August 6, 2015

Exemption No. 12374

Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2015–1952

Mr. Robert Bates

Foto Pros Studio

200 Grand Avenue

Spencer, IA 51301

Dear Mr. Bates:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

By letter dated May 13, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Foto Pros Studio (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an exemption. The 

petitioner requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial 

photography and videography.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing the proposed operations and 

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner.

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a DJI Phantom 2 Vision+.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products 

and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates. In accordance with the statutory criteria 

provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in 

consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the 
2

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft 

meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from 

14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness 

Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is 

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection1. The FAA has issued grants of 

exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. 

In Grants of Exemption Nos. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 

11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see

Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned 

aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or 

crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in 

addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled 

by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of 

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213;

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and 

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, Foto Pros Studio is granted an exemption from 14 CFR 

§§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 91.121, 

91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to the 

extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection.

This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

 

1 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. 

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF 

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by 

instruments aboard the UA.
3

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Foto Pros Studio is hereafter referred to as the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 2 

Vision+ when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations 

of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are 

not permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the 

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. 

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or 

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within 

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used 

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS 

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times; 

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC 

must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the 

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties 

required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, 

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 
4

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating 

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update 

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then 

the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s 

UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding 

updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo 

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such 

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is 

in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the 

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all 

potential discrepancies, e.g., inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is 

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the 

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and 

aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a 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. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the 

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be 
5

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and 

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC 

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs 

(training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to 

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, 

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During 

training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for 

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA 

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as 

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not 

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s 

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption 

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available 

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the 

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve 

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification 
6

(N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and 

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. 

These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure 

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises 

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of 

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety 

of nonparticipating persons; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported 

to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be 

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.
7

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) 

as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this 

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards 

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day 

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities 

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted 

under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of 

the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator 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;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. 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 altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the 

exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS 

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, 

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.
8

This exemption terminates on August 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures
1

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

Foto Pros Studio

200 Grand Ave. 

Spencer, Iowa 51301

(712) 260-7148

fotopros@smunet.net

U. S. Department of Transportation Docket 

Management System

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b);14 CFR Part 21;14 

CFR 61.113 (a) & (b); 13 C.F.R. 61.133(a); 91.7 (a);91.9 (b) (2);91.103(b);

91.109;91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a);91.203(a) & (b);91.405 (a); 91.407(a) (1);

91.409 (a) (2);91.417 (a) & (b).

Dear Sir(s)/Madam(s):

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

Act”) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Foto Pros Studio, an Iowa company, the operator of a DJI Phantom 

2 Vision+ V3.0 (“UA”), seeks an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) as 

listed and discussed below.

Foto Pros Studio team has flown its UA, for recreational/hobby purposes, for hundreds

of hours without incident.

Foto Pros Studio UA is equipped to take aerial videography and photography to enhance 

awareness for those individuals and companies unfamiliar with the geographical layout of certain

areas and augment real estate listings and promote the use of certain real estate properties which

provides an enhancement to academic research being performed in certain geographical areas

(“purpose”).

Foto Pros Studio exemption request will permit the operation of comparatively 

inexpensive UAs in tightly controlled, predetermined and limited airspace. This
2

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

airspace will include areas away from general public, airports, heliports and vehicular traffic for 

community videos, and within property boundaries for real estate listing videos and photos. 

Currently, similar lightweight, remote controlled UAs are legally operated by unmonitored and 

untrained amateur hobbyists with no safety plan or controls in place to prevent catastrophic events. 

Foto Pros Studio has safety protocols and controls in place to avoid and prevent public

hazards as well as preventing the interference with manned aircraft which could cause a hazard 

or catastrophe. This acts to enhance safety protocols unique to Foto Pros Studio lightweight UAs 

being utilized specifically for real estate/commercial videography and photography. Foto Pros 

Studio hopes to be able to record flight data and other information gained through permitted

flight operations which may be shared with the FAA through any required FAA reports to assist

with the development of future FAA protocols and safety regulations.

The use of Foto Pros Studio UAs for these purposes reduces the need to operate 

conventional aircraft, typically needed to perform these types of operations, provides an 

economic benefit to the business consumer as the Foto Pros Studio UAs provides higher

quality imagery at a fraction of the cost of aerial videography and photography using 

conventional aircraft. These savings result in not only enhanced efficiency and productivity for 

the affected activities but added environmental and safety benefits to the public at large.

As described more fully below, Foto Pros Studio requested exemption would authorize 

commercial operations of aerial videography and photography, using Foto Pros Studio UAs,

which will be operated under controlled conditions at an altitude of no greater than three

hundred (400) feet AGL in airspace that is limited in scope and will have automated control

features. Foto Pros Studio UAs will also be operated by an individual who has passed an FAA 

approved ground training exam, if required by the FAA. The primary operator Robert Bates is 

also an FAA licensed private pilot. As outlined below, the airspace in which Foto Pros Studio 

UAs will operate within will be disclosed to the FAA in advance to flight operation. Finally, Foto 

Pros Studio UAs will be used in lieu of comparatively hazardous operations now conducted with 

fixed wing and rotary conventional aircraft which should reassure the FAA that these operations 

will achieve at least an equivalent level or greater level of safety.

