DonDiago Lopez 

2615 E. South Crescent Ave 

Spokane, WA 99207 

perfectionlawnspokane@yahoo.com

I, DonDiago Lopez, am submitting this petition for exemption/rule making, 

Petitioning for Exemption under Section 333); (FAA Modernization and 

Reform Act of 2012, Public Law 112-95 FEB.14, 2012, Section 333.) 

Civil UAS operators have the option to obtain FAA airworthiness 

certification. They may apply for a special airworthiness certificate in the 

experimental category under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 

CFR) 21.191 for the purposes of research and development, crew 

training, or market survey. They may also apply for type certification under 

21.17(b) (for a standard airworthiness certificate in the special class category) 

or 21.25 (for a special airworthiness certificate in the restricted category). 

Commercial operation of an UAS, 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 newsgathering.

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. 

I, DonDiago Lopez, will be the sole operator of said UAV/UAS and will be 

the (PIC) for the entire duration of operation(s) of said UAV/UAS. 

Flight Operations above one hundred feet (100 ft.) will be avoided or 

minimized when possible when performed directly above any person(s) and/

or personal property. 

Flights directly over main streets, highways, heavy traffic, government 

buildings, hospitals, police facilities, federal reservations, within restricted 

airspace/airports, voting stations/poles and/or any other locations that are 

restricted by law shall be avoided and strictly prohibited from operating my 

UAV/UAS within their designated parameters as outlined by local, state and/

or federal laws and/or regulations. 

The intent of my request is so that I may start a for profit, personal business 

that offers aerial photography and cinematography to the general public and 

commercial/private businesses. 

Prior to each flight/operation of said UAV/UAS I will conduct a Pre-Flight 

Safety Inspection. Any and all repairs will be performed only by the 

manufacturers authorized repair facilities/providers. All flight data records (as 

generated by the UAV/UAS) will be downloaded from said UAV/UAS and 

kept on record. Any and all incidents caused by or a result of operating my 

UAV/UAS (Phantom 3 Advanced) resulting in property damage and/or 

personal injury and/or death will be reported as required by applicable state/

local law(s).

Also, 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. These limitations and conditions to which DonDiago 

Lopez 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. 

Accordingly, the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the 

requested exemption and are 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 are needed.