating area. Similar exemptions

have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions 2689F, 5745, 10673, and 10808.

14 CFR §91.203 (a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

The regulation provides in the pertinent part:

(a) Except a provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the

following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate.

. . . (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 §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit

entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew.

The sUAS fully loaded weighs less that 55 lbs. and is operated without an onboard pilot. As such, there is

no ability to place to carry certification and registration documents or to display them on the sUAS.

An eq u i v a l e n t l e v e l o f s a f e t y w i ll be a c h i e v e d b y k ee p i n g t h e s e d o c u me n t s a t t h e g r o u n d c o n t r o l p o i n t

w h e r e t h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” f l y i n g t h e s U AS w i ll h a v e i mme d i a t e a cc e ss t o t h e d o c u me n t s t o t h e e x t e n t

t h e y a r e a pp l ic ab l e t o t h e s U AS

. T h e F A A h a s i ssu e d n u me r o us e x e mp t i o n s t o t h i s r e g u l a t i o n

. A

rep resen t a t ive s a m p l e o f o t h e r e x c e p t i o n s i n c l ud e s E x e mp t i o n N o s

. 9565

, 9665

, 9789

, 9789 A, 9797

9797A, and 10700.

14 CFR §91.215 (a) and (b); 14 CFR §91.131 (d); ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment and

use

The per t inent sect ion of 91.215 (a ) & (b ) requires t he “ (a ) A ll a ir s pa c e: U

. S

. - - r eg is t ered c ivil a ir c r af t

. For

o p e r a t i o n s n o t c o n du c t e d u n d e r p a r t 121 o r 135 o f t h i s c h a p t e r

, AT C t r a n s p o n d e r eq u i p me n t i n s t a ll e d

. . . (b) All airspace. Unless otherwise authorized or directed by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft in the

airspace described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this section, unless that aircraft is equipped

with an operable coded radar beacon transponder”.

. .

This requirement applies

(1) All aircraft. In Class A, Class B, and Class C airspace areas;

(2) All aircraft. In all airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in appendix D, section 1 of this

part from the surface upward to 10,000 feet MSL;

Likewise, the pertinent section of 91.131 (d); Operating Rule in Class B Airspace

(d) other equipment requirements.

“No person may operate an aircraft in a Class B airspace area unless the aircraft is equipped with

(1) The applicable operating transponder and automatic altitude reporting equipment specified in

§91.215 (a) . . . and

(2) Af t e r J a n u a r y 1

, 2020

, t h e a pp l ic ab l e Au t o ma t ic D e p e n d e n t S u r v e i ll a n c e

- - B r o a d c a s t O u t eq u i p me n t

sp ecified in §9 1

. 225

. ”Because of the small size and limited lifting capacity of the sUAS, the sUAS cannot be fitted with and

operate a transponder and automatic altitude reporting equipment specified in paragraph of 91.215 (a)

and (b) and 91.131 (d). An exemption from these requirements is requested. The equivalent level of

safety can be assured using the procedures defined for each class of airspace.

Within the surface areas of Class “B”, Class “C”, Class “D” airspace

W i t h i n t h e l a t e r a l b o u n d a r i e s o f t h e a i r s p a c e

, t h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” “ w i ll e s t ab l i sh 2 w a y c o mmu n ic a t i o n s

w i t h t h e AT C f a ci l i t y h a v i n g j u r i sd ic t i o n f o r t h a t a r ea

. T h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” w i ll p r o v i d e t h e lo c at i o n

(hea ding a n d dist a nce ) rel a t ive t o t he cen t er of t he a irspa ce a n d request c l ea ra nc e t o “ M a neuver ” ab ove

t h a t l o c a t i o n a t o r be l o w 4 00 f ee t AG L

. T h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” w i ll be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r “ s ee a n d a v o i d ” t r a ff ic

confl ict s. The Pil ot / ” Opera t o r ” w i ll a t a ll t i me s y i e l d r i g h t o f w a y t o AN Y a n d AL L ma nn e d f l i g h t

o p e r a t i o n s

. Al l o p e r a t i o n s w i t h i n 2 mi l e s o f t h e p r i ma r y a i r p o r t w i ll be p r e

- - a r r ang e d wi th t ha t c o nt r o lli ng

f a ci l i t y

. An y a n d a ll r e s t r ic t i o n s p l a c e d o n t h e o p e r a t i o n s w i ll be c o mp l i e d w i t h s o t h a t a ll ma nn e d

o p e r a t i o n s c a n be c o n du c t e d w i t h o u t n e g a t i v e l y i mp a c t i n g f l i g h t s a f e t y

.

14 CFR §91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (2); 417 (a) & (b): Maintenance Inspections

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner “shall have that aircraft inspected as

prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in

paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter...,” and

others shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43.