In the interest of economic efficiency and public safety, Foto Pros Studio hereby

respectfully applies for an exemption from the listed FARs to allow commercial operations of

Foto Pros Studio UAs, so long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions

outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333. Approval of 

this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation’s

(“Administrator”) responsibilities under Section 333(c) of the Reform Act to
3

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

“establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace 

system.”

As discussed above and more fully described below, the requested exemption would permit 

the operation of small, unmanned and relatively inexpensive UAs under controlled conditions in 

airspace that is limited and predetermined. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance 

safety and fulfill the Administrator responsibilities to “...establish requirements for the safe 

operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.” Please see Section 333(c) of 

the Reform Act.

Additionally, the FAA has already granted a previous exemption which is essentially 

identical to the exemption being sought by Foto Pros Studio. Please see FAA Exemption No. 

11138.

The name and address of the applicant is:

Robert Bates dba Foto Pros Studio 

200 Grand Ave.

Spencer, Iowa 51301

(712) 260-7148

REGULATIONS FROM WHICH THE EXEMPTION IS REQUESTED

14 C.F.R. Part 21

14 C.F.R. 45.23(b)

14 C.F.R. 61.113(a) & (b)

13 C.F.R. 61.133(a)

14 C.F.R. 91.7(a)

14 C.F.R. 91.9(b)(2)

14 C.F.R. 91.103

14 C.F.R. 91.109

14 C.F. R. 91.119

14 C.F.R. 91.121

14 C.F.R. 91.151(a)

14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) & (b)

14 C.F.R. 91.405(a)

14 C.F.R. 91.407(a)(1)

14 C.F.R. 91.409(a)(2)
4

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

14 C.F.R. 91.417(a) & (b)

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress’ goal in passing 

Section 333(a) through (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to 

consider whether certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace 

system (NAS) before completion of the rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform Act. 

In making this determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of UAs do not 

create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in light of the 

following:

• The UA’s size, weight, speed, and operational capability;

• Operation of the UAs in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and

• Operation of the UAs within visual line of sight (“VLOS”) of the operator. 

Reform Act § 333 (a).

Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles “may operate safely in the national 

airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft 

in the national airspace system.” Id. §333(c) (emphasis added).1

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. This 

statutory authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under

§40101 of the Act, which includes UAs, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a 

current airworthiness certificate.

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed 

under subsection (a) or (b) of this section or any sections 44702-44716 of this title if the 

Administrator finds the exemption in the public interest. 49 U.S.C. §44701(f). See also 49 USC

§44711(a); 49 USC §44704; 14 CFR §91.203 (a) (1).

Foto Pros Studio UAs are rotorcraft weighing less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg)

including energy source(s), equipment and any payload. They operate, under normal conditions at

a ground speed of no more than thirty (30) knots and have the capability to hover, and move in

the vertical and horizontal plane simultaneously. The UAs will operate only in line of

1 Foto Pros Studio interprets this provision to place the duty on the Administrator to not only process

applications for exemptions under section 333, but for the Administrator to craft conditions for the safe

operation of the UA, if it should be determined that the conditions set forth herein do not fulfill the statutory

requirements for approval. 3 Reform Act Section 333 (b).
5

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

sight and within safe. Such operations will insure that the UA will “not create a hazard to users 

of the national airspace system or the public.”3

Given the small size of the UAs involved and the restricted environment within which they 

will operate, Foto Pros Studio falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of

safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial 

operations of UAs to commence immediately. Also due to the size of the UAs and the restricted 

areas in which the relevant UAs will operate, approval of the application presents no national 

security issue. Given the clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority contained 

in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended; the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the 

proposed operations, and the significant public benefit, including enhanced safety, reduction in 

environmental impacts, including reduced emissions associated with allowing UAs for aerial 

videography and photography operations, the grant of the requested exemptions is in the public 

interest. Additionally, there is economic efficiency created with the use of Foto Pros Studio 

UAs as the typical cost to perform aerial videography and photography with helicopters and 

airplanes heavily multiplies the cost to business consumers and government agencies, including

law enforcement, for the services which are to be provided by Foto Pros Studio.

THE EXTENT AND BASIS OF THE RELIEF SOUGHT BY FOTO PROS STUDIO

Foto Pros Studio submits this application in accordance with the Reform Act, 112 P.L. 95

§§ 331-334, seeking relief from any currently applicable FARs operating that presently prevents 

Foto Pros Studio from contemplated commercial video-graphic, photographic and other flight 

operations within the national airspace system. The Reform Act in Section 332 provides for

such integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into our national airspace system as it is in

the public’s interest to do so. Foto Pros Studio UAs meet the definition of “small unmanned

aircraft” as defined in Section 331 and therefore the integration of Foto Pros Studio ultralight

weight UAs is expressly contemplated by the Reform Act. Foto Pros Studio would like to operate

its ultralight weight UAs prior to the time period by which the Reform Act requires the FAA to 

promulgate rules governing such craft. Thereby, providing direct experience and valuable 

information for formal regulation that can be administered uniformly to all real estate related

UA aerial videography and photography. The Reform Act guides the Administrator in 

determining the types of UAs that may operate safely in our national airspace system. These 

considerations include: weight, size, speed and overall capabilities of the UAs; whether the UAs

will be operated near airports or heavily populated areas and; whether the UAs will be operated

by line of sight.4 Each of these items is favorable to the grant of an exemption to Foto Pros

Studio. Foto Pros Studio UAs utilize four (4) counter-rotating propellers for balance, control

and stability. Foto Pros Studio UAs are equipped with GPS and auto return safety technology. 

Foto Pros Studio UAs weigh less than five (5) pounds including camera and gimbal assembly.
6

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

4 112 P.L. 95 § 333 (a).

Foto Pros Studio puts safety first when considering any UA flight. Foto Pros Studio small

UAs are designed to hover in place via GPS and operate in less than a 24 knot (27 mph) wind. In 

order to increase safety plus stability and limit harm and financial loss of property, Foto Pros

Studio will not fly its UAs in winds exceeding 15 knots (17 mph). Foto Pros Studio established

safety systems include a GPS mode that allows its UAs to hover in place when radio controls are 

released. Foto Pros Studio UAs have three modes to choose from, Foto Pros Studio utilizes the

Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) Flight (with GPS & compass module)5for aerial

videography and photography. This mode is the safest, most reliable and stable mode to prevent 

accidents and being a hazard to others. When pilot communication is lost, Foto Pros Studio UAs 

are designed to return then slowly descend to the point of takeoff. Foto Pros Studio does not

operate its UAs near airports, hospitals, police heliports or news channel heliports. Foto Pros

Studio does not operate its UAs in areas where general public is within fifty (50) to one 

hundred (100) yards depending on location, conditions and weather. Foto Pros Studio pilots and

observers are constantly on alert for any manned aircraft and prepared to immediately abort and 

land the UA at the nearest and safest ground point in the event a manned aircraft approaches or

the Foto Pros Studio pilot or observer suspects a manned aircraft may approach the operating

area of a Foto Pros Studio UA. Foto Pros Studio UAs are capable of vertical and horizontal

operations, and are flown only within my line of sight of the pilot. Foto Pros Studio UA flights 

generally last fifteen (15) minutes with an altitude under three hundred (300) and utilize battery 

power rather than combustible fuels. Foto Pros Studio does not operate its UAs below the 

manufacturer’s recommended minimum charge levels for operation preferring to remain well 

within a safe operating range to insure adequate communication between radio control and the 

UAs to eliminate potential for crashes, loss of control or hazard. Fully charged reserve batteries 

are on hand with to insure replacement for a sufficiently safe level of operation. Foto Pros Studio

operates very conservatively and does believe in taking risks that may cause a crash or that could 

create hazard to the public, property and manned aircraft. Foto Pros Studio pilots have logged 

numerous practice flights in order to simulate flights for future commercial use to gain 

familiarization with the characteristics of this specific UA’s performance under different 

temperature and weather conditions. Once again the primary operator Robert Bates is also an 

FAA licensed private pilot.

Foto Pros Studio is extremely cautious when operating of its UAs and will not “create a 

hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public.”6 Given the small size
7

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

and weight of Foto Pros Studio UAs, they fall well within Congress’s contemplated safety zone

when it promulgated the Reform Act and the corresponding directive to integrate UAs into the 

national airspace system. Foto Pros Studio UAs, utilized in hobby flight, has a demonstrable

safety record and do not pose any threat to the general public or national security.

5 Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) Flight (with GPS & compass module) includes safe circle for

operation, position hold, self-leveling, altitude command, GPS, return home feature, and safety control to return

home or land in the event of communication interruption between RC transmitter and UAS. See Exhibit “1” – DJI

Phantom2Vision+http://download.djiinnovations.com/downloads/phantom_2_vision_plus/en/Phantom_2_Vision_Plus_User_Manual_v1.6_en.pdf.

6 112 P.L. 95 § 

333 (b).

FOTO PROS STUDIO REQUEST WILL BENEFIT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE

Aerial videography and photography for geographical awareness and for commercial/real

estate marketing and promotion has been around for a long time through the use of manned fixed

wing aircraft and helicopters. The challenge for smaller real estate companies and average

landowners is that the expense related to manned videography and photography is cost 

prohibitive. Typically, only large businesses, large high end real estate companies and high net

worth landowners are able to absorb such an enormous expense. This deprives non-luxury

landowners and small revenue real estate companies from the enjoying the benefit of this 

valuable marketing and promotional tool. Manned aircraft pose a clear threat to the general public

through potential catastrophic crashes that may occur. There are many documented events where a

manned aircraft has crashed into populated areas with the size and combustibility of these

manned aircraft causing large property damage, human injuries and loss of life. Foto Pros

Studio UAs pose no such threat since size and lack of combustible fuel alleviates any of these 

potential threat to the public.

With the passage of the Reform Act, Congress has already proclaimed that it is in the 

public’s interest to integrate commercially flown UAs into the national airspace system. The grant 

of the exemption request by Foto Pros Studio furthers the public interest through academic and

visual awareness of the geographical benefits of certain areas and by making this cost effective 

alternative available to small real estate companies and the average landowner. Foto Pros Studio

ultralight UAs are battery powered and create no emissions that may harm the environment. In

the unlikely event of a Foto Pros Studio UA crash, the consequence is far less than a full size

helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, which are heavy and contain combustible fuel, crashing and 

causing catastrophic devastation to the public.

