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Up Aerial Media

Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual 

Up Aerial Media, LLC

1235 Flynn Road Unit 409, Camarillo, CA 93012 Tel.

(805) 389-8900
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Table of Contents 

1. Introduction 

A. Purpose 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

C. Persons Authorized 

D. Area of Operations 

E. Plan of Activities 

F. Permission to Operate 

G. Security 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

K. Communications 

L. Accident Notification 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

N. Aerobatic Competency 

O. Special Provisions

2. Company Organization 

1. Chief Pilot 

2. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A 

1. List of Approved Pilots 

2. List of Approved Aircraft 

3. Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

4. Revision Letter (sample) 

Appendix B 

1. Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 
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Revision Control Page 

Revision # Date Initials 

Revision #1.1 May 2015 

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1. Introduction 

A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by "Up Aerial Media, LLC", hereafter referred 

to as "Up Aerial Media", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of 

Waiver of Authorization of the provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the 

purposes of filming. Up Aerial Media pilots and other company personnel when 

applicable will comply with the policies, procedures and conditions of this 

manual, whenever motion picture or television flight operations are performed 

that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above. 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

Todd Chikasawa – Manager,

1235 Flynn Road Unit 409, Camarillo, CA 93012

Office (805) 389-8900

Cell (805) 444-0888

Brian Kelly – Pilot, Up Aerial Media

Keith Chikasawa – Pilot, Up Aerial Media

C. Persons Authorized 

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and 

structures directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The 

certificate holder shall ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the 

area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming 

production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an 

equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. 

For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s 

evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain features, obstructions, 

buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating persons (observers, the 

public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident. 

D. Area of Operations 

Up Aerial Media’s approved area of operations will be the continental United 

States, including Alaska and Hawaii. 

E. Plan of Activities 
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At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Up Aerial Media will submit 

a written plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. 

The plan of activities should include the following: 

1. Dates and times for all flights. 

2. Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production 

event. 

3. Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

4. Make, model, and serial or N-number of unmanned aerial system (UAS) to 

be used and type of airworthiness certificate, including category. 

5. Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production 

event, including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic 

competency, if required. 

6. A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property 

owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event. The 

list of those who gave permission must be made available to the inspector 

upon request from the waiver holder. 

7. Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

8. A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, 

city, town, county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and 

the minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the operations. 

The three (3) day notification may be waived, however, the operator will contact 

the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in 

detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical. 

F. Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the 

provisions of the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain 

permission to conduct these operations from property owners and local officials 

as necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required 

are listed below: 

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government 

(5) Air traffic control 

The Up Aerial Media personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing 

whenever practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A 

standard permission form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when 

obtaining written permission. Up Aerial Media personnel will assure a sufficient 

number of those forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms will 

be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then 

turned into the chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. 
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These forms will be made available for inspection by the FAA or other official 

personnel upon request. 

G. Security 

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate 

production personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from 

all unauthorized persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately 

discontinue operations should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other 

reason in the interest of safety. 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in 

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of 

the risks involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during 

the filming production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional 

provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for 

the operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The 

briefing shall cover: 

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the 

attached special provisions 

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Unmanned aerial system (UAS) parking and starting

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures 

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event 

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures 

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons 

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

Up Aerial Media operates Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). All Up Aerial Media

UASs used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the 

purpose of filming will be properly certified, hold airworthiness certificates, or 

documented exemptions in accordance with FAA requirements. However, 

restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" in motion 

picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category must 
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have an airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order to 

be used in motion picture and television filming. The aircraft will be 100hr/annual 

inspection program. Other required tests and inspections (transponder, E.L.T., 

etc.) will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. Each UAS will have a 

flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and inspections and the 

dates or times they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is also found 

in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the aircraft to be flown is in 

airworthy condition and all required inspections and maintenance has been 

completed before each flight. 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. 

Minimum requirements shall meet or exceed the following: 

1. A current U.S. Commercial Instrument rated pilot certificate with ratings 

appropriate to the category, class and type (if applicable) of UAS to be 

used under the terms of the waiver and DOT/FAA exemption. 

2. At least 500 hours logged as PIC and at least 20 hours logged as the PIC 

in the aircraft type. 

3. A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used. 

4. A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under 

the waiver. 

5. In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14 

CFR 91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers 

must hold FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to 

perform the operations. 

6. In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an 

external-load operation, pilots used in the operation shall be qualified. This 

qualification may be obtained through a knowledge test (which may be 

oral and/written) and/or skill. The inspector or another company pilot 

approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified to 

carry loads externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 

requirements and cover the following subjects: 

(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including a survey of the 

Flight area. 

(b) Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load. 

(c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating 

procedures and the aircraft flight manual. 

(d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel. 

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load 

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate. 

K. Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command 

will formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants 
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during the actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may 

be used as long as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants 

continuously appraised of the current status of the operation. 

L. Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the 

notification requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 

N. Aerobatic Competency 

If the filming operations require the issuance of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of 

Aerobatic Competency, refer to Volume 5, Chapter 9, Issue/Renew/Rescind a 

Statement of Aerobatic Competency. 

O. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Up Aerial Media motion 

picture and television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons 

on the surface will not be jeopardized. 

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be 

those specified in the Up Aerial Media motion picture and television operations 

manual (“Appendix A” pages 10-11) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s 

name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil 

aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA 

inspection before the scheduled event. 

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate 

understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 

91.119 (b) and (c). (see attached document under “Appendix B” page 14) 

Unmanned Aerial System rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in 

a manner that will prevent unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and 

landing area. 

Up Aerial Media will ensure that the participating persons involved in the 

operations are thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, 

emergency procedures, and on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver 
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before beginning the activities. No person may participate in any event unless 

that person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver. 

2. Company Organization 

A. Chief Pilot 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this 

manual. 

• Act as liaison between Up Aerial Media and the FAA on matter concerning 

this manual. 

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain 

a signed statement from each that they have read and understand its 

contents. 

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for 

Up Aerial Media.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed 

and processed properly. 

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by 

Up Aerial Media under the provisions of this manual. 

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such. 

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

 responsibility. 

B. Pilot in Command 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

 Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections 

and required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate 

FAR's. 

 Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the 

provisions of this manual. 

 Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the 

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein. 

 Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, 

locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. 

 Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site 

at any job or operation requiring the waiver. 
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 The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but 

retains responsibility. 

Appendix A.1

List of Approved Pilots 

Chief Pilot 

Brian D. Kelly

4,200 Hours

Commercial, Multi-engine, Instrument

Flight Engineer, Turbojet

Medical Class One - requires update/01 June 2015

Contact info - (805) 444-4364

Pilots 

Keith A. Chikasawa

4,700 Hours

Multi-engine, Commercial, Instrument

Medical Class One - requires update/01 June 2015

Contact info - (805) 377-1919
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Appendix A.2

List of Approved Aircraft Make and Model 

1. DJI, Phantom (unmanned aerial system)

2. DJI, S-1000 (unmanned aerial system)

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 
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Appendix A.3 

Up Aerial Media

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Up Aerial Media Permission to 

operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in 

which I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television 

production. 

Name:

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location:

Date of Operation: 

Signature __________________________________________________ 

Date __________________________ 

Up Aerial Media Representative Receiving Permission 

_______________________________________________________________ 
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Appendix A.4 

Revision Letter 

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials 

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R Remove and Replace D Delete and Destroy N Insert New Page 

Manual Serial# ___________________ 

Issued To _______________________

Revised By ______________________

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than 

_____________________________ 
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Appendix B.1

(see attached form 7711-2)