1372 N Goldenrod Road #23 Orlando, FL 32807

October 9, 2014

US Department of Transportation Docket Management System 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Wa shington DC 20590 **Re: Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Reform A**  **ct and Part 11 of the**  **Federal Aviation Regulations from: 14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b); 91.103; 91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409 (a)(1) and**  **(2); 91.417(a) and (b).** Dear Sir or Madam: Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, CineDrones, LLC , an operator of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UASs”) for aerial photography for the motion picture and television industry, hereby applies for an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations (“FAR s”) to allow commercial operation of its UASs. On or about September 25, 2014, the FAA granted exemptions to six UAS operators, including Astraeus Aerial (the “Astraeus Exemption”). As set forth in CineDrones, LLC ’s Flight Operations and Procedures Manual (the “FOPM”) and Motion Picture Television Operations Manual (both submitted under separately under 14 CFR 11.35(b)), CineDrones, LLC will adhere to the terms of the Astraeus Exemption. CineDrones, LLC ’s requested exemption would permit the operation of sm all, unmanned UAS under controlled and “sterile” conditions in motion picture and television airspace that is: (i) limited, (ii) predetermined, (iii) subject to controlled access, and (iv) provide greater safety in connection with aircraft operations in th e film and television industry. As established by the exemptions already granted by the FAA, approval of CineDrones exemption would enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transportation’s (the FAA Administrator’s) responsibilities to “...establish req uirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.” Section 333(c) of the Reform Act.The name and address of the applicant is:

CineDrones , LLC Attn: Michael Fortin.; Ph: 407

- 288

- 4114 Email: president@cinedrones.net Address: 1372 N Goldnerod Road #23 , Orlando, FL 32807
1

U.S. DOT September 29, 2014 Page 2 Regulations from which the exemption is requested: 14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b) 14 C.F.R. 91.103 14 C.F. R. 91.11914 C.F.R. 91.12114 CFR 91.151(a)14 CFR 91.405(a) 14 CFR 407(a)(1) 14 CFR 409(a)(2)14 CFR 417(a) and (b) UASs operated by CineDrones, LLC weigh less than 55 pounds, including the payload (i.e. camera, lens, and gimbal). They operate at speeds of no more than 50 knots, can hover, and can simultaneously move vertically and horizontally. CineDrones, LLC will only operate its UASs in line of si ght and will operate only within the sterile area described in the FOPM. Such operations will insure that the UAS will “not create a hazard to users of the national airspace system or the public.” Given the small size of CineDrones, LLC ’s UASs and the rest ricted sterile environment within which they will operate, CineDrones, LLC ’s UAS operations adhere to the Reform Act’s safety requirements. Additionally, due to the size of the UASs and the limited areas in which they will operate, approval of this applica tion presents no national security issues. Based on the substantial level of safety surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit (enhanced safety), reduction in environmental impacts (reduced emissions and noise), the grant of th e requested exemption is in the public interest. Accordingly, CineDrones, LLC respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without delay.
**Ai rcraft**  **An d Equivalent Level Of Safety**  The operating limitations proposed by CineDrones provide for at least an equivalent or higher level of safety because operations further enhance safety of movie and television filming using conventional aircraft. As set forth in the FOPM, the limitations and conditions include: The UASs will weigh less than 55 po undsFlights will be operated within line of sight of a pilot and/or observer.

Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 30 minutes. Flights will be  terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur prior to the 30  mi nute limit. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 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 UAS Pilot, the Visual Observer,  and the Camera Operator. A UAS pilot will be an FAA licensed airman with at least a private pilot’s certificate  and third class medical. A UAS Pilot will be Pilot in Command (PIC). If a pilot certificate holder other than

the UAS Pilot, who possesses the necessary PIC qualifications, is also present on U.S. DOT September 29, 2014 Page 3 set (i.e. the Aerial Coordinator), that person can also be designated as PIC. The UAS will only operate within a confined “Sterile Area” as de fined in the FOPM. The FOPM requires the establishment of a “Security Perimeter” for the flight  operations area. A briefing will be conducted for planned UAS operations prior to each day’s flight. All personnel performing duties within the boundaries of the safety perimeter are  required to attend. The operator will file a FAA Form 7711

- 1, or its equivalent, as modified in light of  the requested exemption, with the appropriate Flight Standards District Office  (”FSDO”). The operator will obtain consen t of all persons involved in the filming and ensure  that only consenting persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight operation. This radius may be reduced to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety determination, as required under the F OPM. Wi th the advanced permission of the FSDO, operations at closer range can be approved.The operator will submit a written Plan of Activities to the FSDO three days before the proposed shoot as required in the FOPM. The Pilot and observer must be trained in UAS operations and have received current information on the particular UAS to be operated as required by the FOPM. The Observer and pilot will at all times be able to communicate by voice and/or text.
Wr itten and /or oral permission from the relevant property holders will be obtained. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county,  or city jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate  government al agencies. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have the  capability to return to a pre

- determined location within the Security Perimeter  and land. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredic ted obstacles or  emergencies. 14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) and (b): Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in Command  Sections 61.113 (a) and (b) limit private pilots to non

- commercial operations. Because the UAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, t he proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have a private pilot’s license rather than a commercial pilot’s license to operate a small UAS. Unlike a conventional man ned aircraft, a UAS is remotely controlled by a ground

