December 3, 2015 

lJ .!>. Depanmcnt ofT ransporflltion 

Dod.et \itanag.:mcnt System 

12()() 1

e\\ Jersey Ave .. SE 

Wru.hington. DC 20590 

Re: Perition of Jack C. Gereau for an Exemption Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA 

Modemi1.ation und Refoml Act of2012 

Director: flight Standards Sen ice. 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Mndernimtron and Reform Act of20 12 ("Reform Act") rtnd 

I ol C.F.R. P'.lrt II. Jack C Gereau ("JCG") bcrcby applies lor an exemption from lhe Federal 

A' iation Regulations ("r ARs") idemifioo belo" to all~ commercial operation of ~mall 

unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e. , "smnll unmanned aircraft" or "UAS") for lhe purpnse of 

conducting aerial photography, vidt.-ography. property mapping, inspection and ))) compositing 

11f n:~idcntial and commercial real ~'Stllte for related real estmc and construction indl!Stl:ies. 

Thrs petition lbr c'<flllption b made based on anform:nloo outlined in lhis Petition for Exemption, 

ll.'l 1\Cll as t.he accompanying JCO documerus: 

I. PIC Flight Operauons Manual and; 

2. O_p:rations Manuals 

(Collectively 2 and 3 are rclerred to as DocumentS & Manuals") 

3. User Guide and; 

4. Flight 'vlununl' 

(Colkctivcly 3 und 4 are referred 10 as "Manufacturer's Manuals"). 

JC(s submits these: supporung materials as confidential documents pursunntto 14 C.F.R. § 

11 .35(b). as the maJeriab contain confidential commen:ial an<l/or proprietary information that 

JC'u luas not nod "iU not share \\itb other requesting partie.~. Additionally, these documents 

contain op<:mting conditions and procedures t.h:lt are not genemlly available to the public and are 

protl!l;ted from release under the Freedom of lnfilnnation Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 et. seq. NOTE: 

ALL ATTACHMENT ET FORTH IN SUPPORT OFTHI LETTER OF 

PETrTION ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL NOT BE RELEASED TO THE 

P BLIC WITHOUT WRilTEN AUTBOIUZATION FROM THE PETITIONER. 

1

. Th•ttnn "Mwtufaeturer\ 'vlanual" alsu inCludes nil rclevanl numufucturerpubticution<, includlnJl, but notllnth(d 

to: opemhm~ wuJ !light llll1lluals. u;c,r g.uode>. componelll maintenance ~NJ~wls. ptlllltrainillg manuali, set\ icc 

mtomn:uton lcuen and. sal"'} e,..i<:e bulletins. 
t; .. Depanmcm nfTransponution 

DI!Ccmhc:r 3. 2015 

Page 2 

For your con,·eniencc:, this Petition is organized as follows: 

I. Description of Petitioner 

n. criptit n of Proposed Operations 

,\. A.:riul Photogropby, Videograpb~. Property Mapping. Inspection and 30 

Composning 

Ill. Reh ' ant Ia tutory Authority 

TV. G'~ ropo~ed UAS Operntions Meet the Rtquire nt~ of Section 333 of 

the Refurm Act 

A. Approval is \\1u:rnnted Based on the UJ\S's Size. Weight. Speed. and Operational 

Cupabilily 

B. Approval is Warr1111ted Based on the Opcrntionnl Restrictions Set Fonb in the 

Operations Manuals 

ulatio~ From Wbicb Exemption is Requested 

A 14 C.f.R. l'an21, Subpart H - Airwonhiness Cenifical<l$ and 14 C.F.R. § 

91.103(n)( I) 

B 14 C.F.R. Part 27 Atrwonbincss Stundords: urmal Category Rotorcrafl 

C. 14 C. F.R. §~ 91 .9(c). 45.2J(b) and 4S.27{a): Aircraft Marking and Identification 

Rcquircrnentl> 

D. 14 C.I.R. § 91.-IOS(a). 91.407(a){l), 91.409{a)(l) and {2); 91.-H7(a) and (b): 

\ilaintenanc:c Inspections 

F. . I-I C.F.R. Part <II. 14 C.F.R. § 61.3. 14 C.l'.R. § 61.113: Priv111e Pilot Privileges and 

limitations 

f . I-I C.F.R. § '>1.7(a): Civil Ain:rafi.Airwonhiness 

G. 1-t C.FJt § 91.9(h)(2): Civil Aircraft I lighrManual in lheAircrafl and 14 C.F.R. § 

91 .203(a) and (b): Carryin{!. Civil Ain:rafi Ccnlfic:ation and Registration 

H. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103 Preflight Action 

I 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Flight l~'tTUction 

J. 14 C.F.R. § 91.119(c): Minimum SafcAititudel> 

K. 14 C.F.R. § 91. I 2 I: Altimeter Settings 

L. 14 C.F.R. ~ 91.J51(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions 

VI. Dru~: :md coholl'rogn~m 

VII. Public lntere.t 

Vlll Prhacy 

IX. Federal Register Summary 

X. Conclusion 
t, .S Dcparunem of1 ranspon:uion 

Dcccmher3, 2015 

Pag.: 3 

I. DESCRIPTIO OF PETITIOl'\'ER 

JC'(J, b based in Oshkl)Sh, WI. working in photography und videography services. The Comp:my 

specializes in. and wiU continue to focus on. the 'ideography of property and real estate for :;ales 

purposes as ''ell as propcn} mapping, inspections. and 3D com positing. The company allio 

shoots travel videos. The Company's Principal. Jack<.:. Oercau, has been building und Oying 

UA V Qlllldcopters as a hobby for more than four years without incident. spending thous:mds of 

hours !lying as well as eight years of vida) production experience. The Company a.lso employs 

two parmer£. on.: of,,hom serves as pri!llar) cnmCT:l operator and director of photography. 

Upon the grunt of the 333 Exemption the Company's business will spcc:iallzc in real estate 

photograph) and 'ideography of residential. commeroial nn<l industrial for the promotion of 

propenies for lklle and land development and additionally will offer services for propen)• 

mnpping. inspections lind 30 composltlng. 

JC'G 's ~taff are ''ell troined and c~tpc:rienced in provtding support as visual obscners (~VO") for 

tht: pilot in C<lmmund ("PIC:") in addition to an) other needed on site nssistlll,lcc. 

All of the equipment owned by JCG is of the highest quality gear and has been able to pro\'ide 

these sen ici!S salel) and withoutan) chums or incident. JCG's g<la! is to advise the perspective 

client that JCG b loll owing aJI the applicable ~tate Md federal rules to ensure the safety of the 

public while prov1dinll the client with a compctithe nod cost effective product. 

JC:G S<!eks an exemption to IIllO\~ for photography. vidcogruphy and other related media 

pnlducts. 

The colll3Ct information for Petitioner is us follows: 

Jock C. Gereau 

4818 Indian Bend Rd 

() hlosh. WI 54904 

Phon.:· 920-17Q-13-l9 

Emrul: paulgl'ii blendedwa.xcs.com 

ll. DE CRIPTlON OF PROPOSED OPERATlOl'\ 

JCG seeks an exemption pursuant to Section 333 of the Rcl'orm Act to operate the on Phantom 

2 (rl'lcrred to~ JCCi·UA!':>) (under 551bs) lor the proposed npc:rntions discUSlied herein bclO\\, 

AU UAS operJtions \\ill occur untkr tigbtl~ controlled conditions on private property or 

apprn1 cJ locationwbere JCG has reetived verifiable permission to operate from the la.ndowner.. 

controll.:r or authorized ruprcsemmive. The proposed UAS operations will be conducted in 

accordnnec \\llh the c~nditioos and limitatiOil!! of this Petition for Eltemplion and JCG' 

Operations \.lamlllls. As detailed in JCG's Operations Manuals. all UAS operations will be 

limited to dn~1irne YrR comhtions. \\ithin visualline-<>f-sight ("VLOS"l of the operator. in 

uncontrolled airspace. and will occur at least 5 mm away from an airpon. reference point. 

~forcover. JC(i's Operations Manuals incorporate redundant snfeguanls to assure the aircraft 

d~ not travel oub.ide the contmllcd nrca of UAS operations. including GPS "geo-fencing" 

tcchnologit:s:. 
L. Dep~entofT~pon~tion 

l)cccmbc:r 3. 2(ll S 

Pngc4 

A. Real Estate J ack C. Gcreau. Videograpby, Property Mapping, I nspcction and 

30 omp ~iting 

KG s..--eks to use sm:lll JCCJ-UAS for the purpose of conducting Jack C. G~u. videogrnphy. 

mapping and inspection services for the real estate indttstry. JCG has purposefully tailored its 

(lpl!rutions to meet the requirements established by lire FAA in prior grunts of e~emplion 

authorizing commercial usc ofUAS in lbe real c:!;Uite industry, including: 

• Trudeau. R~ahor® (Exemption No. 11138) 

• Alon i~:hcrmun (bcmption No. It 728) 

• 'ukakr Medly (Exemption. o II.J.II) 

All UAS real estate photography und \ ickogruphy opemtions will occur on private property or 

appro\ ed lllClluon in a controlled urea away frum >~tators and pen;ons not involved in the 

recording proce!;S. In addition. the litmrng will be eonducted between dawn and dusk to ensure 

maximum satcty for the public and those involved in the milnipulation and operution of the UAS: 

VFR 1;0oditions, at altitudes below 400' above ground level ( .. AGL"). 

As set forth beiO\\, JCG':. opo:mtions provide nn equivalc:ntle"el of ~fety which is superior to 

pc:rfonning the same \\Ork usiog~:onvcntional fixed-wing aircmfl or hclicoptt~rs. 

malt UAS real estate 'ideo production is also safer than truditional manned aircmft 

po:rtorming the ~e functiun. Videogropber-inspectors also frequent!) need to climb roof 

tops. trees. or otherwise perform ele\1lted work. which expose~ them to the risk of dange(9us 

falls. electrocution or other \\Ork rct:ued injuries. In addition. depending on the nature of the 

'ideo need.!d and inspection. proximil} to equipmenL :md other mechanical hazards associated 

\vith indu:.trial sites and construction facilities often involves a r:i~k of clCJX)Sure to hazardous 

conditions. The usc of JCG-UASs mitigates these hazards and is ultimately a much safer und 

co:.t efficient method of performing these and most other types of inspections. 

MnreO\er. eon\entionru opermion.~ using rotorcroft and fixed-v.;ng aircraft in low level 

opcnuions present risks associated with vehicles weighing tens of thousands of pounds 

(including payload) and carrying IIIJl!e amount:. of fuel wbicb inherently presents significant ftre 

h:l2llrds a:. \\ell as e.'Cp<>Sure to other chemical contarmnates. It is imponant to note tbe use of 

~moll UAS m this area will not only be safer und more 1;0)1 effective to the perspective user or 

purchnser of tho: service. but the quutity and CXJ)IlllSe of acquired information witJ be far more 

robust given the low eost associated with its acquisition and other potential consumers an 

m~pensi\e product. 

UAS n:nJ estme video produclion is more reliable, and nltow:; ti:rr the collection. dissemination, 

and stomge of visual Wld other sensory dma with greruer precision and durauon nt a \'et} low 

co~• Small \..11\Ss \\ill also be capable of accessing and inspecting ate:lS that v.ould otherwise be 

inaccessible or highly dangerous using conventional aircrall or other inspection methods. 

Ill. RELF.VANT STATUTORY AUTHOHITY 

This Petiuon for Exemption is submiuc:d pursuant to Section 333(a) through (c) of lhe 
l 

v.S Department ofTransportAtion 

December 3. 2015 

PageS 

FAA ~odemirmioo and Reform Act of20t2 ("Reform Act"). Congress has directed the FAA 

"to safe!) accelerate the integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into the ruuiuualairspnce 

system." Pun.UWltto Section 333 of the Reform Act. the FAA Administrator is to pennit 

unmanned aircraft systems to oper.:ue tn the National Airspace SyStems ("NAS") -where it is safe 

to do so based on the following c(lnsiderations: 

• 'I he UAS's size. weighL speed and operational capability: 

• Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas: and 

• OpeTation of the UAS ,,;thin the 'isual line of SJgbt of the operator. 

Additional!). the FAAAdminU.trntor has generul authority to grant exemptions from the agency':. 

salet) ~gulatiunl> and minimum standards \\hen the Administrator decides a requested 

exemption is in the public intetel>l. Sec 49 U.S.C. § 106(1) (defining the authority of the 

Administrutor): 49 U.S.C. § 44 70 I (J) (permitting exemptions from §§ 4470 I (a). (b) and 

§§ 44702 - 44716. et seq.) 1\ party requesting an exemption ~t~W>t explain the reasons why the 

exemption: (I) \\Ould benefit the public as a "hole. and (2) would not advet:SCiy affect safety (or 

bo\\ it '"uuld provide a level of safety til least equal to the existing rules}. See 14 C.F.R. § 11.81 

(petitions for exemption). 

IV. JCG'S PROPO. ED JCG-UA OPERATION. MEETTH F: REQUIREME NTS OF 

SECTION 33:l OFTTTE REFORM ACI. 

The :mmll JCCi-lJAS operutions proposed by JCG us noted nbove in this Petition for Exemption 

qualif) for exP"'dlled appm,·al pursuant to Section 333 of the Reform Act as each of the staturory 

critcriu and relt!vunl factors are satisfied. 

A. Approval i'l Wurntnted Bajed on the AS's 17_c, Weight, peed, and 

Openllional Capabilll) 

A Grant of Exemption is uppropriate for operations conducted using the UASs due ro their size 

\\ertzhL ~ and operational capability. 

• I be JCG-UAS utilized by JCG has been approved fur U$C in prior Section 333 

Grants of Exemption from the FAA.' 

• Inc JCG-U/\S "Cighs less than 55 pounds. including payload 

• The JCG-UAS will not be tlown at a ground speed in excess of 50 knots. The 

exemption hold~r may use eithcr groundspeed or calibruto!d airspeed to determine 

cornplinnce "ilh the 50 knot speed restriction. 

• Altitude information \\ill be generated by equipmem onboard the UAS as 

~pecilied lbrng GPS triangulation. digitally encoded barometric altimeter, radio 

~c q; .. Gm11 of E"mJl!ion ro Trudeau. RaJ~ (EMmptioo No. II t j8); Gran1 of Ext'lllptlon 10 Alon 

khmn:u~ (E.<empuon ~o. I t728); Gr:111t orF~cmplion to Sokolcr '-1~1) (Eumption No. t 1341). 
tJ.~ Oepanment ofTr.wsportation 

December 3, 2015 

Puge6 

alumc:u:r, or ony combination thereof. This information "illlx: transmined to the pilot 

via telemetric data feed, 

• The JCG-UAS "ill ba'e system redundancies and indcpendem functionalil) to 

ensure the overall safety and predictability of the system. 1 f cormection to the remote 

control or ground control station is lost, failsafe systems will pCrmitthe UAS~ to 

return to a predt:teonined location and safely land without injury or damage. 

• The radto frequencies used Jar operation!> und corurol of the JCG-UAS comply 

with the Federal CommunicutiOIIl> C.:omntission ("FCC") and other appropriare 

govemmeru O\ ersight agency requirements. The operating frequenc) for the JCGUi\S is 2.4 GHz frequency bands. 

If the same operations were conducted using a helicopter, the aircraf\'s take-otT weight \\Ould 

likt:l> exceed 6.000 pounds deJl'!IIding on payload. The difference in weight between the JCGUA 11nd a helicopter ~igniticaotl) reduces the potential harm to the participating and oonpantcipating individuals and/or surrounding property in the ~:vent of an unint.:ndcd accident or 

iru:id.:nt. 1n addition. the risl. to the onboard pilot and camera operator is eliminated. 

B. Approval i!i Warnmttd Based on tht Oper.ulooa l Restrictions et Forth in 

JCG's Opera tions Munuals 

JCG's Operauons 1\funu:tls and the Manufacturer's Manual forth~ selected JCG-UAS "ill 

contain all the procedures and limitations necessary to safely and successfully perfonn the 

operations specified in this Petition for e xemption. To assist the FAA in making a safety 

assessment nf JCG's proposed operation~. below is a summary of operational limitations and 

conditions thJt JCG will adhere 10. nod which will ensure an .:quivalcnt or higher lc'vel of safety 

to operations conducted under current regulatory guidelines: 

1. The JCG-UAS weighs less than 55 pounds. \\ith payload. 

1. All operation~ shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

verif1nbh.· pemtission from the land owner/controller or authorized rcpr&:Sentativo:. 

Permission from land owner/controller or authoriz~-d representative will be obtained 

for each schedul.:d ili!!bt prior to operation . 

.J. All UASs operated under the Grant of Exemption will be identified by serial number. 

r;:gistcred in accordance with l4 Cl R pan 47. and have identification (N-Numbcr) 

m:uidngs in accordance \\ tth 14 CFR part 45. Subpan C. Markings will be as large as 

practicable. 

4. Mmimum crew for each flight operotion will consist of a pilot, who will be Pilot-In 

Comnumd ("PIC") of the JCG-UAS. and one or more Visual Observers ("Observer") 

as n.:ccssary to safely conduct the mission. 

5. PlCs :;hall rossess either a prh·aJe, recreationol, or sport pilot cenific:ue. The PIC 

must also hold a current fAA ainnan medical ccnificatJ: or 11 valid U.S. driver's 

license issul.'d by a state, the District of Columbia. Puerto Rico. a territory,.a 
U.SUepartment ofTrunsportalion 

December 3. 2015 

Pa,.ue 7 

possession, or the Fedcrol government. rhe PIC will also meet the llight Teview 

rcqutrcmcnts specified in 14 C.F.R 61.56 in an aircraft in which lhe PIC is rated on 

his or her pilot certificate. 

