SANDOVAL AND 

·"-. ~IA.l"ES , 

The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx 

Office of the Secretary 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

May 12, 2015 

The Honorable Michael P. Huerta 

Office of the Administrator 

Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence Avenue SW 

Washington, DC 20591 

Eric Sandoval 

S&A CEO 

Sandoval and Associates 

3180 lmjin Rd, Suite 104 

Marina, CA 93933 

Tel (831) 818-9981 

RE: Sandoval sUAS Petition for Exemption Pursuant to FMRA Sec 333 and 14 CFR 

Partll 

Gentlemen: 

Sandoval & Associates ('Sandoval') hereby petitions the FAA for regulatory relief pursuant to 

Section 333 of P.L. 112-95 and 14 C.F.R. Sec. 11.81 to conduct commercial flights using the DJI 

F450 sUAS for the following applications: 

• Providing GIS and biological monitoring services through aerial data collection. 

• :tvlaintenance, management and mapping services with aerial mapping. 

Sandoval, therefore, seeks a request for exemption from airworthiness and the following specific 

Title 14 C.F.R. provisions: 

• 14 C.F.R. Part 21 

• 14 C.F.R. 45.23 

• 14 C.F.R. 61.113(a) & (b) 

• 14 C.F.R. 61.133(a) 

• 14 C.F.R. 91.7(a) 

• 14 C.F.R. 91.9 

• 14 C.F.R. 91.109(a) 

• 14 C.F.R. 91.119 

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• 14 C.F.R. 91.121 

• 14 C.F.R. 91.151(a) 

• 14 C.F.R. 91.203 

• 14 CFR 91.405 (a); 407 (a) (1); 409 (a) (2); 417(a) & (b) 

The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those 

presented in this petition, specifically Exemptions No. 11157, 11114, 11172; and we therefore 

request that our petition be granted without delay. 

Sandoval has also provided supporting documentation to include, General Operations Manual ('Sandoval Manual') which is composed of (I) an operations manual, (2) flight manuals for each of the 

Sandoval models; (3) an Operator Training Manual, and (4) a Maintenance and Inspection Manual. 

Please note that the Sandoval Manual (including all of the above listed components) are clearly 

marked "Confidential" on each page and contain confidential commercial and proprietary information that Sandoval has not and will not share with others who are not subject to a "Nondisclosure 

Agreement" (NDA). Therefore, t he Sandoval Manual (including all components) are not available 

to the public and contain operating conditions, procedures and other information that are protected 

from public release or disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 5 USC Sec. 552 et seq. 

1 Company Description 

Sandoval, based out of California, is a team of experienced Geologists, Planners, Biologists and GIS 

Specialists that provide innovative and practical solutions for environmental and planning needs. 

Sandoval has worked on numerous projects over the past 15 years, providing Federal, State, and 

Local agencies the ability to analyze complex problems, streamline the permitting process and 

maximize the return of their Environmental & Geospatial information. 

This section responds to the specific requirements of 14 CFR Sec 11.81. 

Mailing address and other contact information such as a fax number, telephone number, or email 

address copy. 

Sandoval & Associates 

ATTN: Eric Sandoval 

3180 Imjin Rd, Suite 104 

Marina, CA 93933 

Email: eric@saspatial.com 

2 Relevant Statuatory Authority 

This exemption application is expressly submitted to fulfill Congress' goal in passing Section 333(a) 

tllTough (c) of the Reform Act. This law directs the Secretary of Transportation to consider whether 

certain unmanned aircraft systems may operate safely in the national airspace system (NAS) before completion of the rulemaking required under Section 332 of the Reform Act. In making this 

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determination, the Secretary is required to determine which types of UASs do not create a hazard 

to users of the NAS or the public or pose a threat to national security in light of the following: 

• The UAS's size, weight, speed, and operational capability; 

• Operation of the UAS in close proximity to airports and populated areas; and 

• Operation of the UAS within visual line of sight of the operator. 

Reform Act § 333 (a). Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles «may operate safely 

in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation of 

such aircraft in the national airspace system." Id. §333(c). 

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA the authority to issue exemptions. This statutory authority by its terms includes exempting civil aircraft, as the term is defined under §40101 

of the Act, that includes sUASs, from the requirement that all civil aircraft must have a current 

airworthiness certificate. 

