September 15, 2015

Exemption No. 12854 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

− 20 15

− 2665

M s . Elizabeth S. Walker Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. 7436 S outh Ivy Way Centennial, CO 80112
Dear M s . Walker : 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 June 5, 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. ( hereinafter pe titioner or operator ) for an exemption . The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned ai rcraft system (UAS) to conduct commercial activities for the purposes of property due diligence, marketing and aerial inspection and imagery

. 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 DJI Inspire 1 and DJI Phantom 2 Vision+

. The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates

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

− 95 in reference to 49 U

. S

. C

. § 44704, and in2 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 Sectio n 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from 14 CFR part 21 , C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates , and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is not necess ary. 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 enhanc ed 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, give s 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 Gr ant 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, Vertical Real Estate Consulting, 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 extent necessary to allow the peti tioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection

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

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 (part iculate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by instruments aboard the UA.3 Conditions and Limitations
In this grant of exemption, Vertical Real Estate Consulting, 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 DJI Inspire 1 and DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ 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 PI C always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times ; e lectronic 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. This 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 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 conditi ons and4 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 docum ents. 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 a lso 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 mus t petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FA A’s UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating documents.
8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that aff ect 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 wi th 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 en sure 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. , i noperable 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 condi tion 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 manufa cturer 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 Col u mbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or he r pilot certificate.5 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 V Os (traini ng, 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, trainin g operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appr opriate 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 air port symbo l 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 managem ent 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 PI C.
18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS sign al, 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 recommen ded by the manufacturer if greater.
21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All operations shall be cond ucted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intend s to conduct operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA

.6 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 nonpartici pating 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 r emain 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 control led

- 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 FA A's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov

.7 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 th e 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 permission 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 es sential 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 spe cified 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 September 30, 2017 , unless sooner super seded or rescinded. Sincerely,
/ s/ John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures1 of 1 5 United States of A m erica D epar t m ent of T r an s po r tation Federal A viation Ad m ini s t r at ion W a s hington, DC

R e gu l a t o r y Docket No : TBD

In the Matter of the Pe t i ti on F or E x e m p ti on of Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. For an Exemption seeking Relief from T it l e 14 of the Code of Federal R e gu l at i ons, sec ti ons: 21 Subpart H , 45.23(b), 61. 1 13 (a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103(b)(2), 91.105, 91

. 1 19, 91.121, 91.151(a), 91.203(a) & (b), 91.405, 91.407, 91.409, 91.417 (a) & (b ) , pu r sua n t t o Sec t i on 333 of the F AA Modernization and R e fo rm Ac t OF 2012

.

June 5 , 201 5

Elizabeth S. Walker Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. 7436 S. Ivy Way Centennial , CO 80112 T e l : 303

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- 74552 of 1 4 Int r o d uct i on Pu r suant t o Sec t i on 333 of the Federal A v i a ti on Ad mi n i s tr a ti on Modern i za t i on and R e form A ct of 2012, (R e fo rm Ac t ), and 14 C. F .R. § 1 1.61(b), Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. , here b y pe t iti ons for ex e mp ti on fr o m 14 C. F .R §§ 21 Subpart H, 45.23(b), 61

. 1 13 (a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103(b)(2),91.105, 91. 1 19, 91.121, 91.151(a), 91.203(a) & (b), 91.405, 91.407, 91.409, 91.417 (a) & (b ) , of the Federal A v i a t i on R e gu l a ti ons ( F A R s). Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. (hereinafter “Vertical”) is a real estate consulting company . It is a w oman - o wned b usiness, pursuant to the Women’s Business Enterprise Council

. Vertical seeks an exemption for a commercial Certificate of Authorization to use unmanned aircraft to support commercial activities for the purposes of property due diligence, marketing and aerial inspection and imagery

. The proposed unmanned aircraft, The In s p i re I and Phantom 2 Vision + , manufactured by DJI of China, consist of a lightweight ( approximately 6.5 pounds) battery

- operated aircraft, a PC

- based ground control station and associat ed communications equipment. The aircraft carries a camera that allows one to conduct aerial photography, both still photos and short videos , of the subject properties

. By providing high quality, aerial imagery , Vertical’s clients will be able to obtain due diligence and critical information regarding their property without the expense of using conventional aircraft or the safety concerns of hiring people to climb or conduct photography from a high and potentially dangerous vantage point. Vertical equip ment will be operated by at least one licensed pilot.
T h i s pe t iti on i s s u b m i tt ed as a request t o a ll ow Vertical t o c o m m e rc i a l l y opera t e both the DJI Inspire I and DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ unmanned aircraft sys tem ( U AS), i n a c cordance w ith the ir respective A i rcraft Opera t i onal Handbook, and those cond iti ons that m a y be es t ab li shed b y th e F AA as requ i red b y Sec t i on 333. Included with this application are the following:
Exhibit A Inspire I Aircraft Operations Handbook (aka User Manual) Exhibit B Phantom 2 Vision + Aircraft Operations Handboo k (aka User Manual) Exhibit C Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. Flight Operations Checklist Both the Inspire I and the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ are small unmanned aircraft s ystems (UAS) that are l ight weight ( no more than approximately 6.5 pounds fully loaded with a camera) , m ulti

- r otor ve hicles , with vertical takeoff and landin g capabilities

. They operate at a speed of no more than 100 mph and have the capability to hove r and move in a vertical and horizontal plane simultaneousl y. In br i ef, the reques t ed ex e mp ti ons wou l d pe rm i t the oper ati on of U A S th at are l ess than 55 l bs: 1) b y an F AA l i censed p il o t ; 2) at l ess than 400 fe e t of a l titu d e above ground l evel ( AG L ); 3) i n an area that i s l i m i t ed and prede t e rmi ne d ; 4) where pub l i c a c cess t o such area i s con tro l l ed; 5) where oper a ti on a l i n t en ti ons are c o m m u n i c at ed t o the l o c al FS D O when required ;3 of 1 4 6) i n accordan c e w ith a n y o ther ru l es s et forth b y the F AA. As will be addressed herein, a pprov a l of the reques t ed ex e mp ti ons wou l d cre a t e no s af

et y concerns regar d i ng the Na ti on a l A i rspace S y s t e m and w il l fu l f i l l the Secre t ar y of T ranspor t at i on's ( the F AA Ad mi n i s tr a t or's) respo n s i b i li t i es t o e s t ab li sh requ i r e m en t s for the safe oper a ti on of such a i r craft s y s t e m s i n the na ti on a l a i rspa c e s y s t e m . Name and address of the Petitioner
Pursuant t o 14 C. F .R. § 1 1.81(a) the n a m e and address of the applicant i s: Elizabeth S. Walker Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. 7436 S. Ivy Way Centennial , CO 80112 T e l : 303

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- 7455 E m a i l : liz@verticalrec.com Specific Provisions from which Exemption is Sought 14 C. F .R. P art 21 S ubpart H : A i r w or t h i ness Cert i f i cates Subpart H, en t i tl ed A i rworth i ness C e rti f i c a t es, es t ab l i shes the procedu r al requ i r e m e n t s for the i ssuance of a i rworth i ness certi f i c a t es as requ i red b y F AR § 91.203 (a)(1).
R equest for Ex e m pt i on Vertical reques t s exe mp t i on fr o m the requ i r e m en t s for an a i rworth i ness cert i f i c a t e, pu r suant t o 49 U.S. Code § 44701(f) and Sec t i on 333 of the R e form Ac t

. Wh il e the U A S s here are m anu f

ac tured w ithout an a i rworth i ness cer ti f i c a t e and there are no m e cha n i cs t o certi f y these a i r craf t , an equ i v a l ent l e v el of f l i ght safe t y i s a t t a i ned b y s pe c i al p il ot tra i n i ng, ground based secur it y procedures, redunda n t safe t y procedures as we l l as safe t y featu r es progra mm e d i n t o the U A S t o guard aga i nst l ost or degraded c o m m u n i c a ti ons, l ost sa t e l l it e recep t i on, or ge o m a gne t i c i n t erferen c e. T he U A S s t o be opera t ed , specifically the Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + , manufactured by DJI , wei gh approximately six and one half (6.5) l bs., including battery and camera, f l y at low sp eeds in a controlled environment , f l y at a l titu d es of l ess than fo u r - hundred (400) feet above ground l ev e l ( A G L ), have a t o t al f li ght t i m e of no m ore than twenty

- five (25) m i nu t es, and are con tr o ll ed b y a li c ensed p il o t th a t w il l m a i n t a i n visual li n e of s i ght ( V L OS) of the U AS s . Furthe r , the U A S carr y ne i ther p i l ot nor passengers, carr y no f l a m m ab l e li qu i d or exp l os i ve m at e ri a l s, and will be operated over private property only with the express permission of the landowner, and will not be operated within four nautical miles of an airport. It will be operated over public p roperty only with the necessary permits from state and local governments, prior to operation. The aircraft will be operated in the field with both a pilot in command (PIC) and a ground based visual observer (VO), in compliance with FAA Policy N 8900.227 Section 14

.4 of 1 4 T he Feder a l A v i ati on Act § 49 U.S.C. §44701 (f) and Sec ti on 333 au thor i z e the F AA t o ex e mpt a i r craf t , upon cons i dera t i on of the s i ze, we i gh t , s peed, opera t i onal capab i li t y , and prox i m i t y t o a i rport s and popu l a t ed areas. A pp l i cat i on of that cri t eri a t o the prop o sed U A S s oper a ti ons and procedu r es d e m ons tr a t e that the Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + can be opera t ed i n a m a nner th a t is safer th an conven t i onal a i rcra f t w it h a i rworth i ness cert i f i c at es. A dd i ti ona ll y , th ere i s no thr e at t o Nati o n al A i rspace S y s t e m ( NAS) or nati on a l secur it y as the a i rc r aft cannot be opera t ed w ith i n four (4) m i l es of a n y a i rport , and in the event Vertical is requested to do conduct services within (4) miles of an airport, no ti ce w il l be g i ven t o the l o c al F li g h t Serv i ce D i s tri ct O f f i c e (F S DO) pri or f l i ght oper a ti ons as mandated by the FAA

. 14 C.F.R. § 45.23(b) Aircraft Markings (a) E ach opera t or of an a i rcra f t m ust d i sp la y on that a i rcraft m arks cons i s ti ng of the R o m an cap i t al l e t t er “ N ” (deno t i ng Un it ed S t a t es reg i s tr a ti on) fo ll owed b y th e reg i s tr a ti on nu mber of the a i rc r af t

. E a ch su f f i x l e t t er u sed i n the m arks d i sp l a y e d m ust a l so be a R o m an cap i t al l e tt e r . (b) When m arks i nc l ude on l y the Ro m an cap it al l e t t er “ N” and the re g i s tra ti on nu mber i s d i sp l a y ed on l i mi t ed, r e s tri c t ed or li gh t

- sport c a t ego r y a i rc r aft or expe ri m e n t al or prov i s i on a l l y certi f i cat ed a i rc r af t , the opera t or m u s t a l so d i sp l a y on th at a i rc r aft near each en tr ance t o the cab i n, cockp it , or p il ot s t ati on, i n l e t t ers not l ess than 2 i nches nor m ore than 6 i nches h i gh, the words “ l i m i t ed , ” “ r e s tri c t ed,” “ li gh t

