### August 25, 2015

Exemption No. 12590 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

−20 15

−2363

Mr. Jack Thorpe NC CERT, INC 400 Evans Lane Wendell, NC 27591

Dear Mr. Thorpe :
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.
By letter dated May 5, 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of NC CERT, INC (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an exemption . The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial search and rescue operations

. See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA des cribing the proposed operations and the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption

.
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 the petitioner

.
Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner are the VK UAS Multirotor (VTOL), VikingUAS Viking ONE, VikingUAS VK Patriot X4
, VikingUAS VK Patriot X8, VikingUAS VK X6 Model 800, and VK

- Ranger EX

.

### 2
The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates

. In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112

−95 in reference to 49 U

. S

. C

. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from 14 CFR part 21
, Certification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates , and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision
You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 1



### . The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In Grants of Exemption No s

. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No . FAA−2014−0352), 11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA

−2014

−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Lab s , Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled by this exemption is in the public interest.
Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that

—

• They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 ;

• The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 also apply to the situation you present; and

• A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision
In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, NC CERT, INC is granted an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c ), 61.101(e)(4 ) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a) , 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to the

1 

### Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by instruments aboard the UA.

### 3

extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection

. This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, NC CERT, INC is hereafter referred to as the operator.
Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the VK UAS Multirotor (VTOL), VikingUAS Viking ONE, VikingUAS VK Patriot X4
, VikingUAS VK Patriot X8, VikingUAS VK X6 Model 800, and VK

- Ranger EX when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption

.
2. Operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming are not permitted.

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA

- issued airman medical certificate or U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times ;
electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties required of the VO.

7. Thi s exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of

### 4
exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questi ons arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight characteristics, e.g.
, replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre

- flight inspection and determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre

- flight inspection must account for all potential discrepancies, e.g.
, inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS , the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal

### 5
government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (training, proficiency, and experience

-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During training, proficiency, and experience

-building flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current FAA

-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’ s management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA 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.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a pre

- determined location within the private or controlled

- access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. 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.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The

### 6
exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA

.
22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must 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 must be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and activities at all times.

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 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 leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of nonparticipating persons ; and b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating closer to those objects and 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.
The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled

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

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be

### 7
reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov

. If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3

- day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights; b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on

- scene operation of the UAS; d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming; f. A statement that the operator has obtained permi ssion 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; g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and h. 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 altitudes essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the exemption holder’s MPTOM.
Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.

### 8
This exemption terminates on August 31, 2017 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded.
Sincerely,

/s/ John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service

EnclosuresJack Thorpe 

### T: +1 919 538 4140 Jlhprpe 

### S41nccer\,.Q[g

May 5, 

### 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Management System 

### 1200 New Jersey Ave

.. SE Washington, DC 20590

Re:**Ii~~mQ1iQJJ.RGqil.\;S.LS~\:;JjpoJ.jJgLtb.QJ~i1ARGfQrm.AgLiJJJQ** 

## J?.i.JcnJ_LQfJ:h

..**~** Federal Aviation Re!.!ulations from 

### 14 C.P.R. 45.23(h): 14 CPR Part 

### 21; 14

Dear Sir 

### or Madam:**~fR_9),lJJ..(<.!2.&..Chl:** 

### 9L7L&tl;

..**2L2Jl!)t~_t2JJ.\2.J.Cb)_;_9JJQ2;_2LU2;** 

### 91.121; 9l.l51 (a); 

### 91.203( a) 

### & (b): 9J.407(al ( J 

### l: 91.409 (a) ( 

### 2): 91.417 

### (!J.t&

. ..Lh)

Pursuant to Section 

### 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 

### 2012 (the Reform Act) and 

### I4 C.F.R. Part 

### 11, NC CER'r. INC, operator 

### of small Viking Unmanned Aerial Systems 

### Inc Unmanned Aircraft Systems CsU/\.5'') equipped to conduct aerial 

### Serm;h and Rescue Operations 

### in the US 

### get higher success rates 

### on (SAR) on operations and 

### to help prevent contamination of lands 

### if there was a manned aircraft accident. hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (''FARs'·) to a!Io"v commercial operation fits sUASs. so long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the 

