P a g e 1 of 12

July 3, 2015

CMLS, Inc (DBA Carolina Sensing)

3099 Ino Drive

Loris, SC 26569

P hone: 843

- 995

- 0955

U

. S

. D e p a r t m e nt of T r a n sp o r

t a t i on

D o c ke t M an a ge m e nt S y s te m

1 2 00 N ew J e r

s ey A v e

. , S E

W a s h i n gt o n

, D C 2 0 5 9 0

R e: Exemp t ion R eq u e s t U nder S e c tion 333 of the FAA R e fo r m Act a n d Pa r t 11 o f the F ed e ral Av i a t ion R e g ulat i ons

D e a r Sir or Madam

P u r s u a nt t o S e c ti on 3 33 o f th e F A A Mo d e r n i z at i o n a n d R e f

o r m A c t of 2 01 2 ( t h e “ R e f

o r m A c t”) a nd 1 4 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 11

, CMLS Dba Carolina Sensing (h e r e a f t er r e f e r r ed to a s “ A p p li c an t”) an o p e r a t o r o f t he e B ee U n m an n e d A i r c r a f t S y s te m

( “ e B e e ”) and m an u fa c t u r

ed b y S e ns e Fl y

, s e e k s a n ex e m p ti on f r o m t he F e d e r a l A v i a ti on R e gu l a t io ns ( “ F AR s ”) li s te d

b el o w :

 14 C

. F

. R

. 2 1

 14 C

. F

. R

. 6 1 .1 3 3 ( a ) ( b)

 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 7 ( b)

 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1 .1 19

 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1 .1 5 1 ( a )

 14 C F R S u b p a r

t E ( 9 1

. 4 0 1

- 9 1

. 4 1 7)

T h e r e q ue s te d e x em p t i o n w oul d a u t h o r iz e c o mm e r c i a l o p e r a ti o n s us i n g t he e B e e f o r v a r i ou s a p pli c a t io n s

.

T he se op e r a t i on s w il l b e s u bje ct to s t r ic t o p e r a t in g r e q ui r e m e nt s d ef i n ed in t h e e B e e u s e r m an u a l . T hi s u s e r ma n ua l

h a s a l r e ad y b e en s ub m i t te d t o t h e F A A b y S en s e F l y ( t h e ma n u f

ac t u r e r of t he e B e e) i n i t s r e q u es t r es u l t in g i n t he F A A

g r a n t in g ex e mp t i on n o. 1 1 263 on A pril 1, 201 5

. T h e op e r a t i o n o f t he e B ee w il l f u r

t h er be su b

je ct to c o nd i t i on s de f i n e d

in th e p a r a g r a ph 3

.

S i n c e t h i s p e ti t io n f

o r e x em p t i o n i s si m i l ar t o a p p r o v al s o f p r e v i ou s r e q ue s t s inv o lv i n g t he eB e e

, A p pli c a nt r e qu e st s

t h at th is p e t it i o n f

o r e x em p ti on be p r o ce s se d u nd er t he “ s u m m a r y g r a n t ” ( s ee

h t t ps : / / ww w

. f a a

. go v /n e w s / u pd a te s / ? n e w s I d =8 2 48 5 ) p r o ces s

.

1. CHAR A C T E R I S T I C S O F T H E A I RCR A FT

T h e e B e e i s a s m al l ( 3 7 .8 i nch es w i n gs p a n) a n d ul t r a

- l i g ht ( m axi m u m ta k e

- o ff w e i g ht of 1

. 7 p o u n ds ) p l a t f o r m m ad e o f

f le x ib le f oa m that p e r

f o r m s p r e

- p r o g r a m m e d p r eci s io n a e r i a l mappin g missio n s th a nk s t o t he on

- bo a r d G P S a n d th e

r e l a t e d fl i g ht m an a ge m e nt s oft w a r e ( e M o ti o n ) t ha t a l l o w s t he op e r a t or t o p l a n sa f el y a nd e f fi c ie n t l y a mis s io n i n 3 D

,

a n d t h e n mo n it or i t i n r e a l

- t i m e. T h a nk s t o t he e mb e d d e d c a m e r a

, p r o te c te d b y a fo am e n ve l op e, th e e B ee t ake s a

c ol l ect i o n of hi g h

- de f in i t i o n st i l l i m a g e s t h a t a r e us ed la t e r to g e n e r a t e m a p s an d c o n t o ur l i n e s of th e s u r v ey ed a r e a

.

T h e f o ur m ai n c h a r a c t e r is t ic s o f t h e e B ee a r e:

a. V e r y l i g ht w e ig htP a g e 2 of 12

T h e e B e e is s o l i g ht t ha t t he o p e r a t o r c a n l a u nc h it b y ha nd a n d l e t it l an d o n a lmo st a n y s u r f ac e w i t h o ut r e q u i r in g a

p a r a c h u te or l a nd i n g n et ( b e l l y la n d ). I t s low i m pa ct e n e r g y ( 38 J in ca s e of a contr o l l ed emergen c y land i n g ) als o

s i g n ifi c a n tl y r e du c e s t h e r i sk of h az a r d ou s si t u a ti o ns

. F i na l l y, t h e w i ng s o f t he e B ee a r e d e t ac h ab le a n d m a de o f

f le x ib le fo am w i t h n o s h a rp o r h a rd ed g e s a nd alm o s t n o i nte r n al s t r e n gt h e n in g s t r u c t u r e

.

b. E l ec t r i c

- po w e r e d

T h e e B ee i s el e c t r i c p o w e r e d

. A b r u s hl e s s e n gi ne te c hn o lo gy m ake s it s il e n t a n d r e l i ab l e

. T h e p r o pe l l er is at t ac h e d

w i t h a r u b b e r b a n d to th e b od y o f t h e p l an e so t h at i t ca n e asil y f l e x a w a y i n c as e o f c on t ac t w i t h an y o bj e c t.

c. S e m i

- a u to m at ic fli g h t

T h e a r t if i c i al in t el l i g e nc e i nc o r p o r a t e d w i t hi n t h e e B ee a u to p il ot sy s te m c o nt i n u ou s l y a n aly z e s d a t a f r om t he In er tia l

M ea s u r e m e n t U n it an d f r o m t he o n bo a r d G P S an d t ak es c a re of al l t h e a s pe c t s o f t h e f lig ht u n d er t he s u p e r v isi on o f

t h e o p e r a t o r.

d. O p t io n f o r M a n u a l co n t r o l

A d d i t io n all y, t h e e B e e p r

o vi d e s a n o v e r r i d e c ap a bi l i t y t h a t a ll o w s t he o p e r a t o r t o ta ke man u a l a ct i on s d u r i ng t h e f li g h t

( G o t o H o m e , Go L a n d, H o ld a n d R e su me t he mi s si o n ) an d al so su s pe nd a u t om a te d op e r a t i on s a n d ta k e m a nua l

c on t r ol o f t he a i rc r a ft s h ou ld i t b ec o m e n ece s s a r y t o r e s p o n d e m e r g e n t c i r c ums t an c es

, t h ank s t o t h e r e m ot e c o n t r o l l e r

p r o vi d e d w i th t h e sy s te m.

