Sept 2 3 , 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Management System 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590

Re: Petition of UAV

- America, LLC for an Exemption Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA

Modernization and Reform Act of 2012

Direc tor: Flight Standards Service:

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ("Reform Act") and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, UAV

- America, LLC (“ UAV

- America ”) hereby applies for an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations ("FARs") id entified below to allow commercial operation of small unmanned aerial vehicles ( i.e., "small unmanned aircraft" or "UAS") for the purpose of conducting sales demonstrations and flight training for aerial real estate photography and videography of residenti al, commercial and industrial properties and inspections of structures

and infrastructure

.

This petition for exemption is made based on information outlined in this Petition for Exemption, as well as the accompanying UAV

- America documents;

1. PIC Flight Operations Manual and;

2. Operations Manuals (collectively 2 and 3 are referred to as " UE ' Documents & Manuals")

3. User Guide and;

4. Flight Manual 1 (collectively 3 and 4 are referred to as "Manufacturer's Manuals").

UAV

- America submits these supporting materials as confidential documents pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 11.35(b), as the materials contain confidential commercial and/or proprietary

information that UAV

- America has not and will not share with other requesting parties. Additionally, these d ocuments contain operating conditions and procedures that are not generally available to the public and are protected from release under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 et. seq.

1 . The term "Manufacturer's Ma nual" also includes all relevant manufacturer publications, including, but not limited to: operations and flight manuals, user guides, component maintenance manuals, pilot training manuals, service
information letters and, safety/service bulletins

.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 2

For your convenience, this Petition is organized as follow s:

I. Description of Petitioner

II. Description of Proposed Operations

A. Aerial Real Estate P hotography and V ideography for Residential, C ommercial

and Industrial P roperties and Inspection Service s

III. Relevant Statutory Authority

IV. UAV

- America ’ s Proposed UAS Op erations Meet the Requirements of

Section 333 of the Reform Act

A. Approval is Warranted Based on the UAS's Size, Weight, Speed, and Operational Capability

B. Approval is Warranted Based on the Operational Restrictions Set Forth in the Operations Manuals

V. Regul ations From Which Exemption is Requested

A. 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H

– Airworthiness Certificates and 14 C.F.R. § 91.203(a)(1)

B. 14 C.F.R. Part 27 Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft

C. 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a): Aircraft Mar king and Identification Requirements

D. 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2); 91.417(a) and (b): Maintenance Inspections

E. 14 C.F.R. Part 61, 14 C.F.R. § 61.3, 14 C.F.R. § 61.113: Private Pilot Privileges and

Limitations

F. 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a) : Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

G. 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft and 14 C.F.R. § 91.203(a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

H. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action

I. 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction

J. 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c): Minimum Safe Altitudes

K. 14 C.F.R. § 91.121: Altimeter Settings

L. 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

V1. Drug and Alcohol Program

VII. Public Interest

VIII. Privacy

IX. Federal Re gister Summary

X. ConclusionU.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 3

I. DESCRIPTION OF PETITIONER

UAV

- America , based in Barrington, NH, is a full service company which designs, assemblies and markets drones for companies which use them for aeriel photography and videography of private and commercial properties, inspections of structures and infrastructure and other specialized applications

. The Company specializes in, and will continue to focus on, testing of assemble drones pursuant to strict written safety and test flight procedures all in conformity with FAA regulations as set forth herein.

T he principals in UAV

- America , James Cooper and Matt Koestner, both have extensive experience in aircraft maintenance and electrical e ngineering, especially in remote sensing. Mr. Cooper receive d his training as a helicopter flight engineer in the USAF. Mr. Koestner holds a degree in electrical engineering. Both have over 5 years experience building and flying UAVs. Both Mr. Cooper and Mr. Koestner have a ttended ground school (private pilot licen se) and have completed solo flights. Mr Koesnter is currently pursuing completion of his private pilot license. Upon completion, he will be the Chief pilot for the company.

Upon the grant of the 333 Exemption the Company’s business will specialize in

, te sting of assemble drones pursuant to strict written safety and test flight procedures all in conformity with FAA regulations as set forth herein.

UAV

- America ’ s staff will be well trained and experienced in providing support as visual observers (“VO”) fo r the pilot in command (“PIC”) in addition to any other needed on site

assistance

.
All of the equipment owned by UAV

- America is of the highest quality gear and will been able to provide these services safely and without any claims or incident

. UAV

- America ’ s goal is to advise the perspective client that UAV

- America is following all the applicable state and federal rules to ensure the safety of the public while providing the client with a competitive and cost effective product.

UAV

- America seeks an exemptio n to allow commercial operation of small UASs to ensure their airworthiness for prospective purchasers of their product.

The contact information for Petitioner is as follows:

James R. Cooper

UAV

- America, LLC 30 Mendum’s Landing Rd. Barrington, NH 03825

Phone: 603.389.6364

Email: jim @ uav

- america .comU.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 4

II. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED OPERATION

UAV

- America seeks an exemption pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act to operate

UAV

- America’s production UAS the Eagle ZFT/HL and the DJI Phantom II, Inspire 1 ( referred

to as UA

- UAS ) and all weigh under 55lbs for the proposed ope rations discussed herein below. All UAS operations will occur under tightly controlled conditions on private property where

UAV

- America has received verifiable permission to operate fro m the landowner, controller or authorized representative. The proposed UAS operations will be conducted in accordance with the conditions and limitations of this Petition for Exemption and UAV

- America ’ Operations

Manuals. As detailed in UAV

- America ’s Oper ations Manuals, all UAS operations will be limited to daytime VFR conditions, within visual line

- of

- sight ("VLOS") of the operator, in uncontrolled airspace, and will occur at least 5 mm away from an airport reference point

. Moreover, UAV

America ’s Operati ons Manuals incorporate redundant safeguards to assure the aircraft does not travel outside the controlled area of UAS operations, including GPS "geo

- fencing" technologies.