### FAA as required 

### by Section 

### 33.3.

As described more fully below, the requested exemption would pcnnit the operation of small Unmanned and relatively inexpensive sUAS under controlled conditions 

### in airspace that 

### is l) limited 2) predetermined 3) controlled as to access and 4) would provide safety enhancements to the already safe operations in the 

### SAR presently using conventional aircraft. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety 

### and fuUi!I 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.''

The name <md address 

### of the applicant 

### is:

NCCERT, INC Attn: Jack Thorpe 

### Ph: +1 919 538 4140 Email: 

### l!.Porpe@ncceli.org Address: 

### 400 Evans Lane Wendell, NC 27591

### The 

### conditions proposed by the 

### applicant are drawn from order 8900. I CHG 0

Regulations 

### fiTml which the exemption 

### is required

14 CFR Part 21 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b) 14 CFR 6LI 13 (a) & 

### (b) 14 C.P.R. 91.7 (a) 

### 14 

### CF'R 9L9 (b) (2) 14 

### C.P.R. 91.103 

### 14 C.F.R. 91. !09 14C.F.R. 91.119 

### 14 C.P.R. 9J.l21 

### l4CFR 9l.l5l (aJ 

### 14 CFR 91.203 (a) 

### & (b) 

### 14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

### 14 CFR 407 (a) (l) 

### 14 Cl''R 409 (a) 

### (2) 14 CFR 417 (a) & (b)

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress' goal in passing Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system (NAS) before completion of the rulemaking required under Section 

### 332 of the Reform Act. [n making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of U ASs do not create a hazard to

users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to 

### national security in light of the 

### f(lllowing.:

• The lJAS's size. weight, speed, and operational capability

• Operation of the UA.S 

### in dose proximity to airports and populated areas; and

• Operation of the UAS within visual line of sight of the operator.

Reform Act Section 333 

### (a). Lastly. if the Secretary determines that such vehicles '·may operate safely in the national airspace system. the Secretary**S.Jli!..l.LS':?..l~tl:!li§.b__I~QJJJJiLGn!.\':llJS.** 

### for the safe operation of such aircraft in the national airspace system.'' ID Section 333(c) {emphasis added)

'J'he Federal Aviation Act expressively grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. This statutory authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under section 40101 of the A.ct that includes slJASs, from the requirement that civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness certificate.



### Applicant interprets this provision**1.QJ2iac~_J.l}~** 

### dJJ..t.Y_..Q.D_1l!.G._.t\dminbtmmr not only process 

### applicants for exemptions under section 333, 

### but for the adn1inistrator to craft conditions for the safe operation of 

### the 

### liAS, if it should be deterrnined that the conditions set forth herein do not fulfill the statutory requirements for 

### approval.

2

### The Administrator may gram an exen1ption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any sections 44702-44716 of this title if the Administrator find the exemption in the public interest. 49 U.S.C. Section 4470 l (f) 

### see also 

### 49 USC Section 4471l(a); 49 USC Section 44704; 14 CFR Section 91.'203 (a) (1).

NC CERT, INC, 

### sUASs 11xed wing and rotorcraft. weighing 55 or fewer or lbs. including payload. They operate, under normal conditions at a speed of no more than 70 knots and in the case of our mu1rirotors have a capability to hover, and move in the vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. They will operate in a line of sight and will operate only within the sterile area tnade up of farm land, power utility grid and towers.

Given tl1e small size of the sUASs involved and restricted sterile environment witl1in which they wilJ operate, the applicant falls squarely 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 t11e UASs and the restricted areas in which the relevant sUASs will operate, approval of the application presents no national security issue. Given tl1e clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding tl1e proposed operations, and the significant public benetit. including enhanced safety, reduction in environmental impacts, including reduced emissions and chen1ical spills, exemptions associated with a11owing UASs for agricultural operations, the grant of the requested exemptions is in the public interest. According] y, the applicant respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without delay.

