HUNTON&: WilliAMS March

11, 2015 VIA ELECTRONIC

SUBMISSION AND FEDERAL

EXPRESS U.S. Department

of Transportation,

Docket Operations West Building

Ground

Floor,

Room W12-140 1200

New Jersey Avenue,

S.E. Washington,

D.C. 20590

HUNTON

& WILLIAMS

LLP RIVERFRONT

PLAZA,

EAST TOWER 951 EAST

BYRD STREET RICHMOND,

VIRGINIA 23219-4074 TEL

804

• 788

• 8200 FAX

804

• 788

• 8218 MICHAEL

E. SIEVERS DIRECT

DIAL:

804

• 788

• 8532 EMAIL: msievers@hunton.com FILE

NO: 34085.000112 Re: Petition

for Exemption

Under

§ 333

of the FAA Modernization

and Reform

Act and Part

11

of the Federal Aviation Regulations Dear

Sir

or Madam: Pursuant

to Section

333

of the FAA Modernization

and Reform

Act

of 2012 ("FMRA"), 49 U.S.C.

§ 44701,

and

14 C.F.R.

Part

11, Duke Energy Business

Services,

LLC ("DEBS"

or "Petitioner"),

a subsidiary

of Duke Energy Corporation,

a Delaware corporation

("Duke Energy"),

hereby petitions

for exemption

in order

to operate

certain

small unmanned

aircraft systems ("sUAS")

1 as described

in this petition.

Duke Energy

desires

to research

the efficacy and efficiency

of using

sUAS

to perform inspections

of transmission

and distribution

lines, vegetation,

coal ash

ponds, boilers,

stacks, absorbers,

and solar arrays,

all

of which

are presently conducted

by manned

aerial

or ground-based

methods.

Duke Energy anticipates that

the

use

of sUAS

offers

a means

to conduct

the foregoing inspections

in

a safer,

faster,

and more

cost effective

manner. Consistent

with

the safety-conscious

and deliberative

ethos

of Duke Energy

and each

of

its affiliates

and subsidiaries,

Petitioner

proposes

to conduct

all sUAS operations contemplated by this petition

fully within

the access-controlled

fence-line

of the Marshall

Steam Station. This facility,

which

is owned

by Duke Energy Carolinas

LLC,

is located

in

a sparsely populated

area

of North Carolina.

The sUAS operations

also

will

be conducted

by licensed 1 For

the purposes

of this petition,

"sUAS"

shall

be used

to specifically

refer

to "small unmanned aircraft systems,"

and "UAS"

shall

be used

to refer

to the broader category

of "unmanned

aircraft systems," which includes

but

is not limited

to sUAS. ATLANTA

AUSTIN BANGKOK

BEIJING BRUSSELS CHARLOTTE

DALLAS HOUSTON

LONDON

LOS ANGELES McLEAN

MIAMI

NEW YORK NORFOLK

RALEIGH RICHMOND

SAN FRANCISCO

TOKYO

W ASHJNGTON www .hunton.comHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page2andtrainedpilotsandinstrictaccordancewithcomprehensivesafetyandsecurityconditions,asmorefullydescribedinthispetition.Asdescribedfurtherbelow,theproposedsUASoperationsqualifyforexemptionunderSection333oftheFMRA,andtheproposedlimitationsandconditionsonsUASoperationssetforthhereinwillensurealevelofsafetyatleastasgreatasthatwhichwouldresultfromcompliancewiththespecificFederalAviationRegulations fromwhichexemptionissought.Accordingly,thispetitionoffersanopportunitytofurthertheobjectiveofintegratingunmannedaircraftsystemsintothenationalairspace,asmandatedbytheFMRA.HUNTON&WilliAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page3TableofContentsI.IdentityandDescriptionofPetitionerandPetitionerAffiliates..................................4A.NameandAddressofPetitioner..............................................................................4B.DukeEnergyCarolinas,LLC...................................................................................4C.DukeEnergyBusinessServices,LLC......................................................................4II.StatutoryandRegulatoryAuthoritytoGrantPetitionforExemption......................5A.Section333oftheFAAModernizationandReformActof2012..........................5B.49U.S.C.§§40109and44701...................................................................................6C.14C.F.R.Part11.......................................................................................................6III.Petitioner'sProposedAircraftandOperations.........................................................6A.TheUnmannedAircraftSystem..............................................................................71.OverviewofthesUAS(QubebyAeroVironment).............................................72.AdditionalOperationalandDesignDetails.........................................................73.SystemInspectionandMaintenanceInformation..............................................7B.Pilot-in-CommandandObserverDutiesandQualifications................................8c.OperationsParameters.............................................................................................81.OverallSiteLocation.............................................................................................82.Inspection-SpecificLocations...............................................................................83.FlightConditions....................................................................................................8IV.Section333DeterminationandNeedforRelieffrom14CFRPart21....................9V.RequestedExemptionsfromFederalAviationRegulations......................................10VI.PublicInterest.............................................................................................................17VII.Privacy..........................................................................................................................18VIII.FederalRegisterNotice...........................................................................................18IX.Summary......................................................................................................................19X.PrayerforRelief.............................................................................................................19HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page4I.IdentityandDescriptionofPetitionerandPetitioner AffiliatesA.NameandAddressofPetitionerThenameandmailingaddressofthePetitionerare:DukeEnergyBusinessServices,LLCAttention:JacobVelky550SouthTryonStreetDEC15ACharlotte,NorthCarolina28202Tel:(704)382-2115AllcommunicationsinregardtothispetitionshouldbesentbothtothePetitionercontactnamedimmediatelyaboveandtotheundersigned,Petitioner'soutsidecounsel,attheaddresssetforthintheletterheadofthispetition.B.DukeEnergyCarolinas,LLCDukeEnergyCarolinas,LLC,istheownerandoperatoroftheMarshallSteamStationwherethesUASoperationscoveredbythispetitionwilltakeplace.DukeEnergyCarolinas,LLC,isaregulatedutilityofDukeEnergyCorporation.DukeEnergyCarolinas,LLCgenerates,transmits,distributesandsellselectricityincentralandwesternNorthCarolinaandwesternSouthCarolina.Itsserviceareacovers24,000squaremiles,anditsupplieselectricservicestoacombined2.4millionresidential,generalserviceandindustrialcustomersinNorthandSouthCarolina.C.DukeEnergyBusinessServices,LLCDukeEnergyBusinessServices,LLCisamanagementservicescompanyintheDukeEnergyCorporationfamilyofcompaniesandprovidesmanagementservicestoallregulatedutilitiesofDukeEnergyCorporation.InadditiontoprovidingsuchservicesasInsuranceandInformationTechnologytotheDukeEnergyCorporationregulatedutilities,DukeEnergyBusinessServices,LLCisalsohometothecorporateaviationdepartment.TheDukeEnergy