In ordertofurther unmanned aircraftauto pilottechnology and provide proofofconcept Unmanned Systems Inc. (USI) would liketo request awaivertothesections of Exemption number 11287A Regulatory Docket number. FAA-2014-0950 which require the Pilot In Command (PIC} to maintain visual line ofsight withthe unmanned aircraftatall times.

.. ··· Objective: Using the APM 2.6 auto pilot system to safely fly a Skywalker X-8 FPV 

## I UAV Flying Wing from Sands Private Airport near Columbia Falls, Montana located at48-15.57 N, 114-10.22 W to the Polson, Montana airport (K8S1) located at47-41.7 N, 114-11.1 W, a distance ofapproximately 40 statute miles and delivering asmall symbolic payload to the Polson Airport. USI's proposed flight path ofapproximately Forty (40) miles was chosen due to its sparsely population, with seventy (70) percent ofthe flight being conducted over Flathead Lake, (see fig. 1) maximum altitude ofthese flights will not exceed four hundred (400) feet Above Ground Level (AGL). USI's dedicated visual observer will maintain visual line ofsight ofthe X-8 unmanned aircraft while following it at an altitude offive hundred (500) feet AGL and at asafe distance of 1000 feet in a Schweitzer model 333 helicopter. In the unlikely event that manned aircraft or other hazards are encountered the onboard visual observer has the ability totake control ofthe X-8 unmanned aircraft and either maneuveringthe UA to safely avoid the hazard ortoterminatethe flight. USI has conducted extensive testing ofthe APM 2.6 auto pilot overthe past three years and has logged over 80 hours offlight time in a controlled environment. Pilots who are flying the mission hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate with a class two medical. Mission profile is broken down into three parts Launch, cross country and Recover. USI's proposed mission is outlined in the following manner. USI's safety helicopter is a Schweitzer model 333, which will be staged in an area adjacent to the hanger and facing the X-8 launch area so thatthe X8 unmanned aircraftwill remain in full view ofthe Pilot in Command (PIC) ofthe safety helicopteratall times. The X-8 Unmanned Aircraft will depart Sands Airportflying south away from the launch area and toward the first way point and on to the Polson Airport. USI's safety helicopterwill depart Sands airport shortly afterthe X-8 maintainingvisual line ofsight with the X-8, while simultaneously maintainingthe safe distance previously stated. Coordination with Vince Jennison, Polson Airport manager and local pilots will be conducted to ensure safety ofall flights. Vince Jennison, the Airport manager for (8S1) has given his support and written authorization. Mr.Jennison may be contacted at (406) 883-2482 or (406) 471-6581

Launch 1. 12xtransmitter on check voltage check correct model memory 2. Receiver on UAV is turned on all batteries fully charged. Stand by for IMU calibration 3. Connect to APM via 900 MHz link. 4

. Load preprogrammed mission to APM 2.6 board. 5

. Flight control check. Manual, Stab, Auto, functions crosschecked with 12X transmitter 6. Power check function check. Launch aircraft in manual mode. 7. Climb to pre-determined altitude 8. Engage auto mode from Safety pilottransmitter9. Initiate loiter mode from laptop at a point 900 feet away over a known land mark (i.e. south pivot) loiter radius is 300 feet. Altitude is 400 feet AGL. 10. GCS operator enters helicopterwith laptop 11. Safety pilot enters helicopterwith transmitter 12. Helicopter hover check eyes on UAV loiter 13. Engage UAV on mission on atrajectory straight away to first way point. Mission Profile 1. Following UAV to first waypoint to determined altitude. Following slightly above and behind at 700-1000 feet. 2. UAV will waypoint track to destination with awaypoint radius of60 feet. Waypoints are at a distance Of 1000feet apart. The mission routing will be overthe least populated area at400 feet. AGL. 3. Upon reaching the destination GCS operatorwill engage a loiterabove asafe zone at an altitude of400 feet. Loiter radius of300 feet. 4. Observers atthe landing location will be on Unicorn frequency 122.8to update traffic inbound Recovery 1. Safety aircraftwill land facing the UAV in a loiter at a distance of 1000 feet away. 2. Safety pilot exits the helicopter 3. GCS operator exits the helicopter 4. Safety pilot engages manual flight mode 5. Safety pilot lands UAV atthe desired location

Safety procedures

The waypoint mission must be reviewed and signed off by Safety pilot and GCS Operator is to ensure all waypoints are correct with altitude verification. Should the UAV vary in heading the Safety pilot can override the autopilot "nudging" it back on course. Safety pilot does have the abilityto fly manually on course as well. A boat will also be used to chase and be an observerfrom the ground. They will monitor 122.9 with a hand held transceiver. Should the UAV be forced to abort itwill land in an open area on wateror land and be retrieved by ground crew orchase crew immediately. A ground crew and additional safety observers will be stationed at the recovery location on the airport Monitoring 122.8 and advising incomingtraffic and updatingflight crew within 10 miles ofthe airport.Notes Ground speed of40 mph 60 minutes at 4400 Mah. Batteries are 8000Mah 12 miles from Sands to north shore offlathead lake. 40 miles from Sands to Polson airport (8S1)

Emergency procedures Lost link Iflost link the aircraftwill return to launch up to the halfway point. Upon reaching the home location the aircraft will loiterat a 300-foot radius at 200 feet above ground level. Itwill continue to do so until link has been established with eitherthe 12X transmitter orground control station. If no link can be acquired, then itwill run out of batteries tryingto maintain the 300-foot radius atthe home location.

See and Avoid Since the safety aircraftwill be monitoring 122.8 and 122.9 Unicorn frequencies. All efforts will be made to communicate with local traffic. Should there be aconflict with traffic the safety pilotcan turn away the uav from thetrafficwhile flying chase.

Time Period USI would like to conductthe flights in awindow between July ptand July 3Pt day VFR only. USI would like to conduct a minimum oftwo flights no morethan ten flights duringthat window. Contact Info Justin Sands 1375 Middle Road Columbia Falls Mt Email: Justin.Sands@unmannedsystemsinc.com or Sandsconcepts@gmail.com Phone: 406.471.3996Figure 1