2. AP P L I CA T I O N S

A pp l i c a tio n s w ith u nman n ed a erial s ys t em s

, l i ke the e B ee ( h ereafter refer r ed as the “ s UA S”), may inc l ude ag r i c u ltural

app l i cat i o n s

, m i n i ng, c o n s tr u c t io n , m a pp i n g, UA S O pera t or T rain i ng, pub l ic safe t y / d i sa s t er respo n se s upport, aeri a l

insp e ctio n s a n d s u r

ve y / GIS o p eratio n s.

The s UA S offers ma n y ope r at i onal b e nef i t s, w hi c h i n clu d e:

a. B ring i n g s a f

ety to da i ly ae ri al im a ging opera t ion s : there is no need for the hum a ns to a c ce s s dange r ous w o r king

areas a n ymo r e (m i ne s

, q uarr i e s , or p o l l u t ed s ite s ). T he m i s s ions can be progr a m m ed and reprodu c ed re l iab l y as

often as nee d ed for r e gular l y u pdated map s

.

b. The s UA S i s a c o s t

- ef

f e c t iv e s olu t ion

c. U sers can sa v e ti m e and w ork m ore eff i cien t ly b y u s ing th e s UAS : A m i s sion do e s not n eed a l o ng pre p arati o n

time or long d ep l o ym e nt c o n s t raint s

, or long w aiti n g t i m e for perfe c t w ea t her c ond i t ions un l i k e , for e xam p le, t h e u s e

of s at e l l it e s. I n iti a l res u lts a r e a v ai l ab l e and a cc e ss i ble d ire c t ly o n

- sit e

.

d. Soc i a l be n ef i ts: The s UA S is e c o

- f r ien d ly (e l e c tr i c

- po w er e d), and i t s af f ordab i l i ty a l l o w s many h ig h

- valu e d

app l i cat i o ns l i k e data g a theri n g for s u st a i n ab i l ity p r oj e cts or po s t

- d i sa s t er ma n age m ent mi ssio n s.

3

. APPL I C A BL E LE G A L S T ANDAR D UNDE R SEC T I ON 3 3 3

a. A ir w o r t hi n es s as s ess m e nt o f t h e e B ee

APP L I C A N T n ot es t h a t th e ai r w o r t h in e s s o f t he e B e e ha s a l r e a dy b e e n d em o ns t r a t ed f or d i f f e r e nt p r o j ec ts i n t he

U n it ed S t a te s, in v olv i n g s t a t e / f e d e r a l a g en c ie s or u niv e r

s i ti es ( a mo ng o t h e r

s t h e N ew M e xic o S t a te U ni v e r s ity :

h t t ps : / / n e w s c e n t e r

. nms u

. e du / A r t i c le s /v ie w / 1 0 2 0 8 /nm s u

- ua s

- f li g h t

- t es t

- c en t e r

- c on d u c t s

- eb e e

- a i r w o r t h i nes s

-P a g e 3 of 12

a sse s sm e nt

, a n d t he U SAC E N ew O r l e a ns

, w h o co o r d in a te d w i th th e D e p a r t m e n t o f A r m y a nd t h e F A A to o b t ai n a ll

a u t h o r i z at i on s r e q ui r e d i n o r d e r t o o p e r a te t he e B e e U A S ). M o r e o v e r t h e e B e e a l r e a d y r e c eiv ed 1 5 E xe m pt i on s f r o m

t h e F A A

.

S e n s e Fl y als o o b t a in ed f li g h t a p p r o v a l s f o r t h e eB e e ( d eli v e r e d b y n a ti o na l civ il a v i a ti on a uth o r i ti e s ) i n m an y c o un t r i es

,

a mo ng o t h e r

s :

 Sw i t ze r l a n d ( f li g h t a p p r o v a l f or V L OS o p e r a t i on s)

 C a na da ( f li g h t a p p r o v al f or V L OS op e r a t i on s)

 A u s t r a l ia ( f li g h t a p p r o v al f or V L OS op e r a t i on s)

 Fr a nc e (f l i g ht a p p r o va l f o r E x t e n d e d

- V L OS o p e r a t ion s)

 G e r m an y ( f l i g ht ap p r o va l f o r V L OS o p e r a t io n s )

 U n it ed K i ng d o m ( f l i gh t a p p r o v a l f o r V L OS op e r a ti o n s)

 N or w a y ( fl i g ht ap p r o v a l f

o r V L OS op e r a t i on s)

 Sw e d e n ( f l i g ht a p p r o v a l f or V L OS op e r a t i on s)

 D e nm a r k ( f l i gh t a p p r o v a l f or V L OS o p e r a t io n s )

b. O p e r a ti ng C o n d it i on s

Grant of the e xemp t ion t o A PP LI CAN T, w i l l be sub j e ct to t he fo l lo w i n g opera t ing con d itio n s, ba s ed on t he opera t ing

cond i t ions set f

orth b y the A M A (see A nn e x B ), and the f a c t ors the F A

A i s to co n sider u n d er sec t ion 3 33. The ma i n

restr i c t io n s are s um m ari z e d b elo w :

 O p e r a t io ns a ut h o r iz ed b y t h i s g r a n t o f ex e m p ti on a r e lim i t ed to th e S en s e F ly e B ee w h en w e ig h i ng l e s s t ha n

55 p ou n d s i nc l ud i n g pa y lo a d

. P r o p o se d o p e r a t ion s of a ny o t h e r a i r c r a ft w i ll r e q u i r e a n ew p e t i ti on or a p e t i tio n

to am e n d t hi s ex e m p ti o n

.

 T h e U n m an n e d A i r c r a ft ( U A ) m a y n ot b e o p e r a t e d at a s pe ed ex c ee d in g 87 kn o t s ( 1 0 0 m i l e s p e r h o u r). T h e

e xe m pt i o n h o ld er m a y us e e i t h e r g r o und s p e e d o r c a li b r a t ed ai r s p ee d to d e t e r m i n e c o mp l i a nc e w i th th e 8 7

k no t s p e ed r e s t r i c t i o n. In no c as e w il l t he U A be o p e r a te d at a i r s p e ed s g r e a t er t h an t he m axi m u m U A

o p e r a ti ng ai r sp e e d r e co m men d e d b y t h e a i r c r a ft ma n u f a c t u r e r

.

 T h e U A m us t b e o p e r a t e d a t a n a l ti t u de of no m o r e t h a n 4 00 f e et a bo ve g r o un d le v e l ( A G L )

. A l ti t u de m u s t b e

r e p o r t ed in f

e e t A G L

.

 T h e U A m us t b e o p e r a t e d w it h i n vi s ua l l i n e o f s i gh t ( V L O S ) of th e P i l o t

- i n

- C o mm a n d ( P I C ) a t a ll ti m es

. T hi s

r e q u i re s th e P I C t o b e a bl e t o us e hu m a n v i s i on u n ai d e d by an y de v ic e ot h e r t h a n c o r r e ct i v e l ens e s

, a s

s pec i f i e d o n t h e P I C ’ s F A

A

- i s s u e d a i r m a n me d ic al c e r t i f ic a t e or U

. S

. d r iv e r ’ s l i c e n se

.

 A l l o p e r a ti o n s m u s t u ti l i z e a vi s u al ob s e r v e r ( V O ). T h e U A m us t be o p e r a t e d w i th in t he vi s u al li ne o f s ig ht

( V L O S ) of t h e P IC a n d V O at a l l t ime s. T h e V O m ay b e use d t o s at i s f y t he V LO S r e qu i re m en t a s l on g a s t h e

P IC a l w ay s m ai n ta i n s V L OS c a p a bil i t y. T he V O an d P IC m u st b e ab le t o c om m uni c a te v e r b al ly a t al l t imes ;

e le c t r o n ic me s s ag i n g or t e xt i n g is n ot p e r m i t t e d d u r i n g f li g h t o p e r a ti o ns

. T h e P IC m us t be d es i gn a t ed b e f o r e

t h e f l i g ht an d c a nn ot t r a n s f

er h i s o r h e r de s ig n a t io n f

o r t he d u r a t i o n o f t he f li g h t. Th e PIC mu st e ns u r e t h a t t he

V O c a n p e r

f o r m t he d u t ie s r e q u i r e d o f t h e V O.

 T hi s e x em p ti o n

, s h ou ld it b e gr a n te d, an d a ll d oc u me n t s ne ed ed t o op e r a t e t h e UA S and c o n d uc t it s

o p e r a ti o n s i n a cc o r d anc e w i t h t h e c on d it i on s a n d l i m i t a t io ns s t a t e d in th is g r a nt o f e x em p t i o n, a r e h e r e in a f t e r

r e f e r r ed t o as t he op e r a ti ng do c um e nt s. T he o p e r a t i n g d o cu m en ts mu st b e ac c ess i bl e du r i ng UA S op e r a t i on s

a n d m ad e av a il a bl e t o th e A dm i ni s t r a t o r up on r e q u e s t . If a d is c r e p an cy ex i s t s b e t w ee n th e c o n di t io ns a nd

l i m i ta t io ns i n t hi s exe m pt i o n a n d t he p r o c ed u r es o ut l i n ed i n t he o p e r a ti ng d ocu m e n ts

, t he c on d it i on s a ndP a g e 4 of 12

limitations h e r e i n t ak e p r e c ede n c e an d m u s t b e f o ll o w ed

. O t h er

w i s e

, t he op e r

a t or m us t f ol l o w t h e p r o c e d u r e s

as o u t li n e d i n i ts o p e r a ti ng do c um e nt s. T h e o p e r a t or m a y u p d a t e or r ev i s e it s o p e r a ti ng d o cu m en t s

. It i s t h e

o p e r a t o r ’ s r e s po n sib i l i t

y t o t r a c k su ch r e vi s ion s a nd p r e s en t up d a t e d a n d r ev i s e d d o cu m en ts t o th e

A d m i ni st r a t o r or a n y law e nfo r ce m e nt o f f ici al u po n r e q u e s t

. The o p e r a t o r mu st a ls o p r es e n t u p d a te d a nd

r e v i s e d do c um e nt s i f it p e t i tio ns f or e x t e ns i o n or a m e n dm e n t t o t hi s g r a n t o f e xe m pt i o n. If t h e o p e r a t o r

d e t e r m i n e s t h at a n y up d a te or r e v is i o n w o u ld a f f ec t t he b asi s u p o n w hic h t h e F A A g r a n te d t hi s exe m p t io n,

t h en t h e o p e r a t or mu st p e t it i o n for a n am e nd m e nt to i ts g r a nt of e x em p t i o n. T he F A A ’ s UA S I n t e g r a ti on O f

fic e

( A F S

- 8 0) m a y b e c o nt a ct ed i f q ue s t i on s a r is e re g a r d i ng up d a t e s or r ev i s i o n s t o t h e o p e r a t i n g d ocu m e n ts

.

 A n y U A S t h a t h a s u n d e r g o n e m a in t e n an ce o r a l t e r a ti o n s t h a t a f

f ec t t h e UA S o p e r a t io n or fl i gh t

c h a r a c t e r i s tic s, e .g

. r e p l acem e n t o f a f l i g ht c r i tic al co m p o n e n t, m u s t u n d e r g o a f u nc t io n a l te st f li g h t p r io r t o

c on d uc t in g f u r t h er op e r a t i on s u n d e r t h i s e x em p t i on

. F un c tio n a l te st f li g ht s ma y o n l y be c o n du c t ed b y a P IC

w i t h a V O a n d mu st r e ma in a t l e as t 5 0 0 f e et f r o m o t h er pe o pl e. T he f u nc t io n a l t e s t f

l i g h t mu st b e c o nd u ct ed i n

s uc h a m a nn er s o a s t o n o t po se an u n du e h az a r d t o p e r son s a nd p r o p e r t y

.

 T h e op e r a t or i s r e s po n si b l e f o r m ai n ta i ni ng a nd i n sp e ct i n g th e UA S t o en s u re t h a t it i s in a c on d it i o n f or s a f e

o p e r a ti o n

.

 P r i or t o ea ch fl i gh t, t he P IC m u s t co n du ct a p r e

- fl i gh t i ns p ec t i on a n d d e t e r m i n e t he UA S i s in a co n di t i on f o r

s af e fl i g h t

. T h e p r e

- fl i g ht in s pe c ti on mu st a c co u n t f or a ll p o te n t i a l d i s c r e p anc i es

, e

. g . i n o p e r a bl e co m po n e n ts

, i te m s

, or e q ui p me n t

. I f t h e i n s pe c ti on r e ve a l s a c o nd i t i o n t h a t a f f ec ts t he sa fe o p e r a t i o n of t he UA S

, t h e

a i r c r a f t i s p r o hi b i t e d f r o m o pe r a t i ng un t i l t he ne c ess a r y m a i n t e na n c e h as be en p e r f o r m e d a n d t h e UA S i s

f o u n d t o be in a c o n di t io n f

o r s a f e f li g h t.

 T h e o p e r a t o r m u s t f

o ll ow t h e UA S m a n u fa c t u r e r ’ s ma i n t e n a n ce

, o v e r h a ul

, r e p la c em e nt

, i n s p e c ti o n

, a nd lif e

l i m it r e q u i re m e n t s f

or th e a i r c r a ft a nd ai r c r a ft c om p on e nt s.

 E a ch U A S o p e r a te d u nd er t h i s ex e m p ti on m us t c o mpl y w i t h a ll m an u fa c t u r er s a fe ty b ul l e t in s.

 U n d er t h i s g r a n t of e x em p t i on

, a P IC m us t ho ld e i t h e r a n a i r l i n e t r a ns p o r t

, com m e r ci a l, p r iv a t e, r e c r e a ti o na l,

or sp o r t p il ot c e r t i f ic a t e. T h e P IC mu st a ls o h ol d a c u r r e n t F A A a i r m a n me d ic al c er ti f ica te o r a va l i d U

. S

. d r i v e r ’ s lic e ns e is s u ed b y a s t a t e

, t he D i st r i ct of C o lo m bi a, P u e r t o R ic o, a t e r r i t o r y

, a p o sse s si o n

, o r th e

F e d e r a l g ov e rn m e n t

. T h e P IC m us t als o m e et t h e f li g h t r ev i e w r e q u i r e m e nt s s pe c i f ie d in 1 4 C F R § 6 1

. 56 i n

an a i rc r a ft in w hic h t h e P IC is r a t ed o n hi s or h er pil ot c e r

t i fi c a t e

.

 T h e o p e r a t or ma y n o t p e r m i t a ny P IC t o o p e r a te un l es s t h e P IC d em o ns t r a t es t he ab i l it y t o s a f e l y o p e r a te th e

UA S in a m a n n er c on s is t e nt w i t h h o w th e U A S w i ll b e o p e r a t ed u n d er th is exe m p t io n, in c lu d in g e va s iv e a n d

e m e r g e nc y m an e uv e r

s a n d m a i n ta i ni ng a p p r o p r i a t e dis t an c e s f r o m p e r s on s, ves s el s, v e hicl es a nd s t r u c t u r e s.

P IC q ua l i f i c a t i on fl i g ht h ours a nd c u r r e n cy mu st b e l o g ge d i n a ma n n er c o nsi s t e n t w i t h 1 4 C F R § 6 1

. 5 1 ( b)

. F li g h ts f or t he p u r p o se s of t r

a in i n g t h e o pe r a t o r ’ s P I C s a nd V O s ( t r a i n i ng

, p r o fi c ie n cy

, a nd ex p e r i e nc e

b ui l di n g ) a nd de t e r mi n in g t h e P I C ’s a bil i t y t o s a fe ly o p e r a t e the U A S i n a m a n n er c o nsi s t e n t w i th how t h e

UA S w i l l b e o p e r a t ed u n d er t hi s exe m p t io n a re p e r m i t t e d u nd er t h e t e r m s of t h i s e x e m pt i o n. H o w e v e r

, t r a in i n g o p e r

a ti o n s ma y o nl y be co n du c t ed d u r i ng d e dic a te d t r a in i n g s e ssi o n s. D u r i n g t r a i ni n g

, p r o fic i en c y

,

a n d e xp e r i en c e

- bu i l d i n g f li g hts

, al l p e r s o n s n ot e s se n ti al f o r f l i g ht o p e r a t io ns a re c o ns i d e r e d no n p a r t ici p a n ts

,

a n d th e P IC m us t op e r a t e th e U A w it h ap p r o p r i a t e d is t an ce f r o m n o n p a r t i c i p a n t s i n a cc o r d a nc e w i t h 14 C FR

§ 9 1

. 11 9.

 UA S o p e r a ti o n s ma y n o t be c on d uc t e d d u r in g n ig h t

, as de f i n e d i n 14 C FR § 1

. 1

. A l l op e r a t i on s m u s t b e

c on d uc t e d u n d e r v i s u al m e teo r o l og i c a l c on d it i on s ( V M C ). F li g ht s un d e r s pe c ia l v is u a l f l i g ht r u l es ( S V F R ) a re

n o t a ut h o r iz e d

.

 T h e U A m a y no t o p e r a te w i thi n 5 na u ti c a l m i le s of an a i r p o rt re f e r e n c e p o i n t ( A R P ) as d en o t ed in t h e c u r r e n tP a g e 5 of 12

F A A A i rp or t / F ac i l i ty D i r e c t o ry ( A F D ) or f o r a i rp or t s n o t de n ot ed w i th an A RP , t h e c en t e r o f t h e a i rp ort sy m bo l

as d e n o te d o n t he c u r r e nt F A A

- p u bli s he d a e r o na u ti c a l c h a r t, u nl e s s a le t t er of a g r e e m en t w i t h th at a i r p o r t ’ s

m an a ge m e nt i s o b ta i n ed or o t h er w i se p e r m i t te d b y a C OA i s s u e d t o t he e x em p ti on h ol d e r. T h e l e t t e r o f

a g r e e m e nt w it h t he a i r p o rt ma n a g em e n t m u s t be m a d e a v ail a bl e t o th e A d m i n i s t r a t or o r an y law e n f o r ce m e nt

o f f ici al up on r e qu e s t.

 T h e U A ma y n o t b e o p e r a t e d l es s t h a n 5 00 fe et be l o w or les s t ha n 2 ,0 00 f e e t h o r i z o n tal ly fr o m a c lo ud o r

w h e n vis i bi l i t y i s l e s s t h a n 3 s t a t u t e mi l e s f r o m t h e P I C

.

 If t h e U A S l o se s c omm u ni c ati o n s or lo s e s i ts G P S s i gn a l

, t he U A m u s t r e t u rn t o a p r e

- d e t e r m i n ed lo c at i o n

w i th in th e p r i v a te o r c o n t r o l l e d

- a cce ss p r o p e r t y.

 T h e P IC mu st a b o r

t t h e f l i g ht i n t he ev e n t o f u n p r e dic t e d o bs t ac l e s or e m e r g e nc i es

.

 T h e P I C i s p r o h i bi t e d f r o m b eg i nn i n g a f l i g h t un l es s ( c o nsi d e r i n g w i n d an d f o r e ca st w e a t h e r c on d it i on s) th e r e

i s e n ou gh a v ai l ab le p o w e r f or t h e U A to co n du ct t h e i n t en d e d o p e r a t i o n a n d t o o p e r a t e a ft er t h at f

o r at l eas t

f iv e m i n u te s or w i t h t he r e s e r v e p o w e r r e c omm e n d e d b y t he m an u fa c t u r er i f g r e a t e r

.

 A ir T r a f

fi c O r g a n iz a ti on ( AT O) C e r

t if i c a te o f W a iv er o r A u th o r i z at i o n ( C O A ). A ll op e r a ti o n s s h al l be c on d uc t e d

in acc o r d an ce w i t h an AT O

- i s s ue d C O A

. T he ex e mp t i on ho l d er m a y a p pl y f o r a n e w or a m en d e d C O A if i t

i n t en ds to co n du ct op e r

a t i on s t h a t c a n n o t b e c o nd u c t e d u n de r t h e t e r m s o f t he a t ta c he d C O A

.

 A l l ai r c r a ft o p e r a t e d i n ac c o r d an c e w i t h thi s ex e mp t io n mu st b e id e nt i f i e d b y s e r ia l num b e r, r e g i s t e r ed i n

a cc o r d an ce w it h 1 4 C FR p a r t 4 7

, an d ha ve i d e n ti f ic a ti on ( N

- N u m b e r ) m a r ki n g s in ac c o r d a n c e w i th 14 C F R

p a rt 4 5, S u bp a r

t C

. M a r k i ng s m us t be as l a r g e a s p r a c ti c abl e.

 D o c um e nt s u se d b y th e o p e r a t or t o e ns u r

e t h e s a f e o p e r a t i on an d f li g h t of t he U A S a n d a n y d o cu m ent s

r e q u i re d u nd er 1 4 C FR §§ 91. 9 a n d 9 1 .2 03 m us t be a v ai l abl e to t h e P IC at t he G r o u n d C o n t r o l S t a ti on of t he

UA S an y ti me t he a i r c r a f

t is op e r a t i ng

. T h es e do c um e nt s m u st b e m a de a v ai l ab le to t he A dm i ni s t r a t o r o r an y

law e n f o r c em e n t o ff i c i al u p on r

e q u es t.