A. Aerial Real Estate Photography and Videography for Residential,

Commercial and Industrial Properties and Inspection Services

UAV

- America seeks to use small UA

- UAS s for the purpose of conducting aerial photography

for residential

, commercial and industrial real estate and commercial art, stock video footage and location scouting

. UAV

- America has purposefully tailored its operations to meet the requirements established by the FAA in prior grants of exemption authorizing comme r cial use of

UAS in the applicable industry , including :

 UASolutions Group, Inc. (Exemption No. 12337)

 Eagle Eye Aeronautical Imaging LLC (Exemption No. 12337)

 Flight Ventures Ltd (Exemption No. 12284)

 Aerocine, LLC (Exemption No. 11150)

 Trudeau, Realtor® (Exemption No. 11 138 )

 Alon Sicherman (Exemption No. 11 728 )

 Sokoler Medly (Exemption No. 11 341 )

All UAS test flights and photography and videography operations will occur on private property in a controlled area away from spectators and persons not involved in the recording process . In addition, the recording will be conducted between dawn and dusk to ensure maximum safety for the public and those involved in the manipulation and operation of the UAS ; VFR conditions, at altitudes below 400' above ground level (“AGL”).

As set forth below, UAV

- America ’s operations provide an equivalent level of safety which i s superior to performing the same work using conventional fixed

- wing aircraft or helicopters.

Use of s mall UAS in real estate video production is also safer than traditional manned aircraft perfor m ing the same function. Videographer

- inspectors also freque ntly need to climb roof

tops , trees, or otherwise perform elevated work, which exposes them to the risk of dangerous falls, ele c trocution or other work related injuries . In addition, depending on the nature of the video needed and inspection, proximity to equipment, and other mechanical hazards associated with industrial sites and construction facilities often involves a risk of exposure to hazardousU.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 5

conditions . The use of UA

- UAS s mitigates these hazards and is ultimately a much safer and

cost efficient met hod of performing these and most other types of i n spections.

Moreover, c onventional operations using rotorcraft and fixed

- wing aircraft in low level operations present risks associated with vehicles weighing tens of thousands of pounds (including payload) and carrying large amounts of fuel which inherently presents significant fire hazards as well as exposure to other chemical contaminates

. It is important to note the use of small UAS in this area will not only be safer and more cost effective to the pers pective user or purchaser of the service , but the quality and expanse of acquired information will be far more robust given the low cost associated with its acquisition and other potential consumers an inexpensive product

.

UAS real estate video productio n is more reliable, and allows for the collection, dissemination, and storage of visual and other sensory data with greater precision and duration at a very low

cost . Small UASs will also be capable of accessing and inspecting areas that would otherwise b e
inaccessible or highly dangerous using conventional aircraft or other inspection methods.

III. RELEVANT STATUTORY AUTHORITY

This Petition for Exemption is submitted pursuant to Section 333(a) through (c) of the

FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ("Reform Act"). Congress has directed the FAA "to safely accelerate the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system." Pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act, the FAA Administrator is to permit

u nmanned aircraft syste ms to operate in the National Air s pace Systems ("NAS") where it is safe

to do so b ased on the following considerations:

● The UAS's size, weight, speed and operational capability; ● Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and ● Operation of the UAS within the visual line of sight of the operator.

Additionally, the FAA Administrator has gene ral authority to grant exemptions from the agency's safety regulations and minimum standards when the Administrator decides a requested exemption is in the public interest. See 49 U.S.C. § 106(f) (defining the authority of the Administrator); 49 U.S.C. § 4 4701(f) (permitting exemptions from §§ 44701(a), (b) and §§ 44702

– 44716, et seq.). A party requesting an exemption must explain the reasons why the exemption: (1) would benefit the public as a whole, and (2) would not adversely affect safety (or

how it w ould provide a level of safety at least equal to the existing rules). See 14 C.F.R. § 11.81 (petitions for exemption).

IV. UAV

- AMERICA ’S PROPOSED UA

- UAS OPERATIONS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 333 OF THE REFORM ACT

The small UA

- UAS operations propose d by UAV

- America as noted above in this Petition for Exemption qualify for expedited approval pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act as each of the statutory criteria and relevant factors are satisfied.

A. Approval is Warranted Based on the UAS's Size, We ight, Speed, and Operational CapabilityU.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 6

A Grant of Exemption is appropriate for operations conducted using the UAS s due to their size weight, speed, and operational capability.

 The UAS s utilize d by UAV

- America ha ve been approv ed for use in prior Section

333 Grants of Exemption from the FAA. 2

 The UAS s weigh less th an 55 pounds, including payload

 The UAS s will not be flown at a ground speed in excess of 50 knots.

 Altitude information will be generated by equipment onboard the UA S as specified using GPS triangulation, digitally encoded barometric altimeter, radio altimeter, or any combination thereof. This information will be transmitted to the pilot

via telemetric data feed.

 The UA

- UAS will have system redundancies and independent functionality to

ensur e the overall safety and predictability of the system. If connection to the remote control or ground control station is lost, failsafe systems will permit the UAS s to return to a predetermined location and safely land without injury or damage.

 The radio f

requencies used for operations and control of the UA

- UAS comply with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and other appropriate government oversight agency requirements. T he operating frequency for the UA

UAS is 2.4 GHz frequency bands.

If the sa me operations were conducted using a helicopter, the aircraft's take

- off weight would likely exceed 6,000 pounds depending on payload . The difference in weight between the UA

UAS and a helicopter significantly reduces the potential harm to the participatin g and non

participating individuals and/ or surrounding property in the event of an unintended accident or incident. In addition, the risk to the onboard pilot and camera operator is eliminated.

B. Approval is Warranted Based on the Operational Restrictions Set Forth in

UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals

UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals and the Manufacturer's Manual for the selected UA

- UAS will contain all the procedures and limitations necessary to safely and successfully perform the operations specified i n this Petition for Exemption. To assist the FAA in making a safety

assessment of UAV

- America ’s proposed operations, below is a summary of operational

limitations and conditions that UAV

- America will adhere to, and which will ensure an equivalent or higher level of safety to operations conducted under current regulatory guidelines:

1. The UA

- UAS weighs less than 55 pounds, with payload

.

2 See e.g., Grant of Exemption to Trudeau, Realtor® (Exemption No. 11138) ; Grant of Exemption to Alon Sicherman (Exemption No. 11728) ; Grant of Exemption to Sokoler Medly (Exemption No. 11341)

.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 7

2. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled

- access property with

verifiable permission from the land owner /controller or authorized representative. Permission from land owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained

for each scheduled flight prior to operation

.

3. All UASs operated under the Grant of Exemption will 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 will be as large as practicable.

4. Minimum crew for each flight operation will consist of a pilot, who will be Pilot

- in Command ("PIC") of the UA

- UAS , and one or more Visual Observers ("Observer") as necessary to safely conduct the mission.

5. PICs shall possess at least a Sport or Private Pilot's Certificate shall possess at least a

current Class III Medical Certifi cate and/or a valid and current driver’s license issued

within the United States . The PIC will also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 C.F.R 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot

certificate

.

6. The UA

- UAS shal l be operated within VLOS of the PIC and Observer at all times. The PIC must use human vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC's FAA

- issued medical certificate.

7. The PIC and Observer designated for any operation w ill be able to communicate verbally at all times.

8. Electronic messaging or texting will not be permitted during flight operations.

9. The additional requirements identified in the Grant of Exemption shall be added to

the UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals. The Operations Manuals will be maintained and made available to the Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in the Grant of Exemption and UAV

America ’s Operations Manuals, the conditions and limitations in t he Grant of Exemption shall take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, UAV

- America shall follow the procedures outlined in their Operations Manuals.

10. UAV

- America may update or revise its Operations Manuals. Revisions will be

tracked and a revised co py of the Manual will be provided to the Administrator upon

request. UAV

- America will also present an updated and revised Operations Manuals if it petitions for extension or amendment to its Grant of Exemption. If an update or

revision would affect the ba sis upon which the FAA grants the exemption, UAV

America will seek an amendment to its Grant of Exemption. UAV

- America will contact the FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS

- 80) if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the ope r ating documents.

11. UA V

- America Operations Manuals and its Grant of Exemption will be available toU.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 8

the PIC at the ground control station anytime the UA

- UAS is operating.

12. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a UA

- UAS flight unless (considering wind and

forecast weather conditio ns) there is enough power to fly to the first intended point of landing, and assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 10 minutes.

13. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight using the UA

- UAS will be

limited to 40 minutes o r the amount of time the UAS can be flown and still maintain a reserve battery power of no less than 25%, whichever occurs first.

14. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL and will never enter navigable controlled airspace witho ut timely prior written authorization and approval from the FAA. In the event the structure being inspected exceeds 400 feet AGL, the UAS will not be operated more than 100 feet above the highest point on the structure, and no more than 50 feet horizontall y from the structure.

15. Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons. (persons other than the PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential 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 protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons leav e such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately and/or;

b. The aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles or structures where the owner/controller of such vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission

a nd 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, and;

c. Operations nearer to the PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons do not present an undue hazard to those persons per § 91.119(a).

16. The UA

- UAS 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 statute miles from the PIC.

17. The UA

- UAS may not operate within 5 nm of an airport reference point as denoted

on a current FAA

- published aeronautical chart unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained, and the operation is conducted in accordance with a NOTAM as required by the UAV

- America COA. The letter of agreement with the airport management will be made available to the Administrator upon request.

18. Prior to each flight the PIC shall inspect the UA

- UAS s to confirm that it is in a condition safe for flight. The pre

- flight inspection will account for all dis crepancies, e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment, not already covered in the relevant sections of the operating documents as well as equipment updates . The PIC shall not

operate any UA

- UAS s if the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safeU.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 9

operation of the UA

- UAS until the necessary maintenance has been performed and

the UA

- UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. The ground control station shall be included in the preflight inspection. All maintenance and alternations must be properly documented in the UAS ’s records as required by UAV

- America ’s Operations

Manuals.

19. UAV

- America will timely carry out its maintenance, inspections, and record keeping requirements in accordance with the Operations Manuals. Maintenance, inspection,

and alterations will be fully noted in the UA

- UAS records, including total time in service, description of work accomplished, date completed and the signature of the authorized person returning the UA

- UAS to service.

20. Any UA

- UAS that has undergone mainten ance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight characteristics (e.g., replacement of a flight critical component)

must timely undergo a functional test flight in accordance with UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals. The PIC who conducts the functi onal test flight must make an entry in the UAS aircraft records of the flight. The requirements and procedures for a functional test flight and UA

- UAS record entry shall be included in the UAV

America ’s Operations Manuals.

21. The UA

- UAS will be operated and maintained according to the Manufacturer's Manuals and any required manufacturer Safety/Service Bulletins and product updates

.

22. Prior to the operation, a Mission Packet will be created in accordance with the requirements on UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals

.

23. UAV

- America will obtain an Air Traffic Organization ("ATO") issued Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, otherwise known as a COA, prior to conducting any operations under this Grant of Exemption. A NOTAM will be issued as required by the COA. All op erations will be conducted in accordance with airspace requirements in the ATO issued COA including class of airspace, altitude level and potential transponder requirements.

24. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, co unty or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire or other appropriate governmental agencies.

25. If the UA

- UAS loses communication with the PIC , it will have the capability to safely return to a pre

- determined location within the operational area and land safely.

26. Contingency plans will be in place to safely terminate flight if there is a loss of

communication between the PIC and the Observer.

27. The UA

- UAS will have the capability to safely abort flight in the case of unpredicted

obstacles or e mergencies.

28. PICs and Observers will have at least a curren t Class III Medical Certificate or a valid

and current state driver’s license issued within the United States

.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 10

29. Prior to conducting operations for filming, the PIC will have accumulated and logge d, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b), a minimum of 200 flight cycles and 25 hours total time as a UAS rotorcraft pilot and at least 10 hours logged as a UAS

p i lot with a similar UA

- UAS type platform

. This requirement can be achieved by flights conducted and logged as a hobbyist

.

