### June 26

, 2015

Exemption No. 11927

Regulatory Docket No. FAA

− 20 14

− 1038

Mr. Jeff Magers

Managing Partner

X12 Production Services, LLP

1702 Saracen Road

Austin, TX 78733

Dear Mr. Magers :

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption,

including the date it ends.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated December 17, 2014 you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

on behalf of X12 Production Services, LLP ( hereinafter petitioner or operator ) for an

exemption

. The exemption would all ow the petitioner to operate an unmanned ai rcraft system

(UAS) to conduct aerial photography for the motion picture and television industry for

scri pted, closed

- set filming.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA des cribing the proposed operations and

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption

.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of th e petition

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner

.

### 2

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a X12 140611

.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, C ertification procedures for products

and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates . In accordance with the statutory criteria

provided in Section 333 of P ublic Law 112

− 95 in reference to 49 U

. S

. C

. § 44704, and in

consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft

meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA fi nds that the requested relief from

14 CFR part 21, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 1 

### and closed set motion picture and

filming . The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material

respects to those presented in your petition. In Grants of Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus

Aerial ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 11109 to Clay co, Inc. ( see Docket No.

FAA

− 2014

− 0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and

11213 to Aeryon Lab, Inc. ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the

enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned aircraft (UA) with the specif ications described

by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a manned aircraft of

significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA

good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled by thi s exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that

—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 ;

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701,

1 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA.

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by

instruments aboard the UA

### 3

delegated to me by the Administrator, X12 Production Services, LLP is gran ted an exemption

from 14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and ( c ), 61.101(e)(4 ) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a) , 91.7(a),

91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a)

and (b), to the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data

collection and closed set motion picture and filming. This exemption is subject to the

conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

Relative to this grant of exemption, X12 Production Services, LLP is hereafter referred to as

the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the X12 140611

when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any

other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption

.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed

- set m otion picture and television filming

are permitted.

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour).

The exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine

compliance with the 87 knot speed re striction. In no case will the UA be operated at

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times.

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA

- issued ai rman medical certificate or

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times.

Electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC

must be designated before the flight and cannot transfe r his or her designation for the

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties

required of the VO.

### 4

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists betwe en the conditions and

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents,

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed.

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its o perating

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The

o perator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or

revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then the

operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s UAS

Integration Office (AFS

- 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or

revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alter ations that affect the UAS

operation or flight characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, must

undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this

exemption. Functional test flights may only be conduct ed by a PIC with a VO and

must remain at least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be

conducted in such a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it

is in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre

- flight inspection and determine the

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre

- flight inspection must account for all

potentia l discrepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul,

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft

components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety

bulletins.

### 5

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport,

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a

state, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal

government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirements specified in

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be

operated under this exemption, including evasive an d emergency maneuvers and

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs

(training, proficiency, and experience

- building) and determining the PIC’s ability to

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exempt ion. However,

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During

training, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all persons not essential for

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must op erate the UA

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Fl ights

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not

denoted with an ARP, t he center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current FAA

published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statu te miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a pre

determined location within the private or controlled

- access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the

### 6

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with t he reserve

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached exemption.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N

Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be

as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These

documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and

activities at all times.

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protecti on. If a situation arises

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety

of nonparticipating persons ; and

, b. The owner/controller of any vessels , vehicles or structures has granted permission

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not

present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled

- access property with

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative.

P ermission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

### 7

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported

to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS

- 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov

.

If this exemption closed

- set motion picture and television filming and production, the

following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM)

as documente d in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of propos ed filming. The 3

- day

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted

unde r this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on

- scene operation of

the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N

- Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement tha t the operator has obtained permission from property owners

and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event; the list of those

who gave permission must be made available to the inspector upon request;

g. Signature of exemption holder or represe ntative; and

h. A description of the flight activity, including maps or diagrams of any area, city,

town, county, and/or state over which filming will be conducted and the altitudes

essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the

exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS

oper ations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to,

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.

