South Carolina Golf Association

(PIC - Kirk Page & PIC - Allen Knight)

P.O. Box 286

Irmo, SC 29063

P: (803) 732-9311

F: (803) 732-7406

kpage@scgolf.org

aknight@scgolf.org
SECTION 333 EXEMPTION

The South Carolina Golf Association is seeking exemption from Section 333 

in order to conduct civil operations with our UAS. As an additional service in 2015, 

the SCGA has added aerial photography and videography in order to benefit our 

270 member clubs along with 55,000 members. Golf in South Carolina is a $2.7 

Billion dollar industry that provides 34, 785 jobs to the state. Having the ability to 

offer aerial photography and videography for golf courses around the state of 

South Carolina helps to make an impact by providing the ability to promote scenic 

views at SCGA member clubs along with aiding golf course superintendents to 

view areas of their golf course that need attention. 

The SCGA currently operates a DJI Phantom 1 UAS. The majority of our 

photography and videography with the UAS is under an altitude of 100 feet. The 

UAS never flies above an altitude of 400 feet in order to comply with FAA 

standards. Even though the Phantom 1 has a communication distance of 1000 

meters, our work only requires about 550 meters at the maximum distance to 

achieve our videos and photography. 

Pre-flight inspections, maintenance, and repair are of the upmost 

importance when flying our UAS at golf facilities. DJI includes a UAS software 

system in order for us to check the diagnostics of the UAS before and after each 

flight to make sure that the UAS software and hardware is functioning properly.

The SCGA’s DJI Phantom 1 has a working frequency of 2.4GHz ISM. It is 

equipped with a Zenmuse H3-3d Gimbal along with a GoPro 4 Plus camera. 

Our organization has two Pilots in Command of the DJI Phantom 1. Each PIC 

has been operating the DJI Phanton 1 drone for recreational use for 2 years. Both 

PIC’s at the SCGA have around 60 hours of flight time together. When one of the 

PIC is flying the UAS, the other is responsible for being a visual observer for the 

PIC. Both the PIC and visual observer ensure that the UAS stays in our visual 

parameters and not beyond our operating control. 

Operating the UAS in a safe manner is crucial to the success of our provided 

service. The majority of our flights with the UAS are in restricted areas around golf 
courses in which there are no civilians around the area of flight and places of 

residency are not in the direct flight pattern. By using a PIC and a visual observer, 

we are able to keep a visual on the UAS to safely operate in these areas. The DJI 

Phantom 1 has maximum flight velocity of 10m/s and a maximum altitude of 2000 

meters. The bulk of SCGA videography and photography is performed around half 

of the operating velocity and around 100 feet in the air. The Phantom 1 is also

equipped with a fail-safe system which allows the UAS to lock coordinates before 

takeoff in case of low battery or signal loss, which allows the UAS to return to the 

original locked position on the ground. The SCGA does not operate the UAS in 

inclement weather, including foggy conditions. The SCGA operates the UAS on 

golf courses around the state of South Carolina. The main hazards that surround 

these areas are trees, natural water, and residential areas outside of the line of 

flight. The SCGA does not intend to operate in the proximity of any airports. 

The SCGA aims to operate the UAS in a safe and cautious manner when 

offering our service to the golf industry in South Carolina. Each flight begins and 

ends with a pre-flight and post flight diagnostics examination to verify that the 

UAS should perform to the best of its ability. The ability to use a PIC along with a 

visual observer helps to add more stability in ensuring that we have a safe flight 

for each operation. The SCGA will provide UAS videography and photography for 

the betterment of the golf industry in the state of South Carolina!