November 12, 2015

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

Re: Petition of Central Coast Aerial Mapping, Inc. for an Exemption Pursuant to Section 333

of the FAA Modernization and Refor m Act of 2012

Director: 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, Central Coast Aerial Mapping, Inc. (“ Central Coast ”) hereby applies for an exemption from t he Federal Aviation Regulations ("FARs") identified below to allow commercial operation of small unmanned aerial vehicles ( i.e., "small unmanned aircraft" or "UAS") for the purpose of conducting aerial photography

, videography , topographic mapping, photogr ammetry and remote sensing for municipalities and other government related entities.

This petition for exemption is made based on information outlined in this Petition for Exemption, as well as the accompanying Central Coast documents;

1. PIC Flight Ope rations Manual and;

2. Operations Manuals ( C ollectively 2 and 3 are referred to as “ Documents & Manuals")

3. User Guide and;

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

Central Coast submits these suppor ting materials as confidential documents pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 11.35(b), as the materials contain confidential commercial and/or proprietary

information that Central Coast has not and will not share with other requesting parties. Additionally, these docu ments 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. 

### NOTE: ALL ATTACHMENTS SET FORTH IN SUPPORT OF

THIS LETTER OF PETI TION ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL NOT BE

RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM

THE PETITIONER.

1 . The term "Manufacturer's Manual" also includes all relevant manufacturer pub lications, 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

November 12, 2015 Page 2

For your convenience, this Petition is organized as follows:

I. Description of Petitioner

II. Description of Proposed Operations

A. Aerial Photogra phy, Videography, Topog raphic Mapping, Photogrammetry

a nd Remote Sensing

III. Relevant Statutory Authority

IV. Central Coast ’s Proposed UAS Operations 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. Regulations From Which Exemption is Requested

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

– Airworthiness Certificates and 14 C.F.R. §

91.2 03(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 Marking 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):

Maint enance 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. § 91.2 03(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 Register Summary

X. ConclusionU.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 3

I. DESCRIPTION OF PETITIONER

Central Coast is based in San Luis Obispo, CA working in aerial photography, videography, topographic mapping, photogrammetry and remote sensing . The Company specializes in, and will continue to focus on the photography

, videography

, mapping and photogrammetry

. Central Coast will hire professional pilots with the appropriate experience and required licensing to operate the designated drone platforms.

Upon the grant of the 333 Exemption the Company’s business will specialize in aerial photography, videography, topographic mapping, photogrammetry and remote se nsing

.

Central Coast ’s staff are well trained and experienced in providing support as visual observers (“VO”) for the pilot in command (“PIC”) in addition to any other needed on site assistance.

All of the equipment owned by Central Coast is of the high est quality gear and has been able to provide these services safely and without any claims or incident. Central Coast’s goal is to advise the perspective client that Central Coast is following all the applicable state and federal

rules to ensure the safet y of the public while providing the client with a competitive and cost effective product.

Central Coast seeks an exemption to allow for photography, videography and other related media products.

The contact information for Petitioner is as follows:

Robe rt L. Lafica Central Coast Aerial Mapping, Inc.

710 Fiero Ln. #24 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Phone: 805. 543.4307

Email: mail@aerial

- maps.com

II. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED OPERATION

Central Coast seeks an exemption pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act to operate the DJI

S

- 1000; and, Zenmuse (referred to CC

- UAS ) (under 55lbs) for the proposed operations discussed herein below. All UAS operations will occur under tightly controlled conditions on private

property or approved location where Central Coast has received verifiable permission to operate from 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 Central Coast ’s Op erations Manuals. As detailed in Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals, all UAS operations will be limited to daytime VFR conditions, within visual line

- of

- sight ("VLOS") of the operator, in uncontrolled airsp ace, and will occur at least 5 n m away from an ai rport reference point. Moreover, Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals incorporate redundant safeguards to assure the aircraft does not travel outside the controlled area of UAS operations, including GPS "geo

- fencing" technologies.U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 4

A. Aerial Photography, Videog raphy, Topographic Mapping, Photogrammetry

and Remote Sensing

Central Coast seeks to use small CC

- UAS for the purpose of conducting aerial photography, videography, topographic mapping, photogrammetry and remote sensing for municipalities and other govern ment related entities

. Central Coast has purposefully tailored its operations to meet the requirements established by the FAA in prior grants of exemption authorizing commercial use of UAS in the real estate industry, including:

 Trudeau, Realtor® (Exempt ion No. 11138)

 Alon Sicherman (Exemption No. 11728)

 Sokoler Medly (Exemption No. 11341)

 University of Southern California (Exemption No. 13505)

All UAS aerial photography, videography, topographic mapping, photogrammetry and remote sensing operations will occur on private property or approved location in a controlled area away from spectators and persons not involved in the recording process. In addition, the filming 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, Central Coast ’s operations provide an equivalent level of safety which is superior to performing the same work using conventional fixed

- wing aircraft or helicopters.

Small UAS video production is also safer than traditional manned aircraft performing the same function. Videographer

- inspectors also frequently need to climb roof tops, ladders, trees, or otherwise pe rform elevated work, which exposes them to the risk of dangerous falls, electrocution 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 w ith industrial sites and construction facilities often involves a risk of exposure to hazardous

conditions. The use of CC

- UAS mitigates these hazards and is ultimately a much safer and cost efficient method of performing these and most other types of inspe ctions.

Moreover, conventional 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 perspective user or purchaser of the service, but the qua lity 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 video production 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 be inaccessible or highly dangerous using conventional aircraft or other inspection methods.U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 5

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 acceler ate 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 unmanned aircraft systems to operate in the National Airspace Systems ("NAS") where it is safe to do so based 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 th e operator.

Additionally, the FAA Administrator has general 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) (de fining the authority of the Administrator); 49 U.S.C. § 44701(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 whol e, and (2) would not adversely affect safety (or how it would provide a level of safety at least equal to the existing rules). See 14 C.F.R. § 11.81 (petitions for exemption).

IV. CENTRAL COAST’S PROPOSED CC

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

The small CC

- UAS operations proposed by Central Coast 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, Weight, Speed, and Operational Capability

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

 The CC

- UAS util ized by Central Coast has been approved for use in prior Section 333 Grants of Exemption from the FAA. 2

 The CC

- UAS weighs less than 55 pounds, including payload

 The CC

- UAS will not be flown at a ground speed in excess of 50 knots. The exemption holder ma y use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine compliance with the 50 knot speed restriction.

2 See e.g., Grant of Exemption to Trudeau, Realtor® (Ex emption 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

November 12, 2015 Page 6

 Altitude information will be generated by equipment onboard the UAS as

specified using GPS triangulation, digitally encoded barometric altimeter, ra dio altimeter, or any combination thereof. This information will be transmitted to the pilot

via telemetric data feed.

 The CC

- UAS will have system redundancies and independent functionality to ensure 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 UASs to return to a predetermined location and safely land without injury or damage.

 The radio frequencies used for operations and control of the CC

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

- UAS is 2.4 GHz frequency bands.

If the same operations were conducted using a helicopter, the airc raft's take

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

UAS and a helicopter significantly reduces the potential harm to the participating and non

participating individuals and/or surrounding p roperty 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

Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals

Centra l Coast ’s Operations Manuals and the Manufacturer's Manual for the selected CC

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

assessment of Central Coast ’s proposed operations, below is a summary of operational

limitations and conditions that Central Coast will adhere to, and which will ensure an equivalent or higher level of safety to operations conducted under cur rent regulatory guidelines:

1. The CC

- UAS weighs less than 55 pounds, with payload.

2. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled

- access property with verifiable permission from the land owner/controller or authorized representative.

Permissi on 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 CC

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

November 12, 2015 Page 7

5. PICs shall possess either a 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 government. 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 CC

- UAS shall 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 will 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 Centra l Coast ’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 Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals, the conditions and limitations in the Grant of Exemption shall take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, Central Coast shall follow the procedures outlined in their Operations Manuals.

10. Central Coast may update or revise its Operations Manuals. Revi sions will be tracked and a revised copy of the Manual will be provided to the Administrator upon request.

Central Coast will also present an updated and revised Operations Manuals if it petitions for extension or amendment to its Grant of Exemption. If a n update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA grants the exemption, Central

Coast will seek an amendment to its Grant of Exemption. Central Coast will contact the FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS

- 80) if questions arise regarding updates o r revisions to the operating documents.