- sport ,” “ exper i m e n t a l ,” or

“ prov i s i ona l ,” as app li c ab l e. Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on A n ex e mp ti on i s reques t ed, or i n the a lt ern a ti ve, a f i nd i ng that § 45.23(b) does not app l y as the Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + h ave no cab i n, nor en tr ance t o the cab i n, and no cockp i t or p i l ot s t a ti on where markings could be placed

. Should the FAA mandate that the UASs be marked with registration numbers, Vertical will comply with this mandate and mark the UASs with the applicable registration number in characters or letters as large as practic able.
14 C.F.R. § 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command (a) E xcept as prov i ded i n paragraphs (b) through (h) of th i s sec ti on, no person who ho l ds a pr i va t e p il ot certi f i c a t e m a y act as p il ot i n c o m m a nd of an a i r craft that i s carr y i ng passengers or propert y for co mpensa t i on or h i re; nor m a y that person, for c o mp ensa ti on or h i re, act as p il ot i n c o m m a nd of an a i r craf t

. (b) A pr i v a t e p il o t m a y , for c o mp ensa ti on or h i re, act as p il ot i n co mm a nd of an a i rcra f

t i n connec t i on w ith a n y b u s i ness or e mp l o y m e n t i f: (1) T he f li ght i s on l y i n c i den t a l t o that b u s i ness or e mp l o y m en t ; and (2) T he a i rcra f t does not carr y passengers or proper t y for c o mp ensa ti on or h i re.5 of 1 4 Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical reques t s an ex e mp t i on fr o m the l i mi t a ti ons of § 61. 1 13 as an equivalent level of safety can be achieved as the Pilot in Command (PIC) operating the UAS s will possess at least a private pilot certificate . The PIC will 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. Here, the r i sk t o the pub li c i s mi t i g at ed be c ause the s m a l l s i ze of the U AS s (6.5 pounds) preven t s carr y i n g p il o t or passengers or a n y car go o t h er than a c a m e ra. A s the PIC, Vis ual O bserver ( VO) and crew w il l a l w a y s r e m a i n on the ground, the l ev e l of safe t y i s there b y gre at er th an what can be ach i eved i n trad i t i onal a i rcra f t

. 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a) Civil Aircraft Airworthiness (a) No person m a y oper a t e a c i v i l a i rc r aft un l e s s i t i s i n an a i rworth y cond i ti on. (b) T he p i l ot i n co mm and of a c i v i l a i r craft i s respo n s i b l e for de t ermi n i ng whe ther that a i r craft i s i n cond i t i on for safe f l i gh t

. T he p il ot i n c o m m a nd sha l l d i scon ti n u e the f li ght when una i rworth y m e cha n i c a l , e l e c tri ca l , or s truc t ural cond i t i ons occu r . Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on t o the ex t ent th i s ru l e requ i res an a i rworth i ness cert i f i c a t e a s no such ce rti f i c a t es e x i st for U A Ss. An equ i v a l ent l evel of safe t y w il l be ac h i eved a s th e PIC of the U A S s w il l ensure the a i rworth i ness of the U AS s through use of the Aircraft Operations Handbooks for maintenance and use of the Vertical Flight Operations C hecklis t, Exhibit C, prior to each flight

. 14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b)(2) Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft (a) E x c ept as prov i ded i n parag r aph (d) of th i s sec t i on, no person m a y opera t e a c i v i l a i r craft w ithout c o mp l y i ng w ith the opera ti ng l i m i t a t i ons spec i f i ed i n the approved A i rp l a n e or Ro t or cra f t F li g h t Manua l , m arki ngs, and p l a cards, or as o therw i se prescr i b ed b y the certi f i ca t i ng au tho ri t y of the coun tr y of reg i s tr y . (b) No person m a y oper a t e a U .S.

- reg i s t ered c i v i l a i rcraf t

— (1) For wh i ch an A i rp l ane or Ro t or craft F li ght Manual i s requ i r ed by §21.5 of th i s chap t er un l ess the r e i s ava i l ab l e i n th e a i rc r aft a curren t , approved A i rp l ane or Ro t or cra f t F li ght Manual or the m anu a l prov i ded for i n § 121.141(b) ; and (2) For which an Airplane or Rotor craft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved Airplane or Rotor craft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combi nation there.
Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on because the small size of the Inspire I and the Phantom 2 Vision + does not allow room to carry such a UAS s Operations Manual on the aircraft, and this requirement would be unnecessary as there is no pilot on board. An equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping6 of 1 4 the Aircraft Operations Handbook at the ground control point where the PIC will have immediate access to it. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103(b) Pre
- flight Action
E a ch p il o t i n c o mm and s ha l l , before beg i nn i ng a f li gh t , bec o m e f a m i li ar w ith a l l av a il ab l e i nfo rm a ti on concern i ng that f li gh t

. T h i s i nfo rm a ti on m ust i nc l u d e

— (b) For a n y f li g h t , runw a y l en g ths at a i rpo rt s of i n t en d ed use, and the fo ll ow i ng t akeo f f and l and i ng d i s t ance i nfor m a t i on: (1) For c i v i l a i r craft for w h i ch an approved A i rp l ane or Ro t or cra f t F li ght Manual con t a i n i ng t akeo f f and l and i ng d i s t ance da t a i s requ i red, the t akeo f f and l and i ng d i s t ance da t a con t a i ned there i n ; and (2) For c i v i l a i r craft o ther than those spec i f i ed i n paragraph (b)(1) of th i s sec ti on, o th er re l i ab l e i nfo rm a ti on appropr i a t e t o the a i rc r af t , re l a ti ng t o a i r craft perfor m ance under (3) exp e c t ed va l ues of a i rpo rt e l e v a ti on and runw a y s l ope, a i r craft gr o ss we i gh t , and w i nd and t e mper a ture. Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on t o the ex t ent the ru l e requ i res th e PIC t o have ru n w a y da t a be c ause the proposed U AS s are V erti c a l T ake

