August 31, 2015

Exemption No. 12676

Regulatory Docket No. FAA−2015−2484

Mr. Kevin G. Kinsey

7245 Third Avenue

Sykesville, MD 21784

Dear Mr. Kinsey:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

By letter dated May 27, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for 

an exemption. You requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to enhance 

academic community awareness and augment real estate listing videos for local real estate 

videographers/photographers, real estate agents and home inspection services.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA describing the proposed operations and 

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner.

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner is a DJI Phantom 3.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products 

and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness Certificates. In accordance with the statutory criteria 

provided in Section 333 of Public Law 112−95 in reference to 49 U.S.C. § 44704, and in 

consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the 

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft 
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meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from 

14 CFR part 21, Certification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H—Airworthiness 

Certificates, and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is 

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection1. The FAA has issued grants of 

exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. 

In Grants of Exemption Nos. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 

11109 to Clayco, Inc. (see Docket No. FAA−2014−0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC (see

Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Labs, Inc. (see Docket No. 

FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned 

aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and 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 operation enabled 

by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of 

Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213;

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and 

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, Mr. Kevin G. Kinsey is granted an exemption from 

14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and (c), 61.101(e)(4) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a), 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 

91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to 

the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data collection. 

This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Mr. Kevin G. Kinsey is hereafter referred to as the operator.

 

1 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. 

Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF 

analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by 

instruments aboard the UA.
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Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 3

when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any 

other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and television filming are 

not permitted. 

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The 

exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine 

compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at 

airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the 

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level 

(AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. 

This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than 

corrective lenses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within 

the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. 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; 

electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC 

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 duties 

required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its 

operations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of 

exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating 

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the 

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and 

limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, 

the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. 

Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating 

documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the 

operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised 
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documents to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request. The 

operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension 

or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update 

or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then 

the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FAA’s 

UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding 

updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation 

or flight characteristics, e.g., replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo 

a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. 

Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at 

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such 

a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is 

in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the 

UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all 

potential discrepancies, e.g., inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the 

inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is 

prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the 

UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, 

replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and 

aircraft components.

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer 

safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, 

commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a 

current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a 

state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal 

government. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the 

ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be 

operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and 

maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC 

qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with 
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14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs 

(training, proficiency, and experience-building) and determining the PIC’s ability to 

safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated 

under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, 

training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During 

training, proficiency, and experience-building flights, all persons not essential for 

flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA 

with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All 

operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights 

under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as 

denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not 

denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbol as denoted on the current 

FAA-published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s 

management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption 

holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available 

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet 

horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS signal, the UA must return to a 

pre-determined location within the private or controlled-access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast 

weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the 

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve 

power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All 

operations shall be conducted in accordance with an ATO-issued COA. The 

exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct 

operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial 

number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification 

(N−Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must 

be as large as practicable.
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23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and 

any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the 

PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. 

These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement 

official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and 

activities at all times. 

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle. 

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating 

persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons 

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure 

that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises 

where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of 

the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety 

of nonparticipating persons; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission 

for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of 

the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not 

present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered 

nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access property with 

permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. 

Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be 

obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical 

boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported 

to the FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS−80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be 

reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions 

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed-set motion picture and 

television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) 

as documented in this grant of exemption.
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30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this 

exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards

District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day 

notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities 

must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted 

under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of 

the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N−Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator 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;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. 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 altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons 

consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the 

exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS 

operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to, 

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.
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This exemption terminates on September 30, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures
May 27, 2015 

Management System U. S. Department of Transportation Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Ave., 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Exemption Request Section 333 of the FAA Reform Act and Part 11 of 

the Federal Aviation Regulations 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

I, Kevin G Kinsey located at 7245 Third Ave. Sykesville, MD 21784, plan to operate a 

UAS, the DJI PHANTOM 3 Professional, which is comprised of an unmanned aircraft, 4K 

High definition camera, 3 axis gimbals mount and a transportable ground station. The 

PHANTOM is referred to as a quad-copter with a maximum gross weight of about 3 

pounds. It is equipped with four rotors that are driven by electric motors powered by 

batteries. The UA has a maximum airspeed of 31.1 knots. I plan to use my UAS in the 

mid-Atlantic states to enhance academic community awareness and augment real 

estate listing videos for local real estate videographers/photographers, real estate 

agents and home inspection services . 

I will abide by the following operational enhancements to ensure this exemption will 

provide a level of safety at least equal to existing rules: I will only operate in 

reasonably safe environments that are strictly controlled, are away from power lines, 

elevated lights, airports and actively populated areas; and I will conduct extensive 

preflight inspections and protocols, during which safety carries primary importance 

given the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the aircraft 

to be utilized, an exemption from 14 CFR part 21, Subpart H (Airworthiness 

Certificates) and§ 91.203 (a) and (b) (Certifications required), subject to certain 

conditions and limitations, is warranted and meets the requirements for an equivalent 

level of safety under 14 CFR part 11 and Section 333 of P.L. 112·95 (Section 333). 

