# Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operations Manual

1855 Industrial Street

Los Angeles, CA 90021

Phone: 805

- 453

- 0485

Email: w ill@skylessproductions.net 

# Skyless Productions

, LLC

## MPTOM

– Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual

INTRODUCTION

This manua l has been prepared in accordance of FAR, Part 91

. The intent of this Manua l is to set forth

the definitive operational guidelines to be complied with by pilots

, assigned coordinators, and other

personnel while engaged in filming operations

.



## DOCUMENT REVISIONS

REVISION# PAGE# DATE ENTERED REVISION NAME

1.10 All Pages 23 Sept 2015 Document Launch

## Table of Contents

CONTACT

- GENERAL 1

MANUAL APPLICABILITY 1

DISTRIBUTION AND REVISIONS 1

AVAILABILITY OF THIS MANUAL 2

AREA OF OPERATION GEOGRAPHICAL 2

SPECIFIC AREAS

- LOCATION SITES 2

FLIGHTS OTHER THAN LOCATION SITES 2

PERMISSION FOR OPERATIONS 2

PERSONS AUTHORIZED 3

GUIDE 4

SECURITY 5

COMMUNICATIONS 5

HALTING ACTMTIES 6

ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 6

PILOT I PRODUCTION CREW BRIEFING 6

AIR OPERATIONS ·CREW NOTIFICATION 7

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

- PILOTS 7

APPROVED PILOTS 8

UAS CERTIFICATION EXEMPTION and AIRWORTHINESS 9

ORGAINIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

AIRCRAFT INSPECTIONS

INVENTORY OF APPROVED UAS 10

ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION 11

SPECIAL PROVISIONS 12

APPENDIX 1

- Statement of Verification 13

APPENDIX 2

- Production Definitions 14

APPENDIX 3

- Accident Reporting Procedures 15

APPENDIX 4

- Consent To Be Involved 16

APPENDIX 5

- Standard Crew Briefing 17 1

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## CONTACT

- GENERAL

The administration, filing and record

- keeping for operations covered by this manual are maintained and on

file at this m

ailing address and further, all notices and correspondence at:

William King

Skyless Productions

, LLC

1855 Industrial Street

Los Angeles, CA 90021

P hon e : 805

- 453

- 0485

Email: w ill@skylessproductions.net



## M ANUAL APPLICABILITY

This Manual prescribes rules

, policies and procedures for the guidance of pilots and studio or production

personnel. The Manual will be incorporated as part of a specia l provisions and become the standard by

which, conducts all operations, pursuant to the FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.

The controls, procedures and conditions set forth in this operations manua l are the primary assurance that

nonparticipating persons, property and aircraft will not be jeopardized

. This is the basis for issuance of the

waiver. Therefore compliance with the provisions of this manua l is mandatory when operating under the

FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, just as is compliance with all non

- waived FAA regulations

and other applicable government regulations.



## DISTRIBUTION AND REVISIONS

Skyless will be responsible for distributing a copy of this manua l to all pilots and coordinators before any

flight activity covered by this manual shall take place. Pilots and coordinators will be required to sign a statement affirming that they have read this manual as well as the Certificate of Waiver or Authorization attached to it and will comply with all provisions contained therein

. S tatements are the responsibility of

Skyless and will be kept on file in digita l and/or paper format at the Skyless office. These statements must

be available for inspection when required by the Administrator. Appendix 1 provides an example of the

Statement of Verification.

The FAA shall receive all revisions to this manual 15 days before the effective date of those revisions.

Revision numbers and dates will appear in the upper right hand comer of each page of the manual.



## AVAILABILITY OF THIS MANUAL

The FAA approved origina l manual will be kept on file in the office of Skyless

. True copies will be made

ava i lable at each film location site for the use of pilots, coordinators and any other persons requiring them.

## AREA OF OPERATIONS

- GEOGRAPHICAL

All pilots and coordinators within the Continental United States including Alaska, Hawaii and all US territories and its possessions must use this Manual.



