19th August 2015 

Petitioner: Joshua Steven Lazarus Young 

Doing Business As: District Drones 

13101 Foxden Drive 

Rockville, MD 20850 

joshuaslyoung@ gmail.com 

Extant of relief: Petitioner desires exemption from section 333 for the purpose of 

conducting commercial aerial photography and videography using an Unmanned Aerial 

System (UAS) with Global Positioning System (GPS) control and stabilization. 

The petitioner supports its request with the following information: 

The petitioner provides the following information: 1. Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

(UAS); 2. UAS Pilot in Command (PIC) Requirements; 3. UAS Operating Parameters; 4. 

Public Interest and Safety; 5. Summary. 

1. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) 

Aircraft- DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 

• The weight of the UAS is 1280g which is well below the maxpayload. 

• It is compliant with CE (300m) and FCC (500m) regulations and ranges. 

• It uses radio frequency of 2AOO GHz-2.483 GHz. 

• If it flies beyond the effective range, it will enter it's failsafe mode and. 

automatically return to home. · 

• Max height and radius have been configured in the unit's software as well as 

no-fly zones and restricted-altitude areas. 

• DJI software alerts the PIC when near these areas and issues a warning when 

flying near the zone. 

• If it enters a no-fly zone, it automatically lands. 

• If trying to take-off in a prohibited area, the motors will not start. 

2. UAS Pilot in Command (PIC) Requirements: 

District Drones agrees to the following PIC requirements: 

• Aircraft will be operated in GPS' mode that will limit altitude and operational 

flight radius automatically. 

• Pilot in charge (PIC) must determine whether UAS is in condition for safe 

flight. Openitioh will be avoided if there are too many obstacles in the area or 

the weather is deemed unsafe for flight. 

• Pre and post flight inspections will be routinely conducted including 

examining battery, propellers, calibrating the compass and the unit's shell for 

damage and that the self-tightening propellers are secured. 
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Maintenance will be performed in accordance with the manufacturer's 

guidelines and by certified technicians. (see appended DJI Owner's Manual) 

All inspections and maintenance will be documented in house . 

After maintenance, certified technicians will verify the UAS is ready for 

flight. 

The aircraft must obtain a reliable GPS lock to ensure correct operation of inflight stabilization and 'Return Home' function in event of transmitter 

malfunction. 

PIC agrees to abide by FAA rules regarding Airport proximity and designated 

no-fly zones. 

The PIC will have a minimum of 20 hours logged on the Phantom 3 before 

using for any commercial use. 

3. UAS Operating Parameters 

District Drones agrees to the following operating conditions: 

• Operations will keep the UAS below 400 feet and within a radius of 1000 feet 

from the PIC. 

• Operations will only be conducted with permission from property owners. 

• Operations will last 8-12 minutes per flight. 

• Operations will land the vessel before the maximum recommended battery 

duration of the Phantom. 

• Operations will occur in the daylight hours and within visual line of sight 

(VLOS). 

• Operations will use the DJI GPS flight safety feature for commercial projects. 

• Operations will not take place within 5 miles of an airport or in other no-fly 

zones. 

• Operations will use a proposed maximum operating speed of 40 mph for 

commercial projects. 

4. Public Interest and Safety 

• District Drones will use their Phantom 3 for aerial videography and 

photography and to support small companies who have an interest in 

high value production for a reasonable price. 

• The small UAS is developed and maintained by an established company 

(DJI) and will pose minimal threat to the public when operated under the 

conditions specified in this document. 

• District Drones plans to use the device at speeds well below the FAA 

maximum speed to ensure smooth and crisp picture. 
5. Summary 

Should we be granted this exemption, District Drones will comply with all of the 

conditions and requirements specified in this document. Our intent is to grow into a 

reliable and recommended photography jvideography company available for small 

projects and requests including (but not limited to) weddings, company overviews, 

real estate imaging, golf course fly-overs, minor-sporting events, and personal 

projects. 

Petitioner also requests exemption from 14 CPR part 21, Subpart H (Airworthiness 

Certificates) OR rights to an experimental airworthiness certificate under Title 14 CPR§ 

21.191 for the purposes of research and development. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

District Drones 

13101 Foxden Dr 

Rockville, MD 

208509 

joshuaslyoung@gmail.com