July 15, 2015

Exemption No. 12042

Regulatory Docket No. FAA–2015–1552

Mr. Jake Coon

4603 West Bull Moose Court

West Jordan, UT 84088

Dear Mr. Coon:

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 posted to the public docket on May 11, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) for an exemption. You requested to operate an unmanned aircraft 

system (UAS) to conduct aerial photography and videography.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing 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 is a DJI Phantom 3.

In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of Public 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 aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation 

has determined that this aircraft meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA 

finds that relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, 
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Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing 

requirements of part 36, is not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection1. The FAA has issued grants of 

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

In Grants of Exemption Nos. 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 Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced 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, gives 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 present; 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, Mr. Jake Coon 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), 91.119(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.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Mr. Jake Coon is hereafter referred to as the operator.

 

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 (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by 

instruments aboard the UA.
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Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 3

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 operating 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 observer (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 verbally at all times; 

electronic 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 perform 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 documents. 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 

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 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 

documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 
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operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment 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 FAA’s 

UAS Integration Office (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 people. 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. Prior 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 

inspection 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 UAS 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 Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 

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

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

14. The operator may not permit 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 persons, 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 
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(training, proficiency, and experience-building) 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 dedicated training sessions. During 

training, 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 accordance 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 symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published 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 its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private 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 Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted 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 conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

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 part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable.
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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 and 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, vehicles, 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 protection. 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 trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission 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 FAA'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.

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.
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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 Standards 

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area 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 phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted 

under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the 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 certificate 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 

essential 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.
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This exemption terminates on July 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures
Submitted by: 

Jake Coon

4603 W Bull Moose Ct

West Jordan, UT 84088

(801) 674-0508

jakecoonmail@gmail.com

Scope:

Enhance and augment real estate listing videos by using the Phantom 3 

Professional Unmanned Aircraft System to conduct aerial photography and 

videography of real property. 

UAV Phantom 3 Professional:

The DJI Phantom 3 is a quad-rotor Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) 

weighing less than 3 pounds. The Phantom 3 UAS that Jake Coon will be 

responsible for also utilizes a mobile ground station. The UAS features a 

safety Return to Home function that in the event of a signal loss, the UAS 

will return to a preset position and land. The Return to Home feature can 

also be triggered manually. The remote connects to your phone or tablet, and 

a 720p HD view of everything your camera sees as you fly is displayed live. 

This immersive view streams to you in absolute clarity, enabling safe flying. 

From takeoff to landing, the Phantom 3 responds to commands while 

automatically handling the most complex aspects of safe, stable flight.

Request:

An exemption from 91.7(a), 91.119, 91.121, 91.151(a), 91.405(a), 

91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(2) and 91.417(a) and (b) of Title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) as was granted to Ralph J. Apel in Exemption 

No. 11410

Petition:

I request an exemption from TITLE 14 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL 

REGULATIONS SECTIONS 61.113 (a) and (b); 91.7 (a); 91.119 (c); 

91.121; 91.151 (a); 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (1) and (2); 91.417 

(a) and (b)

The Extent Of Relief that Jake Coon seeks

1. Extent of Relief that Jake Coon seeks regarding Section 61.113 (a) and (b) 

Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations
Relief from Section 61.113 (a) and (b) is requested to allow a Pilot in 

Command holding a current Private Pilots Certificate to operate the Jake 

Coon's Phantom 3. The flight would be complimented by a Visual Observer 

who, along with the pilot, will maintain Visual Line of Sight with the 

Phantom 3 at all times. All operations conducted will be incidental to Jake 

Coon's business. The Phantom 3 is not able to carry passengers.

2. Extent of Relief that Jake Coon seeks in regards to Section 91.7(a) Civil 

Aircraft Airworthiness

Relief from Section 91.7(a) is requested to allow Jake Coon to determine 

airworthiness of the Phantom 3. As part of this determination the following 

will be adhered to:

a. Prior to the Phantom 3's flight the PIC will inspect the UA to ensure it is 

in a condition that will be conducive for a safe flight. The ground control 

station will be included in the above inspection.

b. Jake Coon will follow the DJI Phantom 3’s aircraft/component, 

maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection and life limit requirements.

c. Jake Coon will comply with all DJI manufacturer Safety Bulletins.