### 8

This exemption terminates on June 30, 2017 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures

## X12 Production Services, LLP

1702 Saracen Road

Austin, Texas 78733

P hone (512) 563

- 6175

December 17, 2014

U

. S

. D epa rt m en t of T r anspo r t a t i o n

D ocke t M anage m en t S ys t e m

120 0 N e w Je r se y A ve

., SE

W ash i ng t o n D C 20590

R e : E xe m p ti o n R e qu es t P ur suan t t o S ec ti on 33 3 of t h e F A A R e f o rm A ct an d P ar t 11

o f t h e Federa l A v i a ti on R e gu l a ti on s f ro m : 1 4 C FR 61

. 113 ( a ) an d ( b ); 91

. 103 ;

91

. 119 ( c ); 91

. 121 ; 91

. 151 ( a ); 91

. 405 ( a ); 91

. 407 ( a )( 1 ); 91

. 40 9 ( a )( 1 ) a n d ( 2 ); 91

. 417 ( a)

an d ( b ).

D ea r S ir or M ada m:

P u r suan t t o S ec ti o n 33 3 of t h e F A A M ode r n i za ti on an d R e f o r m A ct of 2012 (t h e “R e f o r m

A c t” ) an d 1 4 C

. F

. R

. P a rt 11

, X12 Production Services, LLP

, an ope r a t o r of U n m anne d

A ir c r a ft S ys t e m s (“ UAS ’ s ”) f o r ae ri a l pho t og r aph y f o r t h e m o ti o n p i c t u re an d t e l ev i s i on

i ndus tr y

, he r eb y app li es f o r a n exe m p ti on fr o m t h e Fede r a l A v i a ti on R egu l a ti on s (“ F AR s ”)

t o a ll ow co mm e r c i a l ope r a ti o n of its UA S s

.

O n o r abou t December 17

, 2014

, t h e F A A g r an t e d exe m p ti on s to s ix UA S ope r a t o r s,

i nc l ud i n g A s tr aeu s A e ri a l (t h e “ A s tr aeu s E xe m p ti on ”). A s se t f o rth in X12 Production Services,

LLP F li ght O pe r a ti on s an d P r ocedu r e s M anua l (t h e “ F OPM ”) an d M o ti o n P i c t u re T e l ev i s i o n

O pe r a ti ons M anua l ( bo th sub m itt e d unde r sepa r a t e ly unde r 1 4 C F R 11

. 35 ( b) ), X12 Production

Services w ill adhe re to t he t e r m s o f t h e A s tr aeu s E xe m p ti on

.

X12 Production Services r eques t e d exe m p ti on w ou l d pe r m it t h e ope r a ti o n of s m a ll,

un m anne d UA S under con tr o ll e d an d “ s t e ril e ” cond iti ons in m o ti o n p i c t u re an d t e l ev i s i o n a ir spac e

t ha t i s : (i ) li m it ed

, (ii) p r ede t e r m i ned

, (iii ) sub j ec t t o con tr o ll e d access, an d ( i v ) p r ov i d e g r ea t e r

sa f e ty in connec t i on w ith a ir c r a ft ope r a ti on s in t h e film an d t e l ev i s i on i ndus tr y

. A s es t ab li shed

by t he exe m p t i ons a lr eady g r an t ed by t he FAA

, a pp r oval o f X12 Production Services, exe m p ti o n

w ou ld enhanc e sa f e ty an d f u l fi ll t h e S ec r e t a ry of T r anspo rt a ti on ’s (t h e F A A A d m i n i s tr a t o r’ s )

r espons i b iliti es t o “

... es t ab li s h r equ ir e m en ts f o r t h e sa fe ope r a ti o n of suc h a ir c r a ft sys t e m s in t h e

na ti ona l a ir spac e sys t e m

. ” S ec ti o n 333 ( c ) of t h e R e f o rm A c t.