The public’s interest is furthered as Foto Pros Studio minimizes ecological and crash
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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threat by permitting aerial videography and photography captured through Foto Pros Studio

battery operated ultralight UA’s. Permitting Foto Pros Studio to immediately fly within national 

air space furthers not only public safety but economic growth. Granting Foto Pros Studio

exemption request substantially furthers the economic impact for any community and for 

companies looking to relocate or build in a certain community as well as individuals looking to

relocate to a community for career advancement through academic and geographical awareness 

provided by Foto Pros Studio. In the end, the granting of this exemption to Foto Pros Studio

will serve as a benefit and stimulus to any community.

FOTO PROS STUDIO EXEMPTION WILL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT

SAFETY AND WILL PROVIDE A LEVEL OF SAFETY AT

LEAST EQUAL TO EXISTING FAA STANDARDS

Foto Pros Studio exemption will not adversely affect safety, as it will in fact enhance

safety. Foto Pros Studio ability to log significant, controlled and monitored flight time in FAA 

controlled airspace will allow Foto Pros Studio to contribute to the innovation and 

implementation of new, novel and undiscovered safety protocols for realtors that may be

embraced by the NAR2through consistent and ongoing cooperation with the FAA. 

Additionally, the FAA may utilize the new safety protocols for the use of UAs in FAA controlled 

airspace for all industries.

Foto Pros Studio submits the following representations of enhancements to current aerial 

videography and photography:

Foto Pros Studio UAs weigh less than 5 pounds (2.26796 Kg) complete with the camera 

and gimbal assembly;

Foto Pros Studio will only operate its UAs below three hundred (300) feet which is

well within the four hundred (400) feet ceiling having been established by the Reform 

Act of 2012;

 Foto Pros Studio UAs only operate for fifteen (15) minutes per flight; Foto Pros Studio

lands its UAs prior to manufacturer’s recommended minimum level of battery power;

 Foto Pros Studio pilots operate the UAs through Visual Line of Sight only;

2 National Association of Realtors, http://www.realtor.org/
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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Foto Pros Studio UAs have a GPS flight safety feature whereby the UA hovers and 

then slowly lands if communication with the pilot is lost;

Foto Pros Studio actively analyzes its flight data and other sources of information to 

constantly update and enhance its safety protocols;

Foto Pros Studio only operates in reasonably safe environments which are strictly 

controlled and away from power lines, elevated lights, airports and actively populated areas;

Foto Pros Studio conducts extensive pre-flight inspections and protocol to ensure safety 

remains the primary concern;

Foto Pros Studio always obtains all necessary permissions from the FAA and landowners 

prior to the operation its UAs and;

Foto Pros Studio has established safety procedures in place to abort flights in the event of 

safety breaches or any potential danger.

Foto Pros Studio safety protocols provide a level of safety equal to or exceeding existing

FAA rules. It is important to note that absent the integration of commercial UAs into our

national airspace system, manned fixed wing airplanes and helicopters are the primary 

means of aerial videography and photography for community awareness and real estate uses.

While the safety record of such helicopters is outstanding, there have been incidents involving loss 

of life as well as extensive property damage due to crashes of these manned aircraft and it is far

safer and less expensive to operate a battery powered Foto Pros Studio ultralight UAs to 

accomplish the same task. The potential for loss of life is great diminished with a UA as Foto

Pros Studio UAs carry no people or fuel on board and the UAs are also very small and versatile

which allows Foto Pros Studio to avoid hazards quickly and safely.

Accordingly, Foto Pros Studio respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested 

exemption without delay.

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

Foto Pros Studio proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that 

have the characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations 

provide for at least an equivalent or even higher level of safety to operations under the current

regulatory structure because the proposed operations represent a safety enhancement to the 

operations conducted with conventional aircraft. The FAA has noted in past exemptions that 

“Conventional aerial video operations, using jet or piston-powered aircraft present risks associated 

with aircraft that weigh in the neighborhood of 5,000 to 7,000 pounds or more, carry large
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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quantities of fuel, passengers, and, in some cases, cargo. Such aircraft must fly to and from the 

survey location. Please see FAA Exemption 11110.

These limitations and conditions to which Foto Pros Studio agrees to be bound when 

conducting all operations under an FAA issued exemption include:

1. The UAs will weigh less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg).

2. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be fifteen (15) minutes. 

Flights will be terminated at thirty percent (30%) battery power reserve should that 

occur prior to the fifteen (15) minute limit.

3. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than three hundred (300) feet AGL.

4. Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the UA Pilot and a Visual Observer 

(“VO”).

5. The UAs will only operate within a safe area.

6. A briefing will be conducted with regard to the planned UA operations prior to flight 

operations. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties 

with regard to the flight operations be present for this briefing.

7. The Pilot and VO will have been trained in operation of UAs generally and received 

up-to-date information on the particular UA to be operated and the UA will be 

operated in conformity with Foto Pros Studio protocols.

8. The PILOT and VO will at all times be able to communicate via voice 

communication.

9. Written and/or oral permission from the relevant property holder(s), or their 

authorized representative(s), will be obtained.

10. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county 

or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate 

governmental agencies.

11. If the UA loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA will return to the 

launch site of the UA, or another more appropriate site, and land.

