# July 14

, 2015

Exemption No. 12036

Regulatory Docket No. FAA

– 20 15

– 1376

Dr

. Stephen Kwan

Northwest Hydraulic Consultants

16300 Christensen Road, Suite 350

Tukwila

, WA 98188

Dear D r. Kwan :

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption,

including the date it ends.

By letter dated May 1, 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on

behalf of Northwest Hydraulic Consultants ( hereinafter petitioner or operator ) for an

exemption . The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned ai rcraft system (UAS) to

conduct aerial photography

.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA des cribing the proposed operations and

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption

.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner

.

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner are the eBee SenseFly; DJI Phantom 2; and 3DR Iris +

.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, C ertification procedures for products

and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates

. In accordance with the statutory criteria

provided in Section 333 of P ublic Law 112

− 95 in reference to 49 U

. S

. C

. § 44704, and in

consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the

# 2

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft

meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from

14 CFR part 21

, C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness

Certificates , and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is

not necessa ry.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 1



# . The FAA has issued grants of

exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition.

In Grants of Exemption No s

. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352),

11109 to Clayco, Inc. ( see Docket No. FAA

− 2014

− 0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Lab s , Inc. ( see Docket No.

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanc ed safety achieved using an unmanned

aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or

crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in

addition to flammable fuel, give s the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled

by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that

—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 ;

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and

11213 also apply to the situation you pre sent; and

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701,

delegated to me by the Administrator, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants is granted an

exemption from 14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and ( c ), 61.101(e)(4 ) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a)

, 91.7(a), 9 1.119(c), 91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and

91.417(a) and (b), to the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform

aerial data collection

. This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed

below.

1 

# Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA.

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (part iculate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by

instruments aboard the UA.

# 3

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants is hereafter referred to as

the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be

g rounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the eBee SenseFly;

DJI Phantom 2; and 3DR Iris + when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload.

Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to

amend this exemption

.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming are

not permitted.

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operat ing airspeed recommended by the

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times.

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA

- issued airman medical certificate or

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observe r (VO). The UA must be operated within

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used

to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS

capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate ver bally at all times ;

e lectronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC

must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can pe rform the duties

required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating do cuments. The operating

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and

# 4

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents,

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed.

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the

operat or’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension

or amendmen t to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then

the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FA A’s

UAS Integration O ffice (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding

updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation

or flight characteristics, e.g.

, replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption.

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at

least 500 feet from other p eople. The functional test flight must be conducted in such

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is

in a condition for safe operation.

10. Pr ior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre

- flight inspection and determine the

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre

- flight inspection must account for all

potential discrepancies, e.g.

, inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the

ins pection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UA S manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul,

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and

aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer

safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport,

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a

state, the District of Col u mbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal

government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirements specified in

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

# 5

14. The operator may not perm it any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and

maintaining appropriate distances from pers ons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs

(traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- build ing) and determining the PIC’s ability to

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However,

training operations may only be conducted during dedic ated training sessions. During

traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all persons not essential for

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accord ance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbo l as denoted on the current

FAA

- publi shed aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses it s GPS sign al, the UA must return to a

pre

- determined location within the pr ivate or controlled

- access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air T raffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All

operations shall be cond ucted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct

operations that cannot be con ducted under the terms of the attached COA

.

# 6

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification

(N− Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR pa rt 45, Subpart C. Markings must

be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating.

These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear a nd give way to all manned aviation operations and

activities at all times.

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating

persons, vessels, v ehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protectio n. If a situation arises

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety

of nonparticipating persons ; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not

present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator t rainees or essential persons are not considered

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or control led

- access property with

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative.

P ermission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported

to the FA A's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov

.

# 7

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM)

as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standa rds

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the a rea of proposed filming. The 3

- day

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and p hone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted

under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of th e person responsible for the on

- scene operation of

the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N− Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certifica te number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator 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;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. 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 altitudes

essentia l to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the

exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to,

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.

# 8

This exemption terminates on July 31, 2017 , unless sooner superseded or re scinded.

