MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION FLIGHT OPERATION MANUAL

NC Aeronautics, LLC

3925 Pallas way Apt. 3C High Point, North Carolina 27265

(336-655-0903)

ncaeronautics@gmail.com

ghickman2591@gmail.com

Table of Contents
1. Introduction

A. Purpose

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

C. Persons Authorized

D. Area of Operations

E. Plan of Activities

F. Permission to Operate

G. Security

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

I. Certification/Airworthiness

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

K. Communications

L. Accident Notification

M. Recall/Stop Procedures

N. Aerobatic Competency

O. Aerobatic Competency

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

B. Pilot in Command

Appendix A

1. List of Approved Pilots

2. List of Approved Aircraft

3. Permission Acquisition Form (sample)

4. Revision Letter (sample)

Appendix B

1. Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 

Revision Control Page

Revision# Date Initials

1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "NC Aeronautics, LLC", hereafter referred to as "NC A 

LLC", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the 

provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. NC A LLC pilots and other 

company personnel when applicable will comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of 

this manual, whenever motion picture or television flight operations are performed that require a 

Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above. 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

Garrett Hickman- Pilot

NC Aeronautics LLC

3925 Pallas way apt. 3C

High Point, NC 27265

Garrett Hickman- (336-655-0903)

ghickman2591@gmail.com

C. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures directly 

involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall ensure that no 

persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and 

necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if 

an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For 

example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming 

production area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect 
nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an 

accident.

D. Area of Operations

NC A LLC’s approved area of operations will be the continental United States, excluding Alaska 

and Hawaii. 

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, NC A LLC will submit a written plan of 

activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of activities should 

include the following:

(1) Dates and times for all flights.

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event.

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft.

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of airworthiness 

certificate, including category.

(5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event, 

including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic competency, if 

required.

(6) A statement that the waiver holder 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 from the waiver 

holder.

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative.

(8) 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 minimum altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operations. The three (3) day notification equipments may be 

waived, however, the operator should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this 

request and be prepared to explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not 

practical. 

F. Permission to Operate
Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of the 

certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these 

operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from 

whom permission may be required are listed below: 

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government (5) Air traffic control

The NC Aeronautics, LLC personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever 

practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is 

provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written permission. NC Aeronautics, 

LLC personnel will assure a sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. 

Written permission forms will be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, 

and then turned into the chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These 

forms will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request. 

G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate production personnel to 

devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons and vehicles. 

Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations should the area(s) become

unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety. 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in command will 

conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks involved, emergency 

procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the filming production event. Personnel will 

also be briefed on additional provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic 

responsibility for the operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The 

briefing shall cover:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the attached special 

provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting 

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures 
• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event 

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons 

I.Certification/Airworthiness

All NC Aeronautics, LLC aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and 

(c) for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness certificates. 

However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" in motion picture 

and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category must have an airworthiness 

certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order to be used in motion picture and 

television filming. The aircraft will be 100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and 

inspections (transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. Each 

aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and inspections and 

the dates or times they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is also found in the flight 

log. The pilot in command will assure the aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all 

required inspections and maintenance has been completed before each flight. 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum 

requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(1) A current U.S. Commercial pilot certificate with ratings appropriate to the category, 

class and type (if applicable) of aircraft to be used under the terms of the waiver.

(2) At least 500 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC in the 

aircraft type.

(3) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used.

(4) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under the waiver.

(5) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14 CFR 

91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers must hold FAA 

Form 8710-7, Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to perform the operations. 

 (6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external-load 

operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots used in the operation shall be qualified. 

This qualification may be obtained through a knowledge test (which may be oral and/written) 

and/or skill. The inspector or another company pilot approved by the geographically responsible 
FSDO who is qualified to carry loads externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 

requirements and cover the following subjects:

(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the Flight area.

(b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load.

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating

procedures and the aircraft flight manual.

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load combination 

flight manual and limitations, if appropriate. 

K. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will formulate a 

plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the actual operation and 

filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is 

capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised of the current status of the 

operation. 

L. Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification 

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the participants 

continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 

N. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Aerobatic 

Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a Statement of Aerobatic 

Competency. 

O. Special Provisions
The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the NC Aeronautics, LLC motion picture 

and television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not 

be jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those specified in 

the NC Aeronautics, LLC motion picture and television operations manual (“Appendix A”) or 

associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each 

daily plan of activity. All civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for 

FAA inspection before the scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands the 

conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) . (see attached 

document under “Appendix B”)

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent unauthorized 

persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

NC Aeronautics, LLC will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are 

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on the 

provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No person may 

participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing on the provisions of the 

waiver. 

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual.

• Act as liaison between NC Aeronautics, LLC and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed statement 

from each that they have read and understand its contents. 

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for NC Aeronautics, 

LLC.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed 

properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by NC Aeronautics, 

LLC under the provisions of this manual.
• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility. 

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

● Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and required 

maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

● Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of this 

manual.

● Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, 

policies and conditions contained herein.

● Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, etc. 

with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern.

● Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job or 

operation requiring the waiver.

● The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains 

responsibility.