Th e na m e an d add r es s of t h e app li can t i s :

X12 Production Services, LLP

A tt n : Jeff Magers

1702 Saracen Road

Austin, Texas 787 33 Phone (512) 563

- 6175

E m a il : JMagers76@Yahoo

. co mR egu l a ti on s fr o m w h i ch t h e exe m p ti o n is r eques t ed :

1 4 C F R 61

. 113 ( a ) an d ( b )

1 4 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 103

1 4 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 119

1 4 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 121

1 4 C F R 91

. 151 ( a)

1 4 C F R 91

. 405 ( a)

1 4 C F R 407 ( a )( 1 )

1 4 C F R 409 ( a )( 2 )

1 4 C F R 417 ( a ) an d ( b )

UAS s ope r a t e d b y X12 Production Services w e i g h l es s t ha n 5 5 pounds

, i nc l ud i ng t h e

pay l oad (i. e. ca m e r a

, l ens, and g i m ba l)

. The y ope r a te a t speed s of no m o re t ha n 5 0 kno t s

, ca n

hove r

, an d can s i m u lt aneous ly m ov e ve rti ca lly an d ho ri zon t a l l y

. X12 Pro duction Services w ill

on ly ope r a te its ’ UAS ’ s in li ne of s i gh t an d w il l ope r a te on ly w it h i n t h e s t e rile a r e a desc ri be d in

t h e F OPM

. S uc h ope r a ti on s w il l i nsu re t ha t t h e UA S w il l “ no t c r ea te a haza rd t o use rs of t h e

na ti ona l a ir spac e sys t e m or t h e pub li c .”

G i ve n t h e s m a l l s i ze of X12 Production Services UAS ’ s an d t h e r es tri c t e d s t e rile env ir on m en t

w it h i n w h i c h t he y w il l ope r a t e

, X12 Production Services UA S ope r a ti o n s adhe re to t h e R e f o rm

A c t’s sa f e ty r equ ir e m en t s

. A dd iti ona ll y

, du e t o t h e s i ze of t h e UAS ’ s an d t h e li m it e d a r ea s i n

w h i ch t he y w il l ope r a t e, app r ova l of t h i s app li ca ti o n p r esen ts n o na ti ona l secu rity i ssues

. B ase d o n t h e subs t an ti al l evel o f sa f e t y su rr ound i ng t h e p r oposed ope r a ti ons

, an d t h e

s i gn ifi can t pub li c bene fi t ( enhance d sa f e t y ), r educ ti o n in env ir on m en t a l i m pac ts (r educe d

e m i ss i on s an d no i se ), t h e g r an t of t h e r eques t e d exe m p ti on is in t h e pub li c i n t e r es t.

A cco r d i ng l y

, X12 Production Services r espec tf u lly r eques ts t ha t t h e F A A g r an t t h e r eques t e d

exe m p ti o n w it hout de l ay

.

A ir c r a ft A n d E qu i va l ent Level Of S a f e t y

Th e ope r a ti n g li m it a ti on s p r opose d b y X12 Production Services p r ov i de f o r at l eas t a n

equ i va l ent o r h i gher l evel o f sa f e ty becaus e ope r a ti on s f u rt he r enhanc e sa f e ty o f m ov i e an d

t e l ev i s i on fil m i n g us i ng conven ti ona l a ir c r a f t.

A s se t f o rt h i n t h e F OPM

, t h e li m it a ti on s an d cond iti on s i nc l ude :

• Th e UAS ’ s w il l w e i g h l ess t ha n 5 5 pounds

• F li gh ts w il l b e ope r a t e d w it h in li ne of s i gh t of a p il ot and / o r obse r ve r

.

• M ax i m u m fli gh t ti m e f o r eac h ope r a ti ona l fli gh t w il l b e 3 0 m i nu t es

. F li gh ts w il l be

t e r m i na t e d a t 25 % ba tt e ry po w e r r ese r v e shou ld t ha t occu r p ri or t o t h e 30

m i nu te li m it.

• F li gh ts w il l b e ope r a t e d at a n a ltit ud e of n o m o re t h a n 40 0 f ee t AG L

, an d no t m o re

t ha n 20 0 f ee t above a n e l eva t e d p l a tf o rm fr o m w h i ch fil m i n g is p l anned.

• M i n i m um c r e w f o r eac h ope r a ti o n w il l cons i s t o f t h e UA S P il o t, t h e V i sual O bse r ve r

,

an d t h e C a m e ra O pe r a t o r

.

• A UA S p il ot w il l b e a n F A A li cense d a ir m a n w it h a t l eas t a p ri va te p il o t’s ce r t i f i ca t e

an d t h ird c l as s m ed i ca l

.