Sincerely,

/ s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures

# 16300 Christensen

Road,

Suite

350



# I Seattle,

WA 98188



# I 206.241

. 6000



# I www.nhcweb.com 

# nhc northwest

hydraulic consultants 1 May

2015 U.

S. Department

of Transportation Docket Management

System 1200

New Jersey

Ave.,

SE Washington,

DC 20590 Dear

Sir/ Madam: Pursuant

to Section

333

of the

FAA Modernization

and Reform

Act

of 2012

{the Reform

Act)

and

14 C.F.R.

Part

11, Northwest

Hydraulic Consultants

{NHC),

hereby

applies

for

an exemption

from

the listed Federal Aviation Regulations

{uFARs")

to allow commercial

operation

of sUASs

{small Unmanned

Aircraft System),

so long

as such operations

are conducted

within

and under

the conditions

outlined

herein

or

as may

be established

by the

FAA

as required

by Section

333. As described

more

fully below,

the requested

exemption

would

permit

the operation

of small, unmanned

and relatively inexpensive

sUAS under controlled

conditions

in airspace

that

is



# 1) limited;



# 2) predetermined;



# 3) controlled

as

to access. 

# Name

and Address

of the applicant

is Dr Stephen

Kwan Northwest

Hydraulic Consultants 16300 Christensen

Road,

Suite

350 Tukwila WA 98188 Tel:

206

241 6000 Email: skwan@nhcweb.com 

# Relevant Qualifications Commercial

Pilot {3664987)

with

the following

ratings: 1. 

# Airplane

Single

Engine

Land 2. Rotorcraft

Helicopter 3. Instrument

Airplane 4. Instrument

Helicopter 5.

Cer

t ified Flight Instructor {Helicopter) Total

Flying

time:

1100

hours 

# About

The Petitioner NHC

is

a specialty consulting engineering

firm focused exclusively

in the area

of water resources.

We

are experts

in flood control,

water management,

water supply, irrigation,

river restoration

and many

other water related

fields.

NHC requires topographic

survey

and imagery

of geographical

areas

to help

us

in environmental

projects

that include identifying

potential

areas

of flooding, developing

hydraulic

models of rivers

to predict

areas

of bank erosion

and improve

areas

of fish habitat.

