### / August 19, 2015 Docket Operations, M-30 U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) Docket Management System 1200 NewJerseyAve., SE Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor Washington, DC 20590-0001

Dear Sir orMadam: Attached please find the Aloft Aerial Photography request, as a member of the Professional Aerial Photographers Association, International (PAPA), for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations to allow commercial operation ofits Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems ("sUAS") for aerial imaging to include video and still photography. This exemption request is initially for the Phantom II sUAS manufactured byDJI, an established sUAS company. Also attached to this letter is the equipment "Aloft Aerial Photography Flight Manual" (Manual), which outlines the operating requirements, limitations, and technical specifications for the DJI System as used by Aloft Aerial Photography. Aloft Aerial Photography has reviewed this Manual and has found it to be acceptable for sUAS operations. Applicant submits this manual as a Confidential document under 14 CPR 11.35 (b) as the entire Manual contains proprietary information that the applicant has not and will not share with others. The Manual contains operating conditions and procedures that are not available to the public and are protected from release under the Freedom of InformationAct 5 USC 552 et. seq. Thank you for your time and consideration, and please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,

HunterH. Harris AloftAerial Photography Corporate Officer Commercial Pilot

Professional Aerial Photographers Association-International Section 333 Doc 15-009July 14, 2015 Docket Operations, M-30 U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) Docket Management System 1200 NewJerseyAve., SE Room W12-140, WestBuilding Ground Floor Washington, DC 20590-0001 

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Re: ExemptionRequest Section 3 3 3 oftheFAAReform Actand Part 11 ofthe Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 CPR 61.113 (a) & (b); 91.103(b); 91.119;91.121; 9.151(a); 91.405 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.417 (a) & (b). Dear Sir orMadam: Pursuant to Section 333 ofthe FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 (the Reform Act) and 14 C.P.R. Part 11, Aloft Aerial Photography (Aloft Aerial Photography), an aerial photography and digital imaging company, on behalf of itself and its related affiliates under common ownership and control, hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations ("PARs") to allow commercial operation ofits Small Unmanned Aircraft \ Systems ("sUAS") for aerial imaging for video and still photography, 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 detailed in this document and the attached Flight Manual, the requested exemption would permit the operation of sUAS under controlled conditions in airspace that is 1) limited 2) predetermined 3) controlled as to access and 4) would provide safety enhancements to the already best practices safety protocols followed by Aloft Aerial Photography during aerial photography operations in accordance with the training and certification provided by the Professional Aerial Photographers Association, International (PAPA). Aloft Aerial Photography is a member ofthe Professional Aerial Photographers Association-International (PAPA) and has a demonstrated record of safe operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). Principal employees have received ground school training and have logged well over 25 hours of sUAS flight operations. The Pilot/s In Command (PIC) proposed byAloft Aerial Photography are both FAA licensed pilots with years ofsafe and successful aerial photography operations. Approval ofthis exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary ofTransportation's (the FAA Administrator's) responsibilities to "

...establish requirements for the safe operation ofsuch aircraft systems in theNationalAirspace System." Section 333(c) ofthe Reform Act.



### ProfessionalAerialPhotographersAssociation-InternationalSection333 Doc 15-009) The name and address ofthe applicant is: AloftAerial Photography POBox2398 Easton, MD 21601 PIC-HunterH. Harris, FAALicensedPilot (Commercial) PH: 410-770-5253 Email:**tiui1!~r@fl_valoft,9Qill** Regulations from whichthe exemption is requested: 14 C.F.R. Part 21 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) 14 C.F.R. 61.113 (a) & (b) 14 C.F.R. 91.7 (a) 14 C.F.R. 91.9 (b) (2) 14 C.F.R. 91.103 14 C.F.R. 109 14 C.F.R. 119 14 C.F.R. 121 14 C.F.R. 91.151 (a) 14 C.F.R. 91.203 (a) & (b) 14 C.F.R. 91.405 (a) 14 C.F.R. 407 (a) (1) 14 C.F.R. 409 (a) (2) 14 C.F.R. 417 (a) & (b)

I. STATUTORYAUTHORITY FOREXEMPTIONS Pagel3

The Federal Aviation Actexpressly grants the FAA authority to issue exemptions. This statutory authority includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under §40101 of the Act, including sUASs, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness certificate. The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement ofa regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) ofthis section or any sections 44702-44716 ofthis title iftheAdministrator finds the exemption in the public interest. 49 U.S.C. §44701(f) See also 49 USC §44711(a); 49 USC §44704; 14 CFR §91.203(a) (1). Section 333(b) of the Reform Act assists the Secretary in determining whether sUAS may operate in the National Airspace System (NAS) without creating a hazard to the user, the public, or a threatto national security. Inmakingthis determination, the Secretarymust consider:

• The sUAS's size, weight, speed, and operational capability; • Whetherthe sUAS operates withinthe visual line ofsight ofthe operator
ProfessionalAerialPhotographersAssociation-InternationalSection333 Doc 15-009\, ) 

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• Whetherthe sUAS operates outside ofhighlypopulated areas and away from close proximityto airports Reform Act §333(a). Ifthe Secretary determines that a sUAS "may operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation ofsuch aircraft in the national airspace system." !d. 

### §333(c) Aloft Aerial Photography' sUAS are multirotor vehicles, weighing 20 or fewer lbs. including payload. They operate under normal conditions at a speed ofno more than 70 knots and have the capabilityto hover, and move inthe vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The sUAS will operate only in the Pilot's visual line of sight at all times and will operate only within the controlled "Area ofOperations" described in the Confidential Aloft Aerial Photography Flight Manual (Manual), attached as Exhibit 1

### (hereinafter "Manual"). Such operations will ensure that the sUAS will "not create a hazard to users ofthe National Airspace System or the public." Reform Act Section 333 (b). Given the small size ofthe sUAS involved and the restricted and controlled environment within which they will operate, our application falls squarely within the zone ofsafety (an equivalent level of safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations ofsUAS to commence immediately. Also, due to the small size ofthe sUAS, altitudes, and controlled areas in whichthe sUAS will operate, approval ofthe application presents no national securityissue. Giventhe clear direction in Section 333 ofthe 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, the grant of the requested exemptions is in the public interest. Accordingly, Aloft Aerial Photography respectfullyrequests thatthe FAA grantthe requested exemption without delay.

II. PUBLIC INTEREST 

### 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 NAS before completion ofthe rulemaking required under Section 332 ofthe Reform Act. By granting an exemption the FAA will fulfill Congress's intent of allowing UAS to operate with significant safetyprecautions in low risk environments. The use of sUAS on aerial photography operations can significantly reduce the risk to photographers and participants. sUAS can inspect, photograph, and collect data on hard to get to areas that otherwise wouldrequire direct access ormanned aircraft. Additionally, sUAS could replace the use ofhelicopters and small aircraft to produce imagery for various purposes. The sUAS we propose to fly in this application are less than 20 pounds, and carry no combustible material on board, as opposed to the much larger conventionally


### ProfessionalAerialPhotographersAssociation-InternationalSection333 Doc 15-009PagelS
,\ powered small aircraft. Shifting to sUAS from manned aircraft presents a marked safety increase for ourworkers and the public. Lastly, sUAS reduce the environmental impact by dramatically decreasing the energy used for aerial imaging and data collection. The sUAS used byAloft Aerial Photographyuse rechargeable lithium ion batteries, as opposed to fossil fuels burned in operation of small aircraft that are manyhundreds oftimes heavier. ill.EQUIVALENTLEVEL OF SAFETYAND SECURITY Aloft Aerial Photography proposes thatthe exemption requested herein apply to sUAS that have the characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for at least an equivalent or even higher level ofsafetyto operations under the current regulatory structure because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement to the already safe protocols followed on imaging and photography operations conducted with conventional aircraft. Aloft Aerial Photography will be bound by the following limitations when conducting its sUAS operations under anFAA issued exemption:
1. The sUAS will be less than 20 pounds. 2. Flightswill be operated within visual line ofsight ofa pilot. 3. Maximumtotal flight time for each operational flight will be 20 minutes. The operator calculates batteryreserve, and willreturn the sUAS to the "Designated SafetyZone" with at least 20%batterypowerreserve shouldthat occurpriorto the 20 minute limit. 4. Flightswill normallybe operated at an altitude ofnotmorethan 400 feet AGL, butneverin controlled airspace withoutpriorcoordination and approval ofATC. 5. Flights will not be conductedwithinthe surface area ofcontrolled airport airspace without prior coordination and approval ofATC. 6. Flightswill not be conducted within 5 miles ofany uncontrolled airport withoutprior coordination and approval ofthe airport authority. 7. Crew for each operation will consist ofthe sUAS Operator who willkeep the sUAS within his visual line ofsight at all times and a qualified Observer. 8. The sUAS operator will be trained in flight, operations, and safetyprocedures as detailed in the FlightManual. 9. The sUAS will only operate within a confined "Area ofOperations" as defined inthe Manual, includingbutnot limitedto evaluation ofthe airspace byreference to a current 1:500,000 scaleFAA Sectional Aeronautical Chart. The Manual also requires the establishment ofa "Designated SafetyZone" for the flight operations area. 10. A briefing will be conductedregarding theplanned sUAS operations prior to each day's production activities. It will be mandatorythat all personnel who will be performing duties withintheboundaries oftheDesignated SafetyZonebepresent for thisbriefmg. 11. All onsitepersonnel will consent to the UAS flyover on site bywaiver, andthe Operatorwill obtain additional verbal or written consent ofall persons who will be allowedwithin 100 feet ofthe flight operation.