• A UA S P il ot w il l b e P il ot in C o mm an d ( P I C ). If a p il ot ce rtifi ca te ho l de r o t he r t han

t h e UA S P il o t, w ho possesse s t h e necessa ry P I C qua lifi ca ti ons

, is a l s o p r esen t onse t (i. e

. t h e A e ri a l C oo r d i na t o r), t ha t pe r so n ca n a l s o b e des i gna t e d a s P I C

.

• Th e UA S w il l on ly ope r a te w it h i n a con fi ne d “ S t e rile A r ea ” as de fi ne d in t h e F O P M

. Th e F OP M r equ ir e s t h e es t ab li sh m en t of a “ S ecu rity P e ri m e t e r” f o r t h e fl i gh t

ope r a ti on s a r ea.

• A b ri e fi n g w il l b e conduc t e d f o r p l anned UA S ope r a ti on s p ri or t o eac h day ’ s fl i gh t.

A ll pe r sonne l pe rf o r m i n g du ti e s w it h i n t h e bounda ri e s of t h e sa f e ty pe ri m e t e r a re

r equ ir e d to a tt en d

.

• Th e ope r a t o r w il l file a F A A Fo rm 7711

- 1

, o r its equ i va l en t, a s m od ifi e d in li gh t of

t h e r eques t e d exe m p ti on

, w it h t h e app r op ri a te F li gh t S t anda r d s D i s tri c t O ff i c e

(” F S DO ” )

.

• Th e ope r a t o r w il l ob t a in consen t of a ll pe r son s i nvo l ve d in t h e fil m i n g an d ensu re

t ha t on ly consen ti n g pe r son s w il l b e a ll o w e d w it h in 10 0 f ee t of t h e fl i gh t

ope r a ti on

. Th is r ad i u s m a y b e r educe d t o 3 0 f ee t base d upo n a n equ i va l en t l eve l

o f sa f e ty de t e r m i na ti on

, a s r equ ir e d unde r t h e F OPM

. W it h t h e advanced

pe r m i ss i o n of t h e F SDO

, ope r a ti ons a t c l oser r ang e ca n b e app r oved.

• Th e ope r a t o r w il l sub m it a w ritt e n P l a n o f A c ti v iti e s t o t h e F S D O t h r e e days

be f o re t h e p r opose d shoo t a s r equ ir e d in t h e F O P M

.

• The P il ot an d obse r ve r m ust be tr a i ne d in UA S ope r a ti on s an d hav e r ece i ved

cu rr en t i n f o r m a ti o n on t h e pa rti cu l a r UA S t o b e ope r a t e d as r equ ir e d b y t h e F O P M

.

• Th e O bse r ve r a n d p il ot w il l a t a ll ti m e s b e ab le t o co mm un i ca te b y vo i ce and / o r t ex t.

• W ritt e n and / o r o r a l pe r m i ss i on fr o m t h e r e l evant p r ope rty ho l de rs w il l b e ob t a i ned.

• A ll r equ ir e d pe r m i ss i on s an d pe r m its w il l b e ob t a i ne d fr o m t e rrit o ri a l, s t a t e

, coun t y

,

o r c ity j u ri sd i c ti ons

, i nc l ud i ng l oca l l a w en f o r ce m en t, fir e

, o r o t he r app r op ri a te

gove r n m en t a l agenc i es

.

• If t h e UA S l ose s co mm un i ca ti on s or l ose s it s GP S s i gna l, t h e UA S w il l hav e t he

capab ility t o r e t u rn t o a p r e

- de t e r m i ne d l oca ti o n w it h i n t h e S ec u rity P e ri m e t e r

an d l and

.

• Th e UA S w il l hav e t h e capab ility t o abo rt a fli gh t in cas e of unp r ed i c t e d obs t ac l e s or

e m e r genc i es

.