corporateaviationdepartmenthasbeeninoperationsince1953withnoincidentsoraccidents.Itcurrentlyoperatesnineaircraftwithastaffof37people.TheaviationdepartmentisamemberoftheNationalBusinessAircraftAssociation(NBAA)andHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015PageSisInternationalStandard-BusinessAircraftOperations(IS-BAO)registeredthroughtheInternationalBusinessAircraftCouncil(IBAC).Asapartofthishighlyregardedindustrystandard,thedepartmenthasarobustSafetyManagementSystem(SMS)thatidentifiesandreducesflightrisks.TheproposedsUAShasundergoneathoroughevaluationandwithachangemanagementplaninplace,itwillbecomeafullyfunctioningassetwithintheDukeEnergyaviationdepartment.II.StatutoryandRegulatoryAuthoritytoGrantPetitionforExemptionA.Section333oftheFAAModernizationandReformActof2012Section333(a)oftheFMRAprovidesthat"theSecretaryofTransportationshalldetermineifcertainunmannedaircraftsystemsmayoperatesafelyinthenationalairspacebeforecompletionoftheplanandrulemakingrequiredbysection332ofthisAct[,]"2Aspartofthatassessment,theSecretaryisdirectedtodetermine"whichtypesofunmannedaircraftsystems,ifany,asaresultoftheirsize,weight,speed,operationalcapability,proximitytoairportsandpopulatedareas,andoperationwithinvisuallineofsightdonotcreateahazardtousersofthenationalairspacesystemorthepublicorposeathreattonationalsecurity,"aswellaswhetheranairworthinesscertificationisrequiredforanysuchunmannedaircraftsystems.3Finally,iftheSecretarydeterminesthatcertainunmannedaircraftsystemmayoperatesafelyinthenationalairspace,Section333(c)furthermandatesthattheSecretary"shallestablishrequirementsforthesafeoperationofsuchaircraftsystems."4Accordingly,theSecretaryisrequiredbylawtomakeaninitialdeterminationaboutthepotentialforsafeUASoperationsandiftheSecretary'sdeterminationisintheaffirmative,thentheSecretaryisfurtherrequiredbylawtoestablishtheparametersforsuchsafeUASoperations.AsrecognizedbytheFAA,Section333thusprovidestheSecretary,actingthroughtheFAA,"flexibilityforauthorizingsafeciviloperations[ofcertainunmannedaircraftsystems]intheNAS"onacase-by-casebasis.52FMRA§333(a).3FMRA§333(b).4FMRA§333(c).5SeeFAAHome-UnmannedAircraftSystems-KeyInitiatives-Section333;http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislativeprograms/section333/(lastvisitedDec.8,2014).HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page6B.49U.S.C.§§40109and44701TheFAAAdministratorisauthorizedbyseveralstatutoryprovisionstoissueexemptionsinappropriatecircumstancesfromtheregulationsprescribedinotherwisecarryingouttherequirementsofapplicableaviationlaw.Forexample,Section40109(b)providesthatthe"Administrator...maygrantanexemptionfromaregulationprescribedincarryingoutsections40103(b)(l)and(2),40119,44901,44903,44906,and44935-44937ofthistitlewhentheAdministratordecidestheexemptionisinthepublicinterest."6Similarly,Section44701(f)statesthattheAdministrator"maygrantanexemptionfromarequirementofaregulationprescribedundersubsection(a)or(b)ofthissectionoranyofsections44702-44716ofthistitleiftheAdministratorfindstheexemptionisinthepublicinterest."7C.14C.F.R.Part11PursuanttoexistingFAAregulations,apartymayseekrelieffromcurrentregulationssetforthinTitle14oftheCodeofFederalRegulationsbysubmittingapetitionforexemptiontotheFAA.8Therequiredcontentsofsuchapetitionforexemptionaresetforthin14C.F.R.§11.81.Amongothertechnicalrequirements,thepetitionmustcontain(i)thespecificsection(s)of14C.F.R.fromwhichexemptionisbeingsought,(ii)theextentofandreasonwhyreliefissought,(iii)anexplanationofhowgrantingtheexemptionwouldbenefitthepublicasawhole(i.e.,whyitisinthepublicinterest),and(iv)anexplanationofhowanequivalentorgreaterlevelofsafetywillbeachievedevenwiththegrantoftheexemption(i.e.,howtheexemptionwouldnotadverselyaffectsafety).9III.Petitioner'sProposedAircraftandOperationsAllsUASoperationsproposedunderthispetitionwillbeconductedundertheauspicesoftheDukeEnergyaviationdepartmentinaccordancewiththeSupplementtotheDukeEnergyFlightOperationsManualforSmallUnmannedAircraft(suchSupplement,the"DukesUASFOM,"andsuchFlightOperationsManual,the"DukeFOM"),10andthefollowingspecificterms,conditionsandrequirements.649U.S.C.§40109(b)(emphasisadded).749U.S.C.§44701(f)(emphasisadded).814C.P.R.§11.61.914C.P.R.§11.81.10Confidentialcopiesofthesedocumentsarebeingsubmittedinsupportofthispetitionas"ConfidentialExhibit1"and"ConfidentialExhibit2,"respectively.HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page7A.TheUnmannedAircraftSystem1.OverviewofthesUAS(QubebyAeroVironment)DukeEnergyseeksauthorizationinthispetitiontooperatetheQubebyAeroVironment,aruggedandreliablesUASthatiscomprisedofaverticaltakeoffandlanding("VTOL")airvehiclewithhighresolutionvideocamera,payload,andassociatedgroundcontrolstation.Thegroundcontrolstationfeaturesanintuitivetouchscreen tabletcontrollerthatenablesposition-hold(usingGPS),altitudehold(usingbarometricsensors),andgeofencingthroughouttheflight.Geofencingprohibitsflightoftheairvehiclebeyondauser-definedradius,centeredatthelaunchlocation,whilealtitudelimitprohibitsflightoftheairvehicleaboveauser-definedmaximumaltitude.DukeEnergywillprogramageofencing"box"foreveryflightthatwillensurethesUASdoesnotflyintounauthorizedairspace.TheQubehasa40minutemaximumflighttime(withpayload)andnumerousbuiltinalarmsandsafetyfeatures.AeroVironmentisatechnologysolutionsproviderthatdesigns,develops,producesandsupportsanadvancedportfolioofUASandelectrictransportationsolutions.AgenciesoftheU.S.DepartmentofDefenseandalliedmilitaryservicesusethecompany'sbatterypowered,hand-launchedunmannedaircraftsystemsextensivelytoprovidesituationalawarenesstotacticaloperatingunitsthroughreal-time,airbornereconnaissance,surveillanceandcommunication.2.AdditionalOperationalandDesignDetailsTheQubemeasuresthreefeetlongandweighsapproximately5.5pounds.Ithashoverandstarecapabilitiesanddualhighresolutioncolorandthermalcameras.Builtinsafetyfeaturesinclude:lossoflinkreturnhome,lowbatteryautomaticrecovery