30. Prior to conducting operations for filming, the PIC will have accumulated and logged,

in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b) , a minimum of hours pursuant to 54 CFR § 61.51(b) as UAS pilot operating the make and m odel of UA

- UAS to be utilized for operations under the exemption and three take

- offs and three landing in the preceding 90 days

.

31. Operations shall occur during daytime VFR Meteorological Conditions; flights under special visual flight rules ("SVFR") shall not be conducted.

32. The UA

- UAS shall remain clear and yield the right of way to all other manned operations and activities at all times (including, but not limited to, ultra

- light vehicles, parachute activities, parasailing activities, hang gliders, etc.).

33. UA

- UAS Operations under Instrument Flight Rules, at night, or beyond VLOS are prohibited.

34. The UA

- UAS will not be operated from an elevated platform or moving

device/vehicle.

35. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation a nd

control of the UA

- UAS will comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other appropriate government oversight agency requirements.

V

. REGULATIONS FROM WHICH EXEMPTION IS REQ UESTED

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the a uthority to issue exemptions. This statutory authority, by its terms, includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under § 40101 of the Act, including UASs, from its safety regulations and minimum standards when the Administrator decides a req uested exemption is in the public interest. 3

UAV

- America seeks an exemption from several interrelated provisions of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("14 C.F.R") Parts 21, 45, 61 and 91 for purposes of conducting the requested operations using UA

- UAS platforms noted above . Listed below are: (1) the specific sections of 14 C.F.R for which exemption is sought, and (2) the operating procedures and safeguards that Petitioner has established which will ensure a level of safety better than or equal

t o the rules from which exemption is sought. 4

3 49 U.S.C. § 44701(f) (authorizing the grant of exemptions from re quirements of regulations prescribed pursuant to Sections 44701(a) and (b) and Sections 44702

- 44716).

4 14 C.F.R § 11.81(e), which requires a petition for exemption to include: The reasons why granting the exemptionU.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 11

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

A. 14 C.F.R. Part 21, Subpart H

– Airworthiness Certificates and 14 C.F.R. §91.203(a)(1)

The FAA has stated that no exemption is needed from this section if a finding is made under the

R eform Act that the UAS selected provides an equivalent level of safety when compared to aircraft normally used for the same application. These criteria are met and in point of fact

exceeded

, and therefore no exemption is needed. 5 If, however, the FAA det ermines that there are some characteristics of the chosen UAS that fail to meet the requirements of the Reform Act, an exemption is requested.

Equivalent Level of Safety

UAV

- America ’s use of the UA

- UAS is safe when taking into account its size, weight, s peed, and operational capability. As set forth in the description of proposed operations in Section IV(A),

the UA

- UAS weigh s less than 55 poun ds , including payload and will not be flown at a ground speed in excess of 50 knots. The UA

- UAS is also equipped with safety features which will allow Petitioner to operate the UA

- UAS safely after experienc ing certain in

- flight contingencies or

failures as noted below

. 6 7

would not adversely affect safety, or how the exemption would provide a level of safety at least equal to that provi d ed by the rule from which you seek exemption.

5 See Grant of Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (FAA

- 2014

- 0352 at pgs. 13

- 14, 22).

6 See e.g., Grant of Exemption No. 11184 to Low Country RC, Corp. (FAA

- 2014

- 0803 at pg. 3): "The [DJI S1000] has the capability to operate safely after experiencing certain in

- flight contingencies or failures and uses an auto

pilot system to maintain UAS stability and control. The UAS is also ab le to respond to a loss of global positioning system (GPS) or a lost

- link event with a pre

- coordinated, predictable, automated flight maneuver, and manual flight control functionality as a backup. These safety features provide an equivalent level of safety compared to a manned aircraft performing a similar operation."

7 See e.g., Grant of Exemption No. 11184 to VDOS Global, LLC. (FAA

- 2014

- 0382 at pgs. 4

- 5): "The F M

- UAS can be operated entirely by a touch

- screen, map

- based interface. This means the operator only needs to command the system where to go, and the system does all the flying for the operator. The AL

- UAS can be operated in both semi and fully autonomous flight modes, with the operator simply clicking on a map to create a pre

- planned flight path

fo r a flight. In addition, the operator can create no fly zones or maximum flight ranges and altitudes so the sy s tem cannot enter areas deemed unsafe or unnecessary to fly over. The petitioner states further that the UAS has built

- in intelligent fault handli ng which allows the AL

- UAS to detect a system fault while in the air and automatica l ly fly back to its takeoff location and land. Faults that can be detected include: loss of communication; excee d ing pre

- set wind thresholds; and low battery levels.

All fl ight operations are global positioning system (GPS) controlled, making the system easy to navigate. At any point if the operator is not explicitly commanding the system to move, the system automatically holds its GPS position. The flight control system emp loys not only GPS positioning but a variety of sensors including sonar, barometric pressure, temperature, wind speed and others to ensure stability so long as wind thresholds are not exceeded. Also a flight termin a tion link

– to prevent a 'fly away' or oth er potentially dangerous situation

– is available to the operator."U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 12

Additionally, the UA

- UAS carr ies neither pilots nor passengers, carr ies no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, or other elements identified by Homeland Security as being prohibitive and operate exclusively within the parameters stated in UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals

.

Operations conducted under this exemption will be closely controlle d and monitored by the PIC operator and will be conducted in compliance with local public safety requirements, to provide security for the area of operation. UAV

- America will also provide the FAA with advance notice of all operations via NOTAMs as required by the applicable COA. In all cases, operation of the

UA

- UAS under the proposed conditions will be at least as safe as, or safer than, conventional rotorcraft operating with an airworthiness certificate

. Lastly, the UA

- UAS s do not need a means

to communic ate with other aircraft or ATC, because those capabilities will be solely possessed by the PIC and Observer, who are not onboard the UA

- UAS

. 8 In addition, no sense

- and

- avoid technology is necessary for the UA

- UAS s because they will be operated at all time s in VFR conditions and within VLOS of the PIC and Operator

. 9

B. 14 C.F.R. Part 27 Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft Title 14 C.F.R. Part 27 sets forth the procedural requirements for airworthiness certification of normal category rotorcraf t. To the extent that UAV

- America ’s small UA

- UAS s would otherwise require certification under Part 27, Petitioner seeks an exemption from Part 27's airworthiness standards for the same reasons identified in the request for exemption from 14 C.F.R. R. Part 21, Subpart H, supra

.