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVELANT LEVEL OF SAFETY

The applicant proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to aircraft that have the characteristics and that operate witl1in the limitations listed herein. These limitations proyiLi.s;;:_fm:__at Jpast <l.!LQquiva.k'nt_ or even higher level of safety to 

### operations under thq
current regulatory stmcture because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement
to the alreadv safe agricultural services and crops dusted currently being used with conventional aircraft.

31. The sUASs will weigh less than 55 lbs. 

### 2. Flights 

### will be operated within line of sight of a pilot and/or observing. 

### 3. Maximum tota.l flight time for each operational flight will be 120 minutes for multirotor application and 90 minutes for tlxed wing operation. Flights will be terminated at**257~1** battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 30 minute limit for fixed wing operations. 

### 4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 

### 1,000 feet 

### l\.GL. 5. Minimum crew for each operation >vill consist of the sUAS Pilot, and Visual Observer. 6. slJAS Pilot will be 

### an certified by the aircraft manufacture for operations and have at least 

### a sports pilots license, No Medical required. Most pilots wiU have military UAS training the observer will hold at least manufactures ground school certificate. No medical required. 

### 7. sUAS Pilot will be pilot 

### in command (PIC). 

### If 

### a pilot certificate holder other than the sUAS Pilot vvho possess the necessary PJC qualifications. is also present on set (i.e. the aerial coordinator), that person can also be designated as PIC 

### 8 The U AS will only operate within 

### a confined "sterile area" and have a ·'Security Perimeter'' for the flight operations area. 9. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned sUAS operations prior to each day's production activities. 1t will be mandatory that all personal who wiLl be performing duties within boundaries of the safety perimeter be present for this briefing. 

### 10. The operator will file a FAA Form 7711-l, or its equivalent, as modified in light of the requested exemption, with the appropriate Flight Standards District Office. ll. The operator will obtain the consent of all persons involved in the flying area and ensure that only consenting persons be allowed within 100 feet of the flight operation, and this radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety and determination. With the advanced permissi.on of the FSDO, operations at closer range can be approved. 

### 1 2. The operator 

### will notify a Plan of Activities to the FSDO 

### 30 minutes before the proposed flights. 13. Pilot and observer will have been trained in the operation of UAS generally and received up-to-date**inl~mnation** on the particular UAS. Observer and Pilot 

### \:vill at all times be able
to communicate by voice or text. J4. Notification of SAR operations will be conducted and/or oral permission 

### ti·om the relevant property holders will be obtained prior to flying operations over said location. 15. All required permissions will be obtained from territorial, state, county, or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate government agencies. 16. If the sUAS losses communications or 

### it losses its GPS signal, the UAS will have capability to return to a pre-determined location within the Security Perimeter and land. 17. The sUAS will bavc capability to abort Hight in case of unpredictable obstacles or emergencies.



### 4

### 14 C.F.R Part 21, Subpm1 H: Air worthiness certificates 14 C.F.R. Section 91.203 (a) (1)

Subpart H. entitled Ainvorthiness Certificates. establishes the procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR Section 91.203 (a)(]). Given the size and limited operating area associated with aircraft to be utilized by the Applicant, an exemption from Part 

### 21 Subpart 

### H meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 

### 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for an airworthiness certificate, upon consideration of the size. \veight, speed, operational capability, proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular lJAS. In a]] cases, an analysis of these crite1ia demonstrates that the UAS operated without an airworthiness certificate. in a restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at lease as safe, or safer, than conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without the retractions and conditions proposed.

The sU AS to be operated here under is less than 55 lbs. fully loaded, carries neither a pilot

nor passenger, cmTies no explosive materials or flammable materials liquid fuels, and operates exclusively within a secured area as set out in manual. Unlike other civil aircraft operations under this exemption will be 

### tightly controHed and monitored by both the operator and, pursuant to the requirements, and in compliance to local public safety requirements, to provide security of the area of operation as is now done with conventional flag man. 'l'he FAA will have advance notice of all operations. 'l'hese safety enhancements, \vhich already apply to civil aircraft operated in connection
to agricultural aerial applicators
, provide a greater degree of safety to pubLic and property owners than conventional operations conducted with airworthiness certificates issued under 14 C.F.R. Part 

### 21. Subpart H. Lastly. application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is no credible threat
to national security posed 

### by the UAS, due to its size, speed of operation, location of operation, lack of explosive materials or f1ammable liquid fuels, and inability to cmTy a substantial external load.



### 14 C.:F.R. 

### Section45.23 (b). 

### Marking of the aircraft

'rhe regulation requires:

When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N'' and the registration of the number is displayed on limited. restricted or in a light-sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally certified aircraft, the operator must also display on the 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 spot.'' "experimental,'' or ·'provisional,'' as applicable.

Even though the UAS will have no airworthiness certificate, and exemption may he needed as the U AS will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the \VOrd "experimental'·

can be placed. Given the size of the sUA V, the two inch lettering will be impossible. The word ''experimental" wi11 be placed on the fuselage in compliance with §45.29 (f).

The equivalent level of safety will he provided by having the sUA V marked on it fuselage as required by *45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the sUAV will see the identification of the sUAV as "ExperimentaL'' The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation to exemptions to this regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738. 10167 A.



### 514 

### C.F.R. § 

### 6l.H3 (al & 

### (b): Private pilots Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command.

Sections 61.113 (a) 

### & (b) limit pilots to non-commercial operations. Because the UAS will
not carry 

### a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level 

### of safety of
current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have a sport pilot's Certificate rather than have than 

### a commercial pilots Certificate to operate this small tJAS. Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries a pilot and passengers, the sUAS is remotely controlled with no living thing onboarcl. The area of operation is controlled and restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated 

### in advance as set forth by 

### in the S.O.P. The level of safety provided by the requirements included in the S.O.P exceeds that provided by 

### a single individual holding a commercial pilot's certificate operating a conventional aircraft. The risks associated with the operation of the sUAS are
so diminished from the level of risk associated with the operation of a commercial operations contemplated with Part 61 when drafted. that allowing operations 

### of the sUAS as requested with a recreational pilot as the PIC exceeds the present level of safety achieved by 14 C.FR. §61,1 13 (a) & (h).

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

The regulation requires that no person may operate a 

### civil aircraft unless 

### it is in airworthiness condition. As there will be no ainvorthiness certificate issued for the aircraft should this should this exemption be granted, no 

### I''AA regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness. Given the size of the aircraft and the requirements contained in the SOP for maintenance and use of safety check lists prior to each flight, and equivalent level of safety will be provided.



### 14 

### C.l<'.R. § 

### 91.9 

### (b) (2): Civil 

### Aircraft !<'light Manual in the Aircraft

Section 

### 9 J 

### .9 (b) (2) provides:

No person may operate a lJ.S.-registered civil aircraft

...
(.?.) For which 

### an Airplane 

### or Rotorcraft 

### Flight Manual is not required by 

### §2L5 

### of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placard, or any combination thereof.

The sUA.S, given its size and configuration has no ability or place to cany such a Hight manual 

### on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot onboard, hut because there is no room or capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft.

The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the flight manual at the ground control point where the 

### pilot f1ying the sUAS 

### will have access 

### to it Tbe FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 

### 8607, 8737. 8738, 9299. 9299/\, 9565. 95658, 10167, 10602, 32827, and Hl700.



### 6

### 14 C.F.R. § 

### 9LW3: Preflight action

This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to insure the safety of the flight. As the FAA approved rotor craft flight manuals will not be provided as set forth in sections the SOP. The PIC will take all actions including reviewing weather, night battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances and aircraft performance data before initiation of flight.