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12. Operator will have beentrained in operation ofUAS generally and will have received up-todate information onthe particular sUAS to be operated as required bythe AloftAerial PhotographyManual. 13. Necessarywritten and/or oral permission from the relevant propertyholders will be obtained. 14. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, country, orcity jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate government agencies. 15. Ifthe sUAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, itwill have the capabilityto enter "loitermode" and hover, reestablish satellite connection, and return to a predetermined location within the "Designated SafetyZone" and land. 16. AloftAerial Photographypersonnel will be easily identifiedby law enforcementpersonnel and the Publicthroughwearing a green fluorescent orblaze orange vestwith Section 333 Grant andPAP A credentials prominently displayedwithin a weatherproofcontainer onthe persons back. 

### IV. DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC REGULATIONS 14 CFR61.113 (a) & (b): Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilotin command Sections 61.113 (a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Because the sUAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level of safety ofcurrent operations byrequiring the Operator operating the aircraft to have completed a sUAS flight training course of25 hours before flying a sUAS (See the Aloft Aerial Photography Manual for details) or meeting any FAA pilot licensing requirement. Unlike a conventional aircraftthat carries the pilot andpassengers, the sUAS is remotely controlled withno livingthing or cargo on board. The area of operation is controlled and restricted per prior planning and necessary coordination with the local FSDO if applicable, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance as set forth inthe Aloft Aerial PhotographyManual. The sUAS to be operated hereunder is less than 20 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot nor passenger, carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a controlled Area ofOperation as set out in the Aloft Aerial Photography Manual. Like other civil aircraft, operations under this exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by the Operator, pursuant to the Aloft Aerial Photography Manual requirements, and under the requirements and in compliance with local public safetyrequirements, to provide security for the Area of Operation as is currently done on aerial photography operations. The FAA will have advance notice ofall operations as required. The risks associated with the operation ofthe sUAS are therefore diminished from the level of risk associated with commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 when drafted, and allowing operations ofthe sUAS as requested, with an operator who has met the minimum requirements stated in the Aloft Aerial Photography Manual, achieves the level ofsafety contemplated by 14 C.P.R. §61.113 (a) & (b).

I J 

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14 C.F.R. 91.103: PreflightAction This regulation requires that each Operator in Command take certain actions before flight to ensure the safety offlight. An exemption is needed from this requirement as the Pilot will take separate preflight actions, including checking for weather conditions, checking flight battery requirements, checking takeoff and landing distances, and all other actions in the Preflight Checklist inthe AloftAerial PhotographyManual. These actions will provide an equivalent level ofsafety. 14 C.F. R. 91.119: Minimum/Maximum Safe Altitudes Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation ofcivil aircraft. Section 91.119 (d) allows helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the person operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the FAA. This exemption is for a multirotor craft that flies similarly to a helicopter, with vertical takeoffand vertical landing, which will typically operate at altitudes ofless than 400 AGL, so an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. The sUAS will never operate at altitudes higher than the base ofcontrolled airspace without prior approval and coordination with ATC and will be in a Controlled Area with a "Designated Safety Zone", where buildings and people will not be exposedto operations withoutthe specified pre-obtained consent. (See Aloft Aerial Photography Manual for detailed procedures.) The equivalent level ofsafetywill be achieved given the size, weight, speed ofthe sUAS as well \ as the location where it is operated. No flight willbetaken withouttherequired permission ofthe ) property owner or local officials. Because ofthe advance notice to the property owner and any onsite personnel, as outlined in the Aloft Aerial Photography Manual, all affected individuals will be aware ofthe planned flight operations. Unlike flight operations with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than the maximum 20 lbs. proposed herein, our sUAS will not carry flammable fuel. In addition, the low-altitude operations of the sUAS will ensure separation between sUAS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119. 14 C.F.R. 91.121: Altimeter Settings This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain crmsmg altitude by reference to an altimeter that is set "