C. 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a): Aircraft Marking and Identification Requirements

UAV

- America seeks an exemption from the aircraft marking and identification requirements contained in 14 C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.23(b) and 45.27(a).

● 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(c), Civil Aircraft Flight Manual, Marking and Placard requirements, provides that:

No person may operate a U.S.

- registered civil aircraft unless that aircraft is identified in accordance with Part 45 of this chapter.

● 14 C .F.R. § 45.23(b), Markings of the Aircraft, states:

When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number is displayed on limited, restricted or light

- sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally certificated aircraf t, the operator must also display on that aircraft near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words "limited," "restricted," "light

- sport, "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable.

8 See Grant of Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (FAA

- 2014

- 0352 at pg. 13).

9 . IdU.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 13

● 14 C.F.R. § 45.27(a), Rotorcraft, states:

Each operator of a rotorcraft must display on that rotorcraft horizontally on both surfaces of the cabin, fuselage, boom, or tail the marks required by § 45.23.

In a previous Grant of Exemption , the FAA determined that exemption from these requirements was warranted provided that the aircraft "have identification (N

- Number) markings in accordance with 14 C.F.R Part 45, Subpart C if the markings are as large as practicable." 10

Equivalent Level of Safety

All UA

- UAS s flown by UAV

- America will bear N

- number markings that are as large as practicable in accordance with 14 C.F.R. Part 45, Subpart C. 11

D. 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2); 91.417(a) and (b): Maintenance Inspections

UAV

- America seeks an exemption from the maintenance inspection requirements contained in 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(2); 91.417(a) and (b). These regulations specify maintenance and inspection standards in reference to 14 C.F.R. Part 4 3. See, e.g., 14 C.F.R. § 91.405(a) (stating that each owner or operator of an aircraft "[s]hall have the aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections ...have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 4 3 of this chapter"). An exemption from these regulations is needed because Part 43 and these sections only apply to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, which

the UAS platforms to be operated under this grant of exemption will not have

. ( Emphasis a dded)

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved or exceeded because maintenance and inspections

will be timely performed in accordance with the Manufacturer's Manual and any required manufacturer Safety or Service Bulletin s. Further, as required by UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC will conduct a pre

- flight inspection of the UA

- UAS s and all associated equipment to account for all discrepancies and/or inoperable components before sale of the unit

. Maintenance will be performed and verified to address any conditions potentially affecting safe operation of the UA

- UAS s and no flights will occur unless, and until, all flight critical components of the UA

- UAS s have been found to be airworthy and in a condition safe for

ope ration. A functional test flight will be conducted following the replacement of any flight

critical components. As required by UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC who conducts the functional test flight will make an entry in the UA

- UAS aircraft recor ds of the flight.

UAV

- America ’s Operations Manual also includes requirements to follow the manufacturer’s UAS aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit

10

. FAA Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0352.

11 See, e.g., FAA D ocket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0352, at 14.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 14

requirements for the following applicable components: powertra in system (powerplant), propellers, avionics and control surfaces (including ailerons/elevons), structures & airframe, camera system, electrical systems (including batteries), ground control station, hazard accessories, and spare parts. Further, UAV

- Americ a ’s Operations Manuals also include procedures to document and maintain a record of the UA

- UAS ’s maintenance, preventative maintenance, alterations, status of replacement /overhaul component parts, and the total time in

service of the UA

- UAS s used under th is Grant of Exemption. As a whole, the maintenance and inspection procedures required in UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals ensure that an equivalent or higher level of safety will be achieved.

PILOT

- IN

- COMMAND OF THE UAS

E. 14 C.F.R. § 61.113: Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations

UAV

- America seeks exemption from 14 CFR § 61.113, which restricts private pilot certificate holders from flying aircraft for compensation or hire, and would also require a second class medical certificate. The purpose of Part 61 is to ensure that the skill and competency of any PIC matches the airspace in which the PIC will be operating, as well as requiring certifications if the private pilot is carrying passengers or cargo for hire. In this case, while the UA

- UAS s will be

opera ted as part of a commercial oper ation, they carr y neither passengers nor cargo. In the Grant of Exemption to Astraeus Aerial, the FAA determined that the unique characteristics of UAS operation outside of controlled airspace did not warrant the addition al cost and restrictions attendant with requiring the PIC to have a Commercial Pilot Certificate and Class I II Medical

Certificate. 12 The fulfillment of the additional requirements for a private pilot to become qualified as a commercial pilot would not lead t o any additional safety benefits when UAS operations are involved. Note: a ll UAV

- America pilots are certified FAA licensed Commercial Pilots (Airplane Single/Multi

- Engine)

.

Equivalent Level of Safety

The restrictions UAV

- America has placed on its UA

- UAS operations meet or exceed the restrictions similarly imposed on Astraeus Aerial. UAV

- America will operate on private property away from persons and property not involved in the operation. UAV

- America will also obtain an ATO issued COA prior to conducting any operations under this Grant of Exemption. All operations will be conducted in accordance with airspace requirements in the ATO issued COA including class of airspace, altitude level and potential transponder requirements. A NOTAM will

also be issued a s required by the applicable COA.

In addition to these flight restrictions, UAV

- America will further ensure safe operation by requiring that any PIC be thoroughly versed not only in airspace and communication issues pertaining to all aircraft operators bu t also in the unique aspects of UA

- UAS flight. As set forth

in the Operations Manuals, pilots will have experience not only in UA

- UAS operations generally but have logged flight time in the specific make and model used for the operations before they

are p ermitted to participate in commercial flights on behalf of UAV

- America . The pilot qualification, training, and currency requirements in the Operations Manuals ensure that UAV

-

12 Exemption No . 11062 (FAA Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0352).U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 15

America pilots are competent and proficient in the UA

- UAS s they are operating. UA V

- America ’s training and qualification requirements are consistent with those contained in prior FAA Section 333 Grants of Exemption, and will provide a higher level of competency and proficiency for its pilots and will ensure at least an equivalent level of safety to the public

.