3 Qualification for Approval Under Section 333 of the Reform Act 

The proposed operations in this petition for exemption qualify for expedited approval under Section 333 of the Reform Act. Each of the statutory criteria and other potentially relevant factors 

are satisfied. The requested exemption would permit Sandoval to perform commercial operations 

under controlled conditions in airspace that is 1) limited 2) predetermined 3) restricted, limited, or 

controlled as to access and 4) would provide safety enhancements to the already safe operations in 

these industries presently using conventional aircraft. Approval of this exemption would thereby 

enhance safety and fulfill 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." Section 333( c) of the Reform Act. 

Sandoval sUAS includes the DJI F450, weighing 55 lb. or less, including payload. This sUAS 

operates under normal conditions at a speed of no more than 87 knots and has the capability to 

operate in either 'Automatic' or 'Manual' mode as described in the Sandoval Manual. Generally, 

Sandoval sUAS operations will be below an altitude of 400ft. AGL, within specific access-restricted 

areas, either within Class G airspace or "vith the permission of the ATC, using sUAS operated by 

Sandoval-qualified sUAS pilots, and within the visual line of sight of the operator a.nd observer. Such 

operations will insure that the sUAS will "not create a hazard to users of the National Airspace 

System or the public" as per the FMRA 2012 Section 333. Given the size of the sUAS and the 

operating environment, this petition for exemption meets 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 and environment, approval of the application presents 

no national security issue. 

Considering the clear direction in Section 333 of the Reform Act, the authority contained in the 

Federal Aviation Act, as amended, the equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operaDoc ID: 98212bf20a069ID9c5594c2f802ae3e4502636bf 
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tions, and the significant public benefit described herein, the grant of the requested exemptions is 

also in the public interest. 

4 Description of Proposed Operations 

Sandoval operations will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to current aviation standards. 

Sandoval's safety procedures, risk assessments, and flight operations standards are described in 

detail in the accompanying Sandoval Manual. In brief, the following procedures that apply during 

operations conducted under this exemption request, establish an equivalent level of safety (ELOS) 

as follows: 

1. The sUAS will weigh less than 55 lb. 

2. Flights will be operated within line of sight of a pilot and/ or observer. 

3. Flights will occur during daylight hours. 

4. Flights will occm during Visual Flight Rules Meteorological Conditions (VMC). 

5. Flights will generally be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet AGL and within Class 

G airspace. Operations in controlled B,C, or D airspace will be conducted in coordination with 

the proper FSDO and ATC with prior permission. 

6. Flights will be terminated at 25% battery power reserve should that occur during the operation. 

7. All Sandoval sUAS will be U.S. registered and display marks either in accordance with 14 

C.F.R. Part 45, Subpart Cor approved alternative markings. 

8. Operations will be conducted in defined regions and over property authorized for this use by the 

landowner. All operations will remain within the geographic boundaries of the operating area. 

Most operations may be conducted within the limitations of the blanket COA authorization 

provided with 333 grants as of 3- 23- 2015. 

9. All required permissions and permits will be obtained from territorial, state, county or city 

jurisdictions, including local law enforcement, fire, or other appropriate governmental agencies. 

10. The operator will obtain the consent of all persons involved and ensure that only consenting 

persons will be allowed within 100 feet of the flight operation, and this radius may be reduced 

to 30 feet based upon an equivalent level of safety determination. 

11. A briefing will be conducted in regard to the planned sUAS operations prior to each day's 

activities. It will be mandatory that all personnel who will be performing duties within the 

boundaries of the safety perimeter be present for this briefing. 

12. Minimum crew for each operation will consist of the sUAS Pilot, the Visual Observer, and/ or 

the Camera Operator. 

13. sUAS operations under this exemption will be conducted under the supervision of a designated 

pilot in command (PIC) who has final responsibility for the operation and in accordance with 

14 C.F.R. 91.3. All sUAS operators must have completed training on the normal, abnormal, 

and emergency procedures in the Sandoval Manual and demonstrated proficiency with the 

sUAS being operated. The PIC must have passed at least a sport pilot certificate and hold a 

valid U.S. driver's license unless changed by future sUAS FAA Regulations .. 

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14. sUAS Pilot will be Pilot in Command (PIC). If a pilot certificate holder other than the sUAS 

Pilot, who possess the necessary PIC qualifications, is also present (i.e. the Visual Observer), 

that person can also be designated as the PIC. 

15. Observer and pilot will at all times be able to maintain verbal communication, either directly 

or through electronic means. 

16. Operators and engineers will maintain the sUAS system in a condition for safe operation 

according to the Sandoval Manual and associated manufacturer's maintenance manuals, including pre-flight and post-flight inspections. 