,altitudeandrangelimits,builtintests,andautomatedpreflight.Anautomatedsystembuilt-intestisconductedpriortoeachflightandduringlandingtheairvehicledetectstouchdownandautomaticallyshutsoffpropulsionmotors.Inaddition,theQubecontainsapatentpendingaircraftbatterydesignandhigh-efficiencypropellers.ForadditionaloperationalanddesigndetailspleaseseetheQubeSmallUnmannedAircraftSystemOperator'sManual(the"QubeOperator'sManual").113.SystemInspectionandMaintenanceInformation11AconfidentialcopyoftheQubeOperator'sManualisbeingsubmittedinsupportofthispetitionas"ConfidentialExhibit3."HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page8PleaseseetheQubeOperator'sManualformoreinformationregardingpre-flight,post-flight,andscheduledmaintenance.B.Pilot-in-CommandandObserverDutiesandQualificationsThePilot-in-Command(PIC)willhold(ataminimum)aprivate'spilot'slicenseandathirdclassmedicalcertificate,andberesponsibleforpreandpostflightinspections,loggingofflightdata,theoverallsafetyoftheflightoperation,andtheoperationofthesUASinaccordancewiththeconditionsofanyexemptiongrantedbytheFAApursuanttothispetition.Thevisualobserver(VO)willremainwithinspeakingdistanceofthePICandvisuallymonitorthesUASatalltimes.C.OperationsParameters1.OverallSiteLocationMarshallSteamStationislocatedinCatawbaCounty,NorthCarolinaatapproximately35°35'51"N,80°57'53"W.TheapproximateboundariesofthepropertyaredepictedinredonAttachment1tothispetition.2.Inspection-SpecificLocationsWhilePetitionerisseekingapprovaltoconductsUASoperationsanywherewithinthepropertylineoftheMarshallSteamStation,butotherwiseinaccordancewiththeconditionsofthispetition,forillustrativepurposesAttachment1tothispetitiondepictsportionsoftheMarshallSteamStationpropertyanticipatedtobethesubjectofthespecifiedtypesofaerialinspection.3.FlightConditionsa)GeneralRequirementsPetitionerwillobtainanAirTrafficOrganization(ATO)issuedCertificateofWaiverorAuthorization(COA)inordertocoordinateitseffortsthroughAirTrafficControl(ATC).Inaddition,PetitionerwillrequestaNoticetoAirmen(NOTAM)nomorethan72hoursinadvance,butnotlessthan48hourspriortoanyoperation,andflightswillnotbeconductedwithin5nautical milesofanairportreferencepointasdenotedonacurrentFAA-publishedaeronauticalchartunlessaletterofagreementhasbeenobtainedfromtheairport'smanagementoritisconcludedthatsuchairportisnolongeroperational.HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page9b)Pre-FlightRoutinesPre-flightinspectionsandprocedureswillbeconductedinaccordancewiththeattachedQubeOperator'sManual.c)FlightOperationsandLimitationsTheQubewillbeflownwithinvisuallineofsight(VLOS)invisualmetrologicalconditions(VMC)andDukeEnergywillnotoperatetheaircraftlessthan500feetbelowor2,000feethorizontallyfromacloudorwhenvisibilityislessthan3statutemilesfromthePIC.Inaddition,theaircraftwillnotbeflownover400feetabovegroundlevel(AGL)andDukeEnergywillcomplywiththeOEM'spolicies,proceduresandlimitationslistedintheQubeOperator'sManual.IfthePICencountersunpredictedobstaclesoremergenciestheflightwillbeabortedinaccordancewiththeQubeOperator'sManualandtheaircraftwillnotbeflownwithin500feetofnonparticipatingpersons,vessels,vehicles,orstructures.Operationswithin500feetofunoccupiedvessels,vehiclesorstructureswillonlybeconductedifpermissionhasbeengrantedbytheowner/controller.d)Post-FlightRoutinesPost-flightinspectionsandprocedureswillbeconductedinaccordancewiththeattachedQubeOperator'sManual.IV.Section333DeterminationandNeedforRelieffrom14CFRPart21BasedonthedescriptionaboveofthedesignandcapabilitiesoftheQube,includingitssize,weightspeed,andlimitedareaofproposedoperations,thesUASoperationsPetitionerproposestoconductpursuanttothispetitionwillnotposeathreattousersoftheNAS,thegeneralpublic,ortonationalsecurity.PetitionerthusrequeststhattheSecretarydetermine,pursuanttoauthoritygrantedunderSection333,thatthisaircraftdoesnotrequireacertificationofairworthinessunder14CFRPart21,oranyassociatednoisecertificationunder14CFRPart36,inordertooperateintheNASinaccordancewiththispetition.SeveralGrantsofExemptionhavestatedthatsimilaraircraftdidnotrequiresuchanairworthinesscertification,includingExemptions11109,11110,11111,11112,and11114.HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page10V.RequestedExemptionsfromFederalAviationRegulationsPetitionerrequestsanexemptionfromcertainprovisionsoftheFederalAviationRegulationssetoutatTitle14oftheCodeofFederalRegulationsforthesUASoperationsdescribedinthispetitioninordertoconductresearchontheefficacyandefficiencyofusingsUAStoperforminspectionsoftransmissionanddistributionlines,vegetation,coal ashponds,boilers,stacks,absorbers,andsolararrays,allofwhicharepresentlyconductedbymannedaerialorground-basedmethods.ExemptionsarerequestedfromprovisionswithinParts21(H),47,and49;andSections45.23;91.9(c);61.3(d);61.31(d);61.113(a)&(b);61.133(a);91.7(a);91.9(b)(2);91.105;91.109;91.119;91.121;91.151(a);91.203(a)&(b);91.405(a)&(d);91.407(a)(l);91.409(a)(1)and(2);91.417(a)&(b);and91.103(b)(2)ofTitle14,CodeofFederalRegulations.Petitioneraddresseseachrelevantregulationbelowandprovidesabasisforrequestinganexemption.A.14C.F.R.Part21(H)(AirworthinessCertification)14C.F.RPart21(H)setsforththerequirementsforairworthinesscertificatesthatmustbeobtainedandcarriedunder14C.F.R.Part91.203(a)&(b).AsmentionedaboveinSectionIV,PetitionerbelievesbasedonpastGrantsofExemptionthatanairworthinesscertificateisnotrequiredforthissUAS.However,allofthesafetyfeaturesdescribedhereindemonstratethattheproposedoperationwillbejustassafeasthoseconductedbymannedaircraft,evenifanairworthinesscertificateisfoundtoberequired.TheattachedQubeOperator'sManualprovidesadetailedexplanationoftheQube'ssafetyfeatures,capabilities,andstandardprocedures.B.14C.F.R.45.23and91.9(c)(MarkingoftheAircraft)14C.F.R.Section45.23requiresthatallaircraftdisplayacapitalletter"N"followedbyaregistrationnumber.Inaddition,whenthenumberisdisplayedonlimited,restricted,lightsportcategory,orexperimentalorprovisionallycertifiedaircraft,theoperatormustdisplayneareachentrancetothecabin,cockpit,orpilotstation,inlettersbetween2and6incheshigh,theapplicablewordsdescribingsuchcategoryofaircraft.Section91.9(c)prohibitstheoperationofU.S.