12. The UA will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies.

14 C.F.R. PART 21, SUBPART H:

AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATES 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (A) (1)

Subpart H, entitled Airworthiness Certificates, establishes the procedural requirements for 

the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by FAR §91.203 (a) (1). Given the size and 

limited operating area associated with the aircraft to be utilized by Foto Pros Studio, an

exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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Part 11 and Section 333 of the Reform Act. The Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C.§44701 (f)) and 

Section 333 of the Reform Act both authorize the FAA to exempt aircraft from the requirement for 

an airworthiness certificate, upon consideration of the size, weight, speed, operational capability, 

and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular UA. In all cases, an analysis of 

these criteria demonstrates that the UA operated without an airworthiness certificate, in the 

restricted environment and under the conditions proposed will be at least as safe, or safer, than a 

conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft) operating with an airworthiness certificate without 

the restrictions and conditions proposed.

The UAs to be operated hereunder is less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg) fully loaded, 

carries neither a pilot nor passenger, carries no explosive materials or flammable liquid fuels, and 

operates exclusively within a secured area. Unlike other civil aircraft, operations under this 

exemption will be tightly controlled and monitored by both the operator, and under the 

requirements and in compliance with local public safety requirements, to provide security for the 

area of operation as is now done with conventional aerial videography and photography. Lastly, 

application of these same criteria demonstrates that there is no credible threat to national security 

posed by the UAs, due to its size, speed of operation, location of operation, lack of explosive 

materials or flammable liquid fuels, and inability to carry a substantial external load.

14 C.F.R. § 45.23 (B). MARKING OF THE AIRCRAFT

The regulation requires:

When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number 

is displayed on limited, restricted or light-sport category aircraft or experimental or 

provisionally certificated aircraft, the operator must also display on that aircraft 

near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 

inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words "limited," "restricted," "light-sport,"

"experimental," or "provisional," as applicable.

Even though the UAs will have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be needed 

as the UAs will have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which the words "limited," 

"restricted," "light-sport," "experimental," or "provisional," may be placed. Given the size of the 

UAs, two-inch lettering will be impossible. The word “experimental,” or any other term as is so 

required, will be placed on the fuselage of the UAs in compliance with §45.29 (f).

The equivalent level of safety will be provided by having the UAs marked on its fuselage 

as required by §45.29 (f) where the pilot, observer and others working with the UAs will see the 

identification of the UAs as “Experimental.” The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this 

regulation to Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167 and 10167A.
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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14 C.F.R. § 61.113(A) & (B); 61.133(A): PRIVATE PILOT PRIVILEGES

ANDLIMITATIONS; PILOT IN COMMAND; COMMERCIAL PILOT PRIVILEGES

AND LIMITATIONS: PILOT IN COMMAND

Section 61.113(a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Unlike a 

conventional aircraft that carries a pilot, passengers, and cargo, the UA in this case is remotely 

controlled with no passengers or property of others on board. Section 61.133(a) requires an

individual with a commercial pilot’s license to be pilot in command of an aircraft for 

compensation or hire. Foto Pros Studio respectfully proposes that operator requirements should 

take into account the characteristics of the particular UA. Foto Pros Studio UAs have various

built-in technical capabilities that strictly limit the potential for operation outside of the 

operating conditions set forth in the exemption application including a fly back to launch point 

to terminate the flight. Since hobbyists are not required to have a pilot license, Foto Pros Studio

requests exemption for the need of the pilot to be licensed as a pilot by the FAA.

• Detection of lost GPS or of insufficient satellites initiates an immediate return to launch 

location.

• Low power on the aircraft triggers escalating alarms at 30% and 15% levels.

• The aircraft weighs less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg), fully loaded.

Given these safety features, Foto Pros Studio proposes that operators of the UAs should 

only be required to hold a private pilot’s license and not a commercial pilot’s license. The 

primary operator Robert Bates is an FAA licensed private pilot.

Foto Pros Studio notes that the FAA has found that safety factors permitted operation of

UAs by operators with these qualifications in the case of operations pursuant to public 

COAs where the mandatory operating conditions specified above are present. Please see

Federal Aviation Administration, Notice N-8900.227, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) 

Operational Approval, at 20-21 (July 30, 2013). The FAA has the statutory authority, granted at 

49 U.S.C.§44701(f) to waive the pilot requirements for commercial operations.

Given these conditions and restrictions, an equivalent level of safety will be provided by 

allowing operation of Foto Pros Studio UAs without a commercial pilot’s license, under the 

conditions set forth herein.

The risks associated with the operation of Foto Pros Studio UAs (given its size, speed,

operational capabilities, and lack of combustible fuel) are so diminished from the level of risk 
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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associated with private pilot operations or commercial operations contemplated by Part 61

with conventional aircraft (fixed wing or rotorcraft), that allowing operations of the UAs as set 

forth above meets or exceeds the present level of safety provided under 14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) &

(b) and does not rise to the level of requiring a commercial pilot to operate the aircraft under

§61.133(a).

Sections 61.113 (a) & (b) limit private pilots to non-commercial operations. Because the 

UAs will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level 

of safety of current operations by requiring the PILOT operating the aircraft to have a private 

pilot’s license rather than a commercial pilot’s license to operate these small UAs. Unlike a 

conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the UAs are remotely controlled with no 

living thing on board. The area of operation is controlled and restricted, and all flights are planned 

and coordinated in advance. The level of safety provided by Foto Pros Studio exceeds that 

provided by a single individual holding a commercial pilot’s certificate operating a conventional 

aircraft. The risks associated with the operation of the UAs are so diminished from the level of

risk associated with commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 when drafted, that allowing

operations of the UAs as requested with a private pilot as the PILOT exceeds the present level of 

safety achieved by 14 C.F.R. §61.113 (a) & (b).