11. Central Coast Operations Manuals and its Grant of Exemption will be available to the PIC at the ground control station anytime the CC

- UAS is operating.

12. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a CC

- UAS flight unless (c onsidering wind and forecast weather conditions) 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 usin g the CC

- UAS will be

limited to 40 minutes or 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 ne ver enter navigable controlled airspace without timely prior written authorization and approval from the FAA. In the event the structure being inspected exceeds 400 feetU.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 8

AGL, the UAS will not be operated more than 100 feet above the highest point on the

st ructure, and no more than 50 feet horizontally 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 st ructures 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

situati on arises where nonparticipating persons leave 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, ve hicles or structures has granted permission 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, and;

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

16. The CC

- 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 CC

- 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 req uired by the Central Coast Aerial Mapping, Inc. CO A. 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 CC

- UAS to confirm that it is in a

condition safe for flight. The pre

- flight inspection will account for all discrepancies, 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 CC

- UAS if the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the CC

- UAS until the necessary maintenance has been performed and

the CC

- 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 Central Coast ’s Operations

Manuals.

19. Central Coast will timely carry out its maintenance, inspections, and record keeping requiremen ts in accordance with the Operations Manuals. Maintenance, inspection, and alterations will be fully noted in the CC

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

- UAS to service.U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 9

20. Any CC

- UAS that has undergone maintenance 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 Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals. The PIC who conducts the functional test flight must make an entry in the UAS aircraft records of the flight. The requirements and procedures for a functional test flight and CC

- UAS record entry shall be included in the Central

Coast ’s Operations Manuals.

21. The CC

- 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 creat ed in accordance with the requirements on Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals.

23. Central Coast 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 operations 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, county or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire or other appropriate governmental agencies.

25. If the CC

- UAS loses communication with the PIC, it will have the ca pability 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 CC

- UAS will have t he capability to safely abort flight in the case of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

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

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

.

29. 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 200 flight cycles and 25 hours total time as a UAS rotorcraft pilot and at least 10 hours logged as a UAS pilot wit h a similar CC

- 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 minimu m of hours pursuant to 54 CFR § 61.51(b) as UAS pilot operating the make and model of CC

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

- offs and three landing in the preceding 90 days.U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 10

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

32. The CC

- 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, ultralight v ehicles, parachute activities, parasailing activities, hang gliders, etc.).

33. CC

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

34. T he UAS will not be operated from an elevated platform unless designed and engineered sp ecifically for such purposes and be in compliance with the general restrictions imposed by the applicable regulations . Additionally no PIC will provide any film

- flight operations while in motion from atop any elevated platform vehicle or

device.

35. Before co nducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and

control of the CC

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

V

. REGULATIONS FROM WHICH EXEMPTION IS REQUESTED

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority 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 requested exemption is in the public interest. 3

Central Coast 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 CC

- 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 to the rules from which exemption is sought. 4

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

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

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

3 49 U.S.C. § 44701(f) (authorizing the grant of exemptions from requirements of regulations prescribed pursuant t o 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 exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the exemption would provide a level of saf ety at least equal to that provided by the rule from which you seek exemption.U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 11

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

exce eded, and therefore no exemption is needed. 5 If, however, the FAA determines 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

Central Coast ’s use of the CC

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

the CC

- UAS weighs less than 55 pounds, including payload and will not be flo wn at a ground speed in excess of 50 knots. The CC

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

- UAS safely after experiencing certain in

- flight contingencies or

failures as noted below. 6 7 Additionally, the CC

- U AS carries neither pilots nor passengers, carries 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

Central Coast ’s Operations Ma nuals.

Operations conducted under this exemption will be closely controlled 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. Central Coast 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 CC

UAS under the proposed conditions will be at least as safe as, or safer than, conventional rotorcraft operating with an a irworthiness certificate. Lastly, the CC

- UAS s do not need a means

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 p g. 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 able 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 s imilar operation."