-registeredcivilaircraftunlesstheidentificationrequirementsofSection45.23arefollowed.TheQubedoesnothaveanyentrancestoacabinorcockpitwheretheregistrationnumbercanbedisplayed.Also,itdoesnothavesufficientspacetobeartheregistrationnumberin2inchhighlettering.ThequadcopterwillbemarkedwithaserialnumberandthemakeandmodelHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page11ofaircraft.Additionalinformationcanbedisplayedormarkedontheaircraft,butnotinthelettersizerequiredbySection45.23.TheQubewillstillprovidesufficientdetailforclose-upidentificationpurposesandtheFAAhasgrantedpreviousexemptionstothisregulationorfoundthatanexemptionwasnotnecessaryunderExemptions8738,10167,10167A,10700,11109,11110,11111,11112,and11114.C.14C.F.R.Part47(AircraftRegistration)andPart49(RecordationofAircraftTitleandSecurityDocuments)14C.F.R.Part47setsforthvariousaircraftregistrationrequirementsregardingownershipandidentificationoftheaircraftandPart49coversrecordationoftitleandconveyances.PetitionerdoesnotplantoacquireaparticularsUASuntilafterapprovalfortheoperationhasbeenobtainedunderthispetition,butPetitionerwillcomplywithallregistrationrequirementspriortoinitiationofoperations.D.14C.F.R.Section61.3(d)(RequirementofCertificateforFlightInstruction)ThisregulationstatesthatonlythoseinstructorswithaflightinstructorcertificatefromtheFAAmayqualifyotherpilotsforsoloflight.However,theadditionalskillsrequiredtoobtainaflightinstructorcertificateforstandardaircraftaregenerallynotapplicabletotrainingunmannedpilotsintheoperationofsUAS.ThetrainingnecessarytomastertheoperationoftheQubeneednotbeasextensiveasthetrainingformannedaircraftduetotheautomatedfeaturesofthequadcopter,thebuilt-infailsafedevices,andthelackofacreworheavypayload.ProspectiveQubepilotswillalreadyhavesufficientaeronauticalknowledgetooperatetheaircraftbecauseoftheirprivatepilot'slicenseandinstructorswillbewelltrainedinthisparticularsUAS.Therefore,anexemptiontothisregulationisappropriatebecauseQubepilotswillhavealeveloftrainingwithrespecttosUASthatisequivalenttothetrainingrequiredbythosewhooperatemannedaircraft.E.14C.F.R.Section61.31(d)(Aircraftcategory,class,andtyperatings)Thissectionrequiresthepilotincommandofanaircrafttoholdtheappropriateratingfortheaircrafttobeflownorreceiveanendorsementforsoloflightintheaircraftbyanauthorizedinstructor.Pilotsarethereforelimitedtothetypesofaircraftforwhichtheypossessalicense.However,sUASareuniqueformsofaircraftandtheFAAdoesnotissuelicensesspecificallyforthesedevicessothissectionwouldnotapplytotheproposedoperations.ExemptingtheHuNToN&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page12QubefromthissectionwouldnotadverselyimpactsafetybecausethepilotsoperatingunderthisproposalwouldreceivespecialtrainingontheQubeandallflightswouldtakeplaceonthetrainingfacilityundercontrolledconditions.Anexemptionfromthisprovisionisappropriatebasedontheforegoinginformationbecauseanequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachieved.F.14C.F.R.Section61.113(a)&(b);14C.F.R.Section61.133(a)(PrivatePilotRestrictionsonCompensation)Theseregulationsprohibitprivatepilotsfromoperatinganaircraftforcommercialpurposesexceptundercertainlimitedcircumstances.InordertopilotanaircraftforcompensationtheoperatormustpossessacommercialpilotcertificateandmeettherequirementssetforthinSection61.133.ThePetitionerseeksanexemptionfromtheseregulationssothatanoperatorwithaprivatepilot'slicensecanconductoperationswiththeQube.sUASareauniquetypeofaircraftandtheadditionaltrainingrequiredforacommercialpilotcertificatewouldnotnecessarilyberelevanttotheoperationofsuchdevices.Thecommercialdesignationisapplicabletomannedaircraft,buttheQubedoesnotcarrypersonnelorthepropertyofathirdparty.Aspecializedtrainingprogramconductedinaccordancewithanymanufacturer-recommendedtrainingguidelineswouldprovidetheadditionalknowledgeandexperiencerequiredtosafelypilottheQube.Inaddition,avisualobserverwillbepresentduringallflightoperations.PetitionerwillassurethattheoperatorofthesUASwillhavecompletedsufficienttrainingtoensurethesafeoperationoftheaircraftundertheproposedconditions.Petitioneranticipatesthatsuchatrainingprogramwouldinvolve:(a)atleast25hoursoftotalflighttimeasaUASrotorcraftpilotwithatleast10hoursofmulti-rotortime,(b)atleast5hoursofflighttime withtheQube,and(c)acurrencyrequirementof3take-offsandlandingsinthepreceding90days.CompletionofaspecializedtrainingprograminoperationofthissUASwillensurethatanequivalentlevelofsafetyisobtained.Moreover,allflightswillbepre-planned,aidedbytheQube'sautopilotfeatures,andconductedinacontrolledenvironment.TheFAAhasgrantedsimilarexemptionstothisregulationunder