June 7, 2015

Dear Sir or Madam:

This application is being submitted on the behalf of Gopher Aerial LLC without legal counsel or 

consulting services.

Gopher Aerial LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company is doing businessas Gopher Aerial. We are 

writing pursuant to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the Reform Act) and the procedures 

contained in 14 C.F.R. 11, to request that Gopher Aerial, an owner and operator of small unmanned 

aircraft, be exempted from the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) listed below so that Gopher Aerial 

may operate its small unmanned aircraft / lightweight unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commercially in 

airspace regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Gopher Aerial has proven it can fly safely. With over 25 years of experience with electronics 

troubleshooting, repair, and preventative maintenance the owners of Gopher Aerial are confident they 

can fly safely and not put the public or property of others in danger. 

Gopher Aerial utilizes DJI unmanned aerial systems (Phantom 2 Vision plus or Phantom 2 V2.0) for real 

estate, travel destinations, TV, police, safety, rescue, and agricultural uses. 

Gopher Aerial was founded by Joseph Stone who has 10 years of RC experience and 10 years of 

electronics experience working in a production facility as a Senior Technician with over a thousand 

unique machines. Mr. Stone also attended college for electronics and has associates degree in 

electronics. Joseph Stone is a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), and as Chief Pilot 

Mr. Stone is trained in safety and operations of the sUAS system. 

Gopher Aerial co-founder Brad Perdue has over 10 years of RC experience also and received a degree in 

electronics and lasers. He has over 12 years of troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and 

electronics as a Senior Technician in a large production facility with over a thousand unique machines. 

Before each flight the sUAV will be inspected thoroughly. No flights will take place in wind over 10 mph. 

Gopher Aerial feels the experience with electronics and focus on safety and properly running equipment 

put it at the forefront of any UAV companies out there. 

Gopher Aerial has been operating for almost a year making videos for free and had over a hundred 

flights without any crashes or incidents. Gopher Aerial flies Line of Sight (LOS) with a Pilot, Navigator, 

and spotter. The Pilot is ready to land the aircraft at any time if needed. A landing plan is always made 

before the flight. 
Gopher Aerial exemption request would permit its operation of lightweight unmanned aircraft (piloted 

by remote control) in airspace below 300 feet. 

AIRCRAFT SAFETY

1. The sUAS will weigh less than 55 lbs

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of the pilot and observer

3. Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 30 minutes. Flights will be terminated at 

25% In cold weather below 32 degrees Fahrenheit all flights will be terminated at 35% 

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 300 feet above ground level and not 

more than 200 ft above an elevated platform where filming is planned.

5. Minimum crew for operation will be one spotter, one pilot in control, and one navigator.

6. The sUAS pilot will be one of the owners of Gopher Aerial. No other person will be flying. Both 

hold a valid driver licenses.

7. A briefing will be performed before each flight to plan the day’s activities and discuss potention 

safety issues. 

8. The operator will file FAA from 7711-1, or its equivalent, as modified in light of the requested 

exemption, with the appropriate local flight standards district office (FSDO) no more than 72 

hours but no less th an 48 hours from planned operations. 

9. The operator will obtain verbal/written consent of all persons involved with the planned 

operation and ensure that only consenting persons will be allowed within 100ft of the flight 

operation, and the radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety 

determination, as required under the FOM. With the advanced permission of the FSDO, 

operations at closer range may be approved.

10. The PIC and Spotter will have been trained in operations of sUAS and receive up to date 

information for the particular sUAS to be operated.

11. The PIC and Spotter will be able to communicate by voice or radio at all times. 

12. Written permission and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or city.

13. If the sUAS loses communications or loses GPS signal, the sUAS will return to a pre-determined 

location and land autonomously. 

14. The sUAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles, weather, or 

emergencies. 

15. Any adjustments or maintenance to the sUAS will require a flight test in a safe area before use. 

16. sUAS operations will not be performed at night.

17. The UAS will not be operated from any moving device or vehicle. 

18. Any accident or incident while flying will be reported immediately 

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Joseph Stone

763-587-3425