Empire Ag Imagery LLC

Remote sensing solutions for agriculture

1

June 24th, 2015

Department of Transportation

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Ave. SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act

Dear Sir/Madam,

This petition is being submitted on our own behalf without legal counsel or consulting services. 

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

and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, Empire Ag Imagery (EAI), a New York based limited liability company 

operating a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) equipped to conduct aerial photography and 

survey for various industries, hereby applies for an exemption from the Federal Aviation 

Regulations (FARs) listed below to allow operation of our sUAS commercially in airspace 

regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so long as such operations are conducted 

with and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by 

Section 333. We are the New York dealer for Roboflight/AgPixel which has already been granted 

a Section 333 Exemption (#11295) and we are making the same request. 

The requested exemption would permit Empire Ag Imagery LLC to pursue its commercial interests 

in providing services to consumers interested aerial data capture using a small advanced sUAS in 

the following areas:

 Agricultural Surveying

 sUAS Operator Training

 Product Demonstrations

 Research and Development

 Aerial Photography

EAI will conduct a majority of its sUAS operations over agricultural farmland in rural areas, outside 

of controlled airspace. EAI states that all sUAS flights that will occur over private or controlled 

access property will do so with the property owner's prior consent and knowledge and that only 

people who have consented or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where photography and 

videography will take place will be captured.

Additionally, EAI pilots will hold at a minimum FAA Private Pilot Licenses with Class III Medical 

Certificates, and if observers are not qualified pilots, they will be trained by EAI pilots to 

understand the proper roles of an observer, communication procedures, proper visual scan 

techniques, operations at non-towered airports, and appropriate sections of the Aeronautical 

Information Manual.
Empire Ag Imagery LLC

Remote sensing solutions for agriculture

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Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 

14 C.F.R. 45.23 (b)

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

14 C.F.R. 91.7 (a)

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

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. 91.205 (b)

14 C.F.R. 91.215

14 C.F.R. (91.401 - 91.417)

Unmanned Aircraft System

sUAS are a feasible method to obtain information of agricultural cropland to determine optimum 

inputs that result in cost savings to farmers, yield security, and reduce environmental impact of 

excess fertilizers and chemicals in the soil.

We are petitioning for exemption to enable EAI to operate a DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus multi-rotor 

equipped with a three-axis gimbaled camera, a DJI Inspire 1 multi-rotor equipped with a three-axis 

gimbaled camera, a DJI S-900 multi-rotor equipped with a three-axis gimbaled camera, and a RF70 fixed wing sUAS equipped with a fixed position multi-spectral camera. These sUAS all weigh 

less than 25 lbs, have a built- in capability to limit the height it flies above the ground, to limit the 

radius of the distance it flies from the operator and to exclude it from Class B, C and D airspace 

including a no fly zone feature. Each system also has the failsafe function of the autopilot system,

which means when the communication between the Main Controller and the transmitter is lost, the 

system will automatically trigger Return to Home and will land safely.
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The above specifications meet standards listed below, some derived in accordance with the 

Model Aircraft Operating Standards:

 The petitioner will only operate its sUAS in line of sight of a pilot and/or observer and

will operate at sites that are a 'sufficient distance' from populated areas within the sterile 

area described in the operators manual. Such operations will insure that the sUAS will "not 

create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public."

 When flying sUAV within 3 miles of an airport, airport operators will be notified and the 

operator will give the right of way to avoid flying in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.

 Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 60 minutes.

 Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 60 

minute limit.

 The sUAV will be programmed so that it will not be operated at an altitude of no more than 

600 feet AGL, and not more than 200 feet above an elevated platform from which filming 

is planned.

 Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the sUAS Pilot and the Visual Observer.

 The sUAS PIC's (Pilot in Command) will be an FAA licensed airman holding a FAA Private 

Pilot Certificate and third Class FAA Medical Certificate.

 The sUAS operated by the petitioner weighs less than 55 pounds, including the payload

(i.e. camera, lens, and gimbal).

 The sUAS will operate at speeds of no more than 55 knots.

 Given the small size of the sUAS and the restricted sterile environment within which they 

will operate, our sUAS operations adhere to the Reform Act's safety requirements.

Additionally, the fact that the EAI pilots hold FAA Pilot certificates demonstrates that they have a 

high regard to safe operations with an understanding of FARs, pre-flight inspections, maintenance 

and repair, operations within airspace, as well as being trained to high safety standards .

Under the requested exemption EAI ensures that all operators have completed a small unmanned 

aircraft systems (UAS) education and training program including all applicable regulations and 

guidance documents; including aeronautical background information such as charts, NOTAMS 

and Aircraft Circulars; Radio Communications Procedures; Human Factors and Crew Resource 

Management; Basic Small UAS Aerodynamics; Weather factors; Airmanship and Decision-making 

and Safe Operating Procedures.

We respectfully request exemption under Section 333 to enable EAI to operate safe, low-risk 

commercial sUAV operations for the activities stated. EAI at all times will respect the space and 

privacy of citizens and property whilst keeping our skies safe.

Sincerely

Bill Verbeten

Operations Manager

Empire Ag Imagery LLC

11 Exchange St.

Akron, NY 14001

608-369-3511
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EXEMPTION REQUESTS AND EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY

The sUAS systems for which Empire Ag Imagery is requesting exemption from regulations are 

the following:

1. DJI Phantom 2 Vision plus

2. DJI S-900

3. DJI Inspire

4. RF-70 

Empire Ag Imagery requests an exemption from the following regulations as well as any 

additional regulations that may technically apply to the operation of the sUAV Systems:

14 CFR 45.23 Display of marks; general and 45.29 Size of marks.

These regulations provide that each aircraft must display "N" and the aircraft's registration number 

in letters at least 3 inches high. The sUAV’s do not have sufficient surface area to allow for 3 inch 

registration number. We propose displaying each aircrafts registration information as large as 

possible on each aircraft as well as in the aircraft logbooks at the ground station. 

14 CFR 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in Command and 61.133 

Commercial pilot privileges and limitations.

The regulation provides that no person that holds a Private Pilot certificate may act as pilot in 

Command of an aircraft for compensation or hire. Subparagraph (b) allows a private pilot to act as 

pilot in command of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if: (1) The flight is 

only incidental to that business or employment; and (2) The aircraft does not carry passengers or 

property for compensation or hire. Our proposed operations require that the PIC must hold at least 

a Private Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA and since the aircraft cannot carry passengers or 

property, we feel we meet the intent of 61.113 Subparagraph (b) even though the intent of this 

application is to conduct a business.

14 CFR 91.7 Prohibits the Operation of an aircraft without an airworthiness certificate.

As no such certificate will be applicable in the form contemplated by the FARs, this Regulation is

inapplicable.

14 CFR 91.9 Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard requirements.

This regulation provides that no person may operate an aircraft unless a current, approved flight 

manual is in the aircraft. We assume that the intent of this requirement is to ensure that flight 

manual information is available to the aircrew while operating the aircraft. We request an 

exemption to this requirement since the aircraft is not only too small to carry documentation, the 

documentation would not be available to the crew during flight operations. To obtain an equivalent 

level of safety and meet the intent of 91.9, we propose that a current, approved sUAS Flight 

Manual must be available to the crew at the ground station anytime the aircraft is in, or preparing 

for, flight.

14 CFR 91.109 Flight Instruction; Simulated instrument flight and certain flight tests 

The regulation states that "No person may operate a civil aircraft that is being used for flight 

instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual controls." The sUAS System ground-based 

control station consists of a small hand-held radio transmitter and while it does not offer a second 

set of "controls", both the student and instructor can, and will, operate the single set of controls 

simultaneously. With both student and instructor having "hands-on" the controls during flight, we 

feel that this technique meets the intent 91.109 and provides an equivalent level of safety.
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14 CFR 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General. 

The regulation states that over sparsely populated areas the aircraft cannot be operated closer 

than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure. Since the typical mission of the sUAS 

would be photography or survey of persons, vessels, vehicles or structures it would be necessary 

to operate closer than 500 feet to the items listed. Operations will not be flown over people other 

than those persons that are participating in the flight operation. Operations will only be flown over 

property where permission has been obtained and careful pre-planned has been performed. The 

aircraft will be operated at a low altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing 

without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. Therefore we maintain that due to the 

small size of the UAS, the hazard to persons, vehicles and structures is minimal compared to 

manned aircraft, which should be considered in granting the exemption.