- o f f and L and i ng ( V T O L ) and w il l not be opera t ed w ith i n four (4) mi l es of a n y pub l i c a i rpo rt

. A n equ i v a l e n t l ev e l of safe t y and pub li c benef i t i s ach i eved b y th e PIC taking necessary pre - flight actions as indicated in the Vertica l Flight Operations Checklist , as well as the Aircraft Operations Handbook. 14 C.F.R. § 91.105 Flight Crewmembers at Stations (a) Duri ng t akeo f f and l and i ng, and wh il e en rou t e, each requ i r ed f li g h t cre w m e mber sha l l

— (1) Be at the cre w m e mber s t a ti on un l e s s the absence i s necessar y t o perfo r m du ti es i n connec t i on w ith the opera t i on of the a i rcra f t or i n connec t i on w ith p h y s i o l o g i cal needs; and (2) Keep the s af et y be l t fas t ened w h i l e at the cre w m e mber s t a ti on. (b) E ach requ i red f l i ght cre w m e mber of a U

. S.

- re g i s t ered c i v i l a i rcra f t sha ll , dur i ng t akeo f f and l and i ng, keep h i s or her shou l der harness f a s t ened wh il e at h i s or her a s s i gned du t y s t a t i on. T h i s paragraph do e s not app l y i f

— (1) T he seat at the crew m e mb er ' s s t ati on i s not equ i pped w ith a shou l der harness; or (2) T he cre w m e mber w ou l d be unab l e t o perfo rm requ i red du t i es w ith the shou l der harness fas t ened.7 of 1 4 Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on as the U A S s have no ab i l i t y t o carr y p il o t or cre w , and there b y have no sea t s, seat be lt s, or crew s t a ti ons. A n equ i v a l e n t l ev e l of safe t y can be ach i eved b y the p i l ot a l w a y s hav i ng pos iti ve con trol of the r e m o t e co n trol and m a i n t a i n i ng V L OS w ith the U AS s at a l l t i m es. Shou l d the p il ot bec o m e p h y s i o l og i c a l l y unab l e t o con ti n u e as PIC, the UAS s h a ve a “R eturn H o m e and L an d ” overr i de func ti on as we l l as o ther ac t i ons m o re fu l l y descr i bed i n the Aircraft Operation Handbook s. 14 C.F.R. § 91.119 Minimum Safe Altitudes
E x c ept when ne c e s sar y for t akeo f f or l an d i ng, no person m a y opera t e an a i rc r aft be l ow the fo ll ow i ng a lt i tudes: (a) A n y w h e r e. A n a l t itude a l l ow i ng, i f a power un i t fa il s, an e m e r gen c y l an d i ng w ithout undue hazard t o perso n s or proper t y on the surface. (b) O ver congested a r eas. O ver a n y conges t ed area of a c i t y , t own, or se t t l e m e n t , or over a n y open a i r ass e mb l y of perso n s, an a lt i tude of 1,000 feet above the h i g h est obs t ac l e w ith i n a hor i zo n t al rad i us of 2,000 feet of the a i r craf t

. (c) O ver other than congested a r eas. An a lt i tude of 500 feet above the surface, exce p t over open wa t er or sparse l y popu l at ed areas. In those cases, the a i rc r aft m a y not be oper at ed c l oser than 500 fe e t t o a n y person, ve s se l , veh i c l e, or s truc tu r e. (d) H e l i copters, p o w e r ed parachutes, and w e i ght
- sh i f t - cont r ol a i r cra f t. If the oper a ti on i s condu c t ed w ithout hazard t o persons or proper t y on th e surface

— (1) A he l i cop t er m a y be oper a t ed at l ess than the mi n i m u m s pr e sc ri bed i n paragraph (b) or (c) of th i s sec ti on, prov i ded e a ch person opera t i ng the he li co p t er c o mp li es w ith a n y rou t es or a lt i tudes spec i f i ca ll y prescr i bed for he li co p t ers b y the F AA; and (2) A powered parachu t e or we i gh t

- sh i f t

- con trol a i r craft m a y be opera t ed at l ess than the mi n i m u m s prescr i bed i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec ti on. Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical seeks ex e mp ti on here because f li ght opera t i ons w il l a l w a y s be be l ow fou r - hundred (400) fe e t A G L

. A n equ i v a l e n t l ev e l of safe t y w il l be ach i eved through pre

- f li ght p l ann i ng, c o m m u n i c a ti on w ith the l ocal F SDO when required , secur i ng the f li ght area t o prevent the pub l i c fr o m e n t eri ng, br i e f i ng a l l crew on e m e r g en c y procedu r es, and ensur i ng oper a ti on of a i rcraft safe t y s y s t e m s. Pro t e c ti ons equ i v a l ent t o mi n i m u m safe a l titudes are cre at ed be c ause, i n th e event of l ow - ba t t e r y powe r , l oss of c o m m u n i c a ti on or i n t erfere n ce w ith co mm un i cat i on be t ween the r e m o t e con trol and the a i r craf

t , on - board safe t y progr a m s w il l au t o m a t i c a l l y l and the U AS at a pred e t e rm i ned safe area. S i m i l ar l y , the opera ti o n al en v i ron m ent w il l be con tro l l ed t o restrict public access

. N o rm a l oper a ti ons w il l be l ess than 400 feet A GL and r i sk t o the pub l i c and / or pr i va t e proper t y minimal

