AFS-15-1444-E

October 8, 2015

 Exemption No. 13159

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-1330

Michael J. Marino

Lieutenant, NOAA

NOAA Aircraft Operations Center

7917 Hanger Loop Drive

Hanger 5

MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5401

Dear Lieutenant Marino:

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 February 3, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for an exemption 

from § 91.151(b) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to the extent necessary to 

allow NOAA to operate small unmanned aircraft (sUAS) – specifically, DJI Innovations 

S1000 octocopters – as part of its mission to conduct field experiments that will provide key 

observations to validate weather model predictions associated with thunderstorm formation.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the 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 NOAA.

The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to 

those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 11448 and Exemption No. 11213

(copies enclosed), the FAA found that the conditions and limitations prohibited the PIC from 

beginning a UAS flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there was

enough available fuel for the UAS to operate for the intended operational time and to operate 

after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve fuel recommended by the manufacturer if 
2

greater. The FAA found that this provided sufficient reason to grant the relief from 14 CFR 

§ 91.151.1

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

 they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed 

Grants of Exemption No. 11213 and exemption No. 11448;

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 11213

and exemption No. 11448 also apply to the situation you present; and 

 a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113 and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.151 to the extent necessary to operate DJI 

Innovations S1000 octocopters as part of its mission to conduct field experiments that will 

provide key observations to validate weather model predictions associated with thunderstorm 

formation, subject to the conditions and limitations described below.

Conditions and Limitations 

1. The operations must be conducted in accordance with the appropriate and effective 

certificate of waiver or authorization issued by the FAA to NOAA; and

2. 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 intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the 

reserve power recommended by the manufacturer if greater. 

This exemption terminates on October 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John Barbagallo

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures

Exemption No. 11448

Exemption No. 11213

1 Exemption No. 11213 relates to Fixed Wing UAS requirements. Exemption No. 

11448 relates to Rotorcraft UAS.