14 C.F.R. §91.7(A): CIVIL AIRCRAFT AIRWORTHINESS

The regulation requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in airworthy 

condition. As there will be no airworthiness certificate issued for the aircraft, should this 

exemption be granted, no FAA regulatory standard will exist for determining airworthiness. Given 

the size of the aircraft and the requirements for maintenance and use of safety check lists prior to 

each flight.

14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (B) (2): CIVIL AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL IN THE AIRCRAFT

Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides:

No person may operate a U.S. registered civil aircraft ...

(2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of 

this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved airplane or 

Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or 

any combination thereof.
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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The UAs, given their size and configuration has no ability or place to carry such a flight 

manual on the aircraft, not only because there is no pilot on board, but because there is no room or 

capacity to carry such an item on the aircraft.

The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping at the ground control point 

where the pilot flying the UAs will have immediate access to it. The FAA has issued the following 

exemptions to this regulation: Please see FAA Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299, 9299A, 

9565, 9565B, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 32827, and 10700.

14 C.F.R. § 91.103: PREFLIGHT ACTION

This regulation requires each pilot in command to take certain actions before flight to insure 

the safety of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be provided for the aircraft 

an exemption will be needed. An equivalent level of safety will be provided. The PILOT will take 

all actions including reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing and takeoff distances 

and aircraft performance data before initiation of flight.

14 C.F.R. §91.109: FLIGHT INSTRUCTION

Section 91.109 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free 

balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual 

controls.

UAs and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. 

Flight control is accomplished through the use of a control box that communicates with the aircraft 

via radio communications. The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully 

functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimental aircraft. 

Please see FAA Exemption Nos. 5778K & 9862A. The equivalent level of safety is provided as 

neither a pilot nor passengers will be carried in the aircraft and by the size and speed of the aircraft.

14 C.F.R. §91.119: MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDES

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119(d) 

allows helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the person 

operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the FAA. 

As this exemption is for UAs that are a helicopter and the exemption requests authority to operate 

at altitudes up to three hundred (300) feet AGL, an exemption may be needed to allow such 

operations. As set forth herein, except for the limited conditions, the UAs will never operate at 

higher than three hundred (300) feet AGL. It will however be operated in a restricted area with
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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security perimeter, where buildings and people will not be exposed to operations without their preobtained consent.

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed of the UAs as 

well as the location where it is operated. No flight will be taken without the permission of the 

property owner or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner(s), or their 

authorized representative(s), all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight operations. 

When one compares the flight operations proposed herein with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far 

in excess of the less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg) and the lack of flammable fuel, any risk 

associated with these proposed operations is far less than those presently presented with 

conventional aircraft operating at or below five hundred (500) feet AGL. In addition, the lowaltitude operations of the UAs will ensure separation between these small UAs operations and the 

operations of conventional aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119.

14 C.F.R. §91.121 ALTIMETER SETTINGS

This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to maintain cruising altitude by 

reference to an altimeter that is set “...to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate 

altimeter setting available before departure.” As the UA may not have a barometric altimeter, but 

instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. An equivalent level of safety will 

be achieved by the operator, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude 

indicator before flight.

14 C.F.R. § 91.151(A): FUEL REQUIREMENTS FOR FLIGHT IN VFR CONDITIONS

Section 91.151 (a) prohibits an individual from beginning “a flight in an airplane under 

VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to 

fly to the first point of intended landing, and, assuming normal cruising speed – (1) During the 

day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or (2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.”

Foto Pros Studio believes that an equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting

flights to fifteen (15) minutes or thirty percent (30%) of battery power whichever happens first.

This restriction would be more than adequate to return the UAs to their planned landing zone from 

anywhere in its limited operating area.

Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions 2689F, 

5745, 10673, and 10808.
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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14 C.F.R. §91.203 (A) AND (B): CARRYING CIVIL

AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION

The regulation provides in pertinent part:

(a) Except as provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it 

has within it the following:

(1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. . . .

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required 

by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under

§91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to 

passengers or crew.

The UAs fully loaded weight is no greater than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg) and is 

operated without an onboard pilot. As such, there is no ability or place to carry certification and 

registration documents or to display them on the UA.

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground 

control point where the pilot flying the UA will have immediate access to them to the extent they 

are applicable to the UA. The FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this regulation. A 

representative sample of other exceptions includes Exemption Nos. 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789A, 

9797, 9797A, 9816A, and 10700.

14 C.F.R. §91.405 (A); 407 (A) (1); 409 (A) (2); 417(A) & (B):

MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS

These regulations require that an aircraft operator or owner “shall have that aircraft 

inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as 

provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of 

this chapter...,” and others shall inspect or maintain the aircraft in compliance with Part 43.