## SPECIFIC AREAS

– LOCATION SITES

This Manua l is required to be used at all specific location sites

. Prior to any flight activity required by

proposed filming Skyless will submit at least three days before scheduled filming, a written plan of activities to the FSDO having jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The three

- day notification may be

waived if Skyless was contacted for a last minute event. Skyless should contact the FSDO as soon as possible to request waiver of the three

- day requirement written justification of the exception to the three

- day

requirement is required. No flight activities will commence unti l notification and a "received and accepted"

or "examined and accepted" acknowledgment from the applicable FSDO has been accomplished.



## FLIGHTS OTHER THAN LOCATION SITES

Personne l are to be aware that only those approved operations conducted at 

### the location sites are waived

relative to compliance with FAR 91.119(b) and (c). All other flights to



### , from, and in the vicinity of the approved location site(s) must be conducted in compliance with existing regulations.



## PERMISSION FOR OPERATIONS

It is the responsibility of Skyless to coord inate with the film studio involved to assure that the following

entities have given their permission prior to the commencement of filming operations:

A) Property owners

B) Political subdivisions

, as required

C) Law enforcement agencies, as required

D) Fire protection agencies, as required

E) State and Federal government or both

F) FAA Flight Service Station, or Air Traffic Control, as required

G) Loca l FAA Flight Standards District Office



## PERSONS

– AUTHORIZED

Pursuant to FAA Order 8900.1

, Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) CHG 0, Volume 3, Chapter 8 dated 9/13/2007 and FAR 91.119 "Persons Authorized", the following will outline in detail the procedures that Skyless will follow prior to any flight operations that require flight below 4 00 feet

AGL (above ground level) and within a 500 foot distance of occupied structures, vehicles, etc.

These procedures ensure that no persons, except those persons consenting to be involved and necessary for

the filming production, are allowed within 500 feet of the filming production area

. This provision may be

reduced to no less than 200 feet in the event that ‘s situable

, equivalent leve l of safety can be achieved. An

equivalent leve l of safety may be determined by evaluation of the filming production area and the degreeof terrain features, buildings etc. that will provide a safety barrier to observers. Prior to any flight operations

, Skyless along with authorized production personnel will ensure that no person or persons within

occupied structures and vehicles will be allowed within 500 feet of the shooting area that involves the

aircraft exercising Skyless 's Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.

Those individuals within the 500 foot area of operations who do not consent to be involved will be required

to relocate outside the designated "safety zone"

. For buildings that have non

- participating individuals,

production will make arrangements to have those persons removed from the building or buildings during

flight operations. A n Skyless representative will confirm with production that the above has been accomplished prior to any flight activity.

Those individuals other than production staff who "consent to be involved" will be required to sign a written statement acknowledging and agreeing to the proposed filming activity

. Before the beginning of flight

operations

, a n Skyless representative will review all signed statements

. Upon request these signed documents will be made available for review to loca l FAA FSDO representatives overseeing the filming activities.

NOTE: (A detailed "Consent to be I nvolved ” F orm can be found in Appendix 4)



## GUIDE

The following guide shall be used by Skyless to inform the applicable FSDO at least three days prior

to the proposed filming. This form shall also include maps and diagrams of specific sites of operations as necessar y

.



### Plan of Activities

1. Dates and times for all flights.

2. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted under the Exemption.

3. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on

- scene operation of the UAS.

4. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used. Name and certificate number of UAS

PICs involved in the aerial filming.

5. A statement that the operator h as 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;

6. Signature of exemption holder or representative.

7. A descr iption 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 minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the operations.

8. General outline of daily production schedule as fo llows:a. Description of flight activity including maps, diagrams of flight area identifying cities, towns,

counties and the state over where filming will be conducted.

b. Include the minimum and maximum altitudes the flight will be conducted.

c. Identify security for the production area; police, guards or other specifically place personnel.

d. Control methods of non

- participating personnel; police, guards or other specifically place personnel. NON

- PARTICIPATING PROPERTY AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHALL

NOT BE CLOSER THAN 500 FEET FOR ANY REASON

e. All city, town, county, state and local filming permits have been have obtained

.

f. All necessary written approvals have been obtained from the property owner(s).

g. If necessary, a list of all permissions and waivers must be mad e available to the FSDO officer,

local authorities or safety representative.