 T h e U A m u s t r e ma in cl e a r a nd gi ve w ay t o al l m an n e d av i a t io n o p e r a ti o n s an d a cti v it i e s a t a l l t ime s.

 T h e U A S ma y n o t b e o p e r a t e d b y t he P I C f r om a n y mo v in g d e vic e or ve h icl e

.

 A l l F l i g ht o p e r

a ti o n s m us t b e c o n d uc t e d a t l ea st 5 0 0 f e e t f r o m al l n o np a r

t ic i pa t i ng p e r s on s, v ess e ls

, v e hic l es

,

a n d s t r u ct u r es u n l ess :

o B a r r i e r s o r s t r u c t u r e s a r e p r

e s en t th at s u ff i c i e nt ly p r o t ec t n o n p a r t i c i p at i n g p e r s on s f r o m t h e U A

a n d / or d e b r i s i n t h e ev e n t o f an acc i de n t

. T h e op e r a t or m u st e ns u r e t ha t n on p a r t i c ip a t i n g pe rson s

r e m ai n u n d er s uc h p r o te c tio n. I f a si t u a ti on a r i s e s w h e r e n on p a r t i c ip a ti ng p e r s o n s l e a v e suc h

p r o te c t i o n an d a r e w it h i n 5 00 f e e t o f t h e U A

, f l i g h t o p e r a t i on s m u st c e as e im m ed i a t el y i n a m an n e r

e ns u r i n g t he s a f et y of no n p a r t ic i p a ti ng p e r s o ns ; a n d

o T h e o w n e r

/ c o n t r o l l e r of a n y v e sse l s

, v ehi c le s or s t r u c t u r e s h a s g r a n t ed p e r m i s si on f o r o p e r a tin g

c l os er t o t h os e ob

j ec ts a n d th e P IC ha s ma de a s a f e t y a s sess m e nt of t h e r i sk of o p e r a t in g c l os er t o

t ho se ob j ec ts an d d et e r m i n ed t h a t it d oe s n o t p r e s en t an und ue ha z a r d

.

T h e P I C

, V O

, o p e r a t o r t r a i n e e s or ess e nt i a l p e r s on s a r e n ot c on s i d e r ed n o n p a r t i c i p at i n g pe r s o ns

.

 A l l op e r a t i on s s ha ll b e c o n du c t ed o v e r p r iv a t e or c o n t r o ll ed

- ac c es s p r o p e r ty w it h p e r mi s si on f r om t he p r o pe r t y

o w n e r / c o n t r o l l e r or a u t h o r i z e d r e p r e se n t a ti v e

. P e r mis s i on f r o m p r o p e r ty o w n e r / co n t r o l l e r or a u t h o r ize d

r e p r e se n t a ti ve w i ll b e o b ta i n ed f o r e ac h f li g h t t o be c o n du c te d.P a g e 6 of 12

 A n y i nc i de n t

, a cci d e n t

, or f l i g h t o p e r a t io n th at t r a ns g r e s se s t h e l a t e r a l or v e r t i c a l b o u nd a r i e s of t he o p e r a t iona l

a r ea a s d e f in ed b y th e a pp l i ca b l e C OA mu st be r e p o r t ed t o t he F AA ' s UA S I n te g r a t i o n O f f i ce ( A F S

- 8 0 ) w i t hi n

24 ho u r s. A cc i d e nt s mu st b e r e p o r t ed t o t he N a ti o n al T r a ns p o r t a ti on S a f e t y B o a rd ( N T S B ) p e r i ns t r u c tion s

c on t a i ne d on th e N T S B W e b si t e : w w w

. n ts b

. g o v

.

c. O p e r a ti ng R e qu i r e me n t s

The eBee i s an ultra

- l ight UA V p l atfo r m m a d e of f l e x i ble f oa m w ith no sharp or hard edge charac t eri z ed by a h i g h

level of pr e

- p r ogra m med cont r ol and vari o us b u i l t

- i n te c hn i ca l cap a bil i ties (progr a m m i ng of a ge o

- fe n ce, a u toma t ic

w ind det e ction) that pr e vent t h e operator do i ng a m i s s ion o ut side of the o perati n g l i m i t s. A ll fligh t s are pr e

program m ed w ith G P S gu i da n ce and do not r equ i re hum a n i nterven t ion; n e v ert h el e ss h um an o v er r ide i s p o ssi b le b y

cl i c king on o n e of t h e m u ltip l e “act i on” butto n s or b y u s ing t h e remote contr o l l er prov i ded w ith ea c h eBee sy s tem. I n

the c a se of u np l a n ned e ven t s, e i ther t h e aut o pilot reac t s im med i a t ely or the o perator can choo s e bet w een d i ffe r ent

pre

- progra m med or ma n ual ac tion s

. T ho s e proc e dures in c l u de a F l i ght Te r m i na t ion S y st e m (emer g en c y la n ding

procedu r e, trig g ered b y the a u top i lot or the operator in c har g e: g i v e n i t s ve r y l i ght w ei g ht, t he eBee w i l l i n itiate a

glidi n g app r oa c h t o the ground at v ery low s p eed a r ound t h e current l o c a t ion). Moreo v er, t h e k ine t ic e nergy of the

aircraft is 6 0 J i n

- fli g ht at cru is e s pee d . In c ompa r i s o n , the k i net i c e nergy of a f o otba l l i s a b out 110 J w hen th r o w n by

hand.

Gi v e n the a bo v e de s crib e d sa f ety fea t ures, r e cog n i z e d by th e U

. S

. A rmy C orps of Eng i ne e rs and t h e na t ional

a v iat i on au t hori t

y of s e v er a l c o untries, APP LI CAN T reque s t s an e x e mpt i o n from the a ir w or t hine s s cer t if i cat i o n

require m ents in P art 2 1 and th e c oncom i t ant re q uire m ents in 14 C .F. R . 91.7(a)) and 9 1 .2 0 3 to oper a te an a ir w orthy

aircraft.

APP LI CAN T also prop o ses t h at operato r s of t he eBee sho ul d not be r equ i r e d to h o ld a c o m m er c ial or pri v ate p i lot

certif i cat i on, a n d here b y req ue sts an e x e mpt i o n from t he p i l o t c erti f i c a t ion re q uire m ents in t he Feder a l A vi a tion A ct

and Part 61. P i l ot certi f i c a t ion require m ents f or ma n ned a ir c r aft are n e ither n e c e ssa r y nor a ppropria t e i n many

respec t s for o perato r s of sma l l , u l tra l ight w e i ght UAV s. The r e are und o ubted l y A T P

- cer t if i c a ted p i l ots w ho

noneth e le s s w ou l d need tr a in i ng to ope r ate a UA V s a fe l y ; c o n v ers e l y

, t he UA V train i ng re gi men i n clu d es i n s tr u ction

for non

- c ertif i cated operato r s i n tho s e a s p e cts of s a f e ope r a t ion i n t he N at i o nal A i r sp a ce S ystem (“ N AS ”) that are

rele v a n t to t h e UA

V and the U A S operat i on. The F A A h a s a uthority under both se c t ion 3 3 3 and i t s ge n eral wa i ver

and e x e mpt i on au t hori t y in 4 9 U

. S

. C . 44701(f) to w a i ve t h e s tatutory pilot cert i fic a tion r equ i rement u pon a sho w ing

that the r e quired UA S trai n i n g a c hi e ves an eq u i v a lent l e v e l o f s afe t y.