### 14 C.F.R. §9LW9: Flight instruction

Section 91.1 03 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls.

sUASs and remotely controlled aircraft, by there design do not have fully functioning dual controls. Flight control is accomplished though the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft via radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for night training without fully functioning dual controls for a numher of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. See exemption Nos.5778K & 

### 9862A The equivalent level of safety provided by that neither

a pilot nor passengers will be carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft



### 14 C.F.R. §91.119: Minimum 

### safe altitudes

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operations of civil aircraft Section 9l.ll9 (d) allows helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed provided the person operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the FA/\. As exemption is for the sUAS that is a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes of up to 400 AGL rotorcraft and 1000 AGL for fixed-wing, or not more than 200 above an elevated platform such as radio towers. an exemption may be needed to allow such operations. As set**t~lrth** 

### by herein. except for the limited conditions stated in the SOP, the UAS will never operate higher than 400 AGL roton:raft and l 000 AGL for fixed-wing. 

### 1t \Viii 

### however be operated in a restricted

area >vith a security perimeter, where buildings and people will not be exposed to 

### operations without their pre-obtained consent.

·rhe equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size. weight. speed of the UAS as well as the location where it is operated. No Hight will he taken without the permission of the property mvner or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner and participants in the activity. all affected individuals will be aware of the planned night operations as set forth in the SOP. Compared to Hight operations with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing more far more than the maximum 551bs. proposed herein and the lack of Hammahk fuel, any risk of associated with these operations is far less than those presently presented with conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 AGL. In addition, the low-altitude operations of the sUAS will ensure separation between these small UAS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119.



### 14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimeter Settings

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by reference to an altimeter that i.s set '·

... to 

### the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before clepruture." As the sUAS may not have a barometric altimeter. hut instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety wiLl be achieved by the operator. pursuant to the Manual and Safety Check list, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before flight.



### 7

### 14 C.F.R. §91.15l(a): Fuel Requirements for :Flight in 

### V:FR Conditions

Section 91.151 (a) prohibits and individual from beginning "a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the Hrst 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.''

The battery powering the sUAS provides approximately 40 minutes of powered flight. 

### 'fo
meet the 

### 30 minute reserve requirement in 

### 14 CFR §91.15 

### l, slJAS nights would be limited to approximately 10 minutes in length. Given the limitations on the UAS's proposed flight area and the location of its proposed operations within a predetermined area, a longer time frame for night in daylight or night VFR conditions is reasonable.

Applicant believes that**~m** exemption from 14 CFR (a) falls within the scope of prior exemptions. See Exemption 10673 (allowing Lockheed Martin Corporation to operate without compliance with FAR 

### 91.15l(a)'). Operating the small UAS. in a tightly controlled area where only people and property owners or oiTicial representatives who have signed waivers will be aHowed. ;vith less than 

### 30 minutes of reserve fuel, does not engender the type of risk that Section 91.15l(a) was intended to aJJeviate given the size speed of the small UAS. Additionally, limiting sUAS flights to IO minutes would greatly reduce the utility for which the exemption \vill be granted.

Applicant believes that an equiva.lent level of safety can be achieved by limiting nights to 30 minutes or 25% of battery power whichever happens first. This restriction would be more than adequate to return the sUAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its limited operating area.

Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations. including Exemptions 2689F, 

### 5745. 10673. and 

### 10808.



### 14 C.F.R §91.203 (a) and (b): Carrying Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

'I'he regulation provides 

### in pertinent part:

(a) Except as provided in §91.71 5, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following:

(1 J An appropriate and current airworthiness celiiflcate

... (b) No person may operate a civil 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 cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew.