## SECURITY

- ON SET

A plan for securing the productions area(s) against unauthorized persons, vehicles and outside air traffic

shall be created and coordinated between Skyless and one or more of the following studio representatives:

1. Unit Production Manager

2. Director*

3. First or Second Assistant Director*

4. Unit Security Chief

5. Local Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Agency Personnel Who May Be Assigned to the Production

*NOTE: A detailed description of the Director

, First Assistant Director, UPM and Producer can be found

in Appendix 2

At a minimum, UAS landing site(s) will be cordoned off and a ground safety person will be posted to ensure the landing area is clear and secure during take

- off and landing evolutions along with the appropriate

fire suppression equipment (ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers

, water truck and other equipment to

suppress and stop a Lithium

- ion polymer battery fire).

This comprehensive plan will include a communication and response system between pilot(s) assigned

personnel that would facilitate an immediate halt to air activities should unauthorized persons, vehicles or

other aircraft inadvertently enter the area.



## COMMUNICATIONS

Skyless personne l and respective production coordinators will design and implement a plan for communication between principle participants in the air and on the ground.

The plan will incorporate the following:1. All UAS operations crew will be equipped with a least one 10 watt VHF aircraft radio, with hands

free head gear.

2. Ground personnel will be provided with "Hand

- Communication Talkies" to be programmed to frequencies utilized in the UAS crew.

3. A "sterile eme rgency backup channel" will be selected before air operations begin.

4. Skyless designated ground coordinator will be assigned to the First Assistant Director in order to

communicate directly pilot(s) action cues, requests, etc. This coordinated eff ort will allow direct

communication from production to the UAS pilot(s).

5. Pilot or lead pilot will talk directly to the ground coordinator who will communicate instructions to

members of the film crew on a separate channel so as to avoid the possibility of air/ground confusion or miscommunication.



## STOPPING FLIGHT ACTIVITIES

Skyless will coordinate with appropriate studio personnel the i mplementation of a method to ensure a halt

to activities should unauthorized persons or vehicles enter the area or if an emergency exists

. This method

will incorporate a chain of communication and signals between involved personnel. Pilots will be thoroughly briefed on proper frequencies, responsible ground coordinators and/or the exact locations and

operations of signaling devices.



## ROADS, LANES AND HIGHWAYS

Should operations require flights over or on roads or highways, Skyless will coordinate studio personnel

to assure that proper action has been taken to sterilize the roads or highways from vehicular or pedestrian

traffic. Security personnel such as sheriff, police or fire department representatives should establish this

assurance and be knowledgeable to the time frames involved.



## PILOT, FLIGHT AND PRODUCTION CREW PRE

- OPERATIONS

BRIEFING

Prior to any activities covered by this manual

, Skyless will meet and plan the aerial sequences with the

responsible studio personnel assigned to the specific event

. At this meeting the following information

will be discussed with studio representative(s):

1. Authorization for motion picture and television Certificate of Waiver or Authorization and any

attached provisions

2. Operations manual

3. Plan of Activities

4. Aircraft parking and starting

5. Taxi procedures (as applicable)

6. Radio communications7. Takeoff procedures

8. Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

9. Approach and landing procedures

10. Recall procedures

11. Emergency procedures

12. Risks to participating personnel

13. Procedures to control non

- participating personnel

14. Additiona l provisions issued by the FSDO including the location of the physical boundaries and

usage time limits if applicable.



## AIR OPERATIONS

– CREW NOTIFICATION

Skyless will coordinate with the studio to request that the front of the studio call sheet, which outlines the

daily shooting schedule, crew and required personnel and equipment and will have the following statement information on it:

• Number of UAS will be used in today's filming activities.

• The UAS will be in the close proximity to cre w and equipment.

• Anyone need further explanation notify the Production Manager or the first Assistant Director prior to

filming.

• Anyone objecting notify the Production Manager or the first Assistant Director prior to filming.



