August 18, 2015

 Exemption No. 11633A

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA−2015−0576

Mr. George Finlay

Principia, Inc.

71 South Orange Avenue

South Orange, NJ 07079

Dear Mr. Finlay:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petitions for an amendment. It explains 

the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists any changes to the original conditions 

and limitations.

By letters dated June 9, 2015, and June 15, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) on behalf of Principia, Inc. (hereinafter petitioner or operator) for an 

amendment to your current exemption. That exemption from §§ 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) of Title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data 

collection1. You requested an amendment to conduct closed-set motion picture and television 

filming to your operations. In addition, you requested an amendment to operate a 3D 

Robotics Solo aircraft.

In your petitions, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption.

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

in the Federal Register because the requested amendment to the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner. The 

unmanned aircraft authorized in the original grant are comparable in type, size, weight, speed 

and operating capabilities to those in this petition.

 

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.
2

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 11633 

remains valid and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the authority contained 

in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, the operator is 

granted an amendment to add closed-set motion picture and television filming to its UAS 

operations. Further, the operator is granted an amendment to operate a 3D Robotics Solo 

aircraft.

The operator shall add this amendment to its original exemption.

 

Conditions and Limitations

All conditions and limitations within Grant of Exemption No. 11633 remain in effect except 

as follows. Condition No. 2 has been updated to permit closed-set motion picture and 

television filming. 

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. 

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

permitted. 

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

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service