I request an exemption from § 45.23 Marking of the aircraft because the UA will not 

have a cabin, cockpit or pilot station on which to mark certain words or phrases. Since 

two-inch lettering is difficult to place on such a small aircraft with dimensions smaller 

than the minimal lettering requirement I will mark the UAS in the largest possible 

lettering by placing the word "Experimental" on its fuselage as required by§ 45.29(f) 

so that I or anyone assisting me as a spotter will see the markings. 

I request an exemption from §§ 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1 ), 91.409(a)(2) and 91.417(a) 

and (b) Maintenance inspections may be required and should be granted since they 

only apply to aircraft with an airworthiness certificate. However, as a safety 

precaution I will perform a preflight inspection of the UAS before each flight as 

outlined in the UAS operation manuals and user guides. 
UAS Pilot in Command (PIC) 

As a holder of a private pilot certificate for 15 years (Airplane single engine land), 

with approximately 1000 hours flying time logged, I can achieve an equivalent level of 

safety as achieved by current regulations because the UAS does not carry any pilots or 

passengers. Furthermore, the risks of operating a UAS are far less than the risk levels 

inherent in the commercial activities outlined in 14 CFR part 61, et seq., thus I 

request an exemption from § 61.113 Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations: Pilot in 

command. 

Regarding UAS operational training, I have flown numerous practice flights in remote 

areas as a hobbyist simulating flights for future commercial use to gain familiarization 

with the characteristics of the UAS' performance in many different temperature and 

weather situations. I have completed all flights with no incidences or accidents. I also 

understand the aerodynamic characteristics of multi rotor aircraft to better 

understand the safe use of the UAS. 

For the safety purposes I will abide by the following additional operating conditions: 

• operate the UAS below 200 feet and in direct line of sight with visual observation 

• operate the UAS for 3·12 minutes per flight 

• land the UAS prior to the manufacturer's recommended minimum level of battery 

power 

• operate the UAS only within visual line of sight (VLOS) 

• use the UAS' global positioning system (GPS) flight safety feature whereby it hovers 

and then slowly lands if communication with the remote control pilot is lost 

• conduct all operations under my own personal and flight safety protocols contained 

in the operating documents and will actively analyze flight data and other sources of 

information to constantly update and enhance my safety protocols 

• Will NOT operate within 5 miles of airports without written authorization from the 

airport manager 

• Always obtain all necessary permissions prior to operation 

• Have procedures in place to abort flights in the event of safety breaches or 

potential danger 

§ 91. 7(a) prohibits the operation of an aircraft without an airworthiness certificate. 

Since there is currently no certificate applicable to his operation, this regulation is 

inapplicable.§ 
91. 9(b)(2) requires an aircraft flight manual in the aircraft, however since there are 

no pilots or passengers on board this aircraft and given its size, this regulation is 

inapplicable. 

A level of safety will be achieved by maintaining a safety/flight manual with the UAS 

ground station at all times while operating. 

§ 91.119 prescribe safe altitudes for the operation of civil aircraft, but that it allows 

helicopters to be operated at lower altitudes in certain conditions. I will not operate 

the UAS above the altitude of 200 feet above ground level (AGL) and will also only 

operate in safe areas away from the public and traffic, thus "providing a level of 

safety at least equivalent to or below those in relation to minimum safe altitudes." 

Given the size, weight, maneuverability, and speed of his UAS, an equivalent or 

higher level of safety will be achieved. 

§ 91.121 Altimeter settings is inapplicable since the UAS utilizes electronic GPS 

measuring displaying in AGL. 

I will always operate with a spotter, hereafter referred to as a visual observer (YO). I 

will brief the YO on conditions and limitations that the YO can perform the functions 

prescribed in the operating documents. The UA will never be operated beyond the 

actual visual capabilities of the YO, and the YO and PIC must have the ability to 

maintain visual line of sight (YLOS) with the UA at all times. It is the responsibility of 

the PIC to be aware of the YO's visual limitations and limit operations of the UA to 

distances within the visual capabilities of both the PIC and YO. Moreover, the YO will 

not be operating the aircraft. Additionally all persons not essential to flight 

operations (nonparticipating persons) will remain at appropriate distances or indoors 

during flights. If at any time the safety of persons is in question the flight will be 

terminated until such time the area of operation is made safe. 

Aerial videography for geographical awareness and for real estate marketing has been 

around for a long time through manned fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, but for 

small business owners, its expense has been cost-prohibitive. Granting this exemption 

would allow people to provide this service at a much lower cost. Further, the small 

UAS will pose no threat to the public given its small size and lack of combustible fuel 

when compared to larger manned aircraft. Also the operation of the UAS will 

minimize ecological damage and promote economic growth by providing information 

to companies looking to relocate or build in the Mid-Atlantic region. Upon approval of 

my request I will be able to create employment opportunities. 

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your response. 

Regards, 

Kevin G. Kinsey