...to the elevation ofthe departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure." As the sUAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level ofsafety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the Aloft Aerial Photography Manual and Safety Check list, confirming the altitude ofthe launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight. 14 CFR91.151 (a): Fuel requirements for flight in VFRconditions Section 91.151 (a) outlines fuel requirements for beginning a flight in VFR conditions. Our sUAS is limited to operations in controlled environments as outlined in the Aloft Aerial


### ProfessionalAerialPhotographersAssociation-InternationalSection333 Doc 15-009PagelS Photography Manual, and has a limited range and flight time which require an exemption from 14 CFR 91.151 (a) The battery powering the sUAS provides approximately 20 minutes ofpowered flight. To meet the 30 minute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, sUAS flights would necessarily be impossible to conduct. Given the limitations on the sUAS's proposed flight area and the location of its proposed operations within a predetermined area, a shorter time frame (less than 30 minutes) for flight indaylight ornight VFRconditions is reasonable. Aloft Aerial Photography 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 withFAR91.151(a)). Operatingthe small sUAS, in a controlled area where only people and property owners or official representatives who have signed waivers will be allowed, with less than 30 minutes ofreserve fuel, does not engender the type ofrisks that Section 91.151(a) was intendedto alleviate giventhe size and speed ofthe smallUAS. An equivalent level ofsafety can be achievedby limiting flights to 20 minutes, or enough battery reserve to ensure thatthe sUAS lands at the ground station with atleast 20% ofbatterypower (as determined by the onboard monitoring system and the operator), 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. Similarexemptions have been grantedto other operations, includingExemptions 2689F, 5745, 10673, and 10808. 14 CFR91.405 (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 the subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) ofthis section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter

...," and others shall inspect ormaintain the aircraft in compliance with Part43. Given that these sections and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections will not apply to Aloft Aerial Photography. Maintenance will be accomplished by the operator and pursuantto the flight manual and operating handbook as referenced in the Aloft Aerial Photography Manual. An equivalent level ofsafety will be achieved because these small sUAS are very limited in size and will carry a small payload and operate only in controlled areas for limited periods oftime. Ifmechanical issues arise, the sUAS can land immediately even if operating at a maximum of1200 feet AGL. As provided inthe AloftAerial PhotographyManual, the operator will ensure that the sUAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform required maintenance, and keep a log ofany maintenance performed. Moreover, the operator is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy conditiontoprovidethe equivalent level ofsafety. Pursuant to C.P.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal Register, should itbe determined that publication is needed: 

### ) ProfessionalAerialPhotographersAssociation-InternationalSection333 Doc 15-009

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### Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules: 14 C.F.R. § 21, subpart H; 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b); 14 C.F.R. §§ 61.113(a) & 

### (b); 91.7 (a); 91.9 (b) (2); 91.103(b); 91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.203(a) and (b); 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 

### 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) & 

### (b) to operate commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55lbs or less) in aerial photography operations. Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of sUAS in the aerial photography industry enhances safety while reducing risk. Manned aircraft still photography and video may create a greater risk because the craft are much larger, have combustible fuel, and carry an onboard human pilot. 

### In contrast, a sUAS weighing fewer than 20 lbs. and powered bybatteries eliminates virtually all ofthat risk given the reduced mass and lack ofcombustible fuel carried on board. 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 sUAS, weighing less than 20 lbs., conducted in the strict conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level ofsafety supporting the grant ofthe 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, and in a controlled environment and, as a result, are far safer than conventional operations conducted with manned aircraft operating in close proximityto the ground and people. Privacy 

### All Flights will occur over private or public property withthe property owner's prior consent and knowledge. Images taken will be of individuals who have also consented to being filmed or otherwisehaving agreed to be in the areawhere aerial photographywilltake place. Satisfaction ofthe criteria provided in Section 333 ofthe Reform Act of 2012--size, weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas and operation within visual line ofsight and national security

- provide more than adequatejustification for the grant ofthe requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of applicant's sUAS in the aerial photographyindustrypursuantto the Manual appended hereto.
Sincerely,

HunterH. Harris AloftAerial Photography Corporate Officer



### ProfessionalAerialPhotographersAssociation-InternationalSection333 Doc 15-009