Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

APPENDIX	A.

UAS	- SAFE	OPERATIONAL	DESCRIPTION

Terra	 Intel	seeks	 to	commercially	operate	a	variety	of	UAS	weighing	less	 than	55	pounds	

including	 payload	 in	 the	 United	 States,	 Canada,	 and	 Mexico for	 the	 purpose	 of	 acquiring	

aerial	data.	The	Appendix	attached	 to	 this	exemption	petition	lists	 the	aircraft	 that	Terra	

Intel	contemplates	operating.	In	addition,	Terra	Intel	requests	that	it	be	granted	permission	

to	operate	those	aircraft	already	approved	in	previous	Section	333	exemption	petitions.	As	

the	 operator	 of	 these	 aircraft,	 Terra	 Intel	 is	 committed	 to	 the	 following	 conditions	 and	

limitations	on	its	operations.	Terra	Intel	understands	that	failure	to	comply	will	be	grounds	

for	the	immediate	suspension	or	rescission	any	exemption	granted.

1.	 Operations	 are	 limited	 to	 the	 UAS	 listed	 in	 the	 Appendix	 and	 those	 UAS previously	

approved	by	the	Secretary	when	weighing	less	than	55	pounds including	payload.

2.	Operations	 for	 the	 purpose	 of	 closed-set	motion	 picture	 and	 television	 filming	 are not	

contemplated.

3.	The	aircraft	will	not	be	operated	at	a	speed	exceeding	87	knots	(100	miles	per hour).	In	

no	 case	 will	 the	 aircraft	 be	 operated	 at	 airspeeds	 greater	 than	 the maximum	 aircraft	

operating	airspeed	recommended	by	the	aircraft	manufacturer.

4.	The	aircraft	will	be	operated	at	an	altitude	of	no	more	than	400	feet	above	ground level	

(AGL).	Altitude	must	be	reported	in	feet	AGL.

5.	The	aircraft	will	be	operated	within	visual	line	of	sight	(VLOS)	of	the	Pilot	in Command	

(PIC)	 at	 all	 times.	 This	 requires	 the	 PIC	 to	 be	 able	 to	 use	 human	 vision unaided	 by	 any	

device	other	than	corrective	lenses,	as	specified	on	the	PIC’s	U.S. driver’s	license.

6.	All	operations	will	utilize	a	visual	observer	(VO).	The	aircraft	will	be	operated within	the	

visual	line	of	sight	(VLOS)	of	the	PIC	and	VO	at	all	times.

7.	All	 operating	documents	needed	 to	 operate	 the	UAS	and	will	be	accessible	during UAS	

operations	and	made	available	 to	 the	Administrator	upon	 request.	The operator	will	also	

present	updated	and	revised	documents	if	it	petitions	for extension	or	amendment.

8.	Any	UAS	that	has	undergone	maintenance	or	alterations	that	affect	the	UAS operation	or	

flight	 characteristics,	 e.g.	 replacement	 of	 a	 flight	 critical	 component, will	 undergo	 a	

functional	test	flight	prior	to	conducting	further	operations.

9.	Terra	Intel	is	responsible	for	maintaining	and	inspecting	the	UAS	to	ensure	that	it	is in	a	

condition	for	safe	operation.
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

10.	Prior	to	each	flight,	the	PIC	will	conduct	a	pre-flight	inspection	and	determine	the UAS	

is	in	a	condition	for	safe	flight.

11.	 Terra	 Intel	 will	 follow	 the	 UAS	 manufacturer’s	 maintenance,	 overhaul, replacement,	

inspection,	and	life	limit	requirements	for	the	aircraft	and	aircraft components.

12.	 Each	 UAS	 operated	 under	 this	 exemption	 will	 comply	 with	 all	 manufacturer safety	

bulletins.

13.	The	PIC	will	hold	a	UAS	 flight	training	certificate,	in	some	cases	training	directly from	

the	aircraft	manufacturer,	and	a	valid	U.S.	driver’s	license	issued	by	a	state, the	District	of	

Columbia,	Puerto	Rico,	a	territory,	a	possession,	or	the	Federal government.

14.	Terra	Intel	will	not	permit	any	PIC	to	operate	unless	the	PIC	demonstrates	the ability	to	

safely	 operate	 the	 UAS	 in	 a	 manner	 consistent	 with how	 the	 UAS	 will be	 operated	 to	

acquire	 aerial	 data,	 including	 evasive	 and	 emergency	 maneuvers and	 maintaining	

appropriate	distances	from	persons,	vessels,	vehicles	and structures.	PIC	qualification	flight	

hours	and	 currency	will	 be	logged	in	a	manner	 consistent	with	 14	 CFR	 §	 61.51(b).	Terra	

Intel	 will	 operate	 flights	 for	 the	 purposes	 of	 training	 Terra	 Intel	 PICs	 and	 VOs	 (training,	

proficiency,	and	experience	building)	and	determining	the	PIC’s	ability	to	safely	operate	the	

UAS.