## PILOT AND FLIGHT PERSONEL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Skyless will be responsible for checking the documents and certificates of pilots who are engaged in flying activities covered by this manual

. Pilots must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Hold a current US pilot recreational or sport certificate with ratings appropriate to the category, class

and type (if applicable) of the aircraft to be used under the terms of the waiver.

2. Have logged a minimum of 200 cycles PIC and logged at least 50 hours as the PIC in the aircraft type.

3. Have logged a minimum of 50 hours in the category and class of the aircraft to be flown.

4. Have logged a minimum of 10 hours in the make and model of the aircraft to be flown under the

waiver.

5

. In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an external

- load operation, whether

fixed or rotary wing operations

, pilots used in the operation shall be qualified. This qualification

may be obtained through a knowledge test (which may be oral and/or written) and/or skill. The inspector or another company pilot approved by the geographically responsible FSDO who is qualified

to carry loads externally will give the test(s) which are similar to part 133 requirements and cover the

following subjects:

a) Steps to be taken before starting operations

, including a survey of the flight.

b) Proper method of loading, rigging

, or attaching the external

- load.

c) Aircraft performance capabilities under motion picture operating procedures and the Aircraft

Flight Manual (AFM).d) Proper instructions for flight and ground crew personnel.

e) AFM, pilot's operations handbook (POH), or a rotorcraft

- load combination flight manua l and

limitations

, if appropriate.



## APPROVED PILOT ROSTER

Example

John Smith Single and Multi Eng

Fixed W ing and

Multirotor CURRENT

Class III Sport Pilot

UAS Pilot Aircraft

DJI S1000 + Name Equipment Medical Rating Aircraft

## UAS CERTIFICATION EXEMPTION AND AIRWORTHINESS

Skyless will be responsible for UAS pre

- flight inspection and checking of each aircraft before the

initial flight activity takes place to ascertain the validity of the required documents.

Documents must consist of the following:

1. The UAS aircraft exempt from certificated in any category including experimental and restricted

provided the requirements of 14 CFR 91.313, 91.319 and 91.203 are met. Procedures shall be

included to ensure that aircraft inspections will be in accordance with the applicable parts of Part 43,

Part 91 or assigned operating limitations.

2. Operations Limitations

3. Registration of UAS Exemption Letter

4. Radio Station License, if applicable

5. Flight and Pilot’s Log Book



## ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Chief Pilot Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual.

2. Act as liaison between Skyless and the FAA on matters concerning this manual.

3. Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed statement from

each that they have read and understand its contents.

4. Maintain a curr ent copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Skyless

.

5. Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed properly.

6. Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by Skyless under the provisions of this manual.

7. Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

8. The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and required maintenance

have been performed as per the Exemption.

2. Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of this manual.

3. Be very know ledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, policies and conditions contained herein.

4. Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, etc. with safety

of all persons involved in the primary co ncern.

5. Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job or operation requiring the waiver.6. The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains responsibility.



## INVENTORY OF UAS

UAS MAKE UAS MODEL(S) SERIAL NUMBER “N” NUMBER

Example

DJI S1000 Plus Octocopter Sk

- 101S1001 To Be Noted



## UAS AIRCRAFT INSPECTIONS

All UAS aircraft used for operations covered by this manual must complete current inspections in accordance with all applicable FAA Regulations

. Each pilot shall check UAS aircraft's Flight Logs to

determine that the UAS to be flown meets, flight requirements and flight status conditions applicable

before the UAS pre

- flight is conducted. Further, it shall be determined that no flight operations will

be conducted if these inspections reveal UAS airframe, propulsion or communication link problems

. If a

filming event requires any modifications or alterations the appropriate FAA approvals and

documentation must be obtained and reviewed by Skyless

.

## ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION

Skyless will be required to notify the National Transportation Safety Board if an accident or incident

occurs that is serious enough to come under 

### the provisions of 49 CFR part 830. 

### In the event that 

### the pilot

becomes incapacitated the designated Ground Safety Coordinator on set shall be tasked with notifying the

appropriate agencies, please refer to Accident Reporting Procedures, 49 CFR Part 830 contained in Appendix 3.