OPERATING PARAMETERS OF THE UAS

F. 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

I nasmuch as there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the UASs, UAV

- America seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a), which require s that a civil aircraft be in airworthy condition to be operated. The FAA has stated that no exemption is required for 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a) to the extent that the requirements of Part 21 are waived or found inapplicable. 13 Accordingly, Petitioner requests th at the requirements for § 91.7(a) be treated in accordance with

Section V( A), supra.

G. 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft and 14 C.F.R. § 91.203(a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

Title 14 C .F.R. § 91.9(b)(2) and § 91.203(a) and (b) require the operator to carry airworthiness documents and other aircraft manuals onboard the aircraft. Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b)(2):

(b) No person may operate a U.S.

- registered civil aircraft

–

... (2) For w hich an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is required by § 21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination

ther eof.

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 91.203(a) and (b):

(a) Except as provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following:

(1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate...

(b) No person may operate a civ il aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under § 91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew.

Given the small s ize and configuration of the UA

- UAS , it would be impossible to keep

airworthiness documents and other aircraft manuals on board the UA

- UAS because there is simply no room and the UA

- UAS has no cabin or cockpit. As a way to comply with the code

UAV

- America will maintain the documents with the PIC and make them available for inspection.

13 See Id. at 13

- 14, 22.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 16

Equivalent Level of Safety

In an FAA Office of Chief Counsel's Opinion dated August 8, 2014, and prepared by Dean E. Griffith, Attorney, AGC

- 220, it was acknowledged that t he intent of 14 C.F.R. 91.9(b) and 91.203(a) and (b) is met if the pilot of the unmanned aircraft has access to the UAS flight manual, registration certificate, and other required documents from the ground control station from which he or she is operating the aircraft. 14 As this FAA Office of Chief Counsel Opinion clarifies, the intent of the rule is to ensure the pilot has access to these key documents during flight. Therefore, an equivalent level of safety will be achieved by ensuring that the pilot has access to the documents at the ground control station from which he or she is piloting the UAS.

H. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action

UAV

- America seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.103, which requires a PIC to become familiar with specific informat ion before each flight, including information contained in the

FAA

- approved Flight Manual on board the aircraft. While the PIC will be familiar with all information necessary to safely conduct the flight, an exemption is requested to the extent that an

FAA

- approved Flight Manual is required.

Equivalent Level of Safety

An equivalent level of safety will be provided by following the UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals and the Manufacturer's Manual. The PIC will perform a series of checklists designed to

identi fy any defects or inoperable components in accordance with the UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals, including checklists covering Pre

- Flight, Launch, Landing, and Post

- Flight procedures. The PIC will also be required to review weather, flight requirements, ba ttery charge, landing and takeoff distance, UA performance data, and contingency landing areas

— before initiation of flight. UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals and the Manufacturer's Manual will be kept at the ground control station and will be accessible to the PIC at all times while operating

the UAS.

I. 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight Instruction

UAV

- America seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a), which provides in pertinent part that "[n]o person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free b alloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls." UASs and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design, do not have functional dual controls. Instead, flight control is accomplished through the use of a device that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. Accordingly, an exemption will be required for the flight instruction requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a).

Equivalent Level of Safety

14 Memorandum from Mark Bury, FAA Assistant Chief Counsel for International Law, Legislation and Regulation, to John Duncan, FAA Flight Standards Service (Aug. 8, 2014); see also Docket No. F AA

- 2014

- 0352 at 16

- 18.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 17

Given the size and speed of the UASs that UA V

- America intends to use, an equivalent level of safe training can still be performed without dual controls because no pilot or passengers are aboard the UAS, and as required by the UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals, all persons will be a safe distance away in the event that the UAS experiences any difficulties during flight instruction. Moreover, as required by the UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals, all flight training will be conducted in controlled and sterile environment. As a whole, the safety procedure s provided for in UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals ensure that the proposed UAS operations provide an equivalent or higher level of safety than that provided by the flight instruction regulations.

J. 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c): Minimum Safe Altitudes

UAV

- Amer ica requests an exemption from the minimum safe altitude requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c). 15 Section 91. 119 prescribes the minimum safe altitudes under which aircraft may not operate, including 500 feet above the surface and away from any person, ves sel, vehicle, or

structure in non

- congested areas. See 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c). Section 91.119(d) allows for a helicopter to operate at less than those minimum altitudes when it can be operated "without hazard to persons or property on the surface," provided that "each person operating the helicopter complies with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA."

An exemption is required because the proposed UA

- UAS operation will normally need to o c cur below 400 feet AGL. In circum stances where the UA

- UAS is used to inspect a structure whose height exceeds 400 feet AGL, the UA

- UAS will not be operated more than 100 feet above the highest point on the structure, and within 50 feet horizontally of the structure. Add i tionally, due

the nature of the proposed operations, the Pilot and/or Observers(s) may need to be less than 500 feet away from the UA

- UAS

.

Equivalent Level of Safety

Compared to flight operations with rotorcraft weighing far more than the maximum weights proposed herein, and given the lack of flammable fuel with the above noted UASs, any risk associated with these operations is far less than those which presently exist with conventional

ai r craft. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, and sp eed of the

UA

- UAS s, as well as the controlled location where the operations will occur. In order to avoid any risk to manned aircraft, flight operations will be restricted to 400 feet AGL or below, or when inspec t ing a U.S. structure whose height exceeds 4 00 feet AGL, within 100 feet above the highest point on that structure and 50 feet horizontally of the structure.