To ach i e v e as w e l l as e x c eed an equ i val e nt l e vel of s a f et y

, o perators w i ll be requi r ed to:

 H a v e c o mp l e t ed an A MA aff i l i ated s ma l l UA S e d u c a t ion a n d traini n g progr a m and a c h iev e d an AMA UA S

endor s e ment, or ha v e s u cc es sfu l l y c o mp l e ted a sm a ll UA S edu c a t ion a n d trai n ing p r ogr a m pro v ided b y a n y

F A A qua l if i ed en t ity, and;

 H a v e pa s sed t he UA S manu fa cturer ’ s trai n ing p r ogram f or o peration of the U AS . T h e ma n ufa c ture r ’s

train i ng progr a m for o p erato r s has be e n a l r e ady sat i sfa c t ori l y rev i e w ed t hrough the A p p l i c a t ion for

A ir w orthine s s Q ua l i fic a tion Le vel ( A Q L) 3 A ir w ort h ine s s R e l ea s e ( A W R ).

APP LI CAN T also s e e ks a n e x empti o n from cert a in req u ire m ents in P arts 4 5 and 91 that a r e i m pr a ct i cal a s w ell as

unne c e ssa r

y for UA S ope r at i o n s . Ple a se see Ann e x A for a deta i l e d e x plan a tion o f ea c h r egu l at i on fr o m w hi c h an

e x emp t ion is s ought and t h e e qu i v a lent l e v e l of s afety sho w i ng.P a g e 7 of 12

3. C O N C L US IO N

A pp l i c a nt ’ s P et i t i on for E x emp t ion s a t i s f ies t he c r iteria arti c u l ated i n S e c t i o n 333 of the Re f orm Act of 2012 in c ludi n g

w eight, s peed, o perat i ng c a p a bil i t ies, p r o x i m i t y to a i r ports a n d popu l ated ar e a s

, o perat i on w ithin v i s u a l l i n e

- of

- s ight

and nat i onal se c urity.

APP LI CAN T subm i ts th i s in t hi s pet i t ion a prag m at i c appro ac h to a l l ow the s afe a n d eff i cie n t operat i on of u ltr a

- l ight

UAV s pursuant to F AA

, A MA, and m a n ufa c t urer’s saf e ty re q uireme n ts a n d c o n dit i on s

.

The prop o sed UA S oper a tio n s w i l l be n ef i t t h e pu b l i c as a w h ole by en s u r ing t h at UA S o pe r at i ons are d o ne i n

a c cor d an c e w i th c ur r

ent l e gi sl at i ve a nd re g ulato r

y fra m e w o r ks.

In c o n sider a tion o f the f

orego i ng, A PP LI CAN T’s P et i t ion for E xempt i on pr o vid e s the FAA w ith suf f i c i e nt j u stif i cat i on

for grant i ng of t h e requ e sted e xemp t ion s

.

S hou l d y ou h a ve a n y qu e sti on s, or if you n eed a d dit i onal inf o rmat i on to s u pport t h e requ e s t ed e x e mpt i o n s

, p lea s e

conta c t the u nder s igne d

.

Y o u r s s i nc e r e l y

,

Barry Suggs

A t t a c h m e n ts

ANNE X A : EXE M PT IO N RE Q UES T AN D E Q U I V ALE N T L E VE L O F SA F ET Y S H O W I N G S UN D E R APPL I C A BL E

RUL E S S U B J E C T T O EXE M P T IO N

ANNE X B : ACA D E M Y O F MO DE L AE R O NA U T I C S SA F E T Y R E Q U I R E M E N TSP a g e 8 of 12

ANNE X A : EXE M PT IO N RE Q UES T AN D E Q U I V ALE N T L E VE L O F SA F ET Y S H O W I N G S UN D E R APPL I C A BL E

RUL E S S U B J E C T T O EXE M P T IO N

APP L I C A N T r e q u e s t s a n e xe m pt i o n f r o m t he f o ll o w i n g r e g u l a ti o n s a s w e ll a s a n y a d di t i o na l r e gu l at i on s th at ma y

t ec h ni c all y a pp ly t o t he op e r a ti on o f t h e e B e e:

14 C

. F

. R

. P a r

t 2 1, S u b pa r

t H : A i r wo r t h i n e ss C e r

t if i c a t es

14 C F R § 9 1. 2 0 3 ( a ) ( 1 )

S e c ti on 9 1. 2 0 3 r e qu i re s al l c ivi l ai r c r a ft t o ha ve a c e r t i f ic a t e of a i r w or th i nes s. P a rt 2 1

, S u bpa rt H

, e n ti t le d A ir w o r t hi n es s

C e r t if i c a t es

, es t ab l i s h e s t h e p r

o ce d u r a l r e q u i re m en ts f

or t h e is s u a nc e of a ir

w o r t hi n es s c e r t ifi c a t e s a s r

e qu i r ed b y F A R

§ 9 1 .2 0 3 ( a ). G i v e n t he si ze of t h e e B e e, i ts v e r y l i g ht w e i g h t ( t h e max i m u m ta k e

- o ff w e i g ht i s 1 .7 p o u n ds ) a nd th e

l i m i te d o p e r a ti ng a r e a ass o cia t e d w i t h i t s u t ili z a t io n, i t i s un n ec e ss a r y to g o t h r o u g h t h e c e r t i f ic a t e of a ir w o r t hi n es s

p r o ces s u nd er P a rt 2 1 S ub p a rt H i n o r d e r to ach i ev e or ex c ee d c ur r e nt sa f e ty l e ve ls

.

