Casey Wertz

1801 Bellevue st 

St. Joseph, MO

caseywertz@icloud.com

Website: caseywertzcinema.com

Sir or Madame, 

Please see the below exemption request pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations.

(B) Specific Sections of 14 CFR 

Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal Aviation 

Regulations from: 

14 CFR 21 subpart H 

14 CFR 45.23(b) 

14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.103 

14 CFR 91.109 

14 CFR 91.119(c) 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151(a) 

14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 

14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2) 

14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b) 

(C) Extent of Relief I Seek 

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

CFR Part 11, Casey Wertz, operator of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), hereby applies for an 

exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) to allow commercial operation of 

designated UAS, provided such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein 

or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333. 

Commercial operation of an UAS Phantom 3 professional, as described herein, which are equipped with 

camera(s) and sensors, would provide professional services in the following areas: 

1. Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, architecture, land 

surveying, engineering and other related professional activities. 

2. Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including television, public events, 

cinematography and news-gathering. 

3. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with the owners or 

local government authority. 

4. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial utility infrastructure including but not limited 

to electrical power lines, wind turbines and cell towers. 
5. Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue 

operations in cases of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities or 

government has requested it by contract or donation. 

6. Training to persons individually or belonging to both private and/or public organizations to 

increase awareness and improve safety for current and future UAS operations within the 

NAS. 

As described fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of designated 

UAS as set forth in this document under controlled conditions in the NAS that would be a) 

limited b) controlled c) predetermined and d) safe. Approval of this exemption would increase 

public awareness of UAS operations and enhance safety to aid in fulfilling the Secretary of 

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

for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.”

(D) Reasons Why Granting My Request Would be in the Public Interest 

Aerial photography and has been around for a long time through manned fixed wing aircraft and 

helicopters. For small budget productions the expense of such aerial photography and videography is cost 

prohibitive. Only larger companies can afford to absorb such expense. Manned aircraft pose a threat to the 

public through the potential of a catastrophic crash. My sUAS poses no such threat since size and lack of 

combustible fuel alleviates any potential threat to the public. Congress has already proclaimed that it is in 

the public’s interest to integrate commercially flown sUASs into the national airspace system, hence the 

passing of the Reform Act. 

Granting my exemption request furthers the public interest through academic/visual awareness of the 

photography and videography fields throughout the mid-west area. My ultra-lightweights UAS is battery 

powered and creates no emissions that can harm the environment. The consequence of my ultralightweights UAS crashing is far less than a full size helicopter or fixed wing aircraft; which are heavy, 

contain combustible fuel and can cause catastrophic devastation to the public. 

The public’s interest is furthered by minimizing ecological and crash threat by permitting aerial 

photography and videography captured through my battery operated ultra-lightweights UAS's. Permitting 

me to immediately fly within national air space furthers economic growth. Granting my exemption 

request substantially furthers the economic impact for the mid-west area for companies looking to use 

aerial photography and videography, both of which serve as a stimulus to the community. 

(E) Reasons Why Granting the Exemption Would Not Adversely Affect Safety 

Given the small size of the UAS’s involved and the restricted controlled environment within which they 

will operate, the applicant fits within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safety) in which Congress 

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

immediately. Also due to the size of the UASs and the controlled areas in which the relevant UASs will 

operate, approval of the application presents no national security issue. Given the following, the grant of 

the requested exemptions is clearly in the public interest: 

Casey Wertz proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the 

characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for an 

exceptional level of safety to operations. These limitations and conditions to which Casey Wertz agrees to 

be bound when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption including: 
1. The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs. 

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of operator. 

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

4. Flights will be terminated at 15% battery power reserve. 

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL 

5. UAS operator will be trained and certified in the proper safety and operations of the UAS. 

6. The UAS will only operate within a controlled area as defined in the Procedures. 

7. The operator will post advisor notice around the controlled area. 

8. The operator will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and received up-to-date information

on the particular UAS to be operated as required. 

9. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have capability to return to a 

pre-determined location within the Security Perimeter and land. 

10. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies. 

(F) A summary you can publish in the Federal Register 

(1) The Rules From Which I Seek Exemption 

14 CFR 21 subpart H 

14 CFR 45.23(b) 

14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.103 

14 CFR 91.109 

14 CFR 91.119(c) 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151(a) 

14 CFR 91.203 (a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 

14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2) 

14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b) 

(2) A Brief Description of the Relief I Seek 

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of sUASs in the media industry will enhance 

safety by reducing risk associated with conventional aircraft operations and other means of elevated 

remote sensing involving persons. The public benefit served by approval of this petition is increased 

awareness of characteristics of difficult imaging targets. A sUAS weighing fewer than 11 kg and powered 

by sealed batteries eliminates virtually all associated risk inherent in operating conventional aircraft in 

close proximity to buildings or persons or otherwise elevating persons to a position they would be able to 

collect needed data.The operation of small UASs, weighing less than 55 lbs., conducted in the strict 

conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the 

exemptions requested herein, including exempting the applicant from the requirements of Part 21 and 

allowing commercial operations. 

Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption and is 

prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to satisfy the need for an equivalent level of safety. I 

look forward to working with your office. Please contact me at any time if additional information or 

clarifications is needed. 

Sincerely, 

Casey Wertz