NHC wishes

to use sUASs

to water resource specialistsn cperformtopographicandimageryacquisitioninordertosignificantlyreducethecostforourclients(whoinmostcasesaregovernmentagencies)andsothatwehavethemostup-to-dateterraindataavailabletoconductourwork.ProposedCommercialUsesNHCplanstousethefollowingsUAS:•eBeeSenseFiy•DJIPhantom2•3DRIrisThesUASwillbefittedwithadigitalcameratotakeaerialphotosofriverbankswhichcanbeusedforthefollowingpurposes:1.Floodplainmapping2.Determiningareasofpotentialerosion/sedimentation3.Designoffloodcontrolandhabitatrestorationprojects4.CreatingDigitalElevationMaps5.ExaminingareasdamagedbyfloodingorlandslidesWeneedtouseasUASbecause:1.Accesstoportionsofsomesitesisnotpossibleduetoterrain,fastriverflows,orotherhazards.2.Riverbanksareconstantlychangingandweneedtocreateuptodateterraindatausingaerialphotos.3.Wecanaccessbothsidesoftheriverbankefficientlyandsafely.4.CreatingDigitalElevationModels(OEM)fromaerialphotosismuchmoreefficientandeconomicalthanusingmannedaircraft.Wewillsubsequentlybeabletopassthiscostsavingtoourclients.Wehavenointentionofsellingphotosforcommercialpurposes.WehavenotyetperformedanyworkinthisfieldtoensurecompliancewithanyapplicableFARsregardingtheuseofUASforcommercialoperations.IntendedOperationalUseofsUAS•Operationaltitudes:50-400ftAGL•EstimatedSurveyArea:0.5-600acres•FlightTime:multiple15minflightsasnecessarytocoverarea.Typicalprojectflighttimeestimatedtobeabout1hour.•Airspace:ClassG2Figure1showsatypicalscenarioillustratingtheflightpathoverastretchofriver.Figure1.TypicalflightpathofUAS(showninRed)NHCwillbeboundbythefollowinglimitationswhenconductingitssUASoperationsunderanFAAexemption:1.ThesUASwillweighlessthan55lbs.2.Flightswillbeoperatedwithinlineofsightofapilotand/orobserver.3.Maximumtotalflighttimeforeachoperationalflightwillbe15minutes.Flightswillbeterminatedat20%batterypowerreserveshouldthatoccurpriortothe15minutelimit.4.Flightswillbeoperatedatanaltitudeofnomorethan400ftAGL.5.FlightoperationswilloccurringduringdaylighthoursunderVFRorMarginalVFRconditions.6.MinimumcrewforeachoperationwillconsistofthesUASPilotandtheVisualObserver.7.sUASPICwillbeanFAAlicensedairmanwithatleastaprivatepilot'scertificateandthirdclassmedical.(DrStephenKwanisacertifiedflightinstructorandinadditionholdsacommercialand3cnhcinstrumentratingforbothhelicopterandairplanes.Heunderstandsregulations,requirementsandflightrulesgoverningairspace).8.ThePICmaytrainotherpilotsintheuseofthesUASduringthesurvey.9.ThesUASwilloperatewithinanareathathasbeendeterminedtobesafeandatleast200ftawayallpersonswhoareunawareofthesurvey.Theoperatorwillobtainwrittenconsentofallpersonsinvolvedorintheareaofthesurvey.10.ThesUASwilloperateatleast100ftawayfrombuildingsinurbanizedareas.11.AbriefingwillbeconductedinregardtotheplannedsUASoperationspriortoeachsurvey.Itwillbemandatorythatallpersonnelwhowillbeperformingdutieswithinthesurveyareatobepresentforthisbriefing12.TheoperatorwillfileaFAAForm7711-1,oritsequivalent,asmodifiedinlightoftherequestedexemption,withtheappropriateFlightStandardsDistrictOffice.13.PilotandobserverwillbetrainedinoperationofsUASgenerallyandreceiveup-to-dateinformationontheparticularsUAStobeoperated.14.Observerandpilotwillatalltimesbeabletocommunicatebyvoiceand/ortext.15.Writtenand/ororalpermissionfromtherelevantpropertyholderswillbeobtained.16.Allrequiredpermissionsandpermitswillbeobtainedfromterritorial,state,countyorcityjurisdictions,includinglocallawenforcement,fire,orotherappropriategovernmentalagencies.17.IfthesUASlosescommunicationsorlosesitsGPSsignal,thesUASwillhavecapabilitytoreturntoapre-determinedlocationandland.18.ThesUASwillhavethecapabilitytoabortaflightincaseofunpredictedobstaclesoremergencies.HowourrequestwouldbenefitthegeneralpublicOneofNHC'smajorareaofexpertiseisfloodplainmappingtodeterminetheextentoffloodingintheeventofamajorflood.IfwearegrantedanexemptiontouseasUASforaerialsurveying,thebenefitstothepublicwillbe:1.Areasofpotentiallandslidesandfloodingcanbeeasilyidentified;2.Accuratemappingofpotentialareasofflooding;3.Increasedefficiencyandreducedcostofriverrestorationandfloodcontrolprojectsforourclients(usuallyGovernmentagencies).Regulationsfromwhichtheexemptionisrequested:14C.F.R.Part21;14C.F.R.91.7(a)14C.F.R.91.9(b)(2)&(c)14C.F.R.91.10314C.F.R.91.109:14C.F.R.91.119;1414C.F.R.91.12114.C.F.R.91.151(a)14C.F.R.91.203(a)&(b)414C.F.R.91.405(a)14C.F.R.91.407(a)(1)14C.F.R.91.409(a)(2)14C.F.R.91.417(a).DescriptionofSpecificRegulationsWerequireanexemptioninaccordancewithSection333ANDacivilCertificateofWaiverorAuthorization(COA)tooperateunmannedaircraftintheNationalAirspaceSystem(NAS)forcommercialuseinalow-risk,controlledenvironment.14C.F.R.Part21:(Aircraftcertificationrequirements)&14C.F.R.91.203(a)&(b);(Maintenanceinspections)Under14C.F.R.§91.203,allU.S.-registeredaircraftarerequiredtohaveacertificateofairworthinessissuedbytheFAA.Part21,SubpartHoftheFANsregulationsestablishestheproceduralrequirementsfortheissuanceofairworthinesscertificatesbytheFAA.Equivalentlevelofsafetyanalysis:ThestrictoperationallimitationsunderwhichNHCwillconductflightsforcommercialsUASapplications(e.g.,daylightoperations,useofClassGairspace,allflightswithinline-of-sightoftheoperator)areatleastasrestrictiveasthelimitationsthatapplytotheoperationoflimitedorrestrictedcategory,experimentalorprovisionally-certificatedaircraft.ThesUASdoesnotcarryapilotoranyotherpassengersandtheirsmallsizeandelectricmotorreducethedangerthatanycollisionswiththegroundorstructureswillinvolveanythingmorethanthelossofsUAS.AutomaticdescentofthesUASuponlossofthedatalinkwithitscontrolstationeliminatesthepotentialfor••flyaway11incidents.Theconcernsbehindtheneedforthecertificationofanaircraft•sairworthinessaremitigatedbythesUAS'slimitedoperationalrange,smalldimensionsandtheuseoflightweightmaterialsintheirconstruction,allofwhichreducetheriskofdamagetosurroundingstructures.14C.F.R.45.23(b):"N"numbersandmarkingsThisregulationrequiresthedisplayofan••NuregistrationmarkonanyU.S.-registeredaircraft.Additionalmarkingsarerequiredforlimitedorrestrictedcategoryaircraft,experimentalaircraftorprovisionally-certificatedaircraftontheentrancetothecabin,cockpitorpilotstation.Equivalentlevelofsafetyanalysis:TheFAAhasyettoindicatewhethersUASaircraftwillbesubjecttoitsaircraftregistrationrequirements.TheFANsIntegrationofCivilUnmannedAircraftSystemsintheNationalAirspaceSystem(NAS)RoadmappublishedinNovember2013issilentonthispoint.AssUASaircraftarenotcurrentlyrequiredtoberegisteredwiththeFAA,itisnotnecessaryforNHC'ssUASaircrafttobemarkedwithan11N11registrationnumber.ThesurfaceareaofthesUASisnotlargeenoughtocontainanyofthemarkingsrequiredbytheFAAforlimitedorrestrictedcategoryaircraft,experimentalaircraftorprovisionally-certificatedaircraft.Oneofthepurposesservedbythesemarkingsistocautionpassengersonboardsuchanaircraft(includinganypilot)thatitdoesnotmeetalloftheFANsrequirementsforastandardcategorycertificateofairworthiness.AsthesUASwillnotcarryany5

