Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual

Willow Marketing, Inc.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose 4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 4

C. Persons Authorized 4

D. Area of Operations 4

E. Plan of Activities 5

F. Permission to Operate 5

G. Security 6

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 6

I. Certification/Airworthiness 7

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 7

K. Communications 8

L. Accident Notification 8

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 8

N. Aerobatic Competency 8

O. Aerobatic Competency 9

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot 9

B. Pilot in Command 10

Appendix	A

1 List of Approved Pilots 11

2 List of Approved Aircraft 12

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 13

4 Revision Letter (sample) 14

Appendix	B

1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 15
2

Revision Control Page

Revision# Date Initials
3

1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by "Willow Marketing.", hereafter referred to

as "Willow Marketing", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of 

Authorization of the provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of

filming. Willow Marketing pilots and other company personnel when applicable will 

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

picture or television flight operations are performed that require a Waiver of 

Authorization as mentioned above.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

Taylor Bussick - Pilot (Willow 

Marketing)

C. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures 

directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall 

ensure that no persons are allowed within 100 feet of the area except those 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production. This provision may 

be reduced to no less than 50 feet if an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and 

the Administrator has approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be

determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain 

features, obstructions, building walls, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating 

persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an 

accident.

D. Area of Operations

Willow Marketing's approved area of operations will be all United States territory and 

possessions, excluding all airspace outlined by the FAA as UAS-restricted space.

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Willow Marketing will submit a 

written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan
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of activities should include the following:

(1) Dates and times for all flights.

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event.

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft.

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of 

airworthiness certificate, including category.

(5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production 

event, including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic 

competency, if required.

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

and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event. The list of those who 

gave
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permission must be made available to the inspector upon request from the waiver 

holder.

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative.

(8) A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, city, 

town, county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and the minimum 

altitudes essential to accomplish the operations.

The three (3) day notification equipments may be waived, however, the operator 

should contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to 

explain in detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical.

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operation is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of 

the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to 

conduct these operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or 

appropriate.

Persons from whom permission may be required are listed below:

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The Willow Marketing personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing 

whenever practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard

permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining

written permission. Willow Marketing personnel will assure a sufficient number of 

those forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms will be maintained 

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

to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will be made available

for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request.
6

G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate production 

personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized 

persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations 

should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety.

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in 

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of 

the risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during 

the filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional 

provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility 

for the
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operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The briefing 

shall cover:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and 

the attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Certification/Airworthiness

All Willow Marketing aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) 

and

(c) for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness 

certificates.

However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" in motion 

picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category must have an 

airworthiness certificate unless an exemption has been made under FAA approval. An 

UAS airworthiness certificate is required unless an exemption has been made under 

FAA approval. Other required tests and inspections (transponder, E.L.T., etc.) will be 

performed as per Part 91 when necessary. Each aircraft will have a flight log 

containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and inspections and the dates or times 

they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is also found in the flight log. The 

pilot in command will assure the aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all 

required inspections and maintenance has been completed before each flight.
8

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. 

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following:

(12) At least 40 hours as PIC for UAS operation.

(2) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under the waiver.

(3) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external-load 

operation, whether fixed or rotary wing operations, pilots used in the operation shall 

be qualified. This qualification may be obtained through a knowledge test (which may 

be oral and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or another company pilot approved by 

the geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to carry loads externally will 

give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements and cover the following 

subjects:
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(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the Flight area.

(b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load.

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating procedures and 

the aircraft flight manual.

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load 

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate.

K. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will 

formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the 

actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as 

long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants continuously 

appraised of the current status of the operation.

L. Accident Notification

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

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.

M. Recall/Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

N. Aerobatic Competency

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of 

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a 

Statement of Aerobatic Competency.

O. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Willow Marketing motion 

picture and television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the 

surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those 
10

specified in the Willow Marketing motion picture and television operations manual or 

associated plan of activities. All civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity 

shall be available for FAA inspection before the scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate 

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR

91.119 (b) and (c) . (see attached document under “Appendix B” page 15) 

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. Willow 

Marketing will

ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are thoroughly 

briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on the 

provisions
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of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No person may 

participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing on the provisions of 

the waiver.

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

Duties	and	Responsibilities:

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual.

• Act as liaison between Willow Marketing and the FAA on matter concerning this 

manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed 

statement from each that they have read and understand its contents.

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Willow 

Marketing.

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

processed properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by Willow 

Marketing under the provisions of this manual.

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

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command

Duties	and	Responsibilities:

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and 

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of 

this manual.

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

policies and conditions contained herein.

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, 

locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern.

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any 
12

job or operation requiring the waiver.

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains 

responsibility.
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Appendix A .1

List	of	Approved	Pilots

Chief	Pilot

Name : Taylor Bussick

Appendix A .2

List	of	Approved	Aircraft

Make	and	Model	Registration	Number

1. DJI Phantom 2
14

Permission	Acquisition	Form

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Willow Marketing. Permission to operate 

their aircraft at less than 300 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am 

responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production.

Name: 

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature _ Date _ 
15

Appendix A .4 Revision 

Letter

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials

R Remove and Replace D 

Delete and Destroy N Insert New Page

Manual Serial# Issued To _ Revised By _

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than _