14 CFR 91.121 Altimeter settings. 

The regulation requires that aircraft shall maintain cruising altitudes by reference to an altimeter 

setting available within 100 NM of the aircraft. The sUAS will always fly below 600 feet AGL and will

not need to maintain cruising altitudes in order to prevent conflict with other aircraft. An Above

Ground Level altimeter measurement above the takeoff point is transmitted via radio from the sUAS

on-board computer to the display screen held by the PIC, providing a constantly updated AGL

readout.

14 CFR 91.151 Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions.

The regulation provides that no person may begin a flight in an airplane under day-VFR conditions 

unless there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and to fly after that for at least 

30 minutes. We feel the intention of this paragraph is to provide an energy reserve as a safety 

buffer for delays to landing. The sUAS are battery operated and the maximum duration of flight from 

a single battery charge is 12-45 (depending on which sUAS) minutes with a 20% reserve. Since the

aircraft will never fly more than 1/2 NM from the point of intended landing, a full battery charge at 

launch will ensure that we meet the reserve energy requirement of this paragraph. We request an 

exemption to the word "fuel" and ask for an equivalent interpretation with the word "energy". We 

also request exemption from the 30 min reserve and ask that our reserve will be to fly the mission to 

the point of intended landing and have at least a 20% battery reserve after that. 

14 CFR 91.203(a) & (b) Civil aircraft: Certifications required.

The regulation provides that an airworthiness certificate, with the registration number assigned to

the aircraft and a registration certificate must be aboard the aircraft. Additionally, subparagraph (b)

provides that the airworthiness certificate be "displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is

legible to passengers or crew." With our largest vehicle, the RF-70, at a maximum gross weight of

13 pounds, the sUAS is too small to carry documentation, does not have an entrance, and is not

capable of carrying passengers or crew. To obtain an equivalent level of safety and meet the intent

of 91.203, we propose that documents deemed appropriate for this aircraft by the FAA will be colocated with the crew at the ground control station and available for inspection upon request. In

order to identify the aircraft, we propose that the information found on registration certificates be

permanently affixed to the aircraft via placard containing this information to satisfy the requirement

of 14 CFR 45.23.
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14 CFR Subpart E (91.401- 91.417) - Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Alterations

The regulation provides that the operator is primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft in an 

airworthy condition, including compliance with part 39 and 43. Paragraphs 91.407 and

91.409 require that the aircraft be "approved for return to service by a person authorized under

43.7" after maintenance and inspection. It is our intention that the PIC perform maintenance and 

inspection of the aircraft and "be authorized to approve the aircraft for return to service."

The PIC will ensure that the aircraft is in an airworthy condition prior to every flight and in addition,

conduct detailed inspections after every two hours of flight. Maintenance performed by the PIC is 

limited to repairing small cracks, replacing a propeller, checking electrical connections and 

updating software and firmware for the on-board computer. All other maintenance will be 

performed by the manufacturer or their designated repair facility. The PIC will document work 

performed in accordance with 91.417. We feel that due to the size, construction, and simplicity of 

the aircraft, the PIC can ensure an equivalent level of safety.

How Empire Ag Imagery LLC’s Request Will Benefit the Public As A Whole:

This request, if granted, will benefit the public as a whole by allowing Empire Ag Imagery to 

conduct agricultural mapping flights to reduce grower inputs of plant treatments as well as assist in 

higher production of crop yields. This in turn will benefit the agricultural industry and environment 

by reducing the negative impacts of potentially hazardous fertilizer and chemical contamination to 

the ground water supply. This will also result in increased food production to help supply food to 

people throughout the world.

Reasons Why Empire Ag Imagery LLC’s Exemption Will Not Adversely Affect Safety Or How 

The Exemption Will Provide a Level of Safety At Least Equal To Existing Rule:

Empire Ag Imagery LLC will follow the robust sUAS operating procedures established by 

RoboFlight Systems to ensure the maximum level of safety in conducting sUAS operations. Empire 

Ag Imagery will participate in RoboFlight Systems’ established, comprehensive sUAS training 

curriculum to ensure an adequate level of proficiency to all Empire Ag Imagery LLC sUAS 

operators. All Empire Ag Imagery LLC sUAS operators are required to have a minimum of a FAA 

Private Pilot Certificate to ensure adequate knowledge of all applicable FAA rules and regulations. 

The vast majority of Empire Ag Imagery LLC’s sUAS operations will be conducted at under 500 

feet AGL over rural agricultural land, thus reducing the risk of harm to persons or property and 

outside of dense air traffic operations.