Page 3 of 17 Table of Contents

Glossary of Abbreviations

......... ... .................. .................................... .. ... 4

List of Attachments..............................

... ....................................... .. .....5

Introduction and Interes t of Petitioner...................................................

.. ..5

Unmanned Aerial Systems

..................... .. ... . ....................................... . ... 5

Unmanned Aircr aft Pilot in Command (PIC)

... ..... .................................... . ....8

Operations of sUAS

.................................... ...... .................. ...... ......... ...10

Requested Exemptions from Regulations

......... ... .................................... . ... 1 3

Public Interest...........................................................................

. .......1 6

Conclusion.......................................................................................1 7Page 4 of 17 Glossa ry of Abbreviations

AGL Above Ground Level

ATC Air Traffic Control

COA Certificate of Authorization

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FAR Federal Aviation Regulation

MAAP Mid Atlantic Aviation Partnership

NAS National Airspace System

PIC Pilot i n Command PQS Personnel Qualification System

Section 333 FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Section 333

SOP Standard Operating Procedures

sUAS Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

VFR Visual Flight Rules

VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions

VT Vir ginia Polytechnic Institute

VO Visual Observer

VLOS Visual Line of SightPage 5 of 17 List of Attachments

(1) HAZON Standard Operating Procedures Extract, Chapters 1

- 4 and

Checklists/ Forms (2) DJI Phantom 2 Operating Manual (3) DJI S1000+ Operating Manual (4) D raganflyer X4

- ES sUAV Operating Manual (5) Draganflyer Ground Station Operating Manual (6) Certificate of Authorization (COA) 2014

- ESA

- 160 (7) Penguin V2 Operating Manual (8) Fire Fly 6 Operating Manual

Eight attachments listed are referenced in the request for exemption and contain trade secret and commercial proprietary information that HAZON has not and will not share with others except under appropriate confidentiality agreements. The HAZON Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) attachment contains operating conditions and procedures that have been developed exclusively by HAZON, and that are not available to the public. HAZON is requesting that these attachments be treated as proprietary information pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Section 11.35, and maintains that they are protected from release under the Freedom

of Information Act. See 5 U.S.C. 552 et seq

.

Section 1: Introduction and Interest of Petitioner

HAZON

, Veteran owned and operated, is the leading developer of s UAV service operations, training, s afety and management programs. The mission of HAZON is to support, develop and validate unmanned system operations. Our goal is to provide unmatched quality and safety.

HAZON has safely conducted FAA approved COA , (2014

- ESA

- 160) for infrastructure

ins pection with Virginia Tech (MAAP)

. HAZON will be executing an FAA approved

COA for Crisis Response with Virginia Tech in the S pring of 2015.

Section 2: Unmanned Aerial Systems

Regarding the Unmanned Aircraft System

1. Petitioners should describe how the proposed UAS operation will be safely conducted to minimize risk to the NAS or to persons and property on the ground. Specifically, petitioners should describe the design and operational characteristics for the type(s) of UAS they intend to operate, e. g. aircraft performance and performance limitations, operating procedures, and aircraft loading information in as much detail as possible. This could be provided in the petition or in an Aircraft Flight Manual or similar document.

NOTE: The FAA will consi der all information and data submitted by the petitioner that describes the UAS developmental and operational history. This could include statistical data or other documentation for the specific design and performance characteristics of the UAS, including the operational history and operational failure modes, obtained through previous Research & Development (R&D) and/or flight test activities, e.g. operationsPage 6 of 17 conducted under a COA, with a civil airworthiness certificate, or under other authorized operating conditions.

2. Petitioners should describe any procedures they would implement, such as pre

- flight inspections, maintenance, and repair, to ensure that the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. This could be provided in the petition, an Aircraft Flight Manual, a Maintenance and Inspection Manual, or similar document. NOTE: The Aircraft Flight Manual and Maintenance and Inspection Manual may be separate documents or combined in a single document

3. The petitioner should describe the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum used for control of the UAS and associated equipment that is part of the UAS (i.e., sensors, cameras, etc.), and whether it complies with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other appropriate government oversight agency requirements.

