November 17, 2015

 Exemption No. 12402A

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA−2015−1536

Mr. Stephen Gowdy

Gowdy Brothers Aerospace, LLC

1540 Yorkshire Lane

Shakopee, MN 55379

Dear Mr. Gowdy:

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

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

and limitations.

By letter dated May 8, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Gowdy Brothers Aerospace, LLC (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 

collection. You requested an amendment to add the DJI Phantom 2, DJI Phantom 3, DJI 

Inspire 1, DJI Spreading Wings S800, DJI Spreading Wings S900, DJI Spreading Wings 

S1000, DJI Matrix 100, Freefly Cinestar 8 Okto and MK Heavy Lift, Altavian Nova F6500, 

CCO w/Wkm M, Blade 350 QX3, 3D Robotics X8, 3D Robotics Iris, 3D Robotics Solo, 

SenseFly eBee, Yuneec Q500 Typhoon, DragonFlyer X4-ES, Trimble UX5, Microdrones 

MD4, Tayzu Robotics Titan X8, Freefly ALTA and closed-set motion picture and television 

filming.

In your petition, 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 petition 

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.
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Airworthiness Certification

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in 

reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited 

operating area associated with the aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation 

has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA 

finds that relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 

Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing 

requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 12402

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 new aircraft and closed-set motion picture and television 

filming to its UAS operations.

The operator shall add this amendment to its original exemption.

 

Conditions and Limitations

All conditions and limitations within Grant of Exemption No. 12402 remain in effect except 

as follows. Condition No. 1 has been updated to reflect the additional aircraft, and 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. 

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the Carbon Core 

Octocopter, HH Blade 350QX3DJI Phantom 2, DJI Phantom 3, DJI Inspire 1, DJI 

Spreading Wings S800, DJI Spreading Wings S900, DJI Spreading Wings S1000, DJI 

Matrix 100, Freefly Cinestar 8 Okto and MK Heavy Lift, Altavian Nova F6500, CCO 

w/Wkm M, Blade 350 QX3, 3D Robotics X8, 3D Robotics Iris, 3D Robotics Solo, 

SenseFly eBee, Yuneec Q500 Typhoon, DragonFlyer X4-ES, Trimble UX5, 

Microdrones MD4, Tayzu Robotics Titan X8, and Freefly ALTA when weighing less 

than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will 

require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

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

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

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures