Aerial Horizons

Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 1

Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Aerial Horizons LLC

1801 S. Walts Ave.

Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Aerial Horizons

Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4

C. Persons Authorized 4

D. Area of Operations 4

E. Plan of Activities 5

F. Permission to Operate 5

G. Security 6

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 6

I. Certification/Airworthiness 6

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 7

K. Communications 7

L. Accident Notification 7

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 8

N. Aerobatic Competency 8

O. Special Provisions 8

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 9

B. Pilot in Command 9

Appendix A

1 List of Approved Pilots 10

2 List of Approved Aircraft 11

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 12

4 Revision Letter (sample) 13
Aerial Horizons

Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 3

Revision Control Page

Revision# 1 Date 12/11/15 Initials MK
Aerial Horizons

Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 4

1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "Aerial Horizons LLC", hereafter referred to

as "Aerial Horizons", 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. 

Aerial Horizons pilots 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. Pilot/Operator Organization

Michael Klarenbeek- Chief Pilot

Tom Simmons – Pilot

Aerial Horizons

1801 S. Walts Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57105

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 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

Aerial Horizons approved area of operations will be the continental United States, 

excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
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Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 5

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Aerial Horizons 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 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

The Aerial Horizons 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.

Aerial Horizons 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 pilot 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.
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Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 6

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. 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

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All Aerial Horizons aircraft 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 if 

required. However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" in

motion picture and television filming. The aircraft will have all required tests and 

inspections performed as per Part 91and the manufacturers service manual when 

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

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

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.
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Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 7

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

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

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(1) A current U.S. pilot certificate with ratings appropriate to the

category, class and type (if applicable) of aircraft to be used under the

terms of the waiver.

(2) At least 100 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC

in the aircraft type.

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

(4) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under

the waiver.

(5) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14

CFR 91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers

must hold FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to

perform the operations.

(6) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an

external-load operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots

used in the operation shall be qualified. This qualification may be

obtained through a knowledge test (which may be oral and/ or written) and/or

skill. The inspector or another company pilot who is qualified to carry loads

externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements

and cover the following subjects:

(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the

Flight area.

(b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load.

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating

procedures and the aircraft flight manual.

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate.

K. 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.

L. Accident Notification

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

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.
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Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 8

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. 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.

O. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the 417 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 Aerial Horizons motion picture and television 

operations manual (“Appendix A” page 11) 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) . (see attached document under “Appendix B” page 15)

sUAS takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

Aerial Horizons 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.
Aerial Horizons

Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 9

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 Aerial Horizons 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 understand its contents.

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

Horizons.

• 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 Aerial 

Horizons under the provisions of this manual.

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

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

B. 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 waiver.

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

responsibility.
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Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 10

Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name :Michael Klarenbeek

Certificate Number 3250836

Grade : Commercial Instrument Pilot 

Medical Class/Date : 1

st 12/1/15

Contact Number :605-759-6389

Pilots

Name : Marrio Massa

Certificate Number : 3743159

Grade : Private Pilot

Medical Class/Date : 3rd

Contact Number :605-988-7398

Name : Tom Simmons

Certificate Number:

Grade : 

Medical Class/Date : 

Contact Number : 605-413-3741
Aerial Horizons

Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 11

Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft

Make and Model Registration Number

1. DJI Inspire 1 N563WK

2. DJI Phantom 3 Pending

3. DJI S1000 Pending

4. Matrice 100 Pending

5. FreeFly Alta Pending

6. X8 Pending
Aerial Horizons

Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 12

Appendix A .3

Aerial Horizons LLC.

Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Aerial Horizons. 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 __________________________

417 Drone Imaging Representative Receiving Permission
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Date 12-11-15 Original Revision 13

Appendix A .4

Revision Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

R Remove and Replace D Delete and Destroy N Insert New Page

Manual Serial# AH001______________ Issued To ___________________________

Revised By _________________________________