EMERGENCY 911

FSS (800) 992

- 7433

FAA Regional Office (310) 725

- 660 0

NTSB (3 1 0) 380

- 5660

NOTE: A copy of 49 CFR Part 830 will be made available to:

1. Producer

2. Assistant Director

3. Unit Production Manager

4. This may include all of the above or one listed above

## SPECIAL PROVISIONS

All pilots and coordinators within the Continental United States including ; The controls, procedures, and

conditions set forth in the Skyless motion picture and television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be jeopardized.

The aircraft and PIC / operators used under this authorization, Exemption and / or waiver will only be

those specified in the Skyless motion picture and television operations manual (“ Appendix A ”) or associated plan of activities.

Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All aircraft and

pilot(s) participating in the activit y shall be available for FAA inspection before the scheduled event.

Each pilot

- in

- command conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c). (see atta ched document

under “ Appendix B ”)

UAS takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent unauthorized persons

from entering the takeoff and landing area. Skyless will ensure that the participating persons involved

in the o perations are thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency procedures,

and on the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No person may

participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing on the provisions of the waiver.

## STATEMENT OF VERIFICATION

APPENDIX 1

I, as an approved

___________________ Motion Picture Pilot and I or Coordinator affirm I have received

training on the Motion Picture and Television Flight Operations Manual as well as the Certificate of Waiver

or Authorization attached to it as applicable and will comply with all provisions contained therein.

Signed:

_______________________________ Date:______________

## PRODUCTION DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX 2

DIRECTOR: Person on set responsible for the creative aspects of the film. Works with the actors and crew on

the day

- to

- day shooting of the production.

FIRST ASSIS T ANT DIRECTOR: Person on set who coordinates with the director and production regarding

the daily shooting schedule and he or she runs the set. Works with the aerial coordinator on conducting the

"safety meeting" as it pertains to flight operations.

UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER I PRODUCER : Person or persons responsible on set in making production decisions that directly affect the day to day operations of the film. Coordinates with departments and hires

and fires crew members.

### AFAA ACCIDENT REPORTING PROCEDURES 49

- CFR PART 830

APPENDIX 3

In the event of an aircraft accident or incident and the preservation of aircraft wreckage the Aerial Coordinator,

and or the Ground Safety Coordinator, First Assistant Director or Producer shall when able and at the earliest

possible time notify the FAA and the NTSB regarding the accident or incident. A copy of the National

Transportation Safety Board Guidelines follows this appendix

. Contact phone numbers are listed below and

will help guide those tasked with notifying the appropriate agencies.

FSS (800) 992

- 7 433

FAA REGIONAL OFFICE (310) 725

- 660 0

NTSB (310) 3 80

- 5660

## CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE AND BE INVOLVED

APPENDIX 4

I acknowledge that a Skyless representative has fully e x plained to me the flight parameters that will be performed

for the actual filming. I understand the potential risks involved with being within the 500 foot " safety zon e " * and that

the aircraft may fly in close pr o x imity to me an d

/ or my property. By signing this statement I have become a

participant and I am willing to assume any and all risks associated with being within the "safety zone "

.

Participant Name (printed) Date

Participant Signature

Production Title

*NOTE: A safety zone is defined as a 200 to 500 foot radius that surrounds the shooting area in which UAS

multirotor, helicopters an d / or f i x ed

- wing aircraft may be flown in close proximity to crew and equipment and is

free from " no n

- participating members of the publi c ".

## STANDARD CREW BRIEFING

APPENDIX 5

Name of Production

1. Authorization for motion picture and television Certificate of Waiver or Authorization and any attached provisions

2. Operations manual

3. Plan of activities

4. Aircraft parking and starting

5. Radio communications

6. Takeoff procedures

7. Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

8. Approach and landing procedures

9. Recall procedures

10. Emergency procedures

11. Risks to participating personnel

12. Procedures to contro l non

- participating personnel

13. Additiona l provisions issued by the FSDO including the location of the physical boundaries and

usage time limits as applicable.

Briefing conducted by:_____________ Signature:

_________________________ Date:

________