6. ~ JCG·UAS sbaJJ be operated within VI 0 of lhe PIC and Obsc:rver atnll times. 

The PIC OlUS1 use hUJllllll vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses. 

II$ specified on the PIC's FAA-issued ~:dicnl cenificrue. 

7. I be PIC: and Observer designated for any opcrauon will be able to communicate 

\ erhally ru 311 times. 

8. Oectronic messaging or texting ...,;If not be permitted during flight Opi.'l1llions. 

9. rhe additional requirements identified in the Gmnt of Exemption shall be added to 

the JCG's Opemtions Mnnuuls. Tite Opcmtions Manuals will be maintained and made 

nv:~ilable to the Adntinistr:uor upon request. If a discrepancy exists between lhc 

conditions and Limitations in lhe Grant ofl.:.xemption and JCG's Operations ManuaLs, 

the conditions and limttntions in the Grant of Ex~rion shall talce precedence and 

mu~t be foiiO\\ed. Oth~rwbe. JCG shalf folio" the procedures outlined in their 

Opcmuons Manuals. 

l 0. JCO rml) update or revise its Opemtions Manuals. Revisions will be trucked ami n 

revised copy of lhe Manual \\111 be provided to the Administrator upon requel>1. JCG 

will nls.> p=t an updated and revised Operations M1111uab if it petitions for 

t:>.tension or amendment toils Gr.mt ofE.xempuon. !fan update or revision would 

affect the basis upon which the FAA grttt'lts the exemption. JCG will seek an 

amendment to it.o, Grunt of Exemption. JCG will contact the FAA's UAS Integration 

Oflicc ( AFS-80) if t~ues ions arise regarding updates or revi$ions to the operating 

documents. 

II. JCG Operations Manuals and its Grant of Fxemption will be available to the PIC nt 

lhc ground control station anytime the JCO·UAS is opernting. 

I:!. The PIC is prohibited from beginning n JCO-UAS flight unleSs (considering wind and 

forecust weather conditions) there is enough power to fly to the first intended point of 

landing. and assuming normal cruising s~ed, to 11y after that lor ot least I 0 minutes. 

13. Ma.ximum tow.! flight time for I!Cieb operational tliglu using the JCG-UAS will be 

Lintited to 40 minutes or the amount of time lhe UAS can be flown and still maintain a 

r.:sene bauery power of no less than 25o/o, whichC\ cr occurs firn. 

14. Hights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feel AOL and will never 

enter navigable controlled airspace wilhouttimcl) prior written aulhori2alion and 

approval from the FAA. In lhe event the sttucrure being inspected exceeds 400 feet 

AGL.thc UAS \\ill not be operated mon: than 100 feet above the highest point on the 

structure. and no more lh:m 50 feet horizomall) from the structure. 
t..S Depanment ofTransponntion 

December J, 2015 

Vugc8 

15. Flight oper.nions must be c:onducted at least 500 feet from all nonpanicipating 

pcr~on.s. (persons other than the PIC, VO. operator tminccs or essential pcrsoru.). 

vE:ssels. vebklel>. and structures unlc~s: 

a. Barriers or Slnlcturcs are present that:.ufficientl) proteCt nonpanicipating 

person!> !Tom the UA and/or debris in the event of on accident. TI1e operator 

must ensure that nonpanicipating persons remain under such protection. If n 

situlllion arises wh<rc nonpnnicipllling persons lea~e such protection and are 

within 500 feet of the UA. flight operations must cease immediately and/or; 

b. The aireraft is oper.ued near vessels. vehicles or structures "here the 

owner'coruroller of such ''essels. vehicles or structures has granted pcrnlission 

and the PIC has made a safet) assessment of the risk of operating closer to 

those obj~ts and deteoni.ned that it does not present on undue hazard. and: 

c. Operations nearer to the PIC. VO, operator trainees or essential persons do not 

present an undue hazard to those persons per§ 91.119(a). 

16. The ICU-UAS rna} not be operated I~ than 500 feet belo'' or less than 2.000 leet 

horizontally from a cloud or when \isibility is less than 3 statute milel! from the PIC. 

17. 1111: JCG-Ui\S moy not oper.Jte within 5 runofan airpon reference point osd~ted 

on u current FAA-published aeronautic-al chart unless a letter ofagrec:ment with that 

airpon's managcllll!ni is obtained. and lh~ operation is conducted in sccordance with 

a NOTAM B.S required by the JCG COA. The letter of agreement with the airport 

management wi II be made available to the Administrator upon request. 

18. Prior to each llight !he PIC shall in:.pect the JCG-UAS to confirm that it is in a 

condiuon safe for OighL The pre-night inspection wiU account for all distrepancies. 

e.s. inopernblc compOnents, items, or equipment. not alread) covered in the relevant 

section> of the operating docUIIlCnts as well as cquipmcnl updates. The PIC shall not 

opernte any JCG-UAS if the inspcctiun reveab a condition that affects the safe 

opermion of the JCG-lJAS until the necessary mainrenancc has been performed and 

the JCG-UAS as lound to be in u condition for safe flight. The ground contrOl station 

shall be iru:lud<:d in the preflight inspection. All maintenance nnd altenuuiollll must be 

proper!) documented in the UAS's records as required by JCG's Operations Manuals. 

I 9. JCG "ill time I) ~'lillY out ib mainterumce. impcctions. and rcc{)rd keeping 

n:quu1:mc:ms in ncccrdance with the Operations Manuals. Maintenance. inspection. 

and alterations will be fully noted in the JCG-UAS records, including total tlmc in 

service. description of worl.. accomplished, drue completed nnd the signature or the 

authorized pen;on returning the JCG-UAS LO service. 

20. An) JCG-UAS that h~ undergone maintenance or altt'mlions that nffcct the UAS 

operution or lllght characteristics (e.~. replacement of a !light critical component) 

mUSI timely undergo a functional test flight in accordance with JCG's Operati01ll> 

Manuai!S. n1e PIC who conducts the functional test flight must mal.c: an entry in the 

UAS nircrall records of the !light. The requirements and procedures for a functionnl 
l .S Dep3nment ofTransponation 

December 3. 2015 

Page9 

test night and JCG-UAS record ~ry sball be included in the JCG's Opcr.uions 

Manuals. 

2 L The JCG-UAS will be opcroted and maintained according to the Manufacturer's 

Manuals and any required 11\llnufacturcr Safety/Service Bulletins and product updates. 

22. Pnor to tbe operation. a Mission Packet ~ill be created in accordance with tbe 

requirements on JCG's Operations Manuals. 

23. JCG will obtain an Air Traffic Organization(" ATO") issued Certificate of Wniver or 

Authori:za1ion. otherwise known ~a COA, prior to conducting any operations under 

this Gntnt of Exemption. A NOT AM ,,;11 be issued as required by the COA. AU 

operations ''ill be conducted in accordance '1\<;tb airspace requirements in the ATO 

issued COA including class of airspace, altitude level and potential transponder 

requirements. 

24 All rcquin:d JXIIlll~ions and permits ~ill be obaunedirom territorial, St81e. county or 

cit) jurisdictions, including local law cn!brcement, lire or other appropriate 

governmental agencies. 

25. If the JCG-UAS loses communication with the PIC, it will have the capability to 

safely return to a pN-determined location witbin the operational area and land safely. 

2b. Contingency plrms \\ill be in place to safely terminate night iftbere Is a loss of 

communication between the PIC and the Observer. 

27. The JCG-I.JAS will have the capability to safely abort flight in the case of unpredicted 

tlb~1aclcs or emergencies. 

28. PICs and Obseners ~ill ha\e at least a cum:nt Class m Medical Certificate or a \alit! 

and curt'l!nt stnte driver's license issued witbin the United Swtes. 

29. Prior to conducting operntions for filming. the PIC \\ill have accumulated and logged. 

in a manner consistent witb 14 CFR § 61.5l(b). a minimum of200 flight cycles tmd 

25 hours total time as a UAS rotorcrnfl pilot and ut kasl I 0 bours logged as a UAS 

pilot witb a similar JCG-UAS type platform. This requirement can be achieved by 

lligh!S conducted and logged as a hobb) ist 

30. Prior to conducting operetions lor film1ng, the PIC wiU hllve accumulated and logged. 

in a manner consistent \~ith l*CFR § 61.51(b). a minimum of hours pursuant to 14 

CFR § 61.51 (b) as UAS pilot operating the make and model of JCG-UAS to be 

utilized for operations under the exemption nnd three take-oilS und tbree landing in 

the preceding 90 days. 

