AFS

- 12

- 521

- E February 08, 2013

Exemption No. 1070 1 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

- 201 2

- 0924

Mr. James Janni

Pioneer Hi

- Bred International, Inc.

7300 NW. 62 nd Avenue

P.O. Box 1004 Johnston, IA 5013 1

- 1004

Dear Mr. Janni:

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.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated August 24 , 2012 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

on behalf of Pioneer Hi

- Bred Internation al, Inc. , ( Pioneer ) for an exemption from §§ 91.9(b) (2) , 91.203(a) and (b) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulati ons (14 CFR) to the extent necessary to allow Pioneer to operate its unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in domestic operations consisting of research and development, and crew training without carrying a flight manual on board or displaying an experimental cer tificate, but allow the flight manual an d experimental certificate to reside with the ground control station operator , and continue operation of its UAS temporarily following the incidental loss or mutilation of that aircraft’s experimental certificate or registration certificate or both

.

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 Pioneer

.2

The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 8607(cop ies enclosed), the FAA

found that it is unnecessary to carry and di splay the experimental , certification and registration documents in UASs for the operation described by the petitioner. The original intent of the subject regulations was to display the experimental and registration documents so they would be easily avail able to the FAA inspectors and passengers

.

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

—

• they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 8607 ;

• the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 8607 also apply to the situation you present; and

• a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrat or has delegated to me, I hereby grant Pioneer Hi

- Bred Interna tiona l, Inc. an exemption from

14 CFR §§ 91.9(b) (2) , 91.203(a) and (b) to the extent necessary to allow Pioneer to operate its

UAS in domestic operations consisting of research and development, and crew training without carrying a flight manual on board or displaying an experimental certificate, but allow

t he flight manual and experimental certificate to reside with the ground control station
operator , and continue operation of its UAS temporaril y following the incidental loss or mutilation of that aircraft’s experimental certificate or registration certificate or both

, subj ect
to the conditions and limitations described below.

Conditions and Limitations

1. The documents required under §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the pilot in command of the UAS anytime the aircraft is operating.

2. Those documents required under §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be made available within 10 days to any FAA, U.S. Department of Defense, or law enforcement

official.

3. Thi s exemption is applicable for flights conducted under daylight hours in VFR conditions only.

4. Pioneer shall comply with any minimum fuel quantity requirement of an approved pilot operating manual or approved flight manual.3

5. This exemption applies only to op erators of Pioneer’s UAS when participating in research and development and crew training

.

This exemption terminates on February 28 , 201 5 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

Michael J. Zenkovich Acting Deputy Director, Flight

Standards Service

Enclosure s