. T he Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + proposed h ere ha ve a t o t al ro t or area of approximately three (3) feet and we i gh approximately 6.5 pounds

. As s uch , the r i sk t o persons and proper t y i s dras t i ca ll y8 of 1 4 reduced. Furthe r , the U ASs w il l not carr y fue l , f l a m m ab l e m a t e ri a l , or hazardous car go that wou l d pose a ha z ard t o pe r sons on the ground.
1 4 C.F.R. § 91.121 Altimeter Settings (a) E ach person opera ti ng an a i rc r aft sha l l m a i n t a i n the cru i s i ng a lt i tude or f li g h t l evel of th a t a i r craf t , as the case m a y be, b y refe r ence t o an a l t i m e t er that i s s e t , w hen opera ti ng

— (1) B el ow 18,000 feet MS L , t o

— (I) T he curre n t report ed a l ti m e t er se t ti ng of a s t a ti on a l ong the rou t e and w ith i n 100 nau t i c a l mi l es of the a i rcraf t ; ( ii ) If there i s no s t ati on w ith i n the area pr e sc ri bed i n paragraph (a)(1)( i ) of th i s sec t i on, the current report ed a lt i m e t er se tti ng of an appropr i a t e ava il ab l e s t a ti on; or ( i i i ) In the case of an a i rcraft not equ i p p ed w ith a rad i o, the e l ev a ti on of the depa rture a i rpo rt or an approp ri at e a l t im e t er se t t i ng av a il ab l e before departur e ; or (2) At or above 18,000 fe e t MS L , t o 29.92′′ Hg. (b) T he l owest usab l e f li g h t l evel i s de t e rm i ned b y the a t m ospher i c pr e ssure i n the area of oper a ti on as shown i n the fo ll ow i ng t ab l e: ( add iti on a l T ab l es Om itt e d) Request for Ex e m pt i on An ex e mp ti on i s sought as the U AS s proposed are m a nufac tu r ed w ithout an a l ti m e t er or t wo - w a y co mm un i ca t i ons rad i o. A n eq u i va l e n t l e v el of safe t y i s ach i e v ed through on - board s y s t e m s and G PS senso r s wh i ch cou p l e w ith a geo m agn e ti c co mpass t o a c t as a bar o m e tri c a l t i m e t er for s t ab il it y and accu r a c y of f li g h t

. I nfo rm ati on about the he i ght of the U A S s above ground l evel i s d i sp l a y ed t o the P il ot i n Co mm and at a l l t i m es. 14 C.F.R. § 91.151 Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions (a) N o person m a y be g i n a f li g h t i n an a i rp l ane under V FR cond i t i ons un l ess (cons i der i ng w i nd and forecast wea th er cond i t i ons) there i s enough fuel t o f l y t o the f i rst po i nt of i n t ended l and i ng and, a s s u m i ng nor m al cru i s i ng speed

— (1) Dur i ng the d a y , t o f l y af t er that for at l e ast 30 mi n u t es; or (2) At n i gh t , t o f l y af t er t hat for at l east 45 mi n u t es. (b) N o person m a y be g i n a f li g h t i n a ro t or cra f t under VFR cond i t i ons un l e s s (cons i de ri ng w i nd and fore c ast wea ther cond i t i ons) there i s enough fuel t o f l y t o th e f i rst po i nt of i n t en d ed l an d i ng and, assu mi ng nor m al cru i s i ng speed, t o f l y af t er that for at l e ast 20 mi n u t es.9 of 1 4 Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on The Inspire I and Phantom 2 Vision + ha ve a maximum flight duration of 25 minutes

. An equ i v a l e n t l ev e l of safe t y i s ach i e v ed b y i mp l e m e n t at i on of a m i n i m u m ba t t e r y li f e requ i r e m ent rather than mi n i m u m fuel requ i r e m en t

. The Vertical Flight Operations checklist prov i de s that the f l i ght w i l l be t e rmi n a t ed when the ba tt e r y re a ches a mi n i m u m of 25%. An equ i v a l ent l evel of safe t y can be ach i eved as t o the reserve ba tt e r y power requ i r e m en t s prop o sed are c o mpar ab l e t o the reserve fuel requ i r e m e n t s i n the existing regulation. 14 C.F.R. §91.203 Civil aircraft: Certifications required. (a) Except as provided in Sec. 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. Each U.S. airworthiness certificate used to comply with this subparagraph (exc ept a special flight permit, a copy of the applicable operations specifications issued under Sec. 21.197(c) of this chapter, appropriate sections of the air carrier manual required by parts 121 and 135 of this chapter containing that portion of the operati ons specifications issued under Sec. 21.197(c), or an authorization under Sec. 91.611) must have on it the registration number assigned to the aircraft under part 47 of this chapter. However, the airworthiness certificate need not have on it an assigned sp ecial identification number before 10 days after that number is first affixed to the aircraft. A revised airworthiness certificate having on it an assigned special identification number, that has been affixed to an aircraft, may only be obtained upon appli cation to an FAA Flight Standards district office. (2) An effective U.S. registration certificate issued to its owner or, for operation within the United States, the second copy of the Aircraft registration Application as provided for in Sec. 47.31(c), or a registration certification issued under the laws of a foreign country. (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 Sec. 91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to pas sengers or crew. (c) No person may operate an aircraft with a fuel tank installed within the passenger compartment or a baggage compartment unless the installation was accomplished pursuant to part 43 of this chapter, and a copy of FAA Form 337 authorizi ng that installation is on board the aircraft. (d) No person may operate a civil airplane (domestic or foreign) into or out of an airport in the United States unless it complies with the fuel venting and exhaust emissions requirements of part 34 of this chapter. Request for Exemption The regulation provides that an airworthiness c ertificate, with the registration number assigned to the aircraft and a registration certificate must be aboard the aircraft. At approximately 6.5 pounds (Inspire) and approximately less than 3 pounds (DJI Phantom 2 Vision+) , the UASs are too small to carry documentation, does not have an entrance, and is not capable of carrying passenger or crew.10 of 1 4 14 C.F.R. § 91.405 Maintenance r e qu i r ed
E ach o wner or opera t or of an a i rcra f t

