January 9, 2016

Giacomino Viglianti

376 SW Callaway DR

Lake City, Florida

32024

Mobile: (478) 227-7104

Email: giaco56@gmail.com

Federal Aviation Administration:

I, Giacomino Viglianti, am writing pursuant to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 

2012 and the procedures contained within 14 C.F.R. 11, to request that I, Giacomino Viglianti, 

an owner and operator of small unmanned aircraft, be exempted from the Federal Aviation 

Regulations (“FARs”) listed below so that I, Giacomino Viglianti, may operate a small ultra light 

weight unmanned aircraft system (“UAS”) commercially in airspace regulated by the Federal 

Aviation Administration (“FAA”) in accordance with FAA UAS Regulations & Policies.

I would like to formally submit for an exemption from the following Section 333 

regulations: 14 C.F.R. Part 21, 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b), 14 C.F.R. 61.113(a), 14 C.F.R. 91.7(a), 14 

C.F.R. 91.9(b)(2), 14 C.F.R. 91.119(c), 14 C.F.R. 91.121, 14 C.F.R. 91.151(a)(1), 14 C.F.R. 

91.203(a) and (b), 14 C.F.R. 91.405(a), 14 C.F.R. 91.407(a)(1), 14 C.F.R. 91.409(a)(1) and (2), 

14 C.F.R. 91.417(a) and (b). To operate DJI’s following UAS: Phantom 2, Phantom 3, and 

Inspire 1 along the guidelines of the accompanying DJI Phantom 2, DJI Inspire 1, and DJI 

Phantom 3 Operator’s manuals. These UAS will be equipped with detachable cameras and will 

be transported in proper storage. This proposed exemption would allow me operation of 

unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for the purpose of aerial videography/ photography as a 

service to the public/ business interests. As found in exemption No. 11138 (Trudeau), the FAA 

recently approved similar use of a Phantom 2 UAS.

These devices were selected because they have proven reliable flying capabilities 

managed by gyro stabilized flight, ground detection (phantom 3 and inspire 1) , GPS aided 

navigation, a compass, blinking LEDs, failsafe mode for returning home and prop guards. This 

will act to further safety protocols exclusive to lightweight UAS’s specific to video and 

photography usage as I, Giacomino Viglianti, record flight data and other information gained 

through permitted flight operations to share with the FAA through any required FAA reports to 

assists with future protocol and safety regulations. 
Specific section or sections of 14 CFR which I seek relief and the reason I seek relief:

14 C.F.R. Part 21: Airworthiness Certificates

Given the size and limited operating area associated with the aircrafts to be utilized by I, 

Giacomino Viglianti, an exemption from Part 21 meets the requirements of an equivalent level of 

safety under Part 11 and Section 333 of the reform Act. In all cases, an analysis of these 

criteria demonstrates that the UA operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the restricted 

environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe, or safer, than 

conventional aircraft operating with an airworthiness certificate without restrictions and 

conditions proposed.

14 C.F.R. 45.23: Display of marks: general

The UAs will not have a cabin, cockpit, pilot station, fuselage, boom, or tail on which to 

mark certain words or phrases. Further, the two-inch lettering is difficult to place on such a 

small aircraft with dimensions smaller than the minimal lettering requirement. 

14 C.F.R. 61.113(a) & (b): Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command

The FAA has previously declared that additional manned airship experience of a 

commercially certified pilot would not correlate to the airmanship skills necessary for similarly 

proposed operations in previously issued exemptions to this regulation through Exemption Nos. 

11062 and 11138.

14 C.F.R 91.7: Civil aircraft airworthiness

Currently, since there is no certificate applicable to the UAs in question, this regulation is 

inapplicable.

14 C.F.R. 91.9 (b)(2): Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard requirements

Requires an aircraft flight manual in the aircraft, however there are no pilots or 

passengers on board this aircraft and given its size, this regulation is inapplicable. An 

equivalent level of safety will be achieved by maintaining a safety/flight manual with the 

operator.
14 C.F.R. 91.119(c): Minimum safe altitudes

I, Giacomino Viglianti will ensure that UAS do not operate any higher than 400 feet at 

ground level. I will not fly over congested areas. I will plan operations before hand, for proper 

flight safety, and proper height analysis as to avoid collisions. 