S u ch a n ex e m p ti on m e e t s th e r e q u i re m en ts o f a n e qui v a l e nt le v e l o f s a f e t y u n d er P a r

t 11 an d S e c ti on 3 33 of th e

R e f o r m A c t. T h e F e d e r a l A

v ia t i on A c t a n d S e ct i o n 33 3 o f th e R e f o r m A ct b o th a u t h o r iz e t he F A A to e x em pt a i r c r

a f t

f r om t he r e q u i r e m e n t f

o r an a i r w o r t h i nes s c e r t i fic a t e, u p o n c o ns i d e r a t i on o f t h e s i z e

, w e ig h t , s p e ed

, op e r a t i ona l

c ap a bi l i t y, a n d p r ox i m i ty to ai r p o r t s a nd p op u l a te d a r e a s of t h e UA S inv o lv e d

. A n a na l y si s o f t he se d i f f e r e nt c r i t e r i a

d em o ns t r a te s t h a t t h e e B ee o p e r a te d w i t h ou t a n a i r w o r t hi n es s c e r t i f ic a t e, u n d er t he co n d i ti o n s p r o p os ed i n t ha t

e xe m pt i o n, w il l b e at l e as t a s s a f e, or s a f e r, t h an a co n ve n tio n a l a i rc r a ft w i th an a i r w o r t h i nes s c e r

t ifi c a t e

. A p r o p r i e t a r

y

r is k a s ses s me nt f

or o p e r a t i on s w i th th e e B ee

, w h ic h d e mo n s t r a t es t h at as s e r t i o n

, i s a ls o b e in g s ubm i t t e d to t he F A A

as p a rt o f t h i s ap p lic a t i on

. A P P L I CA N T r e q ue s t s t he F A A t r e a t t h e e B e e r i s k asse s sm e n t as p r o p r i e t a r y u n d er 14

C

. F

. R

. 11

. 3 5 ( b) an d n o t i n cl u d e t hi s d o cu m e nt in th e p ub l i c d o ck e t

.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 6 1

. 3: R e q ui r e m e n ts f o r c e r t i f i c a t e s

, r a t i n gs a n d au t h o r iz a t io n s

14 C

. F

. R

. § 6 1 .1 1 3 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 6 1

. 1 3 3 ( a ) : P r i v a t e P i l o t P r i v i l e g e s a n d L i m i t a t i o n s; P i l ot i n C o m m a n d ; C o m m e r c i al

P i l ot P r i v i l e ge s a n d L i m i t a t io ns

T h e r e gu l a t io n p r o v i de s t h a t n o p e r s on m ay s e r v e a s a r e q u i r e d pi l o t fl i g ht c re w m e mb er of a civ il a i r c r a f t o f th e U ni t e d

S t at e s

, u n les s t h at p e r s o n :

(1) H a s a pi l o t c e r

t i fic a t e o r s pec i a l p u r p o se p i l ot a u t h o r iz a t i o n i s su ed u nd er t hi s p a r t in t ha t p e r s on ' s p hys i c a l

p os s ess i o n or r e a dil y acc e ssi b l e in t he a i r c r a f t w h e n e x e r

cis i n g th e p r ivi l e g e s o f t h a t p il ot c er ti f ic a t e or a u t h o r iz a t i on

. H o w e v e r

, w h en th e a i r

c r a f t i s o p e r a t e d w i t hi n a f

o r e ig n c ou n t r

y, a p il ot lic e ns e i s su ed b y t h a t co u n t r y ma y be us e d

.

T h e r e g ul a t i o n p r ov i de s a ls o t h a t no p e r s on t h a t h old s a p r i v at e p il ot c e r t ifi c a te ma y a ct a s p i l ot i n co m ma nd o f an

a i r c r a f t f o r c om p ens a t i o n or h i r e

. S ub p a r a g r a p h ( b) a l l o w s a p r i v a te pil ot t o a ct a s p i l o t in co m ma nd o f a n a i r c r a f t i n

c on n ec t io n w i t h an y b us i nes s or em p lo y me nt i f:

(1) T h e f li g h t i s o n l y inc i d e n t a l t o t h at bus i ne ss or em p lo y me n t ; (2) T h e a i r c r a f

t d oe s n ot c a rr

y p as s en g e rs or p r o p e r t

y f or co m pe n sa t i on or h i r e.

G i v e n t he s af

e t y f e at u r es of t h e e B e e a nd th e f a c t t h a t t he m i s s i on s a re p r e

- p r o g r a mm ed a n d m o ni t o r e d i n r e a l

- tim e

w i t h a s p ec i fi c f l i g ht m a n a gem e n t s o f t w a r e ( e M o ti o n ), A PP LI CAN T p r o p o se s t h a t o p e r a t o r s of t he e B ee s ho u l d n ot be

r e q u i re d to ho ld a c omm e r

c i a l p il ot c e r t i fi c at i o n. I n st e a d, ope r a t o rs s ho u l d b e r e q u i re d t o : H a v e a s p o r t or r e c r e a t io n a l

p il ot lic e ns e ( a t l ea s t ) a nd ha ve suc c es s fu lly pas s e d a m a nu f a c t u r e r ’ s t r a i ni ng p r o g r a m f

o r t h e e B e e

.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1

. 7 ( a ): C i v il a i r c r a f t a i r w o r t h i n e ss

T hi s r e g ul a ti on r e qu i r es th at no p e r s on ma y o p e r a te a civ i l ai r c r a ft u nl e s s i t i s i n a i r w o r t hy c o nd i ti o n

. S ho u l d t h eP a g e 10 of 12

e xe m pt i o n b e g r a n te d allo w in g c om m e r c ia l ope r atio n o f the e B e e w ithou t an a i r w o r t h i nes s c e r t i f ic a t e, no s t an d a rd w i l l

e xi st for a i r

w o r t h i ne ss o f the e B e e. G iv en t h e siz e of t h e a i rc r a ft an d t h e p r e v i ou s a i r w o r t h i n es s as s ess m en ts g iv en t o

t h e e B e e

, a m on g o t h e r s:

 N ew Me x ic o S t a t e U ni ve r s it y: ht tp s : / / n e w sc e nt er .nm s u

. ed u / A r t i c le s /vi e w / 1 02 0 8 / nms u

- u a s

- f li g h t

- t es t

- c e n t e r

c on d uc t s

- eb e e

- a i r

w o r t h in e s s

- as s ess m e nt

 USAC E N ew O r l e a ns

, w h o co o r d in a t ed w i t h t he D e p a r t m en t of A r m y an d t he F A A t o o b ta in a l l a u t h o r i z a tion s

r e q u i re d i n o r d er t o o p e r a t e t h e e B e e UA S f or l ev ee sy s t em m o n i t o r i n g

, do c um e n t at i o n of c o ns t r u ctio n

p r o g r e s s, an d e x t e nsi ve obl i qu e p h o to g r a ph y of U S AC E s t r uc t u r e s & a c ti v it i e s

A n e q ui v al e n t l e ve l of s af

e t y w i ll be ac h ie v e d b y in s u r in g c o m p li a nc e w i th t he S e ns e Fl y m a n u al s p r i or t o e ac h f l i g h t.

14 C FR § 9 1

. 1 1 9: M i n i m u m S a f e A l t i tud e s

T h e r e g ul a ti on p r o v i de s t h at o v e r s p a r sel y p op u l a te d a r e a s t he a i rc r a ft ca n n ot b e o p e r a t e d c l os er t h a n 5 0 0 f e e t to an y

p e r so n, ves s e l, v eh i c l e, o r s t r u ct u r e. S in ce th e a i r c r a f t w i l l be o p e r a t i n g at a m ax i m u m o f 40 0 f e et A G L, t he e B e e

c an n o t c o mpl y w i th th is r

e qu i re m en t.

T h e e qu i v a l e nt le v e l of s a f

et y w i ll b e a ch i ev ed be ca u se t he e B e e w i l l o n l y f ly ov er p r i v at e p r o p e r t y w i t h t h e p e r miss i o n

of t h e l an do w n er. T he o p e r a t o r w i ll d e fi ne b ef o r e ev e r y f li g h t a w o r k in g a r e a r a d iu s an d a f l i g h t a r e a c e il i n g, p r e v e n t in g

t h e e B ee t o g o b ey o n d t he fl i g ht a r e a.