# n c passengers,

and otherwise

will operate

in accordance

with strictly-controlled

flight parameters,

the absence

of such

a warning

on the sUAS

will

not result

in any reduction

in the overall

safety

of the operation.

NHC

is willing

to include

any markings

that

may

be required

by the

FAA

in connection

with

its commercial

UAS operations,

with

the understanding

that

the surface

area

of the sUAS

will

not permit lettering

that

is larger

than

1 inch

in height.

In addition,

if requested

by the

FAA,

NHC

can place markings on each

of the control stations

used

to operate

NHC's

sUAS aircraft. 

# 14 C.F.R.

91.7

(a):

(Civil aircraft airworthiness) The regulation

requires

that

no person

may operate

a civil aircraft

unless

it

is

in airworthy

condition.

As there

will

be

no airworthiness

certificate

issued

for

the aircraft,

should

this exemption

be granted,

no FAA regulatory

standard

will exist

for determining airworthiness.

Given

the

size

of the aircraft

and

the requirements

contained

in the User Guide

for maintenance

and

use

of safety checklists

prior

to each flight

an equivalent

level

of safety

will

be provided. 

# 14 C.F.R.

91

. 9(b)(2)



# & (c): (Flight manuals,

placards) This regulation

requires

that

an approved

flight manual,

manual material,

markings,

placards

or some combination

thereof

be placed

on board

the aircraft.

The sUAS

does

not have

a configuration suitable

for compliance

with

this requirement. Equivalent

level

of safety analysis:



# The sUAS

is linked

to

a computer

that serves

as the control

station. The instruction

manual

for

the sUAS

can

be downloaded

to the computer

and accessed

by the operator, in much

the same

way

that pilots

of commercial

airliners

are able

to access

flight manuals

on tablet devices

that serve

as

.. electronic

flight

bags!'

All manual material,

markings

and placards

relevant

to the operation

of the sUAS

can

be displayed

on the screen

of the computer

that serves

as the control

station, as required.

The instruction

manual

for

the sUAS

will therefore

be just

as accessible

as

a flight manual carried

on board

a commercial

jet. 

