July 22, 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Exemption Request Under Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations

Dear Madam, Sir,

Pursuant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the “Reform Act”) 

and 14 C.F.R. Part 11, CME Engineering LP (“CME”), an operator of the eBee Unmanned 

Aircraft System (“eBee”) seeks an exemption from the Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”) 

listed below:

 14 C.F.R. 21

 14 C.F.R. 45.23

 14 C.F.R. 45.29

 14 C.F.R. 61.3

 14 C.F.R. 61.113(a) & (b)

 14 C.F.R. 61.133(a)

 14 C.F.R. 91.7(b)

 14 C.F.R. 91.9(b)(2)

 14 C.F.R. 91.109(a)

 14 C.F.R. 91.119

 14 C.F.R. 91.121

 14 C.F.R. 91.151(a)

 14 C.F.R. 91.203(a) & (b)

 14 C.F.R. 91.319(a)(1)

 14 C.F.R. Subpart E (91.401 - 91.417)

The requested exemption would authorize commercial operations using the eBee for mapping and 

survey applications. These operations will be subject to strict operating requirements defined in 

the eBee user manual (CME requests the FAA treat the eBee training program as proprietary 

under 14 C.F.R. 11.35(b) and does not include this document in the public docket) and conditions 

defined by the Safety Code of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (see Annex B), in order to 

ensure at least an equivalent level of safety to currently authorized operations using manned 

aircrafts. 

The eBee will be operated by an individual who fulfill the following requirements:

 Has successfully passed a manufacturer’s training program for the eBee and the written 

test of the Recreational or Sport Pilots License; CME requests the FAA treat the eBee 
training program as proprietary under 14 C.F.R. 11.35(b) and does not include this 

document in the public docket.

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIRCRAFT 

The eBee is a small (37.8 inches wingspan) and ultra-light (maximum take-off weight of 1.7 

pounds) platform made of flexible foam that performs pre-programmed precision aerial mapping 

missions thanks to the on-board GPS and the related flight management software (eMotion) that 

allows the operator to plan safely and efficiently a mission in 3D, and then monitor it in real-time. 

Thanks to the embedded camera, protected by a foam envelope, the eBee takes a collection of 

high-definition still images that are used later to generate maps and contour lines of the surveyed 

area. 

The four main characteristics of the eBee are:

a. Very light weight

The eBee is so light that the operator can launch it by hand and let it land on almost any surface 

without requiring a parachute or landing net (belly land). Its low impact energy (38 J in case of a 

controlled emergency landing) also significantly reduces the risk of hazardous situations. Finally, 

the wings of the eBee are detachable and made of flexible foam with no sharp or hard edges and 

almost no internal strengthening structure. 

b. Electric-powered

The eBee is electric powered. A brushless engine technology makes it silent and reliable. The 

propeller is attached with a rubber band to the body of the plane so that it can easily flex away in 

case of contact with any object. 

c. Semi-automatic flight

The artificial intelligence incorporated within the eBee autopilot system continuously analyzes 

data from the Inertial Measurement Unit and from the onboard GPS and takes care of all the 

aspects of the flight under the supervision of the operator.

d. Option for Manual control

Additionally, the eBee provides an override capability that allows the operator to take manual 

actions during the flight (Go to Home, Go Land, Hold and Resume the mission) and also suspend 

automated operations and take manual control of the aircraft should it become necessary to 

respond emergent circumstances, thanks to the remote controller provided with the system.

2. APPLICATIONS
The eBee will be used to map for natural resources, endangered species and plant life, 

topography, as-built construction conditions and progress, quarry and mining operations (noncongested areas).

3. APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARD UNDER SECTION 333

a. Airworthiness assessment of the eBee

CME notes that the airworthiness of the eBee has already been demonstrated for different projects 

in the United States, involving state/federal agencies or universities (among others the New 

Mexico State University: https://newscenter.nmsu.edu/Articles/view/10208/nmsu-uas-flight-testcenter-conducts-ebee-airworthiness-assessment, and the USACE New Orleans, who coordinated 

with the Department of Army and the FAA to obtain all authorizations required in order to 

operate the eBee UAS).

Moreover, SenseFly obtained flight approvals for the eBee (delivered by national civil aviation 

authorities) in many countries, among others:

 Switzerland (flight approval for VLOS operations)

 Canada (flight approval for VLOS operations)

 Australia (flight approval for VLOS operations)

 France (flight approval for Extended-VLOS operations)

 Germany (flight approval for VLOS operations)

 United Kingdom (flight approval for VLOS operations)

 Norway (flight approval for VLOS operations)

 Sweden (flight approval for VLOS operations)

 Denmark (flight approval for VLOS operations)

b. Operating requirements

Grant of the exemption to CME for the eBee will be subject to the following operating conditions, 

based on the operating conditions set forth by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (see Annex B). 

The main restrictions are summarized below:

 Operations to be conducted over private, controlled-access, or public property where 

approved;

 Permission from the land owner/authority required before commencing any flight;

 Operations over congested areas shall be avoided;

 Operations must not interfere with manned aircraft operations, must yield the right of way

to manned aircraft, and operators must See & Avoid other aircraft and obstacles at all times
 Operations limited to Visual Flight Rules Meteorological Conditions (VMC) and daylight 

hours

 Aircraft operations must remain within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) and will be visually 

monitored at all times;

 VLOS guaranteed with a GPS geo-fence around operator of 0.5 miles

 Flight ceiling pre-programed at 400 feet;

 All operations conducted within 5 miles from an airport shall only be initiated after verbal 

coordination with the airport authority, or air traffic control when a control tower is 

present at the airport;

 All operations shall comply with required permissions and permits established by

territorial, state, county or city jurisdictions; including local law enforcement, fire, or other 

appropriate governmental agencies.

 The eBee operations will be compliant with existing safety procedures inherent to the 

activities of the related company.

c. Operator Requirements

The eBee operator will have successfully completed the written test of the Recreational or Sport

Pilot Certification.

CONCLUSION

CME Engineering LP is a Civil, Mining, and Environmental Engineering firm and the use of the 

eBee’s technology will make our work more profitable, efficient and will enable us to deliver 

accurate results in near real time to our clients. This accuracy and time saving ability will allow 

the clients to make on-time decisions. The eBee is safer than having CME’s employees out in the 

field for specific projects, and also very safe for other aircrafts because of the mission 

specifications (below 400 ft.) and eBee integrated safety features.

We are prepared to modify or amend any part of this request to satisfy the need for an equivalent 

level of safety. We look forward to working with your office. Please contact us at any time if you 

require additional information or clarification.

Very truly yours,

CME Engineering LP, a Pennsylvania limited partnership

By: CME Management LLC, its sole general partner

By:

Joseph W. Lloyd 

Senior Project Manager / Survey Manager