15.	UAS	operations	will	not	be	conducted	during	night,	as	defined	in	14	CFR	§	1.1.

All	operations	will	be	conducted	under	visual	meteorological	conditions	(VMC).

16.	The	aircraft	will	not	operate	within	5	nautical	miles	of	an	airport	reference	point (ARP)	

as	denoted	in	the	current FAA	Airport/Facility	Directory	(AFD)	or	for airports	not	denoted	

with	 an	 ARP,	 the	 center	 of	 the	 airport	 symbol	 as	 denoted	 on the	 current	 FAA-published	

aeronautical	chart,	unless	a	letter	of	agreement	with that	airport’s	management	is	obtained	

or	otherwise permitted	by	a	COA.

17.	 The	 aircraft	 will	 not	 be	 operated	 less	 than	 500	 feet	 below	 or	 less	 than	 2,000	 feet

horizontally	from	a	cloud	or	when	visibility	is	less	than	3	statute	miles	from	the PIC.

18.	If	the	UAS	loses	communications	or	loses	its	GPS	signal,	the	aircraft	will	return to	a	predetermined	location.

19.	The	PIC	will	abort	the	flight	in	the	event	of	unpredicted	obstacles	or	emergencies.

20.	 The	 PIC	 will	 be	 prohibited	 from	 beginning	 a	 flight	 unless	 (considering	 wind	 and

forecast	 weather	 conditions)	 there	 is	 enough	 available	 power	 or	 fuel	 for	 the aircraft	 to	

conduct	 the	intended	operation	and	 to	operate	after	 that	 for	at	least	 five minutes	or	with	

the	reserve	power	or	fuel	recommended	by	the	manufacturer	if greater.
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

21.	All	operations	shall	be	conducted	in	accordance	with	an	ATO-issued	COA	if	the blanket	

COA	does	not	cover	the	intended	operation.

22.	All	aircraft	operated	will	be	identified	by	serial	number,	registered	in	accordance with	

14	CFR	part	47,	and	have	identification!	(N−Number)	markings	in accordance	with	14	CFR	

part	45,	Subpart	C.	Markings	will	be	as	large	as practicable.

23.	Documents	used	by	Terra	 Intel	 to	ensure	 the	safe	operation	and	 flight	of	 the	UAS and	

any	documents	required	under	14	CFR	§§	91.9	and	91.203	will	be	available to	the	PIC	at	the	

Ground	Control	Station	of	the	UAS	any	time	the	aircraft	is operating.

24.	 The	 aircraft	 will	 remain	 clear	 and	 give	 way	 to	 all	 manned	 aviation	 operations	 and

activities	at	all	times.

25.	The	UAS	may	be	operated	by	the	PIC	from	a	moving	device	or	vehicle;	however, specific	

requests	will	be	made	via	subsequent	COA.

26.	 All	 flight	 operations	 will	 be	 conducted	 at	 least	 500	 feet	 from	 all	 nonparticipating

persons,	vessels,	vehicles,	and	structures	unless:

a.	Barriers	or	structures	are	present	that	sufficiently	protect	nonparticipating persons	from	

the	aircraft	or	debris	in	the	event	of	an	accident;	or

b.	 The	 owner/controller/operator	 of	 any	 vessels,	 vehicles	 or	 structures	 has	 granted

permission	for	operating	closer	to	those	objects	and	the	PIC	has	made	an assessment	of	the	

risk	of	operating	closer	to	those	objects	and	determined	that	it does	not	present	an	undue	

hazard.

27.	 The	 PIC,	 VO,	 operator	 trainees	 or	 essential	 persons	 will	 not	 be	 considered

nonparticipating	persons	under	this	exemption.

28.	All	operations	conducted	over	private	or	controlled-access	property	will	be conducted	

with	 the	 permission	 from	 the	 property	 owner/controller	 or	 authorized representative.	

Permission	from	property	owner/controller	or	authorized representative	will	be	obtained	

for	each	flight	to	be	conducted.

29.	 Any	 incident,	 accident,	 or	 flight	 operation	 that	 transgresses	 the	 lateral	 or	 vertical

boundaries	of	the	operational	area	as	defined	by	the	applicable	COA	will	be reported	to	the	

FAA's	UAS	Integration	Office	(AFS−80)	within	24	hours. Accidents	must	be	reported	to	the	

National	Transportation	Safety	Board	(NTSB) per	instructions	contained	on	the	NTSB	Web	

site:	www.ntsb.gov.
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

APPENDIX	B.	

TERRA	INTEL’s	sUAS	FLEET	SPECIFICATIONS

To	satisfy	client	requirements	in	a	safe	and	efficient	manner,	Terra	Intel	will	utilize	a	fleet	

of	twenty-one	(23)	commercially	available	UAS.		The	UAS’s	listed	below	have	been	

previously	approved	for	operations:

List	of	Small	UAV	- Airframes

Previously	Approved	for	Operations	

in	Exemption	No:

1.)					DJI	Phantom	3 12646

2.)					DJI	Phantom	FC40 12646

3.)					DJI	Spreading	Wings	S900 12646

4.)					DJI	Spreading	Wings	S1000 12646

5.)					DJI	Spreading	Wings	S1000+ 12646

6.)					DJI	S800 12646

7.)					DJI	S800	EVO 12646

8.)					DJI	T600 12646

9.)					DJI	F550	Flamewheel 12646,	11397

10.)			Tarot	FY690S	Hexacopter 12646

11.)			Tarot	Quadcopter 12646

12.)			Tarot	680pro 12646

13.)			Tarot	690 12646

14.)			Tarot	900 12646

15.)			Tarot	960 12646

16.)			Tarot	T-15 12646

17.)			Tarot	T15	C/F	Folding	

Octocopter 12646

18.)			Tarot	T18	UAV 12646

19.)			Tarot	T690 12646
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

20.)			Tarot	T810 12646,	11397

21.)			Roboflight	RF-70 (Spade	70) 12646,	11493

22.)			Falcon	VTOL 12646

23.)			Fire Fly	6	 12646
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

APPENDIX	C

SPECIFIC	Exemption	Requests	and	Rationale

14	C.F.R.	 Summary	of	Regulation Proposed	Action

1.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	C,	

Part	21,	Subpart	H

Airworthiness

Certification

In	consideration	of	the	size,	

weight, speed,	and	limited	

operating	area	associated	

with	the	aircraft	and	its	

operation,	the	FAA	has	

previously	held	that	these	

aircraft	meet the	conditions	

of	Section	333,	therefore,	

requested	relief	from	14	

CFR	part	21,	and	any	

associated	noise	

certification	and	testing	

requirements	of	part	36,	is	

not	necessary.

2.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	C,	

Part	45,	Subpart	C,	§45.23	

(a)	and	(b)

Display	of	Marks Terra	Intel	sUAS	shall	be	

identified	by	serial	number	

and	N-number,	in	markings	

as	large	as	practical.	

However,	the 2-inch

minimum	set	forth	in	this	

rule	is	impractical,	and	

therefore	relief	is	

requested.	

3.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	

D,	Part	61,	Subpart	A,	

§61.23(a)

and

Chapter	1,	Subchapter	D,	

Part	61,	Subpart	J,	

§61.315(c)	(2&3)

Certification:	Pilots,	Flight	

Instructors	and	Ground	

Instructors

In	previous	petitions	for	

exemption,	the	FAA	has	

held	that	a	PIC	of	a	sUAS	

holding	at	least	a	Sport	Pilot	

certificate	and	a	U.S.	

Driver’s	License,	or	greater	

medical	certification,	would	

not	adversely	affect	safe	

operations	within	the	NAS	

or	present	a	hazard	to	

people	or	structures	on	the	

ground.	Relief,	subject	to	

the	limitations	provided	in	

this	document,	is	requested.

4.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	F,	

Part	91,	Subpart	B,	§91.119

Minimum	Safe	Altitudes Request	relief	within	

limitations	and	restrictions	
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

proposed	herein.

5.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	F,	

Part	91,	Subpart	B,	§91.121

Altimeter	Settings Terra	Intel	measures	

altitude	with	both	

barometric	pressure	

sensors	and	GPS.	Prior	to	

each	flight,	the	barometric	

altimeter	will	be	set	to	0ft	

AGL	instead	of	the	setting	of	

the	nearest	reporting	

station.	Counting	altitude	in	

AGL,	zeroed	at	the	point	of	

departure,	will	ensure	

conformance	to	the	COA	

restrictions	under	which	

the	sUAS	is	operating.	Given	

the	low	operating	altitudes	

of	system	and	operating	

within	the	proposed	

restrictions,	relief	is	

requested.	