14 C

. F

. R. § 61

. 113 ( a) and ( b ): P ri va te P il o t P ri v il ege s and L i m it a ti ons : P il o t in C o mm and

S ec ti on s 61

. 11 3 ( a ) an d ( b ) li m i t p ri va te p il o ts t o non

- co mm e r c i a l ope r a ti ons

. B ecaus e t h e

UA S w il l no t ca rry a p il o t o r passenge r s

, t h e p r opose d ope r a ti on s ca n ach i eve t h e

equ i va l ent l eve l o f sa f e ty of cu rr en t ope r a ti on s b y r equ iri n g t h e P I C ope r a ti n g t h e a ir c r a ft to

have a p ri va te p il o t’s li cens e r a t he r t ha n a co mm e r c i a l p il o t’s li cens e t o ope r a te a s m a l l

UAS

. U n li k e a conven ti ona l m anne d a ir c r a ft, a UA S is r e m o t e ly con tr o ll e d b y a g r ound

- based

ope r a t o r. Th e ope r a ti ona l a r e a is con tr o ll e d an d r es tri c t ed, an d a ll fli gh ts a re p l anne d and

coo r d i na t e d in advance

. Th e l evel of sa f e ty exceed s t ha t p r ov i ded b y a s i ng le i nd i v i dual

ho l d i n g a co mm e r c i a l p il o t’s ce rtifi ca te ope r a ti ng a conven ti ona l a ir c r a ft. Th e ri sk s

assoc i a t e d w it h t h e us e of a UA S a re s o d i m i n i she d fr o m t h e l evel of ri sk assoc i a t e d w i t h

co mm e r c i a l ope r a ti on s con t e m p l a t e d b y P a rt 6 1 a ll o w i ng UA S use by a p ri va te p il ot a s t h e

P I C exceed s t h e p r esen t l evel o f sa f e t y sought b y 1 4 C

. F

. R

. §61

. 11 3 ( a ) an d ( b ).

14 C

. F

. R. § 91

. 103: P r e fli gh t A c ti o n

S ec ti o n 91

. 10 3 r equ ir e s eac h p il ot t o p r e fli ght an a ir c r a f t be f o re fli gh t t o i nsu re t h e sa f e t y of

fli gh t. A s F A A app r ove d r o t o r c r a ft fli gh t m anua l s w il l no t b e used

, a n exe m p ti o n i s

r eques t ed. H o w eve r

, a n equ i va l en t l evel o f sa f e ty w il l b e p r ov i ded. Th e P IC w il l t ak e a llac ti ons

, i nc l ud i ng r ev i e w i ng w ea t he r, fli gh t ba tt e ry r equ ir e m en t s

, l and i ng an d t akeo ff

d i s t ances

, an d a ir c r a ft pe rf o r m anc e da ta be f o re co mm ence m en t of fl i gh t.

14 C

. F

. R. §91

. 119 ( c ): M i n i m u m S a fe A ltit ude s

S ec ti o n 91

. 11 9 es t ab li she s sa f e a ltit ude s f o r ope r a ti o n of c i v i l a ir c r a ft. S ec ti o n 91

. 119

p r ov i des

, in pe rti nen t pa rt, t ha t:

“excep t w he n necessa ry f o r t akeo ff o r l and i ng

, n o pe r so n m a y ope r a te a n a ir c r a ft be l ow

t h e f o ll o w i n g a ltit udes :

... ..

( c ) O ve r o t he r t ha n conges t e d a r eas

. A n a ltit ud e o f 50 0 f ee t abov e t h e su rf ace

, except

ove r ope n w a t e r o r spa r se ly popu l a t e d a r eas

. I n t hos e cases

, t h e a ir c r a ft m a y no t be

ope r a t e d c l ose r t ha n 50 0 f ee t t o an y pe r son

, vesse l, veh i c l e

, o r s tr uc t u r e

. ”

B ecaus e X12 Production Services r eques ts au t ho rity t o ope r a te a t a ltit ude s on l y u p t o 40 0

AG L

, an d no t m o re t ha n 20 0 above a n e l eva t e d p l a tf o rm fr o m w h i c h fil m i n g is p l anned

, a n

exe m p ti o n is needed to a ll ow suc h ope r a ti ons

. E xcep t f o r t h e li m it ed cond iti on s s t a t e d in t h e

F OPM

, t h e UA S w il l never ope r a te h i ghe r t ha n 40 0 AG L

. It w ill

, ho w eve r, b e ope r a t e d in a

r es tri c t e d a r e a w it h i n a secu ri t y pe ri m e t e r

, w he r e bu il d i ng s an d peop l e w il l no t b e expose d to

ope r a ti on s w it hout t he ir p r e

- ob t a i ne d consen t

.