31. OperatJons sball occur during daytime VFR Metctlrologieal Condltions; flights under 

special visual flight rules ("SVFR") shall not be conducted. 
U.S Ocpanment ofTmnsponallon 

o .. -ccmb<.~ 3. 2015 

Pt~gc I 0 

32. The JCG-LAS shall remain clear and yield the right of wa)' to all other manned 

opemttons and acth ities at all times (including, but not limited to, uiinllight vehicle$. 

parnchutc acth•ities. parnsaiJing activities. hang gliders. etc.). 

33. JCG-UA Operations under Instrument Flight Rules, at night. or beyond VLOS are 

prohibited. 

34. The UAS '"ill not be operated from an elevated platform unless designed and 

Ctlh>ineered sp.:cificnlly for such purposes and be in compliance with thll general 

resuicuons imposed b) the applicable regulations. Additionally no "PIC \l.ill provide 

an) tilm-flight operations'' bile in motion from atop any clc,·ated platform vehicle or 

device. 

35. Before cnnduaing operations. the mdio frequenC)' spectrum used for operanonand 

comrol of the JCG-LA will comply with the Federal Communications Commission 

(FCC) or other appropriate govcmmem aver..tght agency requirements. 

V. ltEGllLATION FROM WLUCH EXEMPTIO I REQUF.STED 

The 1-cdcrnl A' iation Act expressly grants the FA.-'\ the authority to issue exemptions. This 

statutory authority, by iL~ terms, includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under§ 

4010 I ofille Act, including UASs. from it.s safety regulations und minimum struldards when ibc 

Atlmini5trator decides a requested exemption is in the public intcre51! 

JCG o;eeks an cl\emption from se.,eral interrelated provtsions ofTitle 14 of ibe Code of Fedeml 

Regulation~ ("14 C.F.R") Parts 21, 45, 61 and 91 fur purposes of conducting the requested 

operotions using JCG·UAS platforms noted above. Listed below are: (I) the specific sections of 

14 C r.R for \\hich e.\emptionts sought. and (2) the. operating procedures and safeguards that 

Petitioner has ~1ablishcd "bich will ensure a level of safety bc:tter than or equal to the rules 

from which CJ~.emption is sought.• 

lJNMANNF.D AIRCRAFT SYSTEM. 

'\. l+C.I·.R. Part21. Subpartll- Atf'\OrthinessCenificatesand 14 C.F.R. 

~91.20J(a)( I) 

The fAA has stated thal no ~:Xemption is needed from this section if a finding is made under ibc 

Reform Act that the LiAS selected provides an equivalent level of safet) when compared to 

rurcrull normally used forthe same application. These criteria are met and m point of fact 

exc!!edcd. and tht:refore no exemption is needed. ' lf. bO\\t:ver, the FAA determines that there 

J-19 t.. .l> t § +HOI (I) tauthori.nnslh• 11f1U1t of e••mrtions from reqwtcmCIIIS of reguL111om prcscnbed Jl'll'<ll3n' 10 

S=JOM +170ltsl ~nd Cb) an.! Stttions 4~702. +17t6). 

'I.Jl F.R * II.Stt•~ "htch mJUII'C$ a pcthlon for •~empcion to Include: The reason~ why gnmtin81hc exomplion would not11dvtrscly affect saftty, or how th~ exemption "ould provide a lc.'vel ofsafory at least tqUAtto thlll 

pro' oded b) !he rule from wblcl! ~ou set'!.. <llempttOn 

'S« Grant ofE.,emptfon !\u I t062to Astrae~Aerial fAA-'2014~352 at pgs. 13-14,22), 
l .S Department ofTranspanation 

IX:cember 3. 2015 

Page II 

nl'l! some charnciCristics of the chosen UAS that fail to meet the requirements of the Rcfom1 Act, 

un exemption is rcquc:Sicd. 

Equi1·alctrt Level of Sa]<'ty 

JC'G ~ u:.c of the JCG-UAS is safe when taking into accoum its size. ''eight. speed. and 

opcrntionnl capability. As set forth in 1he description of proposed operations in Section IV (A). 

the JCO-UAS weighs less than SS pounds. including payload and will not be flown ala ground 

Spt..>t..U in excess of 50 knotS. The JCG-UAS is also equipped with safety features which will 

ullow Petitioner to operale the JCG-UA. safi:ly nftcr experiencing cenain in-tlighl contingencies 

or thllures as noted below.• • 

Addi1ionaU~. the JC'G-UAS carries nc:ither pilob nor passengers. carries no explosive materials 

or tlrunrnable liquid fuels. or other elements identified by Horru:land Secunty as being 

prohibitive and operntc exclll!lively within tho: purwnctcrs stated in JCO's Opemtions Man.uals. 

Openrtions conduct.:d under this exemplion \\ill be closely conuoUed and monitored by the PIC 

opcraror and ''ill he conducted in compliance ~;th local public safety ~uiremelllS, to provide 

secwit} for the! an:u of upenuion. JCG wiUaho pro' ide the FAA with advance notice of :til 

operations via NOTAMs as required by the applicable COA. In all casl!s. operation of the JC'GUAS under thl! pruposed conditions will be at IC'.!St liS Slife as, or safer than. conventional 

rutorcrnft opcruting with an airworthiness certificate. l..ostly. the JCG-UAS do not need amcnns 

to communicate with other aircraft or ATC. because those c:apllbilities will be: solely possessed by 

the PIC :md Obsc!rver. ~bo are not onboard the! JCG-UAS ' In addition, no sense-and-avoid 

'Soc "-Jl.· Grant ofl.emption No 11184 to Low Country RC. Corp. (fAA-2014-0803 at pg. 3): "Thr(DJI StOOOI 

h.u tb< c<Spobility to <•pcrnle saM) aftrr experiencing "rtato on-flight contingencies or failures and uses llll autopilot $)'Stern to mninraln UAS Slnbility ttnd control The UAS Is nl~ abl< to respond to oluss of global positioning 

s~tem (GPS) or 1 llht-llnk evmt with o prc-(oordi~. predtctoblc, automated night maneu>c:r. and 111DllWII night 

control function•llty o~ D bac~up. These safety ftaUJ~U pro•i<k: an equivalent level uf safety compared to a t1lllliMd 

<Cr~ft pcrfomungo oimibropemlion • 

'~"' •·!!-· Grant uff.\emrtion No. ltl84 10 VOOS Global, U.C (FAA-2014.{138211 P!r'- 4·Sr. The JCG-UA!. can be opens:ted cnHn:l) by a toucb-scr«n, IMP'~ intoiacc This mea115 th~ openuur only needs to rotnmlltld the 

~}~lr:m wh<n: to JIU. and the S)'Stcm doc!~ ~II tho flying for the opc:nuor The JC<l-UA~ ean bo openncd in both semi and full)· autonomou~ nlgltt modes, with tht operator $Imply clicking on a mop 10 cr~tue o pre·piC!Ilncd night paih 

lor a Ol~t. In llddltlon, the opentlor can cn:nte no Oy J..Om:s 11r m~~imum night ranges and altitudes so the system 

cannat enter area. tlecmed unsafe or unnecessary to fly over The petitioner stat...,. funhrt' thlll the UAS ba., bulh-tn 

intelli~t fiwh handhn~ "'lticlt allo"•tbe JCG·UAS to detect a \}'1l.:m fault "'hilc in the air and automatitally Oy 

bal:l. hl iG 1:1k<Off tacat1on and land. F IIUltuhat can be dck<.tctl ioclude- lou of communication; exettdlng pre-set 

wind thresllol<l<; and low baiW} le''t'b 

All lli~t opcrallons ore l;lolxlll'()'itlonin~ symm {ClPS) controlled, making ihe ~y)tcm easy tO nAvigruc. At nny 

pnint if the openttor is not e~plicilly commnnding tho S)•tcm to mt1ve, the em tutl(lmnticnlly holds lis OPS pn<ition TI•c !UgJu control system employ' n01 only (jP$ positioning but a variel)' o( ~oensoo Including !!Ottlll', 

bammmic prcs.ure. tempcnsllm'. wind speed and others to msun: slllbility so loog as wind thresholds :ue not 

e~cwlcd.l\1~ n night tmmn:rtion lin!. - 10 ~em a 'fly away' or OLht-r potenri:tll) dangetOIIS siUl31ion - b 

~vaJ!abfc to the ope-rator· 

'See Grant ol E\emption No. 11062tu Awaetl}t\eriaJ (FAA-2014-0352ltl I'll- 13), 
IJ.S Dcpanmcnt ofTransportatioo 

December 3. 2015 

Page 12 

technolog) is nectssar) for the JCG-UASs because they will be operated at all times in VFR 

conditions and '~ilhin VLOS oflhe PIC tmd Operator.• 

B. 14 C.F.R. Port 21 Ail"\\orthiness tand2rds: Normlll Category Roton:rafr 

rille I-I C.F.R Pan27 $Ct.!, forth the proceduruJ requiremems for airworthiness certificacion of 

ntmnal categol") rotorcrafl. To the extem that JCG"s small JCG-UAS would otherwise require 

certificution under Pan 27. Petitioner !oeeks an exemption from Part 27':. airworthiness standards 

for the same reasons identified in the request for exemption from 14 C.f.R. R. Pan 21, Subpart 

11. supra. 

C. 14 C.f.R. §§ 91.9(c), 45.2J(b) ond 45.27(a}: Aircraft Marking and Identification 

Requirements 

JCG seeks an exemption from the aircrun marking and identification requircmenlll contained in 

14C.F.R. §§ 91.9(c). 45.23(b) and 45.27{a). 

• 14 C.l.R. § l,l1.9(c). Civil Aircrnft Flight Manual. Marking and Placard 

requirements. provide!> th:u: 

No person may operate a U.S.-rcgistercd civil aircruft unless that aircrnft 

is identified in accordiiDCc with Part 45 of this chapter. 

• 14 C.F.R. § 45..23(b), Markings of the Aircraft. :.tate:.: 

When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the regisrration 

number is displuycd on limited. nmrictcd or light-sport cutcgory aircrufl 

or cxp.:rimental or provisionall) certificated aircrufl, the opcrutor must 

also display on that aircmfl near each cnrrancc to the cabin. cockpit. or 

pilot station. in letters not less thwl 2 inches nor mon! than 6 inches high. 

tbe ~ords "limited." "resmcte<l," "light-sport, "expccimentnl," or 

"provisional." as applicable. 

• 14 C.F.R. § 45.27(a), R01orcrafi. stllles. 

Each opcrutor of a ro1orcraft mUS1 display on thru rotorcraft hori7ontally 

oo both surfaces of the cabin, fuselage, boom, or tnil the marks required by 

§ 45.23. 

In a pm ious Grunt of Exemption, the FAA determined that exemption from these requirementS 

was \\amtnted pro"ided lhul the aircraft "h3\c identificntion (N-~umber) markings in 

accordance \\ith 14 C.F.R Part 45. Subpart C if the markings arc as large ns practicable.''10 

'. ld 

tu. fAA Docke1 l'oo. ~AA·20t4-03S2. 
I .. Department of Tr.msportauon 

December 3. 2015 

Page 13 

Equii'Oltntl.el'l!l of S ufetJ• 

All JCQ.UAS Oovm b~ JCG will bear N-number mrulcings thai are us large as practicable in 

fl«:nrdance '~ith 14 C.F.R. P:lt145, Subp:1t1 C.11 

0 . ~ C.F.R. § 91AOS(a), 91A07(a)(l), 91A09(a)( l) llnd (2); 91.417(11) and (h): 

~1 tint nance Inspections 

JCG se.!ks on exemption frum the IIIllintenance inspection requirements conl3ined in 14 C.F.R. § 

91405(a). 91A07(n) (1). 91.409(n){2); 91.417(11) and (b). rhese regulations specify maintenance 

and inspection stJllldard$ in reference to 14 C.P.R. Pan·B. See, e.g., 14 C.F'.R. § 91.40S(a) 

(stuting that t'ach owner nr opemtor of un aircr.tll "fs]ball have tbe aircraft in~pected a.' 

prescribed m subpan E of this part and shall between required inspections ... bave discrepancies 

repaired as prescribed in pnn 43 of thi~ chapter"). An exemptlnnfrom tlw.ve f!'gulotiom Is needed 

he,·uu.\'1' Purl JJ and these sections only apply w ufrcraflwitlt un ain,·orthiness certificate, which 

th<' lJAS platforms w he (lperoted u11tkr thi.1 grant of eumption wi/11101 hm·e. (Emphasis added) 

Equivalent Lc1•el of Sofety 

.-\n equi~alent lt:vel of safety \\ill be achteved or exceeded because maintenance and inspection!\ 

~ill~ timet)' performed in accordance with the Manufacturer's Manual and any required 

manufacturer Safety or Service Bulletins. Further. as required by JCG's Operations Manuals, the 

PIC' \\ill conduct a pre-flight ~-pection of the JCG-UAS and nll assoc:iated cquipme.ru to DCCOWlt 

for all discrepancies and/or inoperable components. Mainbmance will be performed and verified 

10 address uny conditions JX)tenriall> uffccting sufc opertulon of the JCG-UAS and no nights will 

llCcur unlc~. and until. ruJ flight crilical components of the JCG-UAS have been found to be 

airwonh> and in a condition safe for operation. A functional test .flight will be conducted 

following the replacement of any Gight-critic:nl components. As required by JCG's Operations 

Manuals. the: PIC who conducts the functional testllight will make an cnay in the JC(;.uAS 

mrcratt records of the flight. 

JCG's Operutions Manual also i.ncludes requirements to lollow the manufacturer's UAS 

uircraftlcomJl<>nCnt.. maintenance. O\"erhaul, replacemt.'nt. inspection. and life limit reqwrements 

fur the following applicable components: p<menrain system (powcrplant). propellers, a\·ionics 

ond control surtilces (including ailcronslclcvons). )lruct.urcs & :rirfrumt. crunern system. 

electrical systems (including b.111eries).1!found control station. luv..ard accessories, and spare 

pans. Further. JCG's OperJUons Manuals also include procedi!TC.'Ito doeumc::nt and maimain a 

record oft he JCG-UAS's maintenance. preventative maint.:nance . aherutio.ns. status of 

replacement /overhaul component parts. and the total time in service of the JCO-UAS used under 

!hi> Grunt of E.xemption. As a \\hole. the maintenance and inspection procedures required in 

JCG's Operation.~ Manuals en:;ure that an equivoh:nt or higher level of safety will be achieved. 

II See. e.~. rAA Oocke1 No. FAA·201~-03S2. st 14. 
L. Dc:panrn.:m ofTransportlliion 

0L'CCil1ber 3. 2015 

Pug.: I~ 

PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF THE UAS 

E. 14 C.F.R. § 61. 113: Private Pilot Prlvilq;es and Limillltions 

JC.G seeks exemption from 14 CfR § 61.113. whichTt!l'tricts private pilot certificate holders 

from nying aircroft for compensat.ion or hire. and would ulso require a second class medico! 

c~rtiticate. I be purpose of Pan 61 is to ensure that the skill and competency of nny PIC mau:hes 

the airspace in "hic:h the PIC will be operating. as w.:U as requiring certific-ations if the pri"ate 

pilot is carrying passengers or cargo for hire. In tb.is case, while the JCG-UASs will be operoted 

ns pan of o commercial o~rotion. the) carry neither passengers nor curgo. In the Graru of 

£xemption to A~trueus Aerial. the FAA determined that the unique characteristics of UAS 

operation out:. ide of controlled airspace did not warram the additional cost nnd restrictions 

au.:ndant with requiring the PfC to hove a Commercial Ptlot Certificate und Class Ill Medical 

Cc:rtiticate.

12 The fulfillment of th.: additional requirements lor a prlvutc pilot to become 

qualtlicd as a commrn:tul pilot \\lluld not lead to any additional safct) benefits \\hen UAS 

operations nrc in\ oh·cd. 

Equiva/~111 L<~ d of Safety 

Til<! re~tricllnns JCG has placed on its JCG-UAS opemtions meet or exceed the restrictions 

stmllarly impos~ nnAstroeus Aerial. JCG willuperote on private pmpcrty or approv~ location 

awuy !Tom persons and pruperty not involved m the opcrotion. JCG will ulso obt.ain :ln ATO 

isl.ued CO.'\ prior to conducting M) oper:uions under this Gram of Exemption. All operations 

wiU be conducted in accordance with airspace requirements in the A'l 0 issued COA including 

dus_~ of ain.pacc. altitude levd and potential trunsponder requirements. A NOTAM will also be 

is~ed as required by the applicable COA. 

In addition to th.:s.: ilight restrictions, JCG will further ensure safe npcration by requiring that 

an) PIC be thorough!) versed not only in airsp:~cc Wld communication issues pertaining to all 

aircraft operators hut. also in the uniqut asp...'<:ts nf JCG-UAS tlight. As set forth in the 

0J'lt'ruti~ MW1ll1lls. pilots will ban! c~perience not only in JCG-UAS operations generull) but 

have logged flight time in the specific make and model used for the operotions before they are 

permitted to participate in cormnercial flights on behalf of JCG. The pilot qualification. training, 

:md currency requirements in the Operations Mrutuals cll!lure that JCO pilots are competent and 

prolicicru in the JCG-liA the} are operating. JCG's t.mining and qualification requirements ore 

consiStent ''ith those contuincd in pnor I·AA Section 333 Grunts nf E.~cmption, and wiU provide 

11 htt'her level of competency and proficiency for its pilots nnd will ensure at least tllli!<JUivalcnt 

le"cl of safet) to the public 

OPERATING PARAMETER OF THE llAS 

f. I~ C.F.R. § 91.7(a): Civil Aircraf1 Ain•onhinm 

lnu.,much as then;: will be no nirworthiness ceniflcare issued for the: UASs, JCG seeks an 

cxcmpllon !Tom 14 C.F.R. ~ 91.7{a), whlcb requirt's that a civil aircrufl h.: in llirworthy condlrion 

l:x~mptinn :-lu I t062 (fAA Docket 1\o. I AA-2lll4.035~) 
L .S Th:p;lrtm~nt nfTnmsportalion 

Dec~mhcr 3. 2015 

Page 15 

to be oper.ued. 1'11.: FAA bas suucd that no exemption is required fur 14 C.F.R. § 91.7(a) to !he 

extent that the rcqum:m~nts of Pan 21 are waived or found inapplicable " 

Accordingly. Petitioner requestS tlutt the requiremems for* 91.7(a) be rreated in accordance with 

Set:tion V (At. supr.t. 