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

- 2014

- 0382 at pgs. 4

- 5): "The CC

- UAS can be operated entirely by a touch

- screen, map

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

- 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 for a flight. In addition, the operator can cr eate no fly zones or maximum flight ranges and altitudes so the system cannot enter areas deemed unsafe or unnecessary to fly over. The petitioner states further that the UAS has built

- in intelligent fault handling which allows the CC

- UAS to detect a syste m fault while in the air and automatically fly back to its takeoff location and land. Faults that can be detected include: loss of communication; exceeding pre

- set wind thresholds; and low battery levels. ”

All flight operations are global positioning syst em (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 employs 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 termination link

– to prevent a 'fly away' or other potentially dangerous situation

– is

ava ilable to the operator."U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 12

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

- UAS

. 8 In addition, no sense

- and

- avoid

tech nology is necessary for the CC

- UAS s because they will be operated at all times 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 proced ural requirements for airworthiness certification of normal category rotorcraft. To the extent that Central Coast ’s small CC

- UAS would otherwise require certification under Part 27, Petitioner seeks an exemption from Part 27's airworthiness

standards for t he 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

Central Coast 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 lig ht

- sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally certificated aircraft, 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,

th e words "limited," "restricted," "light

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

● 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.

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

- 2014

- 0352 at pg. 13).

9 . IdU.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 13

In a previous Grant of Exemption, the FAA determi ned 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 CC

- U AS flown by Central Coast 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

Central Coast s eeks 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 43. See, e.g., 1 4 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 43 of this chapt er"). 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 added)

Equivale nt 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 Bulletins. Further, as required by Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC will conduct a pre

- flight inspection of the CC

- UAS and all associated equipment to account for all discrepancies and/or inoperable components. Maintenance will be performed and verified to address any conditions potentially affecting safe operation of the CC

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

- UAS have been found to be airworthy and in a condition safe for operation. A functional test flight will

b e conducted following the replacement of any flight

- critical components. As required by

Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC who conducts the functional test flight will make an entry in the CC

- UAS aircraft records of the flight.

Central Coast ’s Op erations Manual also includes requirements to follow the manufacturer’s UAS aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the following applicable components: powertrain 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, Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals also inclu de procedures to document and

maintain a record of the CC

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

- UAS used under this Grant of Exemption. As a whole, the maintenance and inspection procedures required in

10 FAA Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0352.

11 See, e.g., FAA Docket No. FAA

- 2014

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

November 12, 2015 Page 14

Central Coast ’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

Centr al Coast 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 an d 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 CC

- UAS will be operated as part of a commercial oper ation, they carry 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 additional cost and restrictions

attendant with requiring the PIC to have a Commercial Pilot Certificate and Class II Medical

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

Equivalent Level of Safety

The restrictions Central Coast has placed on its CC

- UAS operations meet or exceed the restrictions similarly imposed on Astraeus Aerial. Central Coast will operate on private property away fr om persons and property not involved in the operation. Central Coast 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 as required by the applicable COA.

In addition to these flight restrictions, Central Coast will further ensure safe operation by

req uiring that any PIC be thoroughly versed not only in airspace and communication issues pertaining to all aircraft operators but also in the unique aspects of CC

- UAS flight. As set forth in the Operations Manuals, pilots will have experience not only in CC

- UAS operations generally but have logged flight time in the specific make and model used for the operations before they are permitted to participate in commercial flights on behalf of Central Coast . The pilot qualification, training, and currency requirem ents in the Operations Manuals ensure that Central

Coast pilots are competent and proficient in the CC

- UAS they are operating. Central Coast ’s training and qualification requirements are consistent with those contained in prior FAA Section

333 Grants of Ex emption, 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.

12 Exemption No. 11062 (FAA Docket No. FAA

- 2014

- 0352).U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 15

OPERATING PARAMETERS OF THE UAS

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

Inasmuch as there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the UASs, Central Coast seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a), which requires 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 that 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 Ai rcraft 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 m anuals 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 which 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

thereof.

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 civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight autho rization issued under § 91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew.

Given the small size and configuration of the CC

- UAS , it would be impossible to keep

airworthiness documents and other aircraft manua ls on board the CC

- UAS because there is simply no room and the CC

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

Central Coast will maintain the documents with the PIC and make them available for inspection.