17. The PIC and observers will maintain situational awareness and perceive, process, and perform 

risk management prior to and during ead1 operation as described in the Sandoval Manual. 

The PIC will terminate the operation in accordance with the Sandoval Manual if hazards that 

cannot be acceptably mitigated are observed. 

18. sUAS will safely stop operating and either return home or auto-land at a safet location along 

the flight path if the control link is lost. 

19. For each sUAS, the PIC will have the ability to force a controlled landing at any time. 

In addition to the above, Sandoval has implemented a Safety Management System. The Sandoval 

Safety Manager is responsible for conducting safety audits, investigations, and inspections and is 

authorized to stop or prohibit any activity or operations which is considered unsafe. Full details 

are available in the Sandoval Manual. 

5 Regulations From Which Exemption is Requested 

5.1 Part 61, Cert ification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instruct ors 

Extent of Relief 

Part 61, aU sections. 

Reason for R elief 

Because the U AS will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the 

equivalent level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have 

at least a sport pilot's license rather than a commercial pilot's license to operate these sUAS. 

Equivalent Level of Safety 

Unlike a conventional aircraft that carries the pilot and passengers, the sUAS is remotely controlled 

with no living thing on board. The area of operation is controlled and restricted, and all flights are 

planned and coordinated in advance as set forth in the GOM. The level of safety provided by the 

requirements included in the GOM exceeds that provided by a single individual holding a commercial 

pilot's certificate operating a conventional aircraft. The risks associated with the operation of the 

sUAS are so diminished from the level of risk associated with commercial operations contemplated 

by Part 61 when drafted, that allowing operations of the sUAS as requested with a sport pilot 

certificate as the PIC exceeds the present level of safety achieved by 14 C.F.R. 61.113 (a) & (b). 

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5.2 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command. 

Extent of Relief 

Relief from requirement to possess a private or commercial pilot's license for aerial work such as 

aerial survey and mapping. 

Reason for Relief 

§61.113 (a) stipulates that a holder of a private pilot certificate may not act as a pilot in command 

of an aircraft for compensation or hire; (b) states that a private pilot may act as PIC if the flight 

is incidental to business and does not carry passengers or property. Furthermore, N- 8900.227 "Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operational Approval" paragraph 16(c)(2)(c) "Operations without 

a pilot certificate" states that a operations which conform to said paragraph may be performed by a 

PIC that does not possess a private pilots license but that has completed FAA private pilot ground 

instruction and passed the FAA Private Pilot written test. In addition, there is no means currently 

of obtaining a commercial rating for UAS. Thus, we require relief in order to perform aerial work. 

Public Benefit 

As described above, the public benefit includes exponential economic growth, enhanced safety, and 

improved precision agriculture capabilities. 

Equivalent Level of Safety 

Our operations fullfill all the requirements in N-8900.227 16( c) (2) (c) for operations without a private 

pilots license. 

5.3 91.7 Civil aircraft airworthiness. 

Extent of Relief 

91.7, all provisions. 

Reason for Relief 

Should the exemption be granted allowing commercial operation of the sUAS without an airworthiness certificate, no standard will exist for airworthiness of the sUAS. 

Equivalent Level of Safety 

Given the size and weight of these aircraft and the requirements contained in the GOM, an equivalent 

level of safety will be achieved by insuring compliance with the sUAS user manuals prior to each 

flight. 

5.4 91.119, Minimum safe altitudes: General. 

Extent of Relief 

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. 91.119(c) limits aircraft flying 

over areas other than congested areas to an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open 

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water or sparsely populated areas, and the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any 

person, vessel, vehicle, or structure. 

Reason for Relief 

To provide for these operations, the sUAS are normally operated at or below 400 feet AGL. In 

addition, due to the nature of the proposed operations, the PIC and the observer may at times be 

less than 500 feet away from structures during the operation. 

Equivalent Level of Safet y 

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, and speed of the UAS as 

well as the location where it is operated. No flight will be taken without the required permission 

of the property owner or local officials. Because of the advance notice to the property owner 

and participants in the aerial activity, all affected individuals will be aware of the planned flight 

operations. Compared to flight operations with aircraft or rotorcraft weighing far more than the 

maximum 55lbs. described above and the lack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with these 

operations is far less than those presently conducted with conventional aircraft operating at or 

below 500 AGL in other industries. In addition, the low-altitude operations of the sUAS will ensure 

separation between these s U AS operations and the operations of conventional aircraft that must 

comply with Section 91.119. 

5.5 91.121 Altimet e r Settings 

Ext ent of Relief 

§91.121 

Reason for Relief 

As the sUAS may not have a barometric altimeter, but instead a GPS altitude read out, an exemption may be needed. 

Equivalent Level of Safety 

An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the operator, pursuant to the Manual and Safety 

Check list, confirming the altitude of the launch site shown on the GPS altitude indicator before 

flight. 

5.6 91.151, Fuel requireme nts for flight in VFR conditions. 

Extent of Relief 

§91.151, all provisions. 

Reason for Relief 

The provision requires fuel sufficient for one half hour flight beyond the destination. These sUAS, 

including today's longest endurance platforms, are unable to meet this requirement because of 

limited max flight times. 

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Equivalent Level of Safety 

An equivalent level of safety can be achieved by limiting flights for the sUAS according to the safety 

limitations described in the GOM. This restriction would be more than adequate to return the 

sUAS to its planned landing zone from anywhere in its limited operating area. 

5. 7 91.405, 91.407, 91.409, 91.417 Inspection and Maintenance Programs 

Extent of Relief 

§§ 91.405, Maintenance required; 91.407, Operation after maintenance, preventive maintenance, 

rebuilding, or alteration; 91.409, Inspections; and 91.417, Maintenance records. 

Reason for R elief 

The part 91 provisions are not applicable to a sUAS of the described weight class. Furthermore, 

FAA certified mechanics for sUAS do not at this present time exist, so full compliance is not possible. 

The sUAS flown are modular and as such entire components including engines and propellers are 

minor replacements rather than major repairs. Finally, continuous minor alterations and payload 

reconfigurations of sUAS are designed and required for the operation of sUAS and do not negatively 

impact airworthiness. 

Equivalent Level of Safety 

Inspection and maintenance manuals are used to maintain the sUAS in airworthy condition. Each 

s U AS is maintained according to the manufacturer standard or higher by technicians proficient in 

the building, repair, and maintenance of the sUAS. Inspection and Maintenance manuals utilized 

contain all aircraft-relevant items as described in (43 Appendix D (Scope and Detail of Items). 

Maintenance records are maintained in SkyWard Operations Database Appendix B (Recording of 

Major Repairs and Major Alterations) and are therefore immediately auditable by regulators on 

demand. Finally, SkyWard manuals will be submitted to the local FSDO ASI or other appropriate 

FAA division directly. 

6 Public Interest 

Sandoval believes that the enhanced safety achieved using a sUAS with the specifications described 

in this petition and supporting documents and by carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a 

manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, 

gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operations enabled by this exemption are in the 

public interest. 

The outputs of safe, reliable, and regulatory compliant operations of sUAS provide economic benefits 

historically unparalleled since the invention of flight, benefitting stakeholders at every level, both 

public and private. Lawful, safe aerial robotics operations will create new high-tech employment 

that will stimulate city and state governments; improve industries, create new small and large 

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businesses; infuse new interest in STEM for children; and increase the safety of citizens through 

enhanced first-responder capabilities. 

7 Privacy 

All flights will occur over private, limited, or restricted-access areas with the property owner's prior 

consent and knowledge. Operations will be conducted by trained crew and all other individuals will 

either be a part of the operation or consent to be present at the time of operations. 

8 Federal Register Summary 

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 11, the following summary is provided for publication in the Federal 

Register, should it be determined that publication is needed: 

Applicant seeks an exemption from the following rules: 14 C.F.R. §21, subpart H; 14 C.F.R 

45.23(b);14 C.F.R. §§ 61.113( a) & (b), 61.133(a); 91.7 (a); 91.9 (b) (2); 91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 

91.151(a);91.203(a) and (b); 91.405 (a); 91.407 (a) (1); 91.409 (a) (2); 91.409 (a.) (2) and 91.417 (a) 

& (b) to operate s U AS for commercial use. 

9 Conclusion 

Sandoval seeks this exemption to conduct commercial operations using sUAS within restrictedaccess areas in the NAS. Without this exemption, sUAS innovation will be suppressed, the public 

economic benefits derived from increased sUAS development will be denied, and the Congressional 

directive to accelerate the integration of UAS into the NAS will be impeded. The sUAS physical and 

operational characteristics are compliant with those described in the FMRA and FAA's guidance for 

Sec 333 exemptions. Sandoval respectfully requests that the FAA grant its petition for exemption 

from airworthiness. 

Please do not hesitate to contact Andrew McCollough, the Regulatory Services POC, via email at 

exemption@skyward.io if you have any questions or concerns. 

Very Respectfully Yours, 

Eric Sandoval 

S&A CEO 

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