G. l~ CF.R. § 9L9(b)(2): Civil Aircraft FUgbt Manual in tbt Airtnft and 1-1 C.F.R. 

§ 9l.203(a) und (b): Carrying Chit Aircrafl Certification and Re!ristration 

Title 14 C.f.R. § 91.9(b) (2) and§ 9L203(a) und (b) requir~ lhe operutor to emry airworthiness 

documents and otheraircnrti manuals onboard the aircraft. Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 91.9(b) (2): 

(b) No person may o~ratc a U.S.-regislcred dvil aircraft-

(2) fonvbich an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight MMual is r<!(!uired by§ 21.5 oflhis 

chapter. unl~s !here is availablt' in the airerafi a curreru appro\ed Airplane or Rotorcrafi 

Flight Manual, O(lpTOved numual material, markings, and placards, or any combination 

thereof. 

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 9120l(a) and (b): 

(u) Except as provided in§ 91.715, no person muy opcnue a civil aircraft unless it !lll!! 

within it tbc follov.ing: 

( 1) An appropriut~ and current ainvortbiness certificate ... 

(b) No person muy opcrute o civil aircraft unless the uirwonhine!IS certificate required by 

pnr-.tgr11ph (a) of this section or a spe<:iulllight aulhoriz.ation issued under§ 91.715 is 

ilispla)ed nt the cabm or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to pnssengers or crew. 

Given tl1c small sikt and configuration of the JCG-OAS. it would be impossible tO keep 

airworthiness documents and olhcr aircraft manuals on bOOrd the JCG-UAS because there is 

simpl) no room Dlld the JCG-UA has no cabin ur cockpit. As a way to comply \vitb the code: 

JCG \\ill maintain the documents with the PIC and make them ~n'llilable for inspection. 

P.quivflfeul Ltwe/ of Sufet)• 

In an f-AA OOice of Chief Counsel's Opinion dated August 8, 2014. and prepared by Dean E. 

Griffilh.AnomC). AGC-120. it ''as acknowledged that the intent of 14 C.F.R. 91.9(b) and 

91.203ta) und (b) is met if the pilot of the unmanned aircrafl has access to the UAS flight 

manuaL registration certificate. und otber required documents from the ground control station 

from "hich h< or she is operating the aircraft." As LhN FAA Office ofCbicfCounscl Opinion 

clanfics,lhe intent of !he rule is to cnsun: th~ pilot ha, access to~ key documentS during 

ll ~ot ld. nt t3-t4, 22. 

" Memorandum from Marl. Bwy, fAA AsstWIII t:hlefCounsd ror International Ul", l..egl51suoo and R<gularion, 

10 John Duncan. FAA rlight 'lt3ndanb Snviee (AuJ. 8. 2014).5<!e aho ~No. FAA·1llt4-03S2 at 16-18. 
l . I.A:part1r.ent ofT mnsponntion 

December 3, 2015 

Page I 6 

fiigbt. tnerefare. an equivalent lc\el of salety v. ill be achie' ed by ensuring that the pilot bas 

access to the documents at the ground control 'illllion from which be or she! is piloting the UAS. 

H. 14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Prt>Oi tA~ti n 

JCG se.:ks an exemption from 14 C.f.R. § 91.103. \~hich reqmres a PIC to become familiar with 

sp<:eific informnuon beforeea.ch flight, including infolllllttion contained in the fAA-approved 

Flight Manual on oourd the aircraft. While the PlC wiU be fiunilillr with all information 

necCJ>sary to safely conduct the 11iglu. an exemption is requested to the extent that an FAAappro' cd night Manual is required. 

£quimlent Lew/ of Safety 

An equivalent fc,el ofsafet) will be provided by follo\\ing the JCG's Operations Manuals and 

the Manufacturer's Manunl. The PIC wiU perform a series of checldisb designed to identify Bn) 

defect~ or inoperable componc:ms in accordance \\ith the JCG's Operations Manuals, including 

chcckliru covering Pre-Flight. Launch. Landing, and Post·Fiighqm>CCdurcs. The PIC will also 

be required tore\ ic" weather, nigh! requirements. battery charge, landing and Ulkeoff distance, 

Ui\ pcrfonnancc duta, and contingent) landing areas-before initiation of fligbL JCO's 

Operations Manuals and the Manutacturer's Manual will be kept at tho: ground contrOl station 

and \\ill be accessible to the PIC at all time.' while operating the UAS. 

I. U C.F.R. § 91.109(a): Fligh t lnstruelioo 

JCG scclc. an Cli.Cmption from 14 C.~.R. § 91 109(a). wbtch provides in pertinent part tluu "[n)o 

p~:rsun may operate u ctvil aircrnl1 (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for flight 

instruction unless that ain:raft has fully functioning dual conirols. • UASs and remotely piloted 

aircro~ft. b) their design. do not ba\e functional dual contrOls. Instead. Otght control is 

accomplished through the use of a device tluu communicates with the aircrnft via radio 

communications. i\ccordingly.nn exemption will be required for tlte flight instruction 

~quir~mentS of 14 C.F.R. § 91.109(a). 

Eqttivalem w·el o/Sufety 

Given the size and s~'<l of the UASs that JCG intends to use. au equivalent level of safe 

lrttining can Still be performed without dual controls because no pilot or passengers nrc aboard 

the l AS. and as required b) the JCG's Operations Manuals. all persons v.iD be a saf.: disllmc:e 

awn) in the event that the UAS experiences any difficulties during flight instruction. Moreover. 

as ret~uire:d by the JCG's Operations Manuals, all flight training will be conducted in controlled 

and sterile environment. A~ n whole. the safety procedures provided for in JCG's Operations 

Manual~ ensure tlllit the proposed lJAS operations provide an equivalent or higher level of safety 

than th.st pro' ided b> the flight instruction re~,'ulari~. 
l 

l .S Depanment ofT=portation 

JJcccmbtr 3. 2015 

Page 17 

.1. 14 C.F.R. § 9J .U9(c): Minimum afeAititude~ 

JC'O requests an exemption from the minimum safe altitude requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 91 119( c).' ' Section 91.119 prescribes the minimum safe altitudes under which aircrnft may not 

Opl>rate, including 500 lcet above the wrfacc and away from any pen.on. vessel, vehicle. or 

structure in non-congested are<a Sec 14 C.F.R. * 9J.II9(c). Section 91.119(d) allows for 11 

h<llicoptcr to operate at less than those minimum altitudes when it can be operated "without 

haz.ard to ~ns or propert) on the :;urfac.;" provided that "each person operating the helicopter 

complies \\itb any routes or nltitudcs specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA." 

An exemplion Is requin.>d bolcause the proposed JCG-UAS opemiion will nonnally need to uccur 

helm' .W0 feet AGL. In circumstances "Where the JCG-UAS is used to inspect a Structure whose 

hetght exceeds 400 feet AGL. the JCO-UAS will not be operated more than 100 feet above the 

highest point on th<' structure. and within 50 feet horizontally of the structure. Additionally, due 

the nature of the proposed oper:nions. the Pilot and/or Ob~f\ei'S(s) may need to be less than 500 

feet a\\ a) from the JCG-UAS. 

Equh·ultml Lel'ctl of Safety 

Compared to llight operations with rotorcraft wcighin~ far more than the maximum ''eightS 

proposed herein, and given the lack of flammable fuel v.ith the above noted OASs. any risk 

associated with the!><! upcrntions is far less than those which presently exist with conventional 

nircraft. An cqui\'alemlevel ofsaJ'et) will be aehie"ed ghm tbe size. weight. and speed of the 

J('(,.l,ASs. as well as the: controlled location where the operations will occur. ln order to avoid 

U/1) risk to manned aircrotl. tliglll operations will be restricted to 400 feet AGL or below. or 

when inspecting a U.S. st.ructure whose height exceeds 400 feet AOL. within I 00 feet above the 

highest point on that struerure and 50 feet horizon tall) of the structure. 

As set fimh in the Operations Manuals. the KO-UASs will be operated in a r.:stricted arcn. and 

nil flights will be operuted at a lateral distance of at least 500 teet from any nonparticipating 

perl>tms. unless that person is in a position where he or she is shielded from the JCG-UAS and 

any possible debris resulting lrum itS fuilure. As required by the Operations Manuals. flights \\'ill 

be tcrminnted if a nonparTicipating person within 500 feet of the JCG-UAS ICllvcs n shielded 

position. Further. its operations will occur llllenst 500 feet oway from vehicles or structures 

unJess lb.: property 0\\ner'eontroller timely~ granted pennission and the PIC has made a 

safet~ assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objectS and, operations near the PIC or 

Observer will not present an undue hnnrd per§ 91.119(u). Adherence to these restrictions in 

JCCI's Operations Manuals will ens\11'\! operations c-.m be conducted without compromising 

IS Relief from § Q I ll9(n) will nol be n.:cc»ary b«nuS<~ retitlooer will be oblc 10 perform an emergency 141\ding 

.. uhour undw: lw4nJ tu ~or propen) on u,., ground in lbo:. eveo1 of e &ilure Pctidoo~l's propo:<oed UAS operatum "ill noc accur o•i:f~t$1cd arns. :md lhcn:fore anenmption &om§ 91.119{11) "iU not beD<'CCUal)'. 

See e. I}. Gnm uf rx<'mption NC> IIIS710 Slug.wear. Inc., dba Uke on a IRe Aerial (FAA-2014-0534111 IS). 
L, .!) Department ofT ransportation 

December 3. 2015 

Page 18 

puhhc :.aJet). 

K. 14 C.F.R. § 91. 121: Altimeter ettings 

J((j seeks~ exemption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.121. which requires a person operating an nircroft 

to maintain cruising altitude or ilight level by reference to an altimeter that is set to the elevation 

of tho: dep3tt:ure llirport or barometric pressure. An C.'Cempt:ion is required 10 the extent that the 

l.JASs do not hllve a barometric altimeter. but rathcr 11 GPS altitude read ouL 

E(fllillu/imt Level nf Safety 

The FAA has suued that an equivalentle\cl ofsruety 10 the requirementS of 14 C.F.R. §91.121 

can be achieved in circum~iances v. here: (I) the UAS will be operuted below 400 feet AG L or 

hel(tw17, (2) within VLO , (3) wberc GPS based altitude infomu1t:ioo is relayed in real time to the 

opemtor at a ground-based on-screen display wtd, (4) Y.bere prior to c:ach flighL t1 zero altitude 

iniuiluon point is established for the PIC to cnnfinn accuracy of the onboord GPS.11 

The JCG-UAS that JCG intends to usc for the proposed operutions will meet all these operational 

characteristics. Moreover, 3S required by JCG's Opemtions Manuals, the PIC" ill be required to 

cahbrnte the tlircmft's GP~ compass prior to each flight operntion. Like prior fAA Section 333 

Clron~ of Ex<'mption, the JCG-UAS JCG intend~ to u~, Wld the safety mitigation procedures 

contained in the Operatiu~ MW1unls. both ensure thai an equivalent level ofStlfcty or greater 

le\el wiU be achieved_ and a Grant or l!xcmpLion to the n:quircm~nts of§ 191 .121 is therefore 

appropriate. 

L. 14 C.F.R. § 91.151(a): Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions 

JCG requestS an <.'"-emption from 14 C.F.R. § 91.1SI(tt)'s fuel requirements for flight in VFR 

conditions. Sect ton 91.151 stat-es; 

(3) No person may begin a flight in an tlirplane under VFR condition:. unless (considering 

wind and forCC3SI weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the ftrSt point of 

intended lwuling and, u.ssuming oonnal cruising speed -

~eg.. Grant ur~emption No. 11138 to Oolrgbs Tl\ldtau (FAA-20144181 111 19): "lfberrters orstruct..,..,. ~ 

pteRnt lh81 can ,uffidend) ptmm nonpsn~eipaung pt'I'SOIIS rrom the UA or ~s in lhe <>c:ot of an oeeidenl, then 

lit~ IJA may ()penue closer !hun 500 f<et w persons allorded such protection. The opcmtor mUS1 ~lw cnsuno that nunpanicip31!n.& persons reiTlllin undrr sw:b rrotcctlon. tr a situll!i('n ~ "h= nonparticipating persons lea•e 

.uch pRl<ectinn 1111<1 ~ \\itbin ~feet uflhc UA. fhglu operations must ce3SI! llliJiledmtdy. Wbeft considering how 

to •mmediatel~ cuse operatinM. the pnmar; concern IS the saf~y of those nonp3111tlpating pd'50ft5 In addition, the 

I A·\ lind> that opc:nnioru rnoy be conducted eloscr than 500 feet tu ve<~Sels. veblctcs and suucture$ when the 

0\1 ncr/controller ~f fllly <U<:h vesseb. ~bic ~~ ur lltn!ctw:es grams pcm1iss•on fur the operation Wld I he PlC IIUikcs u 

safe~ ~ ttS:SCSSm<nt of the risl. ofopenulng clc>s<:r to those objects and dctcnnil15<bal it does ll(J( present sn undue 1\.t.z.srd • 

1

-tllhe height of the ~tructnre bcin& inspected exceed\ 400 feclt AGI~ the UAS will not be opcroted more thon 100 feel above th• htghc>a poinl on 1he struClure. 
L. Dcpanment ofTr.msporuuion 

December 3, 2015 

Page 19 

(I) During lhe day, to fly o.ftcr lhat for at leas' 30 minutes; or 

12) At night. to fly afler that for at leru.t ~5 minutes. 

llerc. the technological limitations on UAS battery poYler means tlun no meaningful ffight 

operations can he conducted while still maintaining a 30-minute battery reserve. An exemption 

from the fuel requtrcments of 14 C.f.R. § 91.151{n) is therefore required. Moreover, it is not 

JCG's intention to fly the JC'G-UAS:. at nighL 

Equivu/e/11 Let•el of Safety 

ln the: Grant of L:.xemplion to VDOS (Lxemption ~o. 11112). the FAA detemllned that un 

equt,-alent level of safet) to the fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions could be achieved 

b) prohibiting the: PIC frctm beginning a JCG-UAS night unless (considering wind and foreca..'!t 

".:ather conditions) there was enough power to 11) to the first intended point of landing and. 

assuming normal cruising speed, to Oy aJla that for at least 10 minutes. ln reaching this 

conclusion. the I AAconsidered that the lJAS batteries for the JCG-UAS provide approximately 

50 minutes of powered Hight t with payload) and provided battery level and bnttery time 

remaining in minures and :;econds to the P1C.14 The FAA also considered the filet the JCG-UAS 

<~penning manual SUlles: "start e\'el) !light with a fully charged battery in the aerial vehicle~, and 

that m tlle event that the JCG-UAS should run low on powc:r, the PIC will be alerted and can 

sufcl) land the- JC'G-UAS as soon as possible. Like the VDOS Grant off.xemption. JCG's use of 

the JCG-l!J\!). combined '~ith the requirements of Petitioner's Operations Manuals.. ensure th:n 

an equivalent lcvc:l of salety can be achieved and in fact ~xcceded. 

Similarly. in the Grant of Exemption to AJan Purwin (E.xemption No. 11161). t.be FAA 

determined that an equivnlcnt level of :.afcty to the fuel requirements for fiight in VfR conditions 

ce>uld be achie' ed by prohibttin¥ the PIC from beginning 11 night with the UA unless 

(~o-onsidcring '' ind and forecast weather conditions). t.bere \o\BS enough power to sufely fly nt 

nomml cruising speed to the intended londing point and land the UA with 2:>% baltery power 

remaining. JCG wiU adhere to this limittuion for its JCG-UAS lligbls. 

lltc JCG-UAS includes a low baucry warnlng system and the amount of battery reserve power 

remaming is continuous!} tronsmmed to the PIC via telemetric data feed. which downlinks from 

the JCG-UM to a ground·hased-on-screendispla~.lf> As required by JCG's Operotions Manuals. 

the PIC' wiU promptly fly the JCG-lJAS back to the home launclllncation or pre-<lctermined 

abon location where it may safcly land, while still maintaining a minimum of25% reserve 

battcl) pD\\et, JCG submits that the procedures requiring flights to be safely tenninated once the 

battene5 fall belo" 25'• capacit}. combined "ith the Tequiremcnt that flights only be conducted 

'~ithin a scc~m:. isolated oren. using u UAS weighing less than 55 pounds. and within VLOS of 

th~ PIC and Observer(s), ensure thnt the proposed operation wiU provide an equivalent or higher 

level of safct) to the public to that provided by the regulations from which excmplion is sought. 

19. Cin1n1 ofEumpnoo No. 11112to VDOS Glub31, LLC CFAA-2014·0382 at 10) 

20. I he JCG-UAS ground control swion display• the UAS '$ pooirion, navigation route. lllll num~. oiliitudc. 

heaJing. nmth snLin.: llml". rong~ 1o llllitb. akulated targ<l posiciOn. dale/time. and sensor heading :mel 

uricntltion ~latl\c 10 1he UAS 
L.~ Do:panmc:ot ofTmnsportation 

Deccmbcr3. 2015 

Page 20 

Vl . ORUG A ' 0 ALCOHO L PROGRAM 

JCG will hnve policies in plac.! to t'l1SUl'C that no p.:rson mny participate in JCG-UA. flight 

opcrntlons if they are uruler the influence of alcohol or any drug. 

Vll. P BUC 11'\'TEREST 

l11e public iotE!!'est will be served by granting JCG's Petition for Exemption. Congress has 

Cl>Uiblishcd a nation:. I policy thnt favoxs early integration of UAS into the NAS in controlled. safe 

workmg cn\'ironments such as those proposed in this Petition. Grnntiog this Petition fur 

Exo:mption helps fulfill Congress' goal in pa!.!.mg Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform 

Act- the fAAAdministrntor's a.sse.'lSlllent of whether certain UAS may operate safely in the 

NAS before completion oflhc statutorily required rulemaking. 

The proposed JC(,.UAS operations in this Petition for Exemption significantly improves the 

safety and reduces risl.. of harm. physical injury and propeny damage to the public at large, the 

property owrren; from whom permission was granted for use by Petitioner and abuulng 

properties. statT of Petitioner. unsuspecting passersby. inspecting engineers from rc:lcvant 

orgunlllllions and all those wbo may be in the local vicinity. T roditional methods of inspecting 

and monitOrill$ potential locations and relevant sites and facilities requires location personnel to 

climl:.> to"ers. trees, ventUre onto precarious roofs nnd other dang<!ruus scenarios. perform 

cJc, utctl work for which the individual is neither trained nor equipped to perform. which 

expo~ them to unnecessary risk of serious physical injury from dangeroU!. fullis or other 

ph) sical mishnps. Moren' er. iru;pector.ilsur. cyors are often unneeo:ssarily exposed to hazardous 

conditions, um.afe cm1ironmen~ culturally tense situations and other hazards associated with 

identifying sped lie locations for potential recording sites to be u.o;ed In the end product. The use 

of sm:~ll UAS Clln eliminate these hazard5 and ultimau:ly cn.'ate a much Slifer method of 

performing the~oC I)~ of inspections creating a safer eo~ironment for the public as \\ell as JCG 

emplU)CCS. 

The usc of small UAS nlso enhances safety and reduces risk to the surrounding public becaUlle. 

unlike manned aircrufl wcighing thonsands of pounds. carrying ere\\ in addition to tlDltlillllble 

fueL the liAS caJT) no passengen;, crew or explosive fuel. furthermore. in the unlikely event of 

an accident. JCG's small batter) powered JCG-UAS prc:scnts significan11y less danger to persons 

on the ground when compared tO opermions by conventional m1111oed oircraft.1 1 As Pcritioner's 

JCG-UAS are batto:ry powered. the public will also benefit from a reduction in barmfuJ 

petroleum based emissions associated '~><ith conventional aircraft performing in the same 

functions proposed herc:in. Air quality wiU naturnlly be improved \\ith the reduction of fuel 

JlO" ered vehicles. 

"See Grtnt orExempuon 1\o. 11158 to Te:un 5. LLC (FAA-2014.0783 m 11): "MaMed bdkoptcn conductill!\ 

aeml Ohnmg can "eigh 6.000 pounds or more and arc opmued by an onboaril pilot. In addition to oth~r onboArd 

crrwmembcrs. as ne<:essnry. Thepctilioner's UAs will weigh tes$ !hun SS pouncb with no onbonrd pilot or Crt'W. 

Tb~ pilot and crew will be =~ly IOC4ted from the aumdt. The tlmltcll wcight signifiCJmtly reduco lhe polrotilll fur harm to IXlllktpilbn& ond nonpaniCJ))31ing individUills or prol"'fl> in the c•-enl of an inddrm or occident. Rlsk 10 

an unbo•nl pitaulld .-~ dunng 110 liiCidmr ocaccident is elimirulted "ith the u.eofa UA (oc tbe oerial filmin& 

opcnuion • 
l ~ Th:panmcnt ofTronsponation 

December 3. 2015 

Pnge21 

La!.tl). as recognizc:db) the FAA in prior Section 333 Grunts of Exemption ro filmmak--ers. UAS 

provide an additional economic rool for the aerial filming norwilhstanding lhe industry. adding a 

l!!c!llcr degree of Oexibiliry. \\hil'h supplemeors lhe currcnr <:apllbilitics offered by manned 

Hircrufi." The qualil) of !he fmisbed producr is enhanced and provides a greater finished product 

demand "hich ''ill :tid the currenr UAS indusrr) and pro' ide additional jobs as the cost of 

pro,•iding the needed producr is greatly reduced while reducing the difficulty with wbiclt the 

finish-xi producr is crearcd. The tkmand for the CUJ'T'efit industrial producr is increasing lllld will 

continue to increase gi\en !he enhanced flexibility of production: lherefore. given rhc IO\\er cost. 

O\\ ncr/opernror.. and others m the relevant industry wiiJ be more inclined to .utilize lhe services of 

commercial UAS along with llll appropriate licensed PIC's. 

All JC<i-IJAS operations will be conducted In accordance ''~th applicable federal, ~tate, and 

local laws regarding pri"11C). All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-acet"ss 

propel'!) '' ith permission from the land owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission 

from llllld owner/controller or authori7Cd represenrative will be obtained for each flight 10 be conducted. 

IX. FEDERAL REGI i'ER SUMMARY 

Pursullllt 10 14 C.F .R. Pun II, the following summary is provided for p~tblicution in lhe 

l'cDE:.RAL R1 GI~TER. should it be determined that publication is needed: Petirioner seeks an 

cxcmprion from the following rul~ in Title 14 ufth.: Code of federal Regulations: 

Plllt 21. Subp3!1 II; Plllt 27: 45.2J(b); 45.27(a): 61.113: 91. 7(a): 91.9(bX2); 91.9(c); 

91.103; 91.10Q(a): 91.119(c): 91.121; 91.151(a): 91.203 (a) & (b): 91.-IOS(a); 91.407(a)(l); 

91409(a)(l)&(2):91.-117ta)&(b). 

The exemption will enhance safety by reducing risk to the aircraft ere''· production crew, general 

11ubl ic. pmpen} owners and city structures from the substantial.ba:zar<b associated with 

performing equivwent ltlm work and aerial \ideo production with conv.:ntional fixed-wing 

aircmfl, rotorcrall, or orhcr methods. 

X. 

JCVs Petition for EXcmprion satisfies rhe criteria articulated in Section 333 of !he Reform Act of 

2012 which includes weight; speed; operating cnpllbilities; proximity ro airports and populated 

W't'Ob: operotion '~ithin VtOS and nariooal securit). The proposed JCG-UAS operations\\ ill 

benefit the publsc as a whole by improving safery und reducing risk by alleviating human 

cxpnsure to danger while lowering the attendant related cos!!! thereby increasing the demand for 

!he finashed producr_ ln consideration of tbc fon:going. thb Petition for Exemption pro~des the 

r AA ~ith more tlum.ruiequate jusufication for 11J'W1Ung the requested exemptions allowing JCG 

to u>c: small JCG·UAS s in rhc recorded producrion of its product. 

' See e.t. Grant of£~emption 'lo. 1111810 Pkturc FaCIO<), hx:. (FAA·20t~194 atl8). 
l 1 .S Depa11ment ofTransportilliun 

DecemberJ. 2015 

Page 22 

We Lbanl.. )I.JU fur your prompt consideration of our requested exemptions. 

c~~ lad C Gcrcnu 

~818 lndi1m Bend Rd 

Oshkosh, WI 5-l904 

Phone: 9::!0-279-1349 

l:.mai I: paul g 'Ci' blended wa.'Cc:s.com 

(The foUo,~ing attached items contain proprietary lind eommereial inlbmuuion exempt from 

dis,;:losurc under the freedom of Jnfomtotion Act, 5 lJ.S.C. § 522 et !>CQ., and should be held in a 

separate: file pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § I 1.3S(h)). 

Attachments: 

I. General Operations Manual 

2. PIC Operating Mnnool 

.3. Compan) Protocols 

4. Location Protocols 

5. flight Cornmunicatiotts Protocols 

6. Departing Location Protocols 

7. Transmitter Protocols 

!!. Pre night Check I i~i 

9. PoM Fli&J1t Checklist 

10. Eqmpment Checklio;~ 

II. liAS \lnnufu.:tun:r'!> Manuals 

u. User Manuals 

b. UAS Mai.nu!nuncc ManuaL~