— (a) Sha l l have th at a i r craft i nspec t ed as prescr i bed i n sub part E of th i s part and s ha l l be t ween requ i red i nspe c ti ons, exce p t as prov i ded i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec t i on, have d i screpan c i es repa i r ed as prescr i bed i n part 43 of t h i s chap t er; (b) Sha l l ensure that m a i n t enance personnel m ak e appropr i at e en tri es i n the a i r craft m a i n t enan c e records i nd i cat i ng the a i rcra f t has been approved for re turn t o serv i ce; (c) S ha l l have a n y i nope r a ti ve i ns tru m ent or it e m of equ i p m e n t , pe rm i tt ed t o be i nopera t i ve b y § 91.213(d)(2) o f th i s part , repa i red, rep l aced, r e m oved, or i nspec t ed at t he next requ i r ed in spe c ti on; and (d) W hen li s t ed d i screpan c i es i n c l ude i noper a ti ve i ns tru m en t s or equ i p m en t , sha l l ensure that a p l a c ard has been i ns t a l l ed as requ i red b y § 43

. 1 1 of th i s chap t e r . Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on An exemption to these regulations is needed because Part 43 and these sections apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, which the Inspire I and the Phantom 2 Vision + will not have. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because maintenance and inspections will be performed in accordance with Exhibit A and B. The operator will ensure that the UAS is in working order prior to initiating flight, perform required maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenanc e performed. The operator is most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition to provide the equivalent level of safety. If mechanical issues arise, the UAS can land immediately and will be operating no higher than 400 feet AGL. Moreover, the UAS s are both of a small size, carrying capacity, and the fact that flight operations will only take place in restricted areas for limited periods of time, create less risk than the same factors associated with conventional fixed

- wing aircraft and rotorcraft performing the same operation. 14 C.F.R. § 91.407 Operation after Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, Alteration (a) No person m a y oper a t e a n y a i rcraft that has unde r gone m a i n t ena n ce, preve n ti ve m a i n t enan c e, rebu il d i ng, or a l t er a ti on un l ess

— (1) It has been approved for re turn t o serv i ce b y a person au thor i zed under §43.7 of th i s chap t e r ; and (2) T he m a i n t ena n ce record en tr y requ i red b y §43.9 or §43

. 1 1, as app l i cab l e, of th i s chap t er has been m a d e. (b) N o person m a y carr y a n y person (o ther than crew - m e mb ers) i n an a i r craft that has been m a i n t a i ned, rebu i lt , or a lt e r ed i n a m a nner th at m a y have appr e c i ab l y changed it s f

li ght chara c t eri s t i cs or su b s t a n ti a l l y a f f e c t ed it s opera t i on i n f l i ght un t i l an appropr i a t e l y ra t ed p il o t w ith a t l east a pr i va t e p il o t certi f i c a t e f li es the a i rc r af t , m akes an opera ti o n al check of the m a i n t enance perfo rm e d or a l t era t i on m a de, and l ogs the f l i ght i n the a i rcra f t records.11 of 1 4 (c) T he a i rcraft does not have t o be f l own as requ i red b y paragraph (b) of th i s sec ti on i f, pr i or t o f l i gh t , ground t es t s, i nspec ti on, or bo th show conc l us i ve l y that the m a i n t e n ance, preven ti v e m a i n t enance, reb u il d i ng, or a lt e r a ti on has not apprec i ab l y changed the f

li g h t chara c t eri s t i cs or su b s t a n ti a l l y a f f e c t ed the f li g h t oper a ti on of the a i rc r af t

. Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical i s seek i ng ex e mp ti on fr o m § 91.407 as there are curre n t l y no persons au thor i zed t o serv i ce the UAS s pursuant to the section above

. A s w ith the request for ex e mp t i on under § 91.405, an equ i va l e n t l e v el of safe t y w il l be ach i e v ed b y thorough pre

- f li ght i nspec ti ons and records of a l l m a i n t enan c e or repa i rs be i ng kept i n the U A S l og book s . Furthe r , Vertical will m a i n t a i n the a i rcra f

t and perform pos t

- m a i n t ena n ce, pre - f li ght i nspec ti ons and ground t es t s t o conf i rm that the f li g h t char ac t e ri s ti cs of th e U A S have not been subs t an t i a l l y impacted af t er m a i n t e n ance. 14 C. F .R. § 91.409 I nspect i ons (a) E xcept as prov i ded i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec ti on, no person m a y oper a t e an a i rcraft un l ess, w ith i n the pre c ed i ng 12 ca l endar m o n ths, i t has had

— (1) An annu a l i nspec ti on i n accor d ance w ith part 43 of th i s chap t er and has been approved for re turn t o serv i ce b y a person au thor i z ed b y §43.7 of th i s chap t er; or (2) An i nspe c ti on for the is suan c e of an a i rworth i ness certi f i c a t e i n accordan c e w ith part 21 of th i s chap t e r . No i nspe c ti on perfo rm ed under paragraph (b) of th i s sec t i on m a y be subs titu t ed for a n y i nspe c ti on requ i red b y t h i s paragraph un l ess i t i s perfo rm ed b y a pe r son au thor i zed t o perfo rm annu a l i nspec ti ons and i s en t ered as an “ annua l ” i nspec t i on i n the req u i red m a i n t e n ance records. (b) E xcept as prov i ded i n paragraph (c) of th i s sec ti on, no person m a y oper a t e an a i rcra f

t carr y i n g a n y person (o ther than a crew m e mb er) for h i re, and no person m a y g i ve f

li ght i ns tru c ti on for h i re i n an a i rcra f t wh i ch th a t person prov i des, un l e s s w ith i n the preced i ng 100 hours of t i m e i n s erv i ce the a i rcra f t has rec e i ved an annual or 100