- based operator. The operational area is controlled and restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance. The level of safety exceeds that provided by a single individual holding a com mercial pilot’s certificate operating a conventional aircraft. The risks associated with the use of a UAS are so diminished from the level of risk associated with commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 allowing UAS use by a private pilot as the PIC exceeds the present level of safety sought by 14 C.F.R. §61.113 (a) and (b).  14 C.F.R. § 91.103: Preflight Action  Section 91.103 requires each pilot to preflight an aircraft before flight to insure the safety of flight. As FAA approved rotorcraft flight manuals will not be used, an exemption is requested. However, an equivalent level of safety will be provided. The PIC will take all

U.S. DOT September 29, 2014 Page 4actions, including reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, landing and

takeo ff distances, and aircraft performance data before commencement of flight. 14 C.F.R. §91.119(c): Minimum Safe Altitudes Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119 provides, in pertinent part, that: “except whe n necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes: ..... (c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.”
Because CineDrones, LLC requests authority to operate at altitudes only up to 400 AGL, and not more than 200 above an elevated platform from which filming is planned, an exemption is needed to allow such operations. Except for the limited conditions stated in the FOPM, the UAS will never operate higher than 400 AGL. It will, however, be operated in a restricted area within a security perimeter, where buildin gs and people will not be exposed to operations without their pre

- obtained consent. The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, and speed of the UAS as well as the location where it is operated. No flight will be taken without the permission of property owners or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owners and participants in the filming activity, all affected individuals will be informed of the planned flight operations. Compared to flight operations for manned aircraft and the lack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with the proposed UAS operations is far less than conventional aircraft operating at or below 500 AGL. In addition, the low

- altitude operations of the UAS will ensure separation between a UAS and conventional aircraft. 14 C.F.R. §91.121 Altimeter Settings Section 91.121 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 a UAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude data, an exemption is needed. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the FOPM and Safety Ch eck list, 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 u nder 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 . . . .”
T he battery powering the CineDrones, LLC UASs provides approximately 40 minutes of powered flight. To meet the 30

- mi nute reserve requirement in 14 CFR §91.151, UAS flights will be limited to approximately 10 minutes in length. Given the limitations on the U AS’s proposed

U.S. DOT September 29, 2014 Page 5 flight area and its proposed operations within a predetermined location, a longer time frame for flight in daylight VFR conditions is reasonable. Furthermore, operating the UASs in a tightly controlled area where only people, property owners, or official represe ntatives who have signed waivers will be allowed, less than 30 minutes of reserve fuel does not engender the type of risk that §91.151(a) was intended to address. CineDrones, LLC believes that safety can be a chieved by limiting flights to 3 0 minutes or 25% of battery power, whichever occurs first. This restriction would be more than adequate to return the UAS to its pre

- determined landing zone from anywhere in its limited operating area. CineDrones, LLC is not seeking an exemption for night

- time UAS operati ons. 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 sections and Part 43 apply only to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate, these sections will not apply to CineDrones operations. Maintenance will be accomplished by the operator. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved because the UASs are limited in size, will ca rry a small payload and operate only in restricted areas for limited periods of time. If mechanical issues arise, the UAS can land immediately and will be operating from no higher than 400 feet AGL. As provided in the FOPM, the operator will ensure that th e UAS is in working order prior to flight, perform any required maintenance, and keep a log of any maintenance performed. Moreover, the operator is the person most familiar with the UAS and best suited to maintain it in an airworthy condition. **Summary**

**for Publication**  Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publicationin the Federal Register, should it be determined that publication is needed:

CineDrones, LLC seeks an exemption from the following rules: 14 C.F.R. §§ 61.113(a) an d (b); 91.103; 91.119(c); 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.405(a); 91.407(a)(1); 91.409(a)(2); and 91.417(a) and (b) to operate commercially a small unmanned vehicle (55 pounds or less) in motion picture and television operations. As established by the UAS exemptions already granted by the FAA, allowing commercial operations of UASs in the film industry will enhance safety by reducing risk. Conventional film operations, using turbine aircraft, operate at low altitudes and present the risks associated with aircraft tha t weigh around 4,000 pounds, and which carry large amounts of Jet A fuel. Such aircraft must also fly to and from the film location. In contrast, a UAS weighing fewer than 55 pounds and powered by batteries eliminates virtually all of that risk given the s mall size and lack of combustible fuel. The UAS is carried, and not flown, to a film set. In this regard, the UAS carries no passengers or crew and, therefore, will not expose them to the risks associated with manned flights.

U.S. DOT September 29, 2 014 Page 6 The operation of UASs conducted in the strict conditions outlined in the FOPM will provide an equivalent level of safety supporting the grant of the exemption requested herein. The UASs operate at slow speeds, close to the ground, and in a steri le environment. As a result, they are far safer than conventional operations conducted with turbine helicopters carrying fuel and flying near the ground and people. **Privacy** All flights will occur over private or controlled access areas with the property owner’s prior consent and knowledge. Filming will be only of people who have given their consent or otherwise have agreed to be in the area where filming will take place. 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 to grant CineDrones, LLC s requested exemption, allowing for CineDron es, LLC ’s UAS commercial operations for the motion picture and television industry pursuant to the FOPM included herewith.

If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact the undersigned at 407

- 288

- 4114 or at president@cinedro nes.net

.Sincerely yours,

Michael Fortin President CineDrones, LLC