Th e equ i va l ent l evel o f sa f e ty w il l b e ach i eved g i ve n t h e s i ze, w e i gh t, an d spee d of t h e UA S

a s w e l l a s t h e l oca ti o n w he re it is ope r a t ed

. N o fli gh t w il l b e t ake n w it hout t h e pe r m i ss i o n of

p r ope rty o w ne r s o r l oca l o ffi c i a l s

. B ecaus e of t h e advance no ti c e t o t h e p r ope rty o w ne r s and

pa rti c i pan ts in t h e fil m i n g ac ti v it y

, a ll a ff ec t e d i nd i v i dua l s w il l b e i n f o r m ed o f t h e p l anne d fl i gh t

ope r a ti ons

. C o m pa r e d t o fli gh t ope r a ti on s f or m anned a ir c r a ft and t h e l ack of fl a mm ab le f ue l

,

an y ri sk assoc i a t e d w it h t h e p r opose d UA S ope r a ti on s is f a r l es s t ha n conven ti ona l a ir c r a f t

ope r a ti n g a t or be l o w 50 0 AG L

. I n add iti on

, t h e l o w

- a ltit ud e ope r a ti on s of t h e UA S w il l ensu re

sepa r a ti o n be t w een a UA S and conven ti ona l a ir c r a f t.

14 C

. F

. R. §91

. 121 A lti m e t er S e tt i ng s

S ec ti o n 91

. 12 1 r equ ir e s eac h pe r so n ope r a ti ng an a ir c r a ft t o m a i n t a in c r u i s i ng a ltit ud e by

r e f e r enc e t o a n a lti m e t e r t ha t is se t “

... to t h e e l eva ti on of t h e depa rt u re a ir po rt o r a n app r op ri a te

a lti m e t e r se tti n g ava il ab l e be f o re depa rt u r e .” A s a UA S m a y not have a ba r o m e tric a l t i m e t e r

, bu t i ns t ea d a GP S a ltit ud e da t a

, a n exe m p ti o n is needed. A n equ i va l ent l evel o f sa f e t y w il l be

ach i eved b y t h e ope r a t o r, pu r suant t o t h e F OP M an d S a f e ty C heck li s t

, con fir m i n g t h e a l t i t ude

of t h e l aunc h s ite sho w n o n t h e GP S a ltit ud e i nd i ca t o r be f o re fl i gh t.

14 C

. F

. R. § 91

. 151 ( a ): Fue l R equ ir e m en ts f o r F li gh t in V F R C ond i t i ons

S ec ti o n 91

. 151 ( a ) p r oh i b it s a n i nd i v i dual fr o m beg i nn i n g “ a fli gh t in a n a ir p l ane unde r V F R

cond iti on s un l es s ( cons i de ri n g w i nd an d f o r ecas t w ea t he r cond iti ons ) t he re is enoug h f ue l to

fl y t o t h e fir s t po i n t of i n t ende d l and i ng, and

, assu m i n g no r m a l c r u i s i ng speed

– ( 1 ) D u ri ng t h e

day, t o fl y a ft e r t ha t f o r at l eas t 3 0 m i nu t e s

. . . .”

Th e ba tt e ry po w e ri ng t h e X12 Production Services UAS ’ s p r ov i des app r ox i m a t e ly 4 0

m i nu t e s of po w e r ed fli gh t. T o m ee t t h e 30

- m i nu te r ese r ve r equ ir e m en t in 1 4 C FR §91

. 151

, UA S fli gh ts w ill b e li m it e d t o app r ox i m a t e ly 1 0 m i nu t e s in l eng t h

. G i ve n t h e li m it a ti on s o n

t h e UAS ’ s p r oposedf li gh t a r e a an d its p r opose d ope r a ti on s w it h i n a p r ede t e r m i ne d l oca ti on

, a l onger ti m e fr a m e f o r

fli gh t in day li gh t V F R cond iti on s is r easonab l e. Fu rt he r m o r e

, ope r a ti n g t h e UAS ’ s in a ti gh tl y

con tr o ll e d a r e a w he r e on ly peop l e

, p r ope rty o w ne r s, o r o ffi c i a l r ep r esen t a ti ve s w ho hav e

s i gne d w a i ve r s w ill b e a ll o w ed, l es s t ha n 3 0 m i nu t e s of r ese r v e f ue l doe s not engende r t h e t yp e

of ri s k t ha t § 91

. 151 ( a ) w as i n t ende d t o add r ess.