- hour i nspec ti on and been approved for re turn t o serv i c e i n accordan c e w ith part 43 of th i s chap t er or has re c e i ved an i nspec t i on for the is suan c e of an a i rworth i ness certi f i c a t e i n accordan c e w ith part 21 of th i s chap t e r . T he 100

- hour l i mi t a ti on m a y be exceeded b y not m ore than 10 hours wh i l e en rou t e t o reach a p l a ce w here th e i nspec ti on can be done. T he excess t i m e used t o reach a p l ace where the i nspec t i on can be done m ust be i nc l uded i n c o mp u ti ng the next 100 hours of t i m e i n serv i ce. (c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of th i s s e c ti on do not app l y t o

— (1) An a i r craft th a t carr i es a s pe c i al f li g h t per mi t , a curre n t exper i m e n t al ce rti f i cat e, or a li g h t

- sport or prov i s i on a l a i rworth i ness cer ti f i c a t e;12 of 1 4 (2) A n a i rcraft i nspec t ed i n a c cordance w ith an approved a i rcra f t i nspe c ti on progr a m under part 125 or 135 of th i s chap t er and so i d en ti f i ed b y the reg i s tr a ti on n u mber i n the oper a ti ons spec i f i cat i ons of the ce rti f i ca t e ho l der hav i ng the approved i nspe c ti on progr a m ; Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical seek s ex e mp ti on fr o m § 91.409 for reasons s imil ar t o those arti cu l a t ed i n the reques t s for ex e mp ti on from § 91.407 and § 91.405 above. T here are curre n t l y no perso n s au tho ri zed t o serv i ce or i nspect the U A S pursuant to the section above , but an equ i v a l ent l evel of safe t y w il l be ac h i eved b y Vertical m ak i ng thorough pre

- f li ght i nspec ti ons and keep i ng de t a i l ed records of a l l m a i n t e n ance or rep a i rs. As above, pos t

- m a i n t ena n ce pre - f li ght i nspec ti ons and ground t es t s w il l be conduc t ed t o conf i rm th a t the f li ght chara c t eri s t i cs of the UAS have not been su b s t a n ti a l l y impacted

. 14 C. F .R. § 91.417 Ma i ntenance r ec o rds (a) E xcept for w ork perfo rm e d i n accordan c e w ith §§91.4 1 1 and 91.413, each reg i s t e r ed owner or oper a t or sha l l keep the fo ll ow i ng records for t he per i ods spec i f i ed i n paragraph (b) of th i s sec t i on: (1) R e cords of th e m a i n t ena n ce, preve n ti ve m a i n t enance, and a l t era t i on and records of the 100

- hou r , annu a l , progress i ve, and o ther requ i r ed or approved i nspec ti ons, as appropr i a t e, for each a i r craft ( i nc l ud i ng the a i rfr a m e) and each eng i ne, prope ll e r , ro t o r , and app l i ance of an a i rcra f

t

. T he records m ust i n c l ude

— ( i ) A descr i p t i on (or refe r ence t o da t a acce p t ab l e t o the Ad mi n i s tr a t or) of th e work perfor m ed; and ( ii ) T he da t e of c o mp l e t i on of the w ork perfo rm e d; and ( i i i ) T he s i gna ture, and certi f i c a t e n u mber of the pe r son appro v i ng the a i rcra f t for re turn t o serv i c e. (2) R e cords co n t a i n i ng the fo ll ow i ng i nfo rm a ti o n : ( i ) T h e t o t a l t i m e i n serv i ce of the a i rf r a m e, each eng i n e, each prope l l e r , and each ro t o r . ( ii ) T he curre n t s t a tus of l i fe