# 14 C.F.R

. 91

. 103: (pre-flight) This regulation

requires

each

pilot

in command

to take certain

actions

before

flight

to ensure

the safety of flight.

As FAA approved

rotorcraft

flight manuals

will

not

be provided

for

the aircraft

an exemption will

be needed. Equivalent

level

of safety analysis:



# The

PIC

will take

all actions including

reviewing

weather,

flight battery requirements,

landing

and takeoff distances

and aircraft performance

data before initiation

of flight. 

# 14 C.F.R. 91.109:

(Dual controls

for instruction) Section

91.103 provides

that

no person

may operate

a civil aircraft

(except

a manned

free balloon)

that is being

used

for flight instruction

unless

that aircraft

has fully functioning

dual controls.

sUASs

and remotely

piloted aircraft,

by their design

do

not have

fully functional

dual controls.

Flight control

is accomplished

through

the

use

of

a control

box that communicates

with

the aircraft

via radio communications.

The

FAA

has approved exemptions

for flight training

without

fully functional

dual controls

for

a number

of aircraft

and

for flight instruction

in experimental

aircraft.



# 6Equivalentlevelofsafetyanalysis:Neitherapilotnorpassengerswillbecarriedintheaircraft.TherequirementfordualflightcontrolsonanaircraftusedfortrainingpurposesismitigatedbythesUAS'slimitedoperationalrange,smalldimensionsandtheuseoflightweightmaterialsintheirconstruction,allofwhichreducetheriskofdamagetosurroundingstructuresintheeventofanoperatorerrorthatresultsinthelossoftheaircraft.14C.F.R.91.119:(Safealtitudesoverobstacles)Thisregulationspecifiestheminimumaltitudeinvariousflightenvironmentsbelowwhichaircraftarenotallowedtooperate.NHCwillconductthecommercialservicesitproposestooperatebelowtheFAAspecifiedminimumof500ftabovethesurfaceandclosertovesselsandstructuresthantheminimumseparationof500ftmandatedbytheFAA.Equivalentlevelofsafetyanalysis:TheoperationofthesUASaircraftexclusivelyinClassGairspace(i.e.,below1200ft)isintendedasasafetymeasuretoprovidealevelofseparationbetweenNHC'scommercialUASoperationsandtheoperationofmannedaircraftataltitudesabove1200ft.Inthiscase,limitingthesUAStoflightsbelowthe500ftminimumwillenhancesafetyratherthancompromiseit.NHCwillneedtooperatethesUAScloserthan500fttostructuresinordertoconducttheinspectionsthatwillcompriseamajorpartofNHC'scommercialsUASservices.However,NHC'sflightproceduresincludethecompany'sownrequirementsregardingtheminimumlevelofseparationbetweensUASandanynearbystructuresorfacilities.Inaddition,theriskofdamagetoanynearbystructuresorfacilitiesisreducedbysUAS'slimitedoperationalrange,smalldimensionsandtheuseoflightweightmaterialsinitsconstruction.14C.F.R.91.121:AltimeterSettingsThisregulationrequireseachpersonoperatinganaircrafttomaintaincruisingaltitudebyreferencetoanaltimeterthatisset"...totheelevationofthedepartureairportoranappropriatealtimetersettingavailablebeforedeparture."AsthesUASmaynothaveabarometricaltimeter,butinsteadaGPSaltitudereadout,anexemptionisneeded.Equivalentlevelofsafetyanalysis:Theoperator,pursuanttotheManualandSafetyChecklist,willconfirmthealtitudeofthelaunchsiteshownontheGPSaltitudeindicatorbeforeflight.14C.F.R.91.151{a):(Fuelminimums)FAAregulationsrequirethatarotorcraftoperatingunderVFRconditionshavesufficientfueltoflytothefirstpointofintendedlandingand,assumingnormalcruisingspeed,toflyforatleastanadditional20minutes.ThesUAShasamaximumoperatingtimeof20minutes.Equivalentlevelofsafetyanalysis:TheFAA'sregulationsrequiresufficientreservesofadditionalfueltoenablearotorcrafttofindthenearestsuitablelandingzoneiftheintendedlandingfacilityisnotavailable.Theadditionaltimethatarotorcraftisrequiredtobeabletooperateislessthanthetimerequiredtoallowfixed-wingaircrafttofindasuitablelandingfield(30minutesduringtheday,45minutesatnight)reflectingtherelativescarcityoflandingfieldsforaircraftversuslandingzonessuitableforrotorcraft.Bysimilarlogic,theadditionalfuelrequiredforsUASaircraftshouldbedramaticallyless7cn cthanforrotorcraft,asthesUASissmallenoughtolandvirtuallyanywhere.BecausethesUASinitiatesanautomaticspiraldescentuponanylossofpower,thereisnoneedtorequireadditionalflyingtimeforthesUAStofindasuitablelandingzone.TheconcernsbehindtheFAA'ssurplusfuelrequirementforrotorcraftaremitigatedbythesUAS'slimitedoperationalrange,smalldimensionsandtheuseoflightweightmaterialsinitsconstruction,allofwhichreducetheriskofdamagetosurroundingstructures.14C.F.R.91.203(a)&(b):(Maintenanceinspections)Theregulationprovidesinpertinentpart:(a)Exceptasprovidedin§91.715,nopersonmayoperateacivilaircraftunlessithaswithinitthefollowing:(1)Anappropriateandcurrentairworthinesscertificate....(b)Nopersonmayoperateacivilaircraftunlesstheairworthinesscertificaterequiredbyparagraph(a)ofthissectionoraspecialflightauthorizationissuedunder§91.715isdisplayedatthecabinorcockpitentrancesothatitislegibletopassengersorcrew.TheUASfullyloadedweighsnomorethan55lbsandisoperatedwithoutanonboardpilot.Assuch,thereisnoabilityorplacetocarrycertificationandregistrationdocumentsortodisplaythemonthesUAS.Equivalentlevelofsafetyanalysis:AnequivalentlevelofsafetywillbeachievedbykeepingthesedocumentsatthegroundcontrolpointwherethepilotflyingthesUASwillhaveimmediateaccesstothem,totheextenttheyareapplicabletothesUAS.14C.F.R.91.405(a)&14C.F.R.91.407(a)(1):14C.F.R.91.409(a)(2):14C.F.R.91.417(a):(Maintenancerelated)FAAregulationsimposevariousrequirementsregardingthemaintenanceofcivilaircraft,includingperiodicinspections,approvalforreturntoservicebyaqualifiedmechanicfollowingmaintenanceorrepair,anairworthinessinspectionandcertainrulesconcerningmaintenancerecordkeeping.NHC'smaintenanceofthesUASaircraftwillnotsatisfytheserequirements.Equivalentlevelofsafetyanalysis:NHCwillmaintainthesUASinaccordancewiththemanualsandoperatinghandbookprovidedbythemanufacturer.BecauseofthesUAS'ssmallsizeandlightweightconstruction,NHCwillbeabletosubjectittotop-to-bottomexaminationaftereveryflight.Allpre-orpost-flightmaintenance,equipmentfailures,chargecyclelogs,fault/repairlogs,inspectionsandgeneralmaintenancerecordswillbekeptonfileforaminimumofthreeyears.NHChasdevelopedalengthypre/post-flightchecklist;anyaircraftwhichisunabletomeetalltherequirementsforsafeoperationwillberemovedfromserviceimmediatelyandwillnotreturntoserviceuntilanydefectshavebeenremedied.Moreover,ifmechanicalissuesarise,thesUAScanlandimmediatelyastheywillbeoperatingatanaltitudenohigherthan500ft.ThemanufacturersperiodicallyupdatepartsandsoftwareforsUASaircraft.Whena8UAS

is tested

in the office,

NHC

will check

for

the most recent

stable software

issued

by the manufacturer

(NHC

will

not

use

Beta software).

NHC

will ensure

its sUAS aircraft

have

the most recent equipment

and software.

The number

of hours

that

a sUAS

is

in operation

will

be logged

by NHC

to ensure

proper

life

of components

as well

as the flight

packs

that provide

power. Summary

n c This application

seeks

an exemption

from

the FARs

set forth above

to allow commercial

operations

of

a small unmanned

aircraft

system

to conduct

precision

aerial surveys

for

the benefit

of the general

public. Yours sincerely Dr Stephen

Kwan

CFI River Engineer Northwest

Hydraulic Consultants **'t~+'\')~** Todd Bennett

P.E Branch Manager Northwest

Hydraulic Consultants

9