Given that these section and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, 

these sections will not apply to Foto Pros Studio. Maintenance will be accomplished by the

operator pursuant to the flight manual and operating handbook. An equivalent level of safety will 

be achieved because these small UAs are very limited in size and will carry a small payload and 

operate only in restricted areas for limited periods of time. If mechanical issues arise the UAs 

may land immediately and will be operating from no higher than three-hundred (300) feet AGL. 
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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The operator will ensure that the UAs are in working order prior to initiating flight, perform

required maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance performed. Moreover, the operator is the 

person most familiar with the aircraft and best suited to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy 

condition to provide the equivalent level of safety.

*********

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the 

Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed:

Foto Pros Studio seeks an exemption from the following rules:

14 C.F.R. §21, subpart H; 14 C.F.R 45.23(b);14 C.F.R. §§ 61.113( a) & (b);91.7 (a); 91.9

(b) (2);91.103(b);91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a);91.203(a) and (b); 91.405 (a); 91.407

(a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.409 (a) (2) and 91.417 (a) & (b) to operate commercially a small 

unmanned vehicle weighing less than fifty-five (55) pounds (25 Kg) in its operations.

Approval of exemptions allowing commercial operations of UAs in the purposes outlined 

above (or similar operations) will enhance safety by reducing risk. Conventional aerial 

videography and photography operations, using jet or piston power aircraft, operate at extremely 

low altitudes just feet from the object being photographed and often in extreme proximity to people 

and structures; and present the risks associated with vehicles that weigh in the neighborhood of 

four thousand (4,000) pounds, carrying large amounts of jet A or other fuel (one hundred and forty

(140) gallons for jet helicopters). Such aircraft must fly to and from the site’s location. In contrast, 

a UA weighing less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg) pounds and powered by batteries eliminates 

virtually all of that risk given the reduced mass and lack of combustible fuel carried on board. The 

UA is carried to the site of the purposes outlined above (or similar operations) and not flown to the 

site. The UA will carry no passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks 

associated with manned aircraft flights.

The operation of small UAs, weighing less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg), conducted 

in the strict conditions outlined above, will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the 

grant of the exemptions requested herein, including exempting Foto Pros Studio from the

requirements of Part 21 and allowing commercial operations. These lightweight aircraft operate at 

slow speeds, close to the ground, and in a sterile environment and, as a result, are far safer than 

conventional operations conducted with turbine helicopters operating in close proximity to the 

ground and people.

PRIVACY

All flights will occur over private, controlled or approved property with the property 
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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owner’s, or their authorized representative, prior consent and knowledge. The aerial videography

and photography will be of structures and property whose owner, or authorized representative, has 

consented to the aerial videography and photography or otherwise have agreed to be in the area 

where aerial videography and photography will take place. The grant of this exemption request 

will provide improved safety in all operations.

Satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 333 of the Reform Act of 2012 - size, weight, 

speed, operating capabilities, proximity to airports and populated areas and operation within visual 

line of sight and national security – provide more than adequate justification for the granting of the 

requested exemptions allowing commercial operation of Michael’s Drone Photography’s UAs.

SUMMARY OF FOTO PROS STUDIO REQUEST FOR AN FAA EXEMPTION

1. Foto Pros Studio UAs must weigh less than five (5) pounds (2.26796 Kg),

including energy source(s) and equipment. Operations authorized by the grant of an exemption are 

limited to the following aircraft: Foto Pros Studio UA aircraft variant, bearing serial 

#PH645496608 V3.0 onward as additional UAs are utilized by Foto Pros Studio provided the 

additional UAs are of the same or similar specifications as the UA bearing serial #PH645496608 

V3.0. Any proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to 

amend this grant.

2. Foto Pros Studio UAs may not be flown at a ground speed exceeding thirty (30)

knots.

3. Foto Pros Studio flights must be operated at an altitude of no more than three

hundred (300) feet above ground level (AGL), as indicated by the procedures. All altitudes 

reported to ATC must be in feet AGL.

4. Foto Pros Studio UAs must be operated within the VLOS of the PILOT at all

times. This requires the PILOT to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses.

5. All Foto Pros Studio operations must utilize a VO. The VO may be used to 

satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PILOT always maintains VLOS capability. The VO 

and PILOT must be able to communicate verbally at all times.

6. Prior to each flight the PILOT must inspect the UA to ensure it is in a condition for 

safe flight. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UA, the aircraft 

is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UA is
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

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found to be in a condition for safe flight. A Ground Control Station, if utilized, must be included 

in the preflight inspection. All maintenance and alterations must be properly documented in the 

aircraft records.

7. Any UA that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UA’s 

operation or flight characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a 

functional test flight. The PILOT who conducts the functional test flight must make an entry in the 

UA’s aircraft records of the flight.

8. Foto Pros Studio must follow the manufacturer’s UA aircraft/component, 

maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements. When unavailable, 

aircraft maintenance/component/overhaul, replacement, and inspection/maintenance 

requirements must be established and identified. At a minimum, requirements for the following

may be included in protocols and controls to be established by Foto Pros Studio:

a. Actuators/Servos;

b. Transmission (single rotor);

c. Power plant (motors);

d. Propellers;

e. Electronic speed controller;

f. Batteries;

g. Mechanical dynamic components (single rotor);

h. Remote command and control;

i. Ground control station (if used); and

j. Any other components as determined by Foto Pros Studio.

