Envtro)//lf?-,Inc.Environmental&MinePermittingServicesSeptember4th,2014UnitedStatesDepartmentofTransportationFederalAviationAdministrationDocketManagementSystem1200NewJerseyAve.,SEWestBuildingGroundFloorRoomW12-140Washington,DC20590Re:ExemptionRequestPursuantToSection333oftheFAAReformActof2012DearSirorMadam:EnviroMINE,Inc.seeksexemptionfromtherequirementsof14C.F.R.§§91.9(b),91.203(a),91.203(b),45.23(b)and21.185.ThisexemptionwillpermitEnviroMINE,Inc.tooperateanunmannedaerialsystem("UAS")overareasoftheStatesofCalifomiaandwestemArizonasuitablefor,orinuseby,surfaceminingwhilekeepingthedocumentsrequiredimmediatelyaccessibletothepilotatthegroundcontrolstation.TheexemptionwillrelieveEnviroMINE,Inc.fromtheairworthinesscertificatestandardsandtherequirementtohaveacertificateofairworthinessissuedforitsUAS.ThisexemptionwillalsopermitanyrequiredmarkingsconcerningtheoperationalstatusoftheUAStobedisplayedonabannerorflagdisplayedatthegroundcontrolstationduringoperationEnviroMINEisalsoseekingrelieffromtherequirementsofhavingaprivateorcommercialpilot'scertificationtooperatetheUASforthepurposesidentified.TheUASisverylightweightandtheoperatingparameterswillbeverysimilar,ifnotthesame,asaremotecontrolmodelUASusedbyhobbyists.IndividualscontrollingtheeBeewillbeexperiencedinsafeoperationsoftheremotelycontrolledUASandwillcompletetrainingbythemanufacturerpriortoUASuseforcommercialpurposes.EnviroMINEwillimplementsafetyproceduresandflightrestrictionstopreventgroundorairbomeaccidentsinvolvingtheUAS.InformationonflightparametersandconditionsforallmissionswillbemaintainedbyEnviroMINEandwillbeavailabletotheFAAuponrequest.OperationswillbecompletedundertheguidanceprovidedbytheAcademyofModelAeronautics(AMA)NationalModelAircraftSafetyCode,FAAsafetystandardsforremotecontrolmodelaircraftand/orUASstandardsotherwiseestablishedbytheFAA.3511CaminoDelRioSouth,Suite403-SanDiego,CA92108(619)284-8515/(800)755-3995-Fax:(619)284-0115FederalAviationAdministrationSeptember4th,2014Page2INTRODUCTIONEnviroMINE,Inc.(EnviroMINE)isa22year-oldfirmspecializinginplanning,permittingandcomplianceworkforminingoperationsintheCaliforniaandwesternArizona.EnviroMINEutilizesaerialimageryforthepurposeofproducingaccuratesurfacemapsformineoperationsandregulatoryagenciesthroughtheuseofmappingsoftware.Oftentimes,theaerialimagingavailabletoEnviroMINEisfrompublicsourcesandcanberelativelyinaccurateand/oroutdated.AspresentedinthisPetition,EnviroMINEseekstooperateitsUASforthespecialpurposeofcollectingaerialphotographstocreatesurfacemapsandupdatedimageryinthesupportofandusebybiologists,archaeologists,mineoperatorsandtheagenciesthatregulatetheseoperations.CharacteristicsoftheAircraftEnviroMINEseeksanexemptiontooperateaneBeesenseFlyUASforcommercialpurposeswithinthenationalairspacesystem("NAS").BuiltinSwitzerland,theeBeeconsistsofaflexiblefoamwing,adigitalcameraandagroundcontrolstation(Figure1).TheeBeesystemhasagrosssystemweightofapproximately1.7poundsandawingspanof38inches.Thisvehiclehasasingle,rearmountedplasticpropellerandanelectricmotorpoweredbyalithiumpolymerbattery.Figure1:TheeBee{eBeesenseflyThefourmaincharacteristicsoftheeBeeare:1.VerylightweightTheeBeeissolightthattheoperatorcanlaunchitbyhandandlanditonalmostanysurfacewithoutrequiringaparachuteorlandingnet.Itslowimpactenergyof38Joules(inthecaseofacontrolledemergencylanding)alsosignificantlyreducestheriskofhazardoussituations.ThewingsoftheeBeearedetachableandmadeofflexiblefoamwithnosharporhardedgesandalmostnointernalstrengtheningstructure.FederalAviationAdministrationSeptember4th,2014Page32.Electric-poweredTheeBeeiselectricpowered.Brushlessenginetechnologymakesitsilentandreliable.Thepropellerisattachedwitharubberbandtothebodyoftheplanesothatitcaneasilyflexawayincaseofcontactwithanyobject.3.Semi-automaticflightTheartificialintelligenceincorporatedwithintheeBeeautopilotsystemcontinuouslyanalyzesdatafromtheInertialMeasurementUnitandfromtheonboardGPSandtakescareofalltheaspectsoftheflightunderthesupervisionoftheoperator.Groundstationsoftwareallowstheoperatortoproducea3-Dflightplanpriortothemission,simulatetheflight,monitorthedrone'sparametersduringflightandallowthepilottocontrolthetrajectoryoftheeBeeduringflight.4.OptionforManualcontrolAdditionally,theeBeeprovidesanoverridecapabilitythatallowstheoperatortotakemanualactionsduringtheflightsuchasGotoHome,GoLand,HoldandResumetheMission.suspendautomatedoperationscanalsobesuspendedbytheoperatorandtakemanualcontroloftheaircraftshoulditbecomenecessarytorespondemergentcircumstances,thankstotheremotecontrollerprovidedwiththesystem.TheeBeedoesnotcreateahazardtousersoftheNASorthepublic,orotherwisecreateathreatconsideringitssize,weight,speedoroperationalcapability.ThespecificationsoftheeBeearelistedinthetablebelow:Tbl1a eBS·ot·.eee;peel1ea1onsWeight(inc.camera)1.7lbWingspan38inEPPfoam,carbonstructure&Materialcompositepartselectricpusherpropeller,160WPropulsionbrushlessDCmotorBattery11.1v,2100mAhCamera(default)16MegapixelIXUS/ELPHOperationalCharacteristicsMaximumflighttime50minutesCruisingspeed22-35miles/hourRadiolinkrangeupto1.86milesMaximumcoverage(singleflight)_6.2squaremilesGroundsamplingdistance(GSD)downto0.39in.Orthomosaicaccuracydownto1.18in.DigitalElevationModel(DEM)accuracydownto1.96in.3DflightplanningyesFederalAviationAdministrationSeptember4th,2014Page4TheairworthinessoftheeBeehasalreadybeendemonstratedfordifferentprojectsinvolvingstate/federalagenciesoruniversitiesintheUnitedStates.Thisincludes,amongothers,theNewMexicoStateUniversityinLasCruces,NM(seearticleatht1ps:I/newscenter.nmsu.edu/Articles/view/10208/nmsu-uas-llight-test-centerconducts-ebee-airworthiness-assessment)andtheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers(USACE),NewOrleans.TheUSACEcoordinatedwiththeDepartmentofArmyandtheFAAtoobtainallauthorizationsrequiredinordertooperatetheeBeeUASforleveesystemmonitoring,documentationofconstructionprogress,andextensiveobliquephotographyofUSACEstructures&activities.FlightapprovalsfortheeBeehavebeenobtainedfromthenationalcivilaviationauthoritiesinanumberofcountriesincluding:•Switzerland(flightapprovalforVLOSoperations)•Canada(flightapprovalforVLOSoperations)•Australia(flightapprovalforVLOSoperations)•France(flightapprovalforExtended-VLOSoperations)•Germany(flightapprovalforVLOSoperations)•UnitedKingdom(flightapprovalforVLOSoperations)•Norway(flightapprovalforVLOSoperations)•Sweden(flightapprovalforVLOSoperations)•Denmark(flightapprovalforVLOSoperations)MandatoryOperatingConditionsThegrantoftheexemptiontoEnviroMINEfortheeBeewillbesubjecttothefollowingoperatingconditions,basedontheoperatingconditionssetforthbytheAcademyofModelAeronautics.Themainrestrictionsaresummarizedbelow:•Operationstobeconductedoverprivate,controlled-access,orpublicpropertywhereapproved;•Permissionfromthelandownerjauthorityrequiredbeforecommencinganyflight;•Operationsovercongestedareasshallbeavoided;•Operationsmustnotinterferewithmannedaircraftoperations,mustyieldtherightofwaytomannedaircraft,andoperatorsmustSee&Avoidotheraircraftandobstaclesatalltimes•OperationslimitedtoVisualFlightRulesMeteorologicalConditions(VMC)anddaylighthours•AircraftoperationsmustremainwithinVisualLineofSight(VLOS)andwillbevisuallymonitoredatalltimes;•VLOSguaranteedwithaGPSgeo-fencearoundoperatorof0.5nauticalmile•Flightceilingpre-programmedat400feetorless;•Alloperationsconductedwithin5milesfromanairportshallonlybeinitiatedafterverbalcoordinationwiththeairportauthority,orairtrafficcontrolwhenacontroltowerispresentattheairport;•Alloperationsshallcomplywithrequiredpermissionsandpermitsestablished

# Federal Aviation Administration September

4th, 2014 Page

5 by territorial,

state, county

or city jurisdictions;

including

local

law enforcement, fire,

or other appropriate govemmental

agencies. • The

eBee operations

will

be compliant

with existing

safety procedures

inherent to the activities

of the related company. In support

of EnviroMINE's

exemption

request,

a Justification

of Airworthiness

and Safety Assessment

for

the eBee;

eBee Operators

Training Documentation;

and eBee's Inspection

and Maintenance

Requirements

have

been provided

to the

FAA under separate, confidential

cover. EnviroMINE

provides

the following information

in support

of its petition

for exemption

: 

# A. Name

and Address

of the Petitioner. The name, address

and contact information

of the Petitioner

is: EnviroMINE,

Inc. Attn:

Mr. Dennis Fransway 3511 Camino

Del

Rio South Suite

403 San Diego,

CA 92108 Phone: 619-284-8515 e-mail: dennis@enviromineinc.com 

# B. The Specific Sections

of

14 C.F.R.

From Which EnviroMINE

Seeks Exemption. EnviroMINE,

Inc.,

the Petitioner,

pursuant

to the provisions

of the Federal Aviation Regulations

and

the

FAA Modemization

and Reform

Act

of 2012, Section

333, seeks

relief

from

the following

specific

sections

of Title

14

of the Code

of Federal Regulations: 

# ------ ----------------------

----------------------

------ ------- •

14 CFR 21.185; •

14 C.F.R. 45.23(b)

&45.29; •

14 CFR

61; •

14 C.F.R.

91,

et seq.; •

14 CFR

121; •

14 CFR

407

(a)

(1); •

14 CFR

409

(a)

(2); and •

14 CFR

417

(a)

& (b). 

# C. The Extent

of Relief EnviroMINE

Seeks

And

The Reasons

It 

# Seeks

The Relief. 1. 

# Relief

from

14 C.F.R.

§ 

# 21.185. EnviroMINE

seeks

to exempt

the eBee

UAS

from

14 C.F.R.

§ 

# 21.185:



# Issue

of ainuorthiness

certificates

for restricted

category

aircraft.FederalAviationAdministrationSeptember4th,2014Page6EnviroMINEseeksrelieffromtheairworthinesscertificaterequirementsoftheFederalAviationRegulations.EnviroMINEproposestooperatetheeBeecommerciallywithoutanairworthinesscertificateforthespecialpurposeofconductingaerialphotographyservicesovertheStatesofCaliforniaandwesternArizona,perspecificoperatinglimitations.EnviroMINEseeksrelieffromtheairworthinesscertificaterequirementsof14C.F.R.§21.185totheextentthattheeBee,whichhasnotyetbeentypecertificatedbytheFAA,maybeoperatedasifitwerearestrictedcategoryaircraftforasingle,defined,specialpurposeoperationsuchasaerialmapping.EnviroMINEseeksrelieffromtheairworthinesscertificaterequirementsoftheFARbecauseoperationoftheeBeewillnotcreateahazardtousersoftheNAS,thepublicorpresentathreattonationalsecurity.TheprovensafeoperationalhistoryoftheeBeeintheNASdemonstratesthattheeBeehasoperatedsafelyintheNASwithoutcreatingahazardtoaircraftorpeopleontheground.Inaddition,EnviroMINEhasspecifiedparametersfortheeBee'sintendedoperationpursuanttothisexemption.Asaresult,theFAAmayapproveoperationoftheeBee,withoutanairworthinesscertificate,bysettingspecificoperatinglimitationstoensurealevelofsafetyequivalenttothatprovidedbyairworthinesscertification.2.Relieffrom14C.F.R.§45.23(b)&45.29.EnviroMINEseeksanexemptionfrom14C.F.R.§45.23(b)and§45.29:Displayofmarks;general.EnviroMINErequestsrelieffromtherequirementofSection45.23(b)thattheword"Experimental"bedisplayedontheeBeeneareachentrancetothecabin,cockpit,orpilotpoint.Additionally,theseregulationsprovidethateachaircraftmustdisplay"N"andtheaircraft'sregistrationnumberinlettersatleast2incheshigh.GiventhesizeoftheunmannedeBee(wingspanof37.8inches),thevehiclehasnoabilitytocarrypassengerssinceithasnocabin,cockpit,doorentrancesorpilotpointontheUAS.TheequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedbyplacingastickerwithacopyoftheAMAmembershipoftheoperatorinchargeontheupperpartoftheeBee.Inaddition,eachoperatorwilldisplayatthegroundstationahighcontrastflagorbannerthatwiththewords"UnmannedAircraftSystemGroundStation"inletters3incheshighorgreater.Sincetheaircraftwilloperatewithin1/2nauticalmileofthegroundstation,thebannershouldbevisibletoanyonethatobservestheaircraftandchoosestoinvestigateitspointoforigin.3.ReliefFrom14C.F.R.§61.EnviroMINEseeksanexemptionfrom14C.F.R.§61:Certification:Pilots,FlightInstructors,AndGroundInstructors.Pursuantto14C.F.R.§61nopersonmayserveasarequiredpilotflightcrewmemberofacivilaircraftoftheUnitedStates,unlessthatpersonhasontheirpersonorintheaircrafttheauthorizationorcertificatesaslistedin14C.F.R.§61.3.EnviroMINEcanachieveanequivalentlevelofsafetyasachievedbycurrentRegulationsbecause

# Federal Aviation Administration September

4th, 2014 Page

7 EnviroMINE's

UAS

does

not carry

any pilots

or passengers.

Further,

a pilot license will

not ensure

remote

control

piloting

skills.

In addition,

the risks attendant

to the operation

of EnviroMINE's

UASs

is far less than

the risk levels inherent

in operating

a conventional

aircraft whether

for private

or commercial

activities

outlined

in

14 C.F.R. § 

# 61,

et seq. 

# 4. Relief

from

§ 

# 91.9(b). EnviroMINE

seeks

an exemption

from

14 C.F.R.

§ 

# 91.9:



# Civil Aircraft

flight manual, marking,

and placard requirements. Relief

from§

91.9(b)

is requested

because

the eBee weighs approximately

1.7 pounds at

its maximum

gross weight

and cannot

carry

the approved

Airplane

Flight manual on

the vehicle.

Since

the eBee

is unmanned,

the aircrew

member

is located

at

a ground

control

station.

At

all times

the UAS

is operating, EnviroMINE

will maintain the approved

Airplane

Flight Manual

at the ground

control

station

for immediate accessibility

by the operating

aircrew member. 

# 5. Relief from§

91.121 EnviroMINE

seeks

an exemption

from

14 C.F.R.

§ 

# 91.121: 

# Altimeter

settings. Relief

from

§ 

# 91.121

is requested

because

the eBee

UAS continuously

analyzes

data from

the Inertial Measurement

Unit

and

the onboard

GPS

to determine

elevation. Once

the flight

area

has been designated,

the planning

system downloads

a base Digital Elevation

Model

(DEM)

for

the specific

area

into

the UAS which

allows

the unit to continuously

monitor

the elevation

above ground

level (AGL).

This information

is monitored

at the ground

control

station

during

the entire

flight. 

# 6. Relief

from

§ 91.203(a)

and

(b). EnviroMINE

seeks

an exemption

from

14 C.F.R.

§ 

# 91.203(a)

and

(b). Section

91.203: 

# Civil aircraft: Certifications

required, EnviroMINE

requests

relief

from

the requirement

of Section 91.203(a)

that

an appropriate

and current airworthiness

certificate

and

an effective

U.S. registration certificate

be carried

within

the aircraft.

Also, EnviroMINE

requests

relief

from

the requirement

of Section 91.203(b)

that

the airworthiness

certificate

be displayed

at the cabin

or cockpit entrance

so that

it

is legible

to passengers

or crew.

The

eBee

is incapable

of carrying passengers

or crew

and

has

no cabin, cockpit,

or door entrances. The

UAS operator

is located

at the ground

control

station

and

no passengers

are carried

at any time. EnviroMINE

will

keep

the documents

required

by Sections 91.203(a)

and

(b)

at the ground

control

station,

where

it will

be immediately

available to the operator

of the UAS

at

all times

the unmanned

aerial vehicle

is operating. 

# 7. Relief

from

§ 

# 91.405

(a); 

# 407

(a)



# (1); 409

(a)

(2); 

# 417(a)

& 

# (b). EnviroMINE

seeks

an exemption

from

14 C.F.R.

91.405

(a);

407

(a)

(1);

409

(a)

(2); 417(a)

& 

# (b): 

# Maintenance

Inspections.FederalAviationAdministrationSeptember4th,2014Page8Theabove-citedRegulationsrequireaircraftownersandoperatorstohavetheaircraftinspectedandrepairedandtohaverepairsmadeifdiscrepanciesarenotedbetweeninspections.TheseRegulationsonlyapplytoaircraftwithanairworthinesscertificate.TheywillnotapplytoEnviroMINEshoulditsrequestedexemptionbegranted.EnviroMINEwillconductaroutine,manufacturerrecommended,inspectionandmaintenanceprogramthatinvolvesregularsoftwareupdatesandrepair/replacementproceduresforanydamagedhardware.Asaresult,anequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedasrequiredbytheintentoftheregulations.D.TheReasonsWhyGrantingEnviroMINE'sRequestwouldbeInthePublicInterest.GrantingtheEnviroMINEPetitionwillfurtherthepublicinterestbyallowingEnviroMINEtheabilitytosafelyandeconomicallycollectaerialphotographsinanefficientmanneroverareasoftheStatesofCaliforniaandwesternArizonawhicharesuitable,orbeingused,formining.Imagerycollectedwillbeutilizedfordeveloping.topographicmapsandsurfacemodelsinsupportofsurfacemineoperationsandregulatoryagencies.TheeBeewillprovidesafe,efficient,andeconomicalaerialphotographyandmappingoperationstofurthereachofthesefields,allofwhicharecriticaltothewell-beingofthegeneralpublic.ThespecificoperationsthatEnviroMINEwillperformwiththeeBeedemonstratehowtherequestedexemptionwilldirectlybenefittheabove-referencedindustriesandthepublic.Intheminingindustry,theeBeewillbeusedtoaidinsiteinspections,topographicsurveying,biologicalmonitoring,evaluatinggeologyandplanningproposedmines.Constructionaggregate(sand&gravel)isthesecondmostutilizednaturalresourceintheworldandisnecessaryforbuildingroads,bridgesandallotherinfrastructurenecessaryforamodernsociety.UseoftheeBeewillallowmineoperatorstomanagethisresourcetoprovidethematerialstobuildandmaintaintheinfrastructuresystemsusedbythepubliconadailybasis.Monitoringbiologicalconditions(vegetation&wildlife)on,andin,thevicinityofthemineisalsobeneficialtothepublicsinceitisastrongindicationofpotentialenvironmentalconsequencesdeveloping.Inadditionagenciesresponsibleforregulatingthisindustrywillbeabletomonitorpermitcompliancebytheseoperationsusingtheaerialphotos,mapsandsurfacemodelsdeveloped.TheeBeeisabatterypoweredUASthatservesasasafe,efficient,andeconomicalalternativetothemannedaircrafttraditionallyutilizedtoobtainaerialimagery.Byreducingtheamountofmannedaircraftneededtoperformaerialphotographs,anexemptionallowingtheuseofaneBeeUAStocollectthesephotographswouldreducetheamountofmannedaircraftintheNAS,reducenoiseandairpollution,aswellasincreasethesafetyoflifeandpropertybothintheairandontheground.

# Federal Aviation Administration September

4th, 2014 Page

9 The

eBee

will

be operated

over properties

where

access

is controlled

by gates

and fencing.

In addition,

the eBee

will

not

be operated

in close proximity

to any person, vessel, vehicle,

or structure,

except

when necessary

for takeoff

or landing. 

# E. Reasons

Why EnviroMINE's

Exemption

Will

Not Adversely

Affect

Safety

or How

The Exemption

Will Provide

a Level

of Safety

At Least

Equal

To Existing Rule: This exemption

would maintain

the level

of safety established

by Section

91. 9(b) because EnviroMINE

will keep

the approved

Airplane

Flight Manual

at the ground control

station

where

the pilot

in command

flying

the eBee

will have immediate

access to the document. Previous exemptions

granted

by

the

FAA concerning

Section

91.9(b) establish

that safety

is

not adversely

affected

when

the approved

Aircraft

Flight Manual

is maintained

at the ground

control

station

of

a UAS,

where

it can

be immediately accessed

by the pilot

in command.

Section

91.9(b) "requires

aircraft

to carry

the flight manual

so the pilot would

have ready

access

to the aircraft limitations

while

in flight." The eBee

UAS

will always

be operated

without

any passengers

or crew onboard

and

is incapable

of carrying

flight manuals

or additional documents.

If attempted,

the UAS would

most

likely

be unable

to fly. The

FAA

has previously

granted

similar exemptions

through Exemption

Nos. 8607, 

# 8737,

8738,

9299,

9430, 9554, 9564,

9565,

10167,

10602,

10673,

10835,

10869

and 10968. This exemption

would maintain

the level

of safety established

by Sections

91.203(a) arid

(b) because EnviroMINE

will keep

the required documents

at the ground

control station

where

the pilot

in command

flying

the eBee

will have immediate

access. Previous exemptions

granted

by

the

FAA concerning

Sections

91.203(a)

and

(b) establish

that safety

is not adversely

affected

when

the Airworthiness

Certificate

and U.S. registration

certificate

are kept

at the ground

control

station

of the UAS, where

it can

be immediately

accessed

by

the operator

in command. Specifically,

the

FAA

has held

that

the intent

of Sections

91.203(a)

and

(b)

is better

served

by having

the required documents

in the control

of the operator. The original

intent

of the subject regulation

was

to display

the airworthiness

and registration

documents

so they would

be easily available

to FAA inspectors

and passengers

for inspection

and verification

of the airworthiness

and registration

of the aircraft.

In this case,

the aircraft

is incapable

of carrying passengers

or crew. The missions

for which

eBee

is intended

will prevent

the UAS

from being available

for the inspections

normally prescribed

for civil aircraft.

Further,

it will

be operated

from

a known departure

and arrival

point,

under

the constant

control

of

a pilot-in-command. The intent

of the regulation

is best served

by having

the required documents

in the control

of the UAS operator

and available

for inspection

if requested.FederalAviationAdministrationSeptember4th,2014Page10ThisexemptionwouldmaintainthelevelofsafetyestablishedbySection45.23(b)andSection45.29bydisplayingabanneratthegroundcontrolstationahighcontrastflagorbannerthatwiththewords"UnmannedAircraftSystemGroundStation"inletters3incheshighorgreater.Sincetheaircraftwilloperatewithin1/2nauticalmileofthegroundstation,thebannershouldbevisibletoanyonethatobservestheaircraftandchoosestoinvestigateitspointoforigin.Inseekingthisexemption,EnviroMINEsubmitsthattheeBeecanoperatesafelyintheNASabovetheStateofCaliforniaandwesternArizonawithoutcreatingahazardtoaircraftorpeopleontheground.Accordingly,theFAAmayapproveitsusewithoutanairworthinesscertificateasdemonstratedby:(i)thesafeoperationalhistoryandcurrentuseoftheeBeeintheNAS;(ii)thecharacteristicsoftheeBee;and(iii)thespecificoperatinglimitations.Insupportofthispositionandexemptionrequest,EnviroMINEhassubmittedtotheFAA,underseparate,confidentialcover,aJustificationofAirworthinessandSafetyAssessmentfortheeBee;eBeeOperatorsTrainingDocumentation;andeBee'sInspectionandMaintenanceRequirements.TheeBeeiscurrentlyoperatingsafelyintheNASpursuanttoCertificatesofAuthorization("COA'')grantedbytheFAA.TheseincludeNewMexicoStateUniversityandtheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers,NewOrleansDistrict.EnviroMINEproposestoonlyconductaerialphotographyflightoperationsoverareasoftheStatesofCaliforniaandwesternArizonathatarenotnearairportsorhelipadsoroverresidentialareas.Specifically,EnviroMINE'sproposedareaofflightoperationsincludesareassuitableforminingthatare:1.Onactiveminingoperationsinornearurbanareas,EnviroMINEwillmaintaina100yard,horizontalbufferbetweentheeBeeandcongestedproperties.Flightpathsshallnotcrossoverresidences.2.Notwithin5milesofanyairportorhelipadwithoutpropernotification.Ifanairportislocatedwithin5milesofaproposedVASflighttheairportoperator,thecontroltower(ifanairtrafficfacilityislocatedattheairport)ortheflightservicestationwillbenotifiedoftheproposedflight.3.Notmorethan400feetabovegroundlevel.Insummary,EnviroMINEseekstooperateitseBeeareasofCaliforniaandwesternArizonasuitablefor,orinuseby,miningoperationswhilemaintainingsafedistancesfromanypopulatedareas,airportsorhelipads.Inseekingthisexemption,EnviroMINEproposestocommerciallyoperatetheeBeewithoutsatisfyingtherestrictedcategoryairworthinesscertificationprocessspecifiedin14C.F.R.§21.185aswellasotherregulationsasdiscussedabove.EnviroMINEproposestooperatetheeBee,forthespecialpurposeofconductingaerialphotography

# Federal Aviation Administration September

4th, 2014 Page

11 for environmental

mapping

and mining operations

over

the States

of California

and western

Arizona, pursuant

to the following

specific operating limitations: 1. The eBee

will

be operated

at

or below 400ft.

above ground

level (AGL). 2. The eBee

shall

be operated

within

% 

# nautical

mile,

and

in line

of sight,

of the pilot

in command. 3. The

eBee

shall

be operated

pursuant

to Visual

Flight

Rules

(VFR)

and

only during daylight

hours. 4. The duration

of each

flight

shall

not exceed

40 minutes

or 25% battery

power whichever

is lower. 5. The

eBee

shall operate

from on-site takeoff/landing

locations

directly

next

to the pilot

in command. 6. EnviroMINE's

UAS

has

a GPS

flight

mode

where

it will 

# return

to the takeoff location

and land

if communication

with

the remote

control

pilot

is lost. 7. Operation

of the eBee

with

any inoperative instruments

or equipment

shall

be prohibited. 8. The

eBee

shall

be maintained

m accordance

with

the Manufacturer's Maintenance

Manual. EnviroMINE

understands

that

the Administrator

may stipulate

special conditions

for the intended

operation

of the eBee

in accordance

with Section

333

of the

FAA Modernization

and Reform

Act

of 2012. F.



# Can

Be Published

In The 

# Federal Register,

stating:

The nviroMINE

Seeks Exemption: EnviroMINE's

Petition

is made pursuant

to the

FAA Modernization

and Reform

Act

of 2012, Section

333, which

directs

the Secretary

of Transportation

to determine

if certain

UAS

may operate

safely

in the

NAS.

As such, EnviroMINE's

request

for exemption

may

be granted pursuant

to the authority

of Section

333

and

14 C.F.R. Part

11. Specifically, EnviroMINE,

Inc. seeks exemption

from

the requirements

of

14 CFR

21;

14 C.F.R. 45.23(b);

14 CFR 61.113

(a)

& 

# (b);

14 C.F.R.

91,

et seq.;

14 CFR 121;

14 CFR

407

(a)

(1);

14 CFR

409

(a)

(2); and

14 CFR

417

(a)

& 

# (b). This exemption

will permit EnviroMINE,

Inc.

to operate

an unmanned

aerial vehicle system

over areas

of the State

of California

and western

Arizona

while keeping

the documents

required

by the regulations

at the ground

control

station

and immediately accessible

to the pilot. Furthermore,

the exemption

will relieve EnviroMINE,

Inc. from the airworthiness

certificate

standards

and

the requirement

to have

a certificate

of airworthiness

for

its unmanned

aerial vehicle

system.

This exemption

will

also permitFederalAviationAdministrationSeptember4th,2014Page12anyrequiredmarkingsconcemingtheoperationalstatusoftheUAStobedisplayedonabannerorflagdisplayedatthegroundcontrolstation.1.14C.F.R.21and14C.F.R.91:AirworthinessCertificates,ManualsandtheLike.14C.F.R.21,SubpartH,entitledAirworthinessCertificates,setsforthrequirementsforprocurementofnecessaryairworthinesscertificatesinrelationtoFAR§91.203(a)(1).Thesize,weightandenclosedoperationalareaofEnviroMINE'sUASspermitsexemptionfromPart21becauseEnviroMINE'sUASsmeetanequivalentlevelofsafetypursuanttoSection333oftheReformAct.TheFAAisauthorizedtoexemptaircraftfromtheairworthinesscertificaterequirementunderboththeAct(49U.S.C.§44701(f))andSection333oftheReformActinconsiderationoftheweight,size,speed,maneuverabilityandproximitytoareassuchasairportsanddensepopulations.EnviroMINE'seBeeUASmeetsorexceedseachoftheelements.14C.F.R.91.7(a)prohibitstheoperationofanaircraftwithoutanairworthinesscertificate.AsnosuchcertificatewillbeapplicableintheformcontemplatedbytheFARs,thisRegulationisinapplicable.14C.F.R.§91.9(b)(2)requiresanaircraftflightmanualintheaircraft.Astherearenopilotsorpassengers,andgiventhesizeoftheUAS,thisRegulationisinapplicable.Anequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedbymaintainingamanualattheflightoperationscenter.TheFAAhaspreviouslyissuedexemptionstothisregulationinExemptionNos.8607,8737, 8738,9299,9299A,9565,9565B,10167,10167A,10602,10700and32827.14C;F.R.§91.121regardingaltimetersettingsisinapplicableinsofarasEnviroMINE'sUASsutilizesanelectronicglobalpositioningsystemanddownloadedDigitalElevationModelstoprovideelevationandaltitudethatiscontinuouslymonitoredatthegroundcontrolstation.14C.F.R.§91.203(a)and(b)providesforthecarryingofcivilaircraftcertificationsandregistrations.Theyareinapplicableforthesamereasonsdescribedintheabovediscussions.TheequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedbymaintainingsuchcertificationsandregistrationsattheEnviroMINE'sflightoperationscenter.2.14C.F.R.§45.23:MarkingoftheAircraft.ApplicableCodesofFederalRegulationrequireaircrafttobemarkedaccordingtocertainspecifications.EnviroMINE'sUASsare,bydefinition,unmanned.Theythereforedonothaveacabin,cockpitorpilotstationonwhichtomarkcertainwordsorphrases.Further,two-inchletteringisdifficulttoplaceonsuchsmallaircraft.Inlieuofaircraftmarkings,EnviroMINEwilldisplayatthegroundstationahighcontrastflagorbannerthatwiththewords"UnmannedAircraftSystemGroundStation"inletters3incheshighorgreater.Sincetheaircraftwilloperatewithin1/2nauticalmileofthegroundstation,thebannershouldbevisibletoanyonethatobservestheaircraftandchoosestoinvestigateitspointoforigin.FederalAviationAdministrationSeptember4th,2014Page133.14C.F.R.§61.113:PrivatePilotPrivilegesandLimitations.Pursuantto14C.F.R.§§61.113(a)&(b),privatepilotsarelimitedtonon-commercialoperations.EnviroMINEcanachieveanequivalentlevelofsafetyasachievedbycurrentRegulationsbecauseEnviroMINE'sUASsdonotcarryanypilotsorpassengers.TherisksattendanttotheoperationofEnviroMINE'sUASsisfarlessthantherisklevelsinherentinthecommercialactivitiesoutlinedin14C.F.R.§61,etseq.Thus,allowingEnviroMINEtooperateitsUASwillexceedcurrentsafetylevelsinrelationto14C.F.R.§61.113(a)&(b).4.14C.F.R.91.119:MinimumSafeAltitudes.14C.F.R.§91.119prescribessafealtitudesfortheoperationofcivilaircraft.EnviroMINE'seBeeUASwillneveroperateatanaltitudegreaterthan400AGL.GiventheareastheeBeewillbeoperatedoverplusthesize,weight,maneuverabilityandspeedofEnviroMINE'sUAS,anequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachieved.5.14C.F.R.91.405(a);407(a)(1);409(a)(2);417(a)&(b):MaintenanceInspections.ThecitedRegulationsrequireaircraftownersandoperatorstohaveanaircraftinspectedatcertaintimesandtohavediscrepanciesrepairedifdiscrepanciesaredetectedbetweeninspections.TheseRegulationsonlyapplytoaircraftwithanairworthinesscertificate.Theywill_notapplytoEnviroMINEshoulditsrequestedexemptionbegranted.EnviroMINE-conductsaroutinemaintenanceprogramthatinvolvesregularsoftwareupdatesandrepair/replacementmeasuresforanydamagedhardware.Therefore,anequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachieved.6.ConclusionEnviroMINEseeksanexemptionpursuantto14C.F.R.§11.61andSection333oftheFAAModemizationandReformActof2012,whichwillpermitsafeoperationoftheeBeecommerciallyforthespecialpurposeofconductingaerialphotographsoverareasinCaliforniaandwestemArizonathataresuitable,orinuse,formining.Thisphotographywillbeusedtodevelopmapsandsurfacemodelsforusebymineoperators,regulatoryagenciesandadvancingtheinterestsofthepublic.GrantingEnviroMINE'srequestforexemptionwillreducecurrentrisklevelsandtherebyenhancesafetywhencomparedtoconventionalaircraft.Conductingaerialphotographyhasreliedontheuseoflarge,conventionalaircraftpoweredbyflammable,liquidfuel.EnviroMINE'sUASissignificantlysmaller,lighterandmoremaneuverablethanaconventionalaircraft.Also,theUASisdoesnotcarryanyflammablefuel,ratheritreliesonanelectricmotorandlithiumbatteryforpropulsion.EnviroMINE'seBeeisnotcapableofcarryingpeopleandasaresultthelikelihoodof

# Federal Aviation Administration September

4th, 2014 Page

14 death

or serious

bodily

injury

is significantly

limited. EnviroMINE's

operation

of

its UASs, weighing

less than

2.0 pounds

and travelling

at speeds

lower

than

50 knots,

in areas suitable

for

or

in use

by, surface

mining operations

will provide

at least

an equivalent

level

of safety

as that achieved

under current

FARs. As discussed

above,

the eBee

has operated

safely

in the NAS without

creating

a hazard to users

of the NAS,

the public,

or create

any threat

to national

security. EnviroMINE respectfully

requests

that

the FAA grant

its exemption

request

without

delay. Sincerely, EnviroMINE,

Inc. Warren

R. 

# Coalson President