6.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	F,	

Part	91,	Subpart	B,	§91.151

Fuel	Requirements	in	VFR	

Conditions

As	described	in	this	

document,	the	sUAS	Terra	

Intel	proposes	to	operate	

has	total	endurance	of	

between	20	and	90	minutes.	

Terra	Intel	will	ensure	

missions	are	conducted	

with	sufficient	power	

reserve	to	operate	for	at	

least	five	minutes	after	the	

intended	mission	is	

complete.	The	short	flight	

time	makes	the	reserves	

specified	impractical	and	

therefore	relief	is	

requested.	

7.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	F,	

Part	91,	Subpart	C,	§91.203

Certifications	Required Terra	Intel	will	place	these	

documents	at	the	location	of	

the	ground	station	and/or	

with	the	PIC.	The	FAA	has	

previously	held	that	this	is	

sufficient	to	provide	an	

equivalent	level	of	safety,	
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

8.)		Chapter 1,	Subchapter	F,	

Part	91,	Subpart	C,	§91.205

Instruments	and	required	

equipment

and	therefore,	relief	is	

requested.	

Request	relief	within	

limitations	and	restrictions	

proposed	herein.

9.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	F,	

Part	91, Subpart	E,	§91.405;		

§91.407;	§91.409;	§91.411;	

§91.413;	§91.415;	§91.417;	

and	§91.421

Maintenance,	Preventative	

Maintenance,	and	

Alterations

Relief	is	requested	within	

the	limitations	and	

conditions	set	forth	in	

Appendix	A,	§8	– §12	and	

Appendix	D,	E	and	F	of	this	

docket.

10.)		Chapter	1,	Subchapter	

F,	Part	91,	Subpart	H,	

§91.703(a)(1),	(3),	(4),	(5),	

and	(b),	§91.705,	and	

§91.706

Foreign	Aircraft	Operations	

and	Operations	of	US	

Registered	Aircraft	Outside	

the	US

Terra	Intel	intends	to	

pursue	business	

opportunities	in	Canada	and	

Mexico.		We	intend	to	

comply	with	all	regulations	

governing	sUAS	operation	

within	Canada	and	Mexico.		

We	will	not	conduct	any	

cross-boarder	operations.	

We	request	relief	of	the	

regulations,	as	they	are	not	

applicable	to	sUAS	

operations.
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

APPENDIX	D.

sUAS	– SAFE	FLIGHT	OPERATIONAL	PROCEDURAL	CHECKLIST

Step	1.)	Preflight	Checklist

ü Verify	 permission	 (permission	 to	 fly)	 letter	 has	 been	 signed	 by	 authorized	

representative	of	property	owner	that	the	subject	UAS	operations	are	planned

ü Perform	 safety	 review	 and	hazard risk	 assessment	 for	 subject	location	 of	 planned	

UAS	 mission	 (investigate	 potential	 risks	 to	 humans,	 wildlife,	 structures,	 	 etc.	 and	

determine/	document	risk	mitigation	

ü Check	earth	and	space	weather	conditions,	radar,	and	forecasts	to	ensure	safe	flying	

conditions	will	be	present	for	execution	of	subject	UAV	flight	mission

ü Preform	a	visual	and	audible	observation	check	to	ensure	the	area	within	geo-fence	

boundary	is	clear	of	obstacles	and	safe	for	UAV	flight	operation

ü Verify	&	record	heights/	altitudes	of all	vertical	&	horizontal	obstacles	within	geofence	boundary	to	ensure	that	subject	mission	flight	plan	will	not	cause	collision	of	

UAV	with	any	vertical		&	horizontal	obstacles	

ü Inspect	 for	 UAV	 airframe,	 propellers,	 rotors,	 wiring-harness,	 and	 control	 surfaces	

for	cracks,	mechanical	wear,	and	other	signs	of	damage	

ü Tighten	props to	specified	torque	as	per	manufacturer’s	specifications

ü Tighten	screws to	specified	torque	as	per	manufacturer’s	specifications

ü Prepare	UAV	flight	log	book (See	Appendix	E)

ü Review	mission plan

Step	2.)	Flight	Operation	

ü Turn	on	transmitter,	check	power-supply,	check	&	verify	proper	functioning	

conditions	for	switches,	displays,	gages,	and	indicators	

ü Set	UAV	power	throttle	control	to	down position

ü Connect	battery	on	the	UAS	vehicle
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

ü Wait	for	vehicle	arming	lights	and	safety	light	to	turn	green-to-go

ü Set	home	position	for	UAV	(launch	location,	landing	location,	and	location	for	UAV	to	

return	in	event	of	loss	of	command/	control/	communication	signal	from	ground	

control	station

ü Check	correct	command-control,	&	communication	between	transmitter/	ground	

control	station	and	UAV.	Insure	all	control	surfaces	of	UAV	have	correct	range	of	

motion	for	safe	flight	operation/	proper	functioning	condition

ü Check	for	adequate	battery power	for	subject	mission/	flight

ü Visually	inspect	takeoff/	launching	area,	verify	area	is	clear	for	safe	UAV	launch	

procedure.

