Flight Operation Manual

Motion Picture and Television 

Genesis Photo Images Company

2050 NE 56th Ct

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 

Ph. 954-801-9656

Rev A Nov 11, 2015 

Table of Contents 

1. Introduction

A. Purpose Organization

C. Persons Authorized

D. Area of Operations

E. Plan of Activities

F. Permission to Operate

G. Security

H. Briefing of Operator/Production Personnel I. Certification/Airworthiness

J. Operator Minimum Requirements

K. Communications

L. Accident Notification

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

2. Company Organization 

A. Chief Pilot

B. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A 

1 List of Approved Pilots

3 Confirmation of materials received

2 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

1. Introduction A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by Genesis Photo Images Company hereafter referred to

as "Genesis Photo", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of authorization of the 

provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming on closed sets for TV and motion 

pictures. Genesis Photo operators 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. 

B. Organization 

Stephen R. Goddard

Owner/Operator Genesis Photo Images Company

2050 NE 56th Ct

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 

Ph. 954-801-9656

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C. 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, Genesis Photo , 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. 

D. Area of Operations 

Genesis Photo ’s approved area of operations will be the United States of America and its territories 

E. Plan of Activities 

Genesis Photo 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) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event. 

(5) 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. 

(6) Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

(7) 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 equipments 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. 

F. 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 

(5) Air traffic control 

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The Genesis Photo personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever

practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard

permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining

written permission. Genesis Photo personnel will assure a sufficient number of those forms

are available at the job site. Written permission forms will be maintained at the job site until flight 

operations are completed and then turned into the chief operator to be kept on file for a minimum of six 

(6) months. These forms will be made available 

for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request. 

G. 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. 

H. Safety Plan 

- See Pre-Flight Checklist 

- sUAS operated by Genesis Photo will weigh less than 55 lbs., including payload 

- sUAS operates at speeds of less than 100mph, can hover, and can simultaneously move in multiple 

directions 

- Genesis Photo will only operate its sUAS in line of sight and will operate only with the secure 

environment described in the FOM. Such operations will insure that the sUAS will not create a hazard to 

users of the NAS or public. 

- sUAS will adhere to FAA regulations for sUAS

- sUAS will operate leaving no trace of activity behind

- Maximum flight time will be based on what 75% of battery usage will allow

- Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 ft AGL as indicated by onboard altimeter and 

GPS - Minimum crew will consist of the sUAS operator and a visual observer

- Genesis Photo will only have aircraft flying within the hours determined by local sunrise and sunset 

- Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

In conjunction with producers and assistant directors and prior to the start of any operation under the 

provisions of this manual the operator 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 • Radio Communications 

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• 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 

J. Operator Minimum Requirements 

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum requirements 

shall meet or exceed the following: 

(1) Established competency in aircraft type.

(2) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used. (3) A minimum of 5 hours in 

the make and model aircraft to be used under the waiver.

(4) Is at least 17 years old

(5) Speaks English fluently 

K. Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the operator will formulate a plan to provide 

communications capability to all meaningful 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. 

L. Accident Notification 

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

FAR Part 830 would apply. 

M. 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. 

N. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Genesis Photo motion picture and

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the

surface will not be jeopardized.

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

those specified in the Genesis Photo motion picture and television operations manual

(“Appendix A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. Each operator’s name shall appear on each daily 

plan of activity. All civil aircraft and operator(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA 

inspection before the scheduled event.

Each operator conducting operations authorized under this certificate

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

91.119 (b) and (c). Multirotor takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

Genesis Photo 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. 

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A. Operator 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assume the responsibilities of operator when acting as such.

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

manual.

• Act as liaison between Genesis Photo and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

• Assure that each approved operator is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed statement from 

each that they have read and understand its contents.

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Genesis Photo . • 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 Genesis Photo under the 

provisions of this manual.

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

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

have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

• 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 waiver. 

Appendix A 

LIST OF APPROVED Pilots 

Stephen R. Goddard

2050 NE 56th Ct

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 

Ph. 954-801-9656

Andrew Vandusseldorp

109 W Hillsboro Blvd

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

(954) 570-8114

I, , certify that I have read and understand the Genesis Photo Images Company. 

“Flight Operation Manual for Motion Picture and Television.” 

I, , certify that I have read and understand the Genesis Photo Images Company. 

“Pre-Flight Checklist for Safe Operation.” 

Name:

Title:

Location:

Signature _______________________________________ Date _________________ 

Genesis Photo Representative ______________________________________________

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Genesis Photo Images Company 

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Genesis Photo Images Company 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 _______________________

Genesis Photo Representative Receiving Permission 

_______________________________________________________________ 

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