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Michael Lee Jones

High Prairie Environmental LLC

2978 Silverwood Dr.

Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

(720) 341-1501

michael.jones@highprairieenv.com

Petition for Exemption/Rulemaking

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the Reform Act) 

and 14 CFR Part 11, High Prairie Environmental LLC (the Petitioner), hereby applies for an 

exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) to allow civil operations of a 

small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) under the conditions and limitations set forth in this 

Petition. This petition is, in most regards, similar to granted exemptions No. 11062, 11109, 

11112, and 11213 both in operational approach (closer than 500 feet) and equipment being 

utilized (e.g., DJI Phantom 3).

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) from which the exemption is requested:

14 CFR 45.23(b); 14 CFR 45.29; 14 CFR Part 21 subpart H; 14 CFR, 61.113(a)&(b); 61.133; 

91.7(a); 91.9(b) (2); 91.103(b); 91.109(a); 91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.203(a)(1); 91.405(a); 

91.407(a) (1); 91.409(a)(1)&(2); 91.417(a)&(b).

No Adverse Impacts to Safety by the Petitioner’s Operation of sUAS

The Petitioner’s sUAS Pilot in Command (PIC) will be proficient at manually flying radiocontrolled aircraft in a safe manner regarding people, animals, and property. The PIC will 

possess either a third-class medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license. The requested 

exemption should be granted because operation of the proposed sUAS will provide an equivalent 

level of safety as Congress intended. The Petitioner’s lightweight sUAS are far safer than 

conventional flight operations containing flight crew, passengers, and fuel. The Petitioner’s 

UAS are small and will operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, far from airports and other 

restricted areas, in low-risk, low-population environments, and will provide an increased level of

safety beyond that existing when manned fixed- or rotary- wing aircraft are used for the same or 

similar purposes.

The Petitioner’s sUAS will operate within the line of sight of the PIC at all times. The 

Petitioner’s sUAS will be operated using a radio frequency spectrum that complies with the 

Federal Communications Commission requirements. The Petitioner’s sUAS will carry no 

passengers, no fuel or hazardous payloads, have enhanced safety measures (e.g., “return home”

fail-safe feature), and operate under the specific guidelines and specifications outlined herein.
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Benefits to the Public Interest by the Operation of sUAS by the Petitioner

The public interest will be served by the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the 

proposed operations, as well as enhanced safety and cost savings associated with transitioning to 

sUAS for commercial use instead of other methods. By approving these exemptions, the FAA 

will create benefits for wildlife surveys and management; pipeline operations; and environmental 

conservation, protection, and monitoring that are ultimately in the public's interest.

Operations for the sUAS Proposed by the Petitioner

The requested exemption would permit the operation of sUAS for the commercial purposes of 

aerial surveying, aerial mapping, environmental wetland mapping and mitigation monitoring, 

remote sensing, spectral (e.g., thermal, infra-red, ultraviolet) imaging, airborne particulate 

collection, pipeline corridor revegetation monitoring, wildlife monitoring and surveying, and

within private properties and public properties owned by federal (e.g., BLM lands), state or local 

governments, once prior written permission is obtained, within the Continental United States. As 

a full-service environmental consulting firm, High Prairie Environmental LLC proposes to

commercially operate sUAS by employees as a value-added benefit for environmental-related 

projects and associated clients.

Proposed Makes and Models of sUAS to be Operated by the Petitioner

The sUAS proposed by the petitioner that might be operated, all less than 55 pounds (including 

payload), are the DJI Inspire, DJI Inspire 1, DJI Inspire 2, DJI Phantom 2, DJI Phantom 2+, 

Phantom 2 Vision, DJI Phantom 2 Vision+, DJI Phantom 3, 3D Robotics Solo, and similar 

models that may become available within the duration of the two-year exemption.

Closing Statement

This petition for exemption under Section 333 is believed to contain sufficient information (i.e., 

see the FAA’s “Section 333 Petition Guidance & Checklist” document) to be granted said 

exemption. Accordingly, the Petitioner respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested 

exemption without delay.

Sincerely, 

Michael Lee Jones

Owner/Principal Scientist

High Prairie Environmental LLC