Given t ha t t hese sect ions a n d Pa rt 43 a pp l y onl y t o a ircra ft w ith a n airw ort hiness cer t ifica t e, t hese

s e c t i o n s w i ll n o t a pp l y t o t h e a pp l ic a n t

. M a i n t e n a n c e w i ll be a cc o mp l i sh e d b y t h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ”

pu r su a n t t o t h e f l i g h t ma n u a l a n d o p e r a t i n g a n d h a n d b oo k

. An eq u i v a l e n t l e v e l o f s a f e t y w i ll be a c h i e v e d

be c a us e t h e s e s ma ll s U AS s a r e v e r y l i mi t e d i n s i z e a n d w i ll c a rr y s ma ll p a y l o a d a n d o p e r a t e o n l y i n l i mi t e d

a r ea s f o r sh o r t p e r i o ds o f t i me

. I f me c h a n ic a l i ssu e s a r i s e t h e s U AS a n d l a n d i mme d i a t e l y a n d w i ll be

o p e r a t i n g f r om n o h i g h e r t h a n 5 00 f ee t AG L

. T h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” w i ll e n su r e t h a t t h e s U AS i s i n w o r k i n g

o r d e r p r i o r t o i n i t i a t i n g f l i g h t

, p e r f o r m r eq u i r e d ma i n t e n a n c e

, a n d k ee p a l o g o f a n y ma i n t e n a nce

p e r f o r me d

. M o r e o v e r

, t h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” i s t h e p e r s o n mo s t f a mi l i a r w i t h t h e a i r c r a f t a n d i s be s t su i t e d

t o ma i n t a i n t h e a i r c r a f t i n a n a i r w o r t h y c o n d i t i o n t o p r o v i d e t h e eq u i v a l e n t l e v e l o f s a f e t y

. An eq u i v a l e n t

l e v e l o f s a f e ty w i l l be a c h i e v e d b e c a us e ma i n t e n a n c e a n d i n s p e c t i o n s w i ll be p e r f o r me d a n d a cc o r d a n c e

w i t h t h e s U AS ma n u f a c t u r e r ’ s ma n u a l

, a s r e f e r e n c e d i n t h e Ai r c r a f t O p e r a t i o n s M a n u a l

. As p r o v i d e d i n t h e

O p e r a t i o n s M a n u a l

, t h e P i l o t / ” O p e r a t o r ” w i ll e n su r e t h a t t h e s U AS i s i n w o r k i n g o r d e r p r ior to i n i t i a t i n g

f l i g h t a n d p e r f o r m r eq u i r e d ma i n t e n a n c e n ee d e d

.

Additional Views and Information

Of the applicant, David Simmons has been involved in building and piloting of radio controlled vehicles

for over 10 years without incident.Summary

Pursuant to 14 CFR Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal Register,

should it be determined that publication is needed:

Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules: 14 CFR Part 21, subpart H; 14 CFR 45.23(b); 14

CFR 61.113 (a) & (b); 14 CFR 91.7 (a); 14 CFR 91.9 (b) (2); 14 CFR 91.103; 14 CFR 91.109; 14 CFR

91.119; 14 CFR 91.121; 14 CFR 91.151 (a); 14 CFR 91.203 (a) & (b); 14 CFR 91.215 (a) & (b); 14 CFR

91.131 (d); 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 14 CFR 407 (a) (1); 14 CFR 409 (a) (2); 14 CFR 417 (a) & (b) to

commercially operate a small unmanned vehicle (55 lbs. or less) equipped to conduct aerial photography

and cinematography services.

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of sUAs to conduct aerial photography and

cinematography services will enhance safety by reducing risk. Conventional photography operations,

using jet or piston powered aircraft, at extremely low altitudes, often very close to the subject being

filmed and in close proximity to people and structures; and present the risks associated with vehicles that

exceed 3,000 lbs., carrying large amounts of jet A or other fuel. In contrast, a sUAS weighing fewer than

55 lbs. and powered by batteries eliminates virtually all of the risk given the reduced mass and lack of

combustible fuel carried on board. The sUAS is carried to the location. The sUAS will carry no passengers

or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft flights.

The operation of small sUASs, weighing less than 55 lbs., conducted in the conditions outlined above, will

provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the granting of the exemptions requested herein,

including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 21 and allowing commercial operations.

These lightweight aircraft operate at slow speeds, close to the ground but under 4 00 feet AGL, and within

the limited area and, as a result, are far safer than conventional flight operations conducted with turbine

helicopters operating in close proximity to the ground and people.

Privacy

All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property representative or

owner’s prior consent and knowledge. Filming will be of people who have also consented to being filmed

or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where filming will take place.

All flights will occur in accordance with any state or local laws regarding privacy.

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012

— size, weight, speed,

operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas and operations within visual line of

sight (VLOS) and national security

– provide more than adequate justification for the granting of the

requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of applicants sUAS in the aerial photography and

cinematography services industry.

Sincerely,



# David Simmons

Viewpoint Elevated Imagery, LLC