T h e l a n d o w n er a nd t h e p e r s o ns w ho m a y b e o n t h e g r o u n d in t h e fl i g ht a r e a w il l b e b r i efe d of t he e xp e ct ed r o u te of

f li g h t a nd t h e a sso c i a te d r i s k s to p e r so ns a nd p r o p e r t y o n t he g r o un d. D ue to t h e s m al l s i z e o f th e e B e e a nd th e

m at e r i a l w i th w hi ch t he e B e e i s bu i l t, t he ha z a rd t o p e r so n s

, v es s el s, v e h icl e s

, a n d s t r u ct u r es i s n ot co m p a r a b l e t o

m an n e d a i r c r a f

t a nd s h o ul d be co n si d e r e d i n g r a nt i n g t he exe m pt i o n.

M o r e o v e r, t h e ai r c r a ft w il l n ot be o p e r a te d o v e r co n ge s t ed ar ea s n or o v e r an y o p e n

- a ir a sse m bl y o f p e r s o ns

. T h e

a i r c r a f t w i l l be o p e r a t ed at a n a lt i t u d e a ll o w i n g, i f a p o w er u n i t f ai l s , an e m e r g e n c y l a nd i n g w i t h o ut u n du e ha z a rd t o

p e r so ns or p r o p e r t y o n t h e s u r f a ce

.

14 C

. F

. R

. § 9 1

. 15 1 ( a): Fu el R e q ui r e me n t s f o r F l i g ht in VF R Cond i t i on s

T h e r e g ul a ti on p r o v i de s t h at n o p e r so n m a y be g i n a f l i g h t i n an a i rp l an e u n d e r d a y

- V F R c o nd i ti o n s u n les s t h e r e i s

e n o ug h f ue l to fl y to th e f i r

st po i n t of i n t en d e d l a nd i n g a nd t o fl y a ft er t h a t f o r at l ea st 3 0 mi n ut e s

.

G i v e n t h e a r e a of o p e r a t i o n fo r th e e B e e

, A P P LI C AN T be l i e v e s t h a t a n e qu iv a l en t l eve l of s a fe ty is al r e a d y ac h ie v e d

w i t h t h e s p ec i fi c p r o c e d u re p r e ve n t i n g t h e e B ee t o a c ce pt a t ak e

- o f f o r d e r i s th e ba t t e r

y l e v e l i s b el ow a g iv en v a l ue

. M o r e o v e r, S e n s e Fl y ha s i n t e g r a t ed “l o w ” a n d “ c r i tic a l ” b a t t e ry l ev el w a r n i ng s a nd i m p l em e nte d a “ r e t u rn t o H om e” ( a nd

“ G o L a n d ” ) a c t i on s i n t he se s it u a t io n s

.

14 C F R S u b p a r

t E ( 9 1 .4 01

- 9 1

. 4 1 7)

- M a i n t e n a n c e, P r e v e n t i ve Ma in t e n a n c e, a nd A l t e r a ti o ns

T h e r e g ul a ti on p r o v i de s t ha t th e o p e r a t or is p r i m a r il y r e s p ons i bl e f o r m a i n ta i ni ng t he ai r c r a ft i n a n a i r w o r t h y c o nd i t i on

, i nc l ud i n g co m pl i an ce w it h P a r t s 39 an d 43

. P a r a g r a ph s 9 1. 4 0 7 a n d 9 1

. 4 0 9 r e q ui re t h a t t h e a i r c r a f t b e " a p p r o v e d f

o r

r e t u rn to s e r

v ic e b y a p e r s on a u t h o r i z e d u n d e r 43

. 7 " a f t er m a i n te n an ce a n d i ns p ec t io n. S e c ti on 9 1. 4 0 9 ( a ) ( 2 ) r e q u i r e s

an an n ua l i n sp e ct i o n f

or t he i s s ua n c e o f a n a ir

w o r t hi n es s c e r t i f ic a te

. S e c ti on 91

. 4 1 7 ( a ) r e qu i re s t h e o w n e r or o p e r a to r

to k ee p r e c o r d s sh o w in g c e r t ai n ma i n t en a nc e w o rk t h at h as b e en ac c om p li s he d b y c e r t i fic a t ed m e ch a nic s, u n d e r P a r t

4 3

, or lic e ns ed pi l ot s a nd r e c o r ds of a p p r o va l of t he a i r c r a f

t f o r r e t u r n t o s e r

v i c e.

APP L I C A N T p r o p os es t h a t t h e m a in t e n an ce o f t h e e B ee w il l be ac c om p lis h e d b y th e o w n e r / o p e r a t o r a c c o r d i n g to th eP a g e 11 of 12

m ai n t e na n c e m a n ua l, p r o vi d e d b y S en s e F l y

. AP P LI C AN T re qu e st s t he F A A t r e at th e e B ee t r a i n in g p r o g r am a s

p r o p r i e t a r y un d e r 14 C

. F

. R

. 11

. 3 5 ( b) a nd n o t i n cl u d e t h i s doc u me nt i n t he pu b li c d o ck e t

.

A n e qui v a l en t l ev el o f s af

e t y w i ll b e a c hi e ve d bec a us e th e e B ee i s sm a l l i n s iz e, i t i s n o t a c o mp l e x me c h a nic al de v ic e,

it w il l c a r r y no e x t e r n al p a yl o ad

, a nd i t w i ll o p e r a te o n l y i n re s t r i c te d p r e d e t e r m i n ed a r e a s. M o r e ov e r

, t he o p e r a t or i s th e

p e r so n m o s t f

ami l i ar w i t h t he a i r c r a f

t a nd i s be st s u i te d to m a i n t ai n t h e a i r c r a ft i n a n a i r w or t hy c on d it i o n a n d t o e nsu r e

an e qu i v a l e nt l e ve l o f s a f

e ty . F i n all y, b e f

o re e v e ry f li g h t, t h e e B e e r u n s au t om a ti c all y a s e q u e nc e o f p r e

- fl i g ht t e s t s to

m ak e s u r e t ha t e v e r

y s en s o r a n d e v e r

y c r i t ic al p a rt i s r u nni ng p r o p e r l y

. I f a p r o bl em i s d e t e c te d, t he e B e e w il l n ot b e

a bl e t o be s w it c h e d

- o n a n d a m ess a g e er r or i s di s pl a ye d o n t h e m a i n s c r e e n of t he f l i g ht m an a ge m e nt so ft w a r e

. T h e

o p e r a t or c an t h e n r e f

e r t o th e m ai n te n an ce m a nu al to t r o u b l es h o ot t h i s is s u e. S ev e r a l pa r t s o f t h e e B e e a r e eas i l y

i n t e r c h a ng e ab le ( p r o p el l e r s, w i ng s )

, w hi ch a l l o w s th e o p e r a t o r to m a ke s u re t h e w i ng s a nd p r o pu l s i on sy s te m a r e

al w ay s a ir w o r t h y w he n a mi s si on i s i n i ti a t e d

.P a g e 12 of 12

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