NOTE : Petitioners should be able to provide the FCC approval letter or show compliance with FCC requirements upon request

.

General Information Pertaining to All P roposed sUAS

HAZON will operate less than fifty

- five pound sUAS , with the ability to support cri sis response, including but not limited to search and rescue, damage assessment, insurance claims assessment, and to enhance disaster site situational awareness for first responders

and others , with payloads capable of supporting this mission.

Prior to ea ch flight the PIC shall inspect the sUAS to ensure it is in a condition for safe flight. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the sUAS, the

aircraft will be prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the sUAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight. The Ground Control Station must be included in the preflight inspection. All maintenance and alterations must be properly documented in aircraft records. All discrepancies noted shall be documented as

described in the HAZON SOP ( Chapter 1, Para 111 )

.

Any sUAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the s UAS operation or flight characteristics , e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, shall undergo a

func tional test flight in accordance with the manufacturers manual and HAZON SOP ( Chapter 1 , Para 111) . The PIC who conducts the functional test flight shall make an entry

in the sUAS aircraft logbook of the flight.

HAZON shall follow the manufacturer’s s U AS aircraft/component, maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection and life limit requirements, with particular attention to flight critical components that may not be addressed in the manufacturer’s manuals.

HAZON shall carry out their maintenance, in spections and record keeping requirements, in accordance with the operator’s manual. Maintenance, inspection, and alterations must be noted in the aircraft log book, including total flight hours, description of work accomplished, and the signature of the authorized maintenance technician returning the

sUAV to service. HAZON SOP (Chapter 1, Para 111).Page 7 of 17 Each sUAS operated under the proposed exemption shall comply with all manufacturer System and Safety Bulletins.

HAZON technicians will receive and document training referenced in the manufacturer’s operations man ual

.

HAZON technicians shall make a record entry in the sUAS logbook or equivalent document of the corrective action taken against discrepancies discovered between inspections.

Before conducting op erations, the radio frequency spectrum used for operation and control

of the sUAS shall comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other appropriate government oversight agency requirements

.

DJI Phantom 2

HAZON seeks an exemption to opera te DJI Phantom 2 sUAS, for compensation or hire.

The DJI Phantom 2 is comprised of a quad rotor unmanned aircraft and a handheld ground

control station. The Phantom II has a maximum gross weight of approximately 2.8 pounds, diameter (rotor span) 23.75 inc hes, width of 12.5 inches, and height of 8.1 inches. The Phantom II is equipped with four rotors driven by four lithium polymer battery powered

electric motors.

Design and o perational c haracteristics are provided in DJI Phantom 2 Operating Manual (Page 3 5). Flight crews shall conduct pre

- flight inspections as documented in HAZON

SOP (Chapter 2 Para 202 ) and DJI Phantom 2 Operating Manual (Page 24).

DJI S1000+

HAZON seeks an exemption to operate a DJI

- S1000 sUAS for compensation or hire. The

DJI

- S100 0+ is comprised of a multi

- rotor unmanned aircraft and two handheld ground

control stations. The DJI

- S1000 has a maximum gross weight of approximately 24 pounds, diagonal wheelbase of 41.4 inches, and height of approximately 18 inches. The DJI

- S1000

is equipped with eight rotors driven by eight lithium polymer battery powered electric

motors.

Design and o perational c haracteristics are provided in DJI S1000+ Operating Manual (Page 22).

Flight crews shall conduct pre

- flight inspections as documented in H AZON SOP (Chapter 2 Para 202) and DJI S1000+ Operating Manual (Page 4).

Draganflyer X4

- ES

HAZON seeks an exemption to operate a DraganFlyer X4

- ES sUAS for compensation or hire. The DraganFlyer is comprised of a quad rotor unmanned aircraft and two handh eld ground control stations. The DraganFlyer has a maximum gross weight of approximately 5.6 pounds, diameter (rotor span) of 42 inches, width of 34 inches, and height of 11 inches.Page 8 of 17 The DraganFlyer is equipped with four rotors driven by four lithium poly mer battery powered electric motor s

.