Exemptions11109,11110,and11062.G.14C.F.R.Section91.7(a)(AirworthinessRequirement)Thisregulationstatesthatnopersonmayoperateacivilaircraftunlessitisinanairworthycondition.SincethePetitionerintendstooperatethesUASwithoutanairworthinesscertificate,therewillbenorecognizedFAAstandardfordeterminingairworthiness.TheFAAhasruledthatsimilarcraftwereabletosatisfythisairworthinessrequirementthroughHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page13compliancewithalloftheproceduresandsafeguardsdescribedintheirrespectiveflightmanualsunderExemptions11109and11110.TheQube'sairworthinessandsafetyhavebeendiscussedaboveandPetitionerwillcomplywithallrelevantrequirementsintheQubeOperator'sManual,DukeFOM,andDukesUASFOM.Therefore,PetitionerseeksrelieffromthisregulationandrequeststhatthepoliciesandproceduresoutlinedintheDukesUASFOMserveastheaforementionedstandard.H.14C.F.R.Section91.9(b)(2)(FlightManualonAircraft)Thisregulationrequiresaflightmanualtobecarriedintheaircraft.BasedontheFAAMemorandum"InterpretationregardingwhethercertainrequireddocumentsmaybekeptatanUA'scontrolstation,"datedAugust8,2014,thePetitionerisnotrequiredtoseekrelieffromthisregulation.However,ifthisregulationisfoundtoapply,theQubeisunabletocarryaflightmanualduetothesizeandweightrestrictionsoftheaircraft. Inaddition,thepilotisnotlocatedintheaircraft,butonthegroundwiththecontrolsystem.Therefore,thePetitionerrequeststhattheQubeoperatingmanualbelocatedwiththepilotwhereitcanbeeasilystoredandreferencedifneeded.TheFAAhasgrantedsimilarexemptionstothisregulationunderExemptionNos.8607,8737,8738,9299,9299A,9565,9565B,10167,10167A,10602,10700,11109,11111,and11112.I.14C.F.R.Section91.105(CrewmembersatStations;Seatbelts)Thisregulationrequiresflightcrewmemberstoremainattheirstationswithfastenedseatbeltsduringtakeoffandlanding.InExemptionNo.11185theFAAdetermined thatrelieffromthisregulationwasnotnecessarybecauseitdidnotapplytosUASoperationswherecrewmembersremainedontheground.TheFAAreasonedthattheintentoftheregulationwastoensurethatcrewmemberswereatthestationwheretheirdutiescouldbeperformed.However,sincethecrewmembersinthepreviousExemptionwererequiredtobeattheirassignedstationswhileoperatingtheaircraftandthestationswerenotequippedwithsafetybelts,theregulationdidnotapply.Similarly,thePICandVOunderthispetitionwillremainattheirstationsduringflightoperationsandtheQubewillnothaveanycrewmembersaboardtheaircraftduringanyphaseoftheoperation.Thestationswillnotbeequippedwithsafetybeltsorshoulderharnesses.Therefore,thisregulationdoesnotapplytothePetitioner'soperations.Shouldthisregulationbefoundtoapply,anexemptionisappropriatefortheabovementionedreasons.J.14C.F.R.Section91.109(FlightInstruction)HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page14Thissectionrequiresthatallcivilaircraftusedinflightinstruction(exceptamannedfreeballoon)musthavefullyfunctioningdualcontrols.TheQubeisremotelycontrolledbyasinglepilotthroughtheuseofaruggedizedtabletandradiotransmitteranditdoesnothavefullyfunctioningdualcontrols.Flightplanscanbemanuallycontrolledusingthetablet'sdigitalscreenandgeofencesoraltitudelimitscanbeenteredinadvanceoftheflight.Inaddition,theQubecanholditspositionorreturnhomeinthecaseofalostlink.Unliketraditionalmannedaircraft,theQubedoesnotrequireconstantorinstantinputfromthepilotorinstructorinordertooperatethedevicesafely.AllpilotswillreceivetrainingintheQubeundercontrolledconditionsandsincetheinstructorandstudentarenotlocatedinsidetheaircraft,theinstructorcaneasilyassumecontrolofthetransmitteratanytime.Additionally,allpilotswillhaveatleastaprivatepilot'slicenseandtrainingwillbeconductedduringdesignatedtrainingsessions. Therefore,anequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedthroughthepilottrainingprogram,theautomatedandfailsafefeaturesoftheaircraft,andtheuniquecapabilitiesofradiocontrolledsUAS.TheFAAhasapprovedexemptionsforflighttraininginthepastwithaircraftthatlackedfullyfunctionaldualcontrolsunderExemptions11062,9862A,11109,and11110.K.14C.F.R.Section91.119(MinimumSafe Altitudes)Thisregulationsetstheminimumsafealtitudesforaircraftoperation.Generally,aircraftmaynotbeoperatedlowerthan500feetabovetheground,butoveropenwaterandsparselypopulatedareasitispermissibletoflybelowthisthreshold.Evenso,aircraftarestillnotpermittedtobeoperatedwithin500feetofanyperson,vessel,vehicle,orstructure.AlloftheQube'sflightspursuanttothispetitionwillbeconductedunder400feetAGLandonthePetitioner'sprivateland.Thesiteinquestionisasparselypopulatedarea,buttheaircraftwillbeusedtoevaluatestructuresontheproperty.Inaddition,Petitioner'spersonnelmaybewithin500feetoftheoperations.Duetothesecircumstances,anexemptionfromthe500feetrestrictionisnecessary.ThePetitionerisabletoachieveanequivalentlevelofsafetybecauseoftheQube'ssmallsize,lightweight,lackofcombustiblefuels,andautomatedfailsafefeatures.Inaddition,allflightswillbeconductedoverthePetitioner'spropertyundercontrolledconditions.TheQubewillnotbeflownwithin500feetofanystructuresorvehiclesunlesspermissionhasbeenobtainedfromtheownerofsuchstructuresorvehicles.Similarly,theQubewillonlybeflownwithin500feetofpersonneliftheyhaveconsentedtotheoperationonthePetitioner'spropertyandsuchproximityisoperationallynecessary.TheseoperationswillbesaferthanHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page15equivalentinspectionscarriedoutbysignificantlyheaviermannedaircraftpoweredbycombustiblefuels.ThelowaltitudeoperationsconductedbytheQubewillalsomakeitlesslikelytoencounterotherconventionalaircraft.TheFAAhasgrantedsimilarexemptionstothisregulation,especiallyinregardtostructuresandvehicles,underExemptions11109,11110,11111,and11112.L.14C.F.R.Section91.121(AltimeterSettings)Thisregulationrequirestheoperatorofanaircraftnotequippedwitharadiotomaintainacruisingaltitudebyreferencinganaltimeterthatissettotheelevationofthedepartureairportoranappropriatealtimetersetting.AnequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachievedbyutilizingtheQube'sonboardGPSreceivertodetermineitscurrentpositionandnavigateaccordingly.Priortoflight,theoperatorwillobtainanaltitudeinitiationpointandconfirmitsaccuracy.TheQubepilotcanalsousetheconstantlyupdatedGPSinformationtodeterminetheaircraft'saltitudeandviewthisinformationonthehandheldtablet.TheFAAhasgrantedasimilarexemptiontothisregulationunderExemption11109.M.14C.F.R.Section91.151(a)(FuelRequirements)Thisregulationrequiresthatanaircraftcarryenoughfueltoreachthefirstpointofitsintendedlandingand:(1)duringthedayhavetheabilitytoflyforatleast30moreminutes;or(2)atnighthavetheabilitytoflyforatleast45moreminutes.TheQubehasapproximately40minutesofflighttimeonafullychargedbattery.Anexemptionfromthisregulationisthereforenecessarysincetheaircraftwouldnotbeabletomaintaintherequired30minutereserveflighttimeunlessflightswerelimitedto10minutes.Anequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachievedbylimitingflightsto30minutesor20%ofbatterypower,whicheverhappensfirst.Theserestrictions,inconjunctionwiththeQube'sbatterysensorandautomaticlandingfeatures,provideahighdegreeofsafetyconsideringthattheaircraftwillonlybeoperatedundercontrolledconditionsonthePetitioner'sproperty.TheQubehasverticaltakeoffandlandingcapabilitiesanddoesnotrequirethesameamountoflandingspaceasmostmannedaircraft.Inaddition,thesmallsizeandweightoftheQubeallowsforamuchsaferemergencylandingthantraditionalaircraftshouldthepowersupplybecomedepleted.TheaircraftwillbeflownwithinVLOSandthesUASpilotwillhavecontinuousknowledgeofthebatterylifesincetheQubeprovideswarningsforlowbatteryvoltage.TheFAAhasgrantedsimilarexemptionsinthepastunderExemptions2689F,5745,10673,10808,11109,11110,and11112.HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page16N.14C.F.R.Section91.203(a)&(b)(DisplayofCertificates)Thisregulationrequiresthatcivilaircraftdisplayairworthinessandregistrationcertificatesatthecabinorcockpitentrance.BasedontheFAAMemorandum"InterpretationregardingwhethercertainrequireddocumentsmaybekeptatanUA'scontrolstation,"datedAugust8,2014,thePetitionerisnotrequiredtoseekrelieffromthisregulation.However,ifthisregulationisfoundtoapply,itisnotpossibleforthePetitionertocomplybecausetheQubeisanunmannedaircraftandhasnocockpitorcabin.Giventhesmallsize,weight,andloadbearingcapabilitiesoftheQube,itisnotpracticaltodisplaythesecertificatesinanyotherpartoftheaircraft.Furthermore,thePetitionerisseekingtooperatetheQubeunderanexemptiontotheairworthinessandregistrationrequirements.SuchdocumentscanbekeptwiththepilotwheretheycanbeimmediateI yaccessed.Anexemption,ifrequired,isthereforeappropriateunderthesecircumstances.TheFAAhasreachedasimilarresultregardingthisregulationunderExemptions11109,11111,11112,and11114.0.14C.F.R.Sections91.405(a)&(d);91.407(a)(1);91.409(a)(1)and(2);91.417(a)&(b)(MaintenanceInspectionsandPlacarding)Theseregulationsspecifyvariousmaintenanceandinspectionstandards,includingarequirementunderSection91.405(a)thattheowneroroperatorofanaircraft"shallhavethataircraftinspectedasprescribedinsubpartEofthispartandshallbetweenrequiredinspections,exceptasprovidedinparagraph(c)ofthissection,havediscrepanciesrepairedasprescribedinpart43ofthischapter."Section91.405(d)requiresplacardstobeinstallediflisteddiscrepanciesincludeinoperativeinstrumentsorequipment.Section91.407makesreferencetomaintenancerequirementsinPart43andSection91.409(a)(2)requiresanannualinspectionfortheissuanceofanairworthinesscertificate.Section91.417requirestheowneroroperatorofanaircrafttokeepmaintenancerecordsofworkthatwascompletedinaccordancewithinspectionrequirements.Anexemptiontotheseregulationsisrequiredbecausetheabovementionedsectionsrequireaninspectioneitherbyanauthorizedpersonunder14C.F.R.Part43orpursuanttotheacquisitionofanairworthinesscertificate.ThePetitionerplanstooperatetheQubewithoutanairworthinesscertificateandwouldliketoconductitsowninspectionsattheoperatorlevelpertheattachedQubeOperator'sManual.Anequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedthroughpre-flightinspections,maintenance,andrecordkeepingconductedinaccordancewiththeQubeOperator'sManual.Theoperatorwillperformavisualinspectionofkeycomponents,testallbatteries,andkeepalogofinspectionandflightactivities.Inspectionsinvolvepre-flight,post-flight,andscheduledmaintenancerequirements.OperatorswillbeHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page17theindividualsmostfamiliarwiththistypeofaircraftanditwouldnotenhancesafetytohaveacertifiedmechanicconducttheinspectionsonanewandrelativelysimplesUASsystem.TheQubealsohasthecapabilitytoautomaticallysenseamechanicaldeficiencyandconductanemergencylanding.sUASaresmallerandlighterthantraditionalaircraftandcanlandalmostimmediatelyifissuesarise.GivenalloftheseelementsandthefactthattheaircraftwillbeoperatedinacontrolledenvironmentoverthePetitioner'sproperty,theequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachieved.TheFAAhasgrantedsimilarexemptionstothisregulationunderExemptions11109,11110,and11112.P.14C.F.R.Section91.103(b)(2)(PreflightAction)ThisregulationrequiresthePICtobecomefamiliarwithcertaininformationpriortobeginningaflight,includinginformationrelatingtotheaircraftperformanceandenvironmentalconditions.SeveralpriorExemptionshavefoundthatrelieffromthisregulationwasnotnecessarybecausethepetitionerscouldcomplywiththerequirementsbyreviewingweatherdata,checkingbatterylife,andreviewinglandings,takeoffdistances,andaircraftperformance.ExemptionswheretheFAAfoundthatrelieffromthisregulationwasnotnecessaryinclude11153, 