Motion Picture and Television Flight Operation Manual 

Stokes Herzog LLC

Date: 8-15-15

415 East Clairemont Ave

Eau Claire, WI 54701

(715) 450-4990

chris@stokesherzog.com

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 

1. Purpose 

2. Pilot/Operator Organization 

3. Persons Authorized 

4. Area of Operations 

5. Plan of Activities 

6. Permission to Operate 

7. Security 

8. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

9. Certification/Airworthiness 

10. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

11. Communications 

12. Accident Notification 

13. Recall/Stop Procedures 

14. Aerobatic Competency 

15. Aerobatic Competency 

2. Company Organization 

1. Chief Pilot 

2. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A 

1. 1 List of Approved Pilots 

2. 2 List of Approved Aircraft 

3. 3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

4. 4 Revision Letter (sample) 

Appendix B 

Section 333 Approval Letter from FAA
1. Introduction A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by “Stokes Herzog LLC”, hereafter referred to as “Stokes Herzog”, 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. Stokes Herzog 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 

Chris Herzog- Pilot

Stokes Herzog LLC.

415 East Clairemont

Eau Claire, WI 54701

Chris Herzog - Owner 

(715) 450-4990 cell 

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. 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 

Stokes Herzog’s approved area of operations will be the continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. 

E. Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Stokes Herzog will submit a written plan of activities to the 

local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area if required. The plan of activities should include the following: 

1. (1) Dates and times for all flights. 

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

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

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

including category. 

5. (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. (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. (7) Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

8. (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 Stokes Herzog 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. Stokes Herzog 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. 

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 Stokes Herzog 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. However, restricted category aircraft cannot 

be used as the filming “vehicle” in motion picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category must have an airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order to be used in motion 

picture and television filming. The aircraft will be 100hr/annual inspection program. Other required tests and 

inspections (transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. Each aircraft will have a 

flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the aircraft 

to be flown is in airworthy condition and all required inspections and maintenance has been completed before 

each flight. 

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. (1) A current U.S. Private 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. (2) At least 100 hours logged as PIC 

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

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

the waiver. 

5. (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/written) and/or skill. The inspector or another company pilot 

approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads externally will give the test(s) 

which are similar to part 133 requirements and cover the following subjects: 

1. (a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the Flight area. 

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

3. (c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating 

procedures and the aircraft flight manual. 

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

5. (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. 

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 Stokes Herzog 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 Stokes 

Herzog 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) 

Rotorcraft or UAS takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

Stokes Herzog will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are thoroughly briefed on 

special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or 

waiver before beginning the activities. No person may participate in any event unless that person has received a 

briefing on the provisions of the waiver. 

2. Company Organization 

A. Chief Pilot 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

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

• Act as liaison between Stokes Herzog 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 Stokes Herzog. 

• 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 Stokes Herzog 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. 

Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots 

Chief Pilot 

Name

Certificate Number Grade

Medical Class/Date Contact Number 

Pilots 

Name

Certificate Number Grade

Medical Class/Date Contact Number 

Name

Certificate Number 

Grade
Medical Class/Date Contact Number 

: : : : : 

: : : : : 

: : : : : 

Christopher D. Herzog 

3447266 

Private 

Date of Issue: November 16th, 2009

3rd Class Medical 4-16-2014

(715) 450-4990

Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft Make and Model 

1. Single Engine Land 

2. UAS - Make and Model Pending

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

Registration Number 

Pending

Stokes Herzog LLC. 

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Stokes Herzog LLC 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 __________________________ 

Stokes Herzog Representative Receiving Permission ________________________________________________

_______________ 

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# ___________________ Issued To ___________________________ 

Revised By _________________________________

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than _____________________________