ü Throttle	up	slowly to	test	proper	functioning	condition	of	motor/	motors.	

ü Safely	launch	UAV

ü Conduct	safe	flight	operational	procedures as	per	UAV	manufacturer’s	operators	

manual,	(unique	to	each	different	UAV	airframe)

3.)	Landing Procedures

ü Perform	visual	check/	verification	that	airspace	over	UAV	landing	zone/	area/	

location	is	clear	of	obstacles,	humans,	or	wildlife	prior	to	beginning	UAV	landing	

approach

ü Lower	UAV	power	level	on	throttle	control	and	prepare	to	execute	UAV	landing	

maneuvers	

ü Safely	perform	UAV	landing

ü Post	landing	after	UAV	is	still/	non-moving	and	all	propeller	and	rotor	movement	is	

completely	stopped,	it	is	now	safe	to	approach	UAV	for	post	flight	activities	

4.)	After	Landing

ü Unplug	battery	on	vehicle	while	near	the	controller
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

ü After	battery	is	unplugged	turn	off	the	controller

ü Fill	out	log	books

ü 4)	Debrief

ü Fill	out	logs

ü Complete	calculations	for	batteries	and	flight	times

ü Put	away	gear,	vehicle	and	log	books

5)	Battery	Charging

ü Plug	in	charger	to	the	wall

ü Plug	in	battery	to	the	charger (for	safety/	fire	risk	reduction:	only	charge	batteries	

when	human	observation	is	possible)

ü Choose	the	correct	battery	setting	for	your	battery

ü Select	interface	mode	on	the	balancer	(if	you	are	using	one)

ü Set	the	charger	to	charge

ü Wait	for	beeps	and	lights	to	complete

ü Log	battery	rates
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

APPENDIX	E.

sUAS	- FLIGHT	LOG-BOOK	RECORD	ENTRY	FORM

Vehicle N	Number/	Make/	Model:	

______________________________________________________________________________

Date:	_______________________________________________________________________________

Mission:	_____________________________________________________________________________

Time:	_______________________________________________________________________________

Mission	Location	(Coordinates):__________________________________________________________		

Pilot	in	Command	(PIC):________________________________________________________________

Visual	Observer:	______________________________________________________________________

Notes	on	

Mission:_______________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Vehicle	Weight:	_______________________________________________________________________

Indoor	or	Outdoor:	_____________________________________________________________________

Weather:

											 Temperature:	___________________________________________________________________

											 Wind	Speed:	___________________________________________________________________

Ambient:

											 Humidity:	______________________________________________________________________

											 Dew	Point:	____________________________________________________________________

											 Barometric:	____________________________________________________________________

										 Solar:________________________________________________________________________
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

Preflight	Inspection	Results:	_____________________________________________________________

Equipment	Repairs:	

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Post	Repair	Equipment	Operational	Check:_________________________________________________

Flight	Observations:	(record	on	any	unusual	behavior)_________________________________________

Flight	Times:________________________________________________________________________

Frame:_______________________________________________________________________

Arm:________________________________________________________________________

											 Motor:________________________________________________________________________

Battery:_ Example	(Max	3200	mAh)__________________________________________________

Total	Time:___________________________________________________________________________

Charge	Time:_________________________________________________________________________

											 Battery	#:_Example	#	2___________________________________________________________

											 How	long: Example	011	minutes___________________________________________________

											 Input	charge:	Example	000810	mA/Min_______________________________________________

Estimated	flight	time: Example	80%	of	battery_________________________________________
Terra	Intel,	LLC

Section	333	Exemption	Request

APPENDIX	F.

sUAS	MAINTENANCE	LOG-BOOK	RECORD	ENTRY	FORM

UAS	Vehicle	N	Number/	Make/	Model:	

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date:	__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Time:	__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name	of	Repair	Technician:	________________________________________________________________________

Description	of	improper	function/	performance	issues,	damage	reports,	or	scheduled	

(based	on	usage	hours)	maintenance:	

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Description	of	Required	Repairs:	

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

List	of Replacement	Parts	&	Components:	

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Post-Repair	Verification	of	UAS	Proper	Functioning	Condition:	

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Technician’s	Notes,	Repair	Sign	Off-Initials:	

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________