Steve Altomare Quality Aerial Photography LLC

38317 Welsh Drive Prairieville, Louisiana 70769

January 31, 2016

US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20591

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the 

“Reform Act”) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11,Quality Aerial Photography LLC requesting 

exemptions and relief from the requirements from Federal Aviation Regulations 

(“FARs”) detailed below for two DJI Inspire I Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). 

DJI Inspire I: s/n W13DCC17030390, s/n W13DCB14020187

Reason for seeking exemption:

- Use of UAS for commercial applications; for a commercial Certificate of Authorization (COA) 

to use the system to support real estate photography and videography, aerial surveying, aerial 

photography, agriculture, wildlife and forestry monitoring, wild land firefighting support, 

patrolling, aerial inspection, and mapping operations.

- Conduct business legally.

- Be in compliance with all FAA regulations and stipulations when flying our UAS.

- benefit the environment and expand on a new profession, all of which are in the public interest as 

outlined below.

Request for exemption(s) relating to the public benefit as a whole:

UAS video/photography of real estate (commercial, residential and industrial), land 

surveys, land surveillance, industrial and commercial inspections, sporting events and 

special events over certain areas of these United States would be performed safely, 

legally and economically. Accordingly, minimal impacts on the environment and a safer 

more economical avenue for businesses and individuals in need of these services can be 

achieved.

Both sUAS each weigh less than 55 lbs. fully loaded. They will be operated at a speed no 

more than 87 knots, will not carry a pilot nor passenger, carry no explosive materials or 

flammable liquids, and operate exclusively within an approved COA airspace. All DJI 

sUAS use a radio frequency spectrum for operation and control that complies with 

Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) requirements and has integrated safety 

features as described within user manuals for each DJI SUAS. The sUAS are equipped 

with redundant safety mechanisms allowing them to operate safely after experiencing 

certain in-flight failures. If a lost-link event occurs, including the loss of ground 

communications and/or the loss of a GPS signal, the sUAS have the ability to perform a 

pre-coordinated, predictable, automated flight maneuver and return to a predetermined 
location within a designated security parameter for landing, if automatic flight appears 

unsafe, pilot can easily regain control. The sUAS also have the ability to abort a flight in 

the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies. These DJI aircraft also monitor all 

flight paths and time flown. The aircraft will be operated in the field with both a Pilot in 

Command (PIC) and a ground-based Visual Observer (VO) in accordance with FAA 

Order 8900.1, vol. 16 "Unmanned Aircraft Systems" with the following additional 

restrictions:

- All operations will be conducted in accordance with the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or 

Authorization (COA). 

- All SUAS operations will remain clear of airports and manned aviation operations and activities at all times. 

- All operations will occur at altitudes no more than 400' above ground level 

- Operations will be operated over private property with the permission of the land owner 

- The sUAS will not be operated by a (PIC) Person In Charge from any moving device.

- The aircraft will not be operated within 5 NM of an airport or heliport unless prior coordination with ATC or airport 

management is made.

- Operations will be during daylight.

- Aircraft will remain within Visual Line of Sight of the PIC. 

-Maintenance of the aircraft and systems will be performed in accordance with the requirements outlined in FAA Order 

8900.1, volume 16, chapter 4.

Summary

Strict operation under the guidelines established in 8900.1 and historically demonstrated 

safe flight performance combined with the light weight of the aircraft lend credence to 

the FAA having confidence in our ability to conduct business safely and legally.

Quality Aerial Photography LLC, pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and 

Reform Act of 2012, petitioning for exemption of sections 14CFR (for commercial use of 

our two DJI Inspire UAS):

- 14 CFR Part 21; 14 CFR 91.203; 14 CFR 45.23, 45.29; 14 CFR 91.9; 14 CFR 61.113, 61.133; 14 CFR 

91.109, 91.119; 14 CFR 91.121, 91.151; 14 CFR Subpart E (91.401 - 91.417); 14 CFR 91.103(b).

Respectively submitted,

Steve Altomare

Quality Aerial Photography LLC

38317 Welsh Drive

Prairieville, Louisiana 70769