14 C.F.R. 91.121: Altimeter settings

The UAS utilize electronic GPS with a barometric sensor. An equivalent level of safety 

will be achieved by using this.

14 C.F.R. 91.151(a)(1): Fuel Requirements for flight in VFR conditions

The UAS that I will fly are powered by electricity, using lithium polymer batteries that 

currently have a flight limit of approximately no more than 20 minutes. Therefore, due to the 

limitations of the batteries, it is currently impossible to comply with part 91.151.

14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) and (b): Civil aircraft: Certifications required

Currently, there are no procedures for providing airworthiness certificates for the 

mentioned UAS. I, Giacomino Viglianti, however will always fly safely while having the manuals 

of the DJI Phantom 2, DJI Inspire 1, and the DJI Phantom 3. 

14 C.F.R. 91.405(a): Maintenance Required,

14 C.F.R. 91.407(a)(1): Operation after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or 

alteration,

14 C.F.R. 91.409(a)(1) and (2): Inspections &

14 C.F.R. 91.417 (a) and (b): Maintenance records

Maintenance inspections may be required and should be granted since they only apply 

to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate. However I, Giacomino Viglianti, will perform preflight 

inspections of the UAS before each flight as outlined in the operating documents. I, Giacomino 

Viglianti, will also follow manufacturer recommendations from said operating documents.

Public Interest

Aerial photography and videography as an available service to the public allows for a 

cheaper method to capturing imagery than its alternative. Its alternative being aircraft and 

helicopters. They are expensive, create lots of noise, and are much more threatening due to 

size and combustible fuel. 

I, Giacomino Viglianti, would gladly offer my services upon request and with proper 

coordination to any official search and rescue or emergency services organization to benefit the 

public. 
Also as mentioned in the Trudeau exemption, exemption No.11138:

““Manned aircraft conducting aerial filming and photography can weigh 5,000 lbs. or 

more, are operated by an onboard pilot and may carry other onboard crewmembers, as well as 

100 gallons or more of fuel. The petitioner’s [sUAS] weighs less than 3 lbs. The pilot and crew 

will be remotely located from the aircraft. The limited weight reduces the potential for harm to 

persons or damage to property in the event of an incident or accident. The risk of an onboard 

pilot and crew during an incident or accident is eliminated with the use of a [sUAS] for the 

proposed operation.”

Summary

I, Giacomino Viglianti, am seeking exemption from the following rules:

14 C.F.R. Part 21, 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b), 14 C.F.R. 61.113(a), 14 C.F.R. 91.7(a), 14 C.F.R. 

91.9(b)(2), 14 C.F.R. 91.119(c), 14 C.F.R. 91.121, 14 C.F.R. 91.151(a)(1), 14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) 

and (b), 14 C.F.R. 91.405(a), 14 C.F.R. 91.407(a)(1), 14 C.F.R. 91.409(a)(1) and (2), 14 C.F.R. 

91.417(a) and (b)

With the exemptions of the mentioned rules I, Giacomino Viglianti, will be seeking to 

make my drone photography/videography services available to the public. Alternatively the 

public had seeked to use helicopters and aircraft to achieve what I can offer in a safer, more 

cost efficient manner. By not using combustible fuel, flying at safe heights and strictly following 

the usage recommendations from DJI. 

These include but are not limited to: 

● Flying the following UAS Safely

○ DJI Inspire 1

○ DJI Phantom 2

○ DJI Phantom 3

● Flying below 400 feet

● Proper visual inspection of UAS before flights

● Keeping mentioned UAS in visual sight at all times when in operation

● Using an observer to assist if needed

● Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations, and avoid 

other aircraft and obstacles at all times

● Not intentionally fly over unprotected persons or moving vehicles

● Contact the airport or control tower before flying within 5 miles of an airport

● Not flying in adverse weather conditions such as high winds or reduced visibility

● Not flying under the influence of alcohol or drugs

● Ensure the operating environment is safe

● Not flying over sensitive infrastructure or property such as power stations, water 

treatment facilities, correctional facilities, etc.

● Check and follow all local laws and ordinances before flying over private property
● Do not conduct surveillance or photograph persons in areas where there is an 

expectation of privacy without the individual's permission.

Respectfully,

Giacomino Viglianti

376 SW Callaway DR

32024, Lake City Florida

Mobile: (478) 273-0465

Email: giaco56@gmail.com