X12 Production Services be li eves t ha t sa f e ty ca n b e ach i eved b y li m iti n g fli gh ts t o 3 0

m i nu t e s or 25% of ba tt e ry po w e r

, w h i chever occu rs fir s t. Th is r es tri c ti o n w ou l d b e m o re t ha n

adequa te t o r e t u rn t h e UA S t o its ’ p r e

- de t e r m i ne d l and i ng zone fr o m any w he re in it s ’ li m it e d

ope r a ti n g a r ea.

X12 Production Services i s not seek i ng an exe m p ti on f or n i gh t

- ti m e UA S ope r a t i ons.

14 C

. F

. R. §91

. 405 ( a ); 407 ( a ) ( 1 ); 40 9 ( a ) ( 2 ); 417 ( a) & ( b ): M a i n t enanc e I nspec ti on s

Thes e r egu l a ti on s r equ ire t ha t a n a ir c r a ft ope r a t o r o r o w ner sha l l “ have t ha t a ir c r a f t

i nspec t e d a s p r esc ri be d i n subpa rt E of t h is pa rt and sha ll be t w ee n r equ ir e d i nspec t i ons

, except a s p r ov i ded in pa r ag r ap h ( c ) of t h is sec ti on

, have d i sc r epanc i e s r epa ir e d as p r esc ri bed

in pa rt 4 3 of t h is chap t e r...,” an d o t he rs sha ll i nspect or m a i n t a in t h e a ir c r a ft in co m p li anc e w i t h

P a rt 43.

G i ve n t ha t t hes e sec ti on s an d P a rt 4 3 app ly on ly t o a ir c r a ft w it h a n a ir w o rt h i ness ce r t i f i ca t e

, t hes e sec ti ons w il l no t app ly t o X12 Production Services ope r a ti ons

. M a i n t enanc e w il l b e

acco m p li she d b y t h e ope r a t o r. A n equ i va l ent l evel o f sa f e ty w il l b e ach i eved becaus e t h e

UAS s a re li m it e d in s i ze

, w il l ca rry a s m a ll pay l oad an d ope r a te on ly in r es tri c t e d a r ea s f o r li m it e d

pe ri ods of ti m e

. If m echan i ca l i ssues a ri se

, t h e UA S ca n l an d i m m ed i a t e ly an d w il l b e

ope r a ti n g fr o m n o h i gher t ha n 40 0 f ee t AG L

. A s p r ov i ded in t h e F OPM

, t h e ope r a t o r w il l

ensu re t ha t t h e UA S is in w o r k i ng o r de r p ri o r t o fli gh t, pe rf o rm an y r equ ir ed m a i n t enance

,

an d kee p a l og of any m a i n t enanc e pe rf o r m ed

. M o r eove r, t h e ope r a t o r i s t h e pe r so n m os t

f a m ili a r w it h t h e UA S and bes t su it e d t o m a i n t a in i t in a n a ir w o rt h y cond i t i on

.

S u mm a r y f o r P ub li ca t i o n

P u r suan t t o 1 4 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 11

, t h e f o ll o w i ng su mm a ry is p r ov i ded f o r pub li ca ti o n in t h e

Fede r a l R eg i s t e r, shou ld it b e de t e r m i ne d t ha t pub li ca ti on is needed:

X12 Production Services seek s a n exe m p ti o n fr o m t h e f o ll o w i ng

r u l es :

1 4 C

. F

. R

. § § 61

. 113 ( a) an d ( b ); 91

. 103 ; 91

. 119 ( c ); 91

. 121; 91

. 151 ( a ); 91

. 405 ( a ) ;

91

. 407 ( a )( 1 ); 91

. 409 ( a )( 2 ); and 91

. 417 ( a ) an d ( b ) t o ope r a te co mm e r c i a lly a s m a ll

un m anne d veh i c l e ( 5 5 pound s or l ess ) in m o ti o n p i c t u re an d t e l ev i s i on ope r a ti ons

.

A s es t ab li she d b y t h e UA S exe m p ti on s a lr ead y g r an t e d b y t h e F AA

, a ll o w i ng co mm e r c i a l

ope r a ti on s of UAS s in t h e film i ndus try w il l enhanc e sa f e ty b y r educ i n g ri sk

. C onven ti onal f ilm

ope r a ti ons, us i ng t u r b i n e a ir c r a ft, ope r a te a t l o w a ltit ude s an d p r esen t t h e ri sk s assoc i a t e d w i t h

a ir c r a f t t ha t w e i g h a r oun d 4

, 00 0 pounds

, an d w h i c h ca rr y l a r g e a m oun ts of Je t A f ue l. S uc h

a ir c r a ft m us t a l s o fl y to an d fr o m t h e film l oca ti on

. I n con tr as t, a UA S w e i gh i n g f e w e r t ha n 55

pound s an d po w e r ed b y ba tt e ri e s e li m i na t e s v irt ua ll y a ll o f t ha t ri sk g i ve n t h e s m a ll s i z e and

l ack of co m bus ti b l e f ue l. Th e UA S is ca rri ed

, and not fl o w n, t o a film se t. In t h is r eg a r d

, t he

UA S ca rri e s n o passenge rs or c r e w and

, t he r e f o r e

, w il l no t expos e t he m t o t h e ri sk s

assoc i a t e d w it h m anne d fl i gh t s

.Th e ope r a ti o n of UAS s conduc t e d in t h e s tri c t cond iti on s ou tli ne d i n t he F OP M w il l p r ov i de

a n equ i va l en t l evel of sa f e ty suppo rti n g t h e g r an t of t h e exe m p ti o n r eques t e d he r e i n. Th e UA S ’ s

ope r a t e a t s l o w speeds

, c l os e t o t h e g r ound

, an d in a s t e rile env ir on m en t. A s a r esu lt, t he y a re

f a r sa f e r t ha n conven ti ona l ope r a ti on s conduc t e d w it h t u r b i n e he li cop t e rs fl y i ng nea r t h e g r ound

an d peop l e.

P ri vac y

A ll fli gh ts w il l occu r over p ri va te o r con tr o ll e d acces s a r ea s w it h t h e p r ope rty o w ne r’ s

p ri o r consen t and kno w l edge

. F il m i ng w il l b e on l y of peop le w ho have g i ve n t he ir consen t or

o t he r w i se have ag r ee d t o b e in t h e a r e a w he r e fil m i n g w il l t ak e p l ace.

S a ti s f ac ti o n of t h e c rit e ria p r ov i ded in S ec ti o n 333 of t h e R e f o rm A c t of 2012 ( s i ze, w e i gh t,

speed

, ope r a ti ng capab iliti es

, p r ox i m it y t o a ir po rts an d popu l a t e d a r ea s an d ope r a ti o n w it h in

v i sual li ne o f s i gh t an d na ti ona l secu rit y ) p r ov i de m o re t ha n adequa te j us tifi ca ti o n t o g r ant

X12 Production Services r eques t e d exe m p ti on

, a ll o w i ng f o r X12 P roduction S ervices UA S

co mm e r c i a l ope r a ti on s f o r t h e m o ti o n p i c t u re an d t e l ev i s i o n i ndus try pu r suan t t o t h e F OP M

i nc l ude d he r e w it h

.

If yo u hav e an y ques ti on s o r nee d an y add iti ona l i n f o r m a ti on

, p l eas e con t ac t t h e

unde r s i gne d a t 512

- 563

- 6175 or at jmagers76@yahoo.com.

S i nce r e ly you r s

,

Jeff Magers

Managing Partne r

X12 Production Services LLP

S upporting Documents and Manuals available upon request to facilitate Exemption process

(FOPM , Component and Software C onfiguration, Service Records and Flight Logs )