'J'he UAS fuLly loaded weighs no more than 55lbs and is operated without an onboard pilot. As such, there is no ability or place to carry certification and registration documents 

### or display them on the slJAS.

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control point where the pilot flying the sUAS wiH have immediate access to them, to the extent they are applicable to the sUAS. The FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this



### 8regulation. A representative sample of other exemptions includes Exemption Nos. 9565, 9665, 

### 9789, 9789A. 

### 9797, 9816A, 10700.



### 14 C.F.R. §91.405 (a); 407 

### (a) 

### (2); 417 (a) 

### & {b}

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner "shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart 

### E of this part and shall between required inspections. except 

### as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed 

### in part 43 of this chapter.

.. ;· and others 

### shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with part 43.

Given t11at these section and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an ainvorthiness certificate. these sections wiJJ not apply to the application. Maintenance wiLl be accomplished by the operator pursuant to the flight manual and operating handbook as referenced 

### in the Manual. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because these small UASs are very limited in size and will catTy 

### a smaLl payload and operate only in restricted

areas for limited periods of time. If mechanical issues arise the UAS can land immediately and wiH be operating from no higher than 400 feet AGL rotorcraft and J000 AGL 

### for fixedwing. As provided in the SOP, the operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform required maintenance. and keep 

### a log 

### of any maintenance preformed. Moreover, the operator 

### is the person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety.

Pursuant to 14 C.I•·.R Part 

### l L the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal Register. should it be determined that publication is needed:

Applicant seeks an exemption from the following mles: 14 C.F.R. 

### §21, subpart 

### H: 14 C.F.R 45.23 (b); 14 C.F.R. §§ 6l.ll3 (a) 

### & 

### (b); 9L7 (a): 

### 91.9 (b) (2):9J.J03 (b): 

### 9I.I09; 91.119:9U21:9J.l51 (a); 91.203 (a) and (b): 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) 

### & (h) to operate commercially a smaLl unmanned vehicle (551bs or less) in the Agricultural 3d Mapping Service Operations.

Approval of exemptions allowing SAR operations of sUASs in the search 

### of people and for training will enhance safety by reducing risk. Conventional operations using jet or piston aircraft, operate 

### at extremely low altitudes just feet 

### from the equipment and livestock and structures; and present the risks associated with vehicles that weigh in the neighborhood of 3.000-5.000 lbs., canying large amounts of jet A or other fuel in most cases helicopters operating with 140 gallon fuel tanks. The sUAS will carry no passengers or crew and. therefore, will not expose them to the risks associated with manned aircraft flights.

The operations of small UASs, weighing less then 55 lbs., conducted in the strict conditions outlined above, 

### will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the Part 21 and aHowing commercial operations. These lightweight UAVs operate at slow speeds, close to the ground and in sterile environment and. as a result. are far safer than conventional operations conducted with 

### a piston and or turbine aircraft operating close to the ground.

Public Acknovvledgement/Privacy

Aircraft that are going to be covered are seen in Appendix A



### 9

### Appendix A.

VK- .FF-X4 Mulitirotor

Arm Length: 320 rnm
GenVcr Frame Uianwter: 24U mm

300 mrn {Length) ' 430 mm (Wtdth)

> :l40 mm (··!ei9t1n {Center Piate: 25C rnrn}



### 10

### VK>FF -XS Mu!itrotor**~--·------ ------~!**  

### FREE FliGHT X8

Dla;:y:ma}**~;Vt1eelt>ase** : 800 mm

Ann Len9lh ! :320 rnm
Genter frame**Oiarn~ttor:** 2-JD mm

Landing Gem Size :

420 rnn (Lengtl1} x**4~jl)** mrn**(\·~·lidH;)**

·< -100 rnm 1}-le!\jtlt) {:C'f:.)nt.:::r**P~ate:** 25-fJ mm}



### ll

### VK-Patriot X4/X8-Photo of airframe for both X4 & 

### X8 configurations

VK- 

### Ranger EX- 

### SAR :Fixed Wing

12

### VikingONE SAR Fixed Wing

13

### VK- Skylark Radio Control.Flight System



# I I

14

### SAR Autonomous Ground Station and AC Tracking System

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012-size. weight, speed, operating capabilities, proximity to populated areas and or dose proximity to 

### aiqxnts and operations within visual line of sight provides more then adequate justification for the grant of the requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of 

### applicant's UAS in the 

### agricultural scanning services industry.

CC: Board 

### Members NC 

### CERT. INC 

### Sincerely.

# ~~~ .lack Thorpe NC CERT, INC



### 15