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 the 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 th e UAS flight

13 See Id. at 13

- 14, 22.U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 16

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 pi lot 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

Central Coast seeks an exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.103, which requires a PIC to become familiar with specific information 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 Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals and the Manufacturer's Manual. The PIC will perform a series of checklists designed to identify any defects or inoperable components in accordance with the Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals, including c hecklists covering Pre

- Flight, Launch, Landing, and Post

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

— before initia tion of flight. Central Coast ’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

Central Coas t 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 balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual contro ls." 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

Given the size and speed of the UASs that Central Coast intends to use, an equivalent level of safe training can still be performed without dual con trols because no pilot or passengers are aboard the UAS, and as required by the Central Coast ’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 requ ired by the Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals, all flight training will be conducted in controlled and sterile environment. As a whole, the safety procedures provided for in Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals ensure that the proposed UAS operations

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. FAA

- 2014

- 0352 at 16

- 18.U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 17

provi de 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

Central Coast 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, vessel, 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 CC

- UAS operation will normally need to occur

below 400 feet AGL. In circumstances where the CC

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

- UAS will not be operated more than 100 feet above the highest point on the structure, and within 50 feet horizontally of the structure. Additionally, due the nature of the proposed operations, the Pilot and/or Observers(s) may need to be less than 500 feet away from the CC

- 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 aircraft. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, and speed of the

CC

- UAS s, as well as the controlled location where the operations will occur. In ord er to avoid any risk to manned aircraft, flight operations will be restricted to 400 feet AGL or below, or when inspecting a U.S. structure whose height exceeds 400 feet AGL, within 100 feet above the highest point on that structure and 50 feet horizontall y of the structure.

As set forth in the Operations Manuals, the CC

- UAS will be operated in a restricted area, and all flights will be operated at a lateral distance of at least 500 feet from any nonparticipating persons, unless that person is in a positio n where he or she is shielded from the CC

- UAS and any possible debris resulting from its failure. As required by the Operations Manuals, flights will be terminated if a nonparticipating person within 500 feet of the CC

- UAS leaves a shielded position. Furt her, 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 n ear the PIC or Observer will not present an undue hazard per § 91.119(a). Adherence to these restrictions in

15 Relief from § 9 1.119(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 operations will not occur over congested areas, an d 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

November 12, 2015 Page 18

Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals will ensure operations can be conducted without compromising public safety. 16

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

Central Coast 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 reference 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 pri or to each flight, a zero altitude initiation point is established for the PIC to confirm accuracy of the onboard GPS. 18

The CC

- UAS that Central Coast intends to use for the proposed operations will meet all these operational characteristics. Moreover, as required by Central Coast ’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 CC

- UAS Central Coast intends to use, and the safety mitigat ion 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 requirements of § 191.121 is therefore appropriate.

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

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

VFR conditions. Section 91.151 states:

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

- 2014

- 0481 at 19): "If barriers 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 ensur e 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. When considering how to immediately cease operations, the primary concern is the safety of those nonparticipating persons. In addition, the FAA finds that operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet to vessels, vehicles and structures when the owner/controller of any such vessels, vehicles or structures grants permission for the operation and the PIC makes a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determines that it does not present an undue

hazard."

17 If the height of the structure being inspected exceeds 400 f eet AGL, the UAS will not be operated 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

November 12, 2015 Page 19

(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 leas t 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 the refore required. Moreover, it is not

Central Coast ’s intention to fly the CC

- 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 requirement s for flight in VFR conditions could be achieved by prohibiting the PIC from beginning a CC

- 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 cruis ing speed, to fly after that for at least 10 minutes. In reaching this conclusion, the FAA considered that the UAS batteries for the CC

- UAS provide approximately 50 minutes of powered flight (with payload) and provided battery level and battery time

remain ing in minutes and seconds to the PIC. 19 The FAA also considered the fact the CC

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

that in the event that the CC

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

- CC

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

Coast ’s use of the CC

- UAS , combined with the requirements of Petitioner's Operations Manuals, ensure that an equivalent level of safety can be achie ved 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 requirements 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 landing point and land the UA with 25% battery power remaining. Central Coast will adhe re to this limitation for its CC

- UAS flights.

The CC

- 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 CC

- UAS to a ground

- b ased

- on

- screen display. 20 As required by Central Coast ’s Operations Manuals, the PIC will promptly fly the CC

- UAS back to the home launch location or pre

determined abort location where it may safely land, while still maintaining a minimum of 25%

19

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

- 2014

- 0382 at 10).

20

. The CC

- 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

orientation relative to the UAS.U.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 20

reserve b attery power. Central Coast 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 55 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 provided by the regulations from which exemption is sought.

VI. DRUG AND ALCOHO L PROGRAM

Central Coast will have policies in place to ensure that no person may participate in CC

- 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 Centra l Coast ’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 those proposed in this Petition. Granting this Petition for Exemption helps fulf

ill 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 CC

- UAS operations in this Petition for Exemption significantly improves the safety and reduces risk of harm, physical injury and property damage to the public at large, the property owners from whom permission was granted for use by Petitioner and abutting properties, staff of Petitioner, unsuspecting passersby, inspecting engineers from relevant organizations and all those who may be in the local vicinity. Traditional methods of inspecting and monitoring potential locations and relevant sites and facilities requires location p ersonnel to climb towers, trees, venture onto precarious roofs and other dangerous scenarios, perform elevated work for which the individual is neither trained nor equipped to perform, which exposes them to unnecessary risk of serious physical injury from dangerous falls or other physical mishaps. Moreover, inspectors/surveyors are often unnecessarily exposed to hazardous conditions, unsafe environments, culturally tense situations and other hazards associated with identifying specific locations for potent ial recording sites to be used in the end product. The use of small UASs can eliminate these hazards and ultimately create a much safer method of performing these types of inspections creating a safer environment for the public as well as

Central Coast em ployees.

The use of small UAS also enhances safety and reduces risk to the surrounding public because, unlike manned aircraft weighing thousands of pounds, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, the UAS carry no passengers, crew or explosive fuel. F urthermore, in the unlikely event of an accident, Central Coast ’s small battery powered CC

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

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

- 2014

- 0783 at 12): "Manned helicopters 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. The pilot and crew will be remotely located from the aircraft. The limited weight significantly reduces the potential for harm to participating and nonparticipating individuals or property i n the event of an incident or accident. R isk to an onboard pilot and crew during an incident or accident is eliminated with the use of a UA for the aerial filmingU.S Department of Transportation

November 12, 2015 Page 21

Petitioner's CC

- UAS are battery powe red, the public will also benefit from a reduction in harmful petroleum based emissions associated with conventional aircraft performing in the same functions proposed herein. Air quality will naturally be improved with the reduction of fuel powered vehic les.

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 notwithstanding the industry, adding a greater degree of flexibility, which supplements the cur rent 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 provide additional jobs as the cost of providing the needed product i s greatly reduced while reducing the difficulty with which the finished product is created. The demand for the current industrial product is increasing and will continue to increase given the 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 along with an appropriate licensed PIC’s.

VIII. PRIVACY

All CC

- UAS operations will be conducted in accordance with applicable fede ral, 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 authorized representative. Permission from land owner/controller or authorized repr esentative 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: Petit ioner 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 owners and city structures from the substantial hazards associated with performi ng equivalent film work and aerial video production with conventional fixed

- wing aircraft, rotorcraft, or other methods.

X. CONCLUSION

Central Coast ’s Petition for Exemption satisfies the criteria articulated in Section 333 of the

Reform Act of 2012 whi ch includes weight; speed; operating capabilities; proximity to airports

operation."

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

- 2014

- 0794 at 18).U

. S Department of Transportation

November 12

, 2015 Page 22

and populated areas; operation within VLOS and national securit y

. The proposed CC-UAS
operations will benefit 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 Exemption
provides the FAA with more than adequate justification for granting the requested exemptions
allowing Central Coast to use small CC

- UAS s in the recorded production of its product.

We thank you for your prompt consideration of our requested exemptions.

Respectfully Submitted

,

Robert L. Lafica

Central Coast Aerial Mapping

, Inc.

710 Fiero Ln. #24

San Luis Obispo

, CA 93401

Phone: 805.543.4307

Email : mail @ aerial-maps.com

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

disclosure 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

. Company Protocols

4

. Location Protocols

5

. Flight Communications 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