10. Prior to operations conducted for the purposes outlined above (or similar 

operations), the PILOT must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 

61.51(b), a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of total time as a UA rotorcraft pilot (single blade 

or multi-rotor) and at least ten (10) hours logged as a UA pilot with multi-rotor UA which is similar 

to the UA to be utilized pursuant to this exemption. Prior documented flight experience that was 

obtained in compliance with applicable regulations may satisfy this requirement. Training, 

proficiency, and experience-building flights must be conducted under an exemption to accomplish 

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

flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PILOT 

must operate the UA with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 

91.119.
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11. Prior to operations conducted for the purposes outlined above (or similar 

operations), the PILOT must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR § 

61.51(b), a minimum of five (5) hours as a UA pilot operating the make and model of UAs to be 

utilized for operations under the exemption and three (3) take-offs and three (3) landings in the 

preceding ninety (90) days. Training, proficiency, experience-building, and take-off and landing 

currency flights can be conducted under the grant of exemption to accomplish the required flight 

time and ninety (90) day currency. During training, proficiency, experience-building, and take-off 

and landing currency flights all persons not essential for flight operations are considered 

nonparticipants, and the PILOT must operate the UA with appropriate distance from 

nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

12. Foto Pros Studio shall not permit the PILOT to operate the UAS for the purpose 

of aerial videography or photography (or similar operations), unless the PILOT has demonstrated

and logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR 61.51(b), the ability 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 people, vessels, 

vehicles and structures.

13. The UA may not be operated directly over any person, except authorized and 

consenting personnel and persons, below an altitude that is hazardous to persons or property on 

the surface in the event of a UA’s failure or an emergency.

14. At all times, those persons must be essential to the purposes outlined above (or 

similar operations). Because these procedures are specific to participating persons, no further 

FSDO or aviation safety inspector approval is necessary for reductions to the distances specified 

in Foto Pros Studio manuals.

15. Foto Pros Studio flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all 

nonparticipating persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating 

persons from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator 

must ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a 

situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are 

within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately and/or;

b. The aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles or structures where the 

owner/controller of such vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

and the PILOT has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to 

those objects and determined that it does not present an undue hazard, and;

c. Operations nearer to the PILOT, VO, operator trainees or essential persons do 

not present an undue hazard to those persons per § 91.119(a).

16. If the UAs lose communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAs must return to a 

pre-determined location within the security perimeter and land or be recovered.

17. The UAs must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

18. Each UA operation must be completed within fifteen (15) minutes flight time or 

with thirty percent (30%) battery power remaining, whichever occurs first.

19. Foto Pros Studio must obtain an Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued Certificate

of Waiver or Authorization (COA) prior to conducting any operations under this grant of 

exemption. This COA will also require Foto Pros Studio to request a Notice to Airman

(NOTAM) not more than seventy-two (72) hours in advance, but not less than forty- eight (48) 

hours prior to the operation.

20. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N-Number) 

markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable.

21. Foto Pros Studio has developed procedures to document and maintain a record of 

the UA’s maintenance, preventative maintenance, alterations, status of replacement/overhaul 

component parts, and the total time in service of the UAs.

22. Each UA operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer Safety 

Bulletins.

23. The preflight inspection section in Foto Pros Studio Confidential Protocols and 

Controls Exhibit includes the following requirement: The preflight inspection must account for 

all discrepancies, i.e. inoperable components, items, or equipment, not covered in the relevant 

preflight inspection.

24. Before conducting operations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and 

control of the UA must comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other 

appropriate government oversight agency requirements.
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

25. The documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PILOT at the Ground Control Station, if utilized, of the UA at any time the UA is operating. These 

documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon 

request.

26. Foto Pros Studio UAs must remain clear and yield the right of way to all other 

manned operations and activities at all times (including, but not limited to, ultralight vehicles, 

parachute activities, parasailing activities, hang gliders, etc.).

27. Foto Pros Studio UA operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 

14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). 

Flights under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

28. Foto Pros Studio UAs may not be operated by the PILOT from any moving device 

or vehicle.

29. Foto Pros Studio UAs may not be operated less than five-hundred

(500) feet below or less than two-thousand (2,000) feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility 

is less than three (3) statute miles from the PILOT.

30. Foto Pros Studio UA may not operate in Class B, C, or D airspace without written

approval from the FAA. The UA may not operate within five (5) nautical miles of the geographic

center of a non-towered airport as denoted on a current FAA-published aeronautical chart unless a 

letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained, and the operation is conducted in

accordance with a NOTAM as required by the Foto Pros Studio COA. The letter of agreement 

with the airport management must be made available to theAdministrator upon request.

31. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported to the FAA’s 

UA Integration Office (AFS-80) within twenty-four (24) hours. Accidents must be reported tothe 

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB Web site: 

www.ntsb.gov.

32. Foto Pros Studio UAs, the UA’s PILOT, and the UA’s operations must comply

with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148

As mentioned above, the FAA has already granted a previous exemption which is 

essentially identical to the exemption being sought by Foto Pros Studio in this petition for an 

exemption. Please see FAA Exemption No. 11138.

Therefore, Foto Pros Studio respectfully requests the FAA grant an exemption pursuant to 

its application as outlined above.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Bates, 

Owner/Manager

Foto Pros Studio

Exhibit “1” Please see pages 24-28 below
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Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148
25

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148
26

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148
27

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148
28

Foto Pros Studio, 200 Grand Ave., Spencer, Iowa 51301

Phone: (712) 260-7148