4/20/2015

Petition to seek approval for commercial UAS operations.

U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 

I, Cody Messer, petition the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve temporary commercial 

use of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for the purpose of gathering images and video.

The intended flight will be done over remote terrain near Aspen, Colorado. The flying location is 

approximately 20 miles ESE of Aspen, near the summit of Independence Pass. The approximate GPS 

location is 39.108876, -106.558185. The flight duration will be split into two parts, each lasting 10 

minutes. The purpose of the flight is to take still photos, as well as video of the snow removal 

operations the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) performs to open Independence Pass. 

In list order, here is the information regarding the flight operation, aircraft, and pilot.

1. The flight will be conducted using a custom built filming hexacopter. The frame used was a 

Tarot 680 Pro, a six rotor helicopter designed for heavy lift and aerial filming. The flight control

board used is a 3DR Pixhawk, with multiple flight modes including GPS hold, return to home, 

and GPS way point flight functionality. On-board telemetry provides the pilot with critical 

information, including battery levels, radio link strength, and real time directional data. The 

telemetry system is connected wirelessly to a ground station computer, which has a telemetry 

and flight control system software installed. The transmitter used by the pilot also has telemetry 

information displayed, as well as voice alerts to inform the pilot of vital flight information.

2. The helicopter was designed to carry a GoPro Hero 3+ camera, for average flight times of 

around 20 minutes. In the interest of safety, we never run a helicopter for longer than 10 

minutes. This allows us a large buffer of time should we encounter unforeseen issues.

3. The helicopter receives a preflight inspection before every flight, to include wiring, control 

systems, motors, and propellers. We also perform a range test on the transmitter and receiver, 

and make note of the distance reached when the telemetry link reaches a critical level.

4. All flights are done line of sight, with a second person as a spotter. The spotter has also been 

trained in the use and control of the helicopter, and if needed, can step in to take control using 

either the transmitter, or the computer. 

5. The helicopter has been thoroughly tested since build completion, and is known to fly a total of 

23 minutes on a single set of batteries. The helicopter has also been designed to automatically 

return to the takeoff location when the batteries reach 33% of capacity. 

6. Terrain avoidance is accomplished through the use of Google Maps data, and the helicopter is 

programed to get no closer than 25 feet to the ground while outside of a designated landing 

area. Geofencing is used to prevent unwanted flyaways, and to prevent the helicopter gaining an

altitude above ground of more than 300 feet. 

7. The helicopter and transmitter are operated on a spread spectrum 2.4 ghz system, allowing 

complete reliability within the proposed flight area. The camera and video link system are 

operated on a 900 mhz system to avoid interference with the control system, and have been 

proven to operate without faults. 

8. The flight location is sufficiently far enough away from local airports. Aspen, CO airport is 

located approximately 20 miles WNW, and the Leadville, CO airport is located approximately 
30 miles NE of the flight location. The flight location is approximate 11,500 feet ASL, though 

aircraft are known to fly over Independence Pass, their altitude is generally 14,000 feet ASL and

above do to weather conditions over the pass. Our flight will be no higher than 150 feet AGL, 

and no higher than 11,650 ASL, about 350 feet below the pass. In the event there are aircraft 

present in the area at the time, we will have a VHF hand held aviation specific radio on scene, 

scanning Aspen CTAF, Leadville CTAF, and 121.5 frequencies. 

9. The flight will take place only if there is sufficient line of sight to complete the task. At no time 

will the helicopter come within 500 feet of any cloud or fog cover. The flight will be canceled if

line of sight cannot be maintained for the duration. 

10. The pilot of the helicopter is a private rated pilot, certificate number 3623269, with many hours 

in aircraft in the local area. The pilot is also the builder of the helicopter, and the primary flier 

since build completion. Having programmed the helicopter, and flown test flights in the area, 

the pilot knows how to initiate safety protocols in the event of an emergency. 

11. Personnel on the ground will be protected by a minimum 50 foot safety zone. All personnel on 

the ground will be operating equipment for CDOT in a snow removal capacity, and therefore 

inside the cabs. All equipment has an enclosed cab, with full surround glass. 

12. Surrounding terrain is a rugged, mountainous region, consisting of steep cliffs, heavily wooded 

forest, and exposed alpine meadows. The road to the location is closed to the public. Potential 

problems involving loss of control and inability to regain control would result in the helicopter 

crashing in a remote and unpopulated area, with an average snow depth of 25 feet. 

13. A takeoff and landing zone of 25 feet by 25 feet will be roped off, and all personnel involved in 

the project will be briefed on the intended operations, safety precautions, and what to do in the 

event of an emergency. 

14. The photos and videos obtained during this flight will be used solely by CDOT, and will not be 

sold to a 3rd party. CDOT is also not purchasing the media, CDOT will be the initial and final 

owners of all media obtained during the flights. 

Please let me know if you need any more information. 

I have attached a satellite view of the flight area on page 3.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Cody Messer

180 Clearwater Rd

Carbondale, CO 81623