As set forth in the Operations Manuals, the UA

- UAS s will be operated in a restricted area, and all flights will be operated at a lateral dist ance of at least 500 feet from any nonparticipating persons, unless that person is in a position where he or she is shielded from the UA

- UAS and any possible debris resulting from its failure. As required by the Operations Manuals, flights will be

15 Relief from § 91.119(a) will not be necessary because Petitioner will be able to perform an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the ground in the event of a failure. Petitioner's proposed UAS operation s will not occur over congested areas, and therefore an exemption from § 91.119(b) will not be necessary. See e.g., Grant of Exemption No. 11157 to Slugwear, Inc., dba Like on a tree Aerial (FAA

- 2014

- 0534 at 15).U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 18

terminat ed if a nonparticipating person within 500 feet of the UA

- UAS leaves a shielded position. Further, its operations will occur at least 500 feet away from vehicles or structures unless the property owner/controller timely has granted permission and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and, operations near the PIC or Observer will not present an undue hazard per § 91.119(a). Adherence to these restrictions in

UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals will ensure operat ions can be conducted without compromising public safety. 16

K. 14 C.F.R. § 91.121: Altimeter Settings

UAV

- America seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.121, which requires a person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude or flight level by re ference to an altimeter that is set to the elevation of the departure airport or barometric pressure. An exemption is required to the extent that the UASs do not have a barometric altimeter, but rather a GPS altitude read out.

Equivalent Level of Safety

The FAA has stated that an equivalent level of safety to the requirements of 14 C.F.R. §91.121 can be achieved in circumstances where: (1) the UASs will be operated below 400 feet AGL or

below 17 , (2) within VLOS, (3) where GPS based altitude information is relayed in real time to the operator at a ground

- based on

- screen display and, (4) where prior to each flight, a zero altitude initiation point is established for the PIC to confirm accuracy of the onboard GPS. 18

The UA

- UAS s that UAV

- America intends to use for the proposed operations will meet all these operational characteristics. Moreover, as required by UAV

- America ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC will be required to calibrate the aircraft's GPS compass prior to each flight operation. Like prior FAA Section 333 Grants of Exemption, the UA

- UAS s UAV

- America intends to use, and the safety mitigation procedures contained in the Operations Manuals, both ensure that an equivalent level of safety or greater level will be achieved, and a Grant of Exemption to the req uirements of § 191.121 is therefore appropriate

.

L. 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

16 See e.g., Grant of Exemption No. 11138 to Douglas Trudeau (FAA

- 2014

- 0481 at 19): "If ba r riers or structures are present that can sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from the UA or debris in the event of an accident, then the UA may operate closer than 500 feet to persons afforded such protection. The operator must also ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately. W hen conside r ing how to immediately cease operations, the primary concern is the safety of those nonparticipating persons. In add i tion, the FAA finds that operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet to vessels, vehicles and structures when the

owner/co ntroller of any such vessels, vehicles or structures grants permission for the operation and the PIC makes a

saf e ty assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determines that it does not present an undue

ha z ard."

17 If the height of th e structure being inspected exceeds 400 feet AGL, the UAS will not be o p erated more than 100 feet above the highest point on the structure.

18 See Grant of Exemption No. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (FAA

- 2014

- 0352 at 21).U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 19

UAV

- America requests an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a)'s fuel requirements for flight in

VFR conditions. Section 91.151 states:

(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed

– (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or

(2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.

Here, the technological limitations on UAS battery power means that no meaningful flight operations can be conducted while still maintaining a 30

- minute battery reserve. An exemption from the fuel requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a) is therefore required. Moreover, it is not

UAV

- America ’s intention to fly the UA

- UAS s at night.

Equivalent Level of Safety

In the Grant of Exemption to VDOS (Exemption No. 11112), the FAA determined that an equivalent level of safety to the fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions could be achieved by prohibiting the PIC from beginning a UA

- UAS flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there was enough power to fly to the first intended point of landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 10 minutes. In reaching this conclusion, the FAA considered that the UAS batteries for the UA

- UAS provide approximately

50 minut es of powered flight (with payload) and provided battery level and battery time remaining in minutes and seconds to the PIC. 19 The FAA also considered the fact the UA

- UAS operating manual states: “start every flight with a fully charged battery in the aeria l vehicle”, and

that in the event that the UA

- UAS should run low on power, the PIC will be alerted and can safely land the

- UA

- UAS as soon as possible. Like the VDOS Grant of Exemption, UAV

America ’s use of the UA

- UAS s , combined with the requirements of Pe titioner's Operations Manuals, ensure that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and in fact exceeded

.

Similarly, in the Grant of Exemption to Alan Purwin (Exemption No. 11161), the FAA determined that an equivalent level of safety to the fuel req uirements for flight in VFR conditions could be achieved by prohibiting the PIC from beginning a flight with the UA unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions), there was enough power to safely fly at normal cruising speed to the intended lan ding point and land the UA with 25% battery power remaining. UAV

- America will adhere to this limitation for its UA

- UAS flights.

The UA

- UAS includes a low battery warning system and the amount of battery reserve power remaining is continuously transmitted to the PIC via telemetric data feed, which downlinks from

the UA

- UAS to a ground

- based

- on

- screen display. 20 As required by UAV

- America ’s Operations

19

. Grant of Exemption No. 11112 to VD OS Global, LLC (FAA

- 2014

- 0382 at 10).

20 . T he U A

- UAS ground control station displays, the UASs position, navigation route, tail number, altitude, heading, north seeking arrow, range to targets, calculated target position, date/time, and sensor heading and

orie n tation relative to the UAS.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 20

Manuals, the PIC will promptly fly the UA

- UAS back to the home launch location or pre

det ermined abort loca tion where it may safely land, while still maintaining a minimum of 25% reserve battery power. UAV

- America submits that the procedures requiring flights to be safely terminated once the batteries fall below 25% capacity, combined with the requirement that flights only be conducted within a secure, isolated area, using a UAS weighing less than 5 5 pounds, and within VLOS of the PIC and Observer(s), ensure that the proposed operation will provide an equivalent or higher level of safety to the public to that pr ovided by the regulations from which exemption is sought

.

