### UNITE D STATES OF AMERI CA D EPARTM ENT OF TRANS PORT A TION FEDERA L AV I AT IO N ADMINT STRAT10 N W AS H fNG TO N, DC

R

egu lat ory Doc k e t No
. __ ___ _

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR EXEMPTION OF: AVALON AERIAL , LLC FOR AN EXEMPTION SEEKING RELIEF FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE 14 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS SECTIONS 91.9(b), 91.203(a) , 91.203(b) , 45.23(b) AND 21.185 CONCERNING OPERA liON OF AN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM OVER THE STATE OF MICHIGAN , INDIANA, ILLINOIS , OHIO , WISCONSIN & FLORIDA PURSUANT TO SECTION 333 OF THE FAA MODERNIZATION AND REFORM ACT OF2012



### Submitte d o n O ctober 27 , 20 1 5 la n T. 

### Steenh age n , Gab ri e l f. De Ag ui ar Valim , & 

### Lucas A. 

### f reu den bu rg Avalon Aer ial, LLC 24 48 Ava l o n Woo d s Dr. Port age. M ichigan 490 24

-773 8 Te l: (269) 903 -8 7 12 Petitioners

### TABL E OF CONTEN TS Page 

### GLOSSA RY OF A BBREV I ATIONS
...... .. .. ................ ... .. .. .... .. .... ...... .. ....... .. .. ..... .. ...... .. . . .. .. 3 SUMMARY
........ .. ............................................................... .. .... . ................................ ........ .. 4 fNTRO DUCT IOJ\ A D INTERESTS OF P ET I T IO ER
.. .............. .................................. .4 

### BACKGROUND
. . ... .. .. ...... .. ........ . ............... ... .. ................. . ..... ...... ...................................... .. 5 BAS I S FOR P ET I T I ON ................ ...... .......... .. ............. . .. .... . ......... .. .. ... ... . ... ................. .. . .. . .. 6 NAME AND ADDRESS OF P ET I TIONER
. ...................... .............. ...................... ...... . 7 THE SPEC I FI C SEC T I ONS OF 14 

### C.F. R
. FROM W HI CH AVALON AE RI AL, LLC SEEKS EXEMPTION ........................................................................... 7 T HE EXTEN1 OF RELIEF AVALON AER I AL, LLC SEEKS AND T HE REASON AVALON AE RI AL LLC SEE KS THE R ELIE F ....................... .. .... 9 THE RE AS O NS WHY GRANTING AVALON AER IAL , LLC'S RE Q UEST W OU LD BE TN THE P UBLI C INTEREST.
....... .................................. . ... 1 2 

### THE REASO S W HY GRANTING THE EXEM PTIO N WOULD NOT ADVER SELY AFFECT SAFETY ................... ............... . .. ........ .. ...... . .. .. .. .......... 17 

### SUMMARY THAT CAN BE P U BLI S H ED I N THE FEDERAL REG I ST ER
.. .. . .. .... 29 ANY ADDI TI ONAL INFORMATI ON. VI EWS. OR ARG UMENT S AVA ILABLE TO SU PPORT AVALON AE R I AL, LLC'S R EQUEST
....... .. .. .... . .. . . . .29 C ONCLUS ION
... . .. . ........................................................................................................... 30



### 2

### AGL ATC COA FAA FA R NAS Section 333 

### SMS UAS VFR VMC GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS 

### Above Ground Level Air Traffic Control Certificate of Authorization Federal Aviat ion Administration Federal Aviation Regulation National A irspace System FAA Modernization and Ref orm Act of2012, Section 333 Safety Management System Unmanned A ircraft System Visual Flight Rules Visual Meteorological Cond iti ons

3SUMMARY 

### Avalon Aerial. LLC seeks exem pti on from th e requirements of 14 C.F. R. 

### § 9 1. 9(b). 91.203(a). 9 1 .203(b), 45.23(b) and 21.1 85. This exe mpti o n will permi t Avalo n Aerial. LLC to operat e an Unmanned A ircraft System (
.. UAS ' ') over ar eas of the States of Michigan , Indi ana . Illinoi s, Ohio. Wi sco nsi n and Florida, while keeping the documents r eq uired by th e regulations at the g round contro l station and immediately acce ss ibl e to th e pilot in command. Furthermo re. th e exemp ti on wi ll rel ieve Avalon Aerial , LLC from the airworthiness certifi cate s tandard s and the requirement to ha-v e a ce rtificate of airworthiness iss u ed for it s UAS. Thi s exemption w ill also permit any requ ired markings co ncernin g th e operat ional status of th e UAS to be di sp layed on the fuselage of the unmanned aircraft. I NT RODUCTION AND I NTE R ESTS OF THE PETITIONER 

### Aval on Aerial. LLC (hereinafter referred to as .. Ava l o n Aer ial
.. ) is a startup contracting firm servic ing the rea l estate, infrastructure, agricu ltur e and motion picture indu s tri es. Avalon Aerial has r ecen tl ) acqui r ed a DJI Phantom II Unman ned Aircraft System (here ina fte r referred to
as the "D JI Ph an tom II UAS"). As set forth in thi s P etiti o n, Ava lo n Ae ri al seeks t o operate its DJI Phantom If 

### UAS fo r the spec ial purp ose of ae ri al vid eog raph y and c in ematog raph y . infrastructur e inspection, jobsite pre-construction vide o do cum entati o n. crop I 

### fie ld data collection and documentati on.

4BA C KGROU N D Urunrumed Aircraft System: 

### DJI P hantom II UAS Avalon Aer ial seeks an exemption to operate a 

### DJI Phantom II UAS , Serial No. PH645332889 Vl.O , registration nw11ber 1 to be determined , for compensation or hire within the national airspace system (
..NAS''). The DJI Phantom II UAS is comprised of an unma1med quadrotor airc raft and a transportable grou nd station. The 

### DJI Phantom 11 UAS has a maximum gross weight of approximately 4.4 pounds (2000 g ram s), while having a diagonal length of 13.7 in ches (350mm). The 

### DJI Phantom II unmanned quad-rotor is equ ipp ed with four independent electric motors tumjng fixed pitch r oto rs powered by a single Lithium Polymer battery.



# - ·, if/11" 

# ••

,..... 

# -

Figure 1: The DJI Phantom II UAS

1 A val on Aerial has not reserved a registration number , but has subm itted an Aircraft Registration Application prior to this Petition.

5Proven Operational History of the DJI Phantom II UAS in the NAS The D JI P han tom 11 UAS is a common , co mmercia ll y available. model of remote multirotor aircraft. 

