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Due North Productions

Motion Picture and Television Flight 

Operation Manual 

Due North Productions Inc.

2204 Euclid Street

Santa Monica, CA 90405

310 213 0790

mark@randomtv.com

droneops@randomtv.com
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Table of Contents 

1. Introduction 

1. Purpose 

2. Pilot/Operator Organization 

3. Persons Authorized 

4. Area of Operations 

5. Plan of Activities 

6. Permission to Operate 

7. Security 

8. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 

9. Certification/Airworthiness 

10. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

11. Communications 

12. Accident Notification 

13. Recall/Stop Procedures 

14. Aerobatic Competency 

15. Aerobatic Competency 

2. Company Organization 

1. Chief Pilot 

2. Pilot in Command 

Appendix A 

1 List of Approved Pilots 

2 List of Approved Aircraft 

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) 

4 Revision Letter (sample) 

Appendix B 

1 Form 7711-2 (certification of waiver) 
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Revision Control Page 

Revision# Date Initials 

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1. Introduction A. Purpose 

This manual has been developed by "Due North Productions, Inc.", hereafter referred to 

as "Due North", in conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of 

Authorization of the provisions of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c) for the purposes of filming. 

Due North pilots and other company personnel when applicable will comply with the 

policies, procedures and conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television 
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flight operations are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned 

above. 

B. Pilot/Operator Organization 

Mark Smith – Pilot / CEO

Due North Productions, Inc.

2204 Euclid St

Santa Monica, CA 90405

(310) 213-0790 - Cell

C. Persons Authorized 

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures 

directly involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall 

ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to 

be involved and necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to 

no less than 200 feet if an equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the 

Administrator has approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be 

determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain features, 

obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect nonparticipating persons 

(observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident. 

D. Area of Operations 

Due North's approved area of operations will be the United States of America.

E. Plan of Activities 

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, Due North will submit a written 

plan of activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of 

activities should include the following: 

(1) Dates and times for all flights. 

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production 

event. 

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft. 

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of 

airworthiness certificate, including category. 

(5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production 

event, including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic 

competency, if required. 
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(6) A statement that the waiver holder 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 

from the waiver holder. 

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative. 

(8) 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 

minimum altitudes essential to accomplish the operations. 

The three (3) day notification requirements may be waived, however, the operator should 

contact the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in 

detail why the three (3) day notification is not practical. 

F. Permission to Operate 

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet lateral distance under the 

provisions of the certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain 

permission to conduct these operations from property owners and local officials as 

necessary or appropriate. Persons from whom permission may be required are listed 

below: 

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government 

(5) Air traffic control 

The Due North personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever 

practical, however, verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission 

form is provided in Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written permission. 

Due North personnel will assure a sufficient number of those forms are available at the 

job site. Written permission forms will be maintained at the job site until flight operations 

are completed, and then kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will 

be made available for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel. 

G. Security 

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate production 

personnel to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized 

persons and vehicles. Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations 

should the area(s) become unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety. 

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel 
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Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in 

command will conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks

involved, emergency procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the filming 

production event. Personnel will also be briefed on additional provisions that may be 

issued by the FSDO that has geographic responsibility for the operational area, including 

the location of boundaries or time limits. The briefing shall cover: 

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and the 

attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting

• Taxi procedures 

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted firing the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• Emergency procedures

• How to control nonparticipating persons

•

I. Certification/Airworthiness 

All Due North aircraft used in operations requiring a waiver of FAR 91 .119 (b) and (c) 

for the purpose of filming will be properly certified and hold airworthiness certificates. 

However, restricted category aircraft cannot be used as the filming "vehicle" in motion 

picture and television filming. Also, aircraft in the experimental category must have an 

airworthiness certificate issued for the purpose of exhibition in order to be used in motion 

picture and television filming. The aircraft will be 100hr/annual inspection program. 

Other required tests and inspections will be performed as per Part 91 when necessary. 

Each aircraft will have a flight log containing upcoming scheduled maintenance and 

inspections and the dates or times they must be performed. A section for discrepancies is 

also found in the flight log. The pilot in command will assure the aircraft to be flown is in 

airworthy condition and all required inspections and maintenance has been completed 

before each flight. 

J. Pilot Personnel/Minimum Requirements 

The pilot/operator shall establish and specify the minimum pilot requirements. Minimum 

requirements shall meet or exceed the following: 

(1) A current U.S. pilot certificate with ratings appropriate to the category, class 

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

(2) A minimum of 100 hours in the category and class of aircraft to be used. 
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(3) A minimum of 5 hours in the make and model aircraft to be used under the 

waiver. 

(4) In the event that the 1,500-foot minimum standard contained in the 14 CFR 

91.303(e) is to be waived, the pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers must hold 

FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Acrobatic Competency, to perform the 

operations. 

(5) In the event the operation to be conducted contains elements of an externalload 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/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 

area. 

(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 including fuel requirements and 

available flight times with adequate reserves. 

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

(e) Aircraft flight manual, pilot operations handbook, or a rotorcraft-load 

combination flight manual and limitations, if appropriate. 

K. Communications 

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will 

formulate a plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the 

actual operation and filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as long 

as it is effective and is capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised of the 

current status of the operation. 

L. Accident Notification 

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification 

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply. 

M. Recall/Stop Procedures 
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Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the 

participants continuously apprised of the current status of operation. 

O. Special Provisions 

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the Due North motion picture and 

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not 

be jeopardized. 

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those 

specified in the Due North motion picture and television operations manual (“Appendix 

A” page 11) or associated plan of activities. Each pilot’s name and certificate number 

shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil aircraft and pilot(s) participating in 

the activity 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 attached document under “Appendix B” page 15) 

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area. 

Due North will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations 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. 

3. Company Organization 

A. Chief Pilot 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

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

• Act as liaison between Due North and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

• 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. 

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for Due 

North. 

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and 

processed properly. 

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by Due 

North under the provisions of this manual. 
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• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such. 

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

responsibility. 

B. Pilot in Command 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and 

required maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's. 

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions 

of this manual. 

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the 

procedures, policies and conditions contained herein. 

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, 

locations, etc. with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern. 

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any 

job or operation requiring the waiver. 

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains 

responsibility. 

Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots 

Chief Pilot 

Name: Elizabeth DeStaffany 

Certificate Number: 3032259

Grade: CFI

Medical Class: Second 8-8-15

Contact Number: (310) 666-2509

Pilots 

Name: Evan Graham

Certificate Number: 3534070

Grade: CFI

Medical Class: Second 12-20-13

Contact Number: (310) 562-2869

Name: Mark Smith

Certificate Number: 3111198

Grade: Private

Medical Class: Second 6-1-15

Contact Number: (310) 213-0790
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Appendix A .2

List of Approved Aircraft 

Make and Model Registration number

1. DJI FlameWheel Serial No. 001A N556GC

2. (New aircraft to be added by 11/1/15
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Appendix A .3 

Due North Productions, Inc. 

Permission Acquisition Form 

In signing this form, I am giving the pilots of Due North Productions, Inc. Permission to 

operate their aircraft at less than 500 feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which 

I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the purpose of film or television production. 

Name:

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission: 

Location:

Date of Operation: 

Signature: __________________________________________________ 

Date: __________________________ 

Due North Representative Receiving Permission:

_______________________________________________________________ 
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Appendix 

A 4 

Revision Letter 

Rev# Section Page Action Remarks Initials 

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________________________________________________________R -Remove and

Replace D -Delete and Destroy N -Insert New Page 

Manual Serial# ___________________ 

Issued To ___________________________ 

Revised By _________________________________

Date _______________________

This form must be returned to the Chief Pilot no later than: 

_____________________________ 
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Appendix B .1

(see attached form 7711-2)