Design and o perational c haracteristics of the Draganflyer X 4

- ES are provided in Draganflyer X4

- ES Operating Manual (Page s 77

- 80) and Ground Station Operating Manual (Page s 75

- 76).

Flight crews shall conduct pre

- flight inspections as documented in HAZON SOP (Chapter 2 Para 202), Draganflyer X4

- ES Operating Manual (Pages 52

- 54) and Draganflyer Ground Station Operating Manual (Pages 62

- 64 ).

Penguin V2

HAZON seeks an exemption to operate the Penguin V2 sUAS, for compensat ion or hire. The Penguin V2 is a fixed wing brushless motor pusher prop sUAS. It has a w ingspan of 67.7 inches and a length of 48.5 inches. It has a wing area of 3.9 ft 2 , and is powered by a lithium polyme r battery . It has a maximum flight weight of 4. 8 pounds . It is made of EPO foam and the wing and fuselage are reinforced with wood, aluminum alloy and carbon fiber piping. It has an observed normal cruise air speed of about 25 mph. Design and operational characteristics of the Penguin are provided i n the Penguin V2 Operating Manual (Page 2).

Flight crews shall conduct pre

- flight inspections as documented in HAZON SOP (Chapter 2 Para 202) and Penguin Operating Manual (Pages 9

- 10 ).

Fire Fly 6

HAZON seeks an exemption to operate the FireFly 6 sUAS, for compensation or hire. The FireFly 6 is a hybrid sUAS that can conduct vertical take offs and landings (VTOL) and then transition to conventional horizontal flight. It is powered by six brushless motors and

two or four lithium polymer batteries. It has a wingspan of 60 inches and a length of 37.4 inches with a maximum flight weight of 9.0 pounds. The FireFly 6 has a normal cruise air speed of 30 mph, and a maximum air speed of 57 mph during conventional horizontal flight

.

Flight crews shall conduct pre

- flight inspections as documented in HAZON SOP (Chapter 2 Para 202) and FireFly 6 Operating Manual (Page 36 ).

Section 3: Unmanned Aircraft Pilot in Command (PIC)

Regarding the Unmanned Aircraft PIC

4. Petitioners should describe the qualifications req uired of any PIC(s) who will be directly responsible for the operation of the UAS, including information such as: the level of airman certificate held; any applicable training related to the operation; and any minimum hours of flight experience required by the PIC(s), both total flight time and the time with the particular UAS. If the operation would use visual observers, petitioners should describe their roles and qualifications.Page 9 of 17 5. Petitioners should describe the medical standards and certification of t he PIC(s) directly responsible for the operation of the UAS.

All HAZON Flight Crews

, including PIC and Visual Observers (VO)

, will be qualified as directed by HAZON SOP (Chapter 1, Para 108)

.

A ll flight crew members

, including PIC and VO

, will have an understanding of, and comply with, Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, and/or Agency directives and regulations, applicable to the airspace where the sUAS will operate. Specifically al l flight

crew members will receive training on the rules and responsi bilities described in 14 CFR Part 91 Sections 91.111, 91.113 and 91.115 regarding cloud clearance, flight visibility and the pilot controller glossary, including standard ATC phraseology and communication.

The PIC must possess at least a current private pilot certificate and third class medical

certificate. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14 CFR Section 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his/her pilot certificate.

Prior to operations conducted for the purpose of crisis response support (or similar operations), the PIC must have accumulated and logged, in a manner consistent with 14 CFR Section 61.51(b), a minimum of 25 hours of total time as a s UAS pilot and at least ten hours logged as a s UAS pilot wit h similar s UAS type (fixed wing or rotary). Prior documented flight experience that was obtained in compliance with applicable regulations may satisfy this requirement. Training, proficiency, and experience building flights are requested to be conducted under this grant of exception to accomplish the required flight cycles and flight time. During training, proficiency, and experience building flights, all persons not essential for flight operations will be considered non

- participants and the PIC will ope rate the sUAS with appropriate distance from non

- participants in accordance with

14 CFR Section 91.119.

Prior to operations conducted for the purpose of crisis response support (or similar operations), the PIC must have accumulated and logged in a manner consistent with 14 CFR Section 61.51(b), a minimum of five hours as a sUAS PIC operating the make and model of the sUAS to be utilized for operations under this requested exemption, and three

take

- offs and landings in the preceding 90 days. Training, prof iciency, experience

building, and take

- off and landing currency flights are requested to be conducted under this grant of exemption to accomplish the required flight time and 90 day currency. During training, proficiency, experience building, and take

- off and landing currency flights all personnel not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the sUAS with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with

14 CFR Section 91.119.

Al l operations must utilize a VO . The VO may be used to satisfy the Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times. This condition and limitation is

consistent w ith all FAA approved Exemptions.Page 10 of 17 Section 4: Operations of s UAS

Regarding the Operation of the Unmanned Aircraft

6. Petitioners should fully describe their intended UAS operation(s). Petitioners should describe how the proposed operation(s) would not adversely affect safety, or how they would provide a level of safety at least equivalent to that provided by the rule from which exemption is sought. Petitioners should address any plans to implement clearly defined operational borders and procedures to en sure public safety, which includes persons and property both in the air and on the ground. This can be described in the petition, in an Operations Manual, or similar document. NOTE: The FAA will closely examine the proposed operation(s) with respect to sa fety of flight, NAS safety considerations, and the safety of the non

- participating persons and property during the operational period and within the operational area.

7. Petitioners should specify the proposed maximum operating speed and altitude, and

de scribe minimum flight visibility and distance from clouds for their intended operation(s). Petitioners should describe potential hazards and safety mitigations associated with these proposed conditions. These issues can be addressed in the petition, an Ope rations Manual,

or similar document.

The sUAS shall remain clear and yield the right of way to all other manned aviation operations and activities at all times.

The sUAS shall be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL). All altitudes reported to ATC will be in feet.

The multi

- rotor sUAS shall not be flown at a ground speed exceeding 30 mph.

Fixed wing and hybrid sUAS shall be flown at a ground speed not to exceed the maximum design limitation air speed of 57 mph as st ated in the operating manuals

.

sUAS Operations will be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The sUAS will not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 sta tute miles from the PIC.

If the sUAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, it must return to a pre

determined location within the planned operating area and land or be recovered in

accordance with HAZON SOP

.

The sUAS PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies in accordance with operating documents.

The sUAS PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough power to fly at normal cruising speed t o the intended landing point and land the sUAS with 25% battery power remaining.Page 11 of 17 The sUAS operated in accordance with this proposed exemption shall be identified by serial numbers, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N

N umber) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings will be as large as practicable.

The sUAS documents required under 14 CFR 91.9 and 91.203 shall be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the sUAS anytime the aircraft is operating. Those documents shall be available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon
request.

Any sUAS incident s , accident s or flight operation s that transgress the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined b y the applicable COA shall be reported to the FAA’s UAS Integration Office (AFS

- 80) within 24 hours. Accidents shall be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the NTSB

Web site: www.ntsb.gov

.

Unless otherwise specified in this petition, the sUAS PIC, and the sUAS operations shall comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, parts 45, 47, 61

and 91.

8. Petitioners should describe the charac teristics of the area of intended operation(s) and the associated potential hazards, in accordance with the statutory mandate under Section 333 regarding proximity to populated areas. These issues can be addressed in the petition, an Operations Manual, or similar document.

The sUAS shall not be operated over congested or densely populated areas. These areas include but are not limited to the yellow areas depicted on World Aeronautical Charts (WAC), Sectional Aeronautical Charts (Sectionals), or Terminal Area Charts (TAC). Each

work site will also be evaluated based on local conditions.

Operations of sUAS may be conducted at distances less than 500 feet from participating persons, vessels, vehicles or structures that perform an essential function in conn ection with these special purpose operations. Operations closer than 500 feet from the PIC, VO, operator trainees and essential persons are permitted when operationally necessary; but never so close to present an undue hazard. This is consistent with Exe mption No. 11138.

Operations of sUAS may be conducted at distances less than 500 feet from unoccupied vessels, vehicles or structures owned by the land owner/controller when the land owner/controller grants such permission

, and the PIC makes a safety asse ssment of the risk from operations and determines that it does not present an undue hazard to persons or
property

. This is consistent with Exemption No. 11138.

Flight operations will be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons

unles s b arriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons

from the sUAS and/or debris in the event of an accident. HAZON shall ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where

no nparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the sUAS , flight operations will cease immediately. This is consistent with Exemption No. 11138.Page 12 of 17 All operations of sUAS shall be conducted with the permission from the land

owner/co ntroller or authorized representative. Permission from the land owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted.

9. Petitioners should describe if they intend to operate in the proximity of any airports, in accordance with the statutory mandate under Section 333 regarding proximity to airports.

The sUAS will not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point as denoted

on a current FAA

- published aeronautical chart unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained, and the operation is conducted in accordance with a NOTAM as required by the operator’s COA. The letter of agreement with the airport management will be made available to the Administrator upon request. This is consistent with Exemption No 11159.

10. The UAS must be operated within visual line

- of

- sight (VLOS), in accordance with the statutory mandate under Section 333(b)(1). Petitioners should describe how they intend to comply with his mandate.

The sUAS must be operated within VLOS of the PIC and VO at all times. This requires the

PIC to be able to use human vision to see the sUAS unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA issued medical certificate.

All sUAS operation s must utilize a VO. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times. The PIC and VO must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the functions prescribed in HAZON’s SOP (Chapter 1, Para 103)

.

The sUAS will not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. Opera tions will not be conducted during night as defined in 14 CFR 1.1.

11. Petitioners should describe any procedures they would implement for conducting a preflight safety risk assessment to determine that the UAS is in a condition for safe flight (14 CFR § 91.7(b)) and that the planned operation can be completed safely. These procedures can be addressed in the petition, an Aircraft Flight Manual, Operations Manual, or similar document.

HAZON will conduct preflight safety risk assessments to determine tha t the sUAS is in a condition for safe flight (14 CFR Section 91.7(b)) and that the planned operation can be completed safely. Specific procedures are addressed in HAZON’s SOP (Chapter 2, Para 202), and sUAS Operation Manuals

.

12. If petitioners intend to conduct operations which have existing requirements to notify Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) prior to operations

– such as motion picture and television filming, or pipeline and powerline patrol

– petitioners should describe their

intended co ordination in this regard for their proposed operation(s).Page 13 of 17 HAZON ’s operations do not require a notification to Flight Standards District Off ices (FSDOs)

.

13. The FAA intends to require entities who obtain an exemption under this process to also

obtain a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) from the FAA Air Traffic Organization prior to conducting operation(s) in the NAS.

HAZON shall obtain an Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) prior to conducting any operations under this requested grant of exemption. Additionally, HAZON will request a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) not more than 72 hours, but not less than 48 hours prior to the operation.

Section 5: Requested Exemptions from Regulations

Considered R egulation Title Recommended Action

14 C.F.R Part 21.185 Airworthiness

Certificate HAZON recommends that in consideration of the size, weight, speed and limited operating area

associated with th ese aircraft and

their operation, the Secretary of Transportat ion determines that these

aircraft meet the co nditions of

Section 333. R elief is not

necessary

. 14 C.F.R. Part 45.23(b) Display of marks HAZON sUAV shall be identified by serial number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47,

and have identificati on (N

- Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings will be as large as practicable. Relief is not necessary

. 14 C.F.R. Part 61.113(a) Private pilot privileges and

limitations The FAA has found in previous grants of exemption that a PIC with a private pilot certificate operating a sUAS would not adversely affect operations in the NAS or present a hazard to persons or property on the ground. Request relief with

limitations and conditions specified in this petition.Page 14 of 17 14 C.F .R. Part 61.133( b ) Commercial pilot privileges and

limitations The FAA has found in previous grants of exemption that a PIC with a private pilot certificate operating a sUAS would not adversely affect operations in the NAS or present a hazard to persons o r property on the ground. Request relief with

limitations and conditions specified in this petition. 14 C.F.R. Part 91.7(a) Civil Aircraft

Airworthiness HAZON recommends that in consideration of the size, weight, speed and limited operating area

associat ed with this aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation determines that these

aircraft meet the co nditions of

Section 333. R elief is not

necessary

. 14 C.F.R. Part 91.9(b)(2) &(c) Civil Aircraft Flight Manual, Marking,

and Placard Require ments The FAA has previously determined

that relief from these sections is not necessary. Relevant materials may be kept in a location accessible to the PIC in compliance with the regulations. Relief is not

necessary

. 14 C.F.R. Part 91.103 Preflight Act ion HAZON will perform

. Relief is not

necessary

. 14 C.F.R. Part 91.109(a) Flight Instruction HAZON will conduct all flight training through procedures specified in Training Instruction during dedicated training sessions. Based on previous decisions made by the FAA for sUAS petitions regarding thi s regulation, r elief is
not necessary.

14 C.F.R. Part 91.119(c) Minimum Safe

Altitude Aircraft will be operated below 400 AGL, but not over congested areas. Request relief with limitations and conditions spe cified in this petition

.Page 15 of 17 14 C.F.R. Part 121 Altimeter Settings The proposed aircraft have a

barometric altimeter and GPS derived altitude capabilities.

HAZON recommends that the

altimeter be set to zero feet AGL rather than local barometric pressur e or field altitude before flight. Considering the limited altitude of the proposed operations

. Request

relief with limitations and conditions specified in this petition

. 14 C.F.R. Part 91.151(a) Fuel Requirements

in VFR Prior relief has been granted fo r manned and unmanned aircraft to operate at less than prescribed

minimums. Request relief with

limitations and conditions specified in this petition

. 14 C.F.R. Part 91.203(a) and (b) Certifications Required Original intent of these regulations

was to display an aircraft’s airworthiness, certification and registration documents so they would be easily available to inspectors and passengers. Based on the FAA Memorandum subject, “Interpretation regarding whether certain required documents may be kept at an unmanned aircraft’s control station,” dated August 8, 2014, relief is not necessary

. 14 C.F.R. Part 91.405(a) Maintenance Required Request relief with limitations and conditions specified in this petition.

14 C.F.R. Part 91.407(a)(1) Operation after

Maintenance Request relief with limitations and conditions specified in this petition.

14 C.F.R. Part 91.409(a)( 1 ) and (2) Inspections Request relief with limitations and conditions specified in this petition. 14 C.F.R. Part 91.417(a) and (b) Maintenanc e Records Request relief with limitations and conditions specified in this petition.Page 16 of 17 Public Interest

HAZON’s operations of sUAS to perform aerial crisis response support will reduce the risk to life and property of first responders and crisis response teams by decreasing the requirements for personnel to enter unknown/ unsafe areas without prior knowledge of

hazards in the affected disaster area. The utilization of sUAS will also enhance situational awareness for crisis management leadership and victim /survivor search and rescue , thus reducing the requirements for and risk to manned aircraft operating in this often constrained

and austere environment

. HAZON will use battery

- powered sUAS that serve as safe and

efficient alternatives to the manned aircra ft commonly utilized to conduct crisis response support

. The information gathered during these flights will be used to inform long term recovery efforts, to include infrastructure rebuilding and individual and commercial

insurance claims. Also, the fligh t data, inspection results, recorded observations and lessons learned from these operations will be compiled to further enhance its current safety

program.

The applicant proposes that the exemptions requested herein apply to civil aircraft that have

the characteristics and that operate with the limitations listed herein. These limitations provide for at least an equivalent or even higher level of safety to operations under the current regulatory structure because the proposed operations represent a safet y enhancement to crisi s response support conducted by manned aircraft.0