3. Extent of Relief that Jake Coon seeks in regards to Section 91.119 

Minimum Safe Altitudes General relief from 91.119 is requested to allow 

Jake Coon to operate the Phantom 3 at altitudes not to exceed 400’ AGL 

over private property at a distance at or greater than 5NM from the nearest 

airport as depicted on current Aeronautical Charts. Jake Coon also wishes to 

be granted exemption to operate at an altitude not greater than 50’ AGL 

(below tree level) between 1NM and 5NM from the nearest airport as 

depicted on current Aeronautical Charts.

Jake Coon will adhere to the following in order to maintain an acceptable 

level of safety associated with operations over private property:

(a) Jake Coon will display signs in the immediate vicinity of operations 

stating: “Aerial Photography In Progress. Use Caution.”

(b) Jake Coon will not allow the Phantom 3 to operate at a speed greater than 

10kts.

(c) Jake Coon will require the UAS operator (PIC) to be fully trained on the 

Phantom 3 by adhering to the recommendations contained within the 

Phantom 3’s operating manual.

(d) Jake Coon will have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent 

with 14 CFR 61.51(b), a minimum of 25 hours of total time as a UAS 

rotorcraft pilot including at least 10 hours logged as a UAS pilot with a 

multi-rotor UAS. In addition the operator will have logged a minimum of 5 

hours as a UAS pilot operating the make and model UAS that Flying Jake 

Coon operates.
(e) Jake Coon will be familiar with and able to manually institute the 

Phantom 3’s Return to Home (RTH) feature. This feature aborts a flight 

operation and automatically returns the UAS to a predetermined GPS safe 

point.

(f) Jake Coon will not operate over private property without first finding a 

suitable alternate landing spot on the property.

(g) Jake Coon will abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies in accordance with the operating documents.

(h) Jake Coon will utilize a two man flight team consisting of the Pilot in 

Command (PIC) and a Visual Observer (VO). This team will maintain visual 

line of sight with the Phantom 3 at all times and remain within hearing of 

one another.

(i) Jake Coon will not permit flight around vessels, vehicles and structures 

without permission from the owner.

4. Extent of Relief that Jake Coon seeks in regards to Section 91.121 

Altimeter Settings

Relief from 91.121 is requested because the Phantom 3 utilizes electronic 

GPS with a barometric sensor.

In order to maintain an equal level of safety that 91.121 requires, the PIC of 

the Jake Coon's UAS will abort the flight in the events that the UA loses 

communications with the GPS signal.

5. Extent of Relief that Jake Coon seeks in regards to Section 91.151(b) Fuel 

Requirements for Flight in VFR Conditions

Relief from 91.151(b) is requested to the extent that allows Jake Coon to 

operate the Phantom 3 up to a point (considering wind and forecast weather 

conditions) that there is enough power to fly at normal cruising speed to the 

intended landing point and land the UA with 30% battery power remaining.

6. Extent of Relief that Jake Coon seeks in regards to Sections 91.405(a), 

91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1), and (a)(2), 91.417(a) and (b) These are all 

associated a with Airworthiness certificate

Relief from 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), and (a)(2), And 91.417(a) and (b) is 

requested to the extent that allows Jake Coon to operate the Phantom 3 

Quad-Copter as necessary. These sections are all related to airworthiness 

certificates of aircraft. There is not currently an airworthiness certificate for 

small UAS’s. Jake Coon would comply in full to any conditions and 

limitations that the Administrator would place in order to receive an 

approved Grant of Exemption.

Public Interest:
Aerial videography for real estate marketing has been around for a long time 

through manned fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, but for small business 

owners, it's expense has been cost-prohibitive. Granting this exemption to 

me would allow me to provide this service at a much lower cost. My UAS 

will pose no threat to the public given its small size and lack of combustible 

fuel when compared to manned aircraft. The operation of my UAS will 

minimize ecological damage and promote economic growth by providing 

information to companies looking to relocate or build in the Salt Lake area. 

Conclusion:

As set forth herein, Jake Coon seeks an exemption pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 

11.61 and Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 

(FMRA), which will permit safe operation of the DJI Phantom 3 UAS 

commercially within the Real Estate markets. The Administrator will be 

assisting small business by granting this petition. In accordance with the 

FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Jake Coon respectfully 

requests that the FAA Administrator grants this petition for exemption from 

TITLE 14 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS SECTIONS 

61.113 (a) and (b); 91.7 (a); 91.119 (c); 91.121; 91.151 (a); 91.405 (a); 

91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (1) and (2); 91.417 (a) and (b)