- l imi t ed part s of each a i rf r a m e, eng i ne, prope ll e r , ro t o r , and app l i ance. ( i i i ) T he t i m e s i nce l ast overhaul of a l l it e m s i ns t a l l ed on the a i rcra f t wh i ch are requ i red t o be overhau l ed on a s pe c i f i ed t i m e bas i s. ( i v) T h e current i nspec t i on s t a tus of the a i rcra f t , i n c l ud i ng the t i m e s i nce the l ast i nspec t i on requ i r ed b y the i nspec ti on program under w h i ch the a i rcraft and it s app li an c es are m a i n t a i ned.(v) T he current s t a tus of app li c ab l e a i rworth i ness d i r e c ti v es ( AD) and safe t y d i rec t i ves i n c l ud i ng, for each, the m e thod of co mp l i ance, the A D or safe t y d i rec t i ve n u mber13 of 1 4 and rev i s i on da t e. If the AD or safe t y d i re c ti ve i nvo l ves recurri ng ac t i on, the t i m e and da t e when the next a c ti on i s req u i red. (v i ) Cop i es of the fo rm s prescr i b ed b y §43.9(d) of th i s chap t er for each m a j or a l t er a ti on t o the a i rf r a m e and curren tl y i ns t a ll ed eng i nes, ro t ors, prope l l ers, and app l i ances. (b) T he o wner or opera t or sha l l re t a i n the fo ll ow i ng records for the per i ods prescr i b ed: (1) T he records spec i f i ed i n parag r aph (a)(1) of th i s sec ti on sha l l be re t a i ned un ti l the work i s rep e a t ed or s uperseded b y o ther work or for 1 y ea r a f t er the work i s perfor m ed. (2) T he records spec i f i ed i n parag r aph (a)(2) of th i s sec ti on sha l l be re t a i ned and transferred w ith the a i r craft at the t i m e the a i rcra f t i s so l d. (3) A li st of def e c t s furn i shed t o a reg i s t e r ed owner or opera t or under §43. 1 1 of th i s chap t er sha l l be re t a i ned un ti l the defe c t s are rep a i red and t he a i r craft i s approved for re turn t o serv i ce. (c) T he owner or opera t or s ha l l m ak e a l l m a i n t ena n ce records req u i red t o be kept b y th i s sec ti on av a il ab l e for i nspe c ti on b y th e A d m i n i s trat or or a n y au thor i zed represe n t at i ve of the Nati on a l T ransport ati on Safe t y Bo ard (N T SB). In add i ti on, the owner or opera t or s ha l l present Form 337 descr i b ed i n parag r aph (d) of th i s sec t i on for i nspe c ti on upon request of a n y l aw enfor ce m e n t o f f i c e r . (d) When a fuel t ank i s i ns t a l l ed w ith i n the pa s senger co mpartm ent or a baggage c o mpartm e n t pursuant t o part 43 of th i s chap t e r , a co p y of F AA Form 337 sha l l be kept on board the m o d i f

i ed a i r craft b y the owner or oper a t o r . Re q uest f o r E x e m p t i on Vertical i s seek i ng ex e mp ti on fr o m § 91.417 t o the ex t ent the ru l e requ i res a certi f

i ed person t o perform work under § 91.417(a)(1)( i ii ), co mp l i ance w ith A i rworth i ness D i re c ti ves under s ub

- sec t i on (a)(1)(v), and/or cop i es of a lt er a ti on for m s under (a)(1)(v i ). A n eq u i va l e n t l e v el of safe t y w il l be ach i eved b y Vertical keep i ng m a i n t enance l ogs and doc u m e n t at i on i n th e A i rcra f t Operat i onal Handbook for both of the UAS s indicated in this application.
W h y Gra nt i n g th e Exe mpt io n s W o u l d b e in th e Pub l ic I nt e r es t Genera l l y , av i a ti on ac ti v i t y i s i n the pub l i c i n t erest when i t i s regu l a t ed, pred i c t ab l e and has a m a t eri al pos i t i ve i mp act on s o c i e t y . T he ex e mp ti ons reques t ed here in w ou l d a ll ow for ae ri al photography and videography pursuant t o ex i s ti ng F AA regu l a ti ons. T he ru l es, procedu r es and processes con t a i n ed ther e i n cr e a t e a safe and h i gh l y pred i c t ab l e process b y w h i ch aer i al c i n e m a t ograp h y m a y t ake p l ace. G ra n ti ng the reques t ed ex e mp t i ons w il l g i ve the pub li c access t o the process of aer i al photography and videography and the produc t s w h i ch are the resu l t of those endeavors.
A UAS can inspect, photograph, and collect data on hard to get to areas that otherwise require worker inspection. The use of the UAS will reduce workplace injuries and/or fatalities associated with falls. Moreover, the UAS can replace the use of helicopte rs and small aircraft to monitor similar sites, reducing the cost, emissions and associated dangers of using conventional aircraft.14 of 1 4 W h y Gra nt i n g th e Exe mpt io n s W o u l d Pr ovi d e an E qu ivale n t Le v el of S a f e t y t o C u r r e n t R u le s G ra n ti ng the reques t ed ex e mp t i ons wou l d prov i de a l evel of safe t y equ i v a l e n t t o th at prov i ded i n current ru l es, and i n so m e cases grea t e r , due the s pe c i f i c i t y w ith w h i ch the A i rcra f t Opera ti o n al Handbook s i de n ti f y un i que aspec t s of U A S s, and l a y out m e thods of opera t i on wh i ch e mphas i ze safe t y of the pub li c, pro t ec t i on of pr i v a t e prope rt y , y e t a ll ows opera t i on of U A S. The risk of life and property in the air and on the ground, which is usually associated with traditional manned aircraft flight operations , will be substantially reduced or completely eliminated. In addition to the lack of crew members, the UAS, because of the small size and weight has less potential for collateral damage to life and property on the ground and in the air, compared to manned aircraft, which carry fuel and have a significantly larger wingspan. A Summary That Can Be Published In The Federal Register
The Rules from Which Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc . Seeks Exemption : Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. se e k s e x e mp ti o n fr o m the f o llow i ng : 1 4 C

. F

. R

. § § 21 Subpart H, 45.23(b), 61

. 1 13 (a) & (b), 91.7(a), 91.9(b), 91.103(b)(2), 91.105, 91. 1 19, 91.121, 91.151(a), 91.203(a) & (b), 91.405, 91.407, 91.409, 91.417 (a) & (b).
A Br i ef Descr i p ti on O f T he E x e m p ti ons Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. Seeks:
T he proposed ex e mp ti ons w i l l allow Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc. , t o opera t e s m a l l U n m an n ed A i rcra f t S y s t e m s (U A S) for ae ri al imagery in con tr o ll ed l oca t i ons to provide clients with visual information for marketing and/or due diligence regarding subject properties

. P r i va c y All flights will occur over private or controlled access property with the property owner’s prior consent and knowledge. Any incidental i mages taken of persons will be of individuals who have given consent or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where the aerial photography will take place.
Sincerely, 

# Elizabeth S. Walker

Elizabeth S. Walker Vertical Real Estate Consulting, Inc.