MOTION	PICTURE	&	TELEVISION	OPERATIONS	MANUAL		

Last	Revision:	September 3,	2015	
Purpose	

This	operations	manual	has	been	created	by	“Desert	Aerial Inc”,	hereafter	referred	to	as	“Desert	Aerial”,	

to	be	used	in	conjunction	with	all	conditions	and	limitations	as	stipulated.		Desert	Aerial 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	

Desert	Aerial,	LLC .

Hunter	Roberts,	President

504	E	Camino	Crystal	Azul

Sahuarita,	AZ	85629

Tel.:	386-804-7622

Email:	info@desertaerial.com

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.	Desert	Aerial 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	

Desert	Aerial’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,	Desert	Aerial

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.		

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	

requirement 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		

Desert	Aerial 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.		

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	Desert	Aerial’s UASs	used	in	operations	do	not	require	an	airworthiness	certificate.	Desert	Aerial 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.	Furthermore,	Desert	

Aerial will	document	and	maintain	all	maintenance	records.		

Pilot	&	Visual	Observer	Minimum	Requirements	

Desert	Aerial 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.		

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.		

Desert	Aerial may	determine	that	additional	hours	are	necessary	to	address	all	potential	flight	hazards	

and	requisite	airmanship	skills.	Desert	Aerial 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.		

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	Desert	Aerial 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	Desert	

Aerial.

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	Desert	Aerial

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.			

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.		

Appendix	A	–

Location	Permission	Form				

In	signing	this	form,	I	am	giving	the	pilots	of	Desert	Aerial Inc.	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:					

Desert	Aerial Inc.	Representative	Receiving Permission: