Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual 

Jonathan Russell Sorli 

6005 Harbor Seal Ct. 

Waldorf, MD 20603 

aviatorg3@verizon.net 

ATP Pilot # 3501255 

1st Class Medical 

Table of Contents 

1. Introduction 

1. Purpose 

2. Pilot/Operator Organization 

3. Persons Authorized 

4. Area of Operations 

5. Plan of Activities 

6. Permission to Operate 

7. Security 

8. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

9. Certification/Airworthiness 

10. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

11. Communications 

12. Accident Notification 

13. Recall/Stop Procedures 

14. Aerobatic Competency 

15. Aerobatic Competency 
2. Company Organization 

1. Pilot in Command 

Jonathan Russell Sorli 

6005 Harbor Seal Ct. 

Waldorf, MD 20603 

aviatorg3@verizon.net 

ATP Pilot# 3501255 

18

t Class Medical 

Appendix A 

1. 1 List of Approved Pilots 

2. 2 List of Approved Aircraft 

3. 3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

4. 4 Revision Letter (sample) 
Revision Control Page 

Revision# Date Initial 

-----------------------------------------·-------------------------------------------------------~----------

-------------------------------------------------------~----------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Introduction A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by" Jonathan Russell Sorli, Inc.", hereafter 

referred to as " Jonathan Russell Sorli", in conjunction with an application for a 

Certificate of Waiver of Authorization ofthe provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) 

for the purposes of filming. Jonathan Russell Sorli and other company 

personnel when applicable will comply with the policies, procedures and 

conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television flight operations 

are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above. 

A. Pilot/Operator Organization 

Jonathan Russell Sorli 

6005 Harbor Seal Ct. 

Waldorf, MD 20603 

aviatorg3@verizon.net 

Pilot # 3501255 

18t Class Medical 

B. Persons Authorized 

FAR. 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and 

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The 

certificate holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the 

area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming 

production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an 

equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. 

For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an ASI's 

evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain features, obstructions, 

buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the 

public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident. 

C. Area of Operations 

Jonathan Russell Sorli approved area of operations will be the continental 

United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. 

D. Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Jonathan Russell Sorli 

will submit a written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over 

that area. The plan of activities should include the following: 
(1) Dates and times for all flights. 

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production 

event. 

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of 

airworthiness certificate, including category. 

(5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event, 

including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic competency, if 

required. 

(6) A statement that the waiver holder 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 from the waiver holder. 

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

(8) 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 minimum 

altitudes essential to accomplish the operations. 

The three (3) day notification equipment's may be waived, however, the operator 

should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared 

to explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical. 

E. Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the 

provisions of the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain 

permission to conduct these operations from property owners and local officials 

as necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required 

are listed below: 

( 1) Property owners 

(2) Law enforcement officials 

(3) Fire department officials 

(4) Local, State and Federal government, Air traffic Control 

F. Security 

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate 

production personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from 
all unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately 

discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other 

reason in the interest of safety. 

G. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in 

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of 

the risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during 

the filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional 

provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for 

the operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The 

briefing shall cover: 

Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the 

attached special provisions 

Operations manual, Plan of activities, Aircraft parking and starting Taxi 

procedures, Radio Communications, Takeoff procedures, Aviation activities to be 

conducted during the filming production event, Approach and landing 

procedures, Recall procedures, Emergency procedures, Risks to participating 

personnel, How to control nonparticipating persons. 

H. Certification/Airworthiness 

All Jonathan Russell Sorli aircrafts used in operations requiring a waiver of 

FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and 

hold airworthiness certificates. However, restricted category aircraft cannot be 

used as the filming "vehicle" in motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft 

in the experimental category must have an airworthiness certificate issued for the 

purpose of exhibition in order to be used in motion picture and television filming. 

Other required tests and inspections will be performed as per Part 91 when 

necessary. Each aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled 

maintenance and inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A 

section for discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in command will 

assure the aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required 

inspections and maintenance has been completed before each flight. 

I. Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command 

will formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants 

during the actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may 

be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants 

continuously appraised of the current status of the operation. 
J. Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the 

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

K. Recall/Stop Procedures 

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 

L. Aerobatic Competency 

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of 

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a 

Statement of Aerobatic Competency. 

M. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Jonathan Russell Sorli 

motion picture and television operations manual is the primary assurance that 

persons on the surface will not be jeopardized. 

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be 

those specified in the Jonathan Russell Sorli motion picture and television 

operations manual ("Appendix A" page 9) or associated plan of activities. Each 

pilot's name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All 

civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA 

inspection before the scheduled event. 

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate 

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 

91.119 (b) and (c). 

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will 

prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

Jonathan Russell Sorli will ensure that the participating persons involved in the 

operations are thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, 

emergency procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver 

before beginning the activities. No person may participate in any event unless 

that person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver. 
2. Company Organization A. Chief Pilot 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual. 

• Act as liaison between Jonathan Russell Sorli and the FAA on matter 

concerning this manual. 

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a 

signed statement from each that they have read and uhderstand its contents. 

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for 

Jonathan Russell Sorli. 

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and 

processed properly. 

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by 

Jonathan Russell Sorli under the provisions of this manual. 

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such. 

• The pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility. 

Pilot in Command 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections 

and required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate 

FAR's. 

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the 

provisions of this manual. 

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the 

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein. 

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, 

locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. 

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site 

at any job or operation requiring the w~iver. 

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but 

retains responsibility. 
Appendix A .1 

List of Approved Pilots 

Pilots 

Name : Jonathan Russell Sorli 

Pilot Certificate : 3501255 

Medical Class: 1st Class Medical 

Contact Number : (240) 346-9038 

Appendix A .2 

List of Approved Aircraft Make and Model 

1. DJI Inspire 1 

2. DJI Phantom 1 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 
Appendix A .3 

Jonathan Russell Sorli 

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Jonathan Russell Sorli Permission 

to operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction 

in which I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television 

production. 

Name: 

Title: 

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: Location: 

Date of Operation: 

Signature----------------------

Date-----------

Jonathan Russell Sorli Receiving Permission _______________________ _ 
Appendix A .4 

Revision Letter 

Rev # Section Page Action Remarks 

___ R 0 Remove and Replace D 0 Delete and Destroy N 0 Insert New Page 

Manual Serial#--------

Issued To ----------------------- Revised By--------------- Date ~--~----~~-- This form must be returned to the Pilot no later than 

Initials