MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION

OPERATIONS MANUAL

Last Revision: June 18, 2015
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Purpose

This operations manual has been created by “Wilkins Photography.”, hereafter referred to as 

“Wilkins”, to be used in conjunction with all conditions and limitations as stipulated. Wilkins 

pilots, camera operators, visual observers, and other company personnel when applicable, will 

comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this manual, whenever UAS flight 

operations are

 performed that require the exemption as mentioned above. 

Owner/Operator & Organization

Jeremy Wilkins

Member

Wilkins Photography

801 Queens Park Drive

Owings Mills, MD 21117 

410.701.0062

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 operation. Wilkins shall ensure that 

no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be 

involved and necessary for the operation. 

Area of Operations

Wilkins's approved area of operations will be the United States, including its 

territories and possessions.

Plan of Activities

For flights above 200 feet AGL: At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled operation, 

Wilkins will submit a written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over 

that area. The plan of activities will include the following:

1. Dates and times for all flights. 

2. Name and phone number of person responsible for the event. 

3. Name and phone number of person responsible for flight operations. 
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4. Make, model, and serial number (if available) UAS to be used. 

5. Name and certificate number of pilot(s) involved in the event. 

6. A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property owners 

and/or local officials to conduct the event. The list of those who gave permission 

must be made available to the inspector upon request from the waiver holder. 

7. Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

8. A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, 

county, and/or State over which the operation will be conducted. 

The three (3) day notification equipment’s 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. 

Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations is conducted under the provisions of 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 

Wilkins personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical, 

however, verbal permission is acceptable. A permission form is provided in Appendix A

and may be used when obtaining written permission. Written permission forms shall be 

maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned into the 

Flight Director 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. 

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 to a minimum of a 500 foot perimeter. Provisions will be made to 

immediately discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any 

other reason in the interest of safety. 
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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 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: 

1. Pertinent sections of this operations manual 

2. Plan of activities 

3. UAS takeoff and landing procedures 

4. Role of PIC, visual observer, and camera/gimbal operator 

5. Overview of flight activities to be conducted during the production event 

6. Recall procedures 

7. Emergency procedures 

8. Risks to participating personnel 

9. How to control nonparticipating persons 

Certification/Airworthiness

All Wilkins UASs used in operations do not require an airworthiness certificate. Wilkins 

will use trained technicians to perform maintenance, alterations, or preventive 

maintenance on the UASs using the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in 

the UAS operating documents (i.e., the DJI Phantom 3 Vision and DJI Inspire

1,Hexacopter manuals. These manuals have been included with this exemption 

request.). Furthermore, Wilkins will document and maintain all maintenance 

records. 

Pilot & Visual Observer Minimum Requirements

Wilkins shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum 

requirements shall meet or exceed the following (using Exemption NO. 11062 [Astraeus 

Aerial] as a basis): 

Prior to conducting operations, the PIC must have logged, consistent with 14 CFR

61.51(b), 25 hours of total time as a UAS pilot. Prior to operations the PIC must also 

have logged a minimum of 5 hours as a UAS pilot operating the same make and model 

of UAS to be used for operations under the exemption. In addition to the hour 

requirements, the PIC must accomplish 3 take-offs and landings in the preceding 90 

days (for currency purposes). Prior documented flight experience that was obtained in 

compliance with applicable regulations could satisfy this requirement. 
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Training, proficiency, and experience-building flights can also be conducted to 

accomplish the required flight time. During training, proficiency, and experience-building 

flights the PIC is required to operate the UAS with appropriate distances in accordance 

with 14 CFR 91.119.

Wilkins may determine that additional hours are necessary to address all potential flight 

hazards and requisite airmanship skills. Wilkins will not permit any PIC to operate 

unless that PIC is able to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the 

UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency 

maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and 

structures. 

Prior to operations the PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, 

recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman 

medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a state, the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government, and have 

completed the minimum flight hour and currency requirements as stated in the 

conditions and limitations above. 

Visual Observers should have a minimum of 1 hour of flight time with the sUAS which 

they are observing affording them direct experience with the performance of the sUAS 

they will be observing. 

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. 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. 

Accident Notification

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

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

Recall/Stop Procedures

Specific procedures will vary based on the UAS being used, the physical location, and 

other unique configurations in the field. Details will be part of the required pre-flight 

briefing. 
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Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in this manual are the primary 

assurance that persons on the surface will not be jeopardized. 

The UASs and pilots used under this exemption and/or waiver will only be those 

specified in manual, Appendices A and B, or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s 

name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All UASs and 

pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the 

scheduled event. 

Company Organization

FLIGHT DIRECTOR

Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Has final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual. 

2. Acts as liaison between Wilkins and the FAA on matter concerning this manual. 

3. 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. 

4. Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for

Wilkins. 

5. Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and 

processed properly. 

6. Must approve or disapprove each proposed operation performed by Wilkins 

under the provisions of this manual. 

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

8. The Flight Director may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

responsibility. 

PILOT IN COMMAND 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Assure the UAS to be flown is in airworthy condition and required maintenance have 

been performed as appropriate. 

2. Acquire permission from the Flight Director before any operation under the 

provisions of this manual. 

3. Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, 

policies and conditions contained herein. 

4. Coordinate with location personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, etc. with 

safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. 

5. Maintain and keep current their copy of this manual and have it on site at any job or 

operation requiring the waiver. 
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6. The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains 

responsibility. 

VISUAL OBSERVER

Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Maintain visual line of sight with the sUAS at all times. 

2. Maintain direct communication with the PIC. 

3. Maintain a broader “situational” awareness of the secure area and stay alert for 

unauthorized persons or vehicles that could compromise the area. 

4. Assist the PIC in with collision avoidance. Including, but not limited to, avoidance of 

other traffic, clouds, obstructions, and terrain. 
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Appendix A - Location Permission Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Wilkins Photography permission to

operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or within some jurisdiction in 

which I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of image acquisition or 

inspection. 

Name: 

Title: 

Basis of Authority 

to Grant Permission: 

Location: 

Date of Operation: 

Signature Date 

Wilkins 

Representative 

Receiving Permission: 
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Appendix B - List of Approved UASs

Current operators manuals are part of this appendix. 

1. DJI Phantom 3 Vision 

2. DJI Inspire
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