Edward Schmittou 

415 Adams Rd 

Orofino, ID 83544 

Clearwater Aerial Photography LLC 

Clearwater Aeria IPhotogra phy@gma i l.com 

I, Edward Schmittou, am seeking the exemption because I am committed to complying with all of the 

rules, guidelines, limitations, and future legislation set forth by the FAA. I agree to operate the sUAS in 

the manner that I have described, and for the purposes that I have described. Without the exemption 

request granted, I would be unable to safely and effectively run my business, and it is my intention to 

comply with the FAA and obtain an exemption of the following regulations. 

Exemption Request Pursuant to Section 333 ofthe FAA Reform Act and Part 11 ofthe Federal Aviation 

Regulations from: 14 CFR 21 subpart H 

14 CFR 45.23(b) 

14 CFR 61.113(a) and (b) 

14 CFR 91.7(a} 

14 CFR 91.9(b)(2) 

14 CFR 91.103 

14 CFR 91.109 

14 CFR 91.119(c} 

14 CFR 91.121 

14 CFR 91.151(a) 

14 CFR 91.203 (a} and (b) 

14 CFR 91.405 (a) 

14 CFR 91.407 (a) (1) 

14 CFR 91.409 (a)(1) and (2) 

14 CFR 91.417(a) and (b) 

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the "Reform Act") and 14 

CFR Part 11, Edward Schmittou owner of Clearwater Aerial Photography and operator of the Unmanned 

Aircraft Systems (UAS), hereby applies for an exemption from the listed Federal Aviation Regulations 

("FARs") to allow commercial operation of designated UAS, provided such operations are conducted 

within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by 

Section 333. Commercial operation of an UAS, as described herein, which are equipped with camera(s) 

and sensors, would provide professional services in the following areas: 

1. Aerial photography and/or video for public and/or private use including real estate, 

architecture, land surveying, engineering and other related professional activities. 

2. Aerial video and/or photography for public and/or private use including television, public 

events, cinematography and newsgathering. 

3. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial structures under contract with the 

owners or local government authority. 

4. Aerial inspection/photography of residential/commercial utility infrastructure including but 

not limited to electrical power lines, wind turbines and cell towers. 

5. Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed to assist with search and rescue 

operations in cases of an emergency or natural disaster only when the local authorities or 

government has requested it by contract or donation. 
As described fully below, the requested exemption would permit the operation of designated 

UAS as set forth in this document under controlled conditions in the NAS that would be a) 

limited b) controlled c) predetermined and d) safe. Approval of this exemption would increase 

public awareness of UAS operations and enhance safety to aid in fulfilling the Secretary of 

Transportation's (the FAA Administrator's) responsibilities to " .... establish requirements 

for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system." 

I plan to operate a UAS, the DJI PHANTOM 3 Professional which is comprised of an unmanned aircraft 

(UA or Phantom 3) and a transportable ground station. The Phantom 3 is referred to as a quad-copter 

with a maximum gross weight of about 3 pounds. It is equipped with four rotors that are driven by 

electric motors powered by batteries. The UA has a maximum airspeed of 16 m/s. 

Also, given the small size of the UAS's involved and the restricted controlled environment within 

which they will operate, the applicant fits within that zone of safety (an equivalent level of safety) 

in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow commercial operations of 

UASs to commence immediately. Also due to the size of the UASs and the controlled areas in 

which the relevant UASs will operate, approval of the application presents no national security 

issue. Given the following, the grant of the requested exemptions is clearly in the public interest: 

Edward Schmittou proposes that the exemption requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have the 

characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for an 

exceptional level of safety to operations. These limitations and conditions to which Edward Schmittou 

agrees to be bound when conducting commercial operations under an FAA issued exemption 

including: 

1. The UAS will weigh less than 55 lbs. 

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of operator. 

3. Maximum total flight time for each operational flight will be 30 minutes. 

4. Flights will be terminated at 15% battery power reserve. 

4. Flights will be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL 

6. The UAS will only operate within a controlled area as defined in the Procedures. 

8. The operator will have been trained in operation of UAS generally and received up-to-date 

information on the particular UAS to be operated as required. 

9. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UAS will have capability to 

return to a pre-determined location within the Security Perimeter and land. 

10. The UAS will have the capability to abort a flight in case of unpredicted obstacles or 

emergencies. 

I Edward Schmittou Owner of Clearwater Aerial Photography respectfully request that the FAA grant the 

requested exemptions. I have significant time and finances Invested in this opportunity. Please contact 

me at any time if additional information or clarifications are needed. 

Edward Schmittou 

Date 1/29/2016