11109,11150,and11138.ShouldtheFAAfindthatthisregulationapplies,reliefwouldbenecessarysincethereisnoapprovedflightmanualfortheQube.Anequivalentlevelofsafetycanbeachievedbecausepriortoeveryflighttheoperatorwillperformavisualinspectionofkeycomponents,testallbatteries,andkeepalogofinspectionandflightactivities.Inaddition,weatherdataandsitespecificconditionswillbereviewedbytheoperator,avisualobserverwillbepresentduringallflightoperations,andtheaforementionedoperationalrequirementswillremainineffect.VI.Public InterestPetitionersubmitsthattheexemptionsrequestedbythispetitionareinthepublicinterestbecausethesUASoperationscontemplatedbythispetitionwillnotposeathreattousersoftheNAS,thegeneralpublic,ortonationalsecurity,andhavethepotentialtoprovidesignificantbenefitstotheemployeesandcustomersofPetitioner.Specifically,thesesUASoperationswillallow employeestoinspectcriticalinfrastructurewithoutthe dangersofascendingtowersorworkingnearhighvoltagepowerlines.Thepublicinterestisfurtheredbyreducingthedangertothepersonnelwhoserviceutilitylinesandensurethesafetransmissionofelectricalpowertothousandsofcustomers.Inaddition,currentinspectionsareoftenconductedwithhelicoptersthatcouldweighthousandsofpoundsandcarrymanyHUNTON&WilliAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page18gallonsofcombustiblefuel.sUASarenearlysilentinflightandthereforearelesslikelytodisturbneighboringpropertyowners.IntherarecaseofasUAScrash,nocombustibleliquidfuelwouldbeonboardandthedamagecausedwouldbemuchlessgiventhelightweightandsmallsizeoftheaircraft.Finally,sUASoperationsprovideauniquecosteffectivemethodofinspectingthecriticalcomponentsofthenation'selectricalinfrastructure,creatingasavingsthatwillbepassedontocustomersthroughoutthedistributionarea.VII.PrivacyAllflightswilloccuroverprivateorcontrolled-accesspropertywithpermissionfromthelandowner.Anyimagestakenwillbeofindividualswhohaveconsentedtobefilmedorotherwisehaveagreedtobeintheareawhereaerialphotographywilltakeplace.Inaddition,allflightswillbemonitoredbytheoperatorandavisualobservertoensurethatthesUASdoesnotdeviatefromtheproposedflightplan.VIII.FederalRegisterNoticePursuantto14CFRPart11,PetitionerprovidesthefollowingnoticeintheeventthattheFAAdeterminespublicationisrequired:DukeEnergyBusinessServices,LLC,("Duke")asubsidiaryofDukeEnergyCorporation,hasfiledapetitionwiththeFAAseekinganexemptionfromthefollowingrulesinconnectionwiththeoperationofasmallunmannedaircraftsystem(sUAS):14CFRPart21(H);14CFRPart36;14CFRSection45.23;14CFRSection91.9(c);14CFRPart47;14CFRPart49;14CFRSection61.3(d);14CFRSection61.31(d);14CFRSection61.113(a)&(b);14CFRSection61.133(a);14CFRSection91.7(a);14CFRSection91.9(b)(2);14CFRSection91.109;14CFRSection91.119;14CFRSection91.121;14CFRSection91.151(a);14CFRSection91.203(a)&(b);14CFRSection91.405(a)&(d);14CFRSection91.407(a)(1);14CFRSection91.409(a)(l)and(2);14CFRSection91.417(a)&(b).Duke'sproposedsUASoperationswilltakeplaceonprivateproperty,under400feetabovegroundlevel,forlessthan40minutesatatime,andinareaswhereconsenthasbeenobtainedfrompropertyownersandon-sitepersonnel.Thepurposeoftheoperationsistoresearchsuitablemethodsofinspectingutilitylinesandotherinfrastructureformaintenanceandrepairfunctions.The useofsUASinlieuofclimbingoperationsortraditionalaircraftwillenhanceHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page19thesafetyofutilityworkersandreducetherisktolivesandproperty.Theproposedplatform,theQubebyAeroVironment,weighslessthan6pounds,carriesnocombustiblefuel,andisbatterypowered.Theconditionsandsafetystandardssetforthinthepetitionwillachievealevelofsafetythatisequivalentto,orhigherthan,thelevelofsafetyobtainedbytraditionalaircraftundertheabove-mentionedregulations.IX.SummaryGiventheconditionsandstandardsproposedabove,andtheproventrackrecordoftheAeroVironmentQube,Petitioner'sproposedoperationswillnotcreateahazardtootheraircraftintheNASorpresentathreattonationalsecurity.TheQubeisalightweight,batterypowered,andhighlysophisticatedsUASwithnumerousautomatedsafetyfeatures.Itseffectivenessandairworthinesshavebeenproventhroughthousandsofhoursofsafeflighttimearoundtheworld.Inordertoachievealevelofsafetyequivalenttothatoftraditionalaircraft,Petitionerhasproposedconditionssuchaslineofsightcontrol,thepresenceofavisualobserver,privatepropertyrestrictions,reservepowerlevels,trainingprograms,andnoticetointerestedpartiesinthesurroundingarea.TherequestedexemptionsareappropriatebecausesUASprovidemanysafetyadvantagesovertraditionalaircraftandanyadditionalrisksposedbysuchsystemshavebeensufficientlymitigated.X.PrayerforReliefBasedontheforegoinginformation,PetitionerherebyrequestsanexemptionfromtheabovelistedregulationsandsuchfurtherreliefthattheFAAdeterminesappropriatefortheproposedoperations.Respectfullysubmitted,Attachmentscc:ClaytonMorgan,Esq.,DukeEnergyMr.JamesWilliams,FAAMr.RobertPappas,FAAHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page20Attachment1HUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page21ConfidentialExhibit1SubmittedConfidentiallyUnderSeparateCoverSupplementtotheDukeEnergyFlightOperationsManualforSmallUnmannedAircraftHUNTON&WilliAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page22ConfidentialExhibit2SubmittedConfidentiallyUnderSeparateCoverDukeFlightOperationsManualHUNTON&WILLIAMSU.S.DepartmentofTransportationMarch11,2015Page23ConfidentialExhibit3SubmittedConfidentiallyUnderSeparateCoverQubeOperator'sManual34085.000112EMF_US53466223vll