VI. DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAM

UAV

- America will have policies in place to ensure that no person may participate in UA

- UAS s flight operations if they are under the influence of alcohol or any drug.

VII. PUBLIC INTEREST

The public interest will be served by granting UAV

- America ’s Petition for Exemption. Congress has established a national policy that favors early integration of UAS into the NAS in controlled, safe working environments such as thos e proposed in this Petition. Granting this Petition for Exemption helps fulfill Congress' goal in passing Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform

Act

— the FAA Administrator's assessment of whether certain UAS may operate safely in the NAS before completion of the statutorily required rulemaking.

The proposed UA

- UAS operations in this Petition for Exemption significantly improve s the safety and reduce s risk of harm, physical injury and property damage to the public at large, the property owners from whom pe rmission was granted for use by Petitioner and abutting properties, staff of Petitioner, unsuspecti n g passersby, inspecting engineers from relevant organizations and all those who may be in the local vicinity . Traditional methods of inspecting

and monitori ng potential locations and relevant sites and facilities requires location personnel to
climb towers

, trees, venture onto precarious roofs and other dangerous scenarios

, perform

elevated work for which the individual is neither trained n or equipped to perf orm , which exposes

them to unnecessary risk of serious physical injury from dangerous falls or other physical mishaps

. Moreover, inspectors/surv eyors are often unnecessarily exposed to hazardous conditions, unsafe environments, culturally tense situations and other hazards associated with identifying specific locations for potential recording sites to be used in the end product

. The use of small UASs can eliminate these hazards and ultimately provide a much safer method of performing these types of inspect ions creating a safer environment for the public as well as UAV

America agents and employees.

The use of small UASs also enhances safety and reduces risk to the surrounding public because, unlike manned aircraft weighing thousands of pounds, carrying crew in addition to flammable

fue l, the UASs carry no passengers, crew or explosive fuel . Further more , in the unlikely event of an accident, UAV

- America ’s small battery powered UA

- UAS s presents significantly less danger to persons on the ground when compared t o operations by conventional manned aircraft. 21 As

21 See Grant of Exemption No. 11158 to Team 5, LLC (FAA

- 2014

- 0783 at 12): "Manned hel i copters conducting aerial filming can weigh 6,000 pounds or more and are operated by an onboard pilot, in addition to other onboard crewmembers, as necessary. The petitioner’s UAs will weigh less than 55 pounds with no onboard pilot or crew.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 21

Petitioner's UA

- UAS s are battery powered, the public will also benefit from a reduction in

harmful petroleum based emissions associated with conventional aircraft performing in the same functions proposed h erein. Air quality will naturally be improved with the reduction of fuel powered vehicles.

Lastly, as recognized by the FAA in prior Section 333 Grants of Exemption to filmmakers, UASs provide an additional economic tool for the aerial filming industry , adding a greater degree of flexibility, which supplements the current capabilities offered by manned aircraft. 22 The quality of the finished product is enhanced and provides a greater finished product demand which will aid the current UAS industry and pr ovide additional jobs as the cost of providing the needed product is greatly reduced while reducing the difficulty with which the finished product is

created . The demand for the current industrial product is increas ed and will continue to increase given t he enhanced flexibility of production ; therefore, given the lower cost, owner/operators and

others in the relevant industry will be more inclined to utilize the services of commercial UAS

operators along with a n appropriate licensed PIC’s

.

VIII. PRIVACY

All UA

- UAS operations will be conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding privacy. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled

- access property with permission from the land owner/controller or authori zed representative. Permission from land owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be

conducted.

IX. FEDERAL REGISTER SUMMARY

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER, should it be determined that publication is needed: Petitioner seeks an exemption from the following rules in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

Part 21, Subpart H; Part 27; 45.23(b); 45.27(a); 61.113; 91.7(a); 91.9(b)(2); 91. 9(c); 91.103; 91.109(a); 91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.203 (a) & (b); 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409(a)(1) & (2); 91.417 (a) & (b).

The exemption will enhance safety by reducing risk to the aircraft crew, production crew, general public, property owne rs and city structures from the substantial hazards associated with performing equivalent film work and aerial video production with conventional

fixed

- wing aircraft, rotorcraft, or other methods.

The pilot and crew will be r e motely located from the aircraft. The limited weight significantly reduces the potential for harm to participating and nonparticipating individuals or property in the event of an incident or acc i dent. risk to an onboard pilot and crew during an incident or accident is eliminated with the use of a UA for the aerial filming operation."

22 See e.g., Grant of Exemption No. 11178 to Picture Factory, Inc. (FAA

- 2014

- 0794 at 18).U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 22

X. CONCLUSION

UAV

- America ’s Petition for Exemption sati sfies the criteria articulated in Section 333 of the

Reform Act of 2012 which includ es weight ; speed ; operating capabilities ; proximity to airports and populated areas ; operation within VLOS and national security. The proposed UA

- UAS operations will benefi t the public as a whole by improving safety and reducing risk by alleviating human exposure to danger while lowering the attendant related costs thereby increasing the demand for the finished product. In consideration of the foregoing, this Petition for Ex emption provides the FAA with more than adequate justification for granting the requested exemptions allowing UAV

- America to use small UA

- UAS s in the recorded production of its product.U.S Department of Transportation

Sept 2 3 , 2015 Page 23

We thank you for your prompt consideration of our requested exempt ions.

Respectfully Submitted,

James R. Cooper

UAV

- America, LLC 30 Mendum’s Landing Rd. Barrington, NH 03825

Phone: 603.389.6364 Email: jim@uav

- america .com

(The following attached items contain proprietary and commercial information exempt from

disc losure under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 522 et seq., and should be held in a separate file pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 11.35(b)).

Attachments: 1. General Operations Manual 2. PIC Operating Manual

3. Protocols

4. Location Protocols 5. Flight Co mmunications Protocols 6. Departing Location Protocols

7. Transmitter Protocols 8. Preflight Checklist 9. Post Flight Checklist 10. Equipment Checklist

11. UAS Manufacturer’s Manuals

a. User Manuals

b. UAS Maintenance Manuals