### It is current ly operatin g safe l y w ithin the NAS pursuant to Adv iso r y Ci r cular 91- 57. June 9. 1981. f he DJI Phantom family of aircraft has been operating worldwide since 2006. 

### B AS I S FOR PE TI T IO N Petitioner , Avalon Aerial, LLC. by and through undersigned. pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 C.F.R
. 

### § 11 .6 1) a nd the FAA Mod e rni zat io n and Reform Act of2012, Section 333, Special Rules for Ce rtain Un manned Aircraft Sys te ms, hereby petition s the Administrator fo r an exemption from the requirements of 14 C.F.R. 

### §§ 91.9(b). 9 1. 203(a). 91.203(b). 45.23(b), as well as the restricted category airworthiness certification s tandards specified in 14 C.F.R. 

### § 21.185. including the requirement to have a cer tifi cate of ai rworthiness as contemplated by 14 C
.F.R. Part 21. In the alternative. and in accordance with Federal Aviat ion Regulation (
.. FA R
.. ) Section 21. 16 , entitled Spe c ial Condit ions ( 14 C.F.R. 

### § 21.16), Avalo n Aerial respectfully requests that the Administrator prescr ibe special co nditi ons for the intended operatio n of the DJI Phantom II UAS that contain s uch satety standard s as the Adm ini s trat o r find s necessary to es tab li s h a level of safe ty equiva lent t o that estab li s hed by th e r estricted catego r y a irworthin ess ce rtification standards specified in 14 C.F.R. 

### § 21.185. Ln the alternative. A \'alan Aerial see ks an exemption from the requireme nt to have a certificate of a irworthiness issued fo r its DJ I Phantom II UAS. as
o therwi.se contemplated by 14 C.F. R
. Part 21. In accordance wi th 14 C.F.R. § 11.81. I\ va l on Aerial provides the following information in support of its petition for exemption:



### 6A. Na m e and Addr ess of th e P e tition e r . The name and address of the Petitioner is: A valon Aerial , LLC 2448 Avalon Woods Dr. Portage , Michigan 49024-7738 The point of contact for this Petition and specific contact information is as follows: Lucas Freudenburg UAS Project Manager A val on Aerial , LLC 2448 Avalon Woods Dr. Portage , Michigan 49024-773 8 Tel: (586) 596-5118 Emai I: lucas
. freudenburg @ gmail.com B . Th e S pe cific Se ction s Of 14 C .F.R. From Which Avalon A e ri a l See ks Ex emption . 1. Avalon A erial Se e ks E x e mption From The Requirem ent Of S ection 91. 9 (b ). Ava lon Aerial s eeks an exemption from 14 C.F. R. § 91.9(b) . Section 91.9 entitled 

### C iv il aircraft flight manual, marking, andplacard requirements, subsection (b ) states the following: (b) No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft-- 

### (1 ) For which an Airp lane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is required by 

### § 21.5 of this chapter unless there is available in the aircraft a current , approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual or the manual provided for in 

### § 121.141 (b) ; and (2) For which an Airplane or R otorcraft Flight Manual is not required b y 

### § 21.5 of this chapter , unJess there is availab le i n the aircraft a current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual , approved manual material , markings , and placards , or any combination thereof. 2 . Ava lon Aeri a l S e eks Exemption From The Requir e ments Of S ection s 91. 2 0 3(a) a nd 91. 2 0 3(b). Avalon Aerial seek s an exempt ion from 14 C.F.R. 

### § 9 1 .203(a) and (b). Section



### 791.2 03 entitled Civil aircraft: Certifications required , s ub sec tion s (a) and (b) state the fo llowing: (a) Excep t as provided in 

### § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has w ithin it the following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. Each U.S. ai rworthiness certificate u sed to comply with thi s subparagraph (except a s pecial flight permit. a copy of the appl icabl e operat ions spec ifications iss ued u nd er 

### § 2 1.197( c) of this chapter, appropriate sectio n s of th e air carrier manual r e quired b y parts 121 and 1 35 of thi s chapter containing that portion of th e ope rations specificatio n s issued under § 21. 197(c) , or an authoriz ation und e r § 9 1 .6 1 I) mu s t have on it the reg is tration number assigned to the aircraft under part 4 7 of thi s chapter. How ever, the airworthiness ce1ti ficate need not have on it an assigned special identific at ion number before I 0 da ys after that number is fi rs t affixe d to the aircraft. A r evised airworthiness certificate ha ving on i t an ass ig ned s pecial identification number. that has been affixed to an aircraft. ma y o nl y be o btained upon appl ication t o an FAA Flight S tandard s di s trict office. (2) An ef fective U.S. regi s tration certificate issued to it s owner or , tor operation w ithin the United States , the second copy of th e Aircraft registration A pplication as provided for in 

### § 4 7.31 (c). or a registration certification is s u ed un der the law s of a foreign country. (b) No person may operate a civil a ircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required b y paragraph ( a ) of thi s sec ti o n o r a special fli g ht authorization i ss ued und er 

### § 91.715 is displayed at the cabi n o r cockpit entrance so that it is legible to pas se ngers or crew. 

### 3. Ava lo n Aeria l Seeks Exemption From The Requirement s Of Sec tion 45.23(b). Avalo n Aerial seeks an exemption from 

### 14 C. F.R. 

### § 45.23 (b ). Section 45.23 entit le d Dis pla y of mar ks: general. s ubsection (b ), states th e following: (b) W hen marks i nclude only the Roma n capita l letter "N" and th e r eg is trati o n num b er is di sp layed on limited , re s tricted or light-sport category aircraft or experim e ntal or provisionally certificated aircraft , the operator mu s t also displa y o n that a ircraft near each entrance to th e cabin. cockpit. or pilot s tation, in letter s not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inche s high. the words " limited," "restricted." "li ght

- s port." "experimental," or " prov is io nal ," as applicable. 

### 4. Ava lon Aeria l Requ es ts Relief To Exe mpt Th e DJI Phantom II UAS From T h e Res tric t ed Ca t egory Ainvorthin ess Certific a tion Standards Spec ified In 14 C.F.R. 

### §21. 18 5
. 

### 8In accordance with the FAA Modernization and Refom1 Act of2012, Section 333. and 14 C. F.R. 

### § 21.16 entitled 

### Spec ial Condition , Avalon Aerial seeks to exempt the 

### DJI Phantom 

### II UAS from the re s tricted category airworthiness certification spec ified in 

### 14 C. F
. R. 

### § 21.185
. or the requ i rement t o have a certificate of airworthiness issued , as contemplated by 

### 14 C. F.R
. 

### Part 21. Section 21.185 entitled 

### I ssue of ainvorthiness cert[flcatesfor restricte d ca tego ry aircraft, s tate s the followi ng, i n part: (a) Aircraft manufactured under a production cert i ficate or type certificate. An applicant for the original issue of a re s tricted category a i rworthiness certificate for an ai rcraft t ype certificated in the re s tricted category, that was not previously type certificated in any other category, mu s t comply w ith the appropriate pro v is ion s of§ 21.183. C. 

### Th e E xtent Of R e li ef Av a lon Aeria l See ks And T h e R e a s on Av a l on Aeri a l Seeks The R eli e f. J
. 

### E xtent Of Relief Ava lon Aeria l S eeks And Th e R e a s on Ava l on Aeria l Seeks Relief F rom Se ction 91.9(b)
. Relief is requested because the OJI Phantom II UAS weighs approximatel y 4.4 pounds (2000 grams) at its maximum g ro ss weight and cannot carry the approved Airplane Flight Man u a l onb oard. Furthermore, since the 

### D J I Phantom II UAS is unmanned, the aircrew member is located at a ground control s tation. As such, Avalon Aerial proposes the following conditions and limitations to its request for exemption from Section 91.9 (b) : The app roved Airplane Flight Manual mu s t be kept at the ground control station. where it is immediately availab le for reference by the aircrew member (pilot in command) of the 011 Phantom li UAS any time the unmanned aircraft is operating. The approved Airplane Flight Manual mu s t be made avai lable within 10 days to any FAA, U .S. Department of Def e nse , or law enforcement official upon reque st.



### 9

### 2
. Th e Extent Of Relief Avalon Aer ial Seeks And The Reason Ava lon Aeria l S ee ks Reli ef From S ection 91.203( a) and (b ). 

### Aval on Aerial requests r elief from the requirement of Section 91.203(a) (i.e
.. 

### that an appropriate and cunent airworthiness certificate and an effective U.S. registration cert ificate be carried within the aircraft). and further. requests relief from the req ui rement of Sect ion 91.203(b) (i.e
.. 

### that the ai rworth iness certificate be displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew). As the 0 .11 P hantom II UAS is unma nned
. it has no cab in, coc k pit, pilo t stat ion, or entrances thereto. T herefore , the aircrew member is located at a ground control s tati o n and no passengers are canied at any time. As such, Avalon Aerial propo ses the f ollowing conditions and limitation s to its reque s t for exemption from Sections 91.203(a) and (b): The documents required by ections 91.203(a) and (b) must be kept at the g round control station. where it is immediately available to the aircrew member (pilot in command) of the DJI Phantom II 

### UAS any time the unmanned airc raft is operating. The documents required by 91.203(a) and (b) must be made available within I 

### 0 day s to any FAA, U.S. Department of Defense. or law enforcement official upo n r equest. 3. Th e E xtent Of Relief Avalo n Aerial S eek s And Th e Reason Ava lon Ae rial Seek s Relie f From 14 C. F.R. 

### § 45.23 (b). 

### Avalo n Aeria l requests relief from the requirement of Section 45.23(b). if applicable. that the word
.. Restricted
.. be displayed on the DJ I Phantom II 

### UA near each entrance to the cabin. cockpit. or pilot station. As the D.J l Phantom 11 UA i s unmanned , it has no cabin, cockpit. pilot station, or ent rances the r eto. Avalon Aerial proposes that. 

### if required. the word
.. Rest ricted
.. be displayed in letters two (2) inches high, horizonta ll y on both sides of the f use l age between the out runner ann s o n all si de s ofthe DJI Phantom II 

### UAS. 104. The Ex t e nt Of R e lief Ava lo n Aerial Seeks And The Rea so n Ava lon Aerial Seeks R e li ef From 14 C.F .R . § 21.185. 

### Aval on Aerial seeks relief from the airworthiness certificate requirement s of the Federal Aviation Regu lations and proposes to commercially ope rate the OJI Phantom 11 

### UAS, without an ai rworthiness certificate, for th e specia l purpose of conducting aerial videography service s over the States of Michigan, Indi ana, Illinoi s, Ohio, Wi sco nsin and Florida. Avalon Aerial see ks relief from the airworth in ess certiticate requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 

### 21.185 to the exte nt that the OJI 

### Phanto m II UAS, wh ich has not yet been type certificated by the FAA , ma y be operated as if it were a restricted category aircraft for a s ingle , defi ned. s pecial purpose operation (i.e., 

### aerial videography). Pur suant to the FAA Modernization and Ref orm Act of 2012, Section 333 (
.. Section 333''). Avalon Aerial seeks relief from the airworthiness cert ifi cate requi r ements of the FAR becau se operation of the OJI Phantom II UAS will not create a ha za rd to users of the NAS. or the public. or otherwise pose a threat to national sec urity. Section 333 sets forth the requirements for considering whether a UAS will create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national
sec urity. Further. Section 333 provides the authority for such UAS to operate without airworthiness cet1ification. SpeciticaUy, Section 333 states the following , in part: {b) 

### Assessm ent of Un mann ed Aircraft Systems.--ln makin g the determination under subsec tion (a). the Secret01y shall determine, at a minimum--

(I) 

### which t ypes of unmann ed aircraft sys tem s. 

### if any. as a result of their size. weigh!. speed. operational capability, proximity 10 airpor1s and populated areas. 

### 11and operation within l'isua/line o.fsight do not creare a hazard to users o.fthe na lional airspace system or the public or pose a threat to national securily: and (2 ) whether a cerJijica t e o.fwaiver. certifica te of authorization. or airworthiness certification under section .J-170-1 o.ftitle -19. Uni ted States Code. is required.for Ihe operation of unmanned air craft syste ms ident(fied under paragraph (1 ). 

### As set forth below, numerous factors, including the proven safe operational hi sto ry of the DJI Phantom 

## rr UAS in the NAS, as well as the specific parameters of Aval on Aerial" s intended operation pursuant to this exemption, demonstrate that the DJ I Phantom II UAS has in th e past. and will continue in the fu ture. to operate saf el y in the NAS without creating a hazard to ot h er aircraft or people on the ground. Accordingly. the FAA may approve operation of the 011 Phant om IJ UAS. with o ut an airworthiness certificate. by sett in g forth specific operating limitat io ns to ensu r e a level of safety equivalent to what would be provided by airworthiness certification. D. The Rea sons Why Gra ntin g Av alon Aerial 's Requ est Would Be In The Public Interest ; That I s, H ow It 

### Would B enefit The Public As a Whole. 

### Granting the present P et iti on will further the public interest by allowing Avalon Aerial to safe ly, efficiently. and econom icall y perform aerial videography se r v ice s over the States o f Michigan, Indiana , Illin ois. Ohio , Wisconsin and Florida in support of government entities, transportation and water infrastructure entities, and the motion picture industry. A dditionally, use of th e DJI Phantom II UAS will decrease congestion of the NAS. redu ce pollution. and provide s ignific ant benefits to the economy. Notably. the benefits of the proposed operation of the O JI Phantom II UAS will be reali zed without implicating any privacy issues. 1. T h e Public Will Benefit From Aerial Videograpby 12

### Aval on Ae ri al submits this P etition to perform ae rial videography throughout the States of Michigan. Indiana , Illinois , Ohio , Wiscon s in and Florida, in
s upport of government en ti ties , real estate. infrastructure, ag ri culture and moti o n picture industries. The OJf Phantom II UAS will provide safe, e fficient , and economical aerial videography operations to furthe r each of these fields, all of which are critical to the well-being of the general public. Th e spec ific operations that Aval on Aerial wi ll perform with the DJI Phantom ll UAS demonstrate how the r equested exemption will d irectl y benefit the above-referenced indu stries and the public. ln the real estate and infrastructure industries, the OJI Phantom II UAS will be used to aid in the co ll ection of data for the purposes of advertising, s urve yi ng and planning. The DJI Phantom II UAS can carry various cameras for day and night data collection, can be equipped with additional sensors and is programmab le to fly s pecific r outes regularly. The OJ I Phantom II UAS can inspect larger areas, in different ways, in less time and at lower costs. I n additio n , the more f r equent regular inspection s facilitate faster problem recognition , resulting in fewer negative externaliti es. In the motion picture industry , the DJI Phantom II UAS will be used to gat her video f oo tage not otherwise attainable by traditional means. The advantage of unmanned systems is that they provide overv iews whi c h normally require several cameras, can enter
narrow and confined spaces and produce little noi se . The OJI Phantom II UAS provides a great alternative to helicopters in th at they can provide images from similar altitudes, with gyro stabilized cameras and modular platforms at a fract ion of the cost. This solution can dramatically increase the applicability, improve th e quality and decrease th e costs of ae ri al videography fo r the motion picture indu st r y. 1 32. T h e Publi c Will B e nefi t Fro m De crease d C on ge s ti on Of T b e NAS . 

### The 

### DJI Phantom li 

### UAS is a battery powered UAS that serves as a safe. efficie nt , and economical a lternative to the manned aircraft traditi o nally utilized to ob tai n aerial imagery. By reducing the amount of manned aircraft needed to perf o rm aeria l videography, an exemp ti on allow ing the use of a OJ I Phantom 11 UAS would reduce the am ount of manned aircraft in the NAS, reduce noise and air pollution, as well as increa se the safety o f life and property in the air and on th e ground.Furthermore, by reducing the number of manned aircraft operating in the NA S
. 

### congestion around airports caused by arriving and departing a ircraft will be redu ce d. The 

### DJI Phantom II UAS does not r equire an ai r port to takeoff or land. Likewise, a reduction of manned aircraft conduct ing aerial survey mi ss ions would resu lt in fewer aircraft that mu st be handled by air traffic control facilities durin g the gro und ,
**takeoff**

**~** 

### departure. arrival , and lan din g phases of flig ht operations. 3. T he P ubli c W ill B e n efit F ro m Th e Sa f ety A nd E ffici e ncy Of T he DJI Ph a n to m 

### II U S . Conducting aerial videography with the OJI Phantom 11 UAS. instead of manned aircraft, will great l y benefit the public by drastically reducing the le vels of air and noise pollution generated during trad iti onal aerial videog raphy flight operations. By using battery power and electric motors , the 

### OJI Phantom 

### IJ UAS produces no air polluti on. and is the most viable environmenta ll y conscious alternative to piston or turbine powered rotorcraft. The 

### DJI Phantom 

### II UAS. while redu c ing the carbon footprint of aerial videograph y. a lso el imin ates noise pollution as it s battery powered e lectri c motors are barely audible during the take-ofT phase. 14

### and cannot be heard when operating more than 1 00 feet above ground level. By using the DJl Phantom II UAS to perform aerial videography , the substantial risk to life and property in the air and on the ground, which is usually associated with traditional manned aircraft flight operations, will be substantially reduced or completely eliminated. Aside from the lack of aircrew members located onboard the aircraft , the DJI Phantom II 

### UAS (weighing approximately 4.4 pounds (2000 grams) at its maximum gross weight with a diagonal length of 13.7 inches (350mm) , with no fuel on board) , has Jess physica l potential for collateral damage to life and property on the ground, and in the air, compared to the manned aircraft that typically conduct aerial videography (weighing approximately 4 , 450 pounds with a rotor diameter of approximately 34 feet, and a fuel capacity of 110 gallons). The DJI Phantom II 

### UAS has several safety features which will minimize the potential for fly-aways and maximize the safe and efficient use of the aircraft in the NAS. The DJI Phantom II 

### UAS Naza-M- Y2 controller provides Intelligent Orientation control (Home Lock and Course Lock features). The Home Lock feature allows for a safe return should the operator (i
. e. Pilot in Command) get dis01iented as to the direction the a ircraft is moving. Once activated on the remote control , the operator can simply pull back on the right control stick and the DJI Phantom II 

### UAS will retum to the remote control regardless of the aircraft·s location from the remote control. The Course Lock feature will allow the operator to maintain a specific course regardless of aircraft orientation. The Naza-M- V2 controller also provides for fail safe and lost-link safeguards. The fail safe feature
means that when the controller link is lost all outputs of the command sticks from the controller will go to the center point. An example would be if the aircraft is in a 15climbing right tum and the communication link is lost. the aircraft wou ld go into a leve l hover and not continue with the la s t ass i gned controller instructio n s. After 3 seconds of the lost- link scenario , the aircraft w ill climb or de sce nt (based on the altitu d e the los t-link occurs) to a pr e -a ss igned altitude and return to the point of departure and land itself. 

### 4
. P er fo rmin g Aeri a l Vi deog r a phy O p er ati on s With T h e DJI Ph a n to m II UAS W ill Ben efi t T h e E cono my . In addition to be ing safe and efficie n t , the 

### DJI P h antom 11 UAS i s also an economical alternative to using manned aircraft to conduct aerial videography. As
s u ch. operat io n of the D JI Phanto m II UAS wiU allow Uni ted States based companie s, like Avalon Aerial. to remain competitive and contribute to growth of the U .S. economy. Specifica ll y, w ith the r is ing cost of av iation fuel and the Env i ronmental Protection Agenc y (''EPA
.. ) regulator y actions pha s ing out le aded fuel s . U.S. owne d and operated companies must adopt new and a l ternative te c h no logy in order to remain competitive. Operating the batter y powered 

### DJI Phantom II U AS is one such technolo gy that not only allows com p anies greater operat ional flexibi li ty compared to manned aircraft. but provides such flexibili ty without the high operational cost of a trad i tio nal manned aircraft. B y operating the DJI Phantom II U AS
. companie s s uch as A va lon Ae r ial
can re main competi t ive and profitabl e, and therefo re provide greater job s tability to employees and contractors. which will ultimatel y contribute to g r owt h of th e U
.. economy. I mproved financi a l performance of U.S. companies. throu g h commercial
use o f th e 

### DJ l Phantom 11 UAS, prov ide s a stable workforce that increases 

### 1 6cons u mer s pending ; improves loc a l, sta t e, and federa l ta x r evenues: and allows companies to in ves t in re sea rch and developmen t in ord e r to rema in competiti ve both in the U nited States and abroad. 

### 5
. Th e r e A r e N o Privacy I ss u es. Like the manned aeria l v id eography fli ght ope r ations that ha ve been
co nducted for decades , the proposed ope r at ion of the DJI P hantom II UAS will not implicate a ny privacy iss ues. Spec ifi ca ll y, th e OJ ! Ph antom II UAS will be operated over the public right-of-wa y or above pri va te propert y with th e property
ow ner / controllers consent. and in accordance with a ll Fede ral Aviation Regulat io n s. 

### E. T h e Reaso n s Wh y G r a nt in g Th e E x emp ti o n W o uld Not Ad ve r se ly A ff ec t Safety, Or H ow Th e Exe mption Would Prov id e A Leve l O f Sa f ety At Leas t E qual To Th at Prov id ed By Th e Rul e F rom Whi c h Ava lo n Ae ri a l Seeks Exe mpti on . 1. 

### Reaso n s W hy An E xemption F r o m T h e R equirement s Of Sect io n 91.9( b ) Wo uld No t Ad ve r se l y Aff ec t Sa f ety. T hi s exempt ion wou ld maintain the level of safe ty estab li s hed b y Section 91.9(b) because Avalon Aerial will kee p the app roved Airp lan e Flight Manual at th e g r ou nd co ntro l s tat ion whe re th e pil o t in co mm a nd flying the DJI Phantom Il UAS wi ll have immediate access to th e docum e nt. Pr ev io us exemptions granted b y th e FAA concerning Sec ti o n 9 1.9 (b)
es tabli s h that safety i s not ad vers e ly affected whe n th e approved Aircraft Fli g ht Manual is kept at the ground control sta tion of a UAS. w here i t can be immediate l y accessed by the pilot in command. Section 9 1. 9(b)
.. requires aircraft to carry the flight manual so the pilot wou ld have read y access to the aircraft limitation s wh il e in fli g ht.
.. Exemp ti o n No. 8607. H owever, the FAA ha s a lso found that UAS w ill
a lways be operated w ith o ut any p assenge rs o r c rew o nboard , and that ' ·requiring 17the se special-use aircraft [VAS] to carry superfluous paper documents may present
a safety hazard to the integrity of the [VAS]:· /d. The FAA has prev iously granted exemptions in circwnstances similar. in all mate rial respects. to those presented herein (e.g.. Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737. 8738, 9299.9430 , 9554,9564.9565, 10 1 67 , 10602 , 10673, 10835 , 10869, 10968). 2 . R ea s o ns Wh y An Exemption From Th e Requir e m e nts Of S e cti o n 91.203(a) A nd ( b ) Would Not Adv e rs el y Affect S af ety. Thi s exemption would maintain the level of safety established by Sections 91.203(a) and (b) because Avalon Aerial will keep the required documents at the ground control s tation where the pilot in command flying the DJI Phantom 

### 11 VAS will have immediate access. P revious exemptions granted by the FAA concerning Sections 9 1 .20 3(a) and (b) es tablish that s afet y is not adverse ly affected when the Airworth iness Certificate and U .S. registration certificate are kept at the ground contro l station of the VAS, where it can be immediately accessed by the pilot in command. Specifically. th e FAA has held that the intent of Sections 91.203(a) and (b) is better served by havi ng the required documents in the control of the VAS operator ( pi lot in command), rea so ning as follows: The o riginal intent of the subject regulation was to display the airworthiness and regi st ration documents so the y would be easily available to FAA in s pectors and passe ngers for inspection and verification of the airworthiness and registration of the ai rcraft
... In this case. the airc r aft will always be operated without any pass e ngers or crew. The missions for which VASs are intended will prevent the ajrcraft from being avai lable for the inspection s normally prescribed for c i vil aircraft. Further. it will be opera ted on strictly confined missions from a known departure and arrival point, under the constant control of a pilot-in-command. We also find that requiring these special -u se aircraft to carry s uperfluou s paper documents may present a safe ty 18hazard to the integ ri ty of the [UAS]. FAA operating limitations and spec i al arrangeme nt s wit h Air Traffic Control (A TC) for su r vei lJan ce of [UAS] flights adeq uate l y compensate for th e requirements for carry in g a ir wo rthiness and registration documents. We find the intent of th e regu lation is better served b y ha vi ng the required documents in the con trol of the aircraft operator and availabl e for in spec ti o n under the special conditions prescribed in this exemption. The FAA has previously g ran ted exemptions in circumstances s imilar , in alJ material respects , to those presented h e rein (e .g. , Exemption Nos. 8607. 8737. 8738 , 9299 , 9564 , 9565 , 10167 , 10602, 10673, 10835 , 10869, 10968). 3 . R eas on s Wb y A n Exemption F rom Tb e R e quir ements Of 14 C.F . R. 

### § 45 .23( b ) Wo uld No t A dve rse ly A ff ec t Sa f ety. This exemption wou ld maintain the le vel of safety estab li shed by Section 45.23(b) because if required, displaying the word " Restric ted " with two (2) inch high letters , horizontaJJy between o utrunn e rs o n a ll fo ur s id es of the DJI Phantom II UAS , wilJ in fo m1 all parties of the unmanned airc r aft's overall operating statu s. Significantly , Avalon Aerial will di splay th e word ' ·Restricted " in two (2 ) in ch hi g h letters in co mplian ce with size requirement of Sec ti on 45.23(b) 

### (i. e . ,

.. letters not le ss than 2 inches n or m o r e than 6 inches high'} By placing th e letters horizontally between outrunners on all four sides of the 

### DJJ Phantom 

### II UAS , will
ensure that the wo rd ' ·Restricted " is in the m ost vis ibl e location , so that all parties will be in formed of the unmanned aircraft's overall operating status. The FAA has previously granted exemptions in circumstances similar. in all material respects , to tho se presented he r ein (e.g
. , Exemptio n Nos. 8737 , I 0 I 67 , I 0 1 67 A , I 0700 , I 081 0). 4. R easo n s W by A n Exe mption From T be R eq uireme n ts O f 14 C.F .R . 

### § 2 1.1 85, I ncludi ng Tb e R e quireme nt T o Ha ve A Ce rtifi ca te O f A irworthin ess, Wo uld 19

### Not Adve r se ly Affect Sa f ety. 

### In seeking this exemption, Aval o n Aerial subm its that the DJl Ph antom II UAS can operate safely in the AS above the S t ates of Michigan , Indian a . Illinois. Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida with out creating a hazard to other aircraft or people on the ground. Acco rdingl y, the FAA may approve its use without an airworth in ess certificate as demonstrated by: (i) the safe operational history and curre nt use of the OJ ! Phantom II UAS in the NAS; (ii) the characteristics of the DJI Phantom ll 

### UAS: (i ii) the limited ar ea of Ava lo n Aerial 's intended operation; ( iv) the Safety Management System Avalon Aerial has developed for DJI Phantom II UAS operations and maintenance; (v) the commer c ial pil ot requirement; (vi) the specitic operating limitations; and (vii) any other conditions that the Administrator may presc ribe. i. T he DJJ Phantom II UAS Has A Prov en History Of Operation In T he NAS Purs uant To Advi s ory Circular 91-57 , June 9, 1981. 

### The DJI Phantom II UAS is currently operating safely in th e NA pursuant to Advisory Ci r c ular 9 1- 5 7 , Model Aircraft Operating Standards. 

### T h e DJT Phantom II UAS has been operated worldwide s inc e 2006. ii. The S p ecific a tion s Of The DJI Phantom II UAS D emon stra te It s Sa fe C haracte ri s tic s . 

### The DJI Ph antom II UAS does not cr eate a haza rd to users of the NA or the public. or otherwise pose a threat to national security considerin g its s ize, weight. speed , o r operationa l capabil ity. The spec ifi cati o ns of the DJI Ph antom II UAS ar e as fo ll ows:

20

### Unmanned Aircraft The OJI Phantom II is an Unmanned Aircraft System that is System compr ised of an unmanned quad-rotor aircraft and a transportable f:,rround station. Model Number P330Z
Serial No. PH645332889 V 

### 1.0
U nmanned Aircraft Diagonal Length: Dimensions 13.7 inches (350mm) Engine Engine (Propulsive Unit) (Propulsive Unit) (4) Multistar PIN : 2212 (E lectric) FAA Engine Type Cert: None Propulsive Unit Type: (1) 11.1 V 

### 5200mAh , Lithium polymer battery powered , brushless electric motors
Motor. Controller Sub-Assembly: Manufacturer: D JI Innovation s Model: Naza-M Type: Motor Controller 3. 1 5W (0.25A @ 12.6Y) Maximum 27 grams Wt. Motor, Battery: Manufacturer: DJl Innovations Type: 3S Lithium Polymer 5200 milliamp hour 1 1.1 V 

### (nom inal)
Fuel Not Applicable. NOTE: The DJI Phantom II UAS is powered by a Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery , DJI , Inc. PIN 733496- 5200mAh

- 11.1 Y. Eng in e ( Propul s ive U nit) Maximum Power Output: 130 Watts Limits Maximum RPM: 920Kv ( rpm/v)

21Propeller and (4) 

### D JI Innovations Propell e r Limit s FAA Propeller Type Certificate: None Propeller T ype: 2-blade. ABS plastic. fixed pitch Propeller Sub-Assemblv: Manufacturer: 

### DJ I Innovations Model: 9450 10x4.5mm Diameter (Nominal): 10 in.
B attery C o mmand & 

### DJI Innovations battery powers the motor, and internal battery Contro l powers the command and control ground station ( remote). Airspeed Limit s Vne (Never Exceed Speed) 29 knot (15 m/s) Vno (Maximum Structural Cruising Speed) Not Applicable Va (M aneuvering Speed) Not Applicable Landing Speed: Not Applicable
Mean Ae rodynamic Not Applicable Chord (MAC) Leveling Means Not Applicable.
Maximum Weights Ramp 4.4 lbs (2000 grams) Takeoff 4.4 lb s (2000 grams) Landing 4.4 lbs (2000 grams) Empty Weight 2.2 lb s. (I 000 grams) NOTE: Empty Weight Includes weight of battery and Exc ludes payload modules. Freq ue ncie s 902-928 MHz (ISM Band) 2.4 GHz ( ISM Band) NOTE: FCC licen se is not required to utilize the above frequencies; uplink and downlink are on the 900Mhz band. If video is utilized. uplink, downlink , and video are all on 2.4 Ghz.

22Computer Software Ground Station software , iOS
Min imum Crew 

### (1) The 

### D J I Phantom II UAS can be operated by a single operator.
Number of Seats (0) Not Applicable.

Fuel Capacity Not Applicable.
Oil Capacity Not Applicable.
Max. Operating Altitude 393ft. AGL (120M)
Control Surface Not Applicable

Movements
Nominal Endurance 25 minutes 14 °

- 122 ° F (-20 °

- 50 ° C)
Ambient Outside Air Maximum OAT: 122 ° F (50° C) Temperature ( OAT) Minimum OAT At Altitude: 14 ° F (-10 ° C)

Wind Limitation Not App licab le

Maintenance This 

### DJJ Phantom II UAS must be maintained in accordance wi th the 

### DJ I Phantom II Maintenance Operation Manual , or later FAA accepted r ev ision.


### iii. F li g ht Operation s Pursuant To The Exe mption Sou g ht Would B e Limite d To A r eas O ve r The S tate s Of Michi gan, Indi a na, Illin o i s, Ohio , Wi s con s in a nd Florida That Are Not In The P roximi ty Of A irport s Or O ve r Popul a t e d Are as. Avalon Aerial proposes to only conduct aerial videography flight operations over areas of the States of Michigan , I ndiana, Illinois , Ohio , 23Wisconsin and Florida that are not near populated areas. airports. helipad s . or state road s. Specifically. Ava l o n Ae ri a l" s proposed area of 

### flight opera ti o n s over the States of Michigan. Indiana , Illin o i s, Ohio. Wisconsin and Fl o rida include s areas th at are: I. Not wi thin fi ve (5) miles of a ny a ir port o r helip ad, without the consent ofthe affected air traffic co ntrol fa c ilit y . Co ntinuou s two-wa y ra di o communicat ion will be establ ished a nd maintained at a ll times during fli g ht s in this area ; 2. Not below one hundred fift y ( 150) feet o v e r of s ta t e roads h av ing more than two Jan es; and 3. Not below seve nt y- five (75) fee t over state road s having two lan es o r l ess . Since thi s platform is ca pabl e of ho , ·erin g, s lewing laterally. and
asce ndin g/descen ding over a point. we are considering the 

### DJI Phan tom II UAS a ..helicopter
.. for the purp oses of91.1 19(d). Fu rthermore. all flight operati o n s w ill be conducted in accordance wi th 14 C.F.R. 

### § 91.119. Minimum safe allitud es: Gene ral. In summary, Avalon Aerial see ks to operat e it s 

### OJI Ph antom II UAS
over areas of Michigan. Indiana. Illin ois, Ohio. Wi sco n s in and Florid a . w hile maintaining safe di s tanc es fro m any populated areas, airpo rt s, helipads , and r oad ways. iv. O p e rati o n O fT he DJI Ph antom II UAS W ill Be Co ndu c ted Purs u a n t To A Sa f ety Manage m e nt Sys te m. A Safety Managemen t Sys t em (
.. S MS
.. ) w ill control Avalon Aerial' s operati o n of th e 

### DJI Phantom II UAS a nd w ill s ig nificantl y con tribute to maint a inin g the le ve l of safe ty conten1platcd by the airworthi ness certi fi cate 

### 24requirements from which Avalon Aetial now seeks relief. Pursuant to the SMS and 14 C.F.R. 

### § 43.13 , entitled 

### Performance Rules (general) , each person performing maintenance , a lteration, or preventive maintenance on the 

### DJI Phantom 

### II UAS, motor, propeller. or app lian ce shall use the methods , techniques , and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer's maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness prepared by its manufacturer , or other methods , techniques , and practices acceptable to the Administrator. Each person shall use the tools, equipment , and test apparatus necessary to assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices.



### v. Flight Operation s Of The DJI Phantom II UAS Are Limited To T h e Line Of S ight Of A Commercial Ce rtificated Pilot in Co mm a nd With A Sa f ety Ob se rver. Aval on Aerial will only utilize Commercial Pilots with a valid First
or Second Class Airman Medical certificate to act as pilot in command of the 

### DJI Phantom II UAS
. Additionally, all pilots will be assisted by a safety observer. The pilot in comma nd and safety observer must meet the requirements as set forth by the SMS and Standard Operating Procedures adopted by Avalon Aerial for flight operations of the 

### DJ I Phantom 

### II UAS. A copy of the Standard Operating Procedures, which is proprietary information , and is to be held in a separate file pursuant to 14 C.F.R. 

### § ll. 35(b). 2



### v i. Fli g hts Will B e Conducted Purs uant To Specific Opera tin g Limitati o n s. In seeking this exemption , Avalon Aerial proposes to commercially 25operate the DJI Phantom II UAS without satisfying the restricted category airworthiness certification process spec ified in 14 C. F.R. 

### § 21.185. or otherwise having a certificat e of airworthiness issued by the FAA, as contemplated by 14 C.F.R. Part21. Avalon Aerial propo ses to operate the DJI Phantom II UAS. for the special purpose of conducting aerial
v ideography over the States of Michigan , Indiana. Ill inois , Ohio. Wisconsin and Florida , pursuant to the following specific operatin g limi tations: I
. Flight operations are permitted only over the States of Michigan, Indiana, Illinoi s. Ohio. Wisconsin and Florida. 2. The DJI Phantom 11 UAS will be operated at or below 400 ft. above ground level (AGL), excep t as necessary to comply w it h the requi rements of 14 C.F.R. 

### § 91.119. 3. The DJI Phantom II UAS shall be operated within one mile. and within line of sight, of the pilot in command and safety observer. 4. The DJI Phantom II UAS sha ll be operated pursuant to Day Visual Fli ght Rules (V FR ) in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The OJ I Phantom 11 UAS shall be operated only during daylight hours 

### (i.e
. between the end of morning civil twil ight and the beginning of evening c ivil twilight as published in the American A ir Almanac. converted to local time). 5. The duration of each night shall not exceed 25 minutes or upon reaching 25% battery power. whichever is less. 6. The DJI Phantom ll UAS shall operate from on-site takeoff / landin g locations directl y next to the pilot in command and co- located safety observer. If the operation is from a watercraft. th e pi l ot in command and safety observer s hall remain co-located on the same watercraft. 7. Operations shall be conducted by commerc ially certificated ainnen who 

### 26have completed training , checking , cu rrency , and recency of experience requireme n ts as approved by the FAA Administrator. 8. Operation of the DJI Phantom II UAS with any inoperative instruments or equipment shall be prohibited. 9. The 

### DJT Phantom II UAS shall be ma intained in accordance with the Manufacturer ' s Maintenance M anual. 10. The 

### DJI Phantom II UAS shall be operated pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 91 , operat ing requirements. 11. For the proposed flight operation , only one 

### DJI Phantom IT UAS shall be airborne at any given time. 12. P rior to flight operations, Avalon Aerial shall coordinate and establish two way communications with the nearest Air Traffic Control facility. 13. For any flight operations over U.S. Government or state managed lands , A val on Aerial shall coordinate with the appropriate authority and ensure that the property owners have at least twelve ( 12) hours of advance notice prior to the proposed fl ig ht operations. Coordination shall include anticipated periods of operation , purpose of the flights, and contact information for the operator should questions or issues arise. vii. A ny Oth e r C ond i t ion s Th e F AA May Pres cribe Fo r S af e Op e ra tio n . Ln accordance with Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012 and 14 C.F.R
. 

### § 21.16 entitled 

### Special Conditions, A val on Aerial requests that the FAA prescribe special conditions for the intended operation of the 

### DJ I Phantom II UAS, which contain such satety standards that the Administrator finds necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by Section 21.185 , and which will permit safe operation of the DJI Phantom II UAS for the special purpose of conducting aerial videography over the States of Michigan, Indiana , Illinois , Ohio. 27Wisconsin a nd Florida
. Section 333 se t s forth the requiremen t s f or considerin g whethe r 

### a UAS will create a hazard to users of the AS or the public, o r othervvise pose a threat to national securi ty: and further. provides the authority fo r such UAS to operate wi th out airwo r 1hiness certification in accordance wi th any requirements that mu s t be estab li shed for the safe operati on of the a irc raft sys tems in the NAS
. Likewise , th e Administrator may prescribe s p ec ial conditions pursuant to 14 C.F.R. 

### § 2 1.1 6, fo r opera ti on of the DJI Ph a nt o m II UAS
. s ince the airworth in ess regulation s of 14 C. F.R. Part 21 do not contain
a dequate or appro priat e safe ty s tandard s. du e to th e novel or unusual design features of the a ircraft. Section 2 1.16. e ntitl ed 

### Special Conditions . states th e fo ll owing: If the FAA find s that the airworth in ess regu lati ons of th is s ubchapter do not con t ain ade qu ate or app rop ri ate safe ty standard s for an a irc raft, ai rcraft e n gine, or propeller because of a novel or unu s u a l design feature of th e aircraft, aircraft eng in e or propeller. he prescribes spec ial conditions a nd amend me nt s th e r eto for the product. The spec ial co nditi o n s are i ss u ed in acco rd a nce with P art 11 of this chap te r and contain suc h safety sta ndard s for the a ircr a ft , aircraft eng in e o r prop e ll er as the FAA find s necessary to estab li s h a le vel of safety equi valent to that estab li s h ed in the r egu lat io n s. 

### See 14 C.F. R
. 

### § 21.16 T h erefore
. in accordance w ith Sec tion 333 and 14 C.F.R. 

### § 21.16. the FAA may pre scribe s p ecia l conditio n s fo r Avalon Ae rial' s intended operation of the DJI Ph antom II UAS, which contain s uch safet y standards that the Administrator find s n ecessa ry to e s tablish a level of safety equ ivalent to that established by Sec tion 2 1
. 18 5. and which will pem1it safe operation of the DJl Phant om 1l UAS for the s pecial purpose of conducting 2 8aerial v ide ograp hy over th e S tates of Michi gan , Indiana , Illin o is , Ohio , Wisconsin and Florida
. 

### F. A S umma ry That C an B e Publi s h e d In The Federa l Regist er

, 

### stating: The Rules F rom Which Ava lon Aerial See ks Exemption: 

### Avalon Aerial, LL C see ks exe mption .f rom the requ ir eme nt s of 14 C. FR. 

### §§ 91.9(b) , 9/
. 203(a), 91.203(b). 45
. 23(b) and 2 1
. 18 5
. A Brief De sc ription OfThe Nature OfThe Exempt ion Avalon Aerial See ks : 

### This exe mptio n w ill permit Aval on Aerial
. LL C to operate an Un manned Aircraft System over certain rural areas of the S tate ofMichigan. w hile keep ing th e documents required by the regulations a/the grou nd control s tation and imm ed iately accessible to the p ilo t in comman d. Furthermore. th e exe mption will rel ieve Avalon Aerial, LL C.fro m th e airworthiness cer tffica te s tandard s and th e requ irem e nt to have a ce rtifi cate of airworthin ess/o r its U nmann ed Aircraft Syste m . T his exe mption will also permit any required markin gs conce rning th e ope rational status of the VAS to b e displayed on the fuselage ofthe unmanned aircraft
. G. Any Additiona l Information , V iews, Or Arguments Ava il ab l e To Support Avalon A erial 's Re quest. Thi s Petition is mad e purs uant to the FAA Modernization and R efo rm Act of 20 12 , Section 333 , which dir ec t s the Secretary of Transportation to determine if certain UAS may operate safe l y in the NAS. As s uch , Avalon Aerial's reque s t fo r exempti on may be granted pur s uant to the a uth ority of Section 333 and 14 C.F.R. Part 11 , as se t forth a bo ve . Sec ti o n 333 se t s forth the re quirements for considering whether a UAS wi ll c re ate
a ha zard to user s of the N AS o r the public or pose a threat to national secur i ty; and further. prov ide s the authority for such UAS to operate with out a irworth i ness
ce rtification. Section 333 s tate s the fo ll ow ing: 

### (a) In Generai
. --Notwithstanding an y other requirement o.fthis sub title, and not later than 18 0 days after th e date of enactm e nt of this Act. the Secre tar y o.f Transportation s hall determine 

## if ce rtain unmann ed aircraft sys tems ma y operate safely in the national airspace system before co mple tion oft he plan and rule making re quired by sec tion 332 o.lthis A ct or th e guidance required by sec tion 334 ofthis Act. 

### 29(b) 

### Assessment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.--/n making the determination under s ubsection (a). the Secret

### my shall determine. at a minimum-- (/)wh i ch t ypes ofunmanned aircrcift systems, 

## if any, as a result oftheir size. weight. speed. operational capab ility. proximity to airports and populated areas. and operation within visual line o.fsight do not create a hazard to user s o.fthe national air5pace sys t em or the public or pose a threat to national sec urity : and (2) whether a certificate o.fwaiver. ce rt(flcate of authorization. or ailworthiness certification under section -1-170-1 of title -19. U nited States Code. is required.for the operation o.funmanned aircra.ft systems identified under paragraph(/). (c) Re quirement s for Safe Operation.--(fthe Secretary determines under this sec /i o n that certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate sqfely in the nati onal air5pace system. th e Secretary s hall establish requirements .for the safe operation o.fsuch aircraft systems in the national airspace 5ys tem . 

### As dis cussed in detail above, the DJ I Phantom II UAS h as in the past. and wiJI continue in the

**f~ture,** 

### to operate safely in the NAS without creating a ha za rd to us ers of the NAS. or the public. or otherw i se pose a threat to national security. C O NCLUS IO N 

### As set forth above, Avalon Aerial seeks an exemption pursuant to 14 C. F
. R. 

### § 11.61 

### and Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Refo rm Act of2012, which will permit safe ope ration of the DJl 

### Ph antom II 

### UAS comme r cia ll y, without an airworthiness certificate. for the spec ial purpo se o f co nducting aerial videog raph y over areas in the States of Michigan. Ind iana. Illinoi s, Ohio. Wisc onsin and Florida. By granting this Petition, the FAA Adm ini strat or will be fulfilling the Congressional mandate of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of2012, whi le also advanc in g the interests of the public , by allowing Avalon Aerial to safe ly, efficiently, and
eco nomically oper a te the 

### DJI Phantom 

### II UAS commercia ll y within the NAS. WHEREFORE , 

### in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations and th e FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2 012, Section 333. Aval on Aeria l respectfully requests th at the Administrator g rant thi s Petition f o r an exemptio n from the requirements of 14 C.F .R. 

### §§ 91. 9(b), 91.203 (a), 30

### 91.203(b)
. 45.23(b), as well as the restr icted category airworthiness certification standards specified in 14 C.F.R. § 

### 2 1.185 , including the requirement to have a certi ficate of airworthiness issued for the DJI 

### Ph anto m II 

### UAS, as contemplated by 14 C.F. R
. Part 21.

Dated: October 27, 2015



### 3 1 Respectfully submitted, Ava l o n Aeria l, LLC



### Lucas Freudenburg UAS Project Manager Avalon Aeri al, LL C 244 8 Avalon Woods Dr